David West (ca. 1736-1822) in Middlesex and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut

Wests in Middlesex and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut:

David West (ca. 1736-1822)

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, September 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 (1765-1825) was added to West DNA Family Group #5 in 2007. [1] David West, Jr. (1761-ca. 1855) and Aaron West (1763-1840) were his brothers. They are descendants of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631-1720) of Essex County, Massachusetts. The father of these three brothers was David West, Sr. This is the third of several articles about the Connecticut line of this FG#5 family.

Thomas West (1630/1631-1720) m. Phebe Waters

       - Benjamin West (1665-1733) m. Hannah Shadduck

            - Benjamin West, Jr. (1696-after 1739) m. Mehitable Bailey

                  - David West (ca. 1736-1822) m. Judith Hills

                        - David West, Jr. (1761-ca. 1855)

                        - Aaron West (1763-1840) m. Susannah Kellogg

                        - Judah West (1765-1825) m. Mary Todd

Early Years of David West

I was unable to find a birth date for David West. He was baptized on 7 Nov 1736 at First Congregational Church, Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut. [2]

He was the son of Benjamin West, Jr. and Mehitable (or Mehitabel) Bailey. His grandparents were Benjamin West, Sr. and Hannah Shadduck. His great-grandparents were Thomas West and Phoebe Waters of Essex County, Massachusetts. David West grew up in what is today called East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, south of Lake Pocotopaug. [3]

Service in the French and Indian Wars

Campaign of 1755. At the age of 19, 1 Sep 1755, David West enlisted with Captain Joseph Savage of Middletown, CT.  This was possibly the 1^st or 2^nd Connecticut Regiment. He was discharged on 6 Nov 1755. [4] Much of the Campaign of 1755 was completed before the time he enlisted.

Campaign of 1757. In 1757, David West served in Col. Phinneas Lyman’s regiment, Tenth Company, under Capt. Eliphalet Whittelsey. The Tenth Company was composed of soldiers from areas around Middlesex and Hartford Counties, CT. David enlisted on 2 Apr 1757 and was discharged on 1 Dec 1757. Serving with him was Aaron West, his brother. David was about 21 years old, and Aaron was 18. Aaron West enlisted on 30 Mar 1757 and died in service on 10 Nov 1757. [5] Other men in this regiment died on the same day or closely thereafter.

Although Connecticut provided thousands of men for the 1757 campaign, they were treated poorly. A scathing assessment was published in 1854.

    . . .They [colonial soldiers of Connecticut] were treated with the greatest hauteur, and even insolence, by the royal [British] officers sent here, swelling with pride, to domineer over the provincials, caring more to show their superiority over the latter than to advance the king’s interest.

    . . .They had no opportunity to exhibit the native courage which burned in their bosoms . . . Yet instances of courage and daring flashed up in every part of the colonies, disconnected with the royal service.  

    . . .The campaign of 1757 ended most ingloriously. To the incapacity and pusillanimity of these commanders are to be attributed the constantly recurring losses of that year. Had the colonies been left to themselves, they would have done better. [6]

Becoming American. The seeds of independence were firmly planted during the French and Indian Wars. The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut states:

The wars helped to bring about important changes in the British colonies. In addition to the fact of their ocean-wide distance from the mother country, the colonies felt themselves less dependent militarily on the British by the end of the wars; they became most concerned with their own problems and put greater value on their own institutions. In other words, they began to think of themselves as Americans rather than British. [7]

David West Marries Judith Hills

David West married Judith Hills on 1 Nov 1757 in Middlesex County, Connecticut. [8] Sometimes her name appears as “Juda.” Her tombstone says “Judith.” She was born about 1737—this is based on her death date of 1816, at age 79. I found no reference to her immediate family.

The Hills living in Middlesex County in the late 1700s were descendants of William Hills of England (circa 1607-1683). [10] William Hills emigrated from England to Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1632, and moved to Hartford in 1636. [11] His descendants are sometimes referred to as the “Hartford Hills.” Hartford is about 20 miles from East Hampton.

David West and Judith Hills were married nine days before Aaron West died in the French and Indian War.

Chidren of David and Judith. David and Judith West had ten known children.

1. Abigail West b. 15 Jan 1759 [11]; m. Henry McCone on 7 Oct 1779. [12]

2. David West b. 18 Feb 1761 [13]; d. after 1855. [14] He served in the Revolutionary War.

David West, Jr. will be discussed in a future blog article.

3. Aaron West b. 3 Jun 1763 [15]; d. 15 May 1840 [16]; m. Susannah Kellogg, 4 Nov 1784. [17] He served in the Revolutionary War.

Aaron West will be discussed in a future blog article.

4. Judah West b. 11 Sep 1765 [18]; d. 9 Apr 1825 [19]; m. Mary Todd, 27 Dec 1785. [20] He served in the Revolutionary War.

Judah West will be discussed in a future blog article.

5. Abner West bpt. 28 Jun 1767 [21]; died young. Another son would be named Abner in 1773.

6. Whitney West (son) b. 25 Jul 1769 [22]; bpt. 13 Sep 1772. [23]

7. Prudence West b. 5 Feb 1771 [24]; bpt. 13 Sep 1772 [25]; m. Joel Loomis, 23 May 1792 in Torrington, Litchfield County, CT. [26]

8. Abner West b. 13 Sep 1773 [27]; bpt. 29 Sep 1773. [28] There was an Abner West appearing in the 1820 Census of Sharon, Litchfield County, CT with one female over 45. Abner is “engaged in agriculture.” [29] This Abner West might possibly be the son of David West.

9. Hannah West b. 16 May 1775 [30]; bpt. June 1775 [31]; m. John Allin, 16 Dec 1796 in Colebrook, Litchfield County, CT. [32]

10. Jesse West b. 19 Sep 1777 [33]; bpt. 28 Sep 1777. [34]

Service to First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church of East Hampton was established in 1746. [35] The West Family belonged to this church—it was very close to their property. David West was chosen to be sexton on 29 Nov 1762. The sexton looked after the church and church grounds, and also rang the church bell. The next year, 28 Nov 1763, he was appointed as grave digger. [36] The grave digger position was a supervisory one, associated most often with winter burials.  In many New England churches, these jobs provided a small stipend. At the time of David’s church appointments, his brothers Moses and John West also lived in East Hampton with their families.

