Possible Connection Wests of Hanover & Caroline Co, VA

Benjamin West (b. 1775) of Hanover County, Virginia:

His Probable Genealogical Connections 

to the Wests of Colonial Caroline County, Virginia

A Project for West Family DNA Group #5

By Ben West

June 27, 2010 (Rev. August 5, 2013)

Abstract:  In this writing, I seek to relate a theory about how Benjamin West (b. 1775) of Hanover
County, Virginia and of West DNA Group #5 could be genealogically connected to the Wests of Colonial Caroline County, Virginia.  This theory is bolstered by a 25 out of 25 Y-chromosome marker DNA test match between a male West descendant of Benjamin West (b. 1775) of Hanover County and that of a male West descendant of Robert West (b. 1834) of Caroline County, Virginia.
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Benjamin West (b. Ca. 1775-1780) of Hanover County, Virginia is the earliest proven ancestor
of Mr. AW, a match and participant in West Family DNA Project Group #5.  The 1810 Census
of Hanover County reveals a Benjamin West who was of 26 years of age and yet under 45.
The 1820 Census entries for Hanover County further disclose a Benjamin West who was the
overseer for a plantation of Thomas Root.   A Benjamin West, however, is not listed with a
separate Census entry himself for that year.  Group #5 researchers and I have not yet consulted
other records for this Benjamin West in Hanover County.

Among Caroline County, Virginia records, West researcher Hal Beumer found a Benjamin West
who may be one and the same as the Benjamin West of Hanover County.  I  myself believe
strongly that the Hanover County Benjamin West is, in fact, the same as a Benjamin West
who first appears in Caroline County, Virginia records in 1800.  What follows are my reasons:
Therese Fisher in "Marriages of Caroline County, Virginia 1777-1853," lists a Benjamin West
who married Nancy Clarke on November 13th of that year (1800) as a first supporting piece of evidence.

This item of evidence is significant, as the Benjamin West of Hanover County, Virginia was
married to a woman named Nancy.  I highly doubt that many Benjamin Wests who happened to
be married to a Nancy in central Virginia existed at the same time, and therefore, I believe that
these Benjamin Wests of Caroline and Hanover are the same person.  However, unfortunately,
no definite proof so far exists to corroborate my theory.  An analysis of further records, though,
bolsters my theory to a firm degree:

There are another six and one fourth pages left in this article compiled by Ben West that makes his theory very plausible!  If anyone is interested in reading the full article (of which I strongly suggest) please request it from Ben West:
 westbe@gmail.com 

List of Brick Walls for Branches of Our Family Tree

This list will state the last person before the brick wall with last known date and location and a specific contact person with email.

Please Note:  This Project is just being developed and much will be added as it is submitted.  Remember that your branch needs to be submitted by you to have info included!!!

1.   Thomas West, Sr. [b. about 1718 or earlier possibly in VA.]  Earliest record is birth of son, Ignatius West, in Granville County, NC in 1750.  John G. West: jgwmylines@gmail.com 
2.   Claiborne West [b. 1759] (Birth is listed on a tombstone, is there a photo or location of this marker?)  Earliest known record is a tax list in Buckingham Co., NC 1787-1788 when he is estimated to be about 28 years old according to date of birth on grave marker (15 Nov 1759).  George L. Holder: glholder AT cableone.net
3.   William West [b. 1746] The earliest document found for William is the baptismal record for his two eldest sons in Shenandoah Co. VA, 1773. He resided in Rockingham Co. VA, where many of his children were born, before moving to Tennessee. He died in Greene Co. TN in 1829. (need info submitted!)
4.   William West [b. 1816 KY or TN] (need info submitted!)
5.   William West [b. 1798 Eng.] (need info submitted!)
6.   Charles West [b. 1774] (need info submitted!)
7.   Amos West [b. 1766] (need info submitted!)
8.   Robert West [b. 1834] (need info submitted!)
9.   James O. West [b. 1808] (need info submitted!)
10. David West [b. bef 1770 NY] (need info submitted!)
11. Silas West [b. 1826/27 AL] (need info submitted!)
12. Benjamin West [b. 1775 VA] (need info submitted!)
13. John West [b. bef 1730 VA] (need info submitted!)

Please submit any additional Brick Walls that may help us with this line of the West family to John G. West jgw.mylines@gmail.com.
Note: Labels in the right hand column will list names of individuals with the surname of WEST as full known given names and the letter "W" for West to provide room to list all of them in any one blog.