So I decided to post this long story about the life of my 4th great grandfather, Thomas West. On the one hand I'm pretty proud of it, the amount of research and thoroughness. But on the other hand it's a dry as hell read. Kinda boring really. Catch 22? It's also going to change as more information comes my way. But here it is, for the world to enjoy....
The Life of Thomas West:
Post Colonial America
(1774 - 1865)
Thomas West was born at the end of Colonial America in what is thought to be the most important time in American history. Thomas probably knew a thing or two about history, having descended from Mayflower passenger Richard Warren of Plymouth Colony. These kinds of things were not lost on the families of that time. And though Rochester, Massachusetts was not the hub of Revolutionary America like Boston, or Philadelphia for that matter, it was close enough to these free thinking societies to have made an impact on him. A sixth generation Bay Stater, Thomas was the 3rd great grandson of original immigrant Francis West of Duxbury. Francis (1606-1692) begot Dr. Thomas West (1646-1706) begot Abner West (1683-1756) begot Rev. Thomas West (1708-1790) begot Thomas West Sr. (1736-1819) begot our Thomas West Jr. (1774-1865). (I will from this point on call him “Thomas Jr.” as there are various important Thomas’ in this story)
Thomas Jr. was born in Rochester, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay to Thomas West and Deborah Freeman (1743-1816) on July 11, 1774. He was the seventh child of nine known children, and the third out of four boys, though first son, Abner West, died at eight years old in 1769. So when Thomas Jr. was born, he was just the second boy filled with a house of little girls.
It is guessed that Thomas Jr. was named after his father, and his father before, the Rev. Thomas West. His grandfather is the very reason he was born here and not on Martha's Vineyard, where several generations were born before him, including his father. The Rev. Thomas was asked around 1750 to be the pastor at the First Congregational Church of Rochester. He accepted this calling and moved his entire family there. And church life became the thing, an important ingredient in their daily lives. Religion permeates the times, of course, but also this household in particular. An example is this section of a letter Thomas Jr. writes to his 19 year old son, Derrick West, in 1838 at the age of 64, imploring Derrick to “watch carefully over yourself lest you be overcome with the vain shows and glories of this world. Be not allured into vanity. Shun the very appearance of evil, and do not forget to pray. Accustom yourself to reading the scriptures, avoid vain company, treat all people with civility, and put your trust in God.” This is a religious man. A serious man. Learned through years of family training one must think.
Not much is known about the early years of Thomas Jr., only those things happening around him. In particular, one has to wonder what affect the American Revolution had on him. Or what he may have remembered of it. The years 1776 through 1783 were trying times for young America. It is known that people both agreed with and had reservations about an independent America. Thomas Jr.’ own grandfather was even called an “old Tory” by one fanatic Patriot while giving his sermon in church one day, quite an insult at the time. His father was one of the Rochester town leaders at this point in time as well. One writing suggests that he even helped train some of the younger members of town as militia, but no proof exists. Proof does exist regarding his father's place in the town of Rochester. In late 1772 and early 1773, a report of the struggle with England is called for by the town, and one of the seven men chosen to report is Thomas West Sr. They are strong in their reply to the town, that liberty is at hand and must be acted upon. The town “further voted, that if our representative or any other person in this town either has or shall basely desert the cause of liberty, for the sake of being promoted to a post of honor or profit, or for any other mean view to self-interest, shall be looked upon as an enemy to his country and be treated with that neglect and contempt that he justly deserves.” (From the "History of Plymouth County Massachusetts" 1883, pg. 330.)
And then there is a record from “Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War,” page 902, which states that a Thomas West, living in Plymouth County, was a Private in Capt. Jabez Cottle’s Co. and served two days on an alarm in Dartmouth. I believe this Thomas to be the father of our Thomas West Jr. And though father Thomas seems a bit old to be a Private at 42 years, all indications point to him going with this group. Capt. Jabez Cottle is a first cousin to Thomas Sr., by way of Jane Look (1680-1765), the grandmother to both men.
The next actual record that includes Thomas Jr. is the 1790 census of Rochester. He is sixteen years old and living at the home of his father. His grandfather passes away within days of the census. A rather significant loss in the family. Two years prior, in 1788, Thomas Sr. is made co-executor of the Rev. Thomas West will, a position that I believe shows his closeness at the very least. We are not yet certain what Thomas Sr. receives as a beneficiary to the will, if anything, but it is not too soon after that the family removes to Montpelier, Vermont.
