More About the North Carolina John and Alexander Wests of the 18th Century

Early land, tax, and census records of Orange County, North Carolina, indicate evidence of two John Wests, who are listed in different ways (John West, John West, Sr., John Sen West, John West, Jr., and John Junior West) in Orange County, NC, which was probably in the area of the Hillsborough District: Stoney Creek  (another Stony Creek, not the one in Wilkes County), Crab Tree Creek, and Haw River.

These Orange County records also indicate evidence of an Alexander West who was probably the Alexander West born about 1720-1730, who could be the same Alexander who was the progenitor, of this West line of Wilkes County.

·         John West, Sr. is listed as grantor of land to Alexander West, the grantee, between 1752-1768.

·         John West and Alexander West are recorded in a land survey on Stoney Creek waters of Haw River in 1754. 

·         Alexander West is noted in the NC Early Census Index in Orange County in 1755.  

·         In 1769 in Orange County, Isaac West, presumed son of John West, married Susanna Anderson, the daughter of Peter and Catherine Anderson.

·         1787 land records indicate that Peter Anderson and his wife, Catherine, sold land on Stoney Creek which was adjacent to John West Senior.

·         These early Orange County records also indicate the presence of a Solomon West.

The following evidence from Wilkes County census, tax, and land records supports the presence of Alexander West in Wilkes County:

·         In 1755, Surry County and Wilkes County Taxables, references two Alexander Wests listed as taxables: Allexander West, Allexander West.  Since part of Surry became Wilkes in 1771, the land would have been in Surry County at the time of the 1755 survey.

·         In 1778, Alexander West is noted in land entry books of Wilkes County as receiving land on Glady Branch.

·         In 1778, Alexander West is noted as living adjacent to William Triplett on north side of Yadkin River.  [Stony Creek in Wilkes County feeds into the Yadkin River.]

·         In 1779, Alexander West is noted as receiving land on north side of a branch which ran through John Farbusons [Ferguson’s?] plantation.

·         In 1783, Alexander West is noted as being taxed for 30 acres, 0 Negroes, 2 mules/horses, 6 cattle in Capt. Kee’s District.

·         In 1784, Alexander West is noted as living adjacent to Daniel Sutherlin on Glady Fork.

·         In 1787, Alexander West is noted as receiving a land grant for 50 acres on both sides of Glady Fork with Isaac West and Bray Crisp serving as chain carriers [Was this Isaac West one of his sons or a brother? If he were a son, did Alexander name him Isaac after a brother?  Also, as an item of interest, I have been told by another on-line researcher that a Bray Crisp is noted at a later date in the South Carolina census records as living near a John West. Did Bray Crips move to South Carolina along with some of the Wests?  So many questions!]

In the 1790 Burke County Census Alexander West Senior is noted in the household with 2 free white males over 16 who would have been himself and his son Alexander West II (1751-1834).  Since he did not appear in this household in the 1800 census, one may assume that he died between 1790 and 1800.

Since an Alexander West appears along with John West, Sr. in land surveys and transactions, loosely documented assumptions may be made that John West, Sr. was the father of John West, Jr., Alexander West I, Solomon West, and Isaac West.  But, where is Alexander in the genealogies?  

I cannot sort it all out!  I am so confused!  Could two different Alexander Wests have lived so close together with so many common events during the same period of time?  If this supposition is valid, from which relative was the naming pattern for our Alexander established?  Was there not a common ancestor named Alexander?  Even Solomon West, who is a member of a supposedly unrelated line of Wests, named his son, Alexander who was born in 1776.

You can readily see my frustration.  I hope that someone can provide a clue to solve this mystery.

Assumptions

Those of us who are descended from Alexander West I are only assuming, based on handed-down family history, that we are descended from him.  Unless someone has additional information which provides primary documentation, we are basing our connection to him on the oral family history of which only two individuals, of whom I am aware, have recorded for posterity.  I am extremely grateful to these two, John Foster West and Irene Hendrix Basey, who recorded family history that had been passed down to them.  Both of these individuals also referenced our forefather, John West (son of Alexander West I), about whom we also know so little. Without their efforts, we would not have anything on which to base our heritage prior to John Balus West.

John Foster West (descended from Alexander West I through John West, John Balus West, John Witherspoon West, and John Wilson West), a noted author and professor at Appalachian State University, wrote an article, “History of West Family Is Given,” which appeared in the November 8, 1976, issue of the Journal-Patriot of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.  He described Alexander West I as being “the deep taproot of many who still live in Wilkes, Caldwell, and Watauga counties as well as across the nation.”  He also described John West who moved to South Carolina shortly after his marriage to Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon.  He related the story of “Miss Peggy,” as he said she was affectionately called, returning to Wilkes with her children after John’s early death to live in the “area where her father-in-law, Alexander West I, lived.”  Furthermore, in another newspaper article, “West Writes About Revolutionary War Relative,” for which the publication source and date are unknown, John Foster West identifies himself as being the sixth generation from Alexander West I.  In this article he described his great, great grandfather, Alexander West II, who fought in the American Revolution, and he identified him as the son of Alexander West I and the brother of John West.  Unfortunately, Alexander West II’s Revolutionary War Pension papers indicate that no names of parents were given.  John Foster West passed away in 2008.

In the 1982 publication of The Heritage of Wilkes County, Irene Hendrix Basey, who is descended from Alexander West I through John West, John Balus West, and Franklin West, published an article, “The West Family,” in which she named Alexander West I as “the earliest known ancestor of the West families of Wilkes County.”   Likewise, she described John West’s family, telling how his widow, Margaret, returned to Wilkes after his death “to live near her relatives in the same general neighborhood where Alexander West I had lived prior to his settlement on Upper Little River.”  Irene Hendrix Basey’s daughter has posted Mrs. Basey’s family tree, Basey Family, on Ancestry.com.  I had tried for a year to locate Mrs. Basey and certainly appreciate Irene’s daughter recently helping me make the connection and sharing information with me.  What would we do without those dear souls who are willing to help and to share information!

Many thanks to 2nd cousin, DFK, and 4th cousins LBD and JJL for sharing information.

Even though, we are basing our knowledge of our ancestors on “assumptions,” I believe that these assumptions are valid for several reasons.  Recorded oral history has validity and value and should be respected. Naming patterns in families reflect the recurring use of the name Alexander in their descendants.  After Alexander West I, we find his son Alexander West II, who named a son Alexander West III.  John Balus West, the grandson of Alexander West I, named a son Alexander Balus West.  John Balus West also had a great grandson named Alexander T. West.  Furthermore, I suspect that two of the sons of Thomas Harvey West (son of Alexander Balus West/Nancy Land) and America Ann McNeil West may have had Alexander in their names.  These sons, A. Judson West and Willard A. West, died at early ages with A. Judson living only approximately two months and Willard A. most likely living only about two years.  In addition, Solomon West, who may have been a brother of Alexander West I, named his son Alexander West.

Obviously, we who are descended from “The Wests of Wilkes” are in need of primary sources with which to document our heritage.  Obviously, I have reached, as genealogist say, “a brick wall” in my search for our ancestors.  I have researched land, census, birth, marriage, will, and probate records in the county court houses and libraries of Orange, Surry, Wilkes, and Burke.  I have also researched at the State Library of North Carolina in Raleigh and the State Library of Virginia in Richmond.  Through this blog, I have hopes that I may reach someone who has greater knowledge than I do about the West ancestors, particularly, John West and his father, Alexander West I.

My intentions are to keep my posts short, but I have just gotten carried away with this and the previous one.

The Confusion

So much confusion exists regarding the ancestors of Alexander West I.  Owners of many on-line trees are confused by the many John Wests and Alexander Wests and have mingled those from various trees or sources with the descendants of Alexander West I (unknown spouse) who was the father of Alexander West II (married Hannah Langley) and John West (married Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon).  This post will attempt to present an overview of the major sources of confusion and draw conclusions based on research data.

Some researchers believe (as I once did) that this West line descended from the royalty of Colonial Virginia, specifically from Sir Thomas Leighton, the 2^nd Lord Baron, De La Warr West (1557-1602) and his wife Lady Anne Knollys as outlined in the following male lineage:  Sir Thomas Leighton (1557-1602)/Lady Anne Knollys; Governor John West I (1590-1659)/Lady Anne Percy; Colonel John West II/Ursula Unity Croshaw; and John West III (1676-1734)/Judith Armistead.  However, this is where the “dead-end” occurs because John and Judith West had only one child, a son, Major Charles West, who never married and died without issue.  Charles willed his 4000 acre inheritance, West Point, Virginia, to his first cousin, Thomas West, who was the son of Charles’ uncle, Captain Thomas West.

Another scenario, one that is not presented in any on-line trees which connect with the Wests of Wilkes, is that the son of Colonel John West II and his mistress, the Pamunkey Indian Queen, Cockacoeske (1640-1686), could have provided a link to my West family.  Their son was also named John (abt 1657-1713) and is referenced in some documents as John, the Indian, West.  I have seen him referenced in some on-line trees as Josiah John West. The story of Queen Cockacoeske and her role in the Treaty of the Middle Plantation of 1677 provides interesting reading.  Supposedly, John, the Indian, West married Elizabeth Rose in 1677 and had several sons (possibly Thomas, Robert, Benjamin, and Richard).  They lived in the area of Chowan, North Carolina.  Thomas was born before 1700 and died about 1800. He had a son John born in 1762 who had a son John born in 1786. Robert died in 1898; he supposedly had sons named Robert, Thomas, John, and Richard.  Research regarding this family has been limited and confusing, but the names and dates do not lend credibility to any of the sons being the father of a John West (b abt 1703) or an Alexander West (b abt 1720-1730), who were the ancestors of my West family.

A second area for confusion with many researchers is one regarding the Wests of Accomack, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore. In 1649 Anthony West and his wife Ann Barloe Huffe along with their two children, John and Katherine, were transported by Randall Herle to the Eastern Shore from Jamestown.  In 1649 Herle received a patent of 600 acres for transporting 12 individuals among whom were the four Wests. This was the first recorded record of any Wests on the Eastern Shore. Records indicate that Anthony West first came to the Virginia Colony as an indentured servant or as an apprentice.  He returned to England where he married Ann Barloe Huffe and then returned to Jamestown.  In addition to John and Katherine, Anthony and Ann Barloe Huffe West had two more daughters after they came to live at Accomack.  Their son, John West (1638-1703), became known as Colonel John West who married Matilda Scarburgh/Scarborough.  This John West is often confused with the Colonel John West of Jamestown.  Colonel John West of Accomack and his wife Matilda had fourteen children six of whom were males.  The list below provides the names of their sons, their grandsons, their great grandsons, and their known spouses for several generations.

As one examines these John and Alexander Wests, one must keep in mind their dates.  A John West (1707-abt 1800) and his wife, Mary Madden, have been suggested as parents of Alexander West I (abt 1720/30-bef 1790)/unknown spouse. Also, the Alexander West, ancestor of the Wests of Wilkes, North Carolina, was alive and active between the years of 1752 and 1790 as noted in land and census records of Orange, Surry, Wilkes, and Burke counties of North Carolina.  Please note that the land in Surry and Wilkes counties where Alexander West I had lived was the same land.  Initially, the land was part of Surry County (created in 1771), but when Wilkes County was created in 1777 from Surry and the District of Washington, the land became part of Wilkes County.

And now, back to the male descendants of Colonel John West and Matilda Scarburgh/Scarborough West.

·         John, the Elder, West (d bef 1708), no children;

·         Anthony West (d bef 1717)/Elizabeth Rowles

o   Anthony West (abt 1700 – 1778)/Comfort Rogers

§  Richard West (abt 1727-1788)/Ann

§  John West (abt 1788-Oct 1799)/unknown spouse

·         Anthony West (abt 1776-?)

