Nicholas Low Clears His Family's Name
Published 10/15/18 - Updated 9/19/21
Nicholas Low attempted to stay neutral during the American Revolution (as his brother was a Loyalist) but played an important role as a bookkeeper for Rufus King.
Nicholas Low’s Family
Nicholas Low was raised in one of the biggest houses in New Jersey.
He followed his father into the merchant business that made the family so wealthy and became one of the most prominent men in New York City.
When the American Revolution began, Low kept a low profile. He was happy running his business and, though disgruntled by the new taxes, did not yet consider himself a politician.
Low’s brother, Isaac, however, did not feel the same.
Isaac was one of the merchants who led the movement to oppose British oppression in NYC.
Isaac chaired the Committee of Fifty and even represented New York in the First Continental Congress. However, after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Isaac became a Loyalist.
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Leader
Nicholas’ brother’s decision cast a shadow of doubt on the whole family.
Although he was close with many Patriots, Nicholas stayed neutral in the war (and I’ll remind you here that about 1/3 of everyone in the colonies did the same).
After the Revolutionary War concluded, Low slowly made his way into Founding Father status. This was largely due to the evacuation of the British as, when the Redcoats left New York City, they took the Loyalists with them.
In this situation, wealthy men such as Nicholas who never fancied themselves politicians were forced to take leadership roles in the city.
Financial Manager
In 1788, Low attended the New York State Ratification Convention. Here, Nicholas supported the Constitution which is not surprising because it was projected to help merchants such as himself grow their businesses.
The following year, Low began tending to the affairs of his friend Rufus King.
King was chosen as one of New York State’s first US Senators and needed to focus his attention. Later, he would go off to Europe as the Minister to Great Britain.
In all, Low managed King’s finances for almost fifteen years.
During this time, Nicholas spent two years in the New York State Assembly.
Land Developer
In his later years, Low began investing in land.
Most of his holdings were in Upstate New York. At the time, most people who owned massive amounts of land sold off plots and let residents create townships themselves.
Low, conversely, spent time and money attempting to develop villages throughout the State.
Some of these include Watertown and Lowville (his namesake). Most of all, Nicholas invested in Ballston Spa, where he spent the last several years of his life.
If you’d like to learn more about brothers involved in the American Revolution, check out these articles on John and Lambert Cadwalader or John and Woodbury Langdon.
For further information about family life in New York City during the Revolutionary War, pick up a copy of ‘Generous Enemies’ by Judith Van Buskirk at the library or through the affiliate link below.
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