The research continues on why the West family removes to Montpelier, and who actually initiates it. There are several theories as to why. Marriage, the Quaker religion and possibly the ruckus of the Revolution. Thomas Jr. seems a bit young to have made any decisions here, as he is but a teenager and not yet married, or ostensibly in charge of anything. He may be at school for all we know. But possibly it was his older brother Freeman West (1767-1800), who, with several others, becomes one of the original organizers of that town in March of 1791. Additionally, the West family is not the only family from Rochester that moves, as there are many who go to that place before 1800. And then, there are a few marriages within the West clan to people associated with the founding of Montpelier. Thomas Jr. doesn't know it yet, but he will soon marry the daughter of Col. Jacob Davis (1741-1814), his claim to fame being that he may have been in the boat with George Washington when crossing the Delaware in 1776. He does in fact deserve, and earned the credit for, single-handedly making Montpelier happen. He even named it, as the legend goes. Col. Davis created all this with the help of a few people, one being his nephew, the future General, Parley Davis (1766-1848). Parley either marries Thomas Jr.’ sister, Lucy West (1769-1791), or is set to marry her in the future, as there is an official record showing the date 24 March 1791. Though this may be what they call an official 'intention' to marry. But Lucy dies soon thereafter and Parley marries Rebecca Peabody in November 1794 in Montpelier instead. Thomas Jr.’ other sister, Deborah West (1764-1789), was married to David Wing (1766-1806) in 1787. Deborah dies soon after as well, and David becomes one of the first residents of Montpelier. He's an important figure in town and state politics, eventually becoming Secretary of State for Vermont. He is also credited with having the second marriage in Montpelier town history when he weds Hannah Davis, another daughter of Col. Jacob Davis on November 25, 1792.
So by 1792, there is really no one left in the West family of importance to Thomas Sr. His mother and father are now deceased, several children have died, and still others have married into this group going to Montpelier. There is possibly a Quaker connection as well, if for no other reason than to avoid the aggression of that area (Massachusetts) in that point in history. Not known to be Quakers, the West family does eventually marry into that life, though a bit further down the road. Several Quaker families from Rochester and other areas move to Montpelier during this time. Though how that is related, we still don't know. Thomas Sr. does have siblings still living in Massachusetts, namely Rev. Samuel West (1738-1808), the well-known pastor at Hollis Street Church in Boston. His sister Drusilla West (1742-1814) is married to Enoch Hammond (1836-1800), the other co-executor to Rev. Thomas' will, and they stay living in Rochester. And then there's his brothers Benjamin West (1746-1817) and Deacon Timothy West (1750-1833). But they are both living in New Hampshire and having successful lives of their own. So that is basically it, except for a long list of cousins. And then on a side note, Vermont achieves statehood on March 4, 1791, which must have made migration a lot easier.
Thomas Sr. is voted in a 'Pound Keeper' at the March 1792 town meeting of Montpelier. The Thomas West Sr. family could be living in Montpelier at this point, but our hunch is they move fully in the year 1793. Firstly, Freeman West marries Azuba Haskell in Rochester on 26 January 1792, which would make the move by March too difficult. Secondly, daughter Caty West (1772-1797), sister to Thomas Jr., marries Col. Larned Lamb in Montpelier on June 30, 1794. This leaves the summer of 1792 or 1793. As it's a fact that people had to travel back and forth a few times to set up their 'big move,' the summer of 1792 gives them time to build a structure of some sort. So the hunch is, that they move in the summer of 1793. Some people believe that the West family moved with the Vincent, Clark, and McKnight families in February 1795, as official records say this is when Dr. Philip Vincent, Theophilus Clark, and Samuel McKnight make the trip. Dr. Vincent was married to Eunice West (1759-1850), the sister of Thomas Jr. So as for 1795, this obviously could work as well, arriving before the annual town meeting in early March. I must note here that Freeman's son Abner West is born 23 November 1792 in Montpelier. So was the Freeman West family already living in Montpelier? For the sake of this story, I'll say they were.
It's been recorded that the move from Rochester, Massachusetts to Montpelier, Vermont took a team of oxen about 22 days. Officially that's 232 miles and about 4 hours in your car if you were to do it today. These were rough times and the dangers were extreme. Traveling in the West family party in the summer of 1793, had this been the date they chose, would have been: Thomas Sr. (57), Deborah (54), Caty (21), Thomas Jr. (19), Molly (17), and Samuel Amos (14). A rather young and strong family, no? Certainly they must have been with others, if not for safety reasons, no? Though sadly, no record exists of this move.
Again, no written accounts of what Thomas Jr. does in his daily life at this point, except for those official records of the town. Though it is written in the 1906 book “Commemorative Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin,” that Thomas “was in the dairy and milk business there.” Though it's possible that could be he and his father, but again no official records exist. As it is, at the annual Montpelier town meeting in March of 1795, either Thomas Jr. or Thomas Sr. is voted in as “Fence Viewer.” It makes sense that it could be either of them, though Thomas Jr. is not yet twenty-one years of age and I don't know the rules of holding office, which I think may be twenty-one. Also, we think Thomas Jr. may be training as a member of the Vermont State Militia at this point. The first record that exists mentioning his military life is from a town meeting in 1799 when he is called “Lieut. Thomas West Jr.” It seems that Thomas gains a certain amount of respect for this military life. Throughout the rest of his life he is most usually called “Capt. Thomas West.” The official event happening as per Vermont State records on June 19, 1799, “Thomas West is Appointed Captain of the Ninth Company, Third Regiment, Second Brigade of the Vermont State Militia, by Governor Tichenor.” He is 24 years old. As for why Thomas Jr. joined the state militia is a mystery as well. We know that Congress passed the Militia Acts of 1792, organizing state militia's with the President taking command of such armies in times of “imminent invasion or insurrection,” and that Vermont had a very strong militia, thanks to the constant British threat from the north. Of course this leads to the War of 1812, but I'm ahead of myself.
