Zachariah Nicholass and Margaret

Generation#1

Zachariah Nicholass was son of Daniel Nicklass (sic) and his wife Hannah - his baptism was recorded at Deal on 27 June 1725.  The Nicholass family  had been in Deal for sometime as Daniel's baptism  was also recorded 29 Jan 1698, son of John Nicholas (sic) and his wife Anne.

From Deal parish records it appears the family of  Daniel and Hannnah (spellings as in Bishop's Transcripts) included:

1:1 John Nichols, baptised 26 April 1724
1:2 Zachariah Nicklass, baptised 27 June 1725 (My greatX4 grandfather)
1:3 Daniel Nichols, baptised 10 Sept 1727
1:4 Daniel Nichols, baptised 4 Jan 1729
1:5 Mary Nicholls, baptised 17 Sept 1732
1:6 Anne Nicholls, baptised 21 June  1734; Anne, daughter of Daniel Nicholass buried 5 Oct 1744.
1:7 Elizabeth Nichols, baptised 16 Dec 1736
1:8 Catherine Nicholas, baptised 5 Aug 1739

The Bishop's transcripts show that the family of Zachariah Nicholass and his wife Margaret included:

1:2:1 Daniel Nicholas, baptised 18 April 1750
1:2:2 Margaret Nicholas, baptised 22 April 1752
1:2:3 Ellen Nicklas, baptised 25 May 1755
1:2:4 Zachariah Nichols, baptised 28 Aug 1757
1:2:5 John Nicholas, baptised 8 Feb 1760
1:2:6 Dennis Nicholass, baptised 29 Sept 1762
1:2:7 James Nicholass, baptised 14 Oct 1764 ( My greatX3 grandfather)

1:2:2 Margaret Nicholas married James Roberts 2 Dec 1773 at Deal

1:2:4 Zachariah Nicholas married Sarah Fowler October 27 1779 at Deal. and they appear to have had 6 children: 

        1:2:4:1 Mary Ann Nicholas, baptised 10 Jan 1781
        1:2:4:2 Sarah Nichollas, baptised 6 Feb 1782
        1:2:4:3 Daniel Nicholas, baptised 4 April 1783
        1:2:4:4 Jemima Nicholas, baptised 23 July 1784
        1:2:4:5 Elizabeth Caroline Nicholas, baptised 2 Nov 1785
        1:2:4:6 Zachariah Nicholas, baptised 29 Nov 1786

The family was dogged by hard times.  Mary Ann, the first daughter had 2 illegitimate children.  Her abode for the baby born 1816 was Poorhouse, Deal.  Sarah Nicholas, the next daughter died aged 32 years at the Poorhouse.  Third daughter, Jemima married Noli (Nowland) Pasco in 1803 and their daughter Jemima Caroline Pasco was baptised 1807 - 'a sailor's child.'  Jemima Pasco died at the Poorhouse aged 41 in 1826.

Noli Pasco was a seaman from the HMS La Jalousie "now in the Downs."   On 14 June 1803, HMS La Jalousie with two other British ships, was engaged in battle with the French near Cap Blanc Nez close to Calais, where they captured two French gun vessels. Then, just three days later, on the 17th of June, Noli married Jemima by Licence in Deal. “One can well imagine the stories he had to regale the guests with.”

Son, Zachariah, a mariner, married widow, Hannah Gardner (nee Ashington)  and the couple had 2 sons:  Zechariah Foulser (Foulson) Nicholas and George Gardner Nicholas.  Zechariah F Nicholas joined the Coast guard service aboard  "Hercules" in July 1836 aged 19 years but appears to have gone to shore duties 30 June 1837.   In 1841 he was at Shanklin, I.O.W.  and later joined the Coast Guard service in Ireland.  He was promoted to Commissioned Boatman, 14 October 1850, and Chief Boatman, 27 December 1859.   He married Anne Griffith in Kilannin, Galway in  1853.  Anne's father, Thomas Griffith, was also a Coastguard and in 1859 Thomas was made Chief Boatman in charge.   Britain and France declared war on Russia in March 1854 at the start of the Crimean War.  Zachariah Nicholas joined the "Prince Regent" 14 March 1854 and served in the Baltic through to 22 November 1854.  On the 23 November, 1854 he joined the "Royal Albert"  and was involved with the action at Sebastopol and Azoff.  He was awarded the Baltic and Crimea medals along with the Sebastapol and Azoff clasps and Turkish Crimea Medal.   The Azoff Clasp was awarded to those who manned the smaller boats at Taganrog sent ashore with volunteers to destroy buildings and stores.  Many were Coastguards, older men and skilled with small boat manoeuvring.   Zachariah discharged from the "Royal Albert" 8 August, 1856.  He died at  Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, on 10 February, 1868, aged 49 years.  His cause of death was 'congestion of the liver 6 1/2 months" - the Informant: William Griffith  (perhaps a brother-in-law).  

