Robert Carter Nicholas (1787 - 1856)

Ancestors

Preceded by George A. Waggaman

Robert C. Nicholas US Senator (Class 2) from Louisiana 1836—1841

Succeeded by Alexander Barrow

Biography

Robert is the son of George and Mary (Smith) Nicholas. He is the grandson of the Honorable Robert Carter Nicholas. He married Susan Adelaide Vinson, and their children included a daughter, Mary. Mary Nicholas was the wife of Frederick George Burthe.

During the War of 1812, he served as a Major in the US Military and after the war, he moved to Louisiana and became a sugar planter in Terrebonne Parish in 1820. In 1836, he was elected as a Jacksonian to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator-elect Charles E.A. Gayarre, serving until 1841. After his term, he was Secretary of State of Louisiana, (1843-46).

Text of New York Times obituary^[1]:

Robert Carter Nicholas died at his plantation in Terrebonne, La, on the 24th ult., of apoplexy. In politics, he was a Democrat. He was a Captain in the United States Army during a part of the War of 1812, being attached to the division stationed on the Canada frontier, and afterwards promoted to the rank of Colonel. He was for twelve years a Senator in Congress, which post he filled with honor to the State and credit to himself. Col. N. was sent as Charges d'Affaires to Naples, by Gen. Jackson. He was also Secretary of the State of Louisiana: and later, Superintendent of Public Education. He was about sixty-five years of age.

Sources

1. ↑ Obituary, New York Times, 7 Jan 1857, p. 2, TimesMachine archive website <https://nyti.ms/3TiFPOf> Accessed 14 Mar 2023.

• Find A Grave Memorial# 8068301
• Robert C. Nicholas on Wikipedia
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress