Francis West, Sr.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via daughter Susannah Barber (born West) by SmartCopy: Sep 1 2015, 18:23:54 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: May 8 2021, 18:08:39 UTC

concerns

Do not confuse this Francis with Francis West of Duxbury! This family name has a variety of spellings in the public records: WAST, WEST, WASTE, WEAST being common variants. Of the four "West" families in Plymouth Colony only this family has its surname used in forms other than WEST suggesting that the original name, while phonetically similar, was distinct from West. Some of Susanna's children are identified in the Samuel West Memorandum Book published in the Mayflower Descendant.

NO Isaac West and NO Sarah Phillips (detached Feb 2019 by Hatte Blejer)

brief biography and family

Francis West aka Wast, Waste was born about 1632 in England [uncertain] [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling%28s%29 unknown]. He married Susannah (Soule) West — married about 1660 in Duxbury, Plymouth Colony, New England uncertain]. His children are: Richard West, Francis West, John West, Peter West, Susannah (West) Barber, Martha (West) Fones, William West, Clement West and Thomas West. Francs died on January 2nd
1696 in Kingstown, Rhode Island.

When Gov. Andros took over the King's Province in 1687, he levied taxes on the inhabitants of Kingstown, renamed Rochester. Included in the list were Francis Wast senior, Francis Wast junior, and Richard Wast. Only Francis senior had a rate, that of 2 shillings 1 pence. The children of this family have been difficult to trace. Francis, Susannah, and Martha remained in the Kingstown, R.I., area; William removed to Newport, R.I., probably after the death of his first wife; Clement moved to Charlestown, R.I., and then disappears from R.I. records, perhaps moving to Dutchess County, N.Y.; Richard returned to Plymouth and Bristol County, living in Middleboro and Taunton. We have not found Peter, John nor Thomas.

Children:

1. Francis Jr.
2. Richard
3. Susannah
4. Martha
5. William
6. Clement
7. Peter
8. Thomas
9. John

notes

This family name has a variety of spellings in the public records: WAST, WEST, WASTE, WEAST being common variants. Of the four "West" families in Plymouth Colony only this family has its surname used in forms other than WEST suggesting that the original name, while phonetically similar, was distinct from West. Some of Susanna's children are identified in the Samuel West Memorandum Book published in the 'Mayflower Descendant'.

Some sources state that his mother was actually Francis West's third wife, Jane Davye. This would put his birth date at c. 1630.

Date of birth might specifically be 1631.

corpse lost or destroyed

parents & DNA testing

"DNA testing has resolved the question of whether Francis WEST who married Margery REEVES (West Family group 19) is related to the Francis WEST who married Susannah SOULE. The DNA evidence tells us those two men are probably not related, thru the direct paternal line, within a genealogical time period."[1] Francis West and Margery Reeves

"There has been conjecture that Francis WEST was the son of Matthew WEST, and brother of Bartholomew WEST. A DNA test of a descendent of Bartholomew has been completed (W154), and that DNA profile does not match the DNA of the descendents of Francis WEST/Susannah SOULE. Until additional information is found, this group is assuming that Francis was not a son of Matthew WEST."[1] Matthew West

comments

Given name has also been reported to be Francis John.

Date and place of death have also been (erroneously?) reported to be:

• 1687 at an unspecified location (unattested)
• January 2, 1696 at North Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island (attested at FamilySearch?)

sources

• Earl P. Crandall, Hudson, NY, citing Wheeler's History of Stonington, CT, pp 630-31; and Austin at GDRI.
• William F. Donnelly, The Wests of Duck Creek, Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia) , Gateway Press, Baltimore MD, 1997, p. 512.
• West Family DNA Scroll down towards the bottom to West Family Group 19 (Francis & Margery) and West Family Group 20 (Francis and Susannah). The DNA Conclusion in Family 20 which I quote here ↑ Source: George Ernest Bowman, "Susanna Soule's Husband Identified She Married Francis West" The Mayflower Descendant, Vol. XXVI, January 1924, No. 1. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Shurtleff, Nathaniel (editor). Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England. Court Orders Vol V. 1668-1678 (pp 6, 22, 275). Boston" Press of William White, 1856. ↑ 4.0 4.1 George Soule of the Mayflower and his Descendants for Four Generations. Originally compiled by John E. Soule and Milton E. Terry. Revised by Louise Walsh Throop. Mayflower Families in Progress. Seventh Edition. (Plymouth: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2015.) ↑ "Taxes under Gov. Andros," NEHGR, 35[1881]:125 [FHL #974 B2ne] ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 George Soule of the Mayflower and his Descendants for Four Generations. "Mayflower Families in Progress" Plymouth, Massachusetts: General Society of Mayflower Descendents, 2006. Genealogy of one branch of the Peckham family of Newport and Westerly, R.I Page 64 Available Hathi Trust and Google Books Find A Grave: Memorial # 62782199 NO BURIAL INFORMATION, no stone.
• HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON, County of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900, by Richard Anson Wheeler, New London, CT, 1900, p. 631

