He served several stints in the New York State Assembly in the early to mid-19th century.
In 1805, he married Lurena Chadwick (1785–1857), and they had 9 children.
About 1806, the family removed to a place in Herkimer County which in 1812 became part of the Town of Columbia.
Beckwith was a member of the New York State Assembly (Herkimer Co.) in 1816–17 and 1823.
[1] Beckwith died on August 8, 1874, and was buried at the Cemetery in Cedarville.