Lynn
West (b. 1775; d. 26 Jan 1836)
Compiled by Joy Ikelman, 2013.
Disclaimers apply.
Lynn West is descended from John West
(d. 1744) of Stafford County, Virginia, and therefore is a part of Family Group
#5:
John West (d. 1744) m. Dorothy ________
James West (b. 26 Sep 1742; d. ca. 1780) m. Ann Lynn (Anne
Linn) (b. ca. late 1740s; d. ca. 1780)
Lynn
West (b. ca. 1775; d. 26 Jan 1836) m. Susan Jackson (b. 1777; d. 8 Aug 1860)
Biography
Birth
Date: 1775? Or 1770? Lynn West was
born about 1775, or perhaps as early as 1770, to James West and Ann Lynn West.
The primary source [1] sets the date as 1775 based on the story of Lynn coming
to Kentucky in 1784 at age nine. However, the Lexington Observer and Reporter reported in his death notice:
“Capt. Lynn West, of Georgetown [Kentucky]. One of the oldest settlers of that
place. Died Jan. 26, 1836, aged 66 years.” [2]
I chose the 1775 date based on the
migration story of Lynn West and his Uncle Edward West which has been repeated
in various independent accounts. Lynn had three sisters: Ann (Nancy), Catherine (Katy), and Jane. In legal
documents, Lynn is always listed third, and sister Jane West is mentioned last.
In a deposition of 1795, Francis Lynn, brother to Ann Lynn West says:
“He [the grandfather John Lynn] had charge of the 4
children viz Nancy West, Katy West, Lynn West & Jane West at a very early
period of their infancy; the oldest of Children not exceeding 10 years of age,
at the time of his administering on West’s Estate.” [3]
It is likely that sisters Ann and Kate
were older than him by say, four and two years. Lynn would have been perhaps
five years old when his father died - certainly if the 1755 birth date is assumed.
If the 1770 birth date is used, then Lynn West was the child that was 10 years
old, and that would not fit the fact that he came to Kentucky at the age of
nine.
Lynn West and his sisters were probably
born in Prince William County, Virginia. Perhaps the birth records of these
West children might have been recorded in Hamilton Parish or Dettingen Parish,
but neither Parish records are available at this time.
He was named after his mother’s family. James
and Ann West and their four children probably lived on land next to their
grandparents John and Isabell Lynn. [4]
His
Father and Mother Die. Sometime
before 3 July 1780, James West died.[5]
He died intestate (without a Will). Because Ann Lynn West was not
mentioned after this, she may have died at the same time, or before him. This
is not known for certain. John Lynn,
Lynn West’s grandfather, became the Administrator of James West’s estate, and
raised the four very young children along with the children of his own that
were still living at home.
He
is Bonded to a Blacksmith. Francis
Lynn’s deposition continues:
“These Girls remained with my father, until they
became women & were supported by him. The son also continued with him until
he was of age to be bonded out to Daniel Davies to learn the blacksmith
trade.”[6]
This phrase meant that Lynn was legally
bound to a Master blacksmith, usually for a period of seven years. Becoming an
apprentice was one way that boys could receive an education and prepare for
future employment. In general, apprenticeship started at age 14. But certainly
it could have started sooner. Perhaps Lynn West was only seven or eight years
old. Francis West, above, implies that the “bonding” was carried out.
Apparently, Uncle Edward West found the
arrangement unacceptable and brought his 9-year-old nephew to Kentucky in 1784.
Lynn
West Migrates West to Kentucky with Edward West. Edward West, Sr. and Lynn West came to the Woodford
County, Kentucky area (now Scott County) in 1784. This area was still part of
Virginia at that time. Earliest Kentucky histories say Edward West came from
his land in Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Virginia. [7] One of his sons,
Edward West, Jr. arrived one year later from Falmouth, Stafford County,
Virginia [8] which is about 2 miles away. Since both were listed in close
proximity in the Virginia census of 1785 [9], both probably came from Falmouth,
Virginia.
