Kinfolks
by Evelyn Flood
First wrote this story 5 February 1998 and am updating the story as I
go along. Have found lots more information since that time.
First published this story in my 'Kinfolks' column of the Newton
County Times Newspaper.
Many people have helped me with this story and I thank them for their
help.
That is a story in itself.
This is the OLD JOHN NICHOLS family as I know it.
Will be adding information to this story as people send me their
updates.
The late Remmel Flud gave me copies of his notes and from one of
these notes, have "constructed" some of this story.
The note read and exact quotes:
"Honey John Flood mother was a Sal. Sallie Nicholes.
Her sisters were one brother Billy Nicholes. Martha Lyn Pop.
Nance Bet Debitts".(end of note)
Judging from this note I believe he meant:
Sallie Nichols Flud; William B "Billy"Nichols; Martha Nichols;
Malinda "Lyn" Nichols Shaddox; Mary Ann "Pop" Nichols Foster;
Nancy Nichols Sexton; Elizabeth "Bet" Nichols Bolin and Tibitha
Ann"Debitts" Nichols Ricketts.
No mention of Margaret, Sarah or David Vestor Nichols
Received a request for NICHOLS family information from Roxanna and
Paul Nichols of Lees Summit, Missouri sometime back.
They sent in NICHOLS family information which was printed in the
Newton County Family History Book I. However, at that time they did
not give an address(if there was, I did not see it).
I have done extensive research on many NICHOLS families who migrated
from Tennessee and Alabama to Franklin and Newton Counties, Arkansas
"Old John"Nichols, who was a Newton County Justice of Peace and 1880
Newton County census enumerator,was my husband's great-great-great-
grandfather.
His daughter, TIBITHA ANN NICHOLS, married Stephen RICKETTS
Stephen and Tibitha's son, William Smithson Ricketts, married SARAH SMITH, daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret ARMSTRONG(Byrd?) SMITH.
William and Sarah Smith Ricketts' daughter, Hester Hosannie Ricketts
married SIMON DAVID FLUD; Simon and Hester Ricketts Flud's son was my
beloved father-in-law Lee Chester FLOOD.
Ironic that Sarah Smith was sister to the SMITHS who were involved in
the SMITH-NICHOLS feud and she married William S Ricketts who was the
grandson of "old John"NICHOLS whose brother Thomas NICHOLS was supposedly
killed by this same SMITH kinfolk family. Sort of like the Hatfields
and McCoys feud wherein one of their daughters(Roseann I believe)fell
in love with the son of the enemy family. Am working on the story
of the "Smith-Nichols Feud" which I hope to complete soon.
Have done the genealogy on many Nichols men and will be adding their
research as soon as I can.
"Old John" NICHOLS was married several times and on the 1840 Marion
County,Tennessee census had 11 females listed.
John NICHOLS family was in Franklin County,Arkansas in 1850, White Oak Township. Believe "old John "NICHOLS was brother to Thomas NICHOLS who had come to Newton County by 1850.
Thomas NICHOLS obtained 160 acres by Military Land Warrant #51823 from
William CECIL, dated 1849. William CECIL had been in the Mexican War
as a Private in 12 Reg't of U S Infantry. This land was in Section 35,
Township 15 North, Range 20 West of Newton County,Arkansas. Will
write the Thomas Nichols Story later.
Old John NICHOLS purchased 40 acres in Newton County , 2 Oct 1857, in
Section 35, Township 15 North,Range 20 West, Fayetteville Land Office
No 9181. On the back of this land patent there is noted:
"Copy of Pat.Trans' Mar 23/81 to William Keener, Harrison,Ark."
An affidavit signed by Thomas NICHOLS, dated 7 Oct 1857, shows that
John Nichols had been residing on said land since the first day of
January 1855.
Land records are a good way to find the whereabouts of families and
many people do not think about using this useful tool. I urge you
to send for your ancestors land records. Write me and I will help
you order them.
Later, John's son William B. NICHOLS purchased many more acres in
Newton County.Keep in mind, there were so many men named John NICHOLS;
the only way I can identify the correct John is to use a middle name
or nickname, so I call the elder John Nichols, "Old John"Nichols.
By his first? wife he had 11? children(as shown on the 1840 Marion
County,Tennessee census.One of his wives is said to be Margaret FLOOD
(which I do not know)The name Margaret FLOOD was in Remmel Flud's
notes.
Another wife was said to be Margaret Smith.
Another Margaret Sexton.
We do know that his last wife was Margaret.
