Alanson "Lance" Walker Nightingill (May 17, 1826 – February 12, 1870) was a county sheriff and the first Nevada State Controller.

[3] In May 1858, Nightingill went to the Fraser River to explore and prospect and he returned in autumn of the following year.

[2] In May 1860, Nightingill moved from California to Nevada and joined the Washoe Regiment, a militia, that was established in response to the First Battle of Pyramid Lake.

[2][4] His company fought against the Native Americans and then made an expedition through the Black Rock Desert.

[2] Nightingill was appointed the first sheriff of Humboldt County on December 10, 1861 by James W.

[4] In the next year, Nightingill was elected one of the 39 delegates to the Nevada's first Constitutional Convention, that was held in November and December 1863.

Records from the Convention stated that Nightingill lived in Unionville, was a sign painter and was unmarried.