An American Family History

John Nicholson married Rebecca Beard. They lived in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

They were married several years before 1681 when Rebecca's father died and left her and her sons part of Indian Range.

Rebecca Nicholson Ricketts was born on April 19, 1681.

Elizabeth Nicholson Welsh was born on February 20, 1682/83.

John Nicholson, Jr. was born on December 30, 1686.

Rachel Nicholson Cheney was born on September 20, 1688.

Susanna Nicholson Hopper was born on November 22, 1690.

Richard Nicholson was born on August 24, 1693.

Rebecca died in 1685 when she was 28 years old.

from Abstracts of Land Records Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Volume III, p.87. All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, Maryland, Register 1685-1858

Grantor: John Nicholson Sen, Anne Arunel Co., planter
Grantee: John Nicholson and Richard Nicholson, sons of John Anne Arudel Co., planters
Date of Deed: 11 July 1713
Date Recorded: January 15th 1713

Consideration: For natural love and affection
Signature: John Nicholson, Sen. ...
Description: ...Richard Beard, son and sole heir of Richard Beard, decd., knew his father by his Last Will & Testament bequeathed Indian Range to his daughter Rebeckah, now wife of John Nicholson, Sen, for her and the heirs of her body....

If there be no lawful heirs, then the land becomes the possession of Rebeckah, daughter of John Nicholson, Sen, and now wife of Thomas Richards [Ricketts], and the heirs of her body.

If she has no lawful heirs ... Elizabeth ... now wife of Benjamin Walsh.
If she has no lawful heirs ... Rachel ... now wife of Richard Cheney.
If she has no lawful heirs ... Susanna ... now wife of Thomas Hopper.

Planter is an archaic term for a settler. Plantation was a method of colonization where settlers were "planted" abroad. A plantation is also the kind of large farm that was the economical basis of many American Colonies and owners of these farms were also called planters.