David West and the Revolutionary War

In his Revolutionary War pension application of 1820, David West, Jr. (son of David West) testified that he had “An aged Father near 90 years old who was in the old French War and who took an active part in the Revolutionary War.” [37] I found one reference to this service. At a town meeting, 4 Dec 1780, David West and three other men “were chosen a Comm’tt of Supply for the Soldiers Families for the year ensuing.” [38] This Committee was part of a county-wide program which began in 1777, “to provide necessarys for the families.” [39]

Middlesex County had enjoyed prosperity in the years up to the war. It was a vital port on the Connecticut River. But when the Boston Port Act was put in place by the British to block Boston harbor from imports and exports, the inhabitants along the Connecticut River reacted swiftly. More than five hundred inhabitants of Middlesex County adopted this resolution:

That we will heartily concur in any salutary measures that may or shall be devised and come into or recommended by a General Congress, from all or most of the Colonies, or by the greater places of trade or commerce on the Continent, or by the inhabitants of this colony, for the preservation of the rights of British Americans. [40]

In December of 1774, “The non importation and non consumption of British goods was recommended by the Continental Congress and the Colonial Assembly, and it was promptly and heartily concurred by the people here.” [41] There was solidarity with other colonies. This declaration led to strengthening of local government to manage the shifting economy. Local industries adapted their production of goods toward supporting all of the colonies, and not just Connecticut.

In 1776, the Continental Congress established a draft and quota system to ensure that the Continental Army would be strong. Middlesex County, CT had specific guidelines about filling these quotas, setting up an organized method of conscription. However, the three sons of David West, Sr., voluntarily enlisted.

David, Jr., and Aaron served in the Connecticut Line. Judah served in the Massachusetts Line. Massachusetts had called for assistance to help fill their quota. David West’s nephews, Moses, Jr., and Hopkins West, also served. Future blog articles will address the service records of David, Aaron, and Judah.

The [historical] records are sufficient to prove that Chatham [Middlesex County] nobly did its part in filling up the Continental armies with good soldiers, relieving them at the same time of all anxiety in regard to the care of their families in their absence, and strengthened the government by every available means. [42]

The Wests Move to Litchfield County, Connecticut

In 1783, David West moved his family to Winsted—in the township of Winchester, Litchfield County, CT. Winchester was considered a remote area at the time. David West “first lived in a log house at the base of Cobble Hill on Spencer Street, a little south of the site of the Joshua Hewitt dwelling.” [43]

We do not know why he moved there. His brother, Moses, stayed in East Hampton. As the oldest son of Benjamin West, Jr., Moses may have inherited the West land. Perhaps David wanted a fresh start in a less-populated area, with land that was not overworked. R. W. Bacon, editor of The Middler, Newsletter of the Society of Middletown First Settlers Descendants, studied the migration from Middlesex County to other areas after the Revolutionary War. He suggests that the economic situation may have been a motivation for many migrating families. He wrote:

The Middletown populace welcomed the end of the war in 1783, but difficult adjustments followed . . .Where there had been a mercantile boom fueled by the military supply business, prosperity certainly did not spread equally throughout the population. The dependent families struggled, and discharged soldiers were often left holding devalued currency. [44]

Aaron and Judah also lived in Winsted after the Revolutionary War ended.  Aaron West was “a grantee of the Lockwood Farm on Spencer Street on which he lived until 1787, when he is named of New Hartford.” [45] Judah West came to Winsted with his father. He “first lived on the Halsey Burr place on the old Still River turnpike” and then “on the east side of the same road where the old toll gate was located.” [46] Judah stayed in Winsted. David West’s nephew, Hopkins West, came to Winchester township about the same time, and then moved to Cambridge, New York. [47]

Tax Assessment. In 1783, a tax assessment of Winchester showed about 700 residents, with about 148 male taxpayers. Of these, 39 lived in Winsted, including David West. His taxable property was £47 [48]—solidly “middle class” for that time and location.

Wests and Egglestons. In 1801, David West bought a house from Frederick Eggleston. The home “stood on the site of George Dudley’s dwelling on Main Street.” [48] Today, Main Street in Winsted, CT, is also Highway 44. During the 1800s it was referred to as “the turnpike.” Judah also lived on the turnpike. David and Judith lived in the house on Main Street for the rest of their lives.

The purchase has an intriguing subplot:  the appearance of the Eggleston name. The Wests and Egglestons had interacted in Enfield, Windsor, Middletown, and Winsted, CT. Soon after this sale, Frederick Eggleston moved to the neighboring town of Colebrook, CT. The relationship between the two families spanned four generations—more than 100 years. [49]

Early Methodists. David West was one of the early Methodists in Winsted. He was described as “a pious and worthy man.” [50] In 1808, Winsted’s first Methodist church was built on Spencer Street. “Prior to the building of this house, the Methodists had worshipped in the adjoining school house. Their number [of members], though limited, included a highly respectable class of our inhabitants.” [51]

Census Data for Litchfield County [52]

1790 Census: One male under 16, two males 16 and over, and three females. This is most likely David, Judith and four children. The children are probably Abner or Whitney, Jesse, Hannah, and Prudence.

1800 Census :  One male 16-25, one male 45 and over, and one female 45 and over. This was David, Judith, and possibly their son Jesse. Or perhaps this was another young man.

1810 Census: One male 45 and over, and one female 45 and over. This would be David and Judith.

1820 Census: Neither David or Judith is mentioned. David West was alive, but not counted in the census.

Last Years of David and Judith West

Judith’s tombstone reads: “Judith West who died Feb. 24^th, 1816 in her 80^th year of life.” [53] This phrase indicates she was 79 years old. She was buried at the Winsted Old Burying Ground—also known as Central Cemetery.  [54] Judah West, their son, is buried in the same cemetery.

