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. 

Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts

Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts:

Introduction

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 in the 1600s. This is the first in a series of articles about this line of the FG#5 West families.

Currently (February 2014) Henry West and Thomas West are the earliest documented members of Family Group #5.

Essex County, Massachusetts in the 1600s

The Massachusetts Bay Colony included “much of present-day central New England, including portions of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.” [2] In the 1630s, more than 20,000 people migrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This is sometimes called New England’s Great Migration. Only about a third of these people are documented by ship manifests or other lists.

In 1643, Essex County was created by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was named after the county of Essex in England, and included the towns of Salem, Lynn, Wenham, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Gloucester, and Andover. [3]

West researchers have worked diligently over the last 100 years (not kidding) hoping to prove that the Essex County Wests of the 1600s were related to each other. These researchers used old paper archives, and later, microfilm, to do this work. Today, most of the early court records of Essex County, MA, are in the public domain, free, and on-line. [4] There are many opportunities for research. The possibilities of West family DNA matches are also exciting.

An Abundance of Wests

Three “Thomas Wests” lived in Essex County in the late 1600s. Three “John Wests” were also alive at that time. [5] In order to follow the FG#5 Thomas West (b. 1630/1631), data needed to be sorted out. Past errors have occurred because of one publication.  In 1908, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts was published. [6] The information about Thomas West has generally been accepted without question. This is a mistake. 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.

Cutter (1908) has mixed up three separate West families within his opening paragraph. Here is some clarification:

      1. Thomas West (b. ca 1600) lived in Ipswich and Salem, MA. He came to the Massachusetts Colony on the ship Mary and John [7]. He received a land grant in 1640 as part of the Phillips Company. [8] I found no known wife or children.  This Thomas West is not known to be DNA related (as of February 2014).

      2. John West (b. ca 1615) lived in Ipswich and Beverly, MA. His son, Thomas West (b. ca 1640 to 1642) of Beverly was the first of many descendants in Beverly, MA and Chester, NH. [9] This John West is not known to be DNA-related (as of February 2014).

      3. Henry West (b. 1629) of Salem, and Thomas West (b. 1630/1631) of Salem and Bradford, MA, were brothers.  We do not know their parents or their place of origin, although there has been some research about this.  The brothers and their wives were members of First Church, Salem, and baptized their first children on 25:1:1665 (Julian calendar). Henry West’s descendants stayed in Salem for at least six generations. [10] Thomas West’s descendants moved to Connecticut and New York. [11] These two men are FG#5 DNA-related.

In sorting through the court records, I found a great deal of information about Thomas West (b. ca 1600) and John West (b. ca 1615). I will be sharing a bit about their histories. They are currently not known to be a part of FG#5.

Why should I include the stories of non-DNA Wests of Essex County, MA? Won’t this confuse West Family researchers? I hope not! I believe that it is important to review the history of these men in order to add to the record of the West name. The related Wests and the non-related Wests are often mixed up because they lived in Essex County at the same time. DNA project participation may eventually link some of these Wests together.

The West Record in the Salem Area

Salem town records and quarterly court records begin in 1636. The “West record” in Salem and surrounding areas begins in 1640.  NOTE: Thomas West (b. ca.1600), John West, Mathew West, Lanclet West and Twiford West do not have any documented evidence or DNA results connecting them to FG#5 as of February 2014.

Launslot or Lanclet West, is the first West in the court records (1640). He testified “in the matter of hogs in the corn” and spoke about suspicious turnips and cabbages. [12] This is all we know about this West.

Thomas West* (b. ca 1600) was granted 20 acres of land in 1639/1640. [13] The story of how he ended up with this land reflects the history of early Salem.

John West* had his cow appraised in 1641. [14] This was his first recorded interaction with the bureaucracy. Through the years, John West was very active in his community. The land boundaries and geographic names changed during his lifetime. Part of his land in Beverly, MA, became “West Beach”—a recreational area that is still in use. He has descendants living today.

*I will present John West’s and Thomas West's stories, even though their y-DNA has not been connected to Family Group #5 as of February 2014.

Mathew West was recorded as a juror in 1643. [15] He lived in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts from about 1636 to 1646. He moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he was a freeman in 1655. His oldest son was Nathaniel West, and his grandson was also Nathaniel West. [16] He has descendants living today. He is not DNA-related (as of February 2014).

Twiford (Twyford) West (1616-1684) has a very visible presence in Essex County, MA, court records and local histories. He arrived at Plymouth Colony on the ship Hopewell in 1635, at the age of 19. [17] He was an indentured servant in Plymouth. [18] He married Mary Cross in about 1651, and lived in Ipswich and Rowley, MA. Their children were possibly Elizabeth, Mary, Hannah, John, and Nathaniel. He was a land owner and a cordwainer [19]—he created fine leather shoes and other luxury items. His son John West (b. 1661) married (1) Sarah Tenney in 1687 and (2) Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Atwood.  Sarah Tenney was the sister of Mary Tenney, the second wife of “our” FG#5 Thomas West (b. 1630/1631). [20] This is an interesting coincidence but does not mean this line of Wests is related to FG#5. There are descendants living today. Twiford West is not DNA-related (as of February 2014).

Isabel West was the first West cited in an estate settlement. The inventory of her estate was examined in 1644. It appears from the list of items that she was a widow. She lived in North Field, Salem. [21] We do not know her husband’s name. Other women appear in very early Salem records—they were usually in court for misdemeanors.

Neighbors and Parishioners

It is likely that many of the Wests knew each other from church, meetings, or business. As an example, the final record verified for the oldest Thomas West of the time (b. ca 1600) is a petition dated 30 Jun 1668. [22] The petition requests attention to the property of Reverend John Higginson, pastor of First Church, Salem. The petitioners ask the court to take care of repairs, as “any sad in convenyencies may follow to the dishonor of God, the discouragement of the ministry & dishonor of ye people heare.”

The petition was signed in this order:

            William Lord, Sr., Hillyard Veren, Benjamin Felton, Thomas (his mark) West, Henry West, John Rucke, Henery Skerry, Sr., John Massey, Samuell Williams, John Williames, John (his mark) Neal, and Francis Skerry.

The elder Thomas West (b. ca 1600) signed his mark, and then Henry West (b. 1629, the DNA FG#5 ancestor) signed his name. The two men may not be related, but they knew each other. Thomas West was a long-time friend to John Higginson, and Henry West was a member of First Church, Salem.

Next: Wests in Essex County, Massachusetts: Henry West and Thomas West of West DNA Family Group #5

References and Additional Notes

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

2. Wikipedia, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Accessed 3 February 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Bay_Colony

3. Wikipedia, Essex County, Massachusetts. Accessed 4 February 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex_County,_Massachusetts

4. University of Virginia: http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html

5. The three Thomas Wests 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. ca 1615; (2) John West, b. 1661, son of Twiford West; and (3) John West, b. 1667, son of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631).

6. 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.

7. Anne Stevens, 2012: Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's; Over 7100 Families and 250 Ships. http://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm. It is very likely that Thomas West (b. ca 1600) is the person listed on the ship Mary and John. My theory is in the article about Thomas West (b. ca 1600). This West is not DNA-related to FG#5 (as of February 2014).

8. Essex Institute, 1868: Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume I, 1634-1659, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 98. Referenced as “Salem Town Records, Vol. 1.” The original members of the Reverend John Phillips Company (sometimes called the Phillips-Yonges Company) were a group of travelers from Wrentham, England. They may have organized in their parish to come to New England and invested money in the venture. My research shows that Thomas West was not a part of the original Wrentham company. He arrived in New England several years prior to the others. He signed on with the project after the group arrived. Several others did this as well. I do not believe that Thomas West came from Wrentham, England. My analysis is in the article about Thomas West (b. ca 1600). This West is not DNA-related to FG#5 (as of February 2014).

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

10. 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. 2A, 15A.

