Hugh Nichol (1842-1921) was raised in North Easthope. Hugh was the turnkey at the old jail and when the new jail was built on St. Andrew Street in 1877, he became Hugh Nicholthe Jailor. He lived at the jail on St. Andrew Street until his death in 1921. Hugh Nichol served in the Fenian Raids in 1866 and was a Lieutenant in the Perth Regiment. He was a very imposing and well known figure in Stratford and was often seen strolling through town wearing his highland kilt.

Hugh was also an amateur archaeologist. In his journal, he lists the artifacts he acquired and where they were found. It is clear he collected from all over the county, country and continent.

The Nichol Collection at the Stratford Perth Museum includes mastodon tusks, projectile points, stone tools, clay pipes, gun flint, bone needles, scrapers, bird tokens and fossils. Nichol sought archaeological artifacts in North Easthope, Downie, Stratford, Ellice, Little Lakes, Seaforth, Harrington, etc. Hugh also collected for David Boyle, curator of the Ontario Provincial Museum in Toronto.