Nathan Robins WICKHAM ²

  General Notes:

PHOTO: submitted by Frank Leslie

Frank Leslie provided much information on Nathaniel R. Wickham and his descendants.

BIBLE OF BIMAEL ROBINS WICKHAM:
(After listing birth dates of Bimael Robins and Mary Balis:)
Nathan Robins Wickham their son was born July the 13th AD 1812.
N. R. Wickham departed this life May 7, 1899, aged 86 yrs, 9 mo, 24 day

BIRTHPLACE: Otsego Co, NY, according to a Daughters of the American Revolution application

TUSCARAWAS CO, OH MARRIAGES, 1808-1844, Vol. 1:
Nathan Wickham and Margaret Wilson were married 26 May 1833 by Jospeh Matheny (Matherny) J. P.

1840 OH CENSUS, Tuscarawas Co, Oxford Twp:
R. Wickham:
1 male under 5;
1 male 5-10;
1 male 20-30;
1 female under 5;
1 female 5-10;
1 female 30-40.
(Listed near "Bimalar"(?) Wickham and "Zeher"(?) Wickham on census.)

1850 IA CENSUS, Linn Co:
Nathan R. Wickham, age 37, farmer, b. NY;
wife Margaret, 42, b. OH;
son James, 16, b. OH;
dau. Mary, 15, b. OH;
dau. Rebecca M., 13, b. OH;
son Elijah M., 11. b. OH;
son John, 7, b. OH;
son Nathan A., 6, b. OH;
son Francis M., 4, b. OH.
(Nathan's mother and sibling were listed as living nearby, as was his uncle Eber Wickham.)

MARION RESOLUTION, 1852, Marion Co, IA: recommended that these Indians be permitted to remain in county unmolested until such time as they can petition the Governor for release or that some action be taken on their behalf. signed by: N. R. Wickham; Chas. Wickham

1854 IA STATE CENSUS, Linn Co, Marion:
N. R. Wickham:
7 males, 3 females, 2 voters, 3 militia.

1856 IA STATE CENSUS, Linn Co, Monroe Twp:
Nathan R. Wickham, 44, married, b. NY, farmer;
Margaret, 47, married, b. OH;
Mary, 21, b. OH;
"Rebecka", 20, b. OH;
"Eliga" (male), 18, b. OH;
John, 14, b. OH;
Nathan A., 12, b. OH;
Francis (male) M., 12, b. OH.
They had 15 acres of spring wheat (80 bushels harvested), 7 acres oats (100 bushels harvested), 25 acres corn (300 bushels harvested),1/4 acre potatoes (75 bushels harvested), 13 hogs sold ($46 value), 6 cattle sold ($92 value), 30# butter and 96# wool sold ($125 value of domestics).

HISTORY OF LINN CO, IA - "Postoffices & Politics" - Nathan Wickham, Marion P.O. was mentioned, along with others, as a "proper person with whom to consult on matters bearing upon the political issues of the day".

1860 MO CENSUS, Gentry Co, Township 61:
N. R. Wickham, 47, farmer, $800 real estate, $425 personal property, b. NY; "Margarette", 51, b. OH;
Mary, 25, b. OH;
Matilda, 24, b. OH;
Elijah, 22, farmer, b. OH;
John, farmer, 17, b. OH;
Nathan, 15, farmer, b. OH;
Francis, 13, b. OH;
John Wilson, 53, farmer, $600 real estate, $80 personal property, b. OH; Catherine Martin, 26, $1000 personal property, $300 personal property, b. OH;
Nile(?) Martin, male, 8, b. IA;
Pullacks(?) Monroe, male, 3, b. MO.
(Listed near James Wickham and David Burrows on census.)

HISTORY OF RICHARDSON CO, NE, 1917, "Organization of the School Districts", p. 365: District No. 46 was organized on June 30, 1869. Members of the first board were William Kinsey, N. R. Wickham and Isaac Clark. In February, 1870, it was voted to build a school house

1870 NE CENSUS, Richardson Co, Elmore P.O.:
Nathan R. Wickham, 58, farmer, $3000 real estate, $800 personal property, b. NY;
Margaret, 61, keeping house, b. OH;
Rebecca M., 34, at home, b. OH.
(Listed next to Francis M. Wickham and Nathan Wickham on census.)

1880 NE CENSUS, Richardson Co, Liberty Precinct:
Nathan Wickham, 67, widower, b. NY, parents b. NY, farmer;
dau. Rebecca, 44, single, b. OH, parents b. NY, keeping house.

1885 NE STATE CENSUS, Richardson Co, Salem:
N. R. Wickham, 73, b. NY.
(Listed near James Wickham, Frank Wickham and N. A. Wickham on census.)

