[1] He was active in the grocery trade before he was elected Sheriff of New York County, an office he held from 1831 to 1834.
In his younger years he took an active part in the politics of the day, becoming a member of the Tammany Society.
While a resident of Brooklyn he was on the staff of the Department of City Works in that municipality, but during his latter days he retired from general business.
[2] Another namesake is Jacob Aaron Westervelt (1800–1879), the shipbuilder, Alderman from the 13th Ward and later Mayor of New York City (1853–1855).
During the battle, Conover and his attorney visited Sheriff Jacob Westervelt to request that he serve the warrants.