It would not be surprising to learn that Thomas Jr. meets Polly Davis in conjunction with his military life. Military veterans Col. Jacob Davis and future Gen. Parley Davis were well known to all in the area. Maj. Davis (not yet a General) was still involved with the militia as well, where as I believe Col. Jacob Davis was retired. As I mentioned above, Maj. Parley Davis was married to the sister of Thomas in 1791, and clearly knew the West family well. In all likelihood, he had much to do with Thomas joining the militia, and might very well have been his superior officer. Add to that the fact that one of the other founders of Montpelier, David Wing, married another of Thomas Sr.' daughters (though she died soon after), and it's easy to see how a young Thomas Jr. might have been acquainted with a young Polly. They were all connected in some way, obviously, being that the town was small and the people of those times depended on one another.
A West family descendant made a good point recently, saying that Thomas Jr. could very well have joined the military in hopes of impressing “the father of the girl he had his eye on.” A sweet thought, and as probable as any other. He goes on to say, “is there no meaningful connection between Thomas’ rank and his connection with the Colonel’s daughter.” A line I love.
Thomas West Jr. marries Polly Davis on March 25, 1798. He is 23 years old and Polly is 24, having been born almost exactly one year before. As a side note, Polly is called “Polly” in all the records concerning her early life in Montpelier, though her headstone in Wisconsin reads “Mary West.” The nicknames for 'Mary' are 'Molly' and 'Polly.' Something to do with the exchange of the 'M' and the 'P' in the first consonant.
Thomas Jr. and Polly have their first child, a son named Julian West, on June 14, 1800. I do wonder why they have their first child over two years after their marriage though. Did Thomas Jr. have to go away in regards to his military duties? It's possible that they may have lost a child in early 1799 as well, but no record exists of this event. As it is, that must have been one happy household, a new son. The 1800 census, taken on August 4, 1800, shows Thomas Jr. and Polly living in a separate household from Thomas Sr. The record clearly states that the young couple have one very young child. I still have no idea exactly what Thomas is doing for work, but signs point to him being a farmer. Though later he is called a merchant while living in Ohio, so this is all a guess. Though early Montpelier records are very clear about who was selling what and where they were doing it. Thomas Jr. is never mentioned. One hint may be his being voted in as a Hayward at the annual town meeting in March of 1799. A Hayward being a man in charge of meadows and the crossing of cattle and fences and such. As I said above, he is called “Lieut. Thomas West Jr.” in this meeting, so his work in the military is not yet done. As a matter of fact, it's just 3 months after this meeting when Gov. Tichenor appoints him Captain in the Vermont State Militia.
One of the sad facts about the times in which Thomas lived was the amount of death. Death in general, but particularly of the young, or those young adults having not fully lived. Freeman West, the older brother of Thomas Jr., was one of the original founders of Montpelier, and passes away at the age of 33 on August 3, 1800. He is the first founder to die. This is just a short 3 years since his sister, Caty West (Mrs. Larned Lamb), passes away along with her unborn child we think. She is 25 years old. Now the sad part about Freeman's death, especially for his wife Azuba, is that the very next day the census is taken. Cruel? She is listed in the 1800 census as “Widdow West.” But the pain doesn't stop there. In just 5 more days her young daughter, Deborah West, will pass away as well. There are no current records as to what struck that family, but Typhus Fever is thought to be the cause, as that particular disease sweeps the area on several occasions the next decade or so. Thomas Jr. and Polly seem to escape the epidemics of the times, as it appears their children are born 2 to 3 years apart, with no one baby dying in childhood.
