Francis Nicholson Papers(1680–1721)

MS 1943.4
Microfilm: M-1554
Photocopy: PH/02/11 (“Treatise on the Flora and Fauna of Virginia”)
Transcript: TR/21
1 vol. ([30] pp.) and 83 pieces

Letters and papers of Francis Nicholson (1660–1728), one of the chief founders and benefactors of the College of William and Mary, lieutenant governor of Virginia, 1690–1692, and governor, 1698–1705. The papers contain five main subjects: the college; Nicholson’s infatuation for Lucy Burwell; Nicholson’s colonial administration; addresses to the Crown; and church affairs. The feud between Nicholson and Commissary James Blair, president of the college, is apparent through all five.

The collection includes “Treatise on the Flora and Fauna of Virginia, 1680,” an early partial copy of one of the first scientific accounts of Virginia’s plants, insects, and mollusks, by the Rev. John Banister; a letter from Blair to Nicholson reporting Robert Boyle’s bequest to the College, February 27, 1691/2; letters from John Locke to Nicholson and Blair; Blair’s 1703 “Memorial Concerning my troubles and Conduct in Virginia with relacion to Governor Nicholson and the Causes of my Coming for England,” which he sent Dr. Tenison, Archbishop of Canterbury; and a petition against Nicholson from members of the Council of Virginia to Queen Anne, May 20, 1703. Also, the draft of a letter from Nicholson to Henry Compton, Bishop of London, requesting that his “Accusers may be obliged to give Under their hands what they have to lay to my Charge,” July 29, 1702.

Among the correspondents are Lewis Burwell, Benjamin Harrison, the Rev. Mungo Ingles, Richard Ingoldsby, the Rev. Owen Jones, Philip Ludwell, Lord Nottingham, Col. Robert Quary, Lt. John Riggs, and Lord Weymouth.

See also the Francis Nicholson Papers: Addition One (MS 1986.10).

