Small Pieces of the Puzzle Contribute to the Whole—Alexander West (c1730)

Some information that I recently found in a document sent to me by my 5^th cousin, Howard Douglas “Doug” Land, Jr., was of great interest to me.  The article, entitled “A History of Alexander County, North Carolina,” was written by William E. White.  It was copied from a scrapbook owned by Mrs. Bynum D. Deal of Davidson, North Carolina.  Mr. White published the document in the Taylorsville Times in 1926.  As I read the document, my interest was immediately stirred by my paternal West family surnames of West and Carlton and by my maternal Hughes family surnames of Hughes and Honeycutt.

As I read further, I discovered notations about Alexander West, who, I assume, was my 5^th great grandfather, Alexander West (born about 1730), and his son, Alexander West (born in 1751).  Before I address the information found in the article, I would like to revisit the historical and political events that were occurring during those turbulent years of the 1760s and 1770s.

Western North Carolina was experiencing corruption, tyrannical power, and excessive taxation at the hand of the Colonial government, namely that of provincial governor, William Tryon.  The events leading up to the rebellion began as early as 1765. Those living in the back country of Western North Carolina were “freeholders peacefully living in a frontier paradise.”  In 1766 due to the political unrest developing in the back county, the Sandy Creek Association, the first Regulator group, was organized. Political instability in the backcountry came to a head when Governor Tryon decided to build “his palace” in New Bern, for which large sums of money were appropriated by the colonial government.  To the Regulators, this proposed building represented the corruption of government that they believed existed.  Likewise, the Regulators were suspicious that the government was conspiring to take away their liberties, threaten their property, and restrict their rights as Englishmen.  As a result, additional Regulator organizations were established in Western North Carolina.  In 1768, Governor Tryon ordered them to disband, and militia units from coastal counties were sent to Orange County.

On May 16, 1771, the Regulators respectfully petitioned Governor Tryon to hear their grievances.  Tryon rejected their request, ordered them to lay down their arms, and gave them only one hour to meet his demands.  The Regulators were enraged, dared the governor to “fire and be damned,” and the battle of Alamance on Great Alamance Creek near Hillsborough, then known as the “capitol of the backwoods,” began.  The numbers of militia who were killed and wounded are debatable.  However, the Regulators sustained heavy causalities including several others who were hanged.  In 1775 with the Revolution underway, Governor Martin, with the King’s permission, granted full pardons to all of the Regulators with the exception of Herman Husband, the organizer of the first group.  This was done with hopes of enlisting support for the British cause.  The pardon, however, did not rally great support for the British cause.

The Regulator movement was centered in the counties of Anson, Dobbs, Halifax, Rowan, and Orange. Western North Carolinians wanted a new political system.  Even though it was squelched, the Regulator movement was a rehearsal for revolution and was clearly a forecast of the revolutionary events to come. 

My fifth great grandfather, Reverend George McNeil (1720-1805), was affiliated with the Sandy Creek Baptist Association.  In my blog post of August 30, 2012, I stated the following about Reverend George McNeil:

He was affiliated with the famous Sandy Creek Baptist Association which Shubal Stearns started with six local Baptist churches.  This organization was likely the same as the Sandy Creek Association, a precursor of the Regulator Movement that protested government oppression and abuse of funds.   After the battle between the Regulators and the English militia in 1771 in the outskirts of Hillsborough at Alamance Creek, Governor William Tryon assumed that the Baptists were Regulators and concentrated over 3,000 soldiers in their areas to harass and terrorize them.   In the letter of May 28, 1898, G. W. McNeil, Sr. states that “he [George McNiel] joined the Regulators and after the battle of Alamance and fled for safety into Virginia where he lived for a time in Grayson County.”

And now to my West ancestors…

As I have lamented so many times, I have reached a “brick wall” in my search for my fifth great grandfather, Alexander West, who was born about 1730.  Research indicates that he was associated with individuals who lived in Orange, Surry, and Wilkes Counties.   In Orange County I have found him connected with John West, Sr. and with John West, Jr., in 1752-1768 and in 1754 with William Mills and William Mills, Jr.  He is found in an early North Carolina census in 1755 in Orange County.   In Surry-Wilkes County in 1771-1777, he was mentioned with his son, Alexander West.   In 1778 in Wilkes County he or his son, Alexander West (1751-1834) was noted in association with William Triplett on the Yadkin River and James Tugman on Glady Branch, with John Ferguson, William Brown, and Daniel Johnson in 1779, with Isaac West and Bray Crisp on Glady Fork in 1782, and with Daniel Sutherlin on Glady Fork in 1784.

