William Nicoll (politician, born 1657)

William Nicoll (1657 – November 20, 1723) was an English-born colonial American merchant and politician who served as the Speaker of the New York General Assembly.

His father, Richard's secretary and reportedly also his nephew, was present for the Peter Stuyvesant's surrender of Dutch New Amsterdam to the English.

When Edmund Andros returned to England in 1681 to receive a knighthood, William went with him, served in the English Army and saw active service in Flanders.

[1] After returning to America, Nicoll was admitted to the bar and was appointed Clerk of Queens County and in 1683, he became Register of the Court of Admiralty.

Upon his release from prison, Nicoll was appointed to the Governor's Council and named King's Counsel during Leisler's Treason Trial.

[1] He was eventually released and in 1701, he was elected as a member of the New York General Assembly, representing Suffolk County, serving until his death in 1723.