David West, Sr. died in 1822 at age 87, six years after his wife. [55] Although I found this information in two citations, neither could be verified with a town or church record. I could not find David West’s burial site. He may be buried at Winsted Old Burying Ground.

References and Additional Notes

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

2. Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920, Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Vol. 091, Portland First Congregational Church, 1720-1925, p. 200.

3. This was the location of the West family land in Middlesex County. Benjamin and Hannah West settled in the area in 1698. For more of this history please consult the articles on Benjamin West, Sr. and Benjamin West, Jr. on this blog site.

4. Connecticut Historical Society, 1903: “Campaign of 1755, Miscellaneous,” Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, Volume IX, The Society, Hartford, Connecticut, p. 81.

5. Connecticut Historical Society, “Campaign of 1757,” p. 185-187. Note: Two years later in the Campaign of 1759, David West is recorded as a soldier. However, this West was from Tolland County, CT. The “Tolland Wests” were descended from Francis West and Margery Reeves—West DNA Family Group #19. West Family Group #19 results are at: http://web.utk.edu/~corn/westdna/west5.htm#FG19.

6. William Cothren, 1854: History of Ancient Woodbury, Connecticut from the First Indian Deed in 1659 to 1754, Volume I, Bronson Brothers, Waterbury, Connecticut, p. 167.

7. Sigourney Fay Nininger, Jr., editor, 2011: The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut, Web site. http://colonialwarsct.org/1689_map.htm. Accessed September 2014. The Society of Colonial Wars was founded in 1893 to honor the activities of those colonists who served in pre-Revolutionary civil and military positions. Descendants of David West would qualify for membership, as he has documented service in the French and Indian Wars.

8. Lorraine Cook White, editor, 1994-2002: The Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records, Vol. 1-155, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, p. 163 (Chatham). Also known as The Barbour Collection.

9. William Sanford Hills and Thomas Hills, compilers, 1906: The Hills Family in America, The Grafton Press, New York, New York, various pages.

10. Robert Charles Anderson, 1996-2011: The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Boston, p. 941-946. Entry for “William Hills.”

11. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

12. Frederic W. Bailey, editor, 1896: Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, Book 4, Bureau of American Ancestry, New Haven, Connecticut, p. 99.

13. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

14. Census of the State of New York, for 1855, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

15. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

16. The death date comes from Susannah West’s testimony in court.

17. Barbour Collection, Colebrook, p. 259.

18. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

19. Charles R. Hale, compiler, 1916-1935: “Central Cemetery, Winsted,”The Charles R. Hale Collection of Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions, Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut, p. 171.

20. Barbour Collection, Colebrook, p. 259.

21. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200. Although the East Hampton Congregational Church was established in 1746, the baptisms were recorded in the Portland Church’s book.

22. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 164.

23. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 201. Baptized the same day as his sister Prudence.

24. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 164.

25. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 201. Baptised the same day as her brother Whitney.

26. Bailey, Book 7, p. 70.

27. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

28. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

29. Census of 1820, Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

30. Ray Dayton West, 1947: Wests: Partial Lineage. Mimeographed manuscript, Menominee, Michigan, 60 pages plus Index, p. 3.  Original from the University of Wisconsin through the Haithi Trust, http://babel.haithitrust.org. Accessed March 2014. Ray West stated the day of birth—perhaps by viewing the original document. The Barbour Collection (p. 164) says May 1775.

31. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200—“David, his dau. bp June [__] 1775.” This is probably Hannah, although her name is not mentioned. Ray Dayton West (1947) concurs.

32. Barbour Collection, Colebrook, p. 259.

33. Barbour Collection, Chatham, p. 163.

34. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 201.

35. “The Congregational Church of East Hampton,” Historic Buildings of Connecticut, http://historicbuildingsct.com/?p=2168. Accessed August 2014.

36. CT Church Record Abstracts, Volume 027, East Hampton Congregational Church, p. 589.

37. Revolutionary war pension application for David West, Jr. HeritageQuest, http://www.heritagequestonline.com. Accessed December 2013.

38. E. Emory Johnson and Hosford B. Niles, 1884: “Town of East Haddam,” in The History of Middlesex County, Connecticut, with Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men, J.H. Beers and Company, New York, p. 282.

39. M.L. Roberts, 1884: “Town of Chatham: Chatham in the Wars,” The History of Middlesex County, p. 182.

40. David D. Field, 1853: Centennial Address, with Historical Sketches of Cromwell, Portland, Chatham, Middle Haddam, Middletown, and its Parishes, William B. Casey, publisher, Middletown, Connecticut, p. 65.

41. Henry Whittemore, “Middletown in the Revolution,” The History of Middlesex County, p. 78.

42. Mrs. J.J. Hayne, 1884: “Portland—The Revolution,” The History of Middlesex County, p. 503.

43. John Boyd, 1873:  Annals of Family Records of Winchester, Connecticut
with Exercises of the Centennial Celebration, on the 16th and 17th Days ofAugust, 1871, Case, Lockwood, and Brainard, Hartford, CT, p. 289.

44. Reginald W. Bacon, 2008: “Middletown in the Revolutionary War: The Redcoats Never Marched Down Main Street, but War Did Accelerate Change in Middletown Life,” The Middler; Newsletter of the Society of Middletown First Settlers Descendants, Volume 8, No. 2, p. 1, 6-8. Bacon based his conclusions on Albert E. Van Dusen, 1950: Middletown and The American Revolution, Rockfall Corporation and the Middlesex Historical Society, 35 pages; plus other sources.

45. Boyd, p. 289.

46. Boyd, p. 297.

47. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 232. Hopkins (b. 1756) was a son of Moses West and Sarah Hopkins. The 1790 census shows him living in Cambridge, where his brother Moses, Jr. also lived.

48. Boyd, p. 160.

49. The Eggleston Family was related to the Wests through intermarriages in Windsor and Enfield, CT in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Benjamin West (David West’s grandfather) and Samuel Eggleston were both “first settlers” of Middletown, and had adjoining properties. All of the Egglestons, including Frederich, were descendants of Bygod Eggleston (c. 1586-1674) who settled in Windsor, CT in 1635.

