His sterling qualities were appreciated by the people, and brought him a large and lucrative practice and many public honors.

From 1815 to 1818 he was district attorney of his district, comprising the counties of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland. Afterwards, when his district comprised Westchester alone, he held the same position. He held it altogether more than twentyfive years. He was also an Assemblyman from 1819 to 1822; State Senator, and as such, a member of the court for the correction of errors from 1824 to 1827 ; and Congressman from 1847 to 1851.

In 1812 he married Cornelia M. Hardman, and lived happily with her until her death -- a period of fifty-seven years. He survived her only five weeks, and died on the 2d day of October, 18G9, in the eightysixth year of his age. They reared a large number of children, several of whom have attained to prominent positions, and fully maintain the distingui.shed name of the family.

William Nelson had the happy, and, for lawyers,

somewhat rare, fiiculty of business skill and sagacity in the management of his own affairs. He left an estate valued at nearly one million dollars. In this resj)cct he undoubtedly excelled all other members of the Westchester County bar, past or present.

His character has been well expressed by another, in these words: " Mr. Nelson had great natural vigor of character ; was painstaking and unwearied in every duty to which he addressed himself. He was wise in counsel, and eminently sagacious and practical, genial in nature, courteous in manner, simjile in his mode of life, and, above all, possessed a rare singleness of purpose and integrity of nature. These qualities, in addition to a piety that was devout, but unobtrusive, enabled him to sway a large influence over his friends and neighbors, and all other ]iersons with whom he came in contact.