James gave up his business about 1838 and became sub-agent to Sir Richard Sutton's estates in Nottinghamshire and Norfolk.

William was articled about July 1821, for three years, to John Buonarotti Papworth, architect, of London.

Nicholson joined the Royal Institute of British Architects as a founding fellow at its commencement.

In 1824 Nicholson married Leonora, the youngest daughter of William Say of Norton Street, London.

Leech has argued that the main design input may have come from Willoughby, as they are distinct from the other churches built by Nicholson[33] Nicholson worked extensively for the Chaplin family of Blankney, so it might well be expected that he was the architect selected when the Rev Henry Chaplin paid for the new churches at Haugham and Raithby.

[34] This group of churches have been built of brick, but cement or stucco rendered, to give the impression of ashlar masonry.