John West (1638 - 1703)

Born 8 Apr 1638 in Stepney, Middlesex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Matilda (Scarborough) West — married 20 Oct 1661 in Northampton Co., Virginia

Descendants

Died 27 May 1703 at age 65 in Accomac, Accomack, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

Descendant of Lettice (Knollys) Blount..

John West is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

John West was a Virginia colonist.

Name

John /West/^[1][2][3][4]

Birth

Birth Date: 8 Apr 1638

Birth Place: Stepney, Middlesex, England^[5][6][7]

Christening

Name: John West^[8]

Gender: Male

Christening Date: 13 Apr 1638

Christening Place: SAINT DUNSTAN,STEPNEY,LONDON,ENGLAND

Father's Name: Anthony West

Mother's Name: Anne

Marriage

Date: Oct 1661 in Accomack, Virginia: ^{[9][10][11] [12][13]}

Parents' Marriage:

Date: 3 Nov 1633 in Stepney, Middlesex, England.^[14]

Will

WEST, JOHN, 1702/3 -- 4 Aug. l703 -

• To son Anthony, land at Nandua - Elizabeth wife of Anthony.
• Grandson John, son of Anthony.
• To grandaus. Matilda, Mary Scarburgh & Jean West, daus.of my son Anthony, the Ridge land without the Neck where Anthony now lives.
• To son Alexander planta.at Mossongo formerly known by the name of old Brookes land.
• To 4 youngest daus. Catherine, Mary, Ann & Scarburgh West (all under 16) To eldest son John and son Benony land at Deep Creek; should both die without issue Benonys part to go to Alexanders eldest son and John's part to my son Jonathan.
• To son Jonathan land at Chicconessick Creek.
• To son John land at Pungoteague.
• To 5 daus. Catherine, Mary, Ann, Scarburgh & Matilda land at Deep Creek.
• To dau. Matilda Wise & her dau. Mary Cade Wise 300 acres at Deep Creek.
• To dau. Sarah Robinson, wife of Capt. Tully Robinson planta. at Onancock called ye Folly, cont. 600 acres for life, &.then to her 5 children, West, Elizabeth, Scarburgh, Sarah & Susanna.
• To dau. Frances Kellam land given her by deed.
• To Sarum, son of my dau. Frances, cattle, personalty.
• To John, the son of Sarah Glanning, dec., 100 acres at Gingoteague.
• To youngest son John West.
• To sons John West the younger & John West the e1der.
• Wife Matilda Exec. & after her dec.
• I appoint my son Jonathan Exr. Son in law Capt. Tully Robinson to assist my wife. * To grandson Anthony, son of John West.
• To grandson John, the eldest son of my dau. Matilda Wise 100 acres.

Witt: William Wise, John Wise Jr. Tabitha Hill, Geo: Nich: Hack, Patrick Morgan, Robert Hutchinson ^[15]

Death

John West passed away 27 April, 1703.^[16]

Family Summary

JOHN WEST (son of Anthony), born 8 April 1638, deposed 10 Nov. 1663 that he was aged 25 or thereabouts. On 23 Dec. 1650 he had been put in possession of 1600 acres in Northampton County, which included the above mentioned Herle tract. He was a carpenter and shipbuilder by trade and served Accomack County as a commissioner, 1662-63, justice, 1663-1703, sheriff, 1667, and as captain, major and lieutenant colonel of militia, 1655-1703. He held 5250 acres in Accomack County, 1683.

He married, about 1660, Matilda Scarburgh, daughter of Lt. Col. Edmund and Mary Scarburgh, who deposed, 17 Mar 1679/80, she was aged 35. A patent issured to John West, 20 Oct 1661, for 250 acres in Northampton County recites that the land was granted to Matilda Scarburgh, 31 March 1655, and due said West "as marrying with the said Scarburgh." He died 27 May 1703, leaving will 3 Feb. 1702/3 - 3 Aug. 1703, which named his wife and children. His widow held 3600 acres in Accomack County, 1704. She was a prominent member of the Society of Friends (Quakers). She died intestate after 2 Aug. 1720.

