{"id":95325,"date":"2023-10-17T11:47:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T15:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=95325"},"modified":"2023-10-17T11:47:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T15:47:38","slug":"war-of-1812-holy-terror-privateer-captain-william-nichols-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/war-of-1812-holy-terror-privateer-captain-william-nichols-part-3.html","title":{"rendered":"War of 1812 \u2018Holy Terror\u2019 Privateer: Captain William Nichols (part 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article \u2013 the third of three parts \u2013 Melissa Davenport Berry concludes her story about a bold and successful privateer who raided British shipping and helped the U.S. greatly in the War of 1812. Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, AnceStory Archives<\/a>, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today I conclude my story of the War of 1812 privateer Captain William Nichols, from Newburyport, Massachusetts, dubbed by Brits as \u201cThe Holy Terror.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: portrait of Captain William Nichols, attributed to Charles Delin. Courtesy of Museum of Old Newbury, Newburyport, Massachusetts, who recently acquired the relic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To recap: In part 2 of this story<\/a>, Capt. Nichols was put in command of the Decatur<\/em> in 1812, and in an early adventure had to dump much of his firepower overboard to lighten the ship and outrun an enemy.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: cover of Dr. G. William Freeman\u2019s book (a sixth-generation descendant of Nichols) \u201cThe Holy Terror: Captain William Nichols, A True Story.\u201d Credit: Dr. Freeman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even without guns Capt. Nichols was determined to venture on, but the crew did not share his buoyancy and began to conspire in a plot.<\/p>\n

Rev. George Wildes, who published the memoirs<\/a> of Nichols for the Essex Institute, recalled some of the details which I source below.<\/p>\n

Nichols told his insurgent ringleader, \u201cYou shall be masters of this brig, or I will.\u201d He then flattened him with a piece of wood to restore order.<\/p>\n

Out of this conflict \u201crallied some of the bravest spirits of war about him,\u201d and the Decatur<\/em> went on to capture 11 English ships.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: items owned by Capt. Nichols: (top left) marine sandglass; (top right) key to his home on 5 Harris Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts; (bottom) telescope used on his voyages. In the collection of the Custom House Maritime Museum, (CHMM), Newburyport, donated by descendants Dr. G. William Freeman and Juliet Loring Trust. Courtesy of Kevin MacDonald and the CHMM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One day they captured the Duke of Savoy<\/em>, and the following day the Pomona<\/em>, thus replenishing guns and the crew\u2019s spunk.<\/p>\n

A clip from the New Jersey Journal<\/em> detailed some of Nichol\u2019s prizes which included rum, timber, coffee, sugar, and cotton. Sources say he scored cargo valued at $400,000; one of the biggest was the Diana<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
New Jersey Journal (Elizabethtown, New Jersey), 6 October 1812, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nichols set a course for home, but the primordial powers were not yet finished with him. His fateful encounter with the British ship Commerce<\/em> under Captain Watts was a fiery one.<\/p>\n

When Nichols asked his remaining crew if they would fight on despite the ominous odds, \u201cthree cheers\u201d was the reply, giving a potent surge of panache.<\/p>\n

While simultaneously manning his vessel and working the guns, Nichols dodged repetitive gunfire from the Commerce<\/em>. Capt. Watts directed 14 shots his way, but missed each time, eventually throwing down his musket and swearing: \u201cThis man was not born to be shot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Decatur<\/em> arrived back in Newburyport in early October with the vigor of heavy guns and a blazing expos\u00e9 of 50 flags. No doubt, this Brit vanquisher was a sight for sore eyes!<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: a silver tea set captured by Capt. Nichols during the War of 1812. Courtesy of Kevin MacDonald and the Custom House Maritime Museum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On her second cruise out, the Decatur<\/em> captured prize after prize, but was eventually taken by the British frigate Surprize<\/em> and brought to Barbados.<\/p>\n

Because of his reputation, Nichols was looked upon initially with high regard and respect. He was a parolee, rather than a prisoner, until another British frigate \u2013 the Vestal<\/em> \u2013 showed up.<\/p>\n

The Vestal<\/em> had captured Nichols\u2019 previous ship, the brig Alert<\/em>, in 1811 before the war officially began \u2013 but back then he made a crafty escape and left egg on the face of the British captain (covered in part two<\/a>) who was now out to even the score.<\/p>\n

Here is a statement from James Foot (or Foote), a prize-master onboard the Decatur<\/em>, published in the Intelligencer<\/em> about Nichols\u2019 time as prisoner of the Vestal<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Intelligencer (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), 24 June 1813, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

James Foot wrote on 1 June 1813:<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the 18th<\/sup> of January last, the privateer brig Decatur of this port [Newburyport], Wm. Nichols, commander, was captured by the British frigate Surprize, and on the 26th<\/sup> of the same month arrived at Barbados, where Capt. Nichols was sent on shore on parole. After the arrival of the Vestal frigate which had formerly captured Capt. Nichols in the brig Alert, the commander recognizing Nichols, had him taken into custody, and sent on board the prison ship, where he was confined in a place built on the quarter deck about five feet wide and seven feet long, and not allowed to speak to any person excepting the officer on guard; in this pen he was kept 34 days and shamefully abused, and for which no reason could be assigned but his retaking the Alert [back in 1811], and the active part he had taken in the present war.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nichols was taken to England and held in a Brit prison until release finally came after negotiations for an exchange.<\/p>\n

Nichols returned home, but quickly hit the seas once again in the brig Harpy<\/em>, with which (according to Rev. George Wildes) he \u201csuccessfully preyed on enemy ships and brought in rich cargos.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although a lion heart roared in Nichols, according to his contemporaries, he possessed a warm disposition and even at sea, both foes and comrades noted his natural graciousness.<\/p>\n

After Nichols captured the ship William and Alfred<\/em>, its master, grateful for the hospitality while imprisoned, extended an invitation to his home in London, should Nichols ever be in the area!<\/p>\n

Here is more on this from the Salem Gazette<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Salem Gazette (Salem, Massachusetts), 7 February 1815, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This article reported:<\/p>\n

Capt. William Drysdale, late of [the] ship William and Alfred, captured on the 2d January 1815, by the U.S. brig of war Harpy, returns his grateful acknowledgment to William Nichols, Esq., commander of the said brig of war, and all his officers, for their great civility, indulgent lenity, and humane usage, while on board, and generously delivering up all his private property. And should, at any future time, Capt. Nichols, or any of his officers, come to London, Capt. D. will be happy to see them at his house, No. 12, Stepney Green, near London.<\/p>\n

Given under my hand, on board the Harpy, at sea, this 6th<\/sup> day of January, 1815.
\nWilliam Drysdale, late captain of ship William and Alfred.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Capt. Benjamin Pierce<\/a>, owner of the brig Alert<\/em> which Nichols once commanded, wrote in a letter<\/a> to Col. Thomas Barclay, the commissioner of prisoners, that Nichols was \u201cmodest and unassuming, yet brave and decided;\u201d and \u201cwas strictly moral and sincere; as a husband, parent, and neighbor, tender, indulgent, and affable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nichols spent his later years as the port\u2019s Collector of Customs.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> close-up from a portrait of Captain William Nichols, attributed to Charles Delin. Courtesy of Museum of Old Newbury, Newburyport, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

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