The place Edward West and nephew Lynn
settled was originally called Lebanon. It was a sparsely populated and wild land,
located on the Elkhorn River and its branches. The area had been first settled
by White people about 10 years before. [10] In 1790, after a petition by
settlers, the town was renamed George Town, and later Georgetown. Lebanon
residents that signed the petition in 1790 included Edward West, and his sons
William Mills West, Lewis West, and James West. [11] By this time, Lynn was 15.
In 1792, Kentucky became a State; in 1793 Scott County was carved from Woodford
County.
Lynn
West, Gunsmith of Georgetown. Uncle
Edward West brought his business with him:
“Firearms were a necessary household article in these
early times, and in 1784 Mr. Edward West, from Fredericksburg, Va., settled in
Georgetown [Kentucky] as a gunsmith. He erected a log house near the Spring
Branch, where he manufactured rifles chiefly, for which there was great demand.
He also invented a mold for casting or molding pewter into plates and basins,
then in great request and almost indispensable to every housekeeper.” [12]
He taught Lynn West the gunsmith trade. Later,
Lynn West later taught his son Lewis H. West (b. 1800) the trade, and the two
were renown for their skill. Here are photos
of rifles made by Lynn West and his son Lewis, on display at the 2012 Lake
Cumberland Show in Kentucky. Scroll down the page; click on the pictures to
enlarge.
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/06/kentucky-rifle-foundation-display-at.html
Lynn
West Returns to Virginia about 1795. In
1794, his grandfather John Lynn died. In litigation (chancery) in 1795, William
and Ann Davis, William and Catherine Jackson, Lynn West and Jane West brought
suit against the administrator of John Lynn’s Will, believing they were wronged
in the distribution of the estate of their father, James West. [13] The
document gives us an idea of the extent of James West’s wealth:
“. . . [We] are informed that he [James West] was
clear of debt and possessed of a personal estate of considerable value, that a
certain John Lynn obtained letters of administration on the said James West’s
estate from the County Court of Prince William . . . [and] further state that
the said John Lynn never underwent any inventory of appraisement of said
estate. And they have been advised that . . . an amount of sales of a part of
the said estate having appropriated the . . .” [illegible . . .]
The suit also demanded the whereabouts
of some of West’s personal items such as furniture, cow and calf, pewter,
clothing, and a man’s saddle, that “was by the said Lynn [West] carried home
[by John Lynn] and converted to his own use.” Francis Lynn explained that he
knew of the fate of some items, but “I do not know that any other property
belonging to the Estate of James West then that which before have mentioned
ever came into my Father’s hands.”[14]
Whatever the tone of the wording or the
resolution of the litigation, one thing is clear. Lynn West received the land
of James West. He sold it to Enock Renoe on 1 Dec 1796. Here is the complete
description [15]:
This indenture made and entered into this first day of
December in year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six Between
Lynn West of County of Scott and State of Kentucky of one part and Enock Renoe
of County of Prince William of other part; Witnesseth that Lynn West for sum of
One hundred and twenty pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by
Enock Renoe do by these presents bargain sell and confirm unto Enock Renoe his
heirs a certain tract of land lying in Prince William County which decended to
Lynn West from his Father, James West containing One hundred & two &
three quarter acres and is bounded; Begining at a white Oak on East side of
Philemons Branch, corner to William Pearson, etc. and extending thence North 68
East 84 poles to a red Oak, thence with a line which divides this land from
Isaac Farrow So. 65 E. 91 poles to a corner of said Farrow and Francis Renoe,
thence S. 18 Wt. 106 poles to Philemons Branch, thence down said Branch the
meanders thereof N. 80 W. 16 poles, S. 33 W. 3 poles, No. 53 W. 21 poles, No.
72 W. 2 poles, S. 80 W. 4 poles to the mouth of a Ditch, thence with the Ditch
N. 77 W. 30 poles, No. 74 W. 40 poles to a Sycamore and Poplar at the mouth of
an Old Mill Race, thence down said Mill Race W. 76 poles to Philemons Branch,
thence down the Branch N. 50 W. 26 poles, N. 70 W. 4 pole, N. 51 W. 4 poles to
the mouth of Spunk Branch, thence to the Begining, excepting Two and a quarter
acres sold by Lewis Renoe (when said land was in his possession) to William
Ashomre for a Mill Seat and also the Revertion thereof, and all houses profits
with the appurtenances of every kind; To have and to hold the aforesaid bargained
premises unto Enock Renoe and his heirs; and Lynn West his heirs doth warrant
and for ever defend the bargained premises unto Enock Renoe and his heirs
against all claims of any persons; In Witness whereof the said Lynn West hath
hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first written.
Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of
Thomas Chapman, Philip Dawe, Wm. Smith,
Lynn West, Bernard Gallagher, Abraham Sullivan
Dumfries December 1st 1796. Received of ENOCK RENOE
One hundred and twenty pounds current money of Virginia the consideration for
the within mentioned Deed Witness (same five as above) – Lynn West
This Deed and receipt thereon from Lynn West to Enock
Renoe were proved by the Oaths of William Smith, Abraham Sullivan & Philip
Dawe & ordered to be recorded. Teste John Williams Cl Cur.
Continuing
Life in Georgetown, Kentucky. A month
later, West married Susan Jackson, 26 January 1797, in Prince William County. [16]
She was most likely kin to William Jackson who married his sister Catherine. “Before
going to Virginia, he had erected a dwelling on the corner of Hamilton and what
is now called Bourbon street.” [17] When he returned to Georgetown he continued
his gunsmith business, and started his life with Susan. He was about 22 years
old.
Children
of Lynn and Susan West. The Wests had
nine children. [18] They were:
1.
Lewis H. West (b. 16 May 1800 in Georgetown, KY; d. 28 Jan 1895, Gatesville,
TX) m. Sarah Mahoney d. 1874. Five children.
2.
Elizabeth West, m. Mortimer Price
3.
Susan West, (b. 28 Feb 1812; d. 25 Jan
1887) m (1) Crockett; m (2) George G. Stiffee, 1842 in Georgetown
4.
Preston West (b. 1802; d. 31 Oct 1894, Charleston, IN). m (1) Elizabeth
Crawford; m (2) Elvira Crawford; m (3) Elizabeth [19]
5.
Clinton West
6.
Juliann West, m. Elgin
7.
Permelia West, m. Stevenson
8.
Emeline West, m. Osburn
9.
John West
Lynn
West, Captain 1st Regiment, War of 1812. “Already active in Scott County’s 77th
Regiment before war against Great Britain was declared, Captain West offered
his military abilities and training to the war effort and was commissioned
captain in the 1st Regiment August 7, 1812. Records indicate that
men from his company were detailed for the Raisin march but that Captain West
did not accompany them to Frenchtown. . . He resigned his commission as captain
77th Regiment, May 6, 1815.” [20]
The reference to Frenchtown and the
Raisin march is “The Battle of Frenchtown” which was fought January 18–22,
1813. The location was Frenchtown in the Michigan Territory; today it is the
city of Monroe, Michigan. There were 397 Americans killed in this battle,
hundreds were taken prisoner by the British, and dozens were killed by Indians
in a subsequent massacre. [21]
Horse
Breeder and Race Track Owner.
“Captain West was an energetic, industrious and high-toned man. He was fond of
the blooded horses, of which he raised and ran a good many.” [22] He also
established the Gano Race Track along the Elkhorn creek about one mile outside
of Georgetown. It was the first race track established in Scott County. [23]
Miscellaneous.
Scott County Court, Sep 1803. Lynn West and two other men were appointed
Commissioners in charge of repairs to the Cincinnati and Bourbon bridges in
Georgetown.
March 10, 1804. Lynn West was elected to the Board of Trustees in
Georgetown.
1810 United States Federal Census. Lynn West’s entry has 7 free white males, 3 free
white females, and 4 slaves.
Scott County Court, 1816. Lynn West and two other men are appointed to devise
an extension of Bourbon Street and Washington Street, to intersect with the
road leading to Paris, Kentucky. [24]
1820 United States Federal Census. Lynn West’s entry has 9 free white males, 6 free
white females, and 9 slaves. Three persons are “engaged in manufacturing.”
Scott County Deeds of 1829. Lynn West deeded several lots to his son Lewis H.
West to run his own business. [25]
The
Will of Lynn West. Unfortunately, the
Wills for Scott County from 1832 to 1836 were lost in a Court House fire of
1837. [26] However, much more information on Lynn West will probably be found
in thorough examinations of records of Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky.
