Lt Col. John West

John was born on 7 April 1638 at Worchester, England.

John West was baptisted on 13 Apr 1638 in England (Some Descendants of Anthony West of Acc, VA). John West deposed 10 Nov 1663 that he was aged 25 years or thereabouts. On 23 Dec 1650 he had been put in possession of 1600 acres in Northampton County which included the Herle tract. He was a carpenter and shipbuilder by trade and served Accomack County as 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. A patent issued to John West, 20 Oct 1661, for 250 acres in Northampton County recites that the land was granted to Matilda Scarburgh, 31 Mar 1655, and due said West as marrying with the said Scarburgh. His widow held 3600 acres in Accomack County, 1704 (Adventurers of Purse and Person, p. 663). For more on the descendants of Lt. Col. John West and Matilda Scarburgh see "Ames, Mears and Allied Lines of Accomack County Virginia," by Lucy Ames Edwards, pp. 171-176. He was a boatright.


He was named as a headright in 1649 at Northampton Co, VA. In 1649 Capt. Randall Herle, mariner, was granted a patent for 600 acres of land in Northampton County for the transportation of Anthony West, Ann West his wife, John West and Katherine West. Katherine West married 1st Ralph Barlow and left issue Ralph Benoni Barlow; and married 2nd Charles Scarburgh and left issue Henry Scarburgh. John West, born 1638 married Matilda Scarburgh, daughter of Col. Edmund. He was Lt. Col. John West. Anthony West died in Northampton in 1652 and left bequests to his son John West, daughter Katherine Barlow and wife Ann. The widow Ann West then married Capt. Stephen Charlton.

John was named in his father's will on 12 October 1651 at Northampton Co, VA. In his will Anthony West named son John West extr. and my wife (no name) and dau. Barloe to have their thirds out of my estate, and my son John to have the rest. And his mother to have the managing of it during her widowhood, but if she marries then my son John to enjoy his estate (if it be before he comes to age). No administrator nor overseer to have anything to do with my estate.

John was living circa 1676 at Accomack Co, VA. He was named as uncle John West and was to be the executor of Henry Scarborough's undated will, which was recorded 26 May 1676.

He paid the fine for fornication on 16 December 1680 at Accomack Co, VA. She was shown as Frances Chambers at Col. West's. on 18 Jan 1680/81 Lt. Col. John West agreed to pay Frances Chambers' fine for fornication; ordered that he pay 500 lbs tobacco to the church wardens and court charges.

He gave by deed of gift on 16 July 1682 at Accomack Co, VA. Know all persons to whom those persons may concern that I John West of the County of Accomack in Virginia do for diverse laws and consideration ensuing me thereunto and more expressly for the love and affection I bear unto Filorclare, Arobellow, John & Johnathan the sons & daughters to Mrs Frances Chambers I say for the consideration aforesaid I do give freely unto John, Johnathan, Filoclare and Arobella aforesaid three Negroes to say Lowsea and her two children named ------------ which Negroes I give unto the said John, Johnnathan, Filoclare & Arobellow with their increase(?) male and female forever to them & their Ayres: I also give unto John, Johnathan, Filorclare and Arobellow aforesaid nine cows and one Bull the markes & colors followth with their increase(?) male & female to them and their Ayres forever which Cattle was sent in November(?) to John Maruillb(?) land for them(?) only your and profit to say her heifers on blake & on black pidd(?) booth two years old two others on blak pide and on Reade pido both two years old two heifers on brown ye other black with a white polley two years of old other two heifers now all foure and black on Read and one cow Read ---- on ye left ear and over values on right all ye not marked with my proper mark and branded with the O together with one branded bull in all …. hood with them & …. I now … male & female for ever I also give confirm John, Johnathan, Filocleare and Arobellow aforesaid ton yeows & one Ram to go -obuered on ddmand to run in a joint stock with their ---- male & female to them & their heirs forever. I also give unto Filoclare, Arobellow, John & Johnathan two feather beads & --- furniture with two iron pots & one brass kettle & one small table each of them two pewter dishes & one dozen of pewter plates amongst them with pewter I will make good in six months after this date I also give unto Mrs Frances Chambers and her four children aforesaid to run in a joint stock amongst them to say one small mare colored white called Molley with her to young mares ra ---------------------- and one black mare now running on ye south side of Onancock Creek the hand my a white cafe or white fare branded HS with all the increase (?) male & female that have proceeded from her sire the used ye peare ---- or shall hereafter male or female where so ever to be found and also give them one male colored not known --- now running at or near Mrs Marshalls on ye Sea Side all with said mares, horses & colts with their increase male & female I give to them & their heirs forever to run in a joint stock & shall be divided as each child shall come to ye age of fifteen years and I do nominate and appoint my friend John Drummond at all times & times in my absence to take fair and April all ---- one of them --- that they may not have and --- or determined in their stock and --- after to wit I subscribe my hand and seal I attest ye 16th of July 1682. Signed: John West On February ye 20th 1682 Acknowledged in open court by the said John West as his Roall act and deed according to these purport and true meaning thereof Test: Jno Washbourne Clerk Recorded February ye 24th 1682 Jno Washbourne Clerk, County of Accomack.

