Nickerson
Nickerson
   The name "Nickerson" is English in origin. The Coat of Arms is blue, with two ermine bars; and on a silver chief, three gold suns. The family motto, "Per Castra ad astra," means: "Through the camp to the stars."
   The Nickerson is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came from the personal name Nicholas. The Latin form of this name was Nicolaus, and it was derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is derived from the words nikan, meaning "to conquer," and laos, which means "people." However, the name is best remembered by an American corruption of this name: Santa Claus. The surname features the common patronymic suffix -son.
   The family name was first found in Cumberland, where they were seated from early times, and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
   Our connection to this family can be traced back to Norwich, Norfolk, England, when a THOMAS NICKERSON was born there in 1515. Family legend has it that he was a descendant of the Lord Bishop of Derry, Ireland, named William Nickerson, but this is unconfirmed. Thomas married MARGARET RUDD (1520-1542) and they had a son, THOMAS JR. Thomas Sr died on 25 February 1584 in St John, Temberhill, Norwich, Norfolk, England.
   THOMAS NICKERSON II was baptized on 15 Dec 1542/3 at St. John's Timberhill Parish, Norwich, Norfolk, England. On 26 Mar 1567 he married ALICE BUSBY (26 Mar 1547 - 6 Jun 1596) of St. John's Timberhill, Norwich. They had a son named WILLIAM EMORY NICKERSON, who was baptized at Norwich on 15 Dec 1571. He was a tailor, by trade. On 26 Mar 1601 he married ALICE COLE (1567-1604), possibly the daughter of GEORGE COLES (1550-1612) and ALICE JANE STACYE (1554-1605) of Sussex. They had a son, WILLIAM EMORY NICKERSON, on 16 Oct 1604 in Permontergate, Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was a tailor apprentice to his father in 1621 and was admitted a worsted weaver and freeman in Norwich on 18 May 1632. His weaving ability worked in nicely with his father's tailoring business, until William Sr's death in 1623 at St Etheldred in Norwich.
   Around 1627, William Jr married ANNE BUSBY (2 Feb 1607 - 18 May 1686), the daughter of NICOLAS BUSBY (1590-1657) and BRIDGET COCKE (1577-1659). Eventually the extended family decided that they needed to escape the persecution by Bishop Wren of the Church of England against nonconformists. Records show "April 8, 1637—The examination of William Nickerson of Northwich in Norff. weaver aged 33 years and Anne his wife aged 28 years with four children, Nicho, Robartt, Elizabeth, and Anne; are desirous to goe to Bostone in New England ther to Inhabitt." Soon after, the Busbys and Nickersons sailed to the American Colonies on the ship 'John and Dorothy,' leaving 15 Apr 1637. They also brought the four children of William and Anne Elizabeth:

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM NICKERSON II AND ANNE BUSBY
  • NICHOLAS NICKERSON was born on 10 Aug 1628 in Norwich, Norfolk, England; He married Mary Darby of Yarmouth, MA, and died on 26 Mar 1681 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts.
  • ROBERT NICKERSON was born between 1625-1630 in Norwich and died on 22 Jul 1713 in Massachusetts.
  • ELIZABETH NICKERSON was born on 1 Jan 1629 in Norwich, Norfolk, England. She married Robert Eldred on 31 Oct 1639 in Massachusetts, and died on 03 May 1706 in Chatham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
  • ANNE NICKERSON was born in Norwich and married Tristram Hedges in Massachusetts.

    •    William II arrived at Salem, Massachusetts on 20 Jun 1637, bringing his family, in-laws and two servants, 20-year-old William Moulton and 15-year-old Anne Wadd. After first settling near Little Bass Pond in Yarmouth, William bargained with Monomoyick tribal sachem, Mattaquason, for a parcel of land at Monomoit (now Chatham) in 1656. A shallop, cloth, several kettles, axes, knives and wampum served as payment. By 1664 William (nicknamed "Red Stockings"), Anne and eight of their nine children and their families were living in various parts of the 4000 acres of Monomoit. However, because it was illegal to purchase tribal lands directly, it wasn't until 1682 with a payment of ninety pounds and a Plymouth Colony Court settlement that the purchase was made legal. At some point they also had a home in Boston where he continued to work as a weaver, which he sold to a merchant named Robert Gibbs on 27 Nov 1661. The family flourished, and William and Anne had more children:

