The Nicholas Family. 37 



The branch of the family that settled at All Cannings, with 

 which alone we have any concern, seems to have been founded by 

 Robert Nicholas, of Coate, who was the son of John Nicholas of 

 Roundway, who died 1502. The estate descended from father to 

 son for many generations, as will be seen from an inspection of the 

 pedigree (No. I.), in which the names of those who appear to have 

 possessed it are printed in capitals. Early in the 18th century it 

 came into the possession, how it does not clearly appear, of a col- 

 lateral branch of the family who were descended from John 

 Nicholas, of Winterbourn Earls, for it was then in the possession 

 of John Nicholas, who is described as of All Cannings, and who 

 died without issue in 1737. (See pedigree No. II.) There was a 

 close connexion between these two branches, for Anthony Wood 

 says distinctly that Robert Nicholas, who was born at All Cannings 

 in 1597, of whom we shall presently speak more at length, was of 

 the same family as Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary of State to 

 Charles I., and Dr. Matthew Nicholas, Dean of St. Paul's, both of 

 whom were born at Winterbourn Earls, and belonged to that 

 branch of the family. As the said John Nicholas died without 

 issue in 1737, the estate devolved on his sister Elizabeth who died 

 unmarried, and devised it to her great nephew Nicholas Heath, 

 who was Rector of the parish in 1807. His daughter Georgiana, 

 who inherited the estate, married Philip Gell, Esq., of Hopton 

 Hall, CO. Derby. As we have already mentioned, the estate of the 

 Nicholas family in All Cannings became afterwards, by purchase, 

 the property of Lord Ashburton. 



Of what was strictly speaking the All Cannings branch, one 

 only, as far as we know, rose to distinction. This was Robert 

 Nicholas, who was born at All Cannings in 1597. The entries in 

 the parish register ^ at the time of his birth, seem to indicate that 

 he was the younger of twins, the elder of whom, also named Robert, 

 died shortly after his birth. 



Robert Nicholas was educated for the law, and admitted to the 

 Inner Temple, 25th July, 1614. In 1640, together with Colonel 



^ The entries are as follows : — "Robert Nicholas was baptized the 17th day 

 of November, 1597." — " Idem Robt. Nicholas sepult. fuit eodem die et anno." — 

 " Robt. Nicholas minor was baptized the 22nd of November eodem anno." 



