Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Letter to Burwell Bassett, MS 1961.1, Manuscript #MS 1961.1, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1961.

Biographical/Historical Information

Robert Carter Nicholas was the son of Dr. George Nicholas and Elizabeth Carter Burwell Nicholas (widow of Nathaniel Burwell) of Williamsburg, Virginia. His father migrated to Virginia; his mother was the daughter of wealthy Virginia landowner, Robert "King" Carter. He studied law at the College of William and Mary and practiced in the general court under the royal government. He served in the House of Burgesses, 1755-61 as the representative from York County, and from 1766-1775 as the representative of James City County, and was Treasurer for the colony of Virginia, 1766-1775. He was a member of the Virginia General Assembly from 1776 to 1778 and in 1779 was appointed to the high court of chancery. Consequently he became a member of the first Court of Appeals, predecessor of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Judge Nicholas died in 1780, so only served one year. Nicholas married Anne Cary, daughter of Wilson Cary of Warwick County in 1751 and the couple had four daughters and six sons.

Scope and Content

Concerns a gift of N15 for the use of the delegates to the general Congress.

Arrangement

1 item.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Bassett, Burwell, 1764-1841
• Nicholas, Robert Carter, 1728-1780

Corporate Names:

• United States. Continental Congress

Geographical Names:

• United States - History - Revolution - 1775-1783