On November 7, 1800 the “Trustees of Montpelier Academy were incorporated. The original Trustees, named in the statute, were Messrs. Jacob Davis, Charles Bulkley, David Wing, Jr., J.B. Wheeler, and Thomas West, Jr.” It seems that Thomas Jr. was fast becoming an important part of the town, or at the very least, someone trying to make a difference. And then in the March 1802 town meeting, Thomas Jr. is voted in as one of nine Trustees of Schools. This is the first time we see his name written as “Thomas West Jr. Esq.” My research of 'Esq.' points mainly to the field of Law. But back in the somewhat old days, someone called 'Esquire' would have been above 'Gentleman.' Or some people believe it was just a complimentary phrase, and only meant to show respect. I don't have any proof of what Thomas Jr. was doing at the time, only in that he was probably a fair and honest man. David Wing, the future Secretary of State for Vermont had these words to say about Freeman West and his wife Azuba in 1792. And though not about Thomas, one wonders if Thomas was like his older brother. David said, “well Freeman drives a bold stroke makes old Golding roar - men in abundance at his elbow and everything I believe goes well - yet you know how some folks must fret a little...Zubah I believe is contented, some disappointed in a few particulars, very much inclined to corpulancy...that is to say in plain english pregnant.” So what we know, at least of a brother, is that part of the West clan is inclined to humor. And with few exceptions, it seems this trait was passed down through several generations, at least in my line of this West family, my father being a very dry and witty man.
But back to dear Thomas Jr. His second child, a girl, born July 22, 1802 is named Deborah. So that's one little boy and one little girl. The perfect happy family. In the annual Montpelier town meeting in March of 1803 Thomas Jr. is “voted in as Lister and Trustee of Schools.” Thomas is again written as "Thomas West Jr. Esq." A Lister is a Colonial term for the person in the town that keeps the list of persons being taxed and their property. How I would love to get my hands on the list that year.
Thomas Jr. seems well entrenched in Montpelier as late as 1803. His mother and father are living nearby, he has a beautiful wife (I'm assuming) and two lovely young babies. He seems to have the admiration of the town, or at least is thought to be a responsible man, someone that can be trusted. His brother, Samuel Amos West, age 23, is getting involved in town politics as well at this time. At the annual meeting in March of 1803, Samuel is voted in as one of several Hayward's, a job that Thomas had a few short years ago. But for whatever reason, Samuel is not long in Montpelier as well, deciding to leave that town by 1810. This is also where the story of Samuel West gets a bit murky, but that's another saga about the mysteries of his life. Suffice to say, we think Samuel goes by way of New York, having his first child there. When and where he gets married is a guess, though possibly in New York as well. He does in fact end up in Ontario, if the records are to be believed, but at that point he is calling himself Amos West, a further mystery. Thomas Jr. will see him again though, as they join together in that area of Upper Canada about 1819.
Montpelier is chosen as state capital in November of 1805. Thomas Jr. must have been part of a vote to build the state house, the cost of which was put upon the town. Many were willing to pay, be taxed, in conjunction with this building, but there were many who thought it unjust and refused to pay. I'm starting to wonder, as the Thomas West Jr. family leaves Montpelier forever in about 1810, what exactly precipitates this move? What was better, or had the chance to be better, than Montpelier? What did Ohio offer that Montpelier did not? Opportunity? Cheap land? Fortunes to be made? I still don't know. But now I wonder if this tax was too much of a hardship. Or could the upcoming War of 1812 had anything to do with it? There is to this day no official documentation describing their thoughts at this time.
It's been three years since Deborah was born and the West family is about to have another baby. On June 26, 1805 the 4th in a line of Thomas' is born. What does Thomas Jr. call his Thomas junior? We don't know, but it must have been awfully confusing, as it was with his father before him. Did they even have Tommy back then? But anyway, just like clockwork, Thomas and Polly have another child on 27 June 1807 in Montpelier. Her name is Eliza Sophia West. The fun part of Eliza's story that we know, is that she comes back to Montpelier in April of 1826 to have a double wedding of sorts. She marries William Phillips, the Quaker from Canada, and her brother Thomas marries his sister, Hannah Phillips. Thomas and Hannah marry in Montpelier on 26 March 1826, just a few weeks before Eliza and William. (There are descendants of this Thomas West that believe he was married in Ontario and not Montpelier, Vermont. Unfortunately, I have only this suspect Vermont record to go by and no records of marriage from Ontario, Canada. But it is not that hard to believe, being that Hannah, a Quaker, was disowned after the marriage for marrying a non-believer. Did they go so they could marry in peace? And then, could the West and Phillips families been visiting relations in Vermont?)
So here is the Thomas West family shortly after Eliza's birth in mid 1807, thinking about westward migration, and contemplating departure dates. They are probably even discussing travel partners, and where they will stop to rest, etc. If they have the freedom of time, when do they go? It's somewhere exactly between two known life events. Eliza's birth June 17, 1807 in Montpelier and Benjamin's birth April 16, 1810 in Cincinnati. Basically a three year window. So, do you travel with a newborn in late 1807? Do you make that arduous journey with a known pregnant woman in early 1810? What month do you go? What's the weather like? Your parents are now 70 and 73 years old respectively, can they make it when it's a bit cold out? Which roads or paths are open and safe? Who can we stop to visit? Are there Indians afoot? What to do?
