The father of Elizabeth, first wife of Nicholas I, is not known. Most Meriwether genealogies only have a single marriage from Nicholas and cite family history that her surname was WOODHOUSE. If true, there are several possible Woodhouse families.

Many genealogies state Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry Woodhouse of Virginia (1608-1655). This is not possible, as his daughter Elizabeth married Giles Collins about 1654. She is mentioned in the 1655 will of her father as Elizabeth Collins. Giles Collins died about 1674, so they were living together during the time that most of Nicholas Meriwether's children were born.

Another possibility Thomas Woodhouse of Jamestown, a partner and client of Nicholas. There is no evidence that Thomas ever married or had a daughter named Elizabeth, however. There are several Elizabeth Woodhouses born in England in 1633 and 1634 whose father was a Thomas, but no evidence that they are connected to Thomas Woodhouse of Maryland and Jamestowne.

A third possibility suggested by the independent researcher is that he is Bartholomew Woodhouse of Lancaster, Lancashire, England. A Lancashire church register records the 1635 baptism of Elizabeth, daughter of Bartholomew. Additional research has found no other supporting evidence.

For a more complete review, see "The Meriwether Family in America, Volume I: The Colonists".