David Eason

David Eason
1st Sheriff
Chautauqua County, New York
In office
February 9, 1811 – 1814
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byJonathan Sprague
New York State Assembly
In office
July 1, 1821 – January 5, 1822
Preceded byWilliam Hotchkiss
Jediah Prendergast
Succeeded byJames Mullett Jr.
New York State Senate 8th District
In office
January 1, 1823 – December 31, 1824
Preceded byDistricted Created
Succeeded bySamuel Wilkeson
Personal details
BornApril 3, 1771
DiedApril 8, 1853(1853-04-08) (aged 82)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician

David Eason (April 3, 1771 – April 8, 1853) was an American politician, judge, sheriff, and early settler of Chautauqua County, New York. He was the county's first sheriff (1811–1814) and served in both the New York State Assembly (1821–1822) and New York State Senate (1822–1823). [1][2]

Biography

Eason was born on April 3, 1771, and was from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and was an early settler of Chautauqua County, New York. He first settled in Canadaway (now Fredonia) in the summer of 1803 and built the first home, a log house, in the village on the bank of the creek. In the spring of 1805, he married Margaret Woodside. In 1806, Eason was elected a Fence Viewer along with George Whitehill and Basil Burgess of the Town of Canadaway.[1][3] Eason, along with Perry G. Ellsworth, were the first two commissioner justices in 1806.[4]

Eason sold his farm to Hezekiah Tower in the winter of 1806–1807 and moved to nearby Westfield and purchased land from John McMahan, who had originally purchased a large tract of land from the Holland Land Company in January 1807.[1][3] Eason purchased additional land in April 1810 and February 1811. [5]

In 1811, Chautauqua County formed is own government, and Eason became the county's first sheriff. [1][3] In 1818, Summit Lodge No. 312 of Free and Accepted Masons was formed in Mayville in 1818, and Eason became its first treasurer. The lodge disbanded in 1824. [5]

Eason was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party and was elected to the New York State Assembly and served in the 45th New York State Legislature from July 1, 1821, to January 5, 1822. The election was contested by Isaac Phelps. Eason received 2,226 votes and Isaac Phelps, Junior received 2,275 votes and "Isaac Phelps" received 178 votes, for a combined total of 2,453 for Phelps. It was ruled that Phelps was the winner of the election, and was seated on January 5, 1822. [6]

Eason was elected to a two-year term in the New York State Senate and served in the 46th and 47th New York State Legislatures from January 1, 1823, to December 31, 1824, representing the 8th District.[1]

Eason died on April 8, 1853.

Electoral history

1821 New York State Assembly election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic-Republican David Eason 2,426
Democratic-Republican Isaac Phelps 2,453

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Young, Andrew White (1875). History of Chautauqua County, New York From Its First Settlement to the Present Time ; with Numerous Biographical and Family Sketches. Printing house of Matthews & Warren. ISBN 9780608393667. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  2. ^ Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department. "Chautauqua County Sheriffs". Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Edson, Obed (1894). "History of Chautauqua County, New York". Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Hazeltine, Gilbert Wilkinson (1887). "The Early History of the Town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County, N.Y." Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Hedley, Fenwick Y. (1921). History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People Volume 1. American Historical Society. ISBN 9785872000877. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "A Compilation of Cases of Contested Elections to Seats in the Assembly of the State of New York". New York State Legislature. 1899. Retrieved April 30, 2023.