Four Sons of Thomas and Phebe West

Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts:

Four Sons of Thomas and Phebe West

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, April 2014. Revised, June 2014. Disclaimers apply. Note: The use of double dating, such as 1630/1631, reflects the difference between the Julian and Gregorian Calendars.

Background: Judah West (b. 11 Sep 1765; d. 9 Apr 1825) was added to West DNA Family Group #5 in 2007. [1] He is a descendant of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631; d. 23 Dec 1720). This is the sixth in a series of articles about this line of the FG#5 West families.

Currently (April 2014) Henry West (1629-1703) and his brother Thomas West (1630/1631-1720) are the earliest documented members of Family Group #5.

Four Sons, Many Descendants

This article is about the four sons of Thomas West and his first wife Phebe Waters West—Samuel West, Joseph West, Benjamin West, and John West. There are many descendants today from these brothers.

A more complete lineage, with additional branches of this family tree, will be posted on the West Family DNA Project—Group #5 site in the future.

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(1) Samuel West (1659/1660-1685)

Summary: Samuel West lived in Salem and Bradford, Essex County, MA. He had a short and difficult life. He died at about age 25. He married Rhoda Meacham. A son, Samuel Jr., was born after his death.

Early Years of Samuel West

Samuel West was born 23 Mar 1659/1660 in Salem. [2] He was baptized on 25:1:1665 (March, Julian calendar) at First Church, Salem. [3] He was baptized with his brothers Benjamin and Joseph, and his cousin Elizabeth (daughter of Uncle Henry West and Aunt Elizabeth West). When he was 15 years old, his mother died and his father remarried. The West family moved to Bradford in 1678. [4]

Samuel West’s Head Injury

In 1679, his father brought a case to the Essex County Court: [5]

Thomas West, in behalf of his son, Samuell West v. Anthony Wood. For striking up the heels and violently striking said Samuel down. Verdict for plaintiff.

Today “kicking up our heels” means having fun. In the 1600s, it meant “to be killed.” [6] A footnote to the case reads:

John Bennet, aged about 35 yrs, deposed that a little while after his apprentice, Samuel West, came to live with him he complained of a pain in his head and said it came from a blow he received about a year before. “In the time of the war Thomas West was at my house and desired me that I would let Samuell West his sonne to keep a little out of the way in the time of the press but said if he should be prest I do not fear but that I shall get him freed because he had hurt himselfe by a fall.” Sworn in court.

In the deposition, Thomas West told Bennet to make allowances if there was a “press” on Samuel at “the time of the war.” A press was a military draft. The war was probably King Philip’s War—also called the First Indian War, 1675-1678. [7]

The Last Years of Samuel West’s Life

Samuel West became a member of First Congregational, Bradford on 6:8:1683 (October, Julian calendar). [8] His name is mentioned in a deposition at the Essex County court on 29 Jun 1685. [9]

He may have died in the summer of 1685. An estate inventory for “Samuell Westt” was taken on 14 Aug 1685, and presented in Essex County court. The inventory listed:  “cloath left at James Holtons, 10s; 2 old Coates, an old pr. of Breeches & an old Shirt & Hatt, 10s; an old pr. Of shoos, 1s; total £1, 1s.” [10, 11]

This was a very poor man. It is not clear if this was the son of Thomas West. However, West researchers often use this date because of the guardian record (below). Samuel West married Rhoda Meacham before his death, and she was pregnant when he died. [12] Rhoda named their baby Samuel West, Jr.

Samuel West, Jr.

We do not know the exact date of Samuel, Jr.’s birth, but we can use available information for an estimate. He was baptized on 21 Jun 1691 at First Congregational, Bradford. [13] Rhoda Meacham West died before Apr 1694. Jeremiah Meacham’s Will of Apr 1694 stated: “Item 4. My daughter Rhoda being deceased my will and desire is. . . her Son Samuel West Shall have . . . five pounds.” [14]

On 23 Mar 1695/1696, official guardianship of Samuel, Jr. was granted to Thomas West. Here is an abstract:

“An Essex Co. Mass., probate file #29372-“We Thomas West of Bradford, (Meaning-we, Thos. & Henry.) as principle, being appointed & allowed Guardian unto Samuel West Son of Samll West decd & Rhoda his wife also decd being a minor ten yrs & upward & Henry West of Salem as surety,” were bonded 23 Mar. 1695/6, for Thomas’ guardianship of his grandson Samuel.” [15]

According to this document, Samuel, Jr. would have been born in 1685/1686 if he was 10 years old. If he was more than 10 years old, his birth year would be earlier than 1685/1686. Thus, the Samuel West who died in the summer of 1685 (in the inventory of Aug 1685) was possibly his father.  In 9 Nov 1722, Samuel West, Jr. received a portion of his estate from his grandmother Mary Tenney West. [16]

Samuel West, Jr. Married Dorothy Eggleston

Samuel West, Jr. married Dorothy Eggleston on 24 February 1708. The couple settled in Windsor, CT. Many West descendants came from this union. [17] Their children were [18]:

1. Joseph West (b. 2 Mar 1711)

2. Samuel West (b. 28 Oct 1714)

3. William West (b. 27 Mar 1717)

4. Thomas West (b. 21 Jul 1719)

5. Asa West (b. 19 Nov 1721)

6. Dorothy West (b. 19 Aug 1723)

7. child (b. and d. 26 Feb 1726)

8. Hannah West (b. 13 Aug 1727)

9. Elizabeth West (b. 7 Jun 1730)

10. Benjamin West (b. 1 Aug 1733)

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(2) Joseph West (1663-1739)

Summary: Joseph West lived in Salem, Bradford, and Andover, Essex County, MA, and also Enfield, Hartford County, CT. He and his brother, Benjamin, obtained land in Connecticut about the same time. Joseph West spent his later years in Bradford and Andover with his wife Bethia.

Early Years of Joseph West

Joseph West was born 3:7m:1663 in Salem (September, Julian calendar). [17] He was baptized on 25:1:1665 at First Church, Salem. [18] He was baptized with his brothers Samuel and Benjamin, and his cousin Elizabeth (daughter of Uncle Henry West and Aunt Elizabeth West).

When he was about 11 years old, his mother died and his father remarried. When he was 15, he moved with his family from Salem to Bradford. By age 20, he was living on his own in Enfield.

Joseph West’s Land in Enfield, Connecticut

In 1679, the selectmen of the town of Springfield, Hampden County, MA created a plantation (land for farming) south of their boundaries at Freshwater Brook. The first settlers from outside of Springfield were from Salem—some called it “Salem Colony.” [19] A surveying error placed the settlement of Enfield in Massachusetts Colony instead of Connecticut Colony. This was officially corrected in 1749. [20] Today Enfield is part of Hartford County, CT.

