Donald Nicholson

     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.


(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