Background
Francis Nicholson was born on November 12, 1655, in Yorkshire, England. Little is known of his ancestry or early life.
Francis Nicholson was born on November 12, 1655, in Yorkshire, England. Little is known of his ancestry or early life.
He apparently received some education.
Entering the army in 1679, he spent several years as courier and aide to the governor of Tangier in West Africa. In 1686 he went to America, where he became a member of the Council of the Dominion of New England. In 1688 he was appointed lieutenant governor of New York.
Nicholson went to Virginia in 1690 to govern in the name of the absentee governor. He industriously studied frontier problems, encouraged postal service, and aided the Reverend James Blair in establishing the College of William and Mary. In 1692 he returned to England.
Returning to the Colonies as governor of Maryland in 1694, Nicholson was so active in church affairs and education that one exaggerated report claimed he was responsible for founding 2 universities and 28 churches. His early popularity waned, and the last years of his administration were marked by bitter personal quarrels.
Nicholson returned to Virginia as governor in 1698. He was active in suppressing piracy, in moving the capital from Jamestown to Williamsburg, and in improving the efficiency of government operations. His political enemies forced his recall in 1705. Now a colonel, he volunteered in 1709 to accompany an attack on Canada. His energetic activities led the northern governors to urge that he command the expedition, but the plan collapsed when troops from England failed to arrive.
At the request of Massachusetts, Nicholson, now a brigadier general, was given command of the expedition that resulted in the bloodless victory at Port Royal, Nova Scotia. Named governor of Nova Scotia in 1713, Nicholson devoted little time to the province but busied himself inquiring into colonial finance, smuggling, prize money, and educational affairs. His blunt methods irritated other officials. After the accession of George I, he returned to England, where he acted as something of an unofficial consultant to the Board of Trade.
In 1720 Nicholson returned to America as governor of the new royal colony South Carolina. His administration had much to recommend it, but he alienated Charleston merchants who petitioned for his recall because he failed to oppose the issuing of paper money. In poor health, he requested his own recall in 1725. He died on March 5, 1728.
Nicholson, a committed Anglican as a member of the Church of England, sought to reduce Roman Catholic influence in the Maryland government, and moved the old colonial capital from the Catholic stronghold of St. Mary's City in southern Maryland's St. Mary's County along the Potomac River to what was then called "Anne Arundel's Town" (also known briefly as "Providence"), which was later renamed "Annapolis" in honour of the future monarch, Princess Anne
In 1706 Nicholson was elected a member of the Royal Society.
His violent temper and dictatorial methods estranged him from many of the colony's leaders.
Nicholson was notorious for his temper. He was, according to historian George Waller, "subject to fits of passion". In one story, an Indian said of Nicholson, "The general is drunk. " When informed that Nicholson did not partake of strong drink, the Indian replied, "I do not mean that he is drunk with rum, he was born drunk. " Waller also points out that his "hasty and overmastering temper led him into great excesses".
He never married.
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