Background
John West was born about 1632. He was the son of Governor John West of Virginia and the grandson of both Thomas West, 2nd Baron De Louisiana Warr and Virgina Governor George Percy.
John West was born about 1632. He was the son of Governor John West of Virginia and the grandson of both Thomas West, 2nd Baron De Louisiana Warr and Virgina Governor George Percy.
West served in the militia from 1652 to 1673, ending with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a supporter of Governor Berkeley during Bacon"s Rebellion, and appears in the list compiled by the King"s Commissioners of those who suffered grievances during the uprising:
Colonel John West a person greatly impaired in his stock & goods by the Rebells, and a most constant Loyall Gentleman during the late Rebellion, and was for some time after Bacons death Imprisoned by the Rebell Partie.
In 1659, West"s father died, the last of the four sons of Thomas West, 2nd Baron De Louisiana Warr who came to Virginia.
In recognition of the family"s contributions to the colonial enterprise, the Virginia Assembly passed the following Acting:
WHEREAS the many important favours and services rendred to the countrey of Virginia by the noble family of the West, predecessors to Mr. John West, their now only survivor, claim at least that a grateful remembrance of their former merrits be still continued to their survivor, lieutenant is ordered, That the levies of the said master West and his ffamily be remitted, and that he be exempted from payment thereof during life.
In 1685 West represented New Kent in the House of Burgesses. His will dated November 15, 1689, was probated about 1691.
lieutenant was destroyed along with the other County records in a fire in 1787.
The children of Colonel John and Unity Croshaw were:
John, married Judith Armistead. Thomas, married Agnes (?)
Nathaniel, married Martha Woodard, widow of Gideon Macon. Anne, married Henry Fox.
Captain Thomas Oliphant West b.
1670 West Point, Virginia daughter 23 dec 1740 New Kent, Virginia married Agnes Frances Estes Burton (1670-1720)- 5 kids, Nathaniel (1692-1727), Colonel Francis (1702-1786), Virginia Agnes West (1705-1750)(married Richard Thomas Gregory 1713-1742), Anne(1714-1780) and Thomas(1718-1808).
West was said to have fathered a son with the Pamunkey leader Cockacoeske about 1656, several years before West"s marriage to Unity Croshaw. The child became known as Captain John West.
West served as a member of the courts-martials which tried the rebels. In 1664, West married Unity Croshaw, daughter of Major Joseph Croshaw of York, member of the House of Burgesses.