On 18 Jul 1683, the Committee for Enfield granted to “Joseph West a homelot of 12 acres, of field land 26 acres, and meadow four acres” provided that he “settle at Enfield by micalstide [autumn] come two years or else such grant to be void.” [21] West’s homelot is shown on a hand-drawn map prepared by the Enfield Historical Society: Town Plat of Enfield, Conn. and its Extension Through the North and South Fields, 1680-1700. [22]

Benjamin West, Joseph’s brother, was granted 35 acres forfeited by Nathaniel Mun of Springfield. [23] Their brother-in-law from Salem, Isaac Meacham, also settled in Enfield about the same time. Isaac’s sister Rhoda Meacham had married Samuel West (another West brother). [24]

Joseph West’s land was in Northfield First Division. Benjamin’s land was in Southfield Fourth Division. Isaac Meacham’s land was on the east side. [25]

On 7 Jan 1691, the Enfield selectmen listed 26 men (mostly first settlers) who had not taken part in clearing bushes in August. The men were told to do the job by the following June or pay a fine. Joseph and Benjamin West were mentioned in this list of men. [26]

In 1693, Joseph West exchanged homelots with Zechariah Booth. [27]

On 13 Nov 1695, Joseph West transferred his land to Benjamin. “Joseph West of Bradford in Essex to his brother Benjamin West living in Enfield, all lands and rights in Enfield.” [28]

Joseph West Marries Bethia Marston

On 22 December 1703, Joseph married Bethia Marston of Andover. [29] They had no children.

I located three records for Joseph West in Bradford Town Records [30]. In each he was chosen as a tithingman—20 Mar 1710/1711; 13 Mar 1715; and 12 Mar 1716. A tithingman maintained order during church services, enforced the Sabbath laws, and monitored disorderly conduct.

When Thomas West died in 1720, Joseph was listed in the estate document with other surviving adult children. [31]

It is likely that Joseph and Bethia lived in Bradford until 1727. At that time they transferred their church membership to First Church, Andover. [32] Joseph West died 26 Nov 1739 and Bethia West died 8 Feb 1739/1740. [33] Joseph West’s Will was settled on 11 Dec 1739—the estate executor was David Foster of Andover. [34, 35]

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(3) Benjamin West (1665-1733)

Summary: Benjamin West was the great-grandfather of Judah West and Aaron West. He lived in Salem and Bradford, Essex County, MA; Enfield, Hartford County, CT; and, Middletown, Middlesex County, CT.

He was born 1 Oct 1665 in Salem. [36] Benjamin married Hannah Shadduck (or Shaddock) on 14 Mar 1692. [37] I found five children listed in various Connecticut records—Hannah West, Phebe West, Benjamin West (Jr.), Mary West, and Abigail West.

Benjamin West was mentioned in his Uncle Henry West’s Will of 1703. More about Benjamin West and his descendants will be provided in a future blog entry.

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(4) John West (1667-1739/1740)

Summary: When he was very young, John West moved with his family from Salem to Bradford, Essex County, MA. He stayed there the rest of his life. John West married Mary Webster of Bradford. He was a planter (farmer). John and Mary had 10 children.

Early Years of John West

John West was born 9:7m:1667 (September, Julian calendar) in Salem. [38] He was baptized on 20:1:1668 at First Church, Salem. [39]

This John West was one of three “John Wests” in Essex County during the 1600s. The other two were John West, b. ca 1615 and John West, b. 1661, son of Twiford West. John West (b. 1667) is sometimes mixed up with Twiford’s son because of their close age. At the writing of this article (April 2014), only John (b. 1667) is part of West DNA Family Group #5. It is very likely that these two John Wests knew each other. They lived in the same county, and both West families married into the Tenney family. [40]  

John West’s Land in Essex County

Thomas West co-signed on a purchase of land with his son, John, in Apr 1695. [41]

Thomas West of Bradford, husbandman, having purchased of Abiel Mower of Haverhill, 12 A. there, 15 Apr., 1695, acknowledges son John West as a joint purchaser with him, 16 April, 1695. Wit. By Benj. Rosse, Robert Clements. Vol. XI, folio 16.

John West Marries Mary Webster

John married Mary Webster the next year, 25 Mar 1696, in Salem. [42] They had ten children. All of the children are listed in Vital Records of Bradford. [43]

            1. Mary West (12 Jan 1696/1697)

                        m. 24 Jun 1724 Samuel Heath

                2. Hannah West (b. 6 Jul 1699; d. 26 Jul 1699)

                3. Sarah West (b. 28 Jun 1700)

                4. Abigail West (b. 18 Feb 1702/1703)

                        (intention) 26 Aug 1736 Thomas Coverly

                5. Rebeckah or Rebecca West (b. 20 Jun 1706)

                        m. 22 Aug 1728 Joseph Gray

                6. Bethiah West (b. 19 Apr 1709)

                        m. 11 Sep 1735 Enoch Poor

                7. John West, Jr. (b. 6 Dec 1711)

                8. Isaac West (b. 31 Jan 1714/1715)

                        m. 29 Nov 1739 Phebe Swan; 3 sons, 6 daughters

                9. Thomas West (b. 10 Aug 1717; d. 28 Oct 1782)

                10. Joanna West (b. possibly 1721)

Mary joined First Congregational, Bradford on 21:6:1698. John joined the church on 24:5:1701. This merited a special note in the church records: “John West, that hath waited from the 31 of 3d ’97 to this day, 4 years.” [44]

I located three records for John West in Bradford Town Records: [45]

10 Mar 1695/1696: John West was chosen as one of several “serveyors of Hige ways and to view fenses.”

13 Mar 1715: John West was chosen as one of “survayors of high ways & fences for the West End.”

3 Mar 1719: John West was chosen as a “thitheing man.”

When Thomas West died in 1720, John was listed in the estate document with other surviving adult children. [46]

John and Mary lived out their years in Bradford. John West died possibly 1739/1740. His Will was dated 12 Apr 1739 and mentions children John, Isaac, Thomas, and daughters Mary Heath, Rebecca Gray, Sarah West, Bethia Poor, and son-in-law Thomas Coverly. [47, 48] An estate inventory was completed on 5 Feb 1740. [49] This is Essex County Probate File #29352, dated 20 Apr 1741 in Bradford. [50]

Next: West Connections to the Salem Witch Trials

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References and Additional Notes

1. West Family Group #5 results are at http://web.utk.edu/~corn/westdna/west5.htm#FG5.

Samuel West

2. Essex Institute, 1916: Vital Records of the Town of Salem, Volume I—Births, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 413. His name is spelled “Samuell” in the record.

3. Essex Institute, 1974: The Records of the First Church in Salem, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 27.

4. Harry Irwin West, Jr., 1997: Descendants of Henry West (1629-1703) of Salem, Massachusetts with Some Collateral Lines of Interest, Anundsen Publishing Co., Decorah, Iowa, p. 4A. West sourced this as Essex Institute Historical Collections, Volume 16, p. 78, which I could not find.