This is a list of "old John" Nichols' known children:
(1) TABITHA ANN NICHOLS(1823-1858) married Stephen RICKETTS ca
1849(our side). Have tried to find their Tennessee Marriage record.
Will write later on her family.
(2)MARY ANN "Pop" NICHOLS(1824-1910?) married Charles FOSTER Jr.ca 1844, probably Marion County,Tennessee, possibly Foster Falls?
Have Foster information to share later.
(3)UNKNOWN
(4) MANERVA NICHOLS(1829-? nothing further known).
(6)SARAH "SALLIE" NICHOLS/b>(1831-1912?) who married John L FLUD,
brother of Nathan FLOOD and James FLUD. More later on her family.
She was the mother of "Honey John" Flud. Have a picture of this family. See the "Honey John Flud Story" on my website.
(7) ELIZABETH "Betsy" NICHOLS(1832-1887) who married HENRY
BOLIN.
See the "Henry Bolin Story" on my website.
(8) MARTHA JANE NICHOLS(1834-?) who never married but had
one son WILLIAM NICHOLS.
William was actually the son of Martha NICHOLS and George W FLOOD,
born before George W FLOOD married and while he was in the Union
Army during the Civil War.
Have been in contact with a daughter of William Nichols who lives
in Eufaula, Oklahoma.
Have information on this family which I will add later.
Martha may be the Martha Nichols buried in Smith Cemetery, Newton
County, Arkansas; her grave is lost.
(9)EMELINE NICHOLS(SARAH EMELINE)(1832-1912).She was living
with the Old John Nichols family on 1850 Franklin County, Arkansas
Census,but was later found to be a relative.
SARAH EMELINE NICHOLS had three children:
(1) Harmon Marion NICHOLS who married SARAH HEFLEY on 24 Augusut 1882
in Newton County, Arkansas. I believe it was at this "Infare" wedding
celebration that Thomas NICHOLS was killed on 1 September 1882 in
Newton County in what was to become the "SMITH-NICHOLS FEUD".
See' SMITH-NICHOLS Feud' in my Kinfolks Stories.
(2)Marilla Frances Nichols who married John M DODSON in 1879.
See her photo in my 'Kinfolks Memory Album'.
(3)Boozier John NICHOLS(nothing else known-this was probably a nickname).
Sarah Emeline Nichols married G D PETTAY (listed as GERTAY on 1880
Newton County, Arkansas Census) on 28 October 1876 in Franklin County,
Arkansas. Someone said Pettay(Petty?) was the "town drunk" and died
soon after the marriage.
Will write Sarah Emeline NICHOLS story later.
Have all the information, but need to do my "HTML THINGY" to
get the story on to the Internet. There are photos of Sarah Emeline Nichols and her family in the "Kinfolks Album".
(10) MALINDA NICHOLS (1837-?), married A J SHADDOX (65) of
Boone County, Arkansas in 1888 in Newton County.
Need to find out what happened to her.
(11)NANCY NICHOLS(1839-1911)married WILLIAM RILEY SEXTON1
about 1860, probably in Newton County.
More about the Nancy Nichols Sexton family in the William Riley Sexton Story to follow in my 'Kinfolks Stories'.
Thanks to Dale Sexton, I have some photos to share with you
These were all known Old John Nichols' children up to 1840.
Believe the next two children were by his second? wife Margaret,
born 1800 in Tennessee (maiden name unknown at this time).
She could have been his third wife.
Due to her age and the birthdates of the next two children, this
Margaret NICHOLS perhaps was married before and there are
stepchildren of Old John NICHOLS we do not know about.
I always trace the collateral families and daughters' families. You
can usually find relatives living nearby. The women of the family
influenced where they moved and their sisters and brothers, aunts and
unclies, usually ended up moving right along with the family.
(12) MARGARET NICHOLS (1842-?)born in Tennesse,shown on 1850
Franklin County,Arkansas census and 1860 Newton County,Arkansas census.
She did not marry. She had one known son, JOHN WILLIAM SEXTON.
John W Sexton married Peggy O'NEAL.
It is said Margaret had her baby John on a tree stump and died soon after he was born.
John's father is said to be William Riley Sexton (her brother-in-law)
I have the genealogy of her son John W Sexton.
Will put that in another Kinfolks Story in the SEXTON STORY.
(13) WILLIAM B "Mountain Bill" NICHOLS(1844-1917) born in
Tennessee ,who married POLLY (TAYLOR?),10 years older than himself.
William B Nichols was a soldier in Co.F, First Arkansas Infantry
(Union-Civil War), joining 1 Mar 1863.
Shown deserted August 1863 from Fayetteville, Arkansas.