    CHILDREN OF WILLIAM NICKERSON II AND ANNE BUSBY
  • SAMUEL NICKERSON was born in New England and married Mary Bell. He died before 3 Sep 1719.
  • SARAH NICKERSON was born in New England and married Nathaniel Covel.
  • WILLIAM NICKERSON was baptized in Barnsdale, Massachusetts on 1 Jun 1646. He died on 7 Apr 1719 in Chatham, Barnstable, MA.
  • JOSEPH NICKERSON was baptized in Dec 1647 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

    •    WILLIAM NICKERSON III was baptized on 1 Jun 1646 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. On 3 Jun 1668 he and his father were charged with affronting Thomas Howes, late constable of Yarmouth in his office, and were compelled to sit in the syocks as punishment. He was then a soldier in King Phillip's War and became a Freeman on 24 Jun 1690. He was the first town clerk of Chatham, Mass. On 30 Nov 1683, he married MERCY WILLIAMS (b. 1644 - 7 Apr 1739), the daughter of THOMAS WILLIAMS and ELIZABETH TATE of Eastham. They had seven children:

    CHILDREN OF WILLIAM NICKERSON III AND MERCY WILLIAMS
  • Ensign WILLIAM NICKERSON IV was born between 1669 and 1675 at Monomoit, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. William married Deliverance Lombard circa 1700 at Monomoit, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Ensign William, so "styled" about 1706 as leader of the local military company, lived on his land at Cotchpinicut (Old Harbor), but also received land at Monomessett (Nickerson's) Neck from his father. He was a tanner and carried on that business for many years. There was not only a demand for boots and shoes, but also for leather pants which nearly every man wore at work. He left the tanning house and business to his sons Caleb, Nathaniel and Eldad.
  • THOMAS NICKERSON was born about 1670 at Monomoit, Massachusetts. Before December 1696 he married MARY BANGS. Thomas settled at Cotchpinicut (Old Harbor) and held several offices there including selectman and town clerk. In 1706, he was chosen Lieutenant of the local military, and his brother William as ensign. Thomas died at Chatham on 3 Aug 1735/6. His will was written 4 Aug 1735 and was proved 3 Aug 1736.
  • NATHANIEL NICKERSON was born between 1680 and 1681 at Monomoit, and married Katherine Stuard on 13 May 1702.
  • ROBERT NICKERSON was born about 1684 at Monomoit.
  • ELIZABETH NICKERSON married William Cahoun.
  • (DAUGHTER) NICKERSON married __ and went to Duck Creek, having seven children before Apr 1739.
  • MERCY NICKERSON married William Mitchell, the son of William Mitchell.

    •    Before 1677, William III owned a parcel of land east of Great Hill, Monomoit, and another lying southwest of the head of Ryder's Cove (where he probably lived). Then in 1689 he bought land at Cotchpinicut (Old Harbor) where he built a house. He took the oath of a freeman in 1690 and was a solder in King Philip's War. As an active participant in village affairs, he served as a grandjuryman, constable, inspector of whales, selectman, and was the first village treasurer and clerk... but it is noted that he did not even record his own family.
       Of that family, his son THOMAS NICKERSON was born in 1670 in Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Thomas eventually settled with Mary at Cothpinicut (Old Harbor) and held several offices there including selectman and town clerk, like his father. He married Mary Bangs (14 Apr 1671 - 1745) of Barnstable, Massachusetts, the daughter of Jonathan Bangs and Mary Mayo. They had nine children:

    CHILDREN OF THOMAS NICKERSON AND MARY BANGS
  • JONATHAN NICKERSON waas born in 24 Dec 1689/90 in Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts. In 1718 he married Jane Covell (1690-1728) and they had the following children: Judith (B. 9 April 1722), Jonathan (14 Jan 1724 - 1810), Simeon (10 April 1727 - Sep 1746), Data or Daty (1728 - 1797), Seth (28 May 1734 - 10 Sep 1789), and Phineas Nickerson (1738 - 19 May 1802). Jonathan died on 27 Feb 1759 in Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts.
  • MERCY NICKERSON was born between 1694-5 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. On 23 Mar 1714 she married Seth Crowell (1690-1769) and had the following children: Elisabeth (Marchant, 1712-1793), Thankful (Hallett, 1724-1802), Seth (b. 1726) and Lot Crowell (1730-1809 per the DAR). Mercy died on 3 May 1761 in Barnstable. She is buried at the Ancient Cemetery in Yarmouth Port, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Lot 567, Section E.
  • THOMAS NICKERSON was born on 24 Dec 1696 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. On 16 May 1716 he married Lydia Cowell (1701-1790). He died in 1766 in Barnstable, British Massachusetts Province.
  • WILLIAM NICKERSON was born on 24 Dec 1698 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. He married Sarah Bassett (1695-1761) and they had Jesse (1715-1745), Tabitha (1721-1753), Hatsel (1722-1793), Nehemiah (1725-1804), Bethia (1726-1812), and Iranah (1738-1818). William died on 27 Feb 1759 in Ridgefield Connecticut.
  • EBENEZER NICKERSON was born about 1700 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. He married Constant Covell (1704-1768) and died on 12 Apr 1762 in Chatham, , Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province.
  • EDWARD NICKERSON was born about 1702 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. On 24 Feb 1724 he married Thankful Covell (1707-1795) in Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, and they had Mercy (1725-1803), Mary (1728-1736), Thomas (1730-1789), Issacher (1730-1803), Thankful (1731-1814), Abigail (1733-1790), Nancy (b. 1735), Covel (b. 1737), and Edward (1739-1772). He died in 1754 in Harwich, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province.
  • NATHANIEL NICKERSON was born about 1704 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. In 1728 he married HANNAH HAMBLIN (1714-1776) in Chatham, family listed below. He died in May of 1770 in Philipse Patent ("The Oblong"), Duchess, British New York Province.
  • MARY NICKERSON was born about 1706 in Chatham and was baptized 9 Oct 1709 in Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts Province. She married Edward Eldredge (1702-1730) about 1723. They had at least 2 children: Anna Emma (1725-1812) and Mary/Mercy Eldredge (1730-1761). She died on 4 Aug 1735 in Massachusetts.
  • THANKFUL NICKERSON was born about 1708 in Chatham, Barnstable, in the British Massachusetts Province. No further information.

    •    Mary joined the Harwich Church (later Brewster) in November 1708. Thomas and the children were all baptized there on 9 Oct 1709 by Rev. Nathaniel Stone. Other than the church, the only community organization in the area was the military company. In 1706, Thomas was chosen as lieutenant.
       Thomas signed his will with his mark on 4 Aug 1735, leaving Mary his dwelling house, furniture, and land. He had already apportioned other properties to his children. One of his sons, NATHANIEL NICKERSON (1704-1770) married HANNAH HAMBLIN (1714-1776), the daughter of James Hamblin (or Hamlin) and Ruth Lewis. They moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut in 1747, then to Duchess Co., New York. His will was dated 8 May 1776, in New York. He died in May of 1770 in Philipse Patent ("The Oblong"), Duchess, British New York Province (now Putnam, New York). He and Hannah had the following children:

    CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL NICKERSON AND HANNAH HAMBLIN
  • ISSACHER HAMBLIN NICKERSON was born in 1730 in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1755 he married ELIZABETH BASSETT (1730-1777), family listed below. During the French and Indian War, Issacher was a sergeant in Connecticut's Fourth Regiment under Colonel David Wooster, according to a 1758 Muster Roll. Issacher served in the Connecticut and New York volunteer militias during the Revolutionary War and is listed in the NSDAR Patriot Index. Issacher died on 26 Dec 1803 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York.
  • NATHANIEL NICKERSON was born on 10 Oct 1730 at Dansbury Connecticut. He married ANNICE.
  • EPHRIAM NICKERSON was born .
  • NATHAN NICKERSON was born .
  • THOMAS NICKERSON was born (taxpayer in Fredricksburg).
  • EDWARD NICKERSON was born and married Sarah.
  • JOSEPH NICKERSON was born .
  • RUTH NICKERSON was born .
  • HANNAH NICKERSON was born . She married ____ Bayley before 1776.