5. George Francis Dow, editor, 1921: Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volume 8, Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 6. Also referenced as “EIQC,” with volume number, and page number—EIQC:8:6. Presented at the Ipswich Quarterly Court on September of 1680.

6. Christine Ammer, 2013: The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Second Edition, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, p. 252. “This expression originated about 1600 with a totally different meaning, “to be killed.” The modern sense, alluding to a prancing horse or exuberant dancer, dates from about 1900.”

7. “King Philip’s War.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Philip’s_War

8. J. D. Kingsbury, 1883: A Pictorial History of Bradford, Massachusetts; from the Earliest Period to the Close of 1882, C.C. Morse and Sons, Haverhill, Massachusetts, p. 36.

9. EIQC:9:483.

10. EIQC:9:560. Reviewed by the court, Nov 1685.

11. Essex Probate # 29371, 24 Nov 1685. M.L. Sanborn, compiler, 1987: Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840, Salem, Massachusetts. On-line index at ancestry.com.

12. Sidney Perley, 1926: The History of Salem Massachusetts, 1638-1670, Volume II, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 304.

13. Topsfield Historical Society, 1907: Vital Records of Bradford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Topsfield, Massachusetts, p.166. “Samuel, s. Samuel, deceased, bp 21:4m:1691, C.R.I.” The notation “C.R.I.” refers to “Church Record of Bradford, First Congregational.”

14. Will of Jeremiah Meacham, 1694.  http://judyharper.info/Geneology.htm.

15. Beatrice West Seitz, 1971: West, Barker, Hodges: New York to Wisconsin, 1836-1846. Janesville, Wisconsin, 202 pages.

16. A.H.D., 1906: “Answers, Genealogical Department,” Boston Evening Transcript, June 20, 1906, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 21.

17. The genealogy written by Beatrice Seitz (Reference 15, above) follows many of these descendants.

18. Henry R. Stiles, 1892: The Histories and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut; East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891.  Volume II. “Genealogies and Biographies,” Hartford, Connecticut, p. 789.

Joseph West

17. Vital Records of Salem, p. 411.

18. Records of First Church, Salem, p. 27.

19. David Pease, 1869: A Genealogical and Historical Record of the Descendants of John Pease, Senior, Late of Enfield, Connecticut, Samuel Bowles and Company, Springfield, Massachusetts, p. 397.

20. Ruth Bridge, editor, 1977: The Challenge of Change; Three Centuries of Enfield, Connecticut History, Enfield Historical Society, Phoenix Publishing, Canaan, New Hampshire, p. 18.

21. Cleveland Abbe and Josephine Genung Nichols, 1916: Abbe-Abbey Genealogy, in Memory of John Abbe and his Descendants, Tuttle, Morehouse, and Taylor Company, New Haven, Connecticut, p. 14.

22. Bridge, p. 14-15.

23. Francis Olcott Allen, editor, 1900: The History of Enfield, Connecticut, Volumes 1- 3, Wickersham Printing Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In Volume 1: “Committee Book; An Introduction to the Records of the Town of Enfield, A.D. 1683.”

24. Sidney Perley, 1926: The History of Salem Massachusetts, 1638-1670, Volume II, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 391.

25. History of Enfield, Connecticut, Volume 3. Various pages in “Deeds—Enfield,” p. 1905-2142.

26. Abbe and Nichols, p. 15.

27. History of Enfield, Connecticut, Volume 3, “Deeds—Enfield,” p. 1937.

28. Ibid, p. 2139.

29. Topsfield Historical Society, 1912: Vital Records of the Town of Andover, Volume 2—Marriages and Deaths, Topsfield, Massachusetts, p. 567.

30. John E. Hardy and Melinde Lutz Byrne, transcribers, unknown date: Bradford Town Records, 1668-1743, p. 5, 37-38, 63, 66. Original documents and transcriptions at: http://www.bradfordburialground.com/town-records-1668-1743.htm

31. A.H.D., 1906: “Answers, Genealogical Department,” Boston Evening Transcript, June 20, 1906, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 21.

32. Essex Institute, 1922: “Andover Church Records—Admissions to the First Church (South Parish),” Essex Institute Historical Collections, Vol. 58, p. 255.

33. Vital Records of the Town of Andover, p. 567.

34. Essex Probate #29356, 11 Dec 1739. M.L. Sanborn, compiler, 1987: Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840, Salem, Massachusetts. On-line index at ancestry.com.

35. G.H.S., 1905: “Answers, Genealogical Department,” Boston Evening Transcript, October 11, 1905, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 25. G.H.S. writes: “The Wests connect in some land swaps with William Foster of Boxford and John Jackson. Notes not at hand in order to refer to. Joseph West died Nov. 26, 1739, estate settled by David Foster, executor; wife Bethiah died Feb. 8, 1740.”

Benjamin West

36. Vital Records of Salem, p. 410.

37. History of Enfield, Connecticut, Volume 2, “Enfield Town Records, Marriages,” p. 1756.

John West     

38. Vital Records of Salem, p. 411.

39. Records of First Church, Salem, p. 28.

40. M.J. Tenney, 1904: The Tenney Family of the Descendants of Thomas Tenney, of Rowley, Massachusetts, 1638-1904, Revised, The Rumford Press, Concord, New Hampshire, p. 337-338. John West (son of Twiford) married Sarah Tenney, a sister to Mary Tenney West (John’s step-mother).

41. Eben Putnam, 1895: “Pedigrees from Deeds Recorded in Essex County, Massachusetts,” Putnam’s Monthly Historical Magazine, Volume III, January-December 1895, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 110.

42. Essex Institute, 1918: Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849, Volume IV—Marriages, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 454. The record says, “John, and Mary Webster, both of Bradford, Mar. 25, 1696.”

43. Vital Records of Bradford, p.166.

44. J. D. Kingsbury, p. 37.

45. Bradford Town Records, 1668-1743, p. 32, 66, 71.

46. A.H.D. (1906), p. 21.

47. A.H.D. (1906), p. 21.

48. Boston Registry Department, 1898: Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Rockwell and Churchill. Joseph Gray m Rebecca West in 1728, p. 143. Thomas Coverly gave his intention to marry Abigail West in 1739, p. 225.

49. A.H.D., 1905: “Answers, Genealogical Department,” Boston Evening Transcript, November 6, 1905, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 12.

50. Essex Probate # 29352, 20 Apr 1741 (in Sanborn, 1987). A.H.D. (1906) p. 12, refers to the Will as Salem Probate 324-554, 6.

More about Thomas West (1630/1631-1720) of Salem and Bradford

Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts:

More about Thomas West (1630/1631-1720) of Salem and Bradford

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, 2014. Disclaimers apply.