If he had not deserted and filed for Civil War Pension, we would
know his wife's maiden name.
Many Union men were taken prisoner while scouting in Newton County.
Because of his desertion, he did not draw a pension.
More than likely taken prisoner by Confederates and was reported as
deserted.
Many men that this happened to did not follow up with their pensions
and so it was dropped. I am sure he was glad to have lived through
the Civil War.
He is listed as William BENICKLES on the 1900
Newton County, Arkansas Census
William B and Polly (Taylor?) Nichols Children:
(1) JOHN JEROME NICHOLS, born 9 August 1863 in Newton County, Arkansas.
John Jerome Nichols died 15 August 1919 and is buried in Ricketts
Cemetery, Newton County, Arkansas.
Married Mary Elizabeth "Eliza Sexton" on 27 November 1889 in
Newton County.
Eliza was the daughter of Daniel Sexton and Mary E. Reddell
Their children were:
i: Lawrence M. Nichols, born 28 March 1891.
Lawrence married Dora Ethel Davis on 29 June 1916 in Boone County, Arkansas
She was daughter of Martha Bell Smith and Henderson (Lafferty?)Davis.
They had one known son, Olen Nichols who married twice and had two
or three children.
Dora was born 3 December 1900 and died on 6 October 1987 in Santa Barbara County, California.
Lawrence died in January 1970 in West Covina, Los Angeles County,
California.
ii: William Henry Harrison Nichols, born 30 September 1892.
He married NELLIE NELSON (Vining) on 16 March 1915 in Newton County,
Arkansas.
They had three children:
1) William Roscoe Nichols, born 1915.
William Roscoe married VELA A. LEWIS in 1945.
Two sons: Ross Lewis Nichols and Kent Bradley Nichols
2)Goldie Nichols, married VIRL ROSAMOND.
There were two children of this marriage:
i:Louis Carol Rosamond.
ii: Mary Jane Rosamond
These two were adopted by William Henry and Nellie Nichols after
their mother's death.
Goldie Nichols Rosamond died in 1939.
3)John Jerome Sherman Nichols, born 8July1923 and died 6July1984
John married BURMADETTA M. KOSTER. Sherman is buried in Caledonia,
Missouri.
iii: Infant, born and died 28 August 1895 with burial in Ricketts
Cemetery, on Holt Mountain, Newton County, Arkansas.
iv: Daniel C Sheridan Nichols, born 11 February 1897 (twin).
Daniel married MYRTLE PEARL BREEDLOVE on 24 June 1923 and they
had four children:
1)Lawrence Ray Nichols
2)Walter Morris Nichols
3)Shirley Colleen Nichols
4)Billy Charles Nichols
William Henry died near Bellview, Missouri>
v: William Thomas Sherman Nichols, born 11 February 1897 (twin).
He married MINNIE LUE MACK on 27 September 1919 in Johnson County,
Arkansas. They had seven sons.
1) Gus Nichols (1920-1935)
2) Guy Nichols
Guy was the Chief Ranger at Ft. Smith, Arkansas Museum for over
30 years. I talked to him by telephone and he sent me Nichols
Family information. His voice sounded so much like my father-in-law
Lee Flood.
When Charlotte Blanchard and I went through Ft. Smith, Arkansas Museum in 1988 we just missed talking to Guy Nichols. Seems it was his day off.
And so we missed a good conversation with Guy.
3) Fred Alvin Nichols (1924-1995)
4) Monroe Nichols
5) James Raymond Nichols( 1929-1981)
6) Marvin Nichols
7) Lawrence Olen "Mutt" Nichols
Sherman and Minnie were divorced in 1936. Minnie Mack Nichols is
buried in Knoxville Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas.
Sherman married (2) Helen Ruth BURTON on 23 December 1936.
Children from this marriage were:
8)Jewell Alma Nichols
9) William Robert Nichols
10) James Truett "Pete" Nichols
William died in 1979 at Ft. Smith, Arkansas and is buried in Knoxville Cemetery,
Johnson County, Arkansas
vi: Mary Rosey (Rosella)Nichols, born 12 April 1900.
She married CURGUS MANN(MANS?)(1905-1986)on 31 March 1927.
Rosey died 25 April 1979 and is buried in Knoxville Cemetery, Johnson
County, Arkansas.
vii:James McKinley Nichols, born 6 January 1903.
He married (1) VESTA ELLEN FREEMAN (1907-1943) on 20 April 1924 in
Newton County,Arkansas.