I don't know for sure if the family leaves all at once or not. Or whether they went with others. Julian Spooner West, great grandson of Thomas Jr., says in 1938 that the family left in “company of a colony.” After thorough research, I can find no information or reference to a colony out of Vermont going to Ohio at that time. But again, when do they leave? We know that Samuel is found on a voting list of the First Congregational Society of Montpelier in April 1808. This is the start of the Congregationalist Church of Montpelier. Thomas Jr.' grandfather was a Congregationalist, as well as his father before him, so his not being on that voting list seems important. Now it's entirely possible that they are not even Congregationalist, but some other denomination, but my hunch is they are still members of that faith, just not around to make that meeting. Or too busy?
Using a series of deductions, and nothing I can yet prove, I believe they leave town in mid 1809. Here's my thoughts. Number one. They have a new baby in late June 1807. I think you have to wait for her to grow up a bit, so she's stronger. Well, unless you leave her and return later. Which I don't think they do, as it seems that everyone goes, even the older parents. So they wait. Number two. The moment of conception for Benjamin is about mid July 1809. Do you make babies before you go on this long journey, while you are on it, or after you've arrived? Though I have no experience traveling in a bumpy wagon over rough terrain with my antenna up for dangerous Indians and marauding wagoners, I can't imagine having sex on this trip. I mean really, where the hell are they going to get some privacy? So either they do it right before they go, or, after they arrive. So since Benjamin was born in April 1810, they would have had to be in Cincinnati before July 1809. But it's at least a 3 month trip. When did they have an opening? If you go too far back, now you have to consider baby Eliza and her age. So for the sake of argument, I'm going with August 1, 1809 as their departure date. And then all of this will change of course the moment I enter the county offices in Montpelier and Cincinnati. And then ofcourse I forgot about the death of famous uncle Samuel West, the Reverend of Hollis Street Church in Boston. He dies on April 10, 1808. Did they go down to Charlestown, New Hampshire to visit the other well-to-do uncle, the Revolutionary War veteran, Benjamin West (1746-1817), on their way down to either see Samuel or mourn his loss? Or what about the other uncle, Deacon Timothy West (1750-1833), who also lived in Charlestown? If you were going on such a trip, wouldn’t you stop here one last time?
Which brings me to another random thought about this move to Ohio. What if, the large move was not initially meant to be Ohio? What if there was some other destination that didn’t work out? And if so, where might that be? I’ve often wondered if it could have been New York. Not only is there a path west through New York at this time, there seems to be a connection with part of this West family. Remember Samuel? He goes to New York, or appears to go, as his first son is born there in about 1808 or 1809. We believe this trip is in connection with both the Stephen Howard (1781-1840) family and the Samuel Foster (1770-1824) family. Stephen Howard is from Montpelier, having lived there from about 1790 to 1800 with the Rufus Wakefield family. Stephen later marries the daughter of Samuel Foster in Ontario. And Samuel Foster has another daughter that marries into the Wakefield family. All of this interconnected.
But it’s Samuel Foster that possibly follows his brother, Capt. Abijah Foster (1768-1814), to New York in about 1800. Could Samuel West going to New York had something to do with the Thomas West family as well? Later, when hardship befalls the Thomas West Jr. family in Ohio, it is Stephen Howard the Quaker who is said to help. Written records say wife Polly Davis is friends with Stephen the Quaker, though I believe they all were, from their days living in Montpelier. But this is all conjecture and guess as of today. So as it is, I will for now assume that they went directly to Ohio from Vermont, no stopovers in New York.
So who is on this journey of the Thomas West Jr. family in say, 1809? Well, I think the list includes the following people: Thomas West Jr. (34), Polly (Davis) West (35), Julian West (9), Deborah West (7), Thomas West (4), Eliza West (2) Thomas West Sr. (73), Deborah (Freeman) West (70), Col. David Robbins (35), Molly (West) Robbins (32), and Lucy West Robbins (12). Abner West (17), the son of Freeman West (the brother who dies in 1800), eventually comes to Springfield, and could easily be on this journey to return later, but I don't think so. One important note. We are almost certain that Lucy West Robbins goes on this journey, as she is marries in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1819. But we are not sure what happens to her parents. It's possible they died in 1808 as some records suggest. One gives an exact date of 12 July 1808. Did this happen in Montpelier or on the way to Ohio? There are no records with definitive proof. As it is, I will assume they were in the traveling party, which now totals 11 people.
In 1938, Julian Spooner West, a great grandson of Thomas Jr., recorded his voice onto a 78 record (today it is held by his granddaughter, Piri Halasz, of NYC). In it, Julian recounts the life story of Thomas West. Of the move to Ohio he says, “Then, in company with a colony, he immigrated to the state of Ohio, and located at Springfield, laying out the town of Springfield, and naming it after Springfield in Vermont.” No mention of why, with whom, or the perils of the trip, though he does go on to describe some of the rough times Thomas Jr. had towards 1818. As for the rest of what he says, my research shows that Springfield was called Springfield long before Thomas arrived, so that reference smells a bit of family legend. And that's another story for another day, the amount of story legend in our family histories. Captain’s of famous sea vessels, royalty, personal accounts of being with Washington, and the naming of Springfield, to list a few.