1:2:5 John Nicholas married Mary Dixon at Goodnestone by Sandwich, 28 November 1781 and from Deal records appear to have had 9 children:

        1:2:5:1 Mary Ann Nicholas, baptised 19 April 1793
        1:2:5:2 Elizabeth Nicholas,baptised 26 Nov 1784
        1:2:5:3 Mary Nicholas, baptised 28 Feb 1787
        1:2:5:4 John Nicholas,  baptised 28 Feb 1787
        1:2:5:5 Sarah Dixon Nicholas, baptised 22 Nov 1789
        1:2:5:6 Jeremiah Nicholas, baptised 15 Feb 1792; d. 21 Jan 1823 (31years)
        1:2:5:7 Dixon Biswick  Nicholas, baptised 26 Dec 1793
        1:2:5:8 Nancy Nicholass, baptised 29 May 1795
        1:2:5:9 Ellen Nichols, baptised 25 April 1798

1:2:6 Dennis Nicholas married Sarah Fuller on 25 May 1784 at Deal and raised a family of 9 in Deal.

The family of Dennis and Sarah from Deal records:

        1:2:6:1 Dennis Long Nicholass, baptised 23 March 1785 (? died May 1801)
        1:2:6:2 Daniel Nicholas, baptised 25 June 1786
        1:2:6:3 James Nicholas, baptised 22 Feb 1788
        1:2:6:4 Sarah Nicholas, baptised 21 June 1789
        1:2:6:5 John Nicholas, baptised 12 Nov 1790
        1:2:6:6 Joseph Carter Nichols, baptised 29 July 1792
        1:2:6:7 Robert Nicholas, baptised 22 Jan 1794
        1:2:6:8 Elizabeth Fuller Nicholass, baptised 22 Jan 1796
        1:2:6:9 Margaret Long Nicholass, baptised 6 May 1798

1:2:6:3 James Nicholas was pressed into the service of the Navy in 1808 and died as a Prisoner of war in France.

1:2:6:4 Sarah Nicholas married William Caspell, labourer, in Deal on 9 Aug 1813.  By 1820 the family appeared to have moved from Deal to Ladywell Lane, Charlton, Dover where the last 8 of their 10 children were born.

1:2:6:6 Joseph Carter Nicholas married Ann Magee on 2 Sept 1828 at Deal.  They had 3 children but Ann died at Sandown Road, Lower Deal in 1833 aged 41 years - her youngest son Henry still an infant.  In 1841 the widowed Joseph, a Mariner, was living at Middle Street, Deal with his 3 children, James, Elizabeth and Henry, along with his housekeeper, Ann Kennett.  In 1851 Joseph and his 2 sons, James (24) and Henry (18), also mariners were still at Middle Street.  Joseph died in Deal in 1864.  The inscription on his head stone:

          In loving memory of Joseph Carter Nicholass who died
12th November, 1864 aged 77 years. Also, Elizabeth Ann Nicholass, daughter of the
above who died the 26th December 1893 aged 65 years. Her end was peace."
  

Joseph's son James Robert Nicholas became a renowned Boatbuilder in Deal.

From "The Last of our Luggers and the Men who Sailed Them" by E.C. Pain:

James Nicholas died on April 3rd, 1909 in his 83rd year. He came of an old family of Deal boatmen, his father, who was born in 1792, and his grandfather, born in 1762, both having been well known in their day as worthy representatives of that hardy and heroic race. His uncle, James Nicholas, was one of the Deal men pressed into the service of the Navy in 1808, and he died in that year while a prisoner of war in France.

For sixty years James Nicholas had been engaged in the boat-building industry in Deal, and about the year 1858 he entered into business for himself at North Deal. Many of the luggers mentioned in this review were designed and built by him. Towards the latter part of his career the Deal lugger was practically a thing of the past, and the galley-punt was rapidly declining. Adapting himself to modern requirements, he turned his attention to the building of motor boats, and a substantially-built craft designed for Henry Pearson, of Walmer, was the sixth motor boat produced from the establishment of James Nicholas.