Vesta was the daughter of George W. Freeman and Carrie CAMPBELL
Their children were:
1)Woodrow Nichols
2) Monroe Nichols
3) Alice Nichols Tennison Chapman
4) Jimmie Lou Nichols McCutcheon
After Vesta Freeman Nichols died,
James married (2) IRENE GEORGE DEAN (1921-1975).
They had two children:
5) Bettye Lee Nichols Christian
6) Shirley Nichols Miller
James was a famous chair maker in the Newton County area.
Some day I hope to own a chair that he made. If anyone knows of the existence of a chair made by James, please write me.
James died 2 March 1980 and is buried in Mt.Judea Cemetery, Newton
County, Arkansas.
viii: Nora Emeline Nichols. Born 6 January 1906.
She married ERNEST EARL PARKS(1881-1956) on 10 September 1922
They had four children.
She is buried in Knoxville Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas.
ix: Delbert Nichols, born 3 October 1910.
He married INA ROSAMOND on 1 December 1929 in Newton County, Arkansas.
They had eight children. Does anyone have a list of their children?
Delbert died on 6 Jan 1996 and is buried in Bellview, Iron County,
Missouri.
After John Jerome Nichols died, Mary Eliza Sexton Nichols married
John W. BRISTOW on 27 March 1927 in Newton County, Arkansas.
John was born 15 April 1866 and died 1 December 1933 with burial
in Tarlton Cemetery in Newton County.
Mary Eliza Sexton Nichols Bristow died in June 1944 and is buried
in Knoxville Cemetery in Johnson County, Arkansas.
continuing with William B. and Polly Taylor Nichols children:
(2)MARGARET E. NICHOLS
Born 28 September 1871 (July 1873?)a twin.
Margaret died 11 April 1952 and is buried in New Cowell Cemetery
Newton County, Arkansas.
She married WILLIAM "Preacher Will" COLUMBUS SMITH on
25 December 1902 in Newton County Arkansas.
William was born 2 August 1880 at Eros, Boone County, Arkansas.
William died in 1978 and is buried in New Cowell Cemetery in
Newton County.
Their Children were:
i: Bertha L. Smith, born ca 1904
ii: Sylvester Smith, born 27 July 1908
Sylvester married (1) AULCIE HUDSON on 23 February 1929 in Newton
County, Arkansas.
Aulcie Hudson was daughter of Samuel Anthony Hudson and Ida May
Johnson.
They were divorced.
They had one daughter, Ida Virginia Smith.
Sylvester Smith married (2) LEATHY M. FOSTER on 21 April 1931.
Leathy was daughter of Pullium Foster and Barbara Sutton.
I talked to Leathy on the telephone and she gave me the following
information.
Their Children were:
1) Lee "Utah" Smith
2) Lewis Smith
3) Clayton Smith
4) Robert Jackson Smith
5) Rick Lee Smith
6) Lucillle Smith Bell
7) Glendene Smith Leonard
8) Charlene Smith Avila
9) Marie Smith Mathews
Sylvester Smith died on 30 April 1984.
Leathy M. Foster, born 15 April 1915 at Red Rock, Newton County,
Arkansas. She died 18 September 2000 at St.Mary's Hospital in
Blue Springs, Missouri. They are buried in Oak Grove, Missouri
cemetery.
iii: William "Bill" S. Smith, born 25 December 1910.
He married LUCILLE DUCK (1922-1980). Bill was a World War II Veteran
and died 13 April 1998 at Dardanelle, Arkansas and is buried in the
Cowell Cemetery, Newton County, Arkansas.
continuing with children of William B & Polly Taylor Nichols:
(3)GEORGE W "Angry George" NICHOLS
Born 28 September 1871 (July1873?)a twin.
George married MARY JANE "Shug" REDDELL on 22 September 1909 in
Newton County, Arkansas.
Have been given the names of Elsie, Fred, Lambdon and Troy Eugene
Nichols as being children of this couple, but am not sure on these
names. Can anyone help me here?
Known children:
i: Jeames W. Nichols, born 10 July 1910 who married GUSSIE HEFLEY.
Jeames died 4 April 1986 with burial in Mt.Judea Cemetery in Newton
County.
ii: Teddy L. Nichols
iii: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Nichols, born 30 October 1914.
She married JOHNNY W. PERKINS.
Lizzie died 22 June 1971 and is buried in Sexton Cemetery, Newton
County, Arkansas.
(4)ANDREW JACKSON NICHOLS
Born 1876. He never married. Do not have his death date.
