Samuel Nickels, (1842-1924)
Headstone GPS Coordinates:
Birth: 22 July 1842, Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine
Death: 16 March 1924, Charleston (Bremerton), Kitsap County, Washington
Relatives in Seabeck Cemetery: Clara Nickels née Berry, Frank Nickels, Augusta “Gussie” Nickels, Baby Clara Nickels
American Revolutionary War Patriots*: Capt William Nickels (Massachusetts)
Disclaimer: These lines have not been officially proven by NSDAR standards.
Samuel Nickels was born on July 22, 1842, in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, the son of Captain Alexander Nickels and Hannah M. Nickels, both lifelong Mainers. He grew up in a seafaring family, an influence that would later echo in his own varied occupations throughout life.
On March 26, 1864, in Pittston, Samuel married Clara Ella Berry, who had been born on April 13, 1845, in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine, to Elbridge Berry and Angeline Carey. Together, Samuel and Clara began building a family during the final year of the Civil War. In 1865, they welcomed their first child, Alice Gertrude.
Like many Americans seeking opportunity after the war, Samuel looked west. By 1869, he had moved his young family to California, where their second daughter, Augusta “Gussie,” was born in June of that year. The following year, in 1870, Samuel brought his family north to Seabeck in Washington Territory. There, he found work in a sawmill, beginning what would become decades of labor tied to the developing industries of the Pacific Northwest.
Alice Gertrude later recalled their arrival in Seabeck:
“We came from Pitchen, Maine, and when we landed, there were several Indians on the wharf, but no white men. I asked Mother if they were the only kind of people who lived there. I had never seen Indians before. I thought they looked horrible, and I was afraid of them.”
By 1880, Samuel was still employed in a sawmill and was the father of five children. Census records show that by 1883 the family had grown to six children, and in 1887 they were living in Port Gamble, where Samuel continued mill work. His life during these years reflects that of many territorial pioneers—hard physical labor, frequent moves, and steady dedication to providing for a large household.
By 1900, Samuel had returned with his family to Seabeck and had shifted occupations to fishing. The census that year recorded seven children born to Clara, six of whom were living. Five remained at home: Augusta “Gussie” (30), Nellie (28), Frank (24), Arthur (21), and Samuel (19). All three sons were working as fishermen, following their father onto the waters of Puget Sound. His eldest daughter, Alice Gertrude, had married John Walton and was living nearby in Seabeck with her own family.
In 1910, Samuel was listed as a farmer and owner of his own farm in Seabeck—another transition in a lifetime of varied work that also reportedly included service as a ship’s captain. Two of his sons, Arthur and Samuel (the latter a widower), were living in the household at that time.
However, Samuel’s later years were marked by declining mental health. As early as April 12, 1874, Jacob Hauptly recorded in his diary that “Sam Nickels is crazy,” and noted the following day that he had put Sam aboard the ship Colfax for Steilacoom. In 1920, while Clara was listed as head of household in Seabeck, Samuel was recorded as a patient at Western Washington State Hospital in Steilacoom, Pierce County. His death certificate would later indicate he had suffered from “senile dementia” for approximately ten years.
Clara died on April 30, 1923, at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle from bronchio-pneumonia (influenza) at the age of 78. She was buried in the family plot at Seabeck Cemetery.
Less than a year later, on March 16, 1924, Samuel Nickels died in Charleston, Kitsap County, Washington (now part of Bremerton), at the age of 81 years and 7 months. His cause of death was listed as “lobar pneumonia.” His occupation on the death certificate was recorded as “ship’s captain,” a final acknowledgment of his lifelong connection to the sea. He was laid to rest beside Clara in Seabeck Cemetery.
Two obituaries in the Kitsap County Herald remembered Samuel as one of Seabeck’s most notable pioneers.
Obituary, Kitsap County Herald, Friday, 28 March 1924, Crosby.
We have the painful duty of announcing through the Herald the passing away of Samuel Nichols of Seabeck, at Kitsap Lake. The body was turned over to Undertaker Lewis of Bremerton for burial. The body in a very elaborate casket was brought over for burial at the cemetery at Seabeck. Rev. Eaton of the Baptist church at Bremerton preached the sermon at 2:30 p.m. last Thursday. Two ladies accompanied Rev. Eaton and sang two selections. A very large congregation gathered at the church as a tribute to the memory of one of the most noted characters in the history of Seabeck. The undertaker had shown himself an expert in laying out a corpse to good advantage. Uncle Sam looked fine going to his final rest. From the church we went to the cemetery. Rev. Eaton spoke a few words, with prayer, and the body was turned over for burial. The flowers were beautiful. The two singers who accompanied Mr. Eaton sang very well. I always believed that we have very good singers here, and if it is in God’s plan that Brutus
should die here, the home singer will be the ones to sing, and Herald editor and Senator Rust of South Colby to be the speakers. Mr. Nichols was one of the most conspicuous characters around. He was always ready to extend his hand as a token of welcome, a genuine smile radiating his face to strangers as well as to those he was acquainted with. He had tasted bitterly of the wormwood of this life, but his spirit is now intermingled with the spirit of his dear old companion, who preceded him about a year ago. May the good angel of the Lord watch over the hallowed spot where what was earthly of him rests, until the archangel comes to wake up those that are asleep at the resurrection day. BRUTUS
Obituary, Kitsap County Herald, Friday, 28 March 1924, Crosby.
Another old pioneer of this vicinity was laid to rest in the Seabeck cemetery last Thursday. Mr. Nichols, father of the Nichol brothers who once owned the Seabeck and Brinnon ferry. Also, father of Mrs. Walton of below Seabeck. His body was placed beside that of his wife, whose death occurred a year ago. Mr. Nichols was in his eighties, so I am told, and had been enjoying very good health. His death occurred rather suddenly. How wonderful that his death brought no weeks of suffering to him. It must be a soothing balm to his children and friends to know that his death came so peacefully. LITTLE SUNBEAM