§  Jeremiah West (1735-1793)

·         William West

·         John West

o   John West (1696-bef 30 Nov 1773)/unknown spouse

§  Anthony West (d 1778)/Elenor (Eleanor)

·         Revel West/Susannah

o   John Rowles West/unknown spouse

o   Revell West/Margaret C.

o   Edmond Revell West/unknown spouse

·         George West/unknown spouse

o   George R. West

·         Isaac West/unknown spouse

o   John West

·         John West

·         Alexander West* (1665 Accomack-1727 Accomack)/1^st Bayly; 2^nd Mary Robinson Hurtley

o   Child with daughter of  Richard Bayly:

§  Scarburgh West (abt 1700-1760)/ Mary?

·         Edmund West (abt 1726-1797)

·         Alexander West (abt 1730-26 May 1761 in Accomack)/Judah

·         Philip Parker West (abt 1732-18 Oct 1796)/Elizabeth

o   Children with Mary Robinson Hurtley:

§  Major West (abt 1707 - ?)

§  Edmund West (abt 1710 - ?)

§  John West (abt 1695-Jan 1755)/Agnes Burton

·         John West (abt 1728 Accomack - ?)

·         Major West (abt 1705-bef 30 Oct 1782)

o   John West (abt 1775 Accomack- bef 28 Mar 1814 Accomack)

·         Jonathan West (1674- bef 4 Oct 1727)/unknown Spooner

·         Benony (Benoni) West (d bef. 1 Feb 1708)/Sarah Snead

·         Major John, the Younger, West (d 1718)/Frances Yeardley

o   Argall (Argol) Yeardley (Yardly) West/Comfort

§  John West

o   John West/Ann Godwin

§  Jonathan West

·         Jonathan West II/Anne Simpson

o   John West

§  John Custis West

o   Thorowgood West/Susanna

o   Jonathan West III/Susanna

o   Thomas West

§  Charles West

§  James West/Tabitha

·         Solomon West

·         Samuel West

o   Robinson West

§  Thomas West

§  William West

o   William West

o   Thorowgood West

o   Charles West**/Elizabeth

§  Jonathan West

·         Charles West

Some believe that these Wests of Accomack were related to the Wests of Jamestown.  However, no one has been able to prove any familial relationship between the two families of John Wests (Colonial Governor John West and his son, Colonel John West of Jamestown and the Colonel John West of Accomack).  One compelling artifact which lends credence to this theory that a familial relationship may exist is the tombstone of Charles West**, son of Major John, the Younger, West.  This tombstone is inscribed with the De La Warr coat of arms. In his will, Charles had left instructions that a headstone with this crest be ordered from England and placed on his grave. The tombstone had been removed from the grave at some point in time and was used as a bucket rest at a well.  It was retrieved a number of years ago and stored in a museum.  It is broken and not well preserved, being on display on the basement floor of the Ker Place, Onancock, Virginia.  The Ker Place is a museum and the home of the Accomack Historical Society (http://www.kerplace.org/). Although, this tombstone is inscribed with the De La Warr coat of arms, no one has been able to prove that these Accomack Wests were related to the English royalty Wests of Jamestown. Was Charles only “a want-a-be,” or did he know something we don’t – that his family was related to West royalty?  However, after having seen and read about this tombstone in reference books, I was excited to view and photograph it myself while I was in Accomack in May 2010.  

Confusion exists among noted authors, who have complied and published court and land records, concerning the heirs of Alexander West* (1665-1727) with one source indicating no heirs and another indicating two male heirs.  Since authorities do not always agree, determining lineages and relationships becomes a difficult task.  Of course, we are looking 340+ years back in time!  Perhaps, I expect too much.

Good genealogical research does not start at the earliest ancestor and work toward the most recent one but starts at the most recent ancestor and works back proving everything with reliable, primary sources. I certainly found this out the hard way.  When I first started my research, I did it the wrong way by starting with those Wests from the colonial days and working forward using published books as my sources.  Was I ever wrong!

I did use published resources as I tried to unravel the John and Alexander Wests of Accomack. I spent the fall and winter months of 2009-2010 researching various references written by noted authorities by borrowing the books from my public library and through inter-library loan.  In May 2010, I spent two days in Accomack, Virginia, researching the Wests of Accomack in the Eastern Shore Public Library, which is the county library for Accomack County, and in the Accomack County Court House. At this point, I wish to express thanks to my sister who helped me with the research in Accomack and to my husband and brother-in-law who tagged along with us in support of our efforts!  We had a great time, too, touring the part of the Delmarva Peninsula that is in Virginia and seeing the ponies at Chincoteague.

As a matter of reference, most of the genealogical data described in this post regarding the Wests of Accomack were taken from the following sources:

·         Miles Files 11.0,  http://espl-genealogy.org/MilesFiles/

·         Myer, Virginia M. and John Frederick Dorman. Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5.  Richmond, VA: Dietz Press Inc.

·         Nottingham, Stratton.  Wills and Administrations of Accomac County, Vol. I, 1663-1800.  Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990.

·         West, Elmer D. Some Descendants of Anthony West of Accomack, Virginia, 1980.

·         Whitelaw, Ralph T. Virginia's Eastern Shore, A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties, Vol I, 1951.

·         Whitelaw, Ralph T. Virginia's Eastern Shore, A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties, Volumes I and II. Gloucester, Mass: Peter Smith, 1968.

In conclusion to this discourse of the Wests of Accomack, one might assume that Alexander West (1720/30-bef 1790) could be the ancestor of this line of Wests.  However, the Alexander West from Accomack died on 26 May 1761.  The Alexander West in this lineage of Wests is noted in land and census documents as living in Orange, Surry, Wilkes, and Burke counties of North Carolina during the period of 1752-1790.  Therefore, the Alexander West of Accomack who was married to Judah could not have been the ancestor of this line of Wests. No direct male line is found to indicate that Alexander West (1720/30-bef 1790) is directly descended from a West of Accomack. 

And then, there’s another story…which adds to the confusion!  A Robert West (1612-1646) has been documented as playing “nine pins” at the home of John Dennis in Accomack in 1636.  At one point in time, he supposedly worked on a plantation, which may have been in the Jamestown area, owned by Lady Elizabeth Throgmorten Dale (Mrs. Thomas Dale) and could have been an indentured servant, an apprentice, or an orphan. Supposedly, he first married an Elizabeth and had one son, George West who, subsequently, had four sons.  His second wife with whom he had no children was a widow named Mary Rayne who died in 1649.  Robert West and Elizabeth’s descendants are listed below.

·         Robert West (1612-1646)/1^st: Elizabeth

o   George West (1639 VA - 1702 DE)/married 1^st: Susannah;

married 2^nd: widow DuParkes, on 28 Mar 1688, no children

George West and Susannah had 4 sons which are listed below along with their offspring:

§  Thomas West (aft 1660, Accomack, VA – 1708 Somerset County, MD – present Sussex, DE), married Elizabeth

·         Robert West, married Elizabeth Lewis

o   Lewis West

o   Peter West

o   John West

o   Joseph West

o   Robert West

o   Wrixam West

·         Samuel West

·         Thomas West

·         John West (b aft 1700, Baltimore Hundred, Somerset, MD - ?)

·         George West

o   2 unknown children

·         William West

§  John West (aft 1660 – abt 1708 Somerset County, MD)

§  Robert West

§  George  West

After an examination of the data regarding Robert West, the only possibility of a connection might be with his grandson, John West, who was born after 1700 in Maryland.  He was the son of Thomas West, one of Robert’s sons.  Could this have been the John West who was married to a Mary Madden?  Looking back at my research data regarding a John West, Sr. and a John West, Jr., a John West, Sr. is recorded in land and census records of Orange County, North Carolina, between 1752 and 1785.  Could he be “The One”?

 

The Story

Apparently, many unrelated West families are found in North Carolina.  However, many present-day individuals, who are paternally or maternally related to this line of Wests, remain in the Wilkes County and surrounding areas of North Carolina.

The story of this West family begins with the earliest ancestor known at this time, Alexander West I.  He and his unknown spouse likely had the following sons:  Alexander West II (1751 Orange County, NC-1834 Burke/Caldwell County, NC) and John West (about 1760 Orange County, NC-about 1800 South Carolina), possibly an Isaac West (born c1745-1770), and possibly a William West.  In addition to these, other children may have been born to Alexander and his wife.  Alexander West I appeared in the vicinity as early as 1752 in land records of Orange County where his sons were born, in 1778 in land records of Surry County (present Wilkes) on Glady Branch, and in 1787 in land records of Wilkes County on Glady Fork.  By 1790 according to the census, he was apparently living with his son, Alexander West II, in Burke County (now Caldwell).  References indicate that his father may have been a John West.  Naming patterns practiced during these early years indicate the existence of ancestors with the names of John and Alexander in this West family.

Alexander West II married Hannah Langley and had six children: Bethias Beulah, Margaret, Alexander III, Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson, and Mary.  Having served in the Revolutionary War and being approved for a war pension, Alexander West II and his wife and children are well documented in the research.  However, his parents are not referenced in these documents.  Many researchers often confuse these three Alexander Wests.

John West married Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon and had three children: John Balus, Melinda, and another daughter (name unknown). Other than the date of his marriage to Peggy, very little is known about John West.  After their marriage, they apparently moved from Wilkes County, North Carolina, to South Carolina where he died sometime after the three children were born.  Census records indicate that Peggy returned to Wilkes County with the three young children.

John Balus West married Mary Ann “Polly” Swanson.  They had nine children: Franklin W., Margaret “Peggy,” Alexander Balus, John Witherspoon, William Thomas Jefferson, Melinda “Linda,” Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and Lucy. John Balus and Mary Ann lived their lives on their farm in the Stony Forks-Mt. Zion community of Wilkes County.

Alexander Balus West married Nancy Land.  Their only child was a son, Thomas Harvey West.  Alexander Balus was killed in action fighting with the Confederate Army at Winchester, Virginia, in 1864.  Nancy Land West continued to live in the Stony Forks-Mt. Zion community near her family, the William Thomas Land family, until she moved with her son and his family to Banner Elk, North Carolina about 1902.

Thomas Harvey West married America Ann McNeil.  They had thirteen children: Nannie Lou, A. Judson, Martha Alice, Milton McNeil, Rosa Belle, William Charles [Sr.], Sallie Jane, Robert Leonard [Sr.], Ethel Elizabeth, Willard A., Flora Annie, Guy Harvey, and Viola N.  Two of the children (A. Judson and Willard A.) died at young ages and were buried in the Stony Forks-Mt. Zion community of Wilkes County.  The Thomas Harvey West's family, along with his mother, Nancy, moved to Banner Elk, North Carolina, about 1902. 

William Charles West [Sr.] married Ada Beatrice McQueen and settled in Johnson City, Tennessee.  They had three children: William Charles [Jr.], Alzenia Helen, and Christine “Jack.”

William Charles West [Jr.] married Ruth Stella Hughes and had two daughters.  They lived in Kingsport, Tennessee, most of their lives.

The children of the descendants of these families are numerous and are spread all across the United States with, at least one, living in another country.

Presently, my greatest challenge is to discover more about Alexander West I, who was the progenitor of this immense family, and his son John West. Without further information, I cannot proceed any farther back in time with this genealogy.  I solicit the support of other members of this family who may have specific knowledge about these two men and their spouses. Most of the information that I have obtained about Alexander West, I and his son, John West, is from oral family history which has been recorded and published by two individuals, John Foster West in 1976 and Irene Hendrix Basey in 1982.  Surely, someone, somewhere, has information about these two men.

Why did I want to start blogging about my West family?

I have been intensely researching my West family for about two years.  I have public family trees with Ancestry.com and participate in many message boards.  In addition, I have made many helpful contacts through e-mail and correspond periodically with these on-line friends.  Not surprisingly, most of them are “cousins.”

I have reached such a “brick wall” that I cannot proceed any further back into the West family history without much assistance.  Many people use social networks to make ancestral/genealogical contacts, but I, preferring a more formal, less newsy medium, am not a social network person.  A blog just seems right for my purposes; I can still write informally about my highs and lows as I research with the benefit of having others offer suggestions, comments, and corrections.  I will NOT be relating what I am doing at a given time or my plans for the weekend!   Of course, I hope to make many new blogging acquaintances, friends, and relatives with similar interests.  Perhaps, together, we can solve the mysteries surrounding Alexander West I and his son, John West.