50. Boyd, p. 330.

51. Boyd, p. 289. Also cited in Roberts, 1884: “Town of Chatham: Sketches of the Settlers,” in The History of Middlesex County, p. 215.

52. Boyd, p. 402-403.

53. Census of 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1820, Winchester, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

54. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=118569757. Accessed August 2014.

55. Hale, “Central Cemetery, Winsted,” p. 171.

56. Boyd, p.289; Roberts, p. 215.

Beauchamp-Herndon Cemetery - Logan County, Kentucky

The photos and information were originally posted in My Family.com "West, Fike & Affiliate Families" by Ben West (Feb. 6, 2000) _ all material in this post is copyrighted by Ben West...

The Beauchamp-Herndon Cemetery from a distance - Logan County, Kentucky

This cemetery, located either on or near the former Captain James Herndon farm, has within its borders many tombstones labeled Beauchamp and Herndon,
markers for many distinguished family members. Two sons of Captain James Herndon, Sr. (1731-1815), Elisha Herndon and Joseph Herndon, lie interred there, and it is there that several descendants of the renowned Dr. R. N. Beauchamp are buried.

Closer View of the Beauchamp-Herndon Cemetery Thicket

This photograph displays a view inside the Beauchamp-Herndon Cemetery thicket. The Beauchamp-Herndon Cemetery is in an extremely poor state of repair. Tombstones stand weathered by moss, the elements, and lichens, and weeds and underbrush nearly choke the tombstones from view. Currently, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 710 of Bowling Green, Kentucky, are planning to mount a restoration project for the scouts, a project that I conceived three weeks ago and shared with individuals who could more actively see to its commencement.

Tombstone of Elizabeth Aingell Herndon (1772-1847?)

This is the tombstone of Elizabeth Herndon, the wife of Elisha Herndon (1768-1826) of Logan County, Kentucky.

Graves County, Kentucky

I have often wondered about Graves Co., KY that attracted some of Ben West's ancestors and some of my ancestors.  Ben's family were concentrated in the Logan & Simpson Co. area while my family were in Christian Co & western Todd Co.  But, for some reason about 1840 or so, some of the children of my direct ancestor Charles H. West removed to Graves County that was to the west of Christian County as can be seen in the following transcription of the 1848 indenture of Charles H. West (who died in 1845):

Christian Co., KY Deed Book 32, pp. 177-179

This Indenture made and entered into on the 26th. day of August in the year 1848 Between William E. West of the County of Christian & State of Kentucky, Moses Austin & his wife Aquilla Mahala late Aquilla Mahala West of the County of Weakley and State of Tennessee, Frederick F. Williams and Martha A. his wife late Martha A. West of the County of Henry and State of Tennessee, William Stroud and Mary S. his wife late Mary S. West of the County of Calloway & State of Kentucky, Charles B. West of Graves County Kentucky, Thomas A. West of Holt County Missouri and the following named children of Jesse West Dec'd. Viz Harmon R. S. W. West of Warren County Illinois, John M. West of Weakley County Tennessee, Amos S. West of Graves County Kentucky, William E. West and Sarah West of Todd County Kentucky and Susan C. West of Christian County Kentucky  Children and heirs of Charles West deceased of the first part and Orran A. West of the County of Christian and State of Kentucky of the second part.

Charles B. West & his nephew Amos S. West were in Graves County at the time of the above indenture.

In a great photo posted by Ben West on Nov. 27, 1999 on the West, Fike & Affiliate Families page of MyFamily.com shows the West family members of West Plains, Grave Co., KY.  Ben states: "The family members depicted in this photograph (taken Ca. 1903) are descendants of Amos West (1766-1819) and Frances Herndon of Sulphur Spring, Simpson County, Kentucky."

Simpson County is east of Christian Co. with Christian Co. being close to the middle of Simpson & Graves counties.  Here is some information that Ben West posted on MyFamily site sometime back for me on Amos S. West:

From the West/Fike MyFamily Web Site:  Ben West - Jan 5, 2003   Viewers | Reply to this item     John,

I appreciate your posting this information to the web site.   Since you mentioned Amos S. West as an heir of Jesse West, I thought that I would share some of my Graves and Calloway Counties, Kentucky research findings with you.

From CEMETERIES OF CALLOWAY COUNTY "HEART OF THE JACKSON PURCHASE" by Judith Ann Maupin, June 1981, P. O. Box 954, Murray, KY 42071:

pp. 158-159 -- Lassiter Cemetery

p. 158  West M. L., 1878 - - ____

p. 159  West S. M., 1876- -1905

West Amos S., June 18, 1821- - Feb. 6, 1904

West Sarah J., wife of A S, Jan. 13, 1835- - Jan. 26, 1919

West Benjamin, son of M L & S M, died Sept. 25, 1900, age 2, 19 days

West Samuel, Nov. 3-16, 1873

West Austin E., Sept. 8-18, 1877

West Sally, Jan. 12, 1876- - Dec. 12, 1911, no stone

From GRAVES COUNTY, KY. BIRTH RECORDS 1852 TO 1859 by Don Simmons, Simmons Historical Publications, P. O. Box 66, Melber, Ky. 42069, 1991:

p. 24  625 West, F. M. A. (m) Amos West and Mary Brown 3-22-1853

p. 39  1041 West, C. J. R. (m) A. West & M. A. Brown 4-30-1855

p. 46  1265 West, H. A. D. (m) A. West & M. A. Brown 5-30-1857

p. 74  2074 West, Mathew S.  Amos West & Mary Ann Brown 6-16-1859.

From GRAVES CO., KY NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL ABSTRACTS VOLUME 10, Simmons Historical Publications, Melber, Ky. 42069, 1984:

Thur. 2-25-1904

p. 10  Uncle Amos West, an old man of Calloway Co., died Sat. morning and was buried Sun. at the Lassiter Graveyard near Swan.   He died of paralysis.

