Richard Nicholls (15)

Richard Nicholls (?–19 August 1775) was a lawyer, investor, and postmaster of New York City and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1744. Beginning with his appointment as postmaster in 1725, Nicholls held a number of offices, including coroner, deputy receiver of quit-rents, landwaiter, and register of the admiralty. He also served on the vestry of Trinity Church from 1732 to 1766. A close friend of Cadwallader Colden, Nicholls may have produced the list of New York and New Jersey candidates for APS membership that the former sent to Benjamin Franklin in 1744. In his capacity as postmaster, Nicholls facilitated the exchange of scientific books, reports, and specimens in the region. (PI)