Nicholas Low, Revolution Merchant & Banker, Confederation & United States Bank, New York City
Share
Nicholas Low, 1739-1826
Nicholas Low, a prominent merchant in New York before the revolution was involved with the formation and leadership of America’s first banks, from the Bank of North America (1781), established during the Articles of Confederation period, to the Bank of the United States (1790) established during the first administration of President George Washington. He was a Director of the New York branch of the First United States Bank.
Low became particularly active in civic and state affairs when the Loyalist population, including his brother Isaac, evacuated with the British Army in 1783. He partnered closely with Rufus King for many years, including managing his financial activities (1790-1823).
Nicholas served in the New York State Assembly from 1787 to 1789 as part of the 11th and 12th New York State Legislatures. He attended the state's 1788 convention that ratified the United States Constitution.1739 Mar. 30 Nicholas Low born near New Brunswick, NJ to Cornelius Low, Jr. and Johanna (Gouverneur) Low, brother of Loyalist Isaac Low
Pre-Revolution: Active with the New York shipping company, Low & Wallace
1781 Bank of North America, listed as one of first shareholders
1784 March 15 elected 1 of 12 directors Bank of New York
1787-1789 Federalist member of the 11th and 12th sessions of the New York State Assembly
1788 member of the state constitutional convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution.
1790 New York branch director of the United States Bank
1790-1823 Long time manager of the finances of founder Rufus King, a fellow Federalist.
1800-1826 Prominent land speculator and urban developer in New York City and New York State.
Additional reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Low
The Nicholas Low Papers, Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/mm81030627/
New York Historical Society (Nicholas Low Papers Supplement
1784-1829):
http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/low/bioghist.html
Rufus King, Letters sent to Nicholas Low, 1790-1823
http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/low/dscref12.html
Isaac Low, Library of Congress:
https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2017/07/new-acquisition-1783-petition-of-a-revolutionary-war-loyalist/