Donald Nicholson

#956, (28 February 1804-10 February 1874)
FatherDonald Nicholson1 (c 1773-5 Jul 1842)
MotherAnn Metcalf (c 1766-25 Jan 1845)
ChartsNicholson Family 2 - descendants
Barbara Nicholson - ancestors
Descendents of Donald Nicholson
Last Edited9 Mar 2023
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Nicholson-10078.

Short Biography

     Donald was born in 1804 in Ulverston, Lancashire.

He married Jane Wetherell in St. Michael in the Hamlet in 1824 in Aigburth, Liverpool. He was 20 and his wife Jane was 21. Jane and Donald went on to have some 12 children together, seven of whom lived to adulthood.

In his early adulthood he worked as a hatter.

He made a change to a baker and flour dealer but became bankrupt in 1843.

He began working as a bookkeeper for a while. In what must be astonishingly bad luck, Donald and Jane had four of their daughters die unmarried between 1847 and 1852. Each was between 19 and 22 years old.

He went back to being a hatter, then a manchester warehouseman. He was declared bankrupt for the second time and was forced to surrender himself to the Registrar of the County Court.

His wife Jane died 8 December 1870 at the age of 68, leaving him a widower aged 66. The following year he was a boarder with James and Ann Sutton and he worked a salesman for a glass works, then a bookkeeper again.

Donald died in 1874. He lived to see all but three of his twelve children die, all of them before he was 50.
Donald Nicholson's signature from his son Donald's wedding certificate in 1856
(Source: Liverpool Marriages and banns, Reference Number: 283 PLP/3/16)
Photograph by Tim
     NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
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(For a brief history and context on the Nicholson family see this page)

Donald was born on Tuesday, 28 February 1804 at Ulverston, Lancashire.2 He was the son of Donald Nicholson and Ann Metcalf.1 Donald lived in May 1824 at Walton-on-the-Hill, Liverpool.3 Marriage banns for Donald Nicholson and Jane Wetherell were published at St. Michael in the Hamlet, Aigburth, Liverpool.3

He married Jane Wetherell, daughter of John Wetherell and Margaret Parker, in a Church of England ceremony at St. Michael in the Hamlet on Monday, 17 May 1824 at Aigburth, Liverpool. He was 20 and his wife Jane was 21.. Others who may have attended the wedding include Ann Metcalf as mother of the groom and Donald Nicholson as father of the groom. Brothers and sisters who may have attended include Neale Nicholson, Mary Nicholson, Samuel Nicholson, Nancy Nicholson and Alexander Nicholson. Jane and Donald went on to have some 12 children together, seven of whom lived to adulthood.3 Donald (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived in 1828 at 20 Henley Street, in Liverpool.4 Donald (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived in March 1829 at Hanley Street, in Liverpool.5

At the time of the birth of their daughter Jane, they had an association.6 Donald Nicholson was a hatter in 1832 at Clare Street, Liverpool.7 He was a hatter in his own employ in 1834 at 68 Church Street, in Liverpool.8

Donald, aged 30 and Jane Wetherell, aged 31 became the parents of Donald Nicholson on Friday, 6 June 1834 at Liverpool.9,1 Donald (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived circa 1840 at Stafford Street, Lime Street Ward, Liverpool.10

He was recorded as head of household in the 1841 census with Jane Wetherell (which other records indicate is his spouse) at Walton-on-the-Hill, Liverpool. He was 37 years old. The 1841 census only recorded adult ages rounded down to the nearest 5 years; his approximate age was recorded as 35 years old. Also in the household were seven of their children and a servant.11 Donald Nicholson was a hatter in 1843 at 38 Castle Street, Liverpool.12 Donald (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived in December 1843 at Castle Street, in Liverpool.13

Donald Nicholson Donald became bankrupt on 2 December 1843 on 2 December 1843.13 On 19 January 1844 his "goodwill, stock in trade and fixtures" along with house lease was to be disposed of by the Official Assignee. Apparently, Donald was also running a business as a baker and flour dealer.14 On 17 April 1844 Donald Nicholson was scheduled to meet with his creditors at the District Court at 12 noon, and again 90 days later.15,16 On 3 May 1844 Donald Nicholson made his first dividend payment of 8 shillings on the pound.17

