THE NICOLSONS OF SHEBSTER

The estate of Shebster is in the parish of Reay.
In 2002 it was owned by William Oag.

I. The Reverend ALEXANDER NICOLSON, son of Patrick Nicolson, minister of Kiltarlity, was minister of Thurso from 1752 to 1785, when he died, aged 61. He acquired Shebster, which for several generations had belonged to the Munros, by purchase. He was twice married-first in 1754, and secondly in 1765. By his first wife he had two sons: -

1. Patrick, his successor
2. Dr. James Nicolson

Jessie Nicolson was married, secondly, to William Sinclair, writer in Thurso, by whom she had two sons - Alexander, accountant in Edinburgh, who died without issue, and Gordon, who died in the West Indies, also without issue.

II. PATRICK NICOLSON OF SHEBSTER was minister of Thurso from his father's death in 1785 down to 1805. He married, in 1787, Mary Maxwell, daughter of Captain Thomas Dunbar of Westfield and his first wife, Janet, daughter of Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs. She died in 1806, and by her he had two sons and four daughters: -

1. Alexander, who sold Shebster in 1808, with consent of his curators, and died without issue
2. Major Malcolm, who married his cousin, Jessie, daughter of James Moodie of Melsetter, by whom he had a son. By a second marriage he had several children

1. Janet Dunbar, who married Dr. Featherstone, and had issue
2. Mary, who married Major Jackson
3. Isabella, who married Dr. Simon Nicolson, and had issue
4. Margaret, who married Lieutenant-Colonel Western, and had issue