Issue:

1. JOHN, the Elder, left will 9 Nov. 1708 - 2 Feb. 1708/9, naming his mother, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews;
2. ANTHONY
3. ALEXANDER
4. JONATHAN, born 27 March 1674,27 left will 3 May 1727-4 Oct. 1727, married Rachel Spooner, without issue; 9.
5. Benoni3, left will 17 Jan, 1708/9-1 Feb. 1708/9,29 which mentioned mother Mrs. Matilda West, married Sarah Snead, without issue;
6. SARAH
7. MATILDA
8. FRANCES
9. JOHN, the younger
10. CATHERINE
11. MARY
12. ANN
13. SCARBURGH

Research Notes

From Accomack County Virginia Court Order Abstracts 1663-1678 by JoAnn Riley McKey, published by Heritage Books, Inc.

John West served on the County Court, beginning at least as early as age 25, throughout most of the 15 year period. He was a member of the "quorum" along with Capt. George Parker (whose grandaughter, Mary Parker, married John West's grandson, Scarburgh West), Colonel Edmund Scarburgh (his father-in-law), and Charles Scarburgh (his brother-in-law).

John West was appointed High Sheriff for several terms beginning as early as May 22, 1663, at which time he was on the County Court (shown with no military rank). On November 16,1665, he was shown on the Court as Capt. His first appearance as Major was on November 9, 1674. By 1677, he was a Lt. Col., and by 1701, a Colonel.

After Colonel Edmund Scarburgh's death in 1671, Capt. John West became administrator of his father-in-law's estate. The court record is replete with actions involving the estate for several years.

In 1670, Accomack County was dissolved as an an entity and absorbed into Northampton, but still had the separate identity of "Upper Northampton". This was a rebuke to Colonel Edmund Scarburgh, and an attempt by Governor Berkeley to remove him from power. Even though Capt. John West had long been associated with the Colonel, it apparently did not affect his (West's) popularity in the County. The inhabitants of "Upper Northampton" complained to the governor, asking that a separate Court be established. In agreeing to the request, Governor Berkeley reestablished the Court and appointed Capt. West as a member of the Court's "quorum".

In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against Governor Berkeley because the governor would not quell an Indian uprising that had killed many settlers. Accomack County was not directly involved in the fighting, as the events related to that area "across the bay". Driven from power, Governor Berkeley fled to the Eastern Shore, where loyalties were divided.

"When Governor Berkeley fled to the Eastern Shore, some inhabitants at first held themselves aloof, but when pressed by Berkeley for support, they began to bargain; "... instead of the people receiving him with open arms, in remembrance of the former services he had done them, they began to make terms with him ..." In their written grievance, the justices claimed that the rebellion had caused great expense and loss of crops because residents had to watch the shore to keep the rebels from invading "our coast, where we had received into our protection the bodies of the right honorable Wm. Berkeley and several other good and loyal subjects of His Majesty fled to our parts from the fury and rage of the said Bacon." They claimed to know of no reason for the rebellion, stating that "some or all of us did protest against his actions as rebellious." They requested Berkelery remain as Governor and stated that for their loyalty, Berkeley had promised that the Eastern Shore would be free from taxes for 21 years. They also requested to be excluded from paying any costs associated with the rebellion."

After the rebellion was over, Major John West^[17] was rewarded for his loyalty by being re-appointed to the County Court and being elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses for Accomack County in 1676.^[18] Major West had commanded a force of 44 men who served for 34 days under Governor Berkeley's command at Jamestown. For those services the Accomack approved his claim against the General Assembly for 12,200 pounds of tobacco. In 1677, he was appointed Lt. Col., and served as a member of the court-martial convened by Governor Berkeley to try the rebels. Capt. Charles Scarburgh was not so lucky. He was re-appointed to the Court, but had to pay a fine for making supportive statements to Bacon.

From "Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia by Nottingham, published by Heritage Books, Inc."