At intervals, when business was dull in the boat-building trade, he went afloat, and was one of the crew who launched to the assistance of the ship ATLANTIC, stranded on the Goodwins in 1848. In this way, apart from the sea sense inherited from generations of hovellers, he combined, in the construction of the craft to which his life's work was devoted, an intimate knowledge of seamanship, and of the exacting conditions under which our luggers launched from Deal beach. As late as 1914 the firm constructed the wherry-boat SHAMROCK for service at Broadstairs; but the business, like so many of Deal's old established boat building concerns, was subsequently relinquished. The name of James Nicholas will, however, be chiefly associated with the Deal lugger. It was men of his type who evolved that craft of imperishable fame and world wide renown. It was men such as he that W. Clark Russell doubtless had in mind when, in one of his vividly descriptive articles in the Daily Telegraph, he wrote "...the men of Deal had become the best boat builders and boat sailers in the world."
“It is interesting to note that the fame the boatbuilding yards had penetrated to New Zealand and West Australia.  In 1877 James Nicholass built a lugger for Freemantle, Australia.”

1:2:6:8 Elizabeth Fuller Nicholas married William Bath, Shoemaker or Cordwainer, on 13 Oct 1821 at Charlton, Dover.  In 1841 and 1851 the couple were at Charlton Green, Dover.  Their family of 4 children appear to have left home by 1841.

1:2:6:9 Margaret Long Nicholas married John Hall Marsh, of Sutton, on 21 Sept 1830 at Deal.  John was a Cordwainer or shoemaker and the family seem to have moved from Sutton (where their first 4 children were born) to Napchester, Northbourne just prior to 1841.  Two more children were born at Northbourne and by 1871the family moved to West Langdon, Dover. 


DEAL:

The prosperity of Deal and the Deal Boatmen peaked during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.  The defences in East Kent were centred on Deal and the Naval Squadron was continuously anchored in the Downs.  Many of the Naval officers and their wives and families took up residence in Deal and population swelled between 1801 and 1811.
Boats were in demand for ferrying stores, officers, mail and assisting with embarkation of troops.   Members of the Sea Fencibles, a local voluntary defence force, were paid a few shillings.  In pay lists of Sea Fencibles of the Kent Coast serving in 1805 were listed the following:  Daniel Nicholas, Denis Nicholas, George Nicholas, James Nicholas, John Nicholas and Zachariah Nicholas.
A less patriotic but more profitable activity was the smuggling for which Deal was notorious and this continued through the war and beyond.
After 1815 prosperity ceased and by 1821 population was declining and there were 262 uninhabited houses in Deal.  Between 1820 – 1830 there was extreme poverty and in 1823 William Cobbett wrote:

“Deal is a most villainous place.  It is full of filthy looking people.  Great desolation of abomination has been going on here; tremendous barracks partly pulled down and partly tumbling down, and partly occupied by soldiers.  Everything seems upon the perish.  I was glad to hurry along through it, and leave its inns and public houses to be occupied by the tarred, and trowsered, and blue-and-buff crew whose very vicinage I always detest.”

A list of Deal Boatmen in a Report of the Select Committee on Cinque-Port Pilots (approx June 1833) included under the North End station : James Nicholass (senior and junior), Zachary and Denis Nicholas and earlier in the list Joseph Nicholas.  The boat stations were often named after pubs opposite the beach, hence Rodney, India Arms, Fountain etc.

“These are among the bravest and most skilful mariners that exists.  Let a gale rise and swell into a storm, and let a sea run that might appal the stoutest heart that ever beat; let the light ships on the sands throw up a rocket in the darkness of the night; or let them hear through the angry roar the signal guns of a ship in distress, and these men spring up with activity so dauntless, so valiant and heroic, that the world cannot surpass it.”
“For this and the recollection of their comrades, whom we have known, whom the raging sea has engulfed before their children’s eyes in such brave efforts whom the secret sand has buried, let us hold the boatmen in our love and honour, and be tender of the fame they well deserve~”
Charles Dickens on one of his visits to Deal

1:2:7 James Nicholass (my greatX3 grandfather) the last child of Zachariah and Margaret  married Susanna Finn in 1789.  The details were recorded at St Leonard's, Deal:

James Nicholas of this Parish and Susanna Finn of this Parish married in this church by  Banns on the Second day of May in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine by me E. B. Benson, Rector.
Marriage solemnised by
 X the mark of James Nicholas
and by
X  the mark of Susanna Finn.  In the Presence of Ed. Foreman & William Verrier.

