From http://www.familytreelegends.com/trees/robertabunn/3/data/240:

seaman, tabacco trader, innkeeper, constable, aka Vrende, Frende, Neels


Came to America from Sweden on the Swan in 1648. Worked as a gevaldiger 
(policeman) during Rising's administration. Adopted name Friend by 1668. 

Called Nicholas by some later researchers, but never signed himself so. 
Will probated 4 June 1689 under name of Neels Laarson 
Poss. Swedish immigrant by way of England. 

In June of 1668 Nicholas bought land on the East side of the Delaware from the 
Indians. In 1669 patented 150 acres in Upland. also in 1654, 1677, 1686 

Neals Lawsa--Delaware Col. Long Finn fines 1675 
Neils Lausa--Upland, New Castle, Del. 1680 

By (a probably false) tradition "Capt. Nicholas Friend" was either the 
son or grandson of "Lord" Friend beheaded by Oliver Cromwell (ruler of England 
1654-1658). He was born after 1619 and sailed out of 
Weymouth, Dorsetshire, England with his wife and 
several children. He was said to have drowned while saving his family from a 
boating accident or shipwreck on the Delaware Bay/River. His widow later wed a 
Swede named Neels Larsson. This story was possibly invented by Neels Laarson 
(true name) while he was hiding from the British after the Long Finn Rebellion 
in which he had participated as a supporter of the Long Finn. He eventually 
paid a large fine for his part in the rebellion. 

Recent research by Peter S. Craig suggests that Nils Larsson was a Swede who 
arrived in Nova Swedeen in 1648 aboard the ship "Swan". He was a gevaldiger 
(Constable or prison guard) at Fort Christina by 1654. His wife was a Swede 
who may have arrived aboard the ship MERCURIUS in Mar 1656 (but not certain) 
and was poss. the daughter of either Anders Larsson or Anders Jacobsson. They 
moved to Upland in what is now Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was involved 
in the Long Finn Rebellion and paid 100 guilders (approx. 145 Pounds) for 
services to the English. This may have lead to interesting family discussion 
for the father of his daughter-in-law, Anna Hendricks Coleman was one of the 
ringleaders of the Swedish Insurrection. He signed his will on 20 Dec 1686, 
and while it was not proved until 12 Jun 1689, Anna was named as a widow on 7 
Sep 1687. 
Always signed self Neels, Niles. Friend Fam. Org. has Americanized this to 
Nicholas. 

http://www.ponderroses.com/the-whole-bit/wc_toc.htm states that Captain Nicholas Friend was born 1615
in Weymouth, England, and that many of his children were born there.  It also states that Nicholas
died at sea in 1675.  This website draws many of it's sources from the 1942 book "The Hoyles of
Maryland".  This website also states that Anna's full name is Anna Cox (Kochs) born 1618 in England
and died 1724 in Chester, Deleware County, Pennsylvania.

From information taken from the Friends Family Association of America in Friendsviile Md and the Book
Indian Blood by Evelyn Gard Olson and the papers of Peter Craig,also the papers of Marian S Johnson
dated August 1977, we have learned the following.
             By now it is indisputable that Nicholas Friend and Neals Larsson were one and the same
man.At least 10 docuements,dating from 1668 until after his death,call him Neals Larsson Friend
,(using an almost infinite variety of spellings.)His will was signed as Neles Larson with his
mark,but the inventory of his estate calls him "Neals Lawsa als(alias) ffriend.The use of the term
"alias" which led Mr Gibson to suspect that there was something shady about the man,was common at
that time and place.It simply meant "otherwise known as".The inventory states that he was "late of
Chester alias Upland."What then can we state positively about Him ?
             He was born 1619.He still was not over sixty in Nov 1680 when he appeared on a tax roll
listing all males between 16 and 60.
             We have derived many facts from Marian S Johnsons notes and from the other sources noted
to arrive at the descendants of Nicholas Farnde Friend.