Until Ben's family DNA matched my DNA (and that of Hal Beumer's cousin) we wondered, but did not know at all if our ancestors were related.  This blog was written by me to point out that these two branches of the West family lived in Graves County back in the 1800's.  Did they know that they were related?  Were they aware of a relationship when they came to Kentucky around 1800?

If you have some information to add to this blog, please post it to the comments for this blog or send to me directly at:  jgw.mylines@gmail.com  

Written & submitted by John G. West

Links to Connections to Families with Ties to the Family of Thomas West, Sr.

NC Secretary of State Land Grant Office

[This information was previously posted on the MyFamily.com web site "West, Fike & Affiliate Families" on Dec 9, 2000 by John G. West.]

Land grants are excellent records of where a family owned land.  The neighbors (adjoining lands) are generally listed to describe the land borders.  The chainmen listed were trusted neighbors, friends or family... since they provided the measurements.  The person given the grant wanted his full measurement and would ensure that the chainmen were trust worthy and well-known to him.

The following records were transcribed from the NC Secretary of State Land Grant Office in Raliegh, NC as compiled by John G. West on 4 Aug 1981. Taken within one hour of the office closing for the day - hopefully there are no errors - there were other West family land grants not copied due to the time constraint!

West, Thomas #1216 Chatham Co. 100 Acres
Grant # 1121 Issued 7 Jul 1794
Entry # 1 Entered 16 Feb 1791
Book # 82 Page # 345
Chainmen: Ignatius West & Richard West
Beginning at a black jack... Lutterloh's corner & James Simmon's line... Baker's corner...

West, Phillip #1792 Chatham Co. 2 3/16 acres
Grant # 1698 Issued 7 Dec 1803
Entry # 639 Entered 10 Feb 1801
Book # 117 Page # 242
Chainmen: John Hackney, Sr. & John Hackney, Jr.
Waters of Dry Creek, along Thomas West's line & Lutterloh's line from his own corner...
(Comptroller's Office 15 Dec 1802 states "10 Acres Entry # 639" ???)

West, Jeptha #1693 Chatham Co. 74 Acres
Grant # 1620 Issued 14 Nov 1801
Entry # 569 Entered 19 Feb 1800
Book # 111 Page # 162
Chainmen: Hezekiah Henderson & Quintin Millekin
On the Waters of Robertson's Creek...

West, George #66 Chatham Co. 300 acres
Grant # 65 Issued 1 Jul 1779
Entry # 147 Entered 19 Oct 1778
Book # 30 Page # 65
Chainmen: Jeremiah Melton & John Harrison
On the head of the Wattery Branch the Watters of Indian Cr. and Deep River. Beginning near the Quaker Road (including the Millstone Glade)...

(The following Ignatius West records were copied by me as "Ig" to save time. The records had various spellings for this name - "Egnasus," "Ignasus," "Ignatious," plus a few others. Time was of essence, since the clerk called out that they would be closing in 20 minutes!)

Ig # 210 Chatham Co. 400 acres
Grant # 341 Issued 31 Mar 1780
Entry # 139 Entered 30 Aug 1779
Book # 32 Page # 195
Chainmen: Ignatious West, Jr. & William West
On the SS of Haw River & NS of Dry Creek...

Ig # 302 Chatham Co. 381 acres
Grant # 433 Issued 31 Mar 1780
Entry # 239 Entered 15 Aug 1779
Book # 32 Page # 287
Chainmen: Ignatious West, Jr. & William West
On both sides of Dry Creek...

Ig # 1145 Chatham Co. 40 acres
Grant # 1045 Issued 16 Nov 1790
Entry # 180 Entered 6 Oct 1788
Book # 77 Page # 97
Chainmen: William Pilkinton & James Davis
An Island in Haw River...

Ig # 1246 Chatham Co. 100 acres
Grant # 1151 Issued 7 Jul 1794
Entry # 273 Entered 12 May 1789
Book # 82 Page # 354
Chainmen: John Meacham & Nat Brewer
Both sides of Terrells Creek beginning on Wm. Meacham's line...

Ig # 1115 Chatham Co. 20 acres
Grant # 1015 Issued 16 Nov 1790
Entry # 184 Entered 14 Nov 1788
Book # 77 Page # 88
Chainmen: Richard West & James Mutin
On the waters of Dry Creek... James Henderson's line...

Ig # 1135 Chatham Co. 30 acres
Grant # 1035 Issued 16 Nov 1790
Entry # 204 Entered 6 Mar 1789
Book # 77 Page # 94
Chainmen: William Pilkinton & James Davis
On Haw River (an Island known as "Big Island")...

Ig # 1039 Chatham Co. 75 acres
Grant # 963 Issued 26 Nov 1789
Entry # 77 Entered 27 Oct 1787
Book # 71 Page # 358
Chainmen: Henry Brewer & Nathaniel Brewer
On the waters of Dry Creek...

Benjamin West, Jr. (1696-after 1739)

Wests in Middlesex County, Connecticut:

Benjamin West, Jr. (1696-after 1739)

Compiled by Joy Ikelman, August 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] Aaron West (b. 03 Jun 1763; d. 15 May 1840) was his brother. Both are descendants of Thomas West (b. 1630/1631-1720) of Essex County, Massachusetts. This the second of several articles about the Connecticut line of this FG#5 family.

Thomas West (1630/1631-1720) m. Phebe Waters

       - Benjamin West (1665-1733) m. Hannah Shadduck

            - Benjamin West, Jr. (1696-after 1739) m. Mehitable Bailey

                  - David West (1736-1822) m. Judith Hills

                        - Aaron West (1763-1840) m. Susannah Kellogg

                        - Judah West (1765-1825) m. Mary Todd

Early Years of Benjamin West, Jr.

Benjamin West, Jr. was the son of Benjamin West and Hannah Shadduck. He was the grandson of Thomas and Phebe West. He probably knew his grandfather, because he was born before Thomas West died in 1720.

