• Home
•  | 
• Login/Register
•  | 
• Help

Please do not email Cindy. For some reason I can't log on. Please address all emails to KennyShackleford@aol.com

CONRAD NICHOLS, ABOUT 1770 - ABOUT 1820 SEPT 30, 2005

Researching the origins of this Nichols family has been difficult and, more than once, very frustrating. It has kept me occupied for the better part of eight years and I would imagine for several more to come. I have yet to break through the time barrier of the late seventeen hundreds; however, I am chipping away at the foundation, having found some interesting leads among the fragments.
Joe Russell Nichols is believed to have been the first to extensively research this family. He was born in Rock Hill, Collin County, Texas October 13, 1888 and died December 22, 1936 in Timpson, Shelby County, Texas. Joe was a great grand son of Conrad "Gun Rod" Nichols. Though he never met his grand father, Kinchen Nichols, he did have the opportunity to interview Sallie Nichols- Allbrittton, a sister, during 1906. I have seen and read the hand written version of Joe's research. He clearly states, "The oldest relative by the name of Nichols about which we are certain is Conrad (Gun Rod) Nichols."
So, who is Conrad Nichols and from whence did he come?
When evidence of one's existence can't be found, but stories of him abound, that person becomes a legend. So it is with Conrad Nichols. Through exhaustive research, I have found no conclusive evidence to confirm the existence of this man. However, stories have been passed down from generation to generation and can lead one to the conclusion that Conrad is indeed real and those listed in this report are certainly his descendants.
Conrad was possibly born about 1770 in North Carolina, a son of John Nichols. I base this on the following:

1. As was the custom, many married couples would name their first son after the father's father and first daughter after the mother's mother. Conrad's first son was named John and his first daughter was named Ann.
2. Before marriage Conrad was living with his family in the "96th District" of South Carolina. Between 1785 and 1789, eight counties were established within the 96th District. They were: Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenville, Laurens, Newberry, Pendleton, Spartanburg, and Union. In the first U. S. Census for 1790 there are 14 Heads of Household with the Nichols name listed. Three have the spelling "Nichels." Of the eleven that remain, one has the name of John Nichols. His residence was in Greenville County.

Rumored to have been somewhat adventurous and a Indian fighter, lore has it that Conrad was at one time captured by the Indians but managed to make good on his escape. Though possible, I'm certain there may be a bit of exaggeration to this story. Conrad had a total of seven children and died after 1815. This would have left little time for such adventure. There were the Indian Wars of South Carolina but they occurred in the 1750s, twenty years or so before Conrad was born.
Joe Russell Nichols stated that Conrad died from some disease and was buried at "Old Fort 96", now located in Greenwood County. His youngest son Kinchen was taken in by a Mrs. Timmons, a widower. There is one female Timmons listed as "Head of Household" in the 1820 Laurens County Census. She is Catherine Timmons. It is obvious that Conrad's wife, whoever she may have been, died before 1820.

Where Is Conrad?

It must be made clear that there is No Conrad Nichols listed in any of the Census Reports. Does this prove that he did not exist? No it does not. It simply proves that the name Conrad is not there. It is very likely that he is listed under a different name. Interesting enough there is listed in the 1820 Census for Laurens County 2 John Nichols, 2 Roberts, and a Charles. Conrad's father was John Nichols. His had a son John and Robert. Could it be?

You must be logged in to post a comment regarding this story.