Gustavus Nicolls RE (1779 - 1860)

Ancestors

Husband of Heriot Frances (Thomson) Nicolls — married 12 Apr 1812 in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died 1 Aug 1860 at age 80 in Southampton, Nova Scotia

Biography

Occupation: Général Gustavus was a cadet at the Woolwich Academy, and entered the English army in 1794 as 2nd Lt R.A.; 2nd Lt R.E. 4.1.1795; 1st Lt 1797 and went to Gibraltar on the outbreak of war with Spain, where he remained blockaded in the fortress for two and a half years. Posted to the West Indies in 1799 where he assisted in the capture of Martinique; proceeded in 1808 as Commanding Engineer of the corps of R.E. with Lt-Gen Sir George Prevost to Nova Scotia under expectations of hostilities with America. Was actively employed in the protection of the frontiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Involved with the capture of Moose Island in Passamaquaddy Bay under Sir Thomas Hardy R.N. and Lt Col Pilkington; and the capture of Castione and Belfast in the Bay of Penobscot under Lt-Gen Sir John Sherbrooke GCB and Rear Admiral Griffiths. In 1814, as Lt Col commanding the Royal Engineers he planned and directed the works of defence for Moose Island and Castine which were held by the British until the Peace. He was effectively employed by Lt-Gen Sir George Prevost on the whole length of the frontier of Canada during the winter of 1814-15, until the peace.

Promoted Col. 29.7.1825; Col. Comdt. 28.1.1851 till death. m. Harriet Frances THOMSON 12.4.1812 at Halifax, Nova Scotia dau of Commissary-General Thomson and sister of Bishop Mountain d. 1.8.1860 at his house near Southampton

Sources

• Modern English Biography, 1892-1921, F. Boase

. Lt Col. Gustavus RE b. 24.10.1779 Was a cadet at the Woolwich Academy and entered the English army in 1794 as 2nd Lt R.A.; 2nd Lt R.E. 4.1.1795; 1st Lt 1797 and went to Gibraltar on the war breaking out with Spain and remained blockaded in the fortress for two and a half years. Posted to the West Indies in 1799 where he assisted in the capture of Martinique; proceeded in 1808 as Commanding Engineer of the corps of R.E. with Lt-Gen Sir George Provost to Nova Scotia under expectations of hostilities with America. Was actively employed in the protection of the frontiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Involved with the capture of Moose Island in Passamaquaddy Bay under Sir Thomas Hardy R.N. and Lt Col Pilkingtom; and the capture of Castione and Belfast in the Bay of Penboscot under Lt-Hen Sir John Sherbrooke GCB and Rear Admiral Griffiths.

In 1814, as Lt Col and Commanding Royal Engineer he planned and commanded the works of defence for Moose Island and Castine which were held by the British until the Peace.

He was effectively and confidentially employed by Lt-Gen Sir George Prevost on the whole length of the frontier of Canada during the winter of 1814-15 until the peace.

Promoted Col. 29.7.1825; Col. Comdt. 28.1.1851 till death. m. Harriet Frances THOMSON 12.4.1812 at Halifax, Nova Scotia dau of Commissary-General Thomson and sister of Bishop Mountain. In 1845 was living at Florence House, Southampton d. 1.8.1860 at his house near Southampton [Source: Modern English Biography, 1892-1921, F. Boase] OBITUARY NOTICES. DEATH OF GENERAL GUSTAVUS NICOLLS. — We have to record the death of General Gustavus Nicolls, of the Royal Engineers, who died a few days since at his residence near Southampton. The deceased general, who stood third in the list of his branch of the service, obtained the rank of second lieutenant in 1794. He had seen much active service in his early life, having gone out with several regiments as reinforcements to Gibraltar on the war breaking out with Spain in 1795, and remained blockaded in that fortress two years and a half. In 1799 he proceeded to the West Indies. In 1808 he accompanied Sir George Prevost to Nova Scotia, as commanding engineer, under expectation of hostilities with America, and remained there until the war broke out in 1812, and was actively employed in the protection of the frontiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. He was present at the capture of Moose Island, Castine, and Belfast. The late general was also commanding engineer in Canada part of and 1815. In July, 1851, he was appointed a colonel commandant of the Royal Engineers. His commissions bore date as follows:— Second lieutenant, Nov. 6, 1794; first lieutenant, March 3, 1797; captain, March 30, 1802; brevet major, June 4, 1813; lieut. colonel, Sept, 1, 1813; colonel, July 29, 1835; major general, Jan. 10, 1837; lieutenant general, Nov. 9, 1846; and general, June 20, 1854. The gallant officer was in his 80th year.

• "The Genealogical Tree of the Nicolls Family" compiled by "VIII/2" (Oliver Charles Crawley Nicolls) and published in 1933. One hundred copies were printed and then distributed to family members. The printed version was transcribed in 2002 to computer by Alistair Gordon, tree_family_at_hotmail.com), who inherited copy No.8, together with the contents of the booklet of Nicolls biographies also authored by Oliver C.C. Nicolls