LETTER FROM NATHAN R. WICKHAM, Salem, Nebr., May 6, 1894 to MISS ANNIE WILSON, Toddville, IA:
Dear niece: Your kind and welcome letter of April 21st Received May 5 was pariesed(?) with pleasure. contented(?) indeed(?) Was suprised to get a word from you, but was glad all the same to hear from you. I am in Reasonable Health at this writing. My Eyes are rather Dim can't see vey well, but will keep as near the line as I can. we are having a very nice Spring rather Dry warm and pleasant friend all well So far as I know at presant, times are Dull Everything low money Scarce and hard to get well I must go to
(possible gap in letter)
after breakfast a beautiful Lavish(?) morning. will try and tell you about the Wickham family they are of the English origin There were four Brothers came over on the Mayflower in 1620 One settled in New York, and our fore parents are or were of him. grand father Balis that was my mother's father was of the Welch his name was Thomas grand mother Balis was a Wickham. her name was Susannah. they lived in New York. I Don't Think that Balis was in the War of 1776 My father and mother was borned in New York. also was married there. My Father a Son of Reuben Wickham. Was Borned April 28, 1792 State of New York he had four Brothers William, Eber, Philander and Orison that I remember, my greate grandfather was a native of New York and of the old English line(?). Moved to Ohio in an Early day Settled in Monroe or Morgan Co Ohio he was in the Revolutionary War also in the war of 1812 had a large family I Don't remember Many of them Old Uncle John, Benjamine and several others that I can't call to mind. They all lived on Duck Creek or it's waters. I Don't remember greate grandpa Wickham but they all sprung from that Wickham that settled in New York. My father moved to Ohio in the spring of 1817 Settled in Guernsey County Near Winchester on the Brushy fork of Wilson or Salt Fork. I have no record of greate grand pa's life in war he was a pensioner of the Revolutionary War also the war of 1812 but his name I can't call to mind. The Wickhams are very numerous John Wickham of Long Island New York was a Second Cousin of my father old. Uncle William Wickham who lived in Zainsville, Ohio was an own uncle of fathers his son Asel lived in Iowa upon the Iowa River in Hardin County
(there may be a gap in letter)
Dear friend Annie many thanks for your kind letter and information contained therein I was glad to learn that your father was improving in health What Does he work at. Does he still live at Troy Mills has he any children Living with him how much of a family have you and where Do you live?
hope you and friends are well and Enjoying all the pleasures of life that is proper to enjoy. This leaves me and the family I am staying with well. I am Staying with my oldest Son James and I am very nicely Situated am an old man but am well cared for have 21 grandchildren and four greate-grand children all Doing well. very find weather farmers are Busy planting. a fine prospect for fruit of all kinds. hope to hear from you Soon will gladly give you all information in regard to the Wickham family that I am acquainted with. Will close for this time. By asking you to write often gave all the news concerning friends and Reletives.
Love and Best wishes to all
Respectfully Yours
N R Wickham, Salem, Nebr, Richardson, Co.
(Transcribed as written. A copy of the original letter was provided by Frank Leslie.) (My note: There is no record that any Wickhams were on the Mayflower, unless the Mayflower made another trip to America. John Wickham was in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, but there is no record that he was in the War of 1812.)

OBIT: The Salem Index, May, 1899 - Died at the home of his son, Jas. Wickham, Sunday, May 7, 1899, of diabetes, N. R. Wickham, aged 86 years, 9 months and 24 days.
By Mr. Wickham's death one of Richardson County's oldest and most respected pioneers passed away; An old and familiar landmark was removed from our midst. His passing away, however, was not unexpected, for as a giant oak of the forest shows unmistakable signs of decay before it totters to it's fall, so here the once robust frame that had withstood the furies of many a storm, was gradually weakened, disease had sapped the body of it's vitality and slowly but nevertheless surely the inevitable end drew nigh, when after a continual confinement of over nine months he peaceful passed away and the place that once knew him shall know him no more forever for he has gone to his long home.
Mr. Wickham was born in Oswego County, New York, July 13, 1812, and when five years old removed with his family to Ohio where he grew to manhood. He was married May 26, 183 to Miss Margaret Wilson and to them were born seven children, five of whom are still living. A few years later with his family removed to Iowa and from there to Missouri. In August, 1864 he brought his family to Nebraska and located on farm between Salem and Verdon near the Fairview schoolhouse, where he lived for a number of years. His wife died in July, 1877 and a few years later, his children having grown, he sold his farm and has since made his home with them, most of the time living with his son Jas. Wickham, of this place.
Mr. Wickham enjoyed exceptionally good health until about a year ago when he accidently injured one of his lower limbs. The injury became so serious that it was thought at one time that amputation would be necessary in order to save his life. The confinement resulting had a tendency to aggravate diabetes to which disease he was before subject and finally resulted in his death.
The deceased for a number of years was a member of the Methodist church, afterwards joining the Cumberland Presbyterians. He was a lineal descendent from the pure old Puritan stock, his ancestors having come over in the Mayflower.
There was one occurrence in Mr. Wickham's life to which he frequently referred to with pride, and justly too, as very few men living can claim the distinction, that is of shaking hands and conversing with Gen. LaFayette. When quite a small boy he enjoyed that distinguished honor.
His children that are still living are Jas. Wickham, Albert Wickham, Mrs. Lesley and Mrs. Myers of this place and Frank Wickham of Oklahoma.
Uncle Nate, as he was familiarly called, was loved by all who knew him. He always looked on the bright side of life and by his cheering words and pleasant manner encouraged those who came in contact with him, thus making the world brighter for his having been in it. Would there were more such men in the world today.
The funeral services were conducted from the residence of Jas. Wickham Tuesday, by the Rev. Miss Dodge, and the body, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends, was laid to rest in the Salem Cemetery.
(Note: Gen. Marquis D. LaFayette, 1757-1834, was a French soldier and statesman. He fought for American independence, was made a major general without pay, and joined George Washington's staff. He returned to France in 1782 but revised America in 1784 and 1824. It must have been in 1824 when Nathan R. Wickham met Gen. LaFayette.)

INFO FROM FRANK LESLIE: "Nathan was born in 1812. In 1864 he came to Nebraska with his family and settled on a farm northwest of Salem, NE. Earl Harlow, a great-grandson-in-law, of Nathan's knew where the farm was and tried to find the original home site. The Nemaha River had changed courses over the years and on a caved in bank he found part of an old hand-dug well, but could not place exactly where the house or buildings were."
"Three of Nathan's sons enlisted in the army in 1862, James, John, and Elijah. Elijah died of flu, April 1863 while encamped at Memphis, TN. John died a month later at Helena, Arkansas. There is a cemetery there of Civil War soldiers. I am guessing he is buried there. The story goes that he died of a heart attack when he heard of Elijah's death. It is more likely he died of the flu also. During the Civil war many men died of the flu."

LETTER TO ARTHUR WICKHAM FROM MR. & MRS. LLOYD WICKHAM, Falls City, NE, Jan. 18, 1938:
"Received your letter of the 13th in which we are very interested, and will be glad to give you what information is available at the present time.
My family is of English descent and my great-grandfather came westward in the pioneer days. His name was Nathaniel R. and my grandfather's name was Nathan Albert, being called by his second name. My father's name is Norman K.
Great-grandfather Wickham was born in 1812 and came from back east, and grandfather was born in 1840 in Iowa. My father was born in 1874 in Nebraska. I was born in Nebraska in 1896 and have lived around here all my life.
These names were written in great-grandfather's testament as a sort of family record and which we presume were his brothers, as his name is included: Nicodemus, Isaac, William, Joseph, Nathaniel, Benton, Allen, Jesse, Rueben, and Fillander. His wife was born in 1809 and her name was Margaret Wilson. They had seven children two of whom were killed in the Civil War. These two sons were John and Elijah. The others were Matilda, Mary, Frank, James and Albert. They were educators all of them taught school and were well educated. Grandfather's children were Sarah, deceased, James N., and my father Norman K. now living at Salem. My father used to farm on a large scale, but now runs a store in Salem.
Grandfather had the complete history and it became misplaced sometime after his death. But we remember the time he traced the family history back to the Mayflower.
The way it was told us there were three brothers came over in the Mayflower and the first winter two of the brothers died, the other brother surviving and after they came over,they changed their name from Wickerhamshire to the shorter name Wickham. So it is undoubtedly evidence that all the Wickhams are descendants of the one surviving brother.
We would be interested to have your findings on the family history. We know that the Wickham family has been and still is one of the well known pioneer familys, holding a prominent place in Nebraska's pioneer history. If you have anything available in the line of the history we would appreciate it very much. Hoping that this information will be of decided help to you."

LETTER TO ARTHUR WICKHAM FROM LLOYD E. WICKHAM, Falls City, NE, Mar. 24, 1941: " N. R. Wickham married Margaret Wilson - they had at least 2 sons
1. Nathan Albert married Emily Fouraker - they had James, Nathan Sarah, Emma, Norman and Kinney
2. James married Belle ____ - they had Ernest (who had a son John who lived Alabama and worked in a mill)"

Nathan married Margaret WILSON on 26 May 1833 in Tuscarawas Co, OH.¹ (Margaret WILSON was born on 2 Jan 1809 in Harrison Co, OH ⁴ and died on 13 Jul 1877 in Salem, Richardson Co, NE ⁴.)