Nicholas Low
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Low was an American
merchant and developer from New York City
. He developed properties in upstate New York
, including Lowville
(in Lewis County
) which was named for him.
Nicholas Low was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey
and was the younger brother of Isaac Low
. Their father, Cornelius Low Jr., was a well-established merchant and shipper who had brought prominence to the community of Raritan Landing. The elder Low also had built the Cornelius Low House
, a magnificent 1741 Georgian mansion. Like his brother, Nicholas became a prominent merchant (Low & Wallace) in New York before the revolution. Unlike Isaac, he remained a supporter of the rebel cause during the American Revolution
.
Low became active in civic and state affairs for a decade. A power vacuum was created in the city when the Loyalist
population, including his brother Isaac, left with the British Army evacuated in 1783. Nicholas served in the New York state assembly from 1797 to 1799 and attended the state's 1788 convention that ratified the United States Constitution
.
In the turmoil that followed the revolution, Low acquired several large tracts of land in upstate New York
. At first these were purchased as speculations, but Low turned his attention to their development. He laid out townsites and divided his holdings to sell both land and lots. He is particularly tied with the early development of the City of Watertown
and the Town of Lowville
.
In later years Low turned his attention to developing his own properties. He built a hotel and factories in the Town of Ballston
(Saratoga County
).
His daughter, Henrietta Liston Low, married Charles King
, son of U.S. Senator Rufus King
. Nicholas was married to Alice Halliburton. Nicholas Low died in 1826 at his home in New York City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
merchant and developer from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He developed properties in upstate New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, including Lowville
Lowville (town), New York
Lowville is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 4,548 at the 2000 census. The town is near the center of the county and is southeast of the city of Watertown. Lowville contains a village also named Lowville, which is the county seat. The town of is named after...
(in Lewis County
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
) which was named for him.
Nicholas Low was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
and was the younger brother of Isaac Low
Isaac Low
Isaac Low was an American merchant in New York City.-Biography:He was born on April 13, 1735 at Raritan Landing, New Jersey...
. Their father, Cornelius Low Jr., was a well-established merchant and shipper who had brought prominence to the community of Raritan Landing. The elder Low also had built the Cornelius Low House
Cornelius Low House
The Cornelius Low House is a Georgian manor in Piscataway, New Jersey built for Cornelius Low II in 1741 at Raritan Landing. The Cornelius Low House is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places, and was surveyed in 1937 for the Historic American...
, a magnificent 1741 Georgian mansion. Like his brother, Nicholas became a prominent merchant (Low & Wallace) in New York before the revolution. Unlike Isaac, he remained a supporter of the rebel cause during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Low became active in civic and state affairs for a decade. A power vacuum was created in the city when the Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
population, including his brother Isaac, left with the British Army evacuated in 1783. Nicholas served in the New York state assembly from 1797 to 1799 and attended the state's 1788 convention that ratified the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
In the turmoil that followed the revolution, Low acquired several large tracts of land in upstate New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. At first these were purchased as speculations, but Low turned his attention to their development. He laid out townsites and divided his holdings to sell both land and lots. He is particularly tied with the early development of the City of Watertown
Watertown (city), New York
Watertown is a city in the state of New York and the county seat of Jefferson County. It is situated approximately south of the Thousand Islands. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 27,023, an increase of 1.2% since 2000. The U.S...
and the Town of Lowville
Lowville (town), New York
Lowville is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 4,548 at the 2000 census. The town is near the center of the county and is southeast of the city of Watertown. Lowville contains a village also named Lowville, which is the county seat. The town of is named after...
.
In later years Low turned his attention to developing his own properties. He built a hotel and factories in the Town of Ballston
Ballston, New York
Ballston is a town in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 8,729 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from an early settler, Eliphalet Ball.The Town of Ballston is in the south part of the County and is north of Schenectady....
(Saratoga County
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
).
His daughter, Henrietta Liston Low, married Charles King
Charles King (academic)
Charles King was an American academic, politician and newspaper editor. He succeeded Nathaniel Fish Moore to become the ninth president of Columbia College , holding the role from 7 November 1849 to 1864...
, son of U.S. Senator Rufus King
Rufus King
Rufus King was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. He also attended the Constitutional Convention and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
. Nicholas was married to Alice Halliburton. Nicholas Low died in 1826 at his home in New York City.