Did Archibald Nichols have four wives?

Archibald Nichols was married in Bedford County, Virginia, four times, or was he???

There are four marriage records for Archibald Nichols in Bedford County, but were they all married to the same man?

Archibald was born about 1768 in Maryland, and was in Bedford Va. when he married. But were there two Archibald Nichols in Bedford County? Lets examine the evidence...

• Nov. 25, 1779; Archibald Nichols & Sarah Woolington; John Payne, Surety.
• Dec. 10, 1792; Archibald Nichols & Judith Hatcher, dt Richard; Ward Hatcher, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 20, 1792.
• Jan. 1, 1819; Archibald Nichols & Polly Updike; Daniel Black, Surety; Consent of Amon and Hannah Updike; Married by William Leftwich, Jan. 10, 1819
• Nov. 16, 1846; Archibald Nichols & Jane Basham, dt Caroline; John R. Delliss, Surety; Married by Thomas C. Goggin, Nov. 18, 1846.

well what do you think? Arch married a lot, huh? Or there were two Archibalds.

Arch was born in 68. He married Sarah Woolington in 79 at age 11??? Well someone named Archibald married her any way.

In 92, Arch married Judith Hatcher and had a lot of youngens.

In 1819, the same year that Judith died, he married Mary Polly Updike.

In 46, he married Jane Basham, daughter of Caroline.

Sure, he could of had four wives. My ex is with her third husband now. But somehow, I doubt that he was married at age eleven. There were probably two Archibald Nichols in the area over the years.

Cousins or not, four marriages took place to four different women.

I guess the point is, dont jump to conclusions or rely on circumstantial evidence. Two documents with the same name are not necessarily about the same person. Due diligence as they say in Accounting class. Do your research. Dont take maybe for an answer.

LINKS
http://www.vagenweb.org/bedford/bedf-m_n.htm

1814 DEED OF RICHARD HATCHER OF BEDFORD COUNTY

FOLLOWING IS THE 1814 DEED OF RICHARD HATCHER OF BEDFORD COUNTY TO HIS SON-IN-LAW ARCHIBALD NICHOLS...


Bedford County, Virginia
Deed Book 14, Page 140-141
LDS Film 1940993
Transcribed by Cecil Q Larsen

Hatcher
To Deed
Nichols

This Indenture made this 14th day of April One Thousand Eight hundred and fourteen between Richard Hatcher of the County of Bedford of the One part and Archibald Nichols of said County of the Other part Witnesseth That the said Richard Hatcher for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty pounds to him in hand paid the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Archibald Nichols One certain Tract or parcel of Land containing One hundred and Twenty five acres, be the same more or less, lying and being in the County of Bedford and bounded as follows Viz Beginning at a red Oak in Hails line, thence South 65 Degrees West 154 poles to a Pine Stump in sd. Hails line thence with it South 5 Degrees East 138 poles to pointers North 68 degrees East 70 poles to pointers North 14 Degrees East 54 poles to a black Oak, North 61 degrees East 58 poles to a white Oak North 34 1/2 Degrees East 61 poles to pointers, North 8 degrees West 60 poles to a red Oak south 78 1/2 Degrees West 31 poles to the Beginning. To have and to hold the within granted Land and premises with the appertenances to the same belonging with the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders and every part and parcel thereof unto him the said Archibald Nichols his Heirs and Assigns forever, and the said Richard Hatcher doth for himself and his Heirs Covenant and agree to and with the said Archibald Nichols his Heirs & Assigns that the said Richard Hatcher his Heirs & assigns shall warrant and forever defend the sd. granted Land and premises to the said Archibald Nichols his Heirs & assigns forever against him the said Richard Hatcher & Heirs and against all and every other person or persons claiming by from or under him or them, or any of them, and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever.
In Witness whereof the said Richard Hatcher hath hereunto set his hand and Seal the day and Year above written.
Richard (his X mark) Hatcher
Signd Seald & deliverd In presence of
George W Saunders Jr.
Jesse Nichols
John Hudson
John Holligan
Simon Hudson
Daniel Nichols

At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 23 day of May 1814. This Indenture of bargain & Sale between Richard Hatcher of the one part & Archibald Nichols of the Other, was proved by the oath of George W. Saunders Jr, Jesse Nichols & John Hudson three subscribing Witnesses & ordered to be recorded.
Teste J Steptoe C.B.C.