Background: Judah West (b. 11 Sep 1765; d. 9 Apr 1825) was added to West DNA Family Group #5 in 2007.[1] He is a descendant of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631; d. 23 Dec 1720). Thomas West had a brother, Henry West (b. 1629; d. Sep 1703). Therefore, Henry West is also part of FG#5. This is the fifth in a series of articles about this line of the FG#5 West families.

Currently (April 2014) Henry West (b. 1629) is the earliest documented member of Family Group #5. His brother, Thomas West (b. 1630/1631) is discussed in this article.

Finding Thomas West

For more than 100 years, descendants of Revolutionary War brothers Judah West (1765-1825) and Aaron West (1763-1840) have attempted to take their line farther back in time. Family lore mentioned a Benjamin West of Connecticut as a key to solving the puzzle.

By the 1970s, a few researchers made a leap and said the ancestors were Thomas West and Phebe Waters of Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts. It was an intuitive leap. The available data implied a connection, but original data were difficult to find.

In 2013, when I began research on Thomas West, many of the documents were on-line. However, at least three separate “Thomas Wests” appeared within Essex County, MA, records of the 1600s. [2] There were very few clear identifiers for these men.

After four months of endless searching and sorting, I gave myself a deadline. If I did not find the verifiable proof I needed by the end of the year, I was done. Period.

I reviewed everything I had one more time. This caught my eye: I had never read Henry West’s Will (1703) all the way through.

Item, I give to my brother Thomas Westt if he survives me ye Three pounds Ten shillings which is due to me by obligation from his son Benjamin who lives at the Southward. [3]

This established that Henry had a brother whose name was Thomas, and Thomas had a son, Benjamin. It narrowed the search between two of the Thomas Wests living at the time. Only one Thomas had a son named Benjamin. This son was living exactly where he should be in 1703—Connecticut.

I discovered this on New Year’s Eve, 31 Dec 2013, at 11 p.m.

A Timeline for Thomas West

Note: Dates are presented exactly as found in original records. The odd formats and double dating reflect the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

1630/1631. We use 1630/1631 as the birth year for Thomas West. This is calculated from the date on his tombstone—23 December 1720. See “References and Additional Notes” for an explanation. [4]

1631-1657. Thomas West’s earliest years are a mystery. There is no documentation that the Thomas West (b. ca 1600) living in Essex County, MA, was the father of brothers Thomas and Henry. [5] We do not know if the brothers were born in England, in America, or if they lived elsewhere in Massachusetts before Salem.

11:8:1658. Thomas West married (1) Phebe Waters in Salem (October, Julian calendar). [6] This is the earliest record of Thomas West in Essex County, MA. Phebe Waters was the daughter of Richard Waters and Joyce (also known as Rejoice) Plasse. [7] She was born in perhaps the late 1630s to the early 1640s. [8]

       

Children of Phebe and Thomas West were:

1. Samuel West (b. 23 Mar 1659/1660; bapt. 25:1:1665; d. perhaps summer 1685)

        m. about 1683/1684 Rhoda Meacham

2. Joseph West (b. 3 Sep 1663; bapt. 25:1:1665; d. 26 Nov 1739)

        m. 22 Dec 1703 Bethia Marston

3. Benjamin West (b. 1 Oct 1665; bapt. 25:1:1665; d. 11 Dec 1733)

        m. 14 Mar 1693 Hannah Shaddock (in Connecticut)

4. John West (b. 9:7:1667; bapt. 20:1:1668; d. probably 1739)

        m. 25 Mar 1696 Mary Webster

All of these sons were born in Salem, Essex County, MA and baptized at First Church, Salem. More information about these sons will be presented in the blog entry “Four Sons of Thomas West,” soon to be published before the end of April.

10 Mar 1658/1659. Thomas West bought a house and one acre of land from Thomas Hale in Salem. In the deed, Thomas West is called a planter. [9] This is the earliest record for Thomas West found in the Essex Deeds books.

23:12:1662. Thomas West bought 10 acres in the “north neck” of Salem. In 1675, he sold this land to Lieutenant Joseph Gardner. [10]

14 Mar 1663/1664. “Granted to Tho: West 20 akers of lande of the lands neare the 7 mens bounds of that lande we were allowed by the towne to dispose of if he can finde any there convenient for him that is not disposed of to any other.” [11] The “seven men’s bounds” refer to boundaries set by the original founders of Salem in about 1639. [12] The current Salem selectmen were re-granting land that was probably not being used. Thomas West did not have to buy this land, but he was able to sell it later.

4: 1:1665. March, Julian calendar. Thomas West and brother Henry and his wife Elizabeth West joined First Church, Salem. [13]

25:1:1665. March, Julian calendar. Thomas West’s sons Samuel, Joseph, and Benjamin were baptized together, along with Elizabeth West (daughter of Henry and Elizabeth West). [14]

29 April 1665. Thomas West bought three-fourths of an acre “situated in the glass house field.” [15]

14:6:1665. August, Julian calendar. This is the first mention that I found in the Essex County court records. Thomas West witnessed another man stealing thatch. [16]

29 Apr 1668. Freeman status was granted to Thomas West (age 37) and Henry West (age 39). [17] Freeman status meant they were given privileges such as the right to vote and serve on juries. Thomas West served in court various times, including on grand juries. He signed his name to depositions. In his later years, he signed his mark.

Oct 1668. The General Court (in Boston) declared increased taxes upon imports, exports, cattle, and grain. [18] There were individual town responses from Salem, Marblehead, Springfield, Northhampton, and Hadleigh (Hadley) signed by more than 500 men. Their petitions stated that merchants were unfairly targeted. Thomas West and his brother Henry West signed the petition for Salem.

1670. Thomas West and eight other men were given permission to cut down some trees. West was allowed 6 trees. [19] The trees were mostly used for buildings or fencing.

16:2:1674. Phebe Waters West died in Salem (April, Julian calendar). [20]

14:8m:1674. Thomas West married (2) Mary Tenney in Salem (October, Julian calendar). [21] Mary Tenney (b. 24:7:1646) [22] was the daughter of William and Katherine Tenney. She died on 12 May 1731. [23]

               

Children of Mary and Thomas West were [24]:

            1. Mary West (b. 31:11:1675; bapt. 12 Mar 1676 at First Church, Salem)

            2. Elizabeth West (bapt. 1 Jul 1677 at First Church, Salem; d. possibly 1738)

                m. (possibly) 4 Dec 1721 Anthony Colby (his second wife)

            3. Phebe West (b. 30 Sep 1679 in Bradford, Essex County, MA)

                m. 30 Dec 1718 Zechariah Eastman (his second wife)

            4. Ebenezer West (b. 24 Nov 1681 in Bradford; d. 1 Apr 1683 in Bradford)

            5. Deliverance West (b. 26 Feb 1684 in Bradford)

            6. Sarah West (b. 10 Mar 1686/1687 in Bradford)

            7. William West (b. 16 Sep 1689 in Bradford; d. 8 May 1712)

31 Jan 1677. “In consideration of the marriage of his daughter, Mary Tenney, with Thomas West of Salem, Mass., to said West, William Tenney gives deed of sixty-seven acres of land in Rowley Village, now Boxford, Mass. Dated 31 Jan., 1677. Ipswich Deeds, Volume 4:267.” [25]

11:4:1677. Tithingman status was given to Thomas West and his brother Henry West. [26] A tithingman maintained order during church services, enforced the Sabbath laws, and monitored disorderly conduct.