Susanna Finn was daughter of Henry Finn and Anne, born in Nonnington, Kent and baptised in the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin on March 16 1766.

James, a mariner/boatman, and Susanna  had 10 children born in Deal.  Their second son James died in infancy in 1794.

James Nicholass of Water Street, Deal, Mariner, died in 1843 aged 80 years of Hydrothorax.  He was buried at Deal 12 January 1843 - the Rector was Rev. Charles Lane.

At census in 1851 Susanna was a widow and living with her son Zachariah and his wife Margaret at 16 Peter Street.  She was listed as a Pauper.
Her death was recorded at St Leonard's, Deal, entry No: 1779

Sus. Nicholas, Peter Street, buried 2nd March 1853, aged 90

The family of James and Susanna as recorded in Deal parish (Bishop's transcripts) records:
   
        1:2:7:1 Henry Nichols, baptised 23 Aug 1789
        1:2:7:2 Susanna Nichols, baptised 26 Dec 1791
        1:2:7:3 James Nicholass, baptised 28 Aug 1793; buried 29 Jan 1794
        1:2:7:4 James Long Nicholas, baptised 30 Nov 1794
        1:2:7:5 Zachariah Nicholas, baptised 23 Dec 1796
        1:2:7:6 Thomas Nicholass, baptised 23 Jan 1799
        1:2:7:7 Sarah Nicholass, baptised 22 May 1800
        1:2:7:8 Ann Nicholas, baptised 22 Dec 1802
        1:2:7:9 Thomas John Nicholass, baptised 2 Dec 1804
        1:2:7:10 Dennis Long Nicholass, baptised 22 June 1810 (My great X2 grandfather)

1:2:7:1 Henry Nicholas married Sarah Stanford of Deal in 1823.  A Henry Nicholas (abode Eastry Union) buried at Deal, 16 February 1844, aged 55y. was probably this Henry.

1:2:7:2 Susanna Nicholass had an illegitimate son, George Fitch Nicholass baptised on 29 May 1822 by Rev. M Pennington, Curate of the Chapel of Deal (St George’s).  Susanna’s  address was given as Peter Street, Lower Deal.

1:2:7:4 James Long Nicholass married Irish-born Mary Brian (? Brennan).  James, a mariner, and his wife Mary had a family of 10 children.  All were born at Princes Street, Deal with the exception of the youngest, Susanna who was born at 107 Lower Street.  James Long Nicholass died in 1876 aged 84 years.

Their fourth son, yet another Zechariah Nicholass, born in 1840 entered her Majesty's Royal Navy on 22 January 1856 as Boy 2nd Class on the "Colossus".  He signed on for 10 years service from the age of  eighteen but was " Discharged by purchase" on 23 Nov 1858.  He was described at entry date as 4'10", of ruddy complexion with brown hair and hazel eyes.  In 1859 at aged 19 years, Zacharia Nicholass (sic) married Helen McEwing, also 19, at Greenock, Scotland.  His residence was recorded as HMS Hague, Greenock and his profession as Ship Steward.  Records were found for Zecharia Nicholass born Kent as Cook and Steward on ships sailing from Adelaide to Sydney (ss Agnes, April 1876 and the baroque Lavinia, December 1876).  At 1881 census his wife Ellen described herself as a widow and was still living in Lanarkshire, Scotland with their 2 children, Marion (born 1860) Zecharia (1867).   However South Australian records show a Zechuriah Nicholass, aged 41 years, died at Morgan, SA on 23 Jan 1882.  No relative recorded and his residence was stated as Mount Brown Diggings, NSW.  Had our Zechariah succumbed to the lure of the goldfields?

James and Mary's daughter, Susanna married Isaac Gammon Hayward in Deal on the 14th May, 1876.  Isaac was a Watchmaker by trade and also Founder member of the Deal Fire Brigade. In 1899 he became Warden of the Time Ball Mechanism, housed in the Tower which still stands by the sea shore at Deal.  The family had living accommodation in the building and when Isaac died in 1904, Susannah was required to quit the premises with her 13 children and find other accommodation in the North End of Deal.