References
1. Gano, S.F., “History of Georgetown,” in B.O. Gaines, History of Scott County, Vol. 2, 1898 and 1905. Available through
Kentucky Digital Library, http://kdl.kyvl.org/. Gaines’ publication was reprinted
several times, so page numbering varies. S.F. Gano’s account is widely copied
by other Kentucky history books. S.F. Gano was a medical doctor in Georgetown.
2. Lexington
Observer and Reporter, January 27, 1836 issue. Listed in Clift, G. Glenn, 1942: “Kentucky Marriages and Obituaries,
Volume 2.” Register of Kentucky State
Historical Society, Vol. 40, No. 130, p. 65.
3. Deposition of Francis Lynn dated from
about 13 November 1795, Fauquier County, Virginia, in response to the
litigation brought by the children of James and Ann West.
4. A document of 6 July 1779 is a land
sale between James and Ann West and Henry Peyton; this land adjoined the John
Lynne property. Mr. Peyton bought the property from James West. Prince William Deed Book U, p. 33-34.
The information is listed in Timeline.Lynn
in Prince William, Virginia which may be found at:
http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Timeline.Lynn_in_Prince_William,_Virginia
5. The first deed that mentions “James
West, dec.,” is from 3 Jul 1780. (from Timeline.Lynn
in Prince William, Virginia). Prince William County, VA Bond Book, August
1753-1782, p. 7 (abstracts compiled by June Whitehurst Johnson). The other
names mentioned are John Lynn, Admin, Wm. Gains and Wiliam Lynn. I have not been able to find the complete abstract
or the deed.
6. Deposition of Francis Lynn, 13
November 1795.
7. Baer, Mabel Van Dyke. “The Ancestry
of Edward West of Lexington, Kentucky, 1757-1827,” The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society; Vol. 58, No. 4, p.
354-363.
8. McCullough, Samuel D., 1859:
“Interesting Reminiscences of an Early Experiment in Steam Navigation.” The Scientific American, Vol. 1, No. 1,
New York, p. 4. Letter from John B. West.
9. U.S. Census Bureau, First Census of the United States; Heads
of Families – Virginia, 1783-1786. Stafford County begins on page 107 and
contains approximately 450 names; the header gives the date of 1785.
http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1790m-04.pdf
10. Gano, p. 177.
11. Apple, Lindsey; Frederick A. Johnston,
and Ann Bolton Bevins, 1993: Scott
County, Kentucky: A History. Scott County Historical Society, Georgetown,
Kentucky, p. 39.
12. Gano, p. 180.
13. Fauquier Minute Book 13-230, about
13 November 1795. Portions retrieved for me by Ron Roy, West Family researcher.
14. Deposition of Francis Lynn, 13
November 1795.
15. Prince William County Deeds
1796-1799, pp. 45-47.
16. Clift, Garrett Glenn, 1961: Remember the Raisin! Kentucky and
Kentuckians in the Battles and Massacre at Frenchtown, Michigan Territory, in
the War of 1812. Genealogical Publishing Company, p. 164.
17. Gano, p. 236.
18. Pearson, Will and Sandy, 2003: “The
West Family: Descendants of John West.” This is the first complete list I’ve
seen. http://www.users.uswest.net/~willmurray/West/johnwestgenealogy.htm
19. Mary D., 2007 to present: “Fast
Horses, Buns, and Bourbon,” Mary’s
Genealogy Blog: Family History Stories and Personal Reflections. 1 Sep
2008. Mary is a descendant of Preston West. She has done a great job searching
for information on Preston; adding new material to the data in 2013. http://marysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html
20. Clift, p. 164.
21. Wikipedia, Battle of Frenchtown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Frenchtown
22. Gano, p. 236.
23. Gaines, B.O., 1898: History of Scott County, Vol. 2, p. 107.
Available through Kentucky Digital Library, http://kdl.kyvl.org/
24. All three are brief news reports in
Gains, above.
25. Pearson, Will and Sandy, 2003: “The
West Family: The West Family of Kentucky.” http://www.users.uswest.net/~willmurray/West/westfamilyofkentucky.htm
26. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyscott/Wills.htm