In the article, “A History of Alexander County, North Carolina,” the following statement was made about Alexander West who, I presume, was the Alexander West born about 1730:

“Also there is documentary evidence that Alexander West assisted in building houses in Hillsboro after it was laid off on the lands of the great surveyor, William Churton.”

In another section of the document, Alexander West,  who, again, I presume to be the Alexander West who was born about 1730, is described as “a refugee,” implying that he was one of the many who left the Hillsborough area of Orange County sometime prior to 1771 due to the tyranny of Governor Tryon.  This section is quoted below as follows:

“Alexander West was another refugee; a large muscular man, of prodigious strength and physical powers and at the same time a man of excellent judg­ment and undoubted integrity. Nelson A. Powell, the historian of Caldwell County, leaves the record that Alexander West assisted in building the first houses in the town of Hillsboro. He first settled on lands between Barrett's Mountain and Lower Little River, but after the Revolutionary War, sold out there, and moved to lands on Upper Little River, in what is now Caldwell County. His descendants still live in Caldwell. It is told of him that he would not use dogs in the capture of game, but depended upon his complete knowledge of the habits of the wild animals and was entirely successful.”

A third reference to Alexander West concerned the establishment of an iron works by Andrew Baird sometime after 1788.  Baird was given a grant for 18,000 acres in Whittenburt Township of Alexander County.  Some tracks of land belonging to other individuals within those 18,000 acres were excepted from the grant.  However, a prior land grant to Alex West, which lay within Baird’s grant, was not “excepted.”  The reference to this Alexander West may have been the son of Alexander West born about 1732.

Other West relatives…

In addition to the Alexander Wests, two distant cousins were mentioned in the article.  Brothers, J. [James] Harvey West and Hiram West, who were my 2^nd cousins 4 times removed, served at the Bethlehem Church in 1871.  Hiram West was the pastor from 1872 to August 1878.  H. [Hiram] West was listed as the pastor at Dover Baptist Church in what was then Burke County on April 9, 1864. J. H. [James Harvey] West served at Center Church from December 3, 1865 to the “5^th Saturday” in January 1876.

Another relative…

Henry Carlton “of the Yadkin settlers from Virginia entered and located at the Hickory Knob in the pioneer days.  The Knob in its primeval condition was an ideal mountain home, but Henry drifted back to his old settlement and finally emigrated to the west.”  I assume that this Henry Carlton was the son of Thomas Carlton and Mary Land, my 4^th great grandparents.

Even though these are “tidbits” of information, those small pieces add to the completion of the larger puzzle.  Thanks, Doug, for sharing this article and for all of the materials that you so graciously share.

Sources:

• McNeil, George W., Sr. Personal Letter Describing His Grandfather, Reverend George McNiel, for a Memorial Booklet, May 28, 1898.
• Mobley, Joe A., ed. The Way We Lived in North Carolina. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2003.
• Ready, Milton. The Tar Hill State, A History of North Carolina. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina, 2005.
• White, William E., “A History of Alexander County, North Carolina,” Taylorsville Times, 1926.

A Genealogist’s Progress

Suddenly, it appears that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  How long it will take me to reach the end of that tunnel, I do not know.  After all, genealogy is a journey back in time that requires time and patience.

Several recent events or discoveries have been encouraging.  First, as I have mentioned in other posts, my sister and I have matched many "cousins" genetically through Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder test, an autosomal test, which matches one with “cousins” from both sides of his/her family.  However, the authenticity of our matches as related to this post will depend on the identity of our 6^th Great Grandfather West, something that still remains unproven.  It hinges on John West and Mary Madden being our 6^th great grandparents. But, there’s hope!

In July, 2012, I matched genetically with a male “cousin” who may, also, descend from John West and Mary Madden.  Again, if the paper trail proves the “cousinship,” he and I are 7^th cousins. 

In August, 2013, my sister and I matched significantly with a female “cousin” who descends from Phoebe West.  Phoebe West, the daughter of Isaac West and Susanna Anderson, may have been the granddaughter of John West and Mary Madden. My one concern about this match is that we also match this female cousin as 7^th cousin 2R through the Triplett line.  If the paper trail works out with the John West/Mary Madden lineage, my sister and I are 7^th cousins 2R with this cousin, also.  Could the significant match be attributed to the fact that we may match the cousin much closer with the Tripletts than we have discovered, or is it because we match her through two lineages, the Wests and Tripletts?

