Francis West
Encyclopedia
Francis West was a Deputy Governor of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia
.
West was the second son of Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr
(1556–1602) of Wherwell
Abbey in Hampshire
and his wife, Anne Knollys
.
Francis West, he arrived at Jamestown, Virginia
, in July 1608; he returned there on the Mary Ann Margett in 1610. He was elected to the Governor's Council in 1608. From 1612 to 1617 he was the Commandant of Jamestown. From July 30 through August 4, 1619, he served as an appointed representative in Jamestown's first Legislative Assembly. This was the first House of Burgesses
appointed by Governor Sir George Yeardley
. In 1622 he was appointed Admiral to New England, where he served alongside Capt. Christopher Levett
, Governor of Plymouth, on a three-man council under Capt. Robert Gorges, named Governor General of the Plymouth Council for New England
's venture in Massachusetts.
In March of 1627 he married the widow of Governor George Yeardley
, Temperance Flowerdew
, but she died that same year in December.
West subsequently served as Deputy Governor of Virginia from November 17, 1627 to March 5, 1629. He also served as Captain General of Virginia.
His land was in Elizabeth City, south of the land of James Knott
in 1632.
He died in February 1633/1634. His elder brother, Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr
(1577–1618), had served as a governor of the Virginia Company of London from 1610-1611. His younger brother, Governor John West (1590-ca 1659), served as Crown Governor of Virginia from 1635-1637. A fourth brother, Nathaniel West, died in Virginia in August 1623, aged 30.
Colony and Dominion of Virginia
The Colony of Virginia was the English colony in North America that existed briefly during the 16th century, and then continuously from 1607 until the American Revolution...
.
West was the second son of Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 2nd and 11th Baron De La Warr of Wherwell Abbey in the English county of Hampshire was a member of Elizabeth I's Privy Council and High Sheriff of Hampshire. Thomas was the only son of William West, 1st Baron De La Warr and Lady Elizabeth Strange...
(1556–1602) of Wherwell
Wherwell
Wherwell is a village on the River Test in Hampshire, England. The name may derive from its bubbling springs resulting in the Middle Ages place name “Hwerwyl” noted in AD 955, possibly meaning “kettle springs” or “cauldron springs.” Pronunciation of the name has ranged from “Hurrell” to “Wer-rel”...
Abbey in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
and his wife, Anne Knollys
Anne Knollys
Anne West, Lady De La Warr was a lady at the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England.-Biography:...
.
Life
As CaptainCaptain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
Francis West, he arrived at Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of Virginia. Established by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 14, 1607 , it was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States, following several earlier failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke...
, in July 1608; he returned there on the Mary Ann Margett in 1610. He was elected to the Governor's Council in 1608. From 1612 to 1617 he was the Commandant of Jamestown. From July 30 through August 4, 1619, he served as an appointed representative in Jamestown's first Legislative Assembly. This was the first House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
appointed by Governor Sir George Yeardley
George Yeardley
Sir George Yeardley was a plantation owner and three time colonial Governor of the British Colony of Virginia. A survivor of the Virginia Company of London's ill-fated Third Supply Mission, whose flagship, the Sea Venture, was shipwrecked on Bermuda for 10 months in 1609-10, he is best remembered...
. In 1622 he was appointed Admiral to New England, where he served alongside Capt. Christopher Levett
Christopher Levett
Capt. Christopher Levett was an English writer, explorer and naval captain, born at York, England. He explored the coast of New England and secured a grant from the King to settle present-day Portland, Maine, the first European to do so. Levett left behind a group of settlers at his Maine...
, Governor of Plymouth, on a three-man council under Capt. Robert Gorges, named Governor General of the Plymouth Council for New England
Plymouth Council for New England
The Plymouth Council for New England was the name of a 17th century English joint stock company that was granted a royal charter to found colonial settlements along the coast of North America....
's venture in Massachusetts.
In March of 1627 he married the widow of Governor George Yeardley
George Yeardley
Sir George Yeardley was a plantation owner and three time colonial Governor of the British Colony of Virginia. A survivor of the Virginia Company of London's ill-fated Third Supply Mission, whose flagship, the Sea Venture, was shipwrecked on Bermuda for 10 months in 1609-10, he is best remembered...
, Temperance Flowerdew
Temperance Flowerdew
Temperance Flowerdew was an early settler of the Jamestown Colony and a key member of the Flowerdew family, significant participants in the history of Jamestown...
, but she died that same year in December.
West subsequently served as Deputy Governor of Virginia from November 17, 1627 to March 5, 1629. He also served as Captain General of Virginia.
His land was in Elizabeth City, south of the land of James Knott
James Knott
James Knott is the name of:* J. Proctor Knott , American politician* Sir James Knott, 1st Baronet , shipping magnate and politician in the north-east of England* James Knott , English cricketer...
in 1632.
He died in February 1633/1634. His elder brother, Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 3rd and 12th Baron De La Warr was the Englishman after whom the bay, the river, and, consequently, an American Indian people and U.S. state, all later called "Delaware", were named....
(1577–1618), had served as a governor of the Virginia Company of London from 1610-1611. His younger brother, Governor John West (1590-ca 1659), served as Crown Governor of Virginia from 1635-1637. A fourth brother, Nathaniel West, died in Virginia in August 1623, aged 30.
Ancestry
Sources
- Nugent, Nell Marion; Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants. Vol. 1. 1623-1666. Virginia State Library and Archives, Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, VirginiaRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
1936 - Powhatan's Mantle: Indians in the Colonial Southeast by Peter H. Wood.
External links
- http://www.nps.gov/archive/colo/Jthanout/RepAssem.html
- Temperence Flowerdew