9 Mar 1678. Thomas and Mary Tenney West moved to Bradford, Essex County, MA. [27] Thomas West is listed as a “First Settler” of Bradford. [28]

11 Mar 1678. Thomas West trades his remaining Salem properties for 28 acres of Bradford, MA, land. “On 11 Mar 1678, Thomas West (husbandman) of Salem granted to Thomas Tyler (seaman) of Boston. . . for 5 pounds money, 10 pounds in wheat, rye & Indian corn & 28 acres of land at Bradford near Merrimac river (as appears by an instrument of sale of this date given by said Tyler), 2 parcels of land in Salem, his 1 and one-fourth acre homestead with his dwelling house bounded W by the glass house field so called . . Essex County Deeds, 4:621.” [29]

1680. Thomas West appeared in Essex County court. “Thomas West, in behalf of his son, Samuell West v. Anthony Wood. For striking up the heels and violently striking said Samuel down. Verdict for the plaintiff.” [30]

1682. Thomas West was compensated for sheltering an apprentice who was being abused by his master and had escaped. Charges were filed against the apprentice and the master. [31]

Apr 1682. Thomas West was one of the eighteen founding members of First Church, Bradford. Mary (Tenney) West and the other women signed separately. [32] Thomas and Mary were members of the Haverhill church before this.

1683. Thomas West and son (probably Samuel or John) witnessed a theft of a steel trap in Bradford. [33]

Aug 1685. There is an estate inventory for “Samuell West.” It is unclear from the court record if this is the son of Thomas West or someone else. However, West family researchers have used this as the date of his son’s death because of the guardianship record (below). [34]

25 Oct 1691. Katherine Tenney (Mary Tenney West’s mother) “as executrix of her husband’s will, to her son-in-law, Thomas West of Bradford, for her support, transfers five acres in Rowley.” [35]

23 Mar 1695/1696 Guardianship of Grandson Samuel. Beatrice West Seitz (1912-1997) was a genealogist for the descendants of the Samuel West line (son of Thomas). She wrote [36]:

“An Essex Co. Mass., probate file #29372-“We Thomas West of Bradford, (Meaning-we, Thos. & Henry.) as principle, being appointed & allowed Guardian unto Samuel West Son of Samll West decd & Rhoda his wife also decd being a minor ten yrs & upward & Henry West of Salem as surety,” were bonded 23 Mar. 1695/6, for Thomas’ guardianship of his grandson Samuel.”

Apr 1695. Thomas West buys 12 acres in Haverhill, Essex County, MA, co-signing with his son John. [37] John West married Mary Webster the next year.

23 Dec 1720. Thomas West died intestate in 1720. His estate was settled in Jun 1721. [38, 39] Samuel West, Jr. received his portion of the estate on November, 1722. [40]

Next: Four Sons of Thomas and Phebe West

References and Additional Notes

1.    West Family Group #5 results at http://web.utk.edu/~corn/westdna/west5.htm#FG5

2.    The three Thomas Wests in Essex County, MA, were: (1) Thomas West, b. circa 1600; (2) Thomas West, b. 1630/1631; and, (3) Thomas West, b. about 1640, son of John West. At his time (April 2014), only Thomas West (b. 1630/1631) is known to be part of West DNA Family Group #5.

3.    Harry Irwin West, Jr., 1997: Descendants of Henry West (1629-1703) of Salem, Massachusetts with Some Collateral Lines of Interest, Anundsen Publishing Co., Decorah, Iowa, p.17.

4.    Thomas West died in 1720. His tombstone at Bradford Burial Ground, Bradford, Massachusetts reads: “Here lyes buried the body of Mr. Thomas West who died December ye 23 1720 & in the 90^th Year of his age.” This means he was 89 years old, which is his 90^th year since birth. A photograph of Thomas West’s tombstone is at: http://bradfordburialground.com/thomas_west_site_584.htm.

        Thomas West’s birth month is later than December. His birth month could be in January or February 1630 (Julian), March through November 1631 (Julian), or January through November 1631 (Gregorian).

5.    Two publications contributed to the error that Thomas West (b. ca 1600) was the father of Henry and Thomas West.

                (1) Charles Henry Pope, 1900: The Pioneers of Massachusetts; A Descriptive List, Drawn from Records of the Colonies, Towns and Churches, and other Contemporaneous Documents. Charles H. Pope, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 487. He stated that “Henry and Thomas seem to be his sons.”   

                (2) William Cutter, 1908: Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, Volume I, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, p. 559. He stated that Thomas West (b. ca 1600) was the father of Henry and Thomas West.

                As of April 2014, I have found no wife or children recorded for this Thomas West in any of the official town, county, or State records. Pope’s and Cutter’s statements about this Thomas West (b. ca. 1600s) cannot be verified or documented.

6.    Essex Institute, 1924: Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849; Volume IV—Marriages, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 455.

7.    The Waters Family has been extensively studied. For basic information see:

                (1) Henry F. Waters, 1891: Genealogical Gleanings in England, New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Volume 2, p. 1341-1343.

                (2) Sidney Perley, 1924: History of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume I, 1626-1637, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 382-384.

8.    Phebe Waters’ birth date has not been established by researchers. It is highly likely that she was baptized into First Church, Salem, as her mother became a member on 23:3:1641. Reference: Essex Institute, 1974: The Records of the First Church in Salem, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 11.

9.    Essex Deeds Book 1, Leaf 61 (10:Mar:1658/1659). This is cited in Sidney Perley, 1904: “Thomas Flint House,” The Essex Antiquarian, Volume 8, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 31. By 1700, the property was owned by Thomas Flint.

10. West, p. 10, cites Essex Deeds, Book 2, Leaf 195. John Norton, carpenter, sold 10 acres to Thomas West, planter. The property was sold on 22 July 1675 to Joseph Gardner (Essex Deeds, Book 4, Leaf 120). This information is cited in Frank A. Gardner, 1902: “Thomas Gardner, Planter, and Some of His Descendants,” The Essex Institute Historical Collections, Vol. 38, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 74.

11.  Essex Institute, 1913: Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume II, 1659-1680, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 44.