11. Benjamin West and Joseph West, sons of Thomas West (b.  1630/1631), were the first of this line to have land in Connecticut.

12.  George Francis Dow, editor, 1911: Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volume 1. Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, p. 24. This is also referenced as EIQC:1:24. “Lanclet West” is not found in records after this.

13. Salem Town Records, Vol. 1, p. 98.

14. EIQC:1:38.

15: EIQC:1:42.

16. W.F. Donnelly, 1997: The Wests of Duck Creek. Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD., p. 262-263.

17. John Camden Hotten, 1874: The Original Lists of Persons of Quality; Emigrants; Religious Exiles; Political Rebels; Serving Men Sold for a Term of Years; Apprentices; Children Stolen; Maidens Pressed; and Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600-1700. First edition, London. Reprinted by Empire State Book Co., New York, p. 130.

18. Alison Games, 1999: Migration and the Origins of the English Atlantic World, Harvard University Press, Massachusetts, p. 91. She writes: “Particularly brave or dissatisfied servants could eschew legal action by negotiating directly with their masters. Twiford West traveled from London in 1635 and first appeared in the New England records as a servant in 1636. He was apprenticed to Edward Winslow for six years, but Winslow assigned West to Nicholas Snow. West “(after some trial) disliking to be with ye said Nicolas Snow,” implored Winslow to let him serve Winslow himself. In order to acquire this new position, however, West had to agree to serve one extra year in his indenture.”

19. Robert Charles Anderson, 1995: The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 156, 466.

20. M.J. Tenney, 1891: The Tenney Family, or the Descendants of Thomas Tenney, of Rowley, Massachusetts, 1638-1890, American Printing and Engraving Company, Boston, p. 337-338. Deacon William Tenney and his wife Katherine provided 67 acres of land to Mary Tenney (b. 1646) and Thomas West (b. 1630/1631) in 1677. Sarah Tenney (b. 1656) and John West (b. 1661; son of Twiford West) received land in 1688.

21. EIQC:1:76.

22. EIQC:4:44-45. Thomas West (b. ca 1600) could not sign his name. Thomas West (b. 1630/1631), Henry’s brother, could sign his name. The third Thomas West (b. about 1640) could also sign his name. This information helps to identify the various Thomas Wests in Essex County, MA, during the 1600s.

A Special and Talented West DNA Cousin

Our DNA Cousin... 

Vy Higginsen is a remarkable woman: beautiful, charming, intelligent, talented and successful.  Her success and talent is shown through her passion with youth and gospel music through her Mama Foundation for the Arts.  She founded the not-for-profit organization in 2000 and is the driving force in its daily operations.  This foundation is dedicated to nurturing talented black youth in the arts.

Vy Higginsen is recognized as an impressive black pioneer in Harlem, New York's media elite.  She is the first black female writer, producer and director of the longest-running, Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre with Mama, I Want to Sing.  She is also a promoter, publisher, keynote speaker and much more!  Read her biography: http://www.vyhigginsen.com/bio.html   Her family is very talented, as well. Vy's late sister, Doris Troy, a well known R&B singer who sang the hit song "Just One Look" - her recording was used as a theme song for the Pepsi company for their national advertising.

In 2005 a Y-DNA test from her cousin James West established a link to the predominately white West Family DNA Project.  Vy and her family became the first African American family to enter this white family.  Marion West, a white cattle rancher from Poplar Bluff, Missouri invites Vy and her family to come for a visit on his ranch.  From there with Vy's promotional skills and connections, these two unlikely cousins are featured in a New York Times article, interviewed  on the Today Show by Matt Lauer.  The two appear on the NBC Nightly News, 60 Minutes and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

The DNA test was conducted by FamilyTreeDNA for the West Surname Project with James O. West matching other West males in Group # 5.  With over 350 West participants, Group #5 is the largest with 20 men.  Vy has become a big promoter of DNA testing.  Visit her DNA page:  http://www.vyhigginsen.com/dna.html

Julian vs Gregorian Calendar Dates

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, 2013. Disclaimers apply.

