David M. Westcott
Col. David Mandeville Westcott (ca. 1769 – April 21, 1841) was an American politician and newspaper editor from New York. Early life. Westcott was likely born in Cornwall, New York in 1769. He was the son of Justice Westcott and his wife Mary. Career. In 1789, he moved to Goshen, and became co-editor of "The Goshen Repository, and Weekly Intelligencer", the first newspaper published in Goshen, founded in 1788 by David Mandeville. 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. Beginning on January 1, 1831, Westcott was a member of the New York State Senate, representing the 2nd District, sitting in the 54th, 55th, 56th and 57th New York State Legislatures and serving until December 31, 1834. Personal life. Westcott married the heiress Keziah Gale (1773–1819), the only child of Benjamin Gale. Together, they had  eight children, including: His wife died of consumption in December 1819. Westcott died aged 72 in Goshen on April 21, 1841. He was buried at the Slate Hill Cemetery, also in Goshen.