Francis Nicholson Papers, 1680-1721.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Colonial Williamsburg
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Douglas Mayo
Phone: (757) 565-8521
Phone: (757) 565-8520
Fax: (757) 565-8528

Summary

Creator:
Francis Nicholson.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Letters and papers of Francis Nicholson. 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.

Biographical / historical:

Francis Nicholson (1660-1728) was one of the chief founders and benefactors of the College of William and Mary, lieutenant governor of Virginia, 1690-1692, and governor, 1698-1705.

Acquisition information:
Purchase, 1943.
Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Physical description:
1 volume and 83 items.