"West, John - 6 Feb. 1702/3 - 4 Aug. 1703 - To son Anthony land at Nandua - Elizabeth wife of Anthony. Grandson John, son of Anthony. To grandaus. Matilda, Mary Scarburgh & Jean West, daus. of my son Anthony, The Ridge land without the neck where Anthony now lives. To son Alexander planta. at Mossongo formerly known by the name of old Brookes land, to 4 youngest daus. Catherine, Mary, Ann & Scarburgh West (all under 16). To eldest son John and son Benony land at Deep Creek; should both die without issue Benony's part to go to Alexander's eldest son and John's part to my son Jonathan. To son Jonathan land at Chicconessick Creek. To Son John land at Pungoteague. To 5 daus. Catherine, Mary, Ann, Scarburgh & Matilda land at Deep Creek. To dau. Matilda Wise & her dau. Mary Cade Wise 300 A. at Deep Creek. To dau. Sarah Robinson, wife of Capt. Tully Robinson, planta. at Onancock called ye Folly, cont. 600 A. for life, & then to her 5 children, West, Elizabeth, Scarburgh, Sarah & Susanna. To dau. Frances Kellam land given her by deed. To Sarum, son of my dau. Frances, cattle, personalty. To John, son of Sarah Glanning, dec., 100 A. at Gingoteague. To Youngest son John West. To sons John West the younger & John West the elder. Wife Matilda Exec. & after her dec. I appoint my son Jonathan Exr. Son in law Capt. Tully Robinson to assist my wife. To grandson Anthony, son of John West. To grandson John, the eldest son of my dau. Matilda Wise 100 A. Witt: William Wise, John Wise,Jr. Tabitha Hill, Geo: Nich: Hack, Patrick Morgan, Robert Hutchison."

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 268.000; Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: PSA. http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1304568&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place:  ?E; Marriage date: Oct 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1304568
2. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 7159.071; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 78; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305284&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1305284
3. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 8822.452; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305288&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1305288
4. ↑ Source: #S-2089836764 http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=flhg-vabiographyi&h=249776&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt . APID: 1,48228::249776
5. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 268.000; Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: PSA. http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1304568&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place:  ?E; Marriage date: Oct 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1304568
6. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 7159.071; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 78; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305284&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1305284
7. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 8822.452; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305288&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1305288
8. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JMVM-ZX1 : accessed 19 Jul 2013), John West, 13 Apr 1638.
9. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 268.000; Electronic Database; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1304568&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place:  ?E; Marriage date: Oct 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1304568
10. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 7159.071; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 78; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305284&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: Marriage place: ; VA. APID: 1,7836::1305284
11. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 8822.452; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1305288&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place: EN; Marriage date: 1661; Marriage place: VA. APID: 1,7836::1305288
12. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Page: Source number: 268.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: PSA. http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1066595&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: 1638; Birth place:  ?E; Marriage date: Oct 1661; Marriage place: VA; APID: 1,7836::1066595
13. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 8822.452; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1066598&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Note: Birth date: 1644; Birth place: VA; Marriage date: 1661; Marriage place: VA; APID: 1,7836::1066598
14. ↑ Source: #S-2083575967 Source number: 269.000; Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: PSA. http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=60956&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Birth date: Birth place: En; Marriage date: 1633; Marriage place: MI; APID: 1,7836::60956
15. ↑ From "Virginia Vital Records", indexed by Judith McGhan p. 317
16. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176531220/john-west
17. ↑ West, John - A8605; born 8 April 1638, died 1703, Accomack Co.: 1676 (Burgess). accessed 8 November 2021
18. ↑ Sprinkle, John Harold Jr., "Loyalists and Baconians: the participants in Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia, 1676-1677" (1992). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539623817. "Loyalists and Baconians:" pages 40, 127

See also:

• https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/3MFJ-8BQ

• Adventurers Of Purse And Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, Fourth Edition, Volume Three, Families R-Z, Compiled and Edited by John Frederick Dorman, C.G., F.A.S.G., 16. pages 510-511

• Source: S-2083562621 Repository: #R-2141998854 Ancestry Family Trees: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=26663240&pid=893 - Repository: R-2141998854 http://www.Ancestry.com

• Source: S-2083575967 Repository: #R-2141998854 U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 by Yates Publishing: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. APID: 1,7836::0

• Source: S-2089836764 Repository: #R-2141998854 Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol. I Note: APID: 1,48228::0

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Margaret Bell for creating WikiTree profile West-4041 through the import of Bell Salerno Family Tree.ged on May 18, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Margaret and others.