NICHOLS MARRIAGES IN BEDFORD COUNTY

• Nov. 25, 1779; Archibald Nichols & Sarah Woolington; John Payne, Surety.
• Jan. 4, 1780; Flail Nichols & Ann Hatcher; Patrick Lynch, Surety.
• Aug. 14, 1784; Joseph Ridgeway & Esther Nichols, dt Bazdell; William Nichols, Surety.
• Sep. 29, 1784; John Nichols & Sarah Payne; Wm. McCoy, Surety.
• Dec. 29, 1786; William Nichols & Phebe Johnson; Morgan Morgan, Surety; Married by Nathaniel Shrewsbury, Dec. 30, 1786.
• Jan. 6, 1787; John Pollard & Catharine Nicholls; Thomas Pollard, Surety; Consent of John Nicholls; Married by James Mitchell, Jan. 9, 1787.
• Jan. 28, 1791; Mordica Morgan & Elizabeth Nickols, dt Bazdel; Morgan Morgan, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Feb. 3, 1791.
• Nov. 1, 1792; Peter Hudson & Lucy Nichols; David Hudson, Surety.
• Dec. 10, 1792; Archibald Nichols & Judith Hatcher, dt Richard; Ward Hatcher, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 20, 1792.
• Jul. 24, 1797; Elisha Nichols & Nancy Payne; John Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, July 25, 1797.
• Oct. 22, 1798; Thomas Nichols & Nancy Payne; Joshua Kennett, Surety; Consent of William and Amy Payne; Married by John Ayers, Oct. 28, 1798.
• Mar. 25, 1799; Bazdell Nichols, Jr. & Clarissa Cannon, dt William; Leroy Meador, Surety.
• Mar. 6, 1800; Philpot Nichols & Mary McCoy, dt William Maccoy; Thomas Payne, Surety; Married by John Ayers, March 9, 1800.
• Oct. 27, 1800; Jesse Nichols & Sally Fields; John Fields, Surety; Married by Alderson Weeks, Nov. 4, 1800.
• Jan. 13, 1801; Thomas Huddleston & Catharine Nichols; Andrew Martin and Levi Bank, Sureties; Consent of George Nichols; Married by John Ayers, Jan. 15, 1801.
• Nov. 25, 1801; William Nichols & Nancey Blankenship; Arch Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 1, 1805.
• Jan. 12, 1802; Basdale Nichols & Sarah Crowder; Morgin Morgin, Surety.
• Dec. 21, 1802; Zachariah Tate & Polly Nichols; John Nichols, Jr., Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 23, 1802.
• Dec.___ 12, 1804; John Nichols & Susanna Merritt, dt Thomas; John Merritt, Surety; Married by George Rucker, Dec. 15, 1804.
• Feb. 22, 1808; George Sanders, (or Saunders) & Catharine Nichols; Wm. Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, March 3, 1808.
• Dec. 5, 1810; Thomas Lyles & Pamelia Nichols, dt John, Sr. and Sally; John Nichols, Clerk; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 6, 1810.
• Jun. 19, 1816; John Adams & Jenny Nichols, dt John; Daniel Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, June 19, 1816.
• Jul. 22, 1816; John J. Nichols & Peggy Scantling; Zachariah G. Tate, Surety; Married by John Ayers, July 25, 1816.
• Oct. 27, 1817; Daniel Nichols & Polly Black; Daniel C. Black, Surety; Consent of Samuel and Elizabeth Black.
• Apr. 27, 1818; Griffin Nichols & Jenny Nichols; Isaac Nichols, Surety.
• Apr. 27, 1818; Presley Bines & Kitturah Nichols; Daniel W. Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, May 7, 1818.
• Aug. 24, 1818; Isaac Nichols & Rhoda Bond; Wright Bond, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Sept. 29, 1818.
• Jan. 1, 1819; Archibald Nichols & Polly Updike; Daniel Black, Surety; Consent of Amon and Hannah Updike; Married by William Leftwich, Jan. 10, 1819.
• Dec. 20, 1819; John Miller & Locky Nickkols, (or Nichols); John Adams, Surety; Consent of John P. and Sarah Nichols; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 21, 1819.
• Jan. 22, 1821; George Kasey & Sally Nichols, dt Archibald; John Kasey, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Feb. 18.
• Feb. 19, 1822; Morgan Morris & Lucy Nichols, dt Archibald; John Power, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Feb. 28, 1822.
• Jun. 28, 1823; Samuel Nichols & Polly Leftwich; Elijah Murdock, Surety; Married by John Ayers, July 8, 1823.