In 1689 Colonel John West leased an unspecified acreage for 99 years to Mrs. Frances Chambers and her children John, Jonathan, Annabella (who later married Thomas Bonnewell) and Fillechar. In later records it was called the Leased Lands and this was what John West had left in reversion to his two sons, John the Elder and Benony. (NOTE: Grantee Index to Deeds shows a lease from John West to Frances, John, Arrobella, Jonathan and Filocleare Chambers in 1702. Between 1747 and 1751 Jonathan Chambers, the only surviving child of Frances, leased over 700 acres of this land to 7 different persons and he was still living on the land in 1752.)

He leased land on 20 September 1689 at tract A78, Merry Branch Plantation, Accomack Co, VA. Know all persons to whom these presents my concern that I the subscriber do hereby set to lease and farm let my plantation called Marry Branch and laying on the northwest side thereof and bounded by a line of marked trees running into the said branch, running through the middle of my Neck between Deep Creek and Chesconnessex: and from thence including all the land between that and the mill dam & branch running to the dam to a line of marked trees drawn from the said dam to my outermost line running to the head of Chesconnessex together with all the land therein contained between the said line & my ditch and the branch of Chesconnessex to Peter Prichetts bridge including 50 acres of land on the south side of the head of Chesconnessex out of the land belonging to the folly all which land aforesaid I do farm and lease to the children of Frances Chambers to say John, Johnathan, Arobelleo & Filocleare and to the lawful Ayres of the bodies for the full space & term of 99 years to commence from the day of the date thereof they yielding & paying yearly four ears of Indian corn to be paid carried and left at my now mill at Deep Creek or near the place where it now stands to pay to any there or leave the same shall be sufficient acknowledgment and paying the Kings Rents or ought due for the same and to make yours enjoy and occupy all houses, orchards, fences, fields, woods or ought else standing or erected thereon without trouble, molestation or let from any person or persons whatever that may proceed from, by or under my heirs, Executors or Administers: and farther I the mother Mrs. Frances Chambers is full power & authority to live, dwell and make use of the above said land during her natural life for her better support to say so much as she may have occasion for not abridging her children or any of them as they shall attain to age to make use of their proportionable parts thereof and for the better security & quiet and peaceful possession thereof I bind my heirs, Executors or Administers in the full sum of 40,000 pounds of tobacco & cask to be paid unto all or any of the above named persons by any of my heirs, Executors or Administers that shall dare or presume to molest or trouble the quiet and peaceable possession of the above named Frances Chambers and her children John, Johnanthan, Arobelo & Fileocleare or either of them during the time and space aforesaid. In witness of the premises & confirmation thereof I here unto set my hand & seal the 20th of September 1689. Signed, Sealed & Acknowledged by John West as ye act & deed of the subscriber before us Jos. Robinson, Aert Donis & John Drumond. The within lease delivered unto Court February 3rd 1702 by Mr. Robt. Norton according to an order of Court upon a Bill in Chancery Exhibited against him the said Norton by Jonathan Chambers, Thomas Bonewell & Arrobella his wife and at the request of the plaintiffs ordered to be recorded. Teste: Jno. Washburne, Clerk of Court. Recorded February 13th 1702 by me Jno. Washburne Clerk of Court, Accomack. (NOTE: The first mention of Frances Chambers was omitted from the typed version.)

He made a will on 6 February 1703 at Accomack Co, VA. To son Anthony land at Nandua - Elizabeth is wife of Anthony. Grandson John, son of Anthony. To grandduaghters Matilda, Mary Scarburgh and Jean West, daughters of my son Anthony, the Ridge land without the Neck where Anthony now lives. To son Alexander plantation at Mossongo formerly known by the name of old Brookes land. To 4 youngest daughters Catherine, Mary, Ann and Scarburgh West (all under age 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 daughters Catherine, Mary, Ann, Scarburgh and Matilda land at Deep Creek. To daughter Sarah Robinson, wife of Capt. Tully Robinson, plantation at Onancock called ye Folly, containing 600 acres for life and then to her 5 children, West, Elizabeth, Scarburgh, Sarah and Susanna. To daughter Frances Kellam land given her by deed. To Sarum, son of my daughter Frances, cattle, personalty. To John, the son of Sarah Glanning, dec'd, 100 acres at Gingoteague. To youngest son John West. To sons John West the younger and John West the elder. Wife Matilda Exec. and after her dec'd 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 daughter Matilda Wise 100 acres. Witt: William Wise, John Wise Jr., Tabitha Hill, Geo: Nich: Hack, Patrick Morgan and Robert Hutchinson. John died on 27 May 1703 at Nandua, Acc Co, VA, at age 65. The Catherine (West) Snead Bible shows he died about noon time of said day. John's will was probated on 4 August 1703 at Accomack Co, VA.

John married Matilda Scarborough, daughter of Col. Edmund Scarborough II and Mary Cade (or Harmer). (Matilda Scarborough was born in 1645 in Accomack Co., VA and died on 03 Jan 1721 in Accomack Co., VA.)