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From: Bobbie Bethel <>
Subject: [NICHOLSON-L] Text of Joseph Nicholass (Nicholson?) will-1796
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 17:04:04 -0500


On August 16, Julia Ince sent the following to the NICHOLSON-L: Text of
will FOLLOWS her original posting:

"In reference to the Joseph Nicholson who died in Pittsburgh around 1800,
some people asked me if I knew anything more about him, so I went
through some of my records and found the following:

A Joseph Nicholass had a will proved at Allegheny County, PA court in
1796 - I think this may be Joseph Nicholson. His will may be in Willbook
1, page 100 - but I'm not certain that is the correct page.

Among the wills from Jefferson Co., Kentucky, there is a will for Mary
Christy of Jefferson County, Kentucky, written 29 Aug 1781 and proved 2
Apr 1782. Mary's will mentions eldest son William Christy, appoints
Joseph Nicholson of Pittsburgh to be guardian of her children, says
daughters Sary and Jenny to go to Martha Nicholas, wife of Joseph
Nicholas (this probably should read Nicholson), ecex. are Joseph
Nicholson of Pittsburgh and George Wilson. So it appears that the name
of Joseph Nicholson's wife was Martha.

According to the book "Documentary History of Dunmore's War, 1774," by
Reuben G. Thwaites, (p.12-13), a Thomas Nicholson was a well known scout
and interpreter who served in Dunmore's War who had a brother, Joseph
Nicholson, who was also an interpreter. Joseph returned to Pittsburgh
after 1782.

A book about white and Indian relations on the frontier entitled, "The
Middle Ground...," by Richard White, published in 1991, refers (page
329) to a "Joseph Nickels" who was taken prisoner as a child at Fort
Pitt (Pittsburgh).

In the book "Old Westmoreland, A history of Western Pennsylvania During
the Revolution," by Edgar W. Hassler (publ. Pittsburgh 1900), it says
(page 99) that when Colonel Brodhead made an expedition against the
Seneca during the Revolutionary War, "Joseph Nicholson the interpreter"
was wounded.

In my notes I found the following quote taken from one of the journals
on Pennsylvania history. Unfortunately, I can't find the last page of
my notes, so I'm not sure which journal, volume, and page it comes from,
but I'm sending it along anyway in case it helps anyone:

The following is part of an address to the Pennsylvania Government in
Philadelphia, made in October of 1790, by Seneca Chief Cornplanter:
"Considering his (Joseph Nicholson) services. . . the Six Nations wished
to have him seated upon a tract of land of six miles lying in the fork
of the Allegheny River and Broken Straw Creek and accordingly patented
to him, this being the place where a battle was fought between my people
and yours, and where around thirty of my people were beaten, by him and
twenty-five of your people, and where he was shot through the thigh."

Hopes this helps someone. I don't have any more info on this man, and I
don't think he was related to my line.

-Julia Ince

The following is the text of that will as clearly as I can make it out.
Anyone have any information re: clarification of Nicholass/Nicholson ?????
Information re: descendant children named herein ?????

In the name of God amen, I Joseph Nicholass Being in a Low State of health
but in Sound Memory and Judgement, do make Ordain and Institute this as my
last Will and Testament, It is my Request in the first place that all my
Lawful Debts shall be paid out of my Estate Secondly that my Beloved wife,
Martha Nicholass get the (thirds?) of all the Real and Personal Estate
remaining after such debts are paid for her support (illegible) During her
natural Life,It is my request also that she not sell or dispose any part or
parts of said (thirds?) to any person or persons whatsoever During her
life, also the rents and profits arising of the remainder part to be set
out for the Educating and Raising of the children until they arrive to the
years of maturity. I also bequeth to my daughter Elizabeth Bond the sum
of five shillings lawfull money; I bequeth to my son, Edward Nicholass the
sum of five shillings like money; I bequeth to my son, Joseph Nicholass the
sum of 30 poundslike money. At the decease of the aforesaid, Martha
Nicholass the Estate to be equally divided and disposed of as to the best
advantage for the following children vz my daughter, Mary Nicholass, my
sons, Thomas Nicholass, John Nicholass; and daughters, Matilda Nicholass
and Nancy Nicholass; and my son, William Nicholass. I also appoint and
nominate my trusty friends Nathaneiel and Samuell Ewalt my executors and
guardian for my beloved wife Martha and the aforesaid named children and
estate to conduct all my business as the law directs to the best advantage
for the children and the estate in witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and fixed my seal in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and ninety six June 17th 1796

Witnesses (Present?) Jos Tennehill - John Barclay

Signature of Joseph Nicholass (Large ink blot covering last part of
Nicholass) Seal.

October the 14th 1796 before me Samuell Jones Register of Wills and
Granting Setters of Administration came Josiah Tannehill and John Barclay
the two Evidencies within mentioned was duly sworn according to Law deposed
and saith that they seen the within Testator sign, publish, pronounce and
declare the within will as his Last will and Testament and that he was of
sound mind and memory to the best of their knowledge. Saml Jones

Bobbie



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