Biography
Freeman Nickerson was born 5 February 1779 in Dennis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States to Eleazer Nickerson (1749-1796) and Thankful Chase (1750-1834) and died 22 January 1847 Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, United States of unspecified causes. He married Huldah Chapman (1780-1860) 19 January 1801 in Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont, United States. He married Huldah Howes (1786-1846) August 1845 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States. He married Eliza Becket Kent (1782-1846) 1846 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Early Years
Freeman Nickerson was the third child of Eleazer Nickerson and Thankful Chase; there were 8 boys and 3 girls in the family. Freeman was born at Yarmouth, now Dennis, Massachusetts on 5 February 1779.
Freeman grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and followed his family into the profession of a seaman. He had come from a long history in the Cape Cod area, his third great grandfather; William Nickerson had come to this area in 1638, shortly after the coming of the Mayflower.
Freeman had an adventuresome spirit, and in 1800 he sold all his rights in the family estates left by his father and grandfather to his brothers, Levi and Eleazar, for $800, who were also mariners. Freeman then moved north to Cavendish, Vermont, to start a new life for himself.
A year after he arrived in Vermont, he married Huldah Chapman. Huldah was born August 19, 1780 in Cavendish, Vermont to Eliphalet Chapman and Abigail Chase. Freeman and Huldah were married at Cavendish, Windsor County Vermont on January 19, 1800. They had nine children Moses, Levi, Eleazar Freeman, Huldah Abigail, Eliphalet, Caroline, Data, Samuel, and Uriel. The first 6 were born in Cavendish, Vermont and the remaining 3 in Springville, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania)
War of 1812
Freeman Nickerson (age 33) was commissioned and served as a Lieutenant in the War of 1812. Served in the War of 1812. Drafted 90 men, marched to Plattsburg and served until its close. When the war was over, he returned home and in 1814 moved to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
In 1824 the family moved to Buffalo Township, New York, 17 miles down the Niagara River where the Erie Canal was finished.
In April 1833, Freeman (age 54) and his family heard the gospel and readily accepted its truth. He, along with all members of his family living at home at the time, was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Zerubbael Snow at Dayton, New York.
A local farmhand who was working for Freeman at the time was also baptized. His name was Emery Barrus and the following year he married the Nickerson’s daughter, Huldah Abigail (age 18). The aged mother of Sister Nickerson, Abigail Chase Chapman was also living with the family and was baptized at the same time. She was 82 years old.
Two of Freeman’s sons, Moses and Eleazar Freeman, had moved across the Canadian border into Brandt County. They were successfully running a business in Mount Pleasant. Freeman and his wife were most anxious for these two sons and their families to hear the gospel. Freeman and his wife traveled all the way to Kirtland in September, 1833 to convince the Prophet Joseph Smith to travel with them back to their home and then to Canada for the purpose of teaching Moses and Eleazar Freeman the gospel. Joseph accepted the invitation and he and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtland on October 5th in the company of Brother and Sister Nickerson.
When they reached Perrysburg, New York, where the Nickerson’s were now living, both Joseph and Sidney were concerned about their families at home. A revelation was received here, which was a comfort regarding their families and the value of their mission, Doctrine and Covenents Section 100:1-4.
Having now added Levi, the youngest son of Freeman and Huldah, they continued their journey until they reached the home of Eleazar Freeman Nickerson on October 18th, 1833.
Lydia Bailey, who later became the wife of Newell Knight, was visiting the Nickerson’s at that time. In her history she shared an account of Eleazar Freeman’s response to his father (Freeman Nickerson) regarding the Prophet Joseph Smith. "Well father," said, Eleazar when told who they were, "I will welcome them for your sake, but I would just about as soon you had brought a nest of vipers and turned them loose upon us."
The Elders were very wise. They said nothing about their views or doctrines, but waited patiently until some one should express an interest.