He was recorded as head of household in the 1851 census with Jane Wetherell as his spouse at Prescot Road, West Derby, Liverpool. He was 47 years old. Also living in the house were four of their children aged 21 to 10 years old.2 His occupation was recorded as being a bookeeper in the census.2

In what must be astonishingly bad luck, Donald and Jane had four of their daughters die unmarried between 1847 and 1852. Each was between 19 and 22 years old. Donald Nicholson was a hatter in August 1856.18

Donald, as the father of the groom, along with Jane attended the wedding of Donald and Elizabeth Ann Medhurst in a Church of England ceremony at St. Philip's on Wednesday, 6 August 1856 at Liverpool. Donald was 22 and his wife Elizabeth was 19. Others who may have attended include Nancy Ann Cattral as mother of the bride and Thomas Medhurst as father of the bride. Elizabeth and Donald went on to have at least five children together.18,1,19 Donald Nicholson was a warehouseman in July 1858.20 Donald (and presumably his spouse Jane) lived in July 1858 at 9 Chapman Street, Manchester.20

He was recorded as head of household in the 1861 census with Jane Wetherell as his spouse at Manchester. He was 57 years old.21 His occupation was recorded as being a manchester warehouseman in the census.21 Donald Nicholson was a "Milliner and Bookkeeper, Dealer and Chapman" in March 1863.22,23

On 23 January 1863 Donald Nicholson was declared bankrupt for the second time and was forced to surrender himself to the Registrar of the County Court. A first meeting of his creditors was set up for a date 3 weeks hence at Liverpool.23

On 18 March 1863 Donald passed his last examination and had his bankruptcy discharged.22 On 19 December 1863 Donald Nicholson was scheduled to meet with his creditors for an audit at Liverpool County Court, in Liverpool.24 He was a cashier for a glass factory in October 1869.25

His wife Jane died 8 December 1870 at the age of 68, leaving him a widower at age 66.

Donald Nicholson was recorded as a boarder in the household of James Sutton and Ann (?) in the 1871 census at 100 Mill Street, Manchester.26 His occupation was recorded as being a salesman for a glass works in the census.26 Donald Nicholson was a bookkeeper in February 1874.27 Donald lived in February 1874 at 57 Hutton Street, Moss Side, Manchester.27

Donald died on 10 February 1874 at Moss Side, Manchester, at age 69. He died of bronchitis and senectus (old age). Donald lived to see all but three of his twelve children die, all of them before he was 50..27

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
Family
1804BirthUlverston, Lancashire2
1
1824ResidenceWalton-on-the-Hill, Liverpool3
1824Marriage BannSt. Michael in the Hamlet, Aigburth, Liverpool3
1824MarriageAigburth, Liverpool3
1828Residence20 Henley Street, in Liverpool4
1829ResidenceHanley Street, in Liverpool5
1829Note memo only CR CRLime Street Baptist Church, in6
1832OccupationClare Street, Liverpool7
1834Occupation68 Church Street, in Liverpool8
1835Occupation-hideChurch Street, Liverpool28
1840ResidenceStafford Street, Lime Street Ward, Liverpool10
1841Census (Eng) 1841Walton-on-the-Hill, Liverpool11
1841Occupation-hide11
1843Occupation38 Castle Street, Liverpool12
1843ResidenceCastle Street, in Liverpool13
1843Note CR CR13
1844Note memo only14
1844Note on date15,16
1844Note on date17
1851Census (Eng) 1851Prescot Road, West Derby, Liverpool2
1851Occupation2
Note memo only CR CR
1856Occupation18
1858Occupation20
1858Residence9 Chapman Street, Manchester20
1861Census (Eng) 1861Manchester21
1861Occupation21
1863Occupation22,23
1863Note memo only CR CR22
1863Note on dateLiverpool County Court, in Liverpool24
1869Occupation25
1871Occupation26
1874Occupation27
1874Residence57 Hutton Street, Moss Side, Manchester27
1874DeathMoss Side, Manchester27