12. Essex Institute, 1869: Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Volume 1, No. 7 and 8, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 101.

13. The Records of the First Church in Salem, p. 108. “Edmond Gale, Henry West, and Elizabeth West his wife and Thomas West being non-members having stood propounded a moneth, and no exception against them, they made their confession, and were on the Lords Day following received unto membership.”

14. The Records of the First Church in Salem, page 27.

15. West, p. 11. He cites Essex Deeds, Book 2, Leaf 314. This field was the location of glass slag. As early as 1638 this was used to make windows and bottles in a glass works business.

16. George Francis Dow, editor, 1913: Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volume 3, Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 276. Also referenced as “EIQC,” with volume number, and page number—EIQC: 3:276.

17. EIQC:4:38.

18. Wm. B. Trask, compiler, 1855: “Petitions Against Imposts, 1668,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register and Antiquarian Journal, Volume IX, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 81-91.

19. Essex Institute, 1913: Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume II, 1659-1680, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 118.

20. Essex Institute, 1925: Vital Records of Salem to the End of the Year 1849, Volume VI--Deaths, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 323.

21. Essex Institute, 1924: Vital Records of Salem to the End of the Year 1849, Volume IV—Marriages, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 455.

22. Essex Institute, 1928: Vital Records of Rowley, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 214.

23. Douglas Richardson, 1997: “The Tenney Family of Lincolnshire and Rowley, Massachusetts,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July 1997, p. 340.

24. Two sources:

                (1) Records of First Church of Salem, page 31.

                (2) Topsfield Historical Society, 1907: Vital Records of Bradford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Topsfield, Massachusetts, p. 166.

        Children Mary and Elizabeth West were baptized at First Church, Salem. The other children were born in Bradford.

25. M.J. Tenney, 1904: The Tenney Family of the Descendants of Thomas Tenney, of Rowley, Massachusetts, 1638-1904, Revised, The Rumford Press, Concord, New Hampshire, p. 337-338. Mary Tenney’s sister, Sarah, married John West. He was the son of Twiford West who is not known to be DNA-related to FG#5 (as of April 2014). John and Sarah Tenney West also received land.

26. EIQC:6:290. Also, Town Records of Salem, Vol. II, p. 240.

27. West, p. 4A, referenced Essex Institute Historical Collections:16:78, which I could not find.

28. Gardner B. Perry, A.M., 1821: Discourse, Delivered in the East Parish of Bradford, December 22, 1820; Two Hundred Years after the First Settlement in New-England; Containing a History of the Town, Burrill and Hersey, Haverhill, Massachusetts, p. 68. Next to the Phillips Patent and the Haseltine Patent, “followed the lot(s) of Thomas West, whose house stood near where Abijah Gage now lives. . .”

29. Essex Society of Genealogists, 2003: Essex County Deeds, 1639-1678—Abstracts of Volumes 1-4, Heritage Books, Essex County, Massachusetts, p. 338.

30. EIQC:8:6.

31. EIQC:8:301.

32. J. D. Kingsbury, 1883: A Pictorial History of Bradford, Massachusetts; from the Earliest Period to the Close of 1882, C.C. Morse and Sons, Haverhill, Massachusetts, p. 35.

33. EIQC:9:38.

34. EIQC:9:560.

35. Tenney, p. 627.

36. Beatrice West Seitz, 1971: West, Barker, Hodges: New York to Wisconsin, 1836-1846. Janesville, Wisconsin, 202 pages.

37. Eben Putnam, 1895: “Pedigrees from Deeds Recorded in Essex County, Massachusetts,” Putnam’s Monthly Historical Magazine, Volume III, January-December 1895, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 110.

38. Essex Probate # 29383, 05 Jun 1721. M.L. Sanborn, compiler, 1987: Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840, Salem, Massachusetts. On-line index at ancestry.com.

39. (Initials C.H.A.), 1906: “Answers, Genealogical Department,” Boston Evening Transcript, June 20, 1906, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 21. This was a newspaper section devoted to genealogy inquiries. C.H.A. stated that “The children who signed the paper were Joseph West, Hannah Eastman, Phebe Eastman, John West, Mary West, Anthony West, Elizabeth West, Richard Kimball and one other signature not readable.” In this family there was no Anthony West nor Hannah Eastman, so perhaps these are errors in C.H.A.’s transcription. Richard Kimball was probably a witness. Son Benjamin West was still alive, so we might expect to see his signature as well.

40. Ibid. Correspondent C.H.A. (above) wrote, “Samuel West received of his grandmother, Mary West, wife of Thomas West, in Bradford, Nov. 9, 1722, his portion of the estate (Salem Probate).”

Henry West and Thomas West of West DNA Family Group #5

Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts:

Henry West and Thomas West of West DNA Family Group #5

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, 2014. Disclaimers apply. Note: The use of double dating, such as 1630/1631, reflects the difference between the Julian and Gregorian Calendars.

Background: Judah West (b. 11 Sep 1765; d. 9 Apr 1825) was added to West DNA Family Group #5 in 2007.[1] He is a descendant of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631; d. 23 Dec 1720). Thomas West had a brother, Henry West (b. 1629; d. Sep 1703). Therefore Henry West is also part of FG#5. These two men lived in Essex County, Massachusetts during the 1600s. This is the second in a series of articles about this line of the FG#5 West families.

Currently (February 2014) Henry West and Thomas West, brothers, are the earliest documented members of Family Group #5. They lived in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts during the 1600s to early 1700s.

Dedicated to Dr. Harry Irwin West, Jr.

Dr. Harry Irwin West (1925-2004) was the foremost genealogist for Henry West (1629-1703). In 1997, he published Descendants of Henry West (1629-1703) of Salem, Massachusetts with some Collateral Lines of Interest. He traced his line through Samuel West (b. 1666)—Henry West’s first son. [2] Dr. West earned his PhD in physics from Stanford University in 1955. He retired from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California, in 1990, after 45 years of service. [3] He spent many years researching his ancestry.

I have verified all of Dr. West’s early Salem-related information against original records. In the “Reference and Additional Notes” section, I have cited the original source. Then I have referenced the page number from Dr. West’s publication, if he also used the information.

Henry West and Thomas West, Brothers

Henry West mentioned his brother Thomas in his Will of September 1703 [4]:

Item, I give to my brother Thomas Westt if he survives me ye Three pounds Ten shillings which is due to me by obligation from his son Benjamin who lives at the Southward.

Thomas West survived his brother by 17 years; he died in 1720. [5] His son, Benjamin West, was living “at the Southward” in Enfield, Connecticut. [6] In the Will, Henry West cancelled his nephew’s debt to him.

Three “Thomas Wests” lived in Essex County, MA, in the mid- to late-1600s. Three “John Wests” were also alive at that time. [7] Fortunately for researchers, only one “Henry West” lived in Essex County during this time period. His presence in town and court records is useful in identifying the various “Thomases” and “Johns,” placing them with the correct families.