 The Time Ball Tower stands prominently on the sea front and was the earliest means of  making Greenwich Mean Time known to shipping in the Downs, the 4 miles of deep water that lies between Deal and the Goodwin Sands.  The Downs have been safe anchorage to much shipping over the centuries.  In 1855 the former Semaphore House was converted to the Time Ball Tower which was remotely controlled from Greenwich via telegraph.  The ball was dropped at 1p.m. each day so that ships in the Downs could set their chronometers

1:2:7:5 Zachariah Nicholas, a mariner and 4th son of James and Susanna married local girl Margaret Wilds on 27 December 1833.  The witnesses were Robert Bowbyes, a fellow mariner and Edward Foreman, the church clerk. 

It is of note that in the 1850’s six Deal boatmen emigrated to New Zealand to the town of Timaru - John Wilds, Morris Corey, Robert Boubius ( ? Robert Bowbyes, witness at Zachariah’s marriage), Henry Clayson, William John Roberts and John J. Bowles.  There was no harbour at Timaru so ships were unloaded off shore to wooden surf boats which were hauled up on to the beach by manpower using a capstan, cable and wooden boatways in the manner familiar to generations of Deal Boatmen.

"With the increase in shipping came a demand for more experienced men to handle the  surfboats. It was a time of great unemployment in England. James Edward Fitzgerald, Canterbury's (NZ) first superintendent, addressed some of the 800 unemployed residents of Deal, most of them fishermen, urging them to emigrate to Canterbury where there was a great need for steady, industrious men. The six, and their families, who eventually found themselves in Timaru began work in May 1859 under Strongwork Morrison, beach master and coxswain. The men engaged were John Wilds, Morris Corey, Robert Boubius, Henry Clayson, William John Roberts and John J. Bowles.  Morris Cory and Robert Boubius drowned off Timaru - October 6, 1860. Clayson was drowned soon after his arrival and  was replaced by Phillip Foster, also from Deal.”

Zachariah (52) and wife Margaret (49) were living at 16 Peter Street at 1851 census.  With them was Zachariah’s mother, Susanna who was described as a Pauper, aged 88 years. By 1871 Margaret Nicholas was a widow (68), Charwoman and still living at 16 Peter Street, a few doors from her brother-in-law, James Nicholas and his wife Mary at 21 Peter Street.  Margaret died in 1875 aged 75 years.

A Zachariah Nicholas and 2 others was convicted in 1851 of attempting to smuggle 24lbs of cigars - a "deed" probably attributable to this Zachariah.

1:2:7:7 Sarah Nicholass, married William Fitch on 13 October 1823 at St Mary's the Virgin, Dover.  At 1851 census the family was at Adrian Street, Dover; William's occupation recorded as Fireman, S. Eastern Railway.  They raised a family of 3 daughters and a son at Dover but by 1861 the family was living at Folkestone.  William died in 1866 and at 1871 census Sarah was living with her widowed daughter Elizabeth A Hammond at Dover.  In 1881 Sarah was with her daughter Sarah Phillips at 1 Princes Street, Folkestone - she died at Folkestone later that year.

1:2:7:8 Ann Nicholas, last daughter of James and Susanna, was buried on 2 September 1823 aged 20 years.

1:2:7:10 Dennis Long Nicholas married Elizabeth Parker Thomsett at St Leonards in 1834:

Dennis Nicholas of this parish, Bachelor and Elizabeth Parker Thomsett of this parish, Spinster were married in the church by Banns this 5th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. By me J. B. Backhouse, Rector.

Signed X the mark Dennis Nicholas, Elizabeth Parker Thomsett. Witnesses: S Thomsett, Edward Foreman.

Elizabeth Parker Thomsett was born 30 March 1810 in Deal, first child of William Thomsett, mariner, and his wife Mary Allen.  William and Mary produced a family of six daughters - although 2 died in infancy. 

Dennis, a mariner or boatman, and Elizabeth raised their family of eight children in Deal.  At the birth of their first children they were living at Duke Street, Lower Deal, later living at Middle Street and by 1844 at Exchange Street then Silver Street in 1861. 

Denis(sic) Long Nicholass died 13th December 1879 aged 70 years. His death registered at Liverpool.

At 1881 census Elizabeth was a widow and living with her daughter Emma Finch and family at 19 St Oswald Street, West Derby.  It would seem this was where she died 20 September, 1885 aged 76.