Benjamin West, Jr. was born on 1 Jun 1696 in Enfield, Hartford County, CT. [2] When he was two years old, his family moved to Middletown, Middlesex County, CT. [3] He was baptized on the same day as his sister Hannah—24 Jul 1698—at First Congregational Church, Middletown. [4]

Benjamin West, Jr. Marries Mehitable Bailey

He married Mehitable, Mehitabel, or Mehetibel Bailey of Haddam, Middlesex County, CT on 11 Jan 1719/1720. [5] She was the daughter of John Bailey, Jr. and Elizabeth Gerrard of Haddam. [6] She was the granddaughter of John Bailey, one of the first 28 settlers of Haddam (1662). [7]

Mehitable Bailey West was born on 4 Jun 1698. [8] She was baptized at Haddam First Congregational Church on 10 Sep 1699. [9] Mehitable joined Middletown First Congregational Church on 19 Jun 1720. [10] Her son Moses was baptized the same day. On 2 Nov 1729, Mehitable joined Portland First Congregational Church. [11]

Chatham, Portland, or East Hampton, Connecticut?

West researchers have written that after 1728, the West family moved to Portland, Connecticut. They base this on the available church records. However, Portland was not a town until 1841—more than a hundred years later. What are the facts?

Community Names. The original settlement of 1653 was called Middletown. This included land on both sides of the Connecticut River.  By the time Benjamin West, Sr. moved there in 1698, land on the east side of the River was called “East Middleton.” Eventually the name was changed to “Chatham.” Chatham was incorporated into a town in 1767. One community in Chatham was called “Portland.” Another community in Chatham was called “East Hampton.” The town of Chatham was renamed East Hampton in 1915.

Church Names. A family’s church activities (such as baptisms and marriages) were recorded at the closest available church. The original West property (from 1698) was south of Lake Pocotopaug. [12] Today this is called East Hampton, and it is about 9 miles west of today’s Portland. However, at that time, there was no church in East Hampton.

The baptisms of the first three children of Benjamin and Mehitable West were recorded at First Congregational Church, Middletown. The rest of the children’s baptisms were recorded at First Congregational Church, Portland.  The Portland church was originally (1721) called Chatham First Congregational Church [13]. The First Congregational Church of East Hampton was established in 1746. [14] By then, Benjamin and Mehitable’s children were adults. The church was very close to the West property near Lake Pocotopaug. Moses, John, and David—their sons—were members. [15] Very confusing!

This means that the family did not necessarily move from one area to another. Instead, they transferred their membership as closer churches were established.

Children of Benjamin and Mehitable West

1. Moses West (Senior): b. 23 Apr 1720 [16] and bpt. 19 Jun 1720 at First Congregational Church, Middletown [17]—the same day as his mother, Mehitable Bailey West became a member. He m. 13 Feb 1746 Sarah Hopkins, at First Congregational Church, East Hampton. [18] He d. 8 May 1794 in East Hampton. [19]  On 3 Jun 1746: “This Court grant Adms on the estate of Widow Deborah Hopkins, late of Middletown decd., unto Moses West of sd. Middletown.” [20] We do not know her relationship to Sarah Hopkins. Moses and Sarah Hopkins had two known children: Hopkins West and Moses West (Junior).

Hopkins West was bpt. 25 Apr 1756 at East Hampton. [21] He m. Susannah Peters; they had five children. [22] Hopkins West is on a list “taken from the town treasurer’s book, of soldiers to whom bounties were paid in 1781-82.” [23] This refers to the Revolutionary War. By the 1790 Census, Hopkins and Susannah West were living in Cambridge, Washington County, NY, with two other individuals (probably their children). [24] Moses Jr., his brother, also lived there. Today, Cambridge is in Albany County, NY.

Moses West (Junior) was probably older than Hopkins West. He m. Mary Ranney—sometimes written as “Rainney”—on 4 Jun 1771 in East Hampton, Middlesex County, CT.  They moved to White Creek, Washington County, NY in 1789. Moses West d. 10 Mar 1801 in Cambridge, Washington County, NY. [25] The baptisms of three of their children were recorded in the East Hampton Congregational Church records: Margary West (bpt. 1780), Richard West (bpt. 1782), and Moses West (bpt. 1785). [26] Daughter Hannah West (b. ca. 1776, who married Arthur Ackley) is mentioned in the pension application. There was another son, Ezra West, probably born in Washington County, NY in 1790. There are known descendants from Ezra today. [27] Other children of Moses Jr. (according to some West researchers) may have been Aaron, Elisha, Ezekial, and Polly. I was unable to prove this. In the 1790 Census, Moses and Mary West had 6 other individuals at their house—4 males and 2 females—probably their children. In the 1800 Census, there was an additional male at their house. [28]

       

2. Elijah West: b. 23 Aug 1722 [29], bpt. 23 Sep 1722 [30] He married Hannah Thurber, who was born in Rhode Island. She married (1) Josiah Bennet Nichols in Nova Scotia, Canada, and then (2) Elijah West. [31) Elijah died in 1798, and is buried in Old South Cemetery, Windsor, Windsor County, VT. Elijah’s tombstone reads: “Dedicated to the memory of Mr. Elijah West, who departed this life October 28^th, 1798, in the 78^th year of his age.” [32]

1790 Census. The 1790 Census records show that Elijah and Hannah had 8 other people at their house—4 males and 4 females. Two of these males were under 16 years of age, and 2 were more than 16 years old. We do not know the ages of the females. [33] Hannah’s known children were Samuel Nichols (from her first marriage), Elizabeth (West) and Susan (West). Elizabeth West married Abner Forbes, and Susan West married Allen Hayes. [34] The Census numbers show us that there were more children, or perhaps boarders.

Constitution House. Elijah was a lawyer [35] and a “tavern” owner. This was a large house that accommodated travelers. On 2 July 1777, State delegates met at Elijah West’s tavern and drafted Vermont’s first Constitution. [36] The tavern house has been restored and is now a Vermont State Historic Site called “The Old Constitution House.” It is located at 15 North Main in Windsor, VT. [37]

3. Hannah West: b. 15 Jan 1724/1725 [38]; bpt. 7 Mar 1725. [39]

4. Benjamin West: b. 9 Apr 1728 [40]; bpt. 12 May 1728. [41] He was the first of the West children to be baptized at First Congregational Church, Portland, CT.

