William Nelson, of Peekskill, who commenced his political career by two terms in the Assembly, in 1819 and 1820, had already in 1815 been district attorney of the Eleventh District and was again in 1822 of the county. From 1824 to 1828, Mr. Nelson was State Senator and from 1847 to 1851 the member of Congress from this District. In all these positions Mr. Nelson merits the approbation due for faithful service. He died in 86(5 or ]8()7.

FROM 1783 TO I860. 487

The Anti-Masonic excitements at such a high pitch in the western part of the State much less either politically or socially aff'ected this county The brethren of the order quietly abandoned their local organization and bided the passing away of the storm. The effect, however, of this ephemeral political movement was to make the Democratic party as a party more compact and consequently stronger and better prepared for its mission. This was illustrated no where more thoroughly than among the " once set not easily moved " farmers of Westchester County.

But the business disasters of 1837 made much more of an impression upon them. The impulsive trifling of President Jackson with the finances of the country, which at that time was supposed to throw a halo around his inflexible will and courage, brought upon his successor, through the troubles which in his administration the people were made to suffer, an obloquy and blame which Mr. Van Buren did not individually deserve.

The fact that the Democratic majority in the county was reduced from over one thousand two hundred in 1836 to two hundred and seventy in 1840 shows, making all allowances for the humors of the " logcabin and hard cider " campaign, that a deliberate, sober, first and second thought of the people was making Mr.