Born on 21 October 1815 at Balfron, Stirlingshire, Scotland, the son of William McNicol and his wife Agnes, nee Burns. He married on 23 (or 24) July 1836 at the Abbey/High Church, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland to Margaret Hamilton, daughter of William Hamilton and his wife Marion, nee Harvey. Arrived at Melbourne on 12 February 1850 per "Clifton" from London, England, as an advanced student and experienced missionary. Came from Glasgow. Ordained on 18 June 1850. At Bacchus Marsh and Mount Macedon for about a year. Exchanged positions with the Rev. William Higgins of Geelong in April 1851 and was at Geelong until 1856. Returned to Bacchus Marsh (1856-59). At Rushworth, Whroo, and Murchison (1859-61). At Donnybrook/Kalkallo and Wallan Wallan (1861-72). His wife died in 1868. He married secondly, 1870, in Victoria to Christina Hall, daughter of Thomas Hall and Christina, nee McDermott. At Piggoreet, Victoria (1872-76). At Bright, Victoria (1876-78). At Moulamein, New South Wales (1878-80). Declared an emeritus member of the Presbytery of Castlemaine in 1880. Said to have retired to Dromana, Vic. Author of "Wreaths of Love, or, Musings from the Manse" (Melbourne, 1886). Died on 21 September 1899 at his residence, Grace Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, and was buried on 23 September 1899 at the Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, Vic.

[death certificate; Scott Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (as John Nicil?); Ward & Prentis Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1822-1901]

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