The birth year of Henry West is determined by several court records that mention his general age in years. For example:  “Henry West, aged about forty-nine years, and John Norton, aged about forty years, deposed. Sworn, 10:4:1678.” [8] Also, “Henry West, aged about fifty-six years, and John Maskoal, aged thirty-four years, testified . . .” (25 Jun 1685). [9] These court depositions and others point to 1629 as his likely year of birth.

The birth year of Thomas West is determined from his tombstone at Bradford Cemetery, Essex County, Massachusetts. He died in December of 1720 at the age of 89. We use 1630/1631 as his birth year, reflecting the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. [10]

Parents of Henry and Thomas West

For more than 100 years, West family researchers have been trying to connect all of the Wests that lived in 17^th Century Essex County, MA. In 1908, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts was published. [11] William Richard Cutter wrote:

                Thomas West, immigrant ancestor, was born in England about 1600 and came to Massachusetts Bay colony in the ship Mary and John, sailing March 24, 1633-34. He settled at Salem where he had a grant of land in 1640. His descendants are numerous in Beverly, Massachusetts. He is the progenitor of the Chester, New Hampshire family. His sons Henry and Thomas, and Henry’s wife Elizabeth were admitted to the Salem church, January 4, 1665-66.

The information about Thomas West (the elder, b. ca. 1600) has been accepted as truth for many years. This is a mistake. Cutter (1908) has mixed up three separate West families within his opening paragraph. Thomas West (b. ca 1600) had no recorded wife or children.  No documentation proves that Henry and Thomas were his sons. 

Dr. West wrote: “. . . one would expect that the land that the first Thomas (b. ca 1600) had near the Great Pond [in Salem] would have passed to the brothers, and we find no evidence that it did.” [12] In fact, Thomas West (b. ca 1600) gave his land grant back to Salem, and it was re-granted to Thomas Robbins, who had land close by. [13] The practice of re-granting land was not unusual.

Cutter (1908) mentioned “numerous” descendants in Beverly, MA, and Chester, NH. These are actually descendants of John West (b. ca 1615). [14] John West is not known to be a part of West Family DNA FG#5 (as of February 2014). That leaves Henry and Thomas. Where did the brothers come from?

Looking at English Parish Records

There have been West researchers who believe that Henry and Thomas West came from Cuckfield Parish, Sussex, England. Dr. West had this commentary in 1997 [15; W1, W2, W3]:

            In searching English records we find a West family in Cuckfield [W1] that meets the age requirements (within a year), and they disappear from Cuckfield at the right time. However, at least two of the principals seem to have died in England in a nearby town. [W2] Also, these two brothers, Henry and Thomas, had two brothers, Walter and Bellingham (Bellingham was their mother’s maiden name) and these names should have been used in later generations in New England. It is with some reluctance that we do not accept this family because to have done so would have added five more generations. [W3]

I counted at least six separate “Thomas Wests” in the Cuckfield Parish records between 1608 and 1633, and seven “Henry Wests.” Dr. West is referring to a Thomas West that had four sons: Walter (b. 9 Jan 1624/1625), Henry (b. 10 May 1627), Thomas (b. 16 Oct 1629), and Bellingham (b. 10 Nov 1632). [16] The baptism dates are very close to the birth years of the New England brothers. Since this particular West line in Cuckfield Parish was an upper-class family associated with Woodmancote manor in Sussex, there is more information available.

In this particular line, Henry West died in 1674 in England. This is clearly not the Henry and Thomas we are seeking. See “References and Additional Notes,” below.

When I did a FamilySearch query on English parish records for any “Henry West” or “Thomas West,” limited to 1627-1632, there were many hits.  In Sussex there were records fitting the time frame in Patching Parish, Burwash Parish, and Eastergate Parish. There were multiple records in London. I also found records in Surrey, Gloucester, Westminster, Kent, Buckingham, and York. [17] There are many possibilities for further research.

The West Brothers in Early Essex County, Massachusetts, Records

Dr. West wrote, “Henry and Thomas could have lived in the Salem area many years, without leaving a trail through town or court records.” [18] In the Salem records, it is as if the brothers suddenly appeared.

The earliest record of Thomas West is his marriage to Phebe Waters in Oct 1658. [19] The first deed is that of a house and one acre of land (a “house lott”) that he bought in 1658/1659 from Thomas Hale in Salem. [20] In the deed, Thomas West is called a planter, implying that he was already farming. In 1658/1659 Thomas would have been about 28 years old.

The earliest record of Henry West is from Salem town records in 1661, when he was assigned to be the bell ringer and also given a town lot to build a house. He was 32 years old. [21] He married Elizabeth Merriam in 1664, at age 35. [22] The brothers and their wives were members of First Church, Salem, and baptized their first children on 25:1:1665 (Julian calendar). [23]

On 29 Apr 1668, Henry West (age 39) and Thomas West (age 37) took the oath of freemen, along with nine other men. [24] Freeman status meant they were given full civic rights, such as the right to vote and serve on juries. Sometimes this status meant that the men were free of all paid service to others, such as apprenticeships.

Based on these earliest records, we know that Henry West and Thomas West arrived in Salem before 1658. Perhaps they arrived during the Great Migrations of the 1640s, and lived elsewhere in New England before coming to Essex County, MA.

The migrations within New England mirrored those within England—more than one-third of people at the time would move at least once from their original settlement (or parish), often more. Reasons for migrations within New England included scarcity of useable land, religious conflicts, and lack of opportunities to work in the trades that they had learned. [25]

Henry West was a saddler—making saddles, harnesses, and bridles. [26] He would have been apprenticed to learn this trade before he started his own business in Salem. Was this apprenticeship in England? Was Henry West apprenticed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony? Was his father a saddler?

Henry West and Thomas West both named their first sons “Samuel.” Is this a clue, or is it coincidence?

For some reason Henry and Thomas West eluded Salem court records and town records up until 1658. Fortunately, there is more information about the brothers, including the names of some of their descendants.

Next: More about Henry West (1629-1703) of Salem

References and Additional Notes

1. West Family Group #5 results are at http://web.utk.edu/~corn/westdna/west5.htm#FG5.

2. Harry Irwin West, Jr., 1997: Descendants of Henry West (1629-1703) of Salem, Massachusetts with Some Collateral Lines of Interest. Anundsen Publishing Co., Decorah, Iowa, 256 pages. Available on digital loan from http://oclc.org/en-US/home.html.

3. Don Johnston, editor, 2004: “Harry Irwin West,” Newsline, Public Affairs Office, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, July 30, 2004, p. 2.

