Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Joseph Hopper Nicholson (1770-1817)
MSA SC 3520-1893

Biography:

Born May 15, 1770 in Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland.  Son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hopper) Nicholson, Jr.  Brother-in-law of Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Studied law, admitted to the bar.  Married Rebecca Lloyd, October 10, 1793; children Joseph Hopper (died young); Edward Lloyd; Elizabeth Hopper; Joseph Hopper, Jr.; James M. (died in infancy), and Mary H.  Died March 4, 1817 in Baltimore City.  Buried at "Wye House," near Easton, Talbot County.

Captain, 1st Artillery, August 1813; captain, Company of volunteer artillerists, August 1814; captain, 5th regiment, Baltimore, 1814.  Lawyer.  Commissioned to lay out the town of Centreville, Maryland, Queen Anne's County, 1794.  Member of the House of Delegates from Queen Anne's County, 1796-98.  Speaker pro tem, 1797.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1799-1806 (resigned to accept appointment to Court of Appeals).  Chief justice, 6th Judicial District, 1806-17.  Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals, 1806-17.  President, Commercial & Farmers Bank, Baltimore, 1810-1812.  Affiliated with the Democratic-Republican party.

Return to Joseph Hopper Nicholson's Introductory Page


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
© Copyright Thursday, 24-Jul-2003 20:10:07 EDT Maryland State Archives