Jacob Aaron Westervelt

Jacob Aaron Westervelt
Westervelt in the 1870s
72nd Mayor of New York City
In office 1853–1855
Preceded by	Ambrose Kingsland
Succeeded by	Fernando Wood
Personal details
Born	(1800-01-20)January 20, 1800 Tenafly, New Jersey, United States
Died	February 21, 1879(1879-02-21) (aged 79) New York, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Eliza M. Thompson
Profession	Shipbuilder, dock commissioner
Religion	Dutch Reformed
The Order of Isabella the Catholic was conferred upon him by the Queen of Spain in 1859. Some ships were named after Jacob A. Westervelt. One of them was built by the Todd Houston Shipbuilding Corporation, Houston TX (hull no. 154).

Jacob Aaron Westervelt (January 20, 1800 – February 21, 1879) was a renowned and prolific shipbuilder who constructed 247 vessels of all descriptions during his career of over 50 years. From 1853 until 1855 he was Mayor of New York City.

Together with his partners (Westervelt & MacKay and Westervelt & Sons) he designed some of the fastest and most successful sailing packets, clippers and steamships ever built, among these the screw sloop USS Brooklyn and the clipper Sweepstakes, as well as many vessels for foreign governments and Royal Houses. Westervelt was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Queen of Spain for the preparation of models and plans for three Spanish frigates. For many years he was the President of the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Marine Society, the Port Society and the St. Nicholas Society. He was also President of the Board of Dock Commissioners for several years. After Westervelt's death, the flags at City Hall were lowered to half-mast.

Westervelt was the eldest son of Ari and Vrowti Westervelt. Ari Westervelt was a builder by occupation. He built several houses in Franklin Street, New York, and constructed the South Church in Schraalenburgh in today's Bergenfield borough. Westervelt was born in Tenafly, New Jersey, on January 20, 1800 and was baptized at Schraalenburgh on February 16, being the first child to receive that sacrament after the completion of the new church. The Westervelts then resided at the old family homestead on Tenafly Road midway between Englewood and Tenafly. When Ari Westervelt was working on improving the riverfront, he moved, together with his infant son, to New York in 1804, to be nearer his work. It was to his father that Jacob Aaron owed his good education. His father died when Westervelt was only 14.