(Update: April 2016. I just came across a piece of information, a Vermont record, probably recorded in the early 1900's, that the West family left Montpelier in 1810. The author says the information comes from a Davis Family Genealogy. I can't find that genealogy as of yet, but wanted to share this info. I'm still holding that the West family left in 1809. I'm an arrogant man, no? Hehe.)
(Update: April 2016. I just came across a piece of information, a Vermont record, probably recorded in the early 1900's, that the West family left Montpelier in 1810. The author says the information comes from a Davis Family Genealogy. I can't find that genealogy as of yet, but wanted to share this info. I'm still holding that the West family left in 1809. I'm an arrogant man, no? Hehe.)
In 1912 a book was published entitled “A Journey to Ohio in 1810,” by Margaret Van Horn Dwight. It was written like a diary, her describing the daily challenges of crossing the very rough country at that time. She is very specific in detailing the number of “wagoneers” going to and from the west, in what we now call the great western migration. This was not a modern day family vacation. This was hardship. And things got ugly. Fast. But for some reason I can't imagine some of those things happening to the Thomas West Jr. family. Especially if they had an extra grown man with them, or were traveling in a “colony” as Julian West puts it. I just think some of it was luck and timing. And much of it had to do with the route they took. History books have chronicled the roads or trails of the early 1800's, but trying to figure out which way they might have gone is nearly impossible. But luckily, there are really only two choices.
The difficulty in determining the route taken by the Thomas West Jr. family in 1809 has more to do with steamboat technology than anything. My research says that it wasn't until 1811 when regular service from Pittsburgh down the Ohio River to Cincinnati took place. What was happening before that is beyond this biography, though I've read some about flatboats. I really do think they used that route, only because it is Cincinnati where they first go, and then it's on to Springfield, Ohio. Springfield is north of Cincinnati, so if they were going by trails from the north, why not just stop in Springfield? So my hunch is they took the popular southern route in 1809 from Vermont. The same route taken by Margaret Van Horn Dwight in 1810. It was called the old Forbes Road, and later the Pennsylvania Road or Pennsylvania Turnpike. Wagons could catch it outside of New York City, into New Jersey, and then straight out through Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh and beyond. I think Thomas Jr. went to Pittsburgh and then to Cincinnati by way of the Ohio River. Later when Thomas Jr. has financial troubles, it was written that he went to Pittsburgh for help. I don't know of any specific connection to Pittsburgh, only in that they may have traveled through it in 1809. Additionally, Pittsburgh lays almost dead east of Springfield, and was probably the largest city anywhere near there at that time.
The other reason I believe Thomas Jr. took the southern route is that it went through towns in which they may have had cousins and/or friends. Thomas Sr. may have known some of these people as well. My hunch is that if they were traveling so far, why not go a route that has people who may welcome and take care of you. They may even have gone to Rochester first before making their way along the coast to New York. The friends and family on that route would have been numerous. Though going this route would have added quite a few days to the already lengthy trip. And though I have no records, or even a clue as to the length of that trip, my hunch at this point is that it took about four months. Arrival in Cincinnati about November of 1809.
My 3rd great grandfather, Benjamin Franklin West, is born on 16 April 1810 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Unfortunately the 1810 U.S. Census from Ohio was burned in a fire. Not having that particular piece of critical information at this time is disappointing and sad. And then the next official record, as the births seem back on schedule (every two years), is the birth of their son, George Washington West, on 10 January 1812, in Cincinnati as well. Though there are no official records of his or his brother Benjamin's birth, it has long been written, regarding the lives of these men, that the birth place is true and correct. And we have no other family records detailing this period of time. What we do have are American history books.
And what an interesting time in early Ohio. Thomas Jr. lands in Cincinnati right at the beginning of the steamboat era. Over the next 50 years, that will be the main mode of transport from north to south. It's the main reason Cincinnati grows so fast. Though that can be said of all the big towns along the Ohio River, especially Pittsburgh.
Land at that time was being sold by the government in large quantities. Minimum lot size as Thomas Jr. reached the General Land Office in Cincinnati was 160 acres. And that was for a quarter of a full 640 acre pie. It is supposed that Thomas Jr. purchases, or takes a note out on a 160 acre farm some time after his arrival. As of this writing, I'm not sure in which order he purchases his land. But by 1824 he has transferred or sold what looks to be about 1000 acres. As I scanned the few documents from the General Land Office archives, I started to wonder if Thomas Jr. came to Cincinnati and started speculating on property. Of course I can't be sure of anything until I see more records, but this fact is in the back of my mind. His first land transfer or sale is officially recorded on March 26, 1813 in Cincinnati.
