David M. Westcott

Col. David Mandeville Westcott (ca. 1769 – April 21, 1841) was an American politician and newspaper editor from New York.

David Mandeville Westcott
Member of the New York State Senate for the 2nd District
In office
January 1, 1831 – December 31, 1834
Preceded byBenjamin Woodward
Succeeded byJohn Patterson Jones
Member of the New York State Assembly for Orange Co.
In office
January 1, 1828 – December 31, 1828
In office
July 1, 1798 – June 30, 1799
Personal details
Bornca. 1769
Cornwall, Province of New York, British America
DiedApril 21, 1841
Goshen, New York, U.S.
Political partyJeffersonian Democrat
SpouseKeziah Gale
RelationsAlexander Wilkin (grandson)
Children8

Early life

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Westcott was likely born in Cornwall, New York in 1769.[1] He was the son of Justice Westcott and his wife Mary.[2]

Career

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In 1789, he moved to Goshen, and became co-editor of The Goshen Repository, and Weekly Intelligencer,[3] the first newspaper published in Goshen, founded in 1788 by David Mandeville.[1]

He was a member of the New York State Assembly, representing Orange County, in 22nd New York State Legislature from July 1, 1798 to June 30, 1799. Westcott later served as the County Clerk of Orange County from 1815 to 1819, and from 1821 to 1822. During the 51st New York State Legislature, he was again a member of the State Assembly, serving from January 1 to December 31, 1828.[4]

Beginning on January 1, 1831, Westcott was a member of the New York State Senate, representing the 2nd District,[a] sitting in the 54th, 55th, 56th and 57th New York State Legislatures and serving until December 31, 1834.[4]

Personal life

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Westcott married the heiress Keziah Gale (1773–1819), the only child of Benjamin Gale.[5] Together, they had eight children, including:[6]

His wife died of consumption in December 1819.[2] Westcott died aged 72 in Goshen on April 21, 1841. He was buried at the Slate Hill Cemetery, also in Goshen.[10]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ The 2nd District consisted of Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.[4]
Sources
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New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate
Second District (Class 4)

1831–1834
Succeeded by