In October, 2013, my sister genetically matched a male “cousin” who descends from John West and his second wife, Eleanor Massey.  Again, if, indeed, John West is our 6^th great grandfather, my sister and her male cousin are 6^th cousins 1R.  This connection is based on better research and documentation.  Furthermore, no other lineages appear to be possibilities for their match.

The most significant match, however, occurred on January 27, 2014.  It is one that my sister and I have with a male “cousin” with the West surname.  Since I descend from the Tipton family, Doug and I attended the Tipton Family Association of America meeting in Burnsville, North Carolina, in October, 2013.  Unexpectedly, I met Mr. West who was attending the Tipton meeting with his wife, a Tipton descendant.  At the time we could not determine if we were related and decided to exchange information.  When I saw his West direct line, I immediately felt that his 5^th great grandfather, John West, born in Tryon, North Carolina, in 1732, could be the brother of my 5th great grandfather, Alexander West, born about 1730. 

The best is yet to come!  Mr. West took FTDNA’s Family Finder test in December.  His results were reported on January 27, 2014.  And YES! He is a genetic match with my sister and me!  I couldn’t be happier.  Of course, we still don’t know the father of his John West.  He does not know the spouse of his John West.  On-line researchers believe that his John West served in the Revolutionary War and was likely killed in the battle at Moore’s Creek near Wilmington, NC, in February, 1776.  Mr. West descends through John West’s son, Thomas West and Thomas’ spouse, Elizabeth Preston.

Again, if we can prove that the parents of his John West and my Alexander West were John West and Mary Madden, Mr. West would be a 6^th cousin 1R to my sister and me.  The genetic match between him and us is quite significant because no surnames other than West are evident in our lineages.  Also, the three of us match significantly on the 14^th chromosome which indicates that we share a common ancestor.  My sister and I do not have any other matches “in-common” with Mr. West who match on the 14^th chromosome in the same segment that we match with him.  I find the data extremely significant.  On the down-side, Mr. West is not an “in-common” match with my sister’s male “cousin” West match or with my female “cousin” and male “cousin” matches.  It would have been nice if the six of us matched on that 14^th chromosome.

In addition, I’m excited that Mr. West plans to take one of the Y-DNA tests when they go on sale.  A Y-DNA test may connect him to other males who descend from the same male ancestor and place him in a West Family Group.

You know where I’m headed when the weather warms up – Rutherford County, NC, the county that was created from the western portion of Tryon in 1779 – to research John West, born in 1732, in Tryon County, North Carolina!

DNA and Its Role in Genealogy

In order to provide an overview of the various DNA tests available for genealogical research, I have compiled the following information in hopes that it will be helpful to those readers who are contemplating such testing.

For the purpose of genealogical research, several DNA tests are appropriate.  These tests are the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA), the mitochondrial (mtDNA), and the autosomal (atDNA).  The purpose of this document is to provide a basic understanding of the types of tests and what they reveal.

A copy of one’s DNA is present in all of his bodily cells except the red blood cells and is passed down to each of his succeeding generations.  Each individual has 23 pairs of chromosomes (one of each pair is from the mother and one from the father) with the 23^rd pair being the sex chromosome. 

The 23^rd chromosome from the mother is always an X since she does not have a Y chromosome.  An X or a Y may be inherited by the fetus from the father.  If the X is inherited from the father, the fetus will be a female with two X chromosomes (XX).  If the Y is inherited from the father, the fetus will be a male with one of each chromosome (XY).

The two X chromosomes of the mother randomly swap information and genes.  The X chromosome that a fetus receives from its mother is a mixture of the X chromosomes from her parents.  The X that a fetus may inherit from its father is that of the father’s mother and is a mixture of his mother’s two X chromosomes, one that she received from her father and one that she received from her mother.  Therefore, the mixture in that X chromosome that the fetus receives from its father is from its maternal grandparents.

The Y Chromosome DNA Test (Y-DNA) is a test only for males.  It analyzes the male Y chromosome which is transmitted ONLY from father to son.  Therefore, the Y-DNA test provides information about the direct male line from son to father, to his father, to his father, etc.  The results are reported in markers.  Several Y-DNA tests assess different amounts of markers.  Family Tree DNA offers the following Y-DNA tests:  the Y-DNA37 which assesses 37 markers and provides matches that are likely to be related with the past 8 generations; the Y-DNA67 which assesses 67 markers and provides matches that are likely to be related within the past 6 generations; and the Y-DNA111 which assesses 111 markers and provides matches that are likely to be related within the past 4 generations.  Also, with the Y-DNA test, a haplogroup is predicted.  Male halpogroups are labeled with the letters A through T. The haplogroup provides the participant with information regarding the major population group from which he descends. 