It is said he is buried in Mt. Judea Cemetery without marker
(5)ABRAM COLUMBUS NICHOLS
Born May 1879. Columbus married NORA L. "Booze" DOTSON on
6 December 1905 in Newton County, Arkansas.
They had only one son:
i: Arthur NICHOLS, born in 1907 who married:
Ora SWEARINGEN on 20 March 1927 in Newton County.
Columbus Nichols is said to be buried in Mt. Judea Cemetery,
in Newton County.
"Old John" NICHOLS married Martha PICKETT BURDINE(widow of
Joseph BURDINE), on 22 Feb 1882 in Newton County, Arkansas.
Old John Nichols was the census enumerator for Newton County
in 1880 and left himself off the census. He listed women on the
1880 census who had no husband as D (divorced, no husband or
widowed).
MARTHA PICKETT BURDINE had the following NICHOLS children living with
her in 1880 in Newton County:
(14) DAVID VESTOR NICHOLS(1877-1953) who married Mary Florence
STARR on 21 March 1898 in Newton County, Arkansas.
David and Mary Nichols children were:
i: JOHN TALMAGE NICHOLS (1899-1926)who married Mary WILSON.
ii: LUCY NICHOLS (1902-1985) who married FRANK GARNER.
iii: WRENDA E. NICHOLS (1903-?)who married MATT MANNS. Wrenda is
buried in Mt. Judea Cemetery with no death date on stone.
iv:BETTY NICHOLS (1906-?) who married (1) HARLEY RHINES(RHYNES) on
17 October 1923 in Newton County, Arkansas.
She married (2) BUD SHATSWELL, on unknown date.
v: TRUMAN NICHOLS (1908- ?)who married DEXTER WINSTEAD 31 May 1930
vi: WILLIAM BAILEY NICHOLS(1910-1989)who married NIMA ELIZABETH HILL
on 25 January 1937
vii: FRANCES NICHOLS (1913-?) who married LOU EWING on 4 July 1930
viii: OSCAR NICHOLS (1914-?)
ix: RUTH NICHOLS, born 24 June 1916, who married (1) RAY EWING on
28 May 1933 and (2) CLARENCE STOTT on unknown date.
Ruth died 15 February 1993 in Alameda, California and is buried in
Chapel of Chimes Cemetery at Hayward, California.
x: Infant son DAVID NICHOLS, born 1 January 1920 and died on
20 January 1920 with burial in Hasty Cemetery in Newton County.
Mother Mary Florence Starr Nichols, born 8 March 1887, died on
6 January 1920 after giving birth to their tenth child.
She was the daughter of John STARR and Sarah Elizabeth AGEE.
David Vestor NICHOLS married :
(2) KATHERINE "Katie" SUTTON SHATSWELL on 28 August 1930
in Newton County, Arkansas.
No children from this marriage
David Vestor NICHOLS died 17 January 1953 and is buried in Hasty
Cemetery, Newton County, Arkansas.
(15)SARAH NICHOLS(1880-?) who married:
(1) J S VAUGHN of Polk County, Arkansas on 19 July 1903 in Newton
County, Arkansas.
One son from this marriage.
Son VAUGHN
Sarah married:
(2)H. S. ARRIS "Buddy" FOSTER on 9 Dec 1906 in Boone County,Arkansas.
See my Kinfolks Story on Eva Foster Verdun.
Sarah NICHOLS VAUGHN FOSTER is buried in Gaither Cemetery, Boone
County,Arkansas.
So, I believe these 15 NICHOLS children listed above were Old John
Nichols children with exception of Sarah Emeline NICHOLS PETTAY
listed as child No.9 above. Could Sarah Emeline be the daughter
of his last wife Margaret before her marriage to old John.?
Is that why she was living with the family in 1850??
Old John Nichols wife Margaret (mnu)died around 1900 and was buried along side the road going up to Ricketts Cemetery on Holt Mountain.
Seems they could not get to the cemetery at the time and so buried her along side the road. Her grave is not marked.
Old John NICHOLS died 1 June 1885 in Newton County with burial in
RICKETTS Mountain Cemetery on top of HOLT Mountain near Cowell,
Arkansas. He was born 1 April 1802 in Tennessee.
Do any of you own the book "Newton County Cemeteries "by Herman and
Oleta Haddock??
It is a "gold mine" of information.
Or do you own the book
"New Ozark Cousins" by Bud Phillips?
You can find these books and many other Newton County Books on the
Newton County Historical Society website below.
Newton County Historical Society
Created 5 Feb 1998
Published in the Newton County Arkansas Times Newspaper
Evelyn Flood
Rkinfolks@aol.com
Copyright(c)1998
Dear CVH, KB, JT, LR and all others
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updated 24 Nov 2005