The other events going on around the West family at this time focus on war. The people of Cincinnati had just celebrated the victory over the Temcumseh at Tippicanoe when the tensions with England increased to boiling point. The United States declared war on England on June 18, 1812. I've searched several records of the lists of soldiers from Ohio in the War of 1812, but Thomas Jr. and family are not on it. I assumed he would have been involved, being a Captain and veteran of sorts from Vermont. But I wonder if his age and the fact he had several small children in this delicate environment a clue to his absence. Again, I don't know for sure, but it looks like he sat this one out. Luckily for Ohio, and Cincinnati in particular, the Indian threat never came to pass. Nor did the English war machine, for that matter. Probably too busy fighting in far away places. Unfortunately, the financial effects would definitely take their toll a few years later.
So without guessing what Thomas Jr. and family could have been doing, the next event in their lives is the birth of Quincy Pickering West on February 4, 1814. It has always been written that Quincy was born in Harmony, Clark County, Ohio. Harmony would be called a suburb of Springfield, Ohio today. Harmony is about 90 miles north of Cincinnati, and just 6 miles east of Springfield. Though truthfully, we have no idea, until later, exactly what they were doing there. Family legend (might be too strong a word) says that Thomas West Jr. was a merchant in Springfield and that he eventually can't pay his bills. I believe the lead up to The Panic of 1819 is to blame. Family notes mention a problem with paper money as well, and then one other note uses the term Shinplaster money. All of this related to the financial stresses of that time. So my hunch is Thomas Jr. was working as both a merchant and a farmer, in both Springfield and Harmony. Though again, hard to know until some records are physically found.
The West family seem to be living in Harmony, Ohio as of 1814. They are still having children and I assume times are relatively good. Though the next official family event comes with a whole lot of sadness. The death of mother Deborah in February of 1816. And again, no official record, just notes of the family. But we know she does not make it to Canada in three years, nor does her husband Thomas Sr. But life has a way of shining light at very dark moments. A month later Thomas Jr. and Polly have their next child, Alfred Allen West, on March 13, 1816. He is said to have been born in Harmony as well. And then maybe a sign that money is getting tight, he transfers or sells some land, officially recorded as June 28, 1816. This land appears to be in Springfield.
Knowing Thomas Jr. and the kind of man he was purported to be, the next two years are spent getting involved in Springfield city life. Springfield has just become a town, and Thomas is elected the first Town Clerk of Springfield on April 6, 1818. And the cliché of pairs hold true, his son Derrick Van Pett West is born in Harmony on April 10, just 4 days later.
So Thomas Jr. is involved in town politics again. Though I wonder if it has more to do with finances than anything. For in the summer of 1818, the Bank of the United States decided to reverse its inflationary policies. Best described by Jay Gitlin in his introduction to “A Journey to Ohio in 1810,” he says regarding the bank reversal, “...and a financial crisis, the Panic of 1819, ensued. Cash, always scarce on the frontier, all but disappeared. The prices of agricultural products fell dramatically, barely covering the costs of transportation for western producers. Until the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the subsequent construction of the Ohio Canal linking the Ohio River with Lake Erie, the Western Reserve would remain an economic backwater. Its farmers had no cost-efficient way of getting their products to market and, therefore, had little cash to pay off their mortgages.”
It seems that Thomas was being squeezed even before the government decision of mid 1818, as Thomas makes several major financial decisions in the spring of that year. Again, not knowing the cause or reasons, or even the technicalities of how it all works, Thomas buys Lot 51 in Springfield on April 11, 1818 to turn around and sell it to Griffith Foos on May 9, 1818. Somehow his nephew Abner is involved as well. Here is the description of that transaction, some of the punctuation cleaned up for easy reading here.
On May 30, 1818 there's a special election in Springfield. From “The History of Clark County, Ohio” 1881, pg. 634, it shows a list of the town electors. I believe to be an elector, one must be the head of household on one's own property. Thomas Jr. is listed along with his nephew, Abner West. Thomas Sr. is not listed, which makes me think he is living at his son's house now. Or, I guess he could very well be living with his grandson Abner, who is not yet married. There are several other people on the list which look familiar as well. Some of the men that Thomas Jr. does business with regarding his property, and then Griffith Foos, who is co-executor with Thomas Jr. on his father's Last Will and Testament.
Thomas Jr. has another son on August 10, 1818. They call him Derrick Van Pett West. In the letter that Thomas Jr. sends Derrick in 1838 from Canada, he gives his opinion on the United States, and one wonders if he isn't reminiscing about this period of his life. Or was it Vermont? He says, “As for myself, my mind and feelings are the same as when you left this country. But I do not expect to live long in this or any other country. And this part of the country does NOT, NOR NEVER WILL, look like home to me; my principal concern is to be prepared for a better world. It would give me much pleasure however to see my family comfortably settled in the western country where respect is paid to merit, where equal rights and privileges are secured, and acknowledged by the constitution and laws.”