Participants in the Y-DNA testing program may join a FTDNA surname project in which those with the same surname may share information.

The Mitochondrial DNA Test (mtDNA) may be taken by males and females. The mitochondrial is a small circle of DNA found inside the cells and has only 37 genes.  It does not recombine and is, therefore, passed on from the mother to the child without change.  The mitochondrial (mtDNA) is passed from the mother to each of her children, male or female.  Only females can pass the mtDNA to their children.  The mtDNA test reveals information about one’s direct maternal line from one’s mother, from her mother, from her mother, etc.  The mtDNA test identifies the world origin of one’s lineage and the haplogroup to which he or she belongs.  These haplogroups are continent-specific and/or region-specific.  The female haplogroups are identified with the letters of the alphabet depending on the system used by the testing company.  Family Tree DNA uses the Cambridge Reference Sequence, which is the accepted mtDNA standard, using the following letters of the alphabet with their corresponding regions:  J, K – Southern Europe; H, T, U, V, X – Northern Europe; J, N – Middle East; L, L1, L2, and L3 – Africa; A, B, C, D, F, G – Asia; and A, B, C, D, and sometimes X – Native American.  Those interested in learning more about the female haplogroups will find The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes, a genetics professor at Oxford University, very informative.

The mtDNA test is available in the mtDNA Plus, a mid-level assessment, and the mtDNA Full Sequence, the highest level of assessment. The mtDNA Plus reports results in two hypervariable regions, HVR1 and HVR2.  The matches included with these two regions are related to the past 28 generations.  The mtDNA Full Sequence reports results in all three regions, HVR1, HVR2, and the Coding Region.  Matches are related within the past 16 generations. 

The Autosomal Test (atDNA) is appropriate for both men and women and provides male and female matches that are related within the last 5 generations.  However, matches beyond 5 generations are frequently found, but the confidence level set by FTDNA for the Family Finder test is 5 generations.  Family Finder is capable of identifying matches in any branch of one’s family and is not limited solely to the paternal or maternal lines.  In addition, it provides percentages of one’s ancestral lineage such as Native American, Middle-Eastern, Jewish, African, and Western and Eastern European.   In Family Tree DNA, the autosomal test is known as Family Finder.

The analyses of one’s 22 chromosomes (not the 23^rd one) are reported in terms of centimorgans (cMs), longest blocks, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) which is the most common type of genetic variation among people.  One may compare this information with other matches using graphics and spreadsheets which may be accessed through the FTDNA’s Family Finder site.   In addition, relationship-ranges and estimated-relationships are predicted for each of one’s matches.  One must understand that the DNA he inherits from his parents (50% from the father and 50% from the mother) does not represent 25% from each of the 4 sets of grandparents or 12.5% from each of the 8 individual grandparents but is a random mixture.  However, the fact that long blocks often “stick together” for several generations makes matching possible.

In Conclusion

Close relatives will share larger fragments of DNA from a common ancestor and smaller segments from more distant ancestors.  Even these small segments may hold valuable clues for the genealogist.

One cannot compare the results of the various tests.  Each test analyzes a different segment of the DNA and reports the results using different terminology.  The haplogroups for men with the Y-DNA test and those for women with the mtDNA tests are different and cannot be compared.

Family Tree DNA stores one’s DNA for 25 years so that one may upgrade to a higher level of testing without submitting another sample.  The number of one’s matches is dependent on the size of the company’s data base.  Also, if one’s lineage or surname is rare, he may not have any matches at first, but over time as the data base grows, participants with whom he matches will become available.

Family Tree DNA and 23andMe were the first two companies to offer autosomal DNA testing. Family Finder through Family Tree DNA is specifically recommended for genealogist and adoptees.  23andMe offers an autosomal DNA test called Relative Finder, which is similar to the Family Finder developed by Family Tree DNA.  Recently, 23andMe came under government scrutiny due to its offering health-related information based on the participant’s genetics without the benefits of professional medical attention.  Therefore, 23andMe no longer provides health-related information to its participants.

Ancestry.com started offering genetic testing in 2011.

DNA testing can be used to confirm one’s “paper trail,” to determine which family trees with the same or variant surnames are related, to determine individuals who are or are not related, and to provide clues for further research.