5. Israel West: bpt. 13 Sep 1730. [42]

6. Abigail West: b. possibly 30 Jun 1732 [43]; bpt. 13 Aug 1732 [44]

7. John West: bpt. 17 Aug 1734. [45] John West married Susanna (last name unknown). Church records show that he was appointed grave digger at First Congregational Church, East Hampton, in November 1765 and 1766. [46] In many New England churches, this was a paying job, associated most often with winter burials. John and Susanna West joined the church on 6 Jun 1784. [47] Three of their children—Mehitabel, John, and Benjamin West—were baptized that same day. [48]

8. David West:  bpt. 7 Nov 1736 [49]; d. 1822. [50]

The story of David and Judith (or Juda) West will be continued in the next article, as they are the parents of Judah and Aaron West.

9. Aaron West: bpt. 5 Feb 1739. [51] There is a very high probability that Aaron West died in the French and Indian War, Campaign of 1757. A soldier named Aaron West served in Col. Phinneas Lyman’s regiment, Tenth Company, under Capt. Eliphalet Whittlesey. He enlisted on 30 Mar 1757, and died on 10 Nov 1757. [52] Another person in this Company was David West. We know that David West, his brother, served in the French and Indian War. The Tenth Company was composed of soldiers from areas around Middletown, CT. Aaron West would have been about 18 years old at the time of his death.

Wests from Middlesex County, CT vs. Wests from Tolland County, CT

There was a family of Wests who lived in Tolland County, CT at this time. This is not too far from Middlesex County. The other West family is often referred to as the “Tolland Wests” by researchers. They are descendants of Francis West and Margery Reeves of Duxbury, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. This is West DNA Family Group #19. [53] It’s easy to mix up the two families.

Similar Names. These two West families had similar first names. This is not because the two families were related. This is because of the popularity of Old Testament names for male children, such as Moses, Aaron, Abner, Israel, David, Ezra, and Elijah. These names were used throughout the 1700s in many New England families.

Military Records. Both West families had men serving in the French and Indian Wars, and in the Revolutionary War. [54] Connecticut military records from the French and Indian Wars do not give specifics on a soldier’s place of enlistment. However, officers’ residences are sometimes cited. The officers were usually from the same geographic areas as men serving under them. The Revolutionary War pension applications are more informative. It is easier to sort these into FG#5 and FG#19 West families. If Tolland, Hebron, and other Tolland County town names are mentioned as hometowns, the soldier is probably from a FG#19 family.

Migration Patterns. After the Revolutionary War, Wests from both families moved from Connecticut to New York. Wests from both families also followed the settlement route to the Connecticut Western Reserve and settled in Ohio. [55]

Church Records. Both West families were members of First Congregational Church, East Hampton, at the same time. Several of Benjamin and Mehitable West’s descendants stayed in East Hampton, CT, where the West homestead was located. From 1791-1826, the pastor of the church was Reverend Joel West. He is not related to Family Group #5. He was born in Lebanon (today’s Columbia, Tolland County) to Captain Samuel and Sarah West. He was descended from Frances West and Margery Reeves (Family Group #19). [56] Several generations of Reverend West’s descendants lived in East Hampton.

Later Years of Benjamin and Mehitable West

There is no direct information about the later years of Benjamin and Mehitable West. I found no records for their deaths. [57] We can guess that each lived until 1739 or beyond, based on the baptism date of their last known child Aaron West (bp. 5 Feb 1739). Benjamin West, Jr.  witnessed this baptism.

Perhaps Benjamin West, Jr. lived on his (father’s) land throughout his life. He may have farmed the land or leased it. He might have willed the land to his sons, particularly Moses West, the firstborn. Moses West lived out his years in East Hampton, Middlesex County, CT. He died in 1794. His brother David West stayed in East Hampton until about 1783, when he moved to Winchester, Litchfield County, CT. [58] Brother John stayed in East Hampton, at least through 1784, when his children were baptized.

Land records for Benjamin West, Jr. and his children would give more information. I did not have access to these. These are available in microfilm format through the Family History Centers (LDS), Middletown City Hall, and also the Russell Library in Middletown. [59]

Perhaps descendants of Benjamin and Mehitable worked in local mills or shops. During these times, industries rose up in the East Hampton region south of Lake Pocotopaug—the lake’s waterpower was excellent for production. [60] By the mid-1700s, there were mills, a bell factory, and other successful ventures.

References and Additional Notes

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

2. Francis Olcott Allen, editor, 1900: The History of Enfield, Connecticut, Volumes 1- 3, Wickersham Printing Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Volume 2: “Enfield Town Records, Births,” p. 1588.

3. Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920, Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Vol. 070, Part 2, Middletown First Congregational Church, p. 612. The date of the move was before 24 May 1698. This was the date Benjamin West, Sr. and Hannah Shadduck West  were admitted as members of the church.

4. CT Church Record Abstracts, Middletown, p. 612.

5. Lorraine Cook White, editor, 1994-2002: The Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records, Vol. 1-155, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, p. 297 (Middletown). Also known as The Barbour Collection.

6. An excellent family chart—“Descendants of John Bailey (1618-1696)”—is at:

http://www.gustner-wright-genealogy.com/genereptbailey2.pdf.

7. George S. Roberts, 1906: Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley, Robson and Adee, Schenectady, New York, p. 75. A map showing town lots in Haddam in about 1670, including “John Balie” is at http://www.haddamhistory.org/early_settlement_map.htm. Accessed August 2014.

8. Barbour Collection, Haddam, p. 9.

9. CT Church Record Abstracts, Volume 048, Haddam First Congregational Church, 1739-1808, p. 19.

10. CT Church Record Abstracts, Middletown, p. 612.

11. CT Church Record Abstracts, Volume 091, Portland First Congregational Church, 1720-1925, p. 201.

12. Paul Loether, 1981: Middletown, Connecticut: Lots in the Three Mile Division, 1721, Connecticut Historical Society Collection, hand-drawn diagram. http://www.chs.org/emuseum. Accessed July 2014.