The family of Dennis Long Nicholass and Elizabeth Parker Thomsett:

        1:2:7:10:1 Louisa Thomsett Nicholass, born 20 Feb 1834  
        1:2:7:10:2 William Thomsett Nicholass, 11 Nov 1836
        1:2:7:10:3 Henry Nicholass, 2 Jan 1838
        1:2:7:10:4 Joseph Nicholass,18 Feb 1841
        1:2:7:10:5 Dennis James Nicholass, 15 Nov 1844
        1:2:7:10:6 George Nicholass, 15 Dec 1846 (my great grandfather)
        1:2:7:10:7 Emma Elizabeth Nicholass, 11 July 1849
        1:2:7:10:8 Thomas John Nicholass, 21 Oct 1851

Hovelling:  While sailing ships were anchored in the Downs often helplessly waiting for wind change the boatmen of Deal and Walmer made it their business to travel between the ships and shore supplying them with food, stores, mail and other necessities of life at sea.  This was known as “hovelling” and the men and their boats became known as “hovellers” – a word peculiar to Kent.

The luggers are splendid sea-boats, and it is a fine sight to see one of them crowded with men and close-reefed cruising about the Downs ‘hovelling’ or ‘on the look out’ for a job in a great gale.  While ships are parting their anchors and flying signals of distress, the luggers’ supplying their wants or putting pilots on board, wheel and sweep round them like birds on the wing.
 “Heroes of the Goodwin Sands” Rev. T.S. Treanor

1:2:7:10:1 Louisa Thomsett Nicholass died on 26 July 1847 aged 12 years and was buried by the Rev. Martin E. Benson, curate of St Leonard’s.

1:2:7:10:2 William Thomsett Nicholass was named after his maternal grandfather.  He had some brushes with the law in Deal.  One report in the local paper 6 January 1865 tells of him being “found guilty of assault and sentenced to three months hard labour in Sandwich Gaol and on his release to find sureties to keep the peace”.  He married Rebecca Porter at Sandwich Independent Chapel on 1 October 1870 and at census in 1871 he and Rebecca were living at Middle Street, Deal.  William was recorded as a mariner aged 33 years.  By 1881 William was a publican at the “Life Boat Inn” at 185 ½ Beach Street and living with them was Elizabeth Holmes - an adopted child aged 9 years, born in Deal.  In 1891 Wm.(50), Rebecca (41) and Lizzie (18) Nicholas were recorded boarding at 50 Canton Street, Poplar, London with  Joseph Edgeley (56, Pilot Seas) and his son Charles.  William's occupation was listed as Mariner Seas and Lizzie was a draper's assistant.

Rebecca Nicholass' death at 42years was registered a few months later at Poplar.  William died in 1894 aged 57.

Deal Boatmen
The notorious Goodwin Sands, a great sandbank about 8 miles long, lie about 4 miles off the coast of Deal.  Thousands of early sailing ships were wrecked after being blown helplessly onto them during storms.  Before the formation of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rescues were carried out by the boatmen from Deal and Walmer.  Luggers were often used, locally built craft ideally designed for the difficult and dangerous seas in which they worked.  They were about 40 foot long and were the largest boats able to be launched from the open beach. 
The rescue of the crew of the schooner the ‘Golden Island’ in the early hours of 15 May 1887 by the Deal lifeboat has been described by Rev. Thomas Stanley Treanor (Chaplain, Mission to Seamen, Deal and the Downs).  Included in the lifeboat crew of 14 “(being one man short, which was not observed in the darkness of the launch)” was Wm Nicholas, probably William Thomsett Nicholas.

"Deal beach at such a time is full of boatmen, some in the lifeboat loosing sails and setting the mizzen, some easing her down to the top of the slope, some seeing to the haul-off warp, a matter of life or death in such a heavy sea dead on shore; others laying down the well-greased ‘skids’ for the lifeboat to run on, and others clearing away the shingle which successive tides had gathered in front of her bows.
Mingling among the workers are the wives and mothers, putting a piece of bread and cheese in Tom’s pocket or helping on ‘father’ with his oilskin jacket or his sou’wester.  And now ‘All hands in the lifeboat!’ and twenty minutes after the bell is rung she rushes down the steep and plunges into the surf.  The loving, lingering watchers on the beach just see her foresail hoisted and she vanishes into the night, as the green rocket shoots one hundred yards into the sky to tell the distressed sailors ‘ The lifeboat is launched and on her way.’ "

“One man was missing, left on the shore.
Nicholas, Marlowe sailor-men bold,
Ashington, Forster, fourteen all told;
Four to the tiller, muscles all tense,
Eight on the foresheet –darkness how dense.”

1:2:7:10:3 Henry Nicholass was a Shoemaker initially but later censuses record him as Saw Mills Labourer.  He married Mary Ann Miller at Charlton, Dover on 2 July 1861 and they raised their family of 7 children at Charlton, Dover.  Henry Dennis Nicholass died in 1914.

1:2:7:10:4 Joseph Nicholass married Welsh born Elizabeth Jones in Wales in 1868.  In 1871 they were living at 26 Fellow Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool where Joseph was an officer for H.M. Customs. By 1891 the couple were at Mostyn, County Flint, Wales: The Customs House - Joseph Nicholas (50, b. Deal), Principle Court Officer, and his wife , Elizabeth (44, b. Ruabon, Denbigh, Wales).  In 1901 Joseph (60) and Elizabeth (54) were living at Oakdene House in the parish of Eskdale cum Ugglebarnby, York. North Riding where Joseph was Superintendent of Customs.

1:2:7:10:5 Dennis James Nicholass married Mary Elizabeth Williams of Deal in 1868.  Their first 2 sons were born at Middle Street, Deal where Dennis was a mariner and later boatbuilder. The family moved to 28 Townley Street, Ramsgate where Dennis was employed as a Shipwright and 5 more children were born.  Their second son, Thomas, also a Shipwright, was living at Sheerness with George (his uncle) and Sarah Nicholass at census 1901.

1:2:7:10:6 George Nicholass married Sarah Kitham June 5th 1870 at the Parish Church, Walmer. He was of  'full' age, bachelor, Boat builder, residing in Deal.  His father Dennis Nicholass was described as a Waterman.  Sarah was a minor, spinster  and was living in Walmer.  Witnesses: Thomas Beer, Emma Nicholass.

Sarah  Kitham was born at Sibertswold (now known as Shepherdswell), Kent on 16 June 1850 daughter of Thomas Kitham, labourer and Susannah Kitham (formerly White).   She appears to have been the 9th and last child in the family.

At 1871 census the newly weds were living at 29 Nelson Street, Deal which has been described as a two storey building “some 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep.  It has a front door to the left of a single front room window.  Entrance is directly into the front room and from thence into the back room.  Boxed-in stairs ,also to the left lead to two upstairs rooms.  Each room has a fireplace and a single window.  There is a half-basement under the front room with sky-light access, set into the pavement, for the delivery of coal.” “The Life and Times of a Small House in Deal” Andrew Sergeant.

George and Sarah moved to Sheerness prior to the birth of their first child Louisa Elizabeth Nicholass in 1874. Louisa was born at 25 Alma Street, Sheerness and later censuses record the family living at Clyde Street and Alexandra Road, Sheerness.  George spent his working life employed as a Shipwright at H.M. Dockyard, Sheerness.

Sarah Nicholass (nee Kitham) died on 3 Dec1921, aged 70 years, at 9 Alexandra Road, Sheerness and was buried at Halfway cemetery.  

George Nicholass died at his home 9 Alexander Road, Sheerness on 6 March 1922 of ‘Senile atrophy’.  The informant was his son-in-law, H.W.G. Kicks of 10 Marine Parade. He was buried at Halfway Cemetery, Sheerness.

The family of George and Sarah born in Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey:

        1:2:7:10:6:1 Louisa Elizabeth Nicholass, 1874
        1:2:7:10:6:2 Florence Emma Nicholass, 1778
        1:2:7:10:6:3 Walter George Nicholass, 1880
        1:2:7:10:6:4 William Thomsett Nicholass, 1883
        1:2:7:10:6:5 Frederick George Nicholass, 1886  (My grandfather)
        1:2:7:10:6:6 George Ethelbert Nicholass, 1888
        1:2:7:10:6:7 Lilian May Nicholass, 1890; d. 1890
        1:2:7:10:6:8 Arthur Hartlington Nicholass, 1892; d. 1892
        1:2:7:10:6:9 Hilda Constance Nicholass, 1892; d. 1892

1:2:7:10:6:1 In 1891 Louisa Elizabeth Nicholass was working as a dressmaker’s assistant in Marylebone, London.  In 1900 she married  Harry William George Kicks, a fruiterer/greengrocer in Sheerness.  They had 2 children:  Frederick Harry George Kicks (1909) and Gladys Grace Kicks (1914). Louisa died in 1944 and Harry in 1958, both at Sheerness.

Freddy Kicks married Vera (Micki) Peacock  and they emigrated to Nova Scotia where Frederick worked for the Western Union Cable Ships.

