Nicholson received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Kenyon College in Ohio.
When the Reformed Episcopal Seminary was founded, Nicholson became Dean and one of its first professors.
Nicholson was born in Greene County, Mississippi, on January 8, 1822, where his father was a judge.
He transferred to the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1847 and was ordained by Bishop Leonidas Polk.
He served as bishop of the New York and Philadelphia Synod of the Reformed Episcopal Church until his death.