Guide to the Nichols Family Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title

Nichols Family Papers

Inclusive Dates

1829-1853

Call Number

RG 232

Creator(s)

Nichols family.

Quantity

1.00 cubic foot (2 boxes)

Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Biographical Note

James Nichols, son of Abiel and Fidelia Nichols, was born in Berkeley, Massachusetts. After attending Phillips Academy Nichols graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1835. He then attended Andover Theological Seminary from 1835-1837 and returned to Union College in 1838 to teach until 1841. In that year he married Sarah Jane Hastings, of Heath, Massachusetts, who had been attending Utica Female Academy. After their marriage James Nichols was appointed principal of Kingston College where he remained until he obtained a position at Utica Female Academy in 1842. A year later Nichols began preaching in Oneida and was ordained by Albany Presbytery in 1845. He continued preaching until 1850 when he was appointed principal of the Synodical Academy in Geneseo. He served there until 1858 when he was appointed as Master at a boys school in Rochester. Nichols became an army chaplain during the Civil War and subsequently died of fever in 1864.

Collection Overview

The papers primarily consist of James Nichols and Sarah Jane Hastings Nichols correspondence written to each other and family members. The correspondence reflects school and family experiences. There are a few certificates, school reports and a sermon written by James Nichols.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES I: JAMES NICHOLS, 1829-1853

SERIES II: SARAH JANE HASTINGS NICHOLS, 1836-1848

Administrative Information

Processing Information

Collection processed and finding aid prepared 1988:
Kristin L. Gleeson, Associate Archivist
Charlotte Hyorth, Volunteer

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Personal Name Subject

Nichols, James, 1811-1864.

Nichols, Sarah Jane Hastings.

Corporate Subject

Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.)--Faculty--19th century.

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Synod of New York.

Utica Female Academy (Utica, N.Y.)--Faculty--19th century.

Geneseo Academy (Geneseo, N.Y.)--Faculty--19th century.

Topical Subject

Church schools--New York (State)--19th century.

Clergy--New York (State)--19th century.

Presbyterian Church--Education--19th century.

Presbyterian Church--Clergy--19th century.

Presbyterians--New York (State)--19th century.

Schools--New York (State)--19th century.

Universities and colleges--New York (State)--19th century.

Women--Education--New York (State)--19th century.

Genre-form

Correspondence. aat

Personal Added Name

Nichols, James, 1811-1864.

Nichols, Sarah Jane Hastings.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 232

		SERIES I: JAMES NICHOLS, 1829-1853

1	2-13	Correspondence, 1832-1853
1	14-15	Undated correspondence, circa 1835-1839
1	16	Miscellaneous family correspondence, 1836-1852
1	17	Miscellaneous certificates, reports and sermon, 1829-1849

		SERIES II: SARAH JANE HASTINGS NICHOLS, 1836-1848

2	1-7	Correspondence, 1836-1848
2	8-13	Undated correspondence, circa 1838-1841

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Guide to the Nichols Family Papers

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