Gladys Kicks married Cyril Edwards and they lived at Kidbrooke, Blackheath, London.  The couple had no children.

1:2:7:10:6:2 Florence Emma Nicholass, married James Frederick G. Cork, son of  cabinetmaker James and Margaret Cork of 24 Rose Street, Minster in Sheppey in 1907.  At 1901 census James F.G. Cork was Clerk Army Ordinance at Sheerness.  Florence died in 1962.  Her husband James had died at 26 Rose Street on 15 December 1924 aged 45 of tuberculosis.  The couple had no children.

1:2:7:10:6:3 Walter George Nicholass was recorded as an Engine Room Fitter apprentice in 1901.  In 1917 he married Winifred Florence Rowland and they lived at Great Crosby, Liverpool.  Walter died 10 Jan 1956, aged 75. Their daughter, Joan (b. 21 Jan 1919), a policewoman in Liverpool, died in October 1998 at the family home, 142 Woodwills Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool.

1:2:7:10:6:4 In 1901, William Thomsett Nicholass, at 17 years was a shipwright apprentice.  In 1908 he married Ethel Kate Lane. Ethel in 1901 census was 16 years living with her parents - Thomas (house decorator) and Mary Lane at Sheerness.

1:2:7:10:6:5 Frederick George Nicholass was living with his family at 9 Alexandra Road, Sheerness at 1901 census.  He was 15 years old and an apprentice Engine room fitter as was his older brother, Walter (20).  He later trained at Rosyth, Scotland as Engine Room Articifer.

Frederick George married Beatrice Jane McDowell at St Paul's Church, Sheerness on 15 June, 1910.  He was recorded as aged 24, bachelor, engine room artificer on H.M.S. Indomitable and Beatrice aged 23, spinster, of 23 Charles Street, Sheerness.  The fathers were listed as George Nicholass, retired pensioner and William McDowell (deceased), Dealer.  The witnesses:  George Albert Lamb and Henrietta McDowell.

Fred served in WW1 and was at the Gallipoli landings.  The captain of his ship was killed during the action and the ship badly damaged.  Fred was mentioned in despatches for bravery and keeping the ship in action.  He was also involved with the internment of the German naval fleet at Scapa Flow (Orkney) in November 1918.  He was stationed with the R.N. at Bermuda for some years from 1921 and  retired from Royal Navy to become engineer for Dover Life Boat "Sir William Hillary".  Later the family moved back to Sheerness (c.1937) where he was charge engineer  for H.M.S. Wildfire."

Frederick George Nicholass died 28 February, 1962 at Sheerness.  His wife Beatrice died 26 March 1971 at 16 Monckton Court Lane , Eythorne (near Dover).


1:2:7:10:6:6 The youngest surviving son of George and Sarah, George Ethelbert Nicholass, became a draughtsman at H M Dockyard, Sheerness.  He married Annie Mabel Eve in 1916, but died (1919) aged 31 years of TB.  In 1901 census Mabel Eve, 10 years, born Faversham was living with her parents William and Florence Eve at Faversham.  Her father's occupation:  mixer Nitro Glycerine powder.  George and Mabel's daughter, Winifred (Winnie) Mabel Nicholass was born in 1918.



1:2:7:10:7 Emma Elizabeth Nicholass, the only daughter of Dennis Long Nicholass and Elizabeth Parker Thomsett was a servant for Mary Ann Rayner a widowed Draper in Ramsgate in 1871.  She married Walter Thomas Finch on 31st March 1874 at Everton, Lancashire and in 1881 they were living at 19 St Oswald Street, West Derby.  Emma's widowed mother, Elizabeth Parker Nicholas was living with them.  Walter’s occupation was given as fishmonger although by 1901 he was a Money Lender  and their eldest son Walter (23) a Money Manager.  Emma Finch died in 1928.

1:2:7:10:8 The youngest son of Dennis and Elizabeth, Thomas John Nicholass married Ellen Gimber in 1874.  1861 census returns of Walmer suggest  that Ellen was in fact the niece of William Thomsett Nicholass’ wife, Rebecca Porter.

At 1881 census Thomas and family were living at Everton  and Thomas was described as a Boatswain.  In 1891 the family was at Toxteth Park, Liverpool and Thomas’ occupation: H.M. Customs.  In 1901 Thomas was in the Office H.M. Customs and the family were living at Runcorn, Cheshire.