• Mar. 9, 1825; Alex Hudson & Peggy Nichols; Peggy Nichols, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, March 10, 1825.
• May 3, 1825; William Stump & Polly Nichols, dt William; James Aliff, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, May 3, 1825.
• Jul. 25, 1825; Henry English & Patsy Nichols, dt Elisha and Nancy; Frail Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, July 25, 1825.
• Oct. 24, 1825; Christopher Sutphin & Melinda Nichols; Badel Nichols, Surety; Married by William Leftwich, Oct. 27, 1825.
• Oct. 31, 1825; Archilis Nichols & Nancy Wright; John Wright, Surety.
• Sep. 25, 1826; Hendrick Nichols & Lavanny Lafoy, dt Mary; James Allen, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Oct. 18, 1826.
• Jun. 22, 1829; Bartlett Nichols & Polly Richardson, dt John; William Hudson, Surety; Married by Abner Anthony, June 25, 1829
• Sep. 16, 1830; Thomas Nichols, s Wm. D. & Jemima Martin, dt Mary; Thomas Martin, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Sept. 17, 1830.
• Dec. 21, 1830; John Debo & Jane Nichols, dt Sarah Nichols; Admms. of Jesse Nichols, dec.; Andrew J. Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 23, 1830.
• Jan. 3, 1831; Nehemiah Nichols & Mary Martin, dt Mary; Thomas Martin, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Jan. 3, 1831.
• Feb. 6, 1832; John Nichols & Catharine Franklin; Milton Franklin, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Feb. 7, 1832.
• Nov. 27, 1832; John F. Nichols & Mary Mitchell, dt James; Thomas Mitchell, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 17, 1832.
• Jul. 27, 1835; Josephus Hurt & Charlotte Nichols; Griffin Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Aug. 13, 1835.
• Jan. 3, 1837; William Meador & Susan Nichols; John J. Dent, Surety; Married by Benjamin Meador.
• May 2, 1838; Leroy McAlexander & Martha Nichols, dt Sarah; Daniel Nichols, Surety.
• Dec. 15, 1841; John M. Nichols & Adline Richardson, dt Elizabeth; Stephen Morris, Surety; Married by Abner Anthony, Dec. 28, 1841.
• Dec. 20, 1841; John F. Preston & Mary Ann Nichols, dt Isaac; Thomas Q. Payne, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Dec. 23, 1841.
• Jul. 7, 1842; Meador Spradling & Sarah Nichols; William Meador, Surety; Married by Benjamin Meador.
• Aug. 2, 1842; Isaac H. Nichols & Julian Ellis, dt Benjamin, Sr.; Thomas W. Nichols, Surety; Married by John Ayers, Aug. 4, 1842.
• Nov. 16, 1842; Henry A. Payne, s William & Louisa Nichols, dt Isaac; James S. Preston, Surety; Married by Abner Anthony, Nov. 17, 1842.
• Dec. 13, 1842; William McClain & Letitia Nichols, dt Griffin; Griffin Nichols, Surety; Married by James Leftwich, Dec. 15, 1842.
• Sep. 30, 1843; William Whorley & Tirza Nichols, Surety.
• Nov. 16, 1846; Archibald Nichols & Jane Basham, dt Caroline; John R. Delliss, Surety; Married by Thomas C. Goggin, Nov. 18, 1846.
• Feb. 2, 1850; William W. Johnson & Ruth Ann Nichols, dt Samuel and Mary; Lemuel D. Kennett, Surety; Married by Abner Anthony, Feb. 6, 1850.
• Nov. 24, 1851; Burr Garland Hubbard & Sarah Ann Nichols, dt John; Calohill D. Chewning, Surety; Married by Thomas C. Goggin, Dec. 17, 1851

http://www.vagenweb.org/bedford/bedf-m_n.htm

Did John Nichols have two wives at the same time?

I dont think that the John Nichols who married Sarah Adeline Richardson was the same John Nichols who married Martha Ann Jones.
While I know for sure that John M Nichols, the son of Archibald and Judith Hatcher Nichols, married Martha Ann Jones because he is a DNA match for Archibald's father, John, who married Martha Payne, Logic dictates that John M could not have married Sarah Adeline Richardson and moved to West Virginia with her, because Sarah and Martha had children in different states at the same times. Therefore, they had to have married different Johns. Right?