This old and respected officer was born in 1758, and commenced his naval career, under the protection of Commodore (afterwards Admiral) Lord Shuldham, in 1772. He was present, in the Orpheus 32, Captain Charles Hudson, at the blockade of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia; and continued in that frigate until she was burnt by her crew, at Rhode Island, to prevent her falling into the enemy’s hands. His first commission bears date Sept. 23, 1779; at which period he was appointed to the Ocean, of 90 guns: we subsequently find him senior lieutenant of the Buffalo 60, Captain John Holloway. In 1786, he was appointed to the Sprightly cutter, which command he was obliged to resign from ill health, in 1788. From the close of 1792 till 1798, he regulated the impress service at Dartmouth, and was also employed in enrolling volunteers for the defence of the Devonshire coast. His exertions in raising and training these men induced a nobleman who witnessed his zeal spontaneously to recommend him to the Admiralty for promotion, but without success, though backed by a very strong letter from the corporation and merchants of Dartmouth, “who felt peculiarly earnest in their application on behalf of a gentleman who bad exercised the duties of the impress service (the nature of which is frequently distressing to the feelings of an officer) so as to give general satisfaction; and who, when the inhabitants of the town were threatened with the progress of a very alarming fire, by his own personal activity, and prudent and spirited direction of the men under him,” preserved it from destruction[1].
In 1798, the late Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Buller was appointed to the command of the Sea Fencibles on the coast of Devon[2]; and in Jan. 1799, he reported to the Admiralty, that “Lieutenant Nicholas, with his usual zeal,” went from Dartmouth in a custom-house boat, accompanied by one from the Nimble cutter, in hopes of coming up with a French privateer of 14 guns, which had just before taken an English merchant brig; that he was not fortunate enough to succeed in the attempt; but that he had towed the brig back into the harbour, she having been recaptured by a boat from Brixham. The Naval Chronicle informs us, that he was several times on service against the enemy’s privateers, whilst attached to the above-mentioned corps[3]. His next and last appointment was, April 14, 1803, to the command of the Resolue guard-ship, at Plymouth, where he continued until she was put out of commission, in Oct. 1810. At the time of Ins superannuation he had been 42 years in the naval service.
Commander Nicholas married, in May, 1787, Margaret, grand-daughter and co-heiress of the Rev. John Keigwin, by whom he has five sons, viz.
I. John Toup Nicolas, born Feb. 22, 1788, who derives his baptismal- ↑ See Nav. Chron. Vol. 40, p. 338.
- ↑ See Vol. I. part I. note ‡ at p. 351.
- ↑ See Vol. 40, p. 334.