From looking at the records and history of this period, 1818 is a very difficult year. The central Bank has now made its move and soon the farmers and merchants of the Northwest Territory (Ohio) will feel the repercussions, if they aren't already feeling them. Add this fact to what appears to be an aging father, seemingly close to death, and Thomas Jr. is trying his best to keep it all together. But in January of 1819 the writing is on the wall. The failing health of his father, along with the failing health of his business, has Thomas Jr. thinking of other avenues. His father completes a will on January 11, 1819 and dies soon after in March. Thomas Jr. is made co-executor, and helps to distribute the items Thomas Sr. leaves to everyone, mostly his grandchildren. It’s interesting to note that Abner is named first in the will and given the only monetary gift, 10 dollars. I believe Abner may have been taking care of his grandfather towards the end of his life. The rest of the items are household things, personal objects, and farm implements. It’s actually a very sweet list. Here’s a transcription:
From Springfield, Ohio Legal Records:
"I, Thomas West, of the town of Springfield and State of Ohio, being weak in body, but of sound mind, and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former ones, by me heretofore made.
And first, I will and bequest to my grandson Abner West the sum of ten dollars to be paid to him out of my estate by my executors, and also 1 broad cloth coat (black colour).
2nd I will and bequeath to John Patterson all my hats.
3rd I will to my grandson Julian West, 1 brown mare.
4th I will to my granddaughter Eliza (daughter of my son Thomas) six silver tablespoons, six silver tea spoons, a long posted bedstead together with the bed and bedding, belonging to the same and besides also the other of the best bed-quilts I have.
5th I will to my grandson Thomas (son of Thomas) 1 pair silver shoe-buckles, 1 pair silver knee-buckles, 1 silver stock- buckle and my longest walking staff with an ivory head.
6th I will to my granddaughter Deborah one chest of pine wood, which has been painted red, one short posted bedstead together with the bed and bedding belonging to the same and also one other bed-quilt to be given her at the discretion of her mother.
7th I will one side-saddle to my Granddaughter Catherine (daughter of Samuel).
8th I will to my grandson Benjamin one cross-cut saw.
9th I will that one brass kettle and all other of my goods and effects, wherever they may be found shall be at the disposal of my daughter-in-law Polly (wife of my son Thomas), to be by her distributed amongst her children at her discretion.
And 10th I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Thomas West and Griffith Foos, Executors of my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 11th day of January AD 1819.
Signed Thomas West."
Witnessed by John Patterson, William N. Irwin and Saul Henkle, the local Methodist minister.
What happens next is speculation. But there have been several writings through the years describing what in fact did happen, though the particulars are varied. What we do know as fact, is that The Panic of 1819 just crushes Thomas Jr. and his life in the Springfield area, forcing he and his family to move. And from the looks of things, they do it very fast.
Soon after Thomas Sr. dies, Thomas Jr. apparently goes away by himself. Writings suggest that he goes to Vermont or up to Ontario, Canada. Stephen Howard gets mentioned in two separate writings as the person that helps Thomas West Jr. and family, loaning him enough money to bring or take his family to Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. The choice of Vermont seems completely logical, as Polly's family is still there. Though her own father, Col. Jacob Davis, passed away a few years before, and under great financial distress as well. But this choice of Stephen Howard seems appropriate too, as it's possible by this time he has some means to help. And I believe because he's a Quaker, the response to help is even more sure. Stephen at this time is living in Newmarket and not Vermont, which leads me to think that Thomas Jr. goes to Canada instead. Additionally, for reasons that are not yet known, Thomas Jr. seems particularly close to the Howard family. Even some of his descendants remain close to them. My 2nd great grandfather has the middle name Abijah, named after Stephen Howard's brother, Abijah Howard. It may also be something as simple as Thomas Jr. growing up with these people in Montpelier. Although later the connection is very tight, as the daughter of Stephen, Mary Howard, marries son Benjamin Franklin West.
But here are three excerpts from previous writings on this move. Two are undated and unsourced at this time. The first writing says, “He moved to Harmony, near Springfield, Ohio, 'being troubled by the uncertainty of the water level of the fickle river, and there engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. The latter venture involved him in disaster, as he purchased goods in the city of Pittsburgh on the half-credit system. The depreciation of paper money under the old State banking arrangements caused his failure in 1813. About 1818-1821 he moved to Canada where Stephen Howard, also from Montpelier, had previously moved.” The second writing states, “Thomas West founded Springfield, Ohio, in 1803 and was a storekeeper there until 1818, when "Shinplaster money" caused his bankruptcy. Would have been jailed for this so went to Connecticut, where relative(s) financed a comeback, and he returned to Springfield and took his family with two ox teams and trekked to Toronto (three months en-route).” And then the third writing, this one from Julian West in 1938, says, “In 1818, Congress repealed the law concerning the paper money, and the