Julian vs Gregorian Calendar Dates

Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, once said in an interview:

“I’ve shown you the family records, which, in my father’s own handwriting, show his birth to have been October 22, 1734. The date is according to the old calendar, or Old Style, as he and my mother always expressed their disapproval of adopting the New Style calendar.” [1]

What was Old Style? What is New Style? How do these effect genealogy?

The Julian Calendar

The “Old Style” calendar was the Julian calendar, which had been introduced by Julius Caesar in about 45 BC. This was the first, standardized, calendar used around the world to organize societies, religious celebrations, and commerce. It had 365 days in it, more or less, but needed to be adjusted occasionally. Not every country used it this calendar; many cultures had their own. [2] However, the Julian calendar was used in most of Europe, and in European settlements in the Americas through the mid-1700s.

The Gregorian Calendar

In 1582, the calendar was “reformed” under Pope Gregory VIII’s edict. This was the Gregorian calendar. It was what people called the “New Style.” The goal was to create a more logical placement of Easter. [3] In the Julian calendar, Easter was tied to the Spring Equinox. This “pagan” association, along with others, was against Catholic doctrine. Another example that caused concern was Winter Solstice and Saturnalia combined with Christmas.

The calendar reformers mathematically corrected several other vexing errors of the Julian calendar, such as extra days and inconsistencies. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582 by most Catholic countries of Europe. [4] It took five Centuries for all countries to adopt the new calendar, at least for commerce and trade purposes. In September 1752, Britain and the British Empire (which included the eastern part of the United States) officially adopted the Gregorian calendar as a result of the British Calendar Act of 1751. [5]

The Calendars and Genealogical Records

My research on the Wests in New England has led me to the early records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The records from the 1600s in Essex County, Massachusetts (including Salem, Beverly, Lynn, Ipswich, Bradford, etc.) are often oddly dated. [6] As an example, Valentine’s Day could be recorded in court documents as:

14 Feb 1663-1664

14 Feb 1663, 1664

Febr 14, 63,64 (no space between years)

14 da 12 mo 1663 (this style is often used in Quaker records)

14: 12: 63 (found in early Salem records before 1640)

Where did that “12” come from? Isn’t December the twelfth month of the year?

In the (Old Style) Julian calendar, February was the last (twelfth) month of the year. March was the first month of the new year. The etymological origins of September, October, November, and December were seven, eight, nine, and ten. We still retain the month names but now these are the last four months of the year. New England would not officially adopt the (New Style) Gregorian calendar for nearly one hundred years.

Court Records and Church Records

In court record transcriptions in New England (1600s), the double-dating most often occurs in the months of January, February, and March. Church records of the time generally avoided double-dating. The reasoning for this was partly political. Many churches refused to give any authority to the Catholic Church. Therefore, they continued to use the Old Style of dating until they absolutely had to change, which was in September of 1752.

How to Place Dates into Your Research

The best advice is to copy the dates EXACTLY as you see them in the source material. That is, copy the abbreviations, commas, colons, and whatever else you see. [6] Explain to the reader a bit about the Old Style/New Style calendars if this needed. If you must rework a date from Julian to Gregorian for any reason, do it the correct way, and then inform the reader what you have done. Go to Cyndi’s List (free service) for conversion calculators. [7]

What do you do if you are entering a year into a genealogy software program? You will want to use the earlier of the two year-dates. For example, if the source material says “1663, 1664” use “1663.” Most programs now have an area for notes. This is where you could explain the calendar difference.

Conclusion: George Washington

Here is an example you might recognize. George Washington was born (under the Julian calendar) on 11 February 1731. Under the Gregorian calendar, the date is 22 February 1732. Congress moved his birthday to the “New Style” calendar. [8] This is why we celebrate Washington’s birthday on February 22, instead of his original birth date of 11 February.

References

1. “My Father, Daniel Boone. The Draper Interviews with Nathan Boone.” Neil O. Hammon ed; The University Press of Kentucky, 1999.

