The Nichols Family Graveyard has been something I have been interested in for a long time. In June I was traveling to Chicago by car, so I put this on my list of places to visit. I did not locate the Nichols Family Graveyard but the next time I am in the area I will make another attempt try to find it. My aunt, Shirley Ann Brumley Stevens did visit the cemetery before she passed way and said it was very moving to see her relatives in this small place.
There are nine gravestones in this small family cemetery. Each one is part of my family tree.
Reuben Abraham Nichols is (my 3rd great-grandfather) was born on August 14, 1805, in Cynthiana, Harrison, Kentucky. He married Mary Nancy Skirvin (3rd great-grandmother) on April 19, 1827, in Gallatin, Kentucky. Reuben died December 7, 1888, he was eight-three and Mary Nancy died on December 10, 1888, and she was seventy-nine both of Williamstown, Lewis, Missouri. It is not known how they died, but the dates are very close together, so I suppose it was a disease of the time.
Simon Nichols (2nd great-grandfather) was born on December 14, 1827, in Dry Ridge, Grant, Kentucky. Simon married the first time to Mary Frances Noel who was born on May 30, 1832, in Kentucky. They were married on July 9, 1853, in Clark County, Missouri. Their children were William Reuben, John Robert, Nancy Eleanor, James Harvey, Mary A and Elvira Ellen Nichols. Simon married a second time to Sarah Frances Douglas (1853-1901) on January 21, 1873, in Clark County, Missouri. Children from this union were Lorena 1873-1912, Lilly F 1876-1876, Gertrude Wilburn (1878-1919) and Addie Nichols (1880-1881). Simon died on May 26, 1884, in Williamstown, Lewis, Missouri he was fifty-six years old.
Mary Frances died on December 21, 1871, in Clark County, Missouri. She was thirty-nine years old.
James Harvey Nichols (my 2nd great granduncle) was born October 18, 1829, in Dry Ridge, Grant, Kentucky. James was twenty-seven years old when he died on April 27, 1857, of Mumps, and he was just weeks away from marrying Miss Isobelle Webster to whom he was engaged.
Mary Jane Nichols (my 2nd great grandaunt) was born on December 3, 1831, in Dry Ridge, Grant, Kentucky. She married Samuel Lafayette Fretwell on May 29, 1870, in Clark County, Missouri. Mary died on April 18, 1871, giving birth to their first child John Reuben Fretwell (1871-1871) who also died.
Louisa Susan Nichols (my 2nd great grandaunt) was born February 28, 1846, in Williamstown, Lewis, Missouri. She was never married and was twenty-four years old at the time of her death on December 10, 1870.
Amanda Elizabeth Skirvin was born on May 29, 1871, in Kentucky. She is the daughter of Cornelius Skirvin and Mary Ann Lafferty. She is my second cousin 4x removed.
Addie Nichols (my great grandaunt) was born on March 30, 1880. Her parents are Simon Nichols (my 2nd great-grandfather) and Sarah Frances Douglas (my 2nd great-grandmother). Addie died on August 13, 1881, and she was just an infant. My great-grandmother Gertrude Wilburn Nichols (1878-1919) was devastated that her little sister had died.
1880 Missouri Census
| Name | Simon Nichols |
|---|---|
| Age | 52 |
| Birth Date | Abt 1828 |
| Birthplace | Kentucky |
| Home in 1880 | Union, Clark, Missouri, USA |
| Dwelling Number | 49 |
| Race | White |
| Gender | Male |
| Relation to Head of House | Self (Head) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse’s Name | Sarah F. Nichols |
| Father’s Birthplace | Kentucky |
| Mother’s Birthplace | Kentucky |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Neighbors | View others on page |
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Simon Nichols | 52 |
| Sarah F. Nichols | 27 |
| Mary A. Nichols | 21 |
| Alvira P. Nichols | 19 |
| Emma E. Nichols | 16 |
| Lorena B. Nichols | 6 |
| Lilly F. Nichols | 4 |
| Gertrud W. Nichols | 2 |
| Nichols | 2/12 |
I would like to thank Karen Nichols-Rexall for the pictures and Debbie Smith for doing the maintaining. This little cemetery is like thousands of small cemeteries that are all over the United States. Family genealogists are so grateful when their relatives our found after many years of research. It brings their stories full circle when we are able to locate where they have been laid to rest.
Thank you for reading by blog post.
Brumley Family Branches 