Ebenezer West (abt. 1739 - 1822)

Born about 1739 in North Kingstown, Kings, Rhode Island [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Waite (Carr) West — married 23 Feb 1760 in Newport, Newport Co., RI

Descendants

Died 1822 at about age 83 in Minerva, Essex, New York, United States of America

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Biography

Ebenezer West, son of William West and Jane (Tanner) West, was born most likely in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, about 1739^[1].

He married in Newport, Rhode Island, Wait Carr (1744-after 1822) on 23 Feb 1760^[1][2].

Ebenezer, definitely had a military leaning, starting as early as 1757 he served in the Rhode Island militia under Capt. Gardner Whiting^[1], and in 1759 he served under Capt. Brown^[1] during the time of the French and Indian Wars (1754 (declared 1756)-1764 (Treaty of Paris 1763))

The Rhode Island Census of 1774 listed Ebenezer over 16 living with 5 males under 16 and one female over 16.^[3]

Ebenezer served as Ensign in the 2nd Battalion of the Continental line, Daniel Hitchcock, Col.^[4] chosen Oct 1776. 2nd Lieutenant and 1st Lieutenant in Capt William Allen's Co. in the 2nd Battalion from the State of Rhode Island commanded by Col. Israel Angell. His service began in 1777 and continued until he was cashiered 9 July 1778.^[5]Ebenezer was court martialed for foraging during a cold winter about 1776. His discharge was endorsed by George Washington.^[4]

Ebenezer purchased 16 acres of land in Goshen (Litchfield), Connecticut in April 1778. Another 15 acres was bought in 1779 in Litchfield and Goshen^[1]. Living in Litchfield 23 April 1782 he sold his Newport, Rhode Island holdings^[6]. He sold his land in Goshen and Litchfield in December 1782^[1]. On 4 Feb 1783 Ebenezer still of Litchfield sold 100 acres of land in Vershire, Vermont, but he removed to Vershire shortly and on 14 Nov 1785 Ebenezer now of Vershire sold 10 acres to his son Nathan also of Vershire^[1].

In 1783, Ebenezer was selectman of Vershire, Vermont and on 28 Mar 1784, the Vershire town meeting was held at the house of Lt. Ebenezer West. Officers of the town were elected. Ebenezer West was chosen town clerk and treasurer, & surveyor of highways^[7]. Ebenezer was the towns Representative to the State Legislature^[1][6], and he was listed there in the 1790 US Census: 2 males over 16, one female.^[8] Ebenezer and Waite witnessed a deed in 1791 and he sold land in 1793 and 1794. 17 Dec 1793 Ebenezer West, as moderator, gave a religious certificate to Ebenezer Brown, member fo the Baptist Society.^[1] As Justice of the Peace he performed the marriage of his son Nathan to Martha Tites in 1787.^[9]

Ebenezer and his sons, Nathan, Ebenezer and John were early settlers in Minerva, New York, about 1804. Minerva was formed from Schroon on 7 Mar 1817. 18 April 1805 Ebenezer and wife Weight, of Essex Co., New York, sold land^[1]. The 1810 US Census Schroon, Essex County, New York lists Ebenezer West; one male and one female, both over 45. Children Nathan, John, and Ebenezer Jr are also listed^[10]

The 1820 US Census Moriah, Essex, NY Ebenezer and Waite are listed 45+. Other family members live in the vicinity^[11]. Earlier that year in March, Ebenezer and Waite sold 160 acres in Minerva to grandson William C. West. this deed is acknowledged by the couple in Feb 1821^[1].

Ebenezer West died in 1822^[1].

He and Waite were buried in the cemetery across the street from the Minerva Baptist Church, but as of 1995 no stone could be found.

• The Ebenezer West children were all born in Newport, Rhode Island^[1]

1. William b 9 Feb 1761 (from his pension documents)
2. Nathan b 22 March 1763 (from pension)
3. Joseph (twin) b. 20 Oct 1766. Joseph's pension documents give his birthdate as 22 Oct 1766
4. John (twin) b. 20 Oct 1766 (According to Joseph b. 22 Oct 1766)
5. Ebenezer b. about 1769

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12} George Soule of the Mayflower and his Descendants for Four Generations. "Mayflower Families in Progress." Plymouth, Massachusetts: General Society of Mayflower Descendents, 2006.
2. ↑ Arnold, James Newell. Rhode Island Vital Extracts, 1636–1850. 21 volumes. Providence, R.I.: Narragansett Historical Publishing Company, 1891–1912. Digitized images from New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. Accessed at Ancestry
3. ↑ Census of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (Google eBook) Rhode Island. General Assembly, 1858 - Providence (R.I.)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} record located by James West of Branford, Connecticut. Cites the National Archives Order Book of about July 1778 for Lt. E West of the 2nd RI Battallion.
5. ↑ National Archives, Revolutionary War Returns, Muster Rolls, Pay Rolls
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} A.B. Harding, editor, Book: "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations", Vol. 3, (General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1980), p.99.
7. ↑ Simpson, T.G. "Vershire." The Vermont Historical Gazetteer, A Magazine, Embracing a History of Each Town, Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military Vol. II p 1133. Hemenway, Abby Maria (editor). Burlington, Vermont: By the Editor, 1871
8. ↑ First Census of the United States, 1790 (NARA microfilm publication M637, 12 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
9. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files. The National Archives, Publication Number: M804, NARA, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; NAC Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900. Record Group: 15 Roll: 2536 Pension # W19596 Nathan West
10. ↑ 1810; Census Place: Schroon, Essex, New York; Roll: 27; Page: 2; Image: 00009; Family History Library Film: 0181381. Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
11. ↑ 1820 U S Census; Census Place: Moriah, Essex, New York; Page: 436; NARA Roll: M33_69; Image: 34. Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.