2. Information derived from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar.

3. Information derived from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar.

4. Ibid.

5. The text of the British Calendar Act of 1751 is found at:  http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/year-text-British.html

6. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts. Volume I through 9; 1636-1686. These are court records of the Massachusetts Colony. Preserved by the Essex Institute in Salem.

6. Genealogy in Time Magazine suggests that you do not use a “slash” such as 14 Feb 1663/64. You should, when possible, write this out as 1663, 1664. http://www.genealogyintime.com/GenealogyResources/Articles/understanding_julian_calendars_and_gregorian_calendars_in_genealogy_page5.html

7. Cyndi’s List calculators are at http://www.cyndislist.com/calendars/calculators-and-converters/

8. National Archives Web site: http://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/washington/

William Edward West (b. 10 Dec 1788; d. 2 Nov 1857)

William Edward West (b. 10 Dec 1788;  d. 2 Nov 1857)

Photograph of self-portrait, about 1820: http://tnportraits.org/30256-west.htm

[Click on image to enlarge it]

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, 2013. Disclaimers apply.

William Edward West, noted American painter, 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 ________

            Edward West (b. ca. 1730s; d. ca. 1791) m. Elizabeth Mills

                        Edward West (b.1757;  d. 23 Aug 1827) m. Sarah Brown (b. 1756; d. 7 Feb 1824)

                                    William Edward West (b. 10 Dec 1788; d. 2 Nov 1857)

William was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His father, Edward “Ned” West Jr., was a gifted silversmith and inventor.  William did not marry, and had no (known) children. This page briefly explores his career and points to examples of his work on-line.

Biography

The Young Artist. William West’s talent was encouraged at an early age. He and his brother John were students of artist George Beck, who had established a boys’ school in Lexington. [1] Dr. Samuel Brown (his father’s friend) assisted West in becoming a student of Thomas Sully of Philadelphia. [2] From 1809 (age 21) through 1817, West kept a studio in Philadelphia, and worked with the famous American portraitist. [3]

After leaving Philadelphia, West went to the Mississippi Valley – including Natchez and New Orleans – creating portraits in the homes of patrons. “The visit to Natchez was a homecoming for William Edward West. His life had long been intertwined with those of families in the Mississippi Territory. As a boy he had visited ‘near Natchez in the home of Edward Turner, a connection by marriage.’” [4, an extended notation]

Working in Europe. In 1822, Dr. Brown made it possible for West to study abroad at the Academy in Florence, Italy. West wrote to his father, “How happy I would be to see anyone from Kentucky. Give my best respects to Dr. Brown . . .” [5] By the summer of 1822, West was at Lord Byron’s estate, painting Byron’s portrait. He is often cited in art books for his portrait of Lord Byron, although other works are more exceptional. Part of West’s account of this sitting and other incidents are included in art historian Estill Curtis Pennington’s writings. [6]

After 1824, he moved to Paris, and met author Washington Irving, who became his friend. West eventually did illustrations for Irving’s stories. [7] In 1825, West moved to London and mingled with the American expatriate community. [8] Always congenial and charming, he became known for telling stories of the South. He was called “Kentucky West.” [9] From 1826 to 1837, he exhibited at the Royal Academy, and at other London exhibitions. [10] He had a prosperous career, and was introduced to English nobility.

West Returns to America. In 1837. He returned to America in poor health, and financially wrecked by poor investments. He moved to Baltimore and regained his financial success. He wrote, “Before one year passes over my head, I shall have paid every cent I owe and have a considerable surplus in the bargain.” [11] In 1840 West moved to New York City. He is found in City directories from 1840 to 1850, and 1852. [12]

In 1855, he settled in Nashville at the home of his sister, Jane West Woods. “He was soon at work in his indefatigable fashion, and is still remembered as he daily walked to his studio, which soon became a popular place.” [13] He died in 1857 at the age of 67. He is buried in the Nashville City Cemetery. [14] 