Inventory

Date	Description
Folder 1
1680	Partial copy of John Bannister’s “Treatise on the Flora and Fauna of Virginia.”
Folder 2
3 December 1691	Letter. London, [Blair] to [Nicholson], incomplete, pp. 1–4, An Account of the College Business [note: rest of letter in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, VII (1900), pp. 160–163.]
27 February 1691/2	Letter. London, James Blair to Francis Nicholson.
19 October 1693	Petition of James Blair to Sir Edward [Edmund] Andros with two accounts.
1 September 1698	Letter. London, Benjamin Harrison II, Jr. to [Nicholson], Gov. of Maryland.
4 February 1698/9	Virginia, James City, [Nicholson] to Bishop of London, draft.
1 March 1698/9	James City, Francis Nicholson to Sheriffs, Governor’s order for birds for King William, endorsed.
10 March 1698/9	Letter. James City, [Francis Nicholson] to “Your Ladyship” [Lucy Burwell], draft.
[1 May 1699]	5 student speeches (numbered separately).
Folder 3
6 September 1699	Proposition by James Blair for supplying Virginia with clergy.
10 October 1699	Letter. London, J[ohn] Locke to [Francis Nicholson], endorsed.
16 October 1699	Letter. London, J[ohn] Locke to James Blair, endorsed.
3 March 1699/1700	Letter. James Town, Francis Nicholson to the High Sheriff of New Kent County, Commands about ministers, etc. executed.
[winter or early spring, 1699/1700]	Letter. Nicholson to [Micajah or Richard Perry], draft incomplete, pp. 3–6.
[April–Aug. 1700]	Letter. Bishop of London to Francis Nicholson, incomplete, p. 3.
9 August 1700	Letter. Middle Plantation, James Blair to [Francis Nicholson] 2 copies of which one endorsed.
14 March 1700/1	Letter. [Francis Nicholson] to Major Burwell.
15 March 1700/1	Letter. Lewis Burwell to [Francis Nicholson].
21 March [1700/1]	Letter. Francis Nicholson to Major Burwell. Note: all on same sheet, contemporary copies
14–21 March 1700/1	[Francis Nicholson] to Major Lewis Burwell (2 letters), and Burwell to Nicholson, copies.
24 March 1700/1	Letter. [Francis Nicholson] to [Mrs. Burwell].
18 July 1701	Letter. Williamsburg, [Nicholson] to Major Dent.
27 August 1701	Letter. Williamsburg, [Nicholson] to Major Dent. Copies. Note: 2 on same sheet.
[27 September 1701]	Council and Burgesses to King. Date from C.S.P. XIX.
Folder 4
7 May 1702	Letter. Whitehall, Lord Nottingham to [Francis Nicholson], copy.
16 July 1702	Letter. J. Braine, Channel Daltmo[uth] Dist[rict], to Nicholson.
29 July 1702	Letter. On board the H.M.S. Southampton, off Capes [of VA] [Nicholson] to [Bishop of London], draft.
7 August 1702	Letter. Virginia, [Nicholson] to Lt. John Riggs.
7 October 1702	Letter. Bishop of London to F. Nicholson, endorsed.
8 December 1702	Letter. Chelsey [?] to F. [Nicholson].
26 December 1702 & 6 January 1702/3	Letter. Lewis Burwell to F. [Nicholson], copies 2 on one sheet.
4 January 1702/3	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to [Lewis Burwell], drafts of 2 letters on same sheet.
7 January 1702/3	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to [Lucy Burwell], draft.
7 January 1702/3	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to Mrs. Burwell, draft.
Folder 5
10 April 1703	Letter. House of Burgesses to Queen Anne.
15 July 1703	Letter. New York, Lt. John Riggs to F. [Nicholson].
20 May 1703	Letter. Members of Council to Queen Anne, endorsed, attested copy.
[Summer of 1703?]	Letter. Nicholson to [?], incomplete.
15 October 1703	Letter. Col. Robert Quary to [Bishop of London?].
5 November 1703	Latin poem to Nicholson.
[ca. October– November 1703]	Blair to [Archbishop of Canterbury], Memorial against Nicholson, with reasons for coming to England.
9 February 1703/4	Letter. London, Lord Weymouth to Nicholson, endorsed.
11 February 1703/4	N.D. Copy of letter, Owen Jones to Bishop of London, with Richard Ingoldesby to Bishop of London, on same sheet.
Folder 6
25 April 1704	Copy of the Affidavit of Stephen Fouace, clerk, relating to the Mal: Administrations of Col: Nicholson, Governor of Virginia.
25 April 1704	James Blair’s affidavit, endorsed copy.
1 May 1704	Further affidavit of James Blair, 2 copies with 1 endorsed.
1 May 1704	Affidavit of Capt. James Moodie, endorsed copy.
Folder 7
24 May 1704	An abstract of the Chief Articles of Gov. Nicholson’s Mal Administrations in Virginia, 3 copies.
7 June 1704	Affidavit of James Blair, clerk endorsed copy.
12 June 1704	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to Col. Custis, draft.
14 November 1704	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to Madame Page, draft.
“1704”	Ballad Address to defend Gov. Nicholson, this manuscript printed in London 1704.
20 January 1704/5	Letter. Williamsburg, F. [Nicholson] to Rev. Guy Smith, draft.
20 February 1704/5	Letter. Virginia, [?] to [Nicholson] re Arthur Allen.
5 March 1704/5	Letter. Williamsburg, John Hall to Mr. Hyde Torway.
8 March 1704/5	Letter. Virginia, Nicholson to [?].
8 August 1705	William and Mary College, Rev. Mungo Ingles to F. [Nicholson], 2 copies one of which is amended attested copy sent [Gov. Nott].
Folder 8
29 August 1705	Williamsburg, Minutes of meeting of Clergy of Virginia.
29 August– 21 September 1705	Williamsburg, Minutes of meeting of Clergy of Virginia re Nicholson, with letter of Bishop of London, 29 April 1705.
[ca. 1703–1705]	Memorandum re several faults in the Building of William & Mary College.
22 December 1705	Letter. Virginia, [Rev. Mungo Ingles ?] to Nicholson.
7 February 1705/6 [?]	Rev. Mungo Ingles to Nicholson, copy attested by N., can’t tell if date is when made or when attested.
27 March 1717	Virginia, Col. Philip Ludwell to F. Nicholson.
[ca. summer–fall 1721]	Memorandum to “His Excellency” on state of Virginia [not to Governor of Virginia].
Folder 9
n.d.	Memorandum to go to Mr. Blair. Mentions Col. Ludwell and Lucy Ludwell.
n.d.	Memorandum to Major Burwells.
n.d.	Memorandum to go in the morning to Major Burwells.
n.d.	Memorandum to tell Major Burwell.
27 February	Memo (at night) re going to Major Burwell on the morrow.
n.d.	Memo to desire Major Burwell to send.
n.d.	Letter. [Francis Nicholson] to my dear Soul [Lucy Burwell]. Also [Francis Nicholson] to My dear Saint [Lucy Burwell] on same sheet.
30 December	Letter. Williamsburg, [Francis Nicholson] to My dear Dove [Lucy Burwell].
n.d.	Poem to Lucy Burwell.
n.d.	Poem to Lucy Burwell.
n.d.	Poem. “Virginia’s Complaint Against the Plantiffs,” 2 copies.
n.d.	Ballad. “The Barter.”
n.d.	Poem. “The Rackett.”

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