links

• http://www.doddridgecountyroots.com/register/west.htm
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/West-285
• FamilySearch AFN 31G8-KM
• https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KJZ8-8GR/francis-west-1634-1687

content to clean up

Geographic Information:
1674, Kingstown Rhode Island was founded. In 1686, the name was changed to Rochester, but changed back in three years. 1722, it was divided into North Kingstown and South Kingstown. North Kingstown had the earliest settlers so retained the status of having been founded 1674 and apparently retained the early records. The Wests lived in Kingstown, now called North Kingstown. There were no counties in Rhode Island until 1703.

Francis West

We do not know his parents, birth date or place, death date or place or marriage date and place. All we can do is make speculative guesses.

Here's what we do know.

"Samuel West's Memmorandum Book" "1802 August 23rd "my great grandfather Francis West Came from Europe to Amarica Soon after the first Settlement at Plymouth and Soon after his arival he married A young Lady By the name of Sole daughter of Mr George Sole (he came with his family to Plymouth in the first Vessel that Came their from Europe) by whoom he had Seven Sons & 2 daughters

"his Sons names ware Francis Thomas Peter William Richard Clemment & John his daughters names ware Martha & Susanna martha married a Fones by whoom she had Children Susann Married a Barber By Whoom She had a number of Sons & daughters"[2]

--------------------------
29 Oct 1668 Phillip, Sachem of Pocanokett, petitioned the court "for justice against Francis Wast." Phillip complained that Wast had taken a gun and a hog from some of his men. The matter was refered to the selectmen at Taunton, and a report was made at court on 1 June 1669. Francis was to pay 30 shillings for the hog and to return the gun.[3]

The George Soule Mayflower Families in Progress[4] book neglects to mention that a Francis West was made freeman of Duxburrow 29 May 1670[3]. The elder Francis had long since been made freeman. This date is too early for the sons of Francis. Conclusion, this date belongs to Susanna's husband.

Francis and Susannah and family may have left Plymouth Colony about the time of King Philip's War or after the death of her father George Soule about Jan 1678/9. The births of Francis' last three children were recorded in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, in 1681 and twins in 1684.

6 Sept 1687 Francis was on a list of inhabitants to be taxed in Kingstown, Rhode Island, then called Rochester. Francis was taxed 2 shillings 1 pence. Sons, Francis Wast junior, and Richard Wast were also on the list, but not taxed.[5]

From here we can speculate. His birth was definitely not in America or Rhode Island, but Europe, sometime between say 1630 and 1640. The Mayflower Society uses probably England about 1634. His marriage was around 1661 (based on the estimated births of children about 1662, in Plymouth or Duxbury, both in Plymouth Colony. His death was after the 1687 tax list. It may be 2 Jan 1696 in Kingstown or North Kingstown, Rhode Island, but the Mayflower Society failed to mention the significance of this date.[4]

Children

West, Francis, b. Abt 1662, probably Duxbury. Of Kingstown,Washington,RI , died before 13 Oct 1724 (will proved), North Kingstown,Washington,RI.[6] West, Richard, b. Abt 1664, probably in Duxbury, Massachusetts died between 12 Jan 1723 and 17 Nov 1727[6] or d. (adm) 13 Nov 1727, Middleborough,Plymouth,MA [citation needed] Peter West, b. about 1666. No further record.[6] John West. The Mayflower Society sets his birth about 1669 commenting there is no further record.[6] Susannah West, b about 1673, Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island; died between 21 Sept 1755 and 4 April 1758.[6] West, Martha, b. Abt 1677, of Kingstown, Washington,RI , d. 2 Dec 1764, in her 87th year in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island.[6] William West, b. May 31, 1681, in Kingstown, recorded in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island, d. Aft Jul 1742, Charlestown, Washington, Rhode Island (61 years).[6] Thomas West, b. Sep 18, 1684, born Kingstown, recorded in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island; died between 16 Dec 1728 and 10 Sept 1744 (inventory). [6] West, Clement, b. 18 Sep 1684, Kingstown,Washington,RI, recorded in North Kingstown; died after 14 Apr 1747, perhaps about 1749.[6]

Francis Wast (Francis John West)

Birth: about 1643 in Lynn, Massachusetts / 1628 in England

Death: Jan. 2, 1696 in North Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island

Francis was the son of Matthew and Nicoles West. They were both born in England. His parents settled in Lynn, Massachusetts where Francis was born. (comment; there is no record of his birth; it seems all Matthew's children were born in England)

He married Susanna Soule, the daughter of George Soule of Plymouth Colony. Susannah was probably born about 1642 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Mass.

Francis had several spellings of his last name, including both Wast and West.