The Art of William Edward West. Pennington wrote, “The career of William Edward West was like a bright ribbon drawn through the fabric of early Kentucky portraiture.” [15] He clearly influenced other artists that became more famous than himself. Patti Carr Black, Mississippi historian, describes his work based on a portrait of Natchez resident Catherine Bingaman. The portrait displays “all of the characteristics of West’s work: elongation of form, producing an elegant and aristocratic bearing, large, liquid eyes in an expressive face, soft colors, loose brush-strokes, and vague backgrounds that were neo-classical in feeling.” [16]

Several of West’s paintings are on-line; a few are linked below. Some of his letters and other documents are at the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. [17]

Some of William Edward West’s Portraits

Robert E. Lee: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/10/17/arts/1017-HIST_3.html?_r=0

Henry Lee, father to Robert E: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HenryLee.jpeg

Elizabeth Steuart Calvert: http://thejohnsoncollection.org/william-edward-west

Three paintings by West from the BBC Trust; the third is George Gordon, Lord Byron: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/west-william-edward-17881857/paintings/slideshow#/0

Stephen Minor (1809), painted during West’s early career in Philadelphia at age 21; scroll down for painting detail: http://minerdescent.com/2013/01/24/stephen-minor-last-governor-of-natchez/

Sarah Carter Gaut (1855), painted near West’s end of life, age 67: http://www.civilwarshades.org/sara-carter-gaut/

Photograph of self-portrait, about 1820: http://tnportraits.org/30256-west.htm

References

1. Black, Patti Carr, 1998: Art in Mississippi, 1720-1980. University Press of Mississippi, p. 45.

2. Dunn, N.P., 1907: “An Artist of the Past; William Edward West and His Friends at Home and Abroad,” Putnam’s Monthly, Volume 2, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, p. 658.

3. Pennington, Estill Curtis, 2011: Lessons in Likeness: Portrait Painters in Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley, 1802-1920. Featuring works from The Filson Historical Society. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, p. 213.

4. Black, p. 45. In her footnotes, Black attributes the genealogical note to an article in the Natchez Tri-Weekly New-Era, 14 Mar 1818. Her comments continue, “The relative was probably Turner’s wife, Mary West, daughter of Cato West of Jefferson County. She married Turner in 1802 . . .” (his first wife). Cato West was the grandson of William West, who was born about 1708 in what was then Stafford County. Cato West was mentioned in William West’s Will, which was written in 1769 in Loudoun County (Will Book A, p. 226-229). Also mentioned in William West’s Will was Ann West, his daughter who married Craven Peyton. Here is another West connection – this one by a land deed. Ann West Peyton’s brother-in-law was Colonel Henry Peyton, who bought land from James West (son of John West FG#5) in 1779. (Prince William County Deed Book U, p. 33-34). It is still unknown if William Edward West, the artist, is related (by DNA) to William West (b. ca. 1708, d. 1769).

5. Dunn, p. 660. Letter of William Edward West to his father, February 4, 1822.

6. Pennington, p. 19-20. Also, Estill Curtis Pennington, 1985: William Edward West, 1788-1857; Kentucky Painter. Washington, D.C., National Portrait Gallery.

7. Malone, Dumas, ed., 1936: Dictionary of American Biography. Volume 20, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, p. 12-13.

8. The Johnson Collection, 2013: William Edward West, 1788-1857. Spartanburg, South Carolina.  http://thejohnsoncollection.org/william-edward-west

9. Pennington, p. 299.

10. Malone, p. 13.

11. Dunn, p. 667. Letter to Col. Aspinall, January 1839. Aspinall was left in charge of West’s business dealings in London.

12. Malone, p. 13.

13. Dunn, p. 669.

14. See marker at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7351448

15. Pennington, p. 19.

16. Black, p. 45.

17. Smithsonian Institution, 2013: “William Edward West papers. [ca. 1818-1961]”. Inventory of items donated by Gertrude M. Meissner, West descendent, in 1983.   http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/william-edward-west-papers-8627

Lynn West (b. 1775; d. 26 Jan 1836)

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 1^st Regiment, War of 1812. “Already active in Scott County’s 77^th 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 1^st 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 77^th 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