The Family and Descendants of John Nicholson and Jane Martin of Skye and Orwell Cove
Among the several families of Nicholsons who arrived on the Polly in 1803, was that of John Nicholson of Stencholl, Skye and his wife Jane Martin. Jane Martin was cousin to Samuel Martin who also emigrated to PEI. John Nicholson was known locally as "Steinshole". They settled in Orwell Cove beside the Newtown river, and were granted 500 acres. John and Jane Nicholson are buried in the old French Cemetery in Belfast PEI. They had children;

A. .HANNAH NICHOLSON, married In Skye, died on PEI with no children.

B. RACHEL NICHOLSON, unmarried.

C. DONALD NICHOLSON, born c1780 Skye,  miller of Orwell Cove. He married ISABELLA NICHOLSON on Skye, and returned with her on the Rambler to PEI in 1806, bringing back more family and friends. Isabella died c1855 over 80 years of age. With children;
1.Hannah Nicholson died May 17 1881 m. William Harris of England. With children;
    a.Hannah Jane Harris m. Robert Bagnall of Hunter River no children.
    b.Francis Harris b. Oct 26 1863 m. Anne Elizabeth Mackinnon of Milton, PEI.
    c.Charlotte Margaret Harris.
    d.Others.



2.Flora Nicholson b. june 27 1808 died april 13 1895 m. Donald Ross of Uigg with children.


3.Peter Nicholson b. 1809 died may 10 1884 miller of Orwell Cove, married Marion Munro, d/o James Munro M.D. of Kilmuir Skye. with children.
    a.Isabella Nicholson b. 1845 died july 3 1926 m. John Angus Macqueen of Orwell Cove.
    b.Elizabeth Nicholson b. 1850 died 1923 m. Captain Alexander William Macleod of Orwell
        Cove died june 1 1919 with children William and Mary.
    c.Annabella Nicholson b. 1852 m. Daniel Nicholson of Victoria with children
        1-a.Sadie Nicholson
        2-a.Arthur Nicholson
        3-a.Stirling Nicholson


4.Mary Nicholson died in youth.


5.Margaret Nicholson married Donald Macphee miller of Heatherdale with children;
    a.Reverend Samuel D. Macphee b. Feb 10 1865 died oct 26 1913 married with ch;
        1-a.Margaret Macphee m. her cousin James Nicholson of Orwell Cove with children.


6.Isabella Nicholson married John Donald Matheson born Skye, emigrated to Uigg 1829, died march 3 1876 age 74 years, with children;
    a.Roderick Matheson married with children.
    b.Others.


7.Jane Nicholson of Earnscliff, b. march 20 1814 died march 28 1899 age 73 years unmarried.


8.John Nicholson died in youth.


9.Christina Nicholson died june 20 1885 age 60 years, married Alexander Macleod of Earnscliff died oct 3 1893, s/o Alexander, s/o Malcolm, s/o Donald of Kendrom Macleods.  with issue among others;
    a.Rachel Macleod
    b.Charlotte Eunice Macleod
    c.Malcolm J. Macleod b. june 27 1860, a school teacher,  married Sarah Dockerty of Seal
        River with children;
        1-a.Reverend David Sutherland Macleod B.A. Bal. Pine Hill. m. Helen Margaret Grace
            Barfoot of Chatham Ont. with issue.
        2-a.Gordon Macleod
        3-a Sydney Macleod m. Miss Macphee.
        4-a.Eva Macleod, unmarried.

D.JOHN NICHOLSON JR. born c1812  Orwell Cove, s/o John Nicholson Sr. and Jane Martin. He died nov 10 1866 age 74 years. He married MARY MACLEOD of Orwell Cove died 1886 age 87 years, d/o Roderick Macleod of the Kendroms and his wife Miss Mackenzie. With children;
    1.Donald Nicholson m. Miss Macmillan of Wood Islands with ch;
        a. .James Nicholson m. his cousin Margaret Macphee, d/o Reverend Samuel D. Macphee
            and Margaret Nicholson,   with 6 sons, 4 daughters.


Source: Hebridean Pioneers page 92.
Source: Skye Pioneers and the Island page 153,
Source: Scottish Settlers to Canada before Confederation, ref #10135,
Source: Nettie Gove Nicholson archives
Source: 1841 Census - According to 1841 census, they possibly had 10 children. 5 sons, 5 daughters.

Back to Main