As evening drew near Mr. (Eleazar) Nickerson became anxious to hear something of the newcomer's faith. "Oh," said he, "Just let him talk; I'll silence him if he undertakes to talk about the Bible. I guess I know as much about the scriptures as he does." This was to his wife who he directed to place the family Bible on the table in the parlor.
As soon as supper was over, he invited his visitors and family to go up stairs to the parlor, where he said they would have some talk. All, accordingly, repaired to the large well-furnished room and then Mr.(Eleazar) Nickerson said to the Prophet: "Now Mr. Smith, I wish you and Mr. Rigdon to speak freely. Say what you wish and tell us what you believe. We will listen." Turning to his wife, he whispered,"now you'll see how I shall shut him up."
The Prophet commenced by relating the scenes of his early life. He told how the angel visited him, of finding the plates, the translation of them, and gave a short account of the matter contained in the Book of Mormon. As the speaker continued his wonderful narration his face became white and a shining glow seemed to beam from every feature. As his story progressed he would often allude to passages of scripture. Then Mr. Nickerson would speak up and endeavor to confound him. But the attempt was soon acknowledged even by himself to be futile.
After both men were through speaking, many questions were asked by all present for information. The listening were honest-hearted people, and when truth is told to such, they are constrained to accept and believe.
"And is this then," said Mr. (Eleazar) Nickerson, "the curious religion the newspapers tell so much about? Why if what you have just said is not good sound sense than I don't know what sense is." ... Sunday, the 27th of October, twelve people requested baptism among them were Lydia Bailey, young (Eleazar) Freeman Nickerson and his entire household. All were confirmed the following day and young (Eleazar) Freeman was ordained a presiding Elder. A small branch of the church was organized and Moses Nickerson was set apart as president of the new branch. The travelers left Mount Pleasant on Oct 29, 1833.
This was the beginning of the church in Canada. (Eleazar) Freeman Nickerson and his family were among the first members. Freeman Nickerson, the father, was 54 years old when these events transpired. The next few years Freeman Nickerson Sr. was very active in spreading the gospel.
Zions Camp Participant

This Judith Mehr rendition depicts struggles endured by members of Zion's Camp, an expeditionary force to help Church members in Jackson County redeem their brethren.
One of the most interesting episodes in the early history of LDS Church was the march of Zion's Camp (1834). The members of the Church in Missouri were being persecuted, and the Prophet Joseph made it a matter of prayer and received a revelation on February 24, 1834. The Lord instructed the Prophet to assemble at least one hundred young and middle-aged men and to go to the land of Zion, or Missouri. (See D&C 130:19–34.)
Zion’s Camp, a group of approximately one hundred and fifty men, gathered at Kirtland, Ohio, in the spring of 1834 and marched to Jackson County, Missouri. By the time they reached Missouri, the camp had increased to approximately two hundred men.
In March 1834 Freeman Nickerson accompanied the Prophet Joseph enlisting volunteers to go to redeem Zion in Jackson County, Missouri. He returned home on March 27 and with his sons, Uriel and Levi, and son-in-law, Marshall M. Hubbard, went up to Zion's Camp.
Missouri Years
About November 25, 1838, Father (Freeman) Nickerson with his wife, his sons, Levi and Chittenden, daughter Caroline Hubbard (she had been left a young widow with four children,) and daughter Huldah Abigail who had married Emery Barrus and their two children started on their journey to Missouri. They found the Ohio River was closed with ice, so they wintered at Pittsburg where they organized a branch of the church with forty members.
Nauvoo Years
When they were able to continue their journey, they reached Missouri just in time to be turned back by the mobs that were expelling the brethren from the state. The families, with others, were forced to retreat to Quincy, Illinois; they camped there until they could continue their journey to Nauvoo. They arrived in Nauvoo in the spring of 1840. They were among the first families to arrive in Nauvoo and they lived in a tent made of a wagon covers until Christmas week. They then moved into a crude cabin which was mostly constructed by Freemans’ daughters Caroline and Huldah as most of the rest of the party were ill.
