Nicholas Holt was born about 1602 in Romsey, co. Hants, England. He emigrated on 6 Apr 1635 from Southampton, co. Hants, England. arriving on the "James". He took the oath of freeman on 17 May 1637. In 1644, he moved from Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts to Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts where he was one of the first settlers. He died on 30 Jan 1684/85 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. NEHGS 2:378 says he was 104 when he died. He was a tanner. He married first Elizabeth Short about 1622 in England.

Elizabeth Short died on 9 Nov 1656 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Children of Nicholas Holt and Elizabeth Short were:

i. Hannah Holt was born about 1634 in England. She died on 30 Mar 1728 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
ii. Elizabeth Holt.
iii. Mary Holt was born on 6 Oct 1638 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She died on 15 Nov 1700 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
iv. Sarah Holt was born on 2 Jun 1640 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She died from small pox on 22 Dec 1690 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
v. Samuel Holt was born on 6 Oct 1641 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on 7 Nov 1703 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
vi. Henry Holt was born in 1644 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on 17 Jan 1718/19 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Andover VRs has 13 Jan. 1718/19, age about 75.
vii. Lt. Nicholas Holt was born in 1647 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on 8 Oct 1715 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
viii. James Holt was born in 1651 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died from small pox on 14 Dec 1690 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
ix. Priscilla Holt was born on 20 Jun 1653 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She died on 16 Oct 1653 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Nicholas Holt married second Hannah Bradstreet (daughter of Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet) on 12 Jun 1658 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Nicholas Holt married third Martha, widow of Roger Preston, on 21 May 1666 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.