Nicholas Low

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Nicholas Low (March 30, 1739– November 15, 1826) 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. Like his brother, he 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 married Rufus King, son of Rufus King, American Federalist.

Nicholas Low died in 1826 at his home in New York City.