In July 1841 Elder Freeman Nickerson and his two sons, Uriel and Levi, went on a mission to Peoria from whence they returned in September. In November he took up his second mission, visiting and preaching through Vermont and Massachusetts. In this labor 2 l/2 years were consumed, and they returned in the Spring of 1844 with some friends in time to attend annual conference.
On 5 Jun 1844 Freeman Nickerson with his son and son-in-law took passage on the steamer "Nauvoo" on their mission to the East advocating the cause of the Prophet Joseph to become the President of the United States. He visited the branches and preached the gospel through the New England States, returning through Canada during the next summer.
In December, 1845 Freeman was sealed to Huldah Chapman and Hulda Howes over the alter in the Nauvoo Temple.
In January 1846 the Presidency sent him (at age 62) on his fourth and last mission to the East where he preached the gospel in the branches through to the Atlantic. He returned by way of Canada bringing with him Eliza Kent from Boston under a covenant of sealing, and also bringing her son, Christopher, 8 years old. They arrived at Nauvoo in August 1846 in time to witness the conflict with the Illinois mob.
In September, 1846 Elder Freeman Nickerson and his families, Levi S. Nickerson, Caroline Hubbard Grover, Emery and Huldah Barrus and their families were among the last to leave Nauvoo, Illinois and started westward. They halted seven miles above Bonaparte, Iowa because of illness in the family. Here his second wife, Hulda Howes, died.
Continuing the journey in late November, they arrived at the Chariton River. At Soap Creek they erected temporary cabins for shelter through the winter. Here, Eliza Kent, Freeman’s third wife, died on December 28, 1846 and was buried on the banks of the Chariton River. Eliza’s son, Christopher, was laid beside her after he died on January 3, 1847.
Freeman Nickerson died January 12, 1847 (age 67) of dropsy and congestive chills and he, too, was buried on the banks of the river.
Huldah Chapman, Freeman’s first wife, joined the wagon train with her son Levi and continued her journey to Utah. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1850.
Children
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Data Chapman Nickerson (1802-1852) | |||
Moses Chapman Nickerson (1804-1871) | |||
Eleazer Freeman Nickerson (1806-1862) | |||
Caroline Eliza Nickerson (1808-1889) | 25 June 1808 Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont, United States | 28 July 1889 Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah, United States | Marshall Moore Hubbard (1805-1838) Thomas Grover (1807-1886) Andrew Jackson Stewart (1808-1889) |
Uriel Chittendon Hatch Nickerson (1810-1888) | 14 November 1810 Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont, United States | 18 June 1888 Lyons, Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States | Mary Ann Richardson (1811-1892) |
Samuel Stillman Nickerson (1812-1813) | |||
Levi Stillman Nickerson (1814-1853) | 2 April 1814 Springville, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States | 15 December 1853 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States | Mary Ann Neyman (1820-1916) |
Huldah Abigail Nickerson (1816-1872) | |||
Eliphalet Cineca Sullivan Nikerson (1818-1819) |
Siblings
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Levi Nickerson (1770-1812) | |||
Baby Chase Nickerson (1773-1773) | |||
Eleazer Nickerson (1774-1775) | |||
Eleazer Nickerson (1776-1856) | |||
Freeman Nickerson (1779-1847) | 5 February 1779 Dennis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States | 22 January 1847 Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, United States | Huldah Chapman (1780-1860) Huldah Howes (1786-1846) Eliza Becket Kent (1782-1846) |
Kimball Nickerson (1781-1822) | |||
Data Nickerson (1784-1801) | |||
Richard Nickerson (1787-1790) | |||
Samuel Nickerson (1789-1859) | |||
Thankful Nickerson (1792-1888) | |||
Richard Nickerson (1795-1868) |
Residences
See Also
- wikipedia:en:Freeman Nickerson - Wikipedia
- Freeman Nickerson
- Nickerson Family
- Nickerson in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
- Nickerson in Windsor County, Vermont
- Nickerson in Lucas County, Iowa