4. Essex Will Probate No. 29341; West, p. 18.

5. Thomas West died in 1720. His tombstone at Bradford Burial Ground, Bradford, Massachusetts reads: “Here lyes buried the body of Mr. Thomas West who died December ye 23 1720 & in the 90^th Year of his age.” This means he was 89 years old, which is his 90^th year since birth. Photograph at: http://bradfordburialground.com/thomas_west_site_584.htm.

6. James Savage, 1860, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May, 1692. Volume IV, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 488.

7. The three Thomas Wests in Essex County, MA, were: (1) Thomas West, b. circa 1600; (2) Thomas West, b. 1630/1631; and, (3) Thomas West (b. about 1740), son of John West. The three John Wests were: (1) John West, b. 1615; (2) John West, b. 1661, son of Twiford West; and (3) John West, b. 1667, son of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631). Only Thomas West (b. 1630/1631) and his son John West (b. 1667) are known to be part of West DNA Family Group #5.

8. George Francis Dow, editor, 1911: Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volume 7. Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 56. Also referenced as “EIQC,” with volume number, and page number. EIQC:7:56. West, p. 5. The dating of 10:4:1678, most likely refers to the 10^th day of the 4^th month in 1678. The fourth month in the Julian calendar was June.

9. EIQC:9:473. West, p. 5.

10. According to the Julian calendar, the first month was March, and the tenth month was December. The eleventh and twelfth months of a year were January and February. We do not know the month of Thomas West’s birth. However, we know that it is later than December. He was 89 years old in December, and there are two months left in 1630 (Julian). Today, January and February would start a new year, so the date would be 1631 (Gregorian). His birth year is cited as 1630/1631. Some people of the time thought the calendar change from Julian to Gregorian was the work of the devil. Some genealogists, struggling with Julian v Gregorian calendar variations, would agree.

11. William Richard Cutter, 1908: Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Volume I. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, p. 559.

12. West, p. 8.

13. The Essex Institute, 1868: Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume I, 1634-1659. Salem, Massachusetts, p. 200 and 220. The Salem town records note on 11:3:1657, “Granted to Thomas Robins the thirtie Acres formerlie graunted to his predesesor Thomas West.” [23] The thirty acres were the original 20 from the Phillips Company venture that Thomas West (b. ca 1600s) joined, plus the 10 acres granted in 1642—probably land nearby. The land was still described as Thomas West’s land in 1658 but in the possession of Thomas Robins. This Thomas West, b. ca 1600s, cannot be linked to FG#5 (as of February 2014).

14.  Topsfield Historical Society, 1906: Vital Records of Beverly, Massachusetts to the End of the Year, 1849, Topsfield, Massachusetts, p. 598 and various other pages.

15. West, p. 8. He cites the following references, which I verified              to determine if there was any FG#5 link to this Bellingham/West family. I concluded that at this time (February 2014) there is no probable connection.

                W1. W.C. Renshaw, editor, 1911: The Parish Registers of Cuckfield, Sussex, 1598-1699. Sussex Record Society, Volume XIII, London, various pages. Also referenced as “Cuckfield Parish Register.” Available free from https://archive.org/details/oldestregisterbo13hawkuoft.

                W2. Woodmancote Register, St. Peters Church. I could not find this specific reference. Cuckfield and Woodmancote are 10 miles apart from each other in Sussex County. West (1997) says “at least two of the principals seem to have died in a nearby town,” which is—by the reference—Woodmancote. I am guessing the principals that Dr. West noted were Bellingham West and Henry West, based on Elwes (1876), next.

                Dudley George Cary Elwes, 1876: A History of the Castles, Mansions, and Manors of Western Sussex. Longmans & Co., London, p. 170-171. The Woodmancote manor “seems to have passed into the hands of a family named West, early in the seventeenth century. This family is said to have come originally from Berkshire, and to have been a branch of Lord de la Warr’s line, but we find in the Parish Registers entries of the name as far back as 1592. In 1691 Walter West sold the property to Thomas Dennett, Esq, the representative of an old Sussex family. . .” A footnote gives a few names and dates of this West family, including Thomas West, gent, d. 18 Aug 1638, and his wife Cecilia Rolt, “mother of Mr. Henry West, [she] d. 18 Jan 1668.” According to Elwes (1876), Henry West died in 1674, Bellingham West in 1669, Walter West was alive in 1691, and Thomas West was unaccounted for.  

                Note: West DNA Family Group #5 does not include Lord de la Warr’s line.

                W3. William Berry, 1830: County Genealogies; Pedigrees of the Families of the County of Sussex, Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, London, p. 14. This is mainly a record of English peerage. The “five generations” Dr. West refers to are shown on a chart in this publication. “Thomas West, of Clifford’s Inn, gent.; living in 1634” and “Cecill, do. And sole heir of Richard Bellingham, 3d brother of Edward Bellingham, father to Sir Edward Bellingham, who was living in 1634.” Sons: Henry West, Walter West, Thomas West, and Bellingham West.

Note: There was a “Richard Bellingham” who came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 from Lincolnshire, England. He lived in Boston but held land in Salem that was later disputed. He was a governor of Massachusetts three times. The town of Bellingham, MA is named after him. (Information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bellingham, accessed February 2014.) Perhaps he was related to the Bellinghams listed above. But, as far as I can determine, there is no link from Bellingham to “our” FG#5 Henry and Thomas West of Salem.

16. Cuckfield Parish Register, p. 30, 32, 35, 38. Information about this other Thomas West family is available at: http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I6997&tree=SussexGenealogies.

17. FamilySearch queries during January 2014. https://familysearch.org/

18. Sidney Perley, 1924: History of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume 2, 1638-1670, Essex Institute, Salem, p. 304.

19. West, p. 9.

20. Essex Deeds Book 1, Leaf 61 (10:Mar:1658/1659); cited in Sidney Perley, 1904: “Thomas Flint House,” The Essex Antiquarian, Volume 8, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 31. West, p. 9. The property was sold in 1666. By 1700, it was owned by Thomas Flint. The house was down the street from Henry West’s. (See map of William W.K. Freeman, compiler, 1933: Part of Salem in 1700, From the Researches of Sidney Perley. James Duncan Phillips, Salem, Massachusetts. On line at: http://www.salemin1700s.com/description.aspx.)

21. Essex Institute, 1913: Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume II, 1659-1680, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 24. West, p. 9-10.

22. Perley, p. 304. West, p. 4A.

23. Essex Institute, 1974: The Records of the First Church in Salem, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 108 (admission to church), and 27 (baptism of Thomas’ sons, and Henry’s daughter).

24. EIQC:4:38. Perley, p. 403. West, p. 11.

25. Alison Games, 1999: Migration and the Origins of the English Atlantic World, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, p. 170-171.

26. West, p. 18, from the Will of Henry West. His sons, Samuel and Henry Jr., as well as his grandsons, Samuel, John, and Daniel, were all saddlers.