_____________________________________________________________

Sources:

“23andMe Halts Genetic Health Reports,”

http://healthland.time.com/2013/12/06/23andme-halts-genetic-testing-services/

“About Genetic Genealogy,”  http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/about-genetic-genealogy/

Family Tree DNA. “Products and Pricing,” http://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx

Family Tree DNA. “Understanding DNA.”

http://www.familytreedna.com/understanding-dna.aspx

Hill, Richard. “Autosomal DNA Testing for Genealogy,”

http://www.dna-testing-adviser.com/Autosomal-DNA-Testing.html

Noles, Robert B, webmaster. “Understanding your Results: mtDNA Haplogroups,”

 Knowles/Knoles/Noles Family Association, DNA – 101, Knowles Surname DNA Project,

 October 25, 2012,  http://www.kknfa.org/mtdna_Haplogroups.htm

Powell, Kimberly. “Autosomal DNA Testing for Genealogy,” About.com  Guide.

http://genealogy.about.com/od/dna_genetics/p/autosomal.htm

Smolenyak, Megan Smolenyak and Ann Turner. Trace Your Roots with DNA. Holtzbrinck

 Publishers, 2004.

Exciting News: A New West Cousin!

 On October 9, 2013, my sister and I discovered that both of us genetically match D, a female with the maiden name of West.  About two or three years ago, I became acquainted with D, a second cousin, through e-mail.  At that time we shared information about our common great grandparents, Thomas Harvey West and America Ann McNeil.  Recently, I was elated to find that D participated in Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder test which resulted in the identification of our genetic match.  As we were confirming our genetic match with our paper trail, D confided that she had become interested in DNA testing as a result of reading this blog.  I was pleased that my posts have encouraged others to be tested.

Since we discovered our match, D and I have shared in-common matches and information with each other.  D is also a genetic match with my 4^th cousin, Joanne, another West descendant, whom I have mentioned in previous blog posts.  Working with these ladies to discover our common heritage and share information has been quite rewarding.  I look forward to our continued relationship.

As I have done before, I encourage others who are serious amateur genealogists to participate in genetic testing.  Genetic testing does not preclude documentation with the paper-trail.  Both of these genealogical methods support each other.  Genetic testing provides proof of relationships, but the paper trail is necessary to confirm the degree or level of the relationship.

An Intriguing Possibility – Are Alexander West of 1730 and John West of 1732 Brothers?

In the middle of October, my husband and I, along with a Tipton cousin, attended the Tipton Family Association of America (TFAA) meeting in Burnsville, North Carolina.  Even though the Tipton family from whom I descend through my mother’s side of the family has nothing to do with my West line, at that Tipton meeting I met Mr. D. West.  He saw my name on the registration list and sought me out during the meeting.  We agreed to trade information in order to determine if we might be related. 

A few weeks ago, I received a packet of information in the mail from him.  This packet contained a descendants list with his first generation male being John West who was born in Tyron, North Carolina, in 1732.  Readers, you can just imagine how excited I became!

Why was I so excited?  I have long suspected that my 5^th great grandfather, that one, illusive Alexander West I, was the son of a John West and also had a brother named John West.  My previous blog posting, “Back to the Drawing Board—John West and Mary Madden Revisited,” posted on October 10, 2013, documents the connection between my Alexander West I and a John West, Sr. and a John West, Jr.  What leads me to think that D. West’s John West may be the brother of my Alexander West I?  His 5^th great grandfather, John West, was born in 1732, just two years after my 5^th great grandfather, Alexander West I, was born about 1730, and his John West appeared in areas in North Carolina that were not too far removed from Wilkes County.

D’s 5^th great grandfather, John West, was born in Tyron County, North Carolina, in 1732.  At the time of the birth of his John West, the area in which he was born would likely have been western North Carolina lands and may have been considered part of Bladen County, the most western North Carolina county at that time.  That area became Tyron County in 1768.  However, in 1779, Tyron ceased to exist when it was divided into Lincoln and Rutherford Counties.  Therefore, D’s John West of 1732 was likely born in those western lands which later became Tyron and subsequently became Lincoln and Rutherford.  John West of 1732 had a son named Thomas West who was born in 1760 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, and married in 1831 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Tyron and the counties of Lincoln and Rutherford that were created from Tyron were south of Wilkes County and bordered South Carolina.  Considering the prolific migration of those early colonists, the possibility that the John West of 1732 and my Alexander West I of 1730 were brothers is quite plausible.

D and I should continue to delve deeper into our research about his John West and my Alexander West I in order to determine whether the two were brothers and the sons of John West, Sr. and Mary Madden.  D is planning to participate in DNA testing.  His results may add further credence to my theory.

My encounter with D. West and his information about his 5^th great grandfather provide one more piece of that puzzle that I am trying to assemble.  By the way, in my excitement I have not yet discovered what his Tipton connections are!