Matthias Nicoll

Who was Matthias Nicoll?

Matthias Nicoll, aka Nicolls, was the 6th Mayor of New York City from 1672 to 1673.

He is the patriarch of the Nicoll family which settled and owned much of Long Island, New York. Numerous place names on the island now bear the Nicoll name.

He lived in Islip, Northamptonshire and practiced law there. He was son of a minister.

In 1664 he came to the United States with Richard Nicolls. It is not known if the two were related although some sources say he was Richard's nephew.

Matthias was Richard's secretary and was present to the first surrender of the Dutch New Amsterdam to the English. He was clerk of the court in the new English colony and served various judge roles.

He was a member of the Convention at Hempstead, New York in 1664-1665 that established the laws for the new colony.

In 1670 he bought land in present Plandome Manor, New York/Plandome, New York, and he is said to have named it for the Latin 'planus domus' meaning 'plain' or 'peaceful' home.

In 1672 he was appointed New York City Mayor, and served for two years.

He was Speaker of the General Assembly under Thomas Dongan in 1684 which guaranteed religious freedom to Christians.