"Name also appears as Wast.

There is no FGRA sheet for Francis West although one is indicated on the FGRA sheet of George Soule. His name is on the Crapo Family Organization pedigree compiled by Mrs. Dorothy D. Hall (now deceased).This had sources: "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations" V. 3;Memorandum Book of Samuel West, grandson of Wm., son of Francis, published in "Mayflower Desc." V. 26; Vital Records of Plymouth, Plymouth, Mass., in "Mayflower Desc." V. 14."Mayflower Families..." says "We have been unable to find place or date of birth, date of death or parentage for Francis."

A family group sheet of Matthew West of Newport, Newport, R. I., in the FGRA collection of the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah,shows Francis who married Susanna Soule as sixth son. It was submitted by Mrs. Emma P. Walton, Centervile, Utah. Her sources were "West Family reg B9 E 1 p 402; Allred Families B2F1C; B12E9; Mayflower Descendents Am Pub A Vol 26; Conn S11".

Matthew is also given as father in "Genealogy of George West and James R.Kimble" by A. L. Pino, (FHL 929.273 W52p), references, "State Gen.Library, Albany, New York: Historical Society Record, Wayne Co. N. Y. ;and Records in possession of Maud Clossen", and in "History of Stonington, New London, Conn." by R. A. Wheeler, 1900 (FHL 974.65/S1 D2w,also on films 847758 and 900000)

Richley Crapo, 654 E. 1980 N., North Logan, Utah 84341-1933, wonders if Francis might be the son of Francis West and Margery Reeves. He says the records he has seen of Francis and Margery do not include a son Francis, however there are some interesting facts about them that leads him to suspect that he might be their first child. According to Attendants' Court records published in Shurtleff's "Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England" Francis and Margery were married 27 Feb 1639/40 and they were convicted about nine months later, on 17 Nov 1640, of "incontenency with one another before marriage" and were apparently of Duxbury, where Francis was required to build some stocks within the following three months. Their residence at Duxbury would have made them neighbors of George Soule, father of Suzannah, who was wife of our Francis.

Richley says that Francis and Margery's first recorded child in all sources he has seen was Samuel, who was born in 1643. He states that there is clearly room for an earlier child and says "Unfortunately, the court record gives no particulars about the reason for the charges brought against Francis and Margery. They might, of course, have been accused by someone, but why so long afterwards? Such accusations were not uncommon and the most common reason was the birth of a full-term child too early after the marriage ceremony. If our Francis, named for his father, was the source of the legal accusation all the loose ends are neatly tied together." He notes that this may prove impossible to document, unless the father's will could be found.

The LDS Ancestral File has another wife for Francis who married Susanna Soule. It is Elizabeth Soule Jr., daughter of George Soule and Mary Bucket or Becket. It has Francis Walker as Elizabeth's first spouse and Francis John West as second spouse, married about 1680. However, it has Francis' first wife as Susanna Soule and her death 1707.

"Mayflower Families...." shows Elizabeth with only the one marriage to Francis Walker who died 1702 and quotes a 1668 deed to "Francis Walker, husband to my daughter Elizabeth."

From "Mayflower Families....": Francis and Susanna and family "resided inthat part of Kings Towne, R.I. which became North Kingstown in 1722/3. We have been unable to find place or date of birth, date of death orparentage for Francis.

"When Gov. Andros took over the King's Province in 1687, he levied taxes on the inhabitants of Kingstown, renamed Rochester. Included in the list were Francis Wast senior, Francis Wast junior, and Richard Wast. Only Francis senior had a rate, that of 2 shillings 1 pence. The children of this family have been difficult to trace. Francis, Susannah, and Martha remained in the Kingstown, R.I., area; William removed to Newport, R.I., probably after the death of his first wife. Clement moved to Charlestown, R.I., and then disappears from R.I. records, perhaps moving to Dutchess County, N.Y. Richard returned to Plymouth and Bristol County, living in Middleboro and Taunton. We have not found Peter, John nor Thomas. This family name has a variety of spellings in the public records: WAST, WEST, WASTE, WEAST being common variants. Of the four "West" families in Plymouth Colony only this family has its surname used in forms other than WEST suggesting that the original name, while phonetically similar, was distinct from West. Some of Susanna's children are identified in the Samuel West Memorandum Book published in the 'Mayflower Descendant'."

The memorandum book of Samuel West published in "Mayflower Desc." V. 26 says "My great grandfather Francis West came from Europe to America soon after the first settlement at Plymouth and soon after his arrival he married a young lady by the name of Sole, daughter of Mr. George Sole...by whom he had seven sons and daughters. His sons names were Francis, Thomas, Peter, William, Richard, Clemment and John. His daughters names were Martha & Susanna. Martha married a Fones by whom she had children. Susanna married a Barber by whom she had a number of sons & daughters." "