Elizabeth NICHOLS b.ca 1800 m. 25 Dec 1822 to James P. BRADFIELD (b. 25 May 1800 in Loudoun Co., VA) in Frederick Co., Maryland (not Virginia!) although they lived in Loudoun Co., VA. They had the following children:

Adolphus Bradfield b. ca 1824, Townsend Bradfield b. ca 1826, Rachel Ruth Bradfield b. 24 Nov 1827, Amanda E. Bradfield b. ca 1831, James Newton Bradfield b. ca 1834, William D. Bradfield b. 27 Dec 1835 and Amy Cecilia Bradfield b. 9 Aug 1838. All children except the last one were born in Loudoun County; Amy was born in Knox Co., OH where the family settled about 1836.

Elizabeth (Nichols) BRADFIELD d. ca 1842 in Ohio and her husband, James, d. 28 Feb 1846 also in Knox Co., OH. When James' estate was settled (he d. intestate), those who posted bond were Joel NICHOLS and Dioclesian FITCH.

I know that Dioclesian was James BRADFIELD'S nephew. What was the relationship of Joel NICHOLS to Elizabeth? Were they siblings? Cousins?

Also nearby in Knox County was a Thomas NICHOLS who was b. VA ca 1792. In the 1880 census Thomas responded that both of his parents were b. MD. Is there a possible relationship between this Thomas NICHOLS and Joel and Elizabeth NICHOLS?