13. The First Congregational Church of Portland. Facebook page. Accessed Aug 2014.

14. “The Congregational Church of East Hampton,” Historic Buildings of Connecticut, http://historicbuildingsct.com/?p=2168. Accessed August 2014.

15. CT Church Record Abstracts, Volume 027, East Hampton Congregational Church, p. 589, 595, 598.

16. Barbour Collection, Middletown, p. 298.

17. CT Church Record Abstracts, Middletown, p. 612.

18. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 232.

19. _____, 1900: Early Records of Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths and Membership of the Congregational Church, East Hampton (Chatham) Connecticut, Middletown, Connecticut, Felton and King, p. 125.

20. Charles William Manwaring, editor, 1906: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1729-1750, Vol. III, R.S. Peck and Company, p. 573-574. “Court Records, Page 13.” Inventory taken 29 May 1746.

21. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 232.

22. Edmond Frank Peters and Eleanor Bradley Peters, 1903: Peters of New England, A Genealogy, and Family History, The Kickerbocker Press, New York, p. 307.

23. Henry Whittemore, 1884: “Town of Chatham,” in The History of Middlesex County 1635-1885, J.H. Beers and Company, New York, p. 186.

24. Census of 1790, Cambridge, Washington County, NY. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

25. Hannah Wright, (widow’s) pension application for Revolutionary War soldier Moses West, W18387. HeritageQuest, http://www.heritagequestonline.com. Accessed December 2013.

26. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 597, 598, 599.

27. In 1998, S.R. posted information on some family descendants of Moses West, Jr. through son Ezra, who moved from Washington County, NY to Seneca County, OH. Ezra West m. Prudence Culver.  James West (OH to MO) m. Julia Bogart. Albert West (MO to KS) m. Josephine Campbell. James Henry West (KS) m. Susan Lewellen. Claude West was from Smith County, KS. Source: Rootsweb, West-L, Subject: [WEST-L] re: Moses West, 12 Jan 1998. In 2005, T.G. posted information on descendants of another son of James West and Julia Bogart—Asahel McGee West. This line continued to Charles West (CO to Lyon County, KS). Home page dated 2005, accessed August 2014: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/i/Thomas-West-Griffiths/.

28. Census of 1790 and Census of 1800, Cambridge, Washington County, NY.

29. Barbour Collection, Middletown, p. 298.

30. CT Church Record Abstracts, Middletown, p. 612.

31. Florence Thurber Gargaro, 2009: Descendants of Benjamin Thurber and Elizabeth Hallett, http://www.gargaro.com/thurber/. Accessed July 2014. Per notes by Gargaro, the marriage to Josiah Nichols is recorded in Hants County, Nova Scotia Registration Year 1766, Book 1700, page 45, at http://www.novascotiagenealogy.com. Accessed August 2014.

32. Information and pictures are at: http://www.findagrave.com.

33. Census of 1790, Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont.

34. Gagaro sources for the children: Thurber Family Genealogical Index: A Work in Progress, by Joanne E. Martin, 1995.

35. Lewis Cass Aldrich and Frank R. Holmes, editors, 1891: History of Windsor County, Vermont, D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, New York, page 184.

36. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Constitution_House. Accessed July 2014.

37. http://historicsites.vermont.gov/directory/old_constitution/history. Accessed July 2014.

38. Barbour Collection, Middletown, p. 298.

39. CT Church Record Abstracts, Middletown, p. 612.

40. Barbour Collection, Middletown, p. 297. Portland was not yet incorporated, so the birth record is in Middletown.

41. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

42. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

43. Barbour Collection, Middletown, p. 297.

44. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

45. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

46. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 595.

47. Early Records, East Hampton (Chatham) Congregational Church, p. 123.

48. CT Church Record Abstracts, East Hampton, p. 590, 595, 598.

49. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

50. John Boyd, 1873:  Annals of Family Records of Winchester, Connecticut with Exercises of the Centennial Celebration, on the 16^th and 17^th Days of August, 1871, Case, Lockwood, and Brainard, Hartford, CT, p. 289.

51. CT Church Record Abstracts, Portland, p. 200.

52. Connecticut Historical Society, 1903: “Campaign of 1757,” Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, Volume IX, The Society, Hartford, CT, p. 185.

53. West Family Group #19 results are at: http://web.utk.edu/~corn/westdna/west5.htm#FG19

54. Marilou West Ficklin, 2013: Wests of Tolland, CT and Lee, MA—Their Westward Migration; Selected Descendants of Francis West of Duxbury. Self published, on-line at http://www.westerly-journeys.com. Accessed July 2014. Ficklin has written an excellent account of these Wests.

55. Ikelman, 2013-2014, research on migration patterns of the Wests from Middlesex County, CT. Ficklin, 2013, research on migration patterns of the Wests from Tolland County, CT and Berkshire County, MA.

56. Martin L. Roberts and Samuel Mills Bevins, compilers, 1899: The One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary: 1748-1898, of the Congregational Church of East Hampton, (Chatham) Connecticut, November 30, 1898, Pelton and King, Middletown, CT, p. 17-18.

57. There were no entries in The Charles R. Hale Collection of Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions (Hartford, Connecticut: Connecticut State Library). However, the Hale Collection includes a number of “Tolland Wests.” In the Barbour Collection, “Tolland Wests” are very well represented. These Wests are in DNA Family Group #19—not related to Family Group #5.

58. Boyd, p. 289.

59. R.W. Bacon, editor, The Middler: Newsletter of the Society of Middletown First Settlers Descendants, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Email communications with Mr. Bacon during June 2014.

60. Roberts and Bevins, p. 11. A brief description of the early industry associated with Lake Pocotopaug is at: http://connecticuthistory.org/lake-pocotopaug-shapes-the-growth-of-east-hampton/. Accessed August 2014.