Family

Jane Wetherell (9 Sep 1802-8 Dec 1870)
Children

Citations

  1. [S27] Carroll Nicholson, Some relatives of Carroll and Nancy Nicholson (Kingprint of Richmond, Eng.), p.6.
  2. [S392] National Census for England, 1851 (online image) Class: HO107; Piece: 2192; Folio: 744; Page: 11; GSU roll: 87200-87201.
  3. [S693] Lancashire, England St. Michael in the Hamlet,, Married by Banns by: Wm. Hesketh M. A., Register: Marriages 1815 - 1834, Page 30, Entry 90, Source: LDS Film 2147881.
  4. [S1192] City and County Directories UK,UK (1766-1946), Pigot's Directory 1828-1829 p.160(?).
  5. [S1157] England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016 (www.ancestry.com) Name: Donald Nicholson; Age: 15/12; Record Type: Burial; Birth Date: abt 1827; Death Date: abt 1829; Burial Date: 5 Mar 1829; Burial Place: Liverpool, Lancashire, England; Father: Dond; Mother: Jane.
  6. [S717] England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Child:Jane Milner Nicholson April 1829.
  7. [S578] Poll Book / Electoral Register for United Kingdom, 1538-1893 Name: Donald Nicholson, Poll Year: 1832, Parish or Rectory: Liverpool.
  8. [S1192] City and County Directories UK,UK (1766-1946), Pigot's Directory 1834 column 70 [p.150?].
  9. [S694] Parish Registers for Baptist Congregation of Lime Street Liverpool, Name: Donald Nicholson, Birth Date: 6 Jun 1834, Birth Place: Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Gender: Male, Event Type:     Birth, Father:     Donald Nicholson, Mother:     Jane Nicholson ,Denomination: Particular Baptist, Piece Title: Piece 969: Liverpool, Lime Street Chapel formerly in Church Lane (Particular Baptist), 1818-1837.
  10. [S578] Poll Book / Electoral Register for United Kingdom, 1538-1893 Name: Donald Nicholson, Poll Year: 1840, Parish or Rectory: Liverpool (house).
  11. [S397] National Census for England, 1841 (online image) Class: HO107; Piece: 519; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Walton On The Hill; County: Lancashire; Enumeration District: 7; Folio: 46; Page: 7; Line: 24; GSU roll: 306905. (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/View.aspx).
  12. [S701] Gore's Directory,Liverpool, Lancashire (various dates), Name: Donald Nicholson, Street Address: 38 Castle street, Publication Title: 1843 Gore's Directory of Liverpool, County: Lancashire, Country:     England, Publication Year:     1843.
  13. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Friday 05 April 1844 p.4.
  14. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, 19 January 1844 p.5.
  15. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Friday 12 April 1844 p.7.
  16. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Friday 12 July 1844 p.7.
  17. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Friday 03 May 1844 p.7.
  18. [S708] Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921 Name: Donald Nicholson, Birth Year: abt 1835, Age: 21, Marriage Date: 6 Aug 1856, Parish: Liverpool, St Philip, Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Ann Medhurst, Father's Name: Donald Nicholson, Spouse Father's Name: Thomas Medhurst, Reference Number: 283 PLP/3/16.
  19. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Monday 11 August 1856 p.3.
  20. [S1372] Manchester, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Name: Donald Nicholson; Gender: Male; Child: Watter Wetherall Nicholson; Reference Number:GB127.M403/6/3/30.
  21. [S398] National Census for England, 1861 (online image) Class: RG 9; Piece: 2957; Folio: 8; Page: 11; GSU roll: 543055. (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/View.aspx).
  22. [S828] The Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool, England, Thursday 19 March 1863 p.7.
  23. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Friday 30 January 1863 p.6.
  24. [S829] The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, England, Thursday 17 December 1863 p.8.
  25. [S956] Scotland, Marriage Certificate, Statutory Registers 1869 NICHOLSON, DONALD (Statutory registers Marriages 168/1 271).
  26. [S412] National Census for England, 1871 (online image) Class: RG10; Piece: 4034; Folio: 95; Page: 4; GSU roll: 846330 (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/View.aspx).
  27. [S400] General Register Office, England - Death Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Deaths, Chorlton Registration District, 1874, Mar Qtr., Vol.8c, p.549.
  28. [S578] Poll Book / Electoral Register for United Kingdom, 1538-1893 Name: Donald Nicholson, Poll Year: 1835, Parish or Rectory: Liverpool.
  29. [S27] Carroll Nicholson, Some relatives of Carroll and Nancy Nicholson (Kingprint of Richmond, Eng.), p.7.