    •    ISSACHER HAMBLIN NICKERSON was born in 1730 in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1755 he married ELIZABETH BASSETT (1730-1777), the daughter of Samuel Bassett (1700-1760) and Alice Weaver (1703-1772) of Rhode Island. During the French and Indian War, Issacher was a sergeant in Connecticut's Fourth Regiment under Colonel David Wooster, according to a 1758 Muster Roll. Issacher then served in the Connecticut and New York volunteer militias during the Revolutionary War and is listed in the NSDAR Patriot Index. His son Issacher Hezechiah Nickerson testified that he and his father enlisted in the Continental Army in early 1782 at Westchester, New York for two years. They joined a company commanded by Captain Waterbury, attached to a Regiment under Colonel Fields. His Will is on file in Poughkeepsie, New York, with all of his children named, dated 11 Nov 1803 and proved 26 Dec 1803 (on file in Poughkeepsie , Dutchess Co., New York). The children in the will are:

    CHILDREN OF ISSACHER NICKERSON AND ELIZABETH BASSETT
  • AARON NICKERSON was born abt. 1755 in Franklin, Delaware, New York. He married Pheobe (1763-1842) and they had a son, Joseph John Nickerson (12 Oct 1797 - 10 Oct 1872). He died on 22 Apr 1814 in Blendon, Franklin, Ohio.
  • BASSETT HAMLIN NICKERSON was born in 1757 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York, and married Jemima Jones and had Andrew (1787-1844), Blaisdell (1791-1872), Bassett (1797-1863) and Ann Nickerson (b. 1800). Bassett died on 15 Mar 1841 in Broom Center, Schoharie, New York
  • ISSACHER NICKERSON was born 1759 in Dutchess Co., New York. He served in the Continental Army with his father, then married Abigail Dibble (1762-1840) and had the following children: Joshua (b. 1788), Hezekiah (1780-1850), John (1788-1819), Uzziel (1789-1873), Issachar (1790-1850), Giddy or Geddy (b. 1795), Murilla (b. 1797) and Ann Nickerson (b. 18700). He died in 1852 in Montrose, Pennsylvania.
  • DARIUS NICKERSON was born about 1761 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York. He married RUTH MOSS (1771- 15 Nov 1857), family listed below. He died on 21 Mar 1836 in Charleston, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and is buried with Ruth and daughter Esther at the Old Charleston Cemetery in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
  • UZZIE NICKERSON was born about 1763.
  • JAMES NICKERSON was born about 1765.
  • ELIZABETH NICKERSON was born about 1767.
  • HANNAH NICKERSON was born about 1769.
  • RUTH NICKERSON was born about 1771.
  • MARGARET NICKERSON was born about 1773.
  • REBECCA NICKERSON was born about 1775.
  • SARAH NICKERSON was born about 1777.

    •    DARIUS NICKERSON (1761-1837) In 1797, he married RUTH MOSS (1771-1857), the daughter of daughter of EBENEZER MOSS (1740-1799) and ESTHER PRESTON (1744-1822) in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut, before moving to New York. They lived in the town of Salisbury in Montgomery (1799 tax roll) then Herkimer (1830 tax roll) counties. Herkimer was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County and named in honor of a late Revolutionary War general. Salisbury was so named because it sits on a broad, flat section of the larger Hempstead Plains that reminded late 19th Century Long Islanders of the Salisbury Plain in England, where Stonehenge is located. They had the following children:

    CHILDREN OF DARIUS NICKERSON AND RUTH MOSS
  • EPHRIAM NICKERSON Nickerson was born on 6 Aug 1799 in Salisbury, Herkimer, New York. He died on 2 Oct 1873 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York, and is buried at the Harvey Cemetery in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York.
  • SAMUEL NICKERSON was born on 3 Dec 1801 in Ievant, Herkimer, New York. He married Amy (1811-1897) and they had a son, Ephriam (1839-1914) who was a brickmaker, unddertaker and farmer. Samuel died on 27 Feb 1871 in Falconer, Chautauqua County, New York, and is buried at the Levant Cemetery in Poland, Chataqua County, New York.
  • ABEL NICKERSON was born on 22 Jul 1806 in Salisbury, Herkimer, New York. He died on 26 Feb 1881 in Charlestown, Tioga County, PA.
  • SUSAN NICKERSON was born on 17 May 1811 in Salisbury, Herkimer, New York. She died on 30 Dec 1866 in Wellsboro, Tioga, Pennsylvania.
  • ESTHER NICKERSON was born on 24 Jan 1814 in Salisbury, Herkimer, New York. She married Alpheus William Willard (1812-1897) and they had the following children: Oliver (1836–1904), Hiram (1841-1917), and Jane Ann Willard (1848-1868). Esther died on 1 Dec 1898 in Charleston, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and is buried at the Old Charleston Cemetery in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

    •    EPHRIAM or EPHRAIM NICKERSON (1799-1873) married ANNIS JONES (1807-1896), the daughter of Ephraim Jones and Lucy Phillips of Ontario, Canada. They lived in Canada and had three children. The family then moved to Ohio and had a fourth child then moved to Leon, Cattaraugus, New York in 1845 and raised the following children:

    CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM NICKERSON AND ANNIS JONES
  • MARGARET "MARGE" NICKERSON was born on 2 Jan 1831 in Canada. She married Jim Arnold and lived in Kansas, raising Angie, Nettie, and Bill. Margaret died on 7 Jun 1917 in Salamanca, New York and is buried at the Old Town Cemetery in Salamanca.
  • HARRIS NICKERSON was born on 30 Aug 1834 in Canada. He married Lodema Lillman (1839-1886) and had the following children: Annis (1857-1933), Frank (1859-1940), George (1865-1882), William Delbert (1867-1939), Jennie (1870-1942), Bertha (b. 1875) and Charles Henry Nickersonb (b. 1886). According to the Veteran's Schedule in the 1890 Federal Census, Harris was a private in the New York Infantry during the Civil War and received a gun shot injury to the bone above his right eye, and was blind in that eye. He died on 13 Feb 1901 in South Valley, Cattaraugus, New York, and is buried at Steamburg Cemetery in Cold Springs.
  • PHEBE NICKERSON was born in 1838 in Canada and married 1) Jonathan Wilcox and had a daughter, Ella Wilcox (Kidder, 1861-1889), then married 2) Frank Carpenter (1852-1923). She died on 4 Jan 1920 in Machias, New York and is buried at Crawford Cemetery, Salamanca, New York with daughter Ella.
  • PERMELIA "NELLIE" NICKERSON was born in Sep 1841 in Cleveland, Ohio. She married 1) Wheeler, then married 2) Charles Elliot and had a son, Harry Elliot. Permelia died on 17 Nov 1908 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan.
  • ELLEN NICKERSON was born in about 1843 in Ohio. She died on 17 Nov 1908 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan.
  • ALDURA NICKERSON died before 1848 in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York. He is buried in the Harvey Cemetery in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York.
  • CHARLES G NICKERSON died before 1848 in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York. He is buried in the Harvey Cemetery in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York.
  • EMMA NICKERSON died before 1848 in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York. He is buried in the Harvey Cemetery in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York.
  • RUTH NICKERSON died before 1848 in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York. He is buried in the Harvey Cemetery in Otto, Cattaraugus, New York
  • EPHRIAM DARIUS NICKERSON was born on 22 Oct 1848 in New Albion, Cattaraugus, New York. In 1872 he married Delliphine "Della" Bush (1854–1924), family listed below. He died on 21 Oct 1921 in South Dayton, Cattaraugus, New York. "South Dayton Oct 26—Ephraim Nickerson a farmer 73 years old died at his home on the Leon Road Sunday night after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Penhallow of Charlotte Center, and Mrs. Maude Meyers of South Dayton and one son, Edwin, of Stockton. The funeral will be held at his residence this afternoon with internment in Leon." (The Evening Observer, Dunkirk, N.Y., Wednesday, 26 Oct 1921) He is buried in Treat Memorial Cemetery in Leon, Cattaraugus County, New York.
  • JANE NICKERSON was born in 1849 in New Albion, Cattaraugus, New York. On 26 Dec 1868 she married Hezekiah Foskett (1838-1910) and had Lelia, Cleve, Carrie. Jane died on 30 Jun 1876 and is buried in the Randolph Cemetery in Randolph, New York.
  • ALMOND PALMETER NICKERSON was born on 2 May 1852 in Little Valley, Cattaraugus, New York. On 28 Oct 1872 he married Emma Eldora Huntington (1856-1943) and had Charles Henry (b. 19 Mar 1875), Katie May (b. 18 Oct 1876), Iva Eldora (b. 11 Mar 1885), Floyd Almond (b. 5 Mar 1887), Cecile Cecilie (b. 3 Feb 1891), and Elwyn Jerod (b. 13 Sep 1892). Almond died on 10 Dec 1921 in Conewango, Cattaraugus, New York and is buried at East Randolph Cemetery in Randolph, New York.
  • ROXANNA LORISSA NICKERSON was born in 1853 in Little Valley, Cattaraugus, New York. She married Marvin Jeherimiah Moffitt (1850-1923) and they had the following children: Ed (d. 1925), Fred Burton (d. Dec 1941 in GA), and Claud Moffitt (d. 1958). Roxie died on 13 Dec 1926 in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill, Georgia, and is buried with Marvin at Crawford Cemetery, in Salamanca, New York.


    • Siblings Almond, Roxie and Ephriam Nickerson Jr. in later years.

    Personal Information
    Census Image
    Name: Ephr. Nickerson
    Age in 1900: 48
    Birthplace: New York
    Home in 1900: Leon, Cattaraugus, New York
    Occupation: Farmer
    Birthplace of Father: New York
    Birthplace of Mother Canada
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    Roll: Roll: T623 1011; Page: 3B; District: 48.
    Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Leon, Cattaraugus, New York.
       Children Aldura, Charles G., Emma and Ruth all died young and are buried in the family plot in the Harvey Cemetery, two miles south of Otto, New York, and their names are on the family stone. It is suspected that they died from "black measles" (now called Rocky Mountain spotted fever), a tickborne disease that was named after the look of its rash in the late stages of the illness, when the skin turns black. It is unfortunately a very contagious illness, and it took several lives on the Nickerson farm.
       Fortunately, our next ancestor, EPHRAIM NICKERSON, escaped that fate when he was born in October of either 1852 or 1854. He became a dairy farmer, and worked most of his life in Leon, Cattauraugus County, New York.
       In 1872, Ephriam married DELLIPHINE "DELLA" BUSH (1854- 21 Oct 1924) from Pennsylvania.
       Ephraim and Della had the following children:

    CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM NICKERSON AND DELLIPHINE BUSH
  • MAUD M. NICKERSON was born on 16 Mar 1883 in South Dayton, Cattaraugus, New York, and died on 16 Dec 1966 at age 84 in Gowanda, Cattaraugus, New York.
  • WESLEY G. NICKERSON was born on 01 Oct 1885. His World War I draft registration card lists him as tall and slender with black hair and black eyes. He died in 1920.
  • CLARA BELLE (or CLARABELL) NICKERSON was born in 1889 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York. She married EARNEST RAYMOND PALMER (1884-1945). Family listed below. Clara Belle died on 14 Apr 1949 in Stockton, Chautauqua, New York, and is buried with Earnest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York, Lot 45 Section C.
  • ETTA L. NICKERSON was born in Sep 1891, but disappears after the 1900 census.
  • EDWARD LEE NICKERSON was born on 22 Sep 1892 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York. On 3 Jul 1912 he married 1) Earnest Palmer's sister, ROSA BELLE PALMER (Jul 1889 - 16 Oct 1934) in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York, and they had the following children: Lee Edward (1913-1990), Lottie B (1916-1982), Clyde B. (1917-1966), Albert Lee (1921-1973), and Alberta E Nickerson (1921-2013). After Rosa's death he then married 2) Elsie M (b. 1914). He died on 13 Mar 1963 at he age of 70.

    • Personal Information
    Census Image
    Name:   Ephreham Nickerson
    Age:   56
    Birthplace:   New York
    Home in 1910:   Leon, Cattaraugus, New York
    Occupation:   Farmer - Dairy Farm
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    Personal Information
    Census Image
    Name:   Ephram Nickerson
    Age:   66
    Birthplace:   New York
    Home in 1920:   Leon, Cattaraugus, New York
    Occupation:   General Farming
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    SOURCE INFORMATION: 1910 & 1920 US Census Records. Index created from United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 1910; Census Place: Leon, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: T624_926; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 66; Image: 1218. 1920; Leon, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: T625_1087; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 67; Image: 1037.

    Personal Information
    Census Image
    Name:   Clara B. Palmer
    Age:   43
    Birthplace:   New York
    Home in 1930:   Leon, Cattaraugus, New York
    Occupation:   Keeping House
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    Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Leon, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: 1409; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 29; Image: 881.0
       Their daughter, CLARA BELLE NICKERSON, was born in 1889. She married EARNEST RAYMOND PALMER on 3 June 1912, and they lived in Charlotte, Chautauqua County, New York. Sometime before 1930 they moved back to Leon in Cattaraugus County. Clara's parents don't appear on the 1930 census, so maybe Ernest and Clara took over their farm.
       They are remembered as being very religious, and more than a little superstitious. According to daughter-in-law ELAINE PALMER (wife of their son ARLAND E. PALMER), "Ernie" was the "kindest man in the world," and would "give anyone, anytime, the shirt off his back." He also loved to sing. Clara Belle (referred to as "Mrs. Palmer" by her daughter-in-law, even to this day) never spoke much, and grew heavier later in life from "havin' so many kids."
       Earnest and Clara Belle had the following children:

    CHILDREN OF EARNEST PALMER AND CLARABELL NICKERSON
  • BERTHA M. PALMER was born on 13 Jul 1913 in Leon, Cattaraugus, New York. On 4 May 1931 she married Ralph William Earl (1906-1976) in Cattaraugus, New York. They had the following children: Joyce (1931-2016), Rose Mary (b. 1933), Roy Merritt (1937-2004), Peggy (b. 1941) and Sandra (b. 1944). She is buried at the Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York.
  • RUBY PEARL PALMER was born on 31 Mar 1915 in Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York, United States. From Obit P-J 07/27/2007. "Daughter of Ernest and Clarabell Nickerson Palmer. Ruby is survived by a daughter,two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Anson J. Prosser whom she married 10/23/1937 and who died 02/05/1996." She is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York.
  • RAYMOND LAWRENCE PALMER was born on 15 Jul 1917 in Arkwright, Chautauqua County, New York. He married PAULINE VIRGINIA ANDERSON (b. 27 Oct 1924 in New Albion, Cattaraugus Co., NY). Family listed below. He died in August of 1981 and is buried at Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York. Click on the photo at right to see Raymond in school, circa 1931.
  • DELEPHINE EMMA PALMER was born on 12 Aug 1919 in Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York. She married Edward F Lorenc (9 Apr 1920 - 6 Aug 1991). Delephine died on 7 Jun 1981 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York. She is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York.
  • MYRTLE ALDEAN PALMER was born on 30 Sep 1921 in Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York, United States. On 2 Nov 1941 she married Harold Leonard Johnson (b. 6 Mar 1910 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York, United States; Death: 11 Sep 1999 in Lincoln, Placer, California, United States). She died in Sep 1990 in Corona, Riverside, California, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California, plot: A, 0, 836.
  • ORLAND or ARLAND "ART" ERNEST PALMER was born on 12 Mar 1924 in Leon, New York. On 1 Feb 1943, Orland enlisted in the army, declaring himself to be 5'7", 152 pounds, and single male working in the packing industry. Orland died on 4 Jun 1988. Click on the photo, at right to see (L-R): Anson Prosser, Art Palmer (with Linda Prosser on his shoulders) and Harold Johnson.
  • BETTY PALMER was born in 1926. She is the family historian, and has the above pictures of Pearl and Herma hanging in her home. Click on the photo at right to see Elaine Sutton Palmer (left) and Betty Palmer Benson (right). The Suttons and the Palmers had farms across from each other on the Dean Road just out of Stockton and both families had kids about the same age so they hung out together a lot. Some also married as Art Palmer married Elaine Sutton and Delephine Palmer married Marvin Sutton.
  • GENEVIEVE L. "JENNY" PALMER was born on 15 May 1928 in Villenova, Chataqua, New York. On 8 Dec 1947 she married Ralph Vincent Dalcamp (1924-1999) in Stockton, NY. They had James (1949-2015), Robert, Alan, Darlene and Mary Delcamp. Genevieve died on 7 May 2009 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York. "Genevieve 'Jenny' Delcamp, 80, of Absolut Care of Westfield, formerly of Coe Road, Stockton, N.Y., where she was a lifetime resident, passed away after a lengthy illness on Thursday evening, May 7, 2009. Born in Villenova, N.Y., on May 15, 1928, she was formerly employed by Phillips Bros Basket Factory in Bear Lake, N.Y., and Aero Industries in Hartfield, N.Y. Preceded in death by her parents, the late Ernest and Clarabell (Nickerson) Palmer; her husband of 51 years, Ralph 'Vincent' Delcamp; two brothers: Raymond Palmer and Orland 'Art' Palmer; three sisters: Myrtle Johnson, Delaphine Lorenc and Ruby Prosser. Survived by three sons: James (Debora) Delcamp of Brocton, N.Y., Alan (Debora) Delcamp of Stockton, N.Y., and Robert (Robin) Delcamp of Mayville; two daughters: Darlene (Ron) Bush of Sherman, N.Y., and Mary (Leo) Wilson of Dewittville, N.Y.; two sisters: Bertha Earle of Portland, N.Y., and Betty Benson of Loveland, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews."

    • SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE:

    • "Nickerson Family History," by Eva J. S. Nickerson, 1964; This is a copy of a genealogy that was published around 1964 for the Nickerson family that included Clara Nickerson Palmer (pages 37-38). A copy of this has been passed around the Ernest Palmer/Clara Nickerson descendants for years and some people have added handwritten notes. (Thanks to Palmer/Nickerson descendant Terry Lorenc for the digitized copy.)
    • "The Nickerson family. Parts I-III : the descendants of William Nickerson, 1604-1689, the first settler of Chatham, Massachusetts : the first six generations with vital statistics of the seventh generation," by Pauline Wixon Derick; Combined 2nd ed. with corrections; Nickerson Family Association, [Chatham, Mass.], 1997.
    • THE NICKERSON FAMILY ASSOCIATION is one of the largest family associations in the world. Its focus is on the research of the descendants of William Nickerson (1604-1689), the founder of Chatham, Massachusetts. The Association was founded in 1897 by William Emery Nickerson, a wealthy industrialist and the mechanical genius behind the safety razor and who, with King Gillette, was responsible for the founding of the Gillette Company. William Emery Nickerson's abiding hobby was genealogy and the good fortune he derived from business enabled him to employ a full time professional genealogist, Anna Kingsbury, whose sole focus was researching and organizing Nickerson Family data from 1895 until the late 1920's. Under the leadership of the late Pauline Wixon Derick decades of research have resulted in the publication of the first seven generations of the Nickerson family, with vital statistics on the 8th generation. Work continues on publication of successive generations. The Nickerson House serves as a genealogical research center and headquarters of the Nickerson Family Association. The relocated early 19th century Caleb Nickerson House operates as a period restoration and living history teaching museum.
    • Issachar Hamlin Nickerson Will: "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-28664-42201-47?cc=1920234 : accessed 12 March 2016), Dutchess > Wills 1796-1806 vol B > image 258 of 418; county courthouses, New York.
    • Ernest & Clara Palmer Family: a private group on Facebook. "This group is for the descendants and relatives of Ernest R. Palmer (1884-1945) and Clarabell B. Nickerson Palmer (1888-1949) who are both buried in the Stockton Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, New York. Their direct descendants are (in birth order): Bertha (Ralph) Earle, Ruby (Anson) Prosser, Raymond (Pauline) Palmer, Delephine (Edward) Lorenc, Myrtle (Harold) Johnson, Orland 'Art' (Elaine) Palmer, Genevieve 'Jenny' (Ralph 'Vincent') Delcamp and Betty (Walt) Benson."

    GENEALOGY

    THOMAS NICKERSON (1515 – 1584) married MARGARET RUDD (1520 – 1542) and begat...

    THOMAS NICKERSON (1542 – 1596), who married ALICE (1547 – 1596) and begat...

    WILLIAM NICKERSON (1571 – 1623), who married ALICE (1575 – 1604) and begat...

    WILLIAM NICKERSON (1604 – 1690), who married ANNE BUSBY (1607 – 1686) and begat...

    WILLIAM NICKERSON (1646 – 1719) married MERCY WILLIAMS (1644 – 1739) and begat...

    THOMAS NICKERSON (1670 – 1736), who married MARY BANGS (1671 – 1745) and begat...

    NATHANIEL NICKERSON (1704 – 1770), who married HANNAH HAMBLIN (1714 – 1776) and begat...

    ISSACHER NICKERSON (1730 – 1803), who married ELIZABETH BASSETT (1730 – 1777) and begat...

    DARIUS NICKERSON (1761 - 1837), who married RUTH MOSS (d. 1857) and begat...

    EPHRAIM NICKERSON (b. 1799), who married ANNIS JONES (b. 1807) and begat...

    EPHRAIM NICKERSON (1848 - 1921), who married DELLA BUSH (1854 - 1924) and begat...

    CLARA BELLE NICKERSON (b. 1889), who married EARNEST PALMER (b. 1885) and begat...

    RAYMOND PALMER (1917 - 1981), who married PAULINE VIRGINIA ANDERSON (b. 27 Oct 1924) and begat...

    CYNTHIA ANN PALMER (b. 03 Jan 1951), who married TERRY LEE DOTSON (b. 12 May 1950) and begat...

    LORI ANN DOTSON (b. 07 Oct 1973), who married JEFFREY HAUSE (b. 07 Jun 1961).


    William Nickerson's gravestone plate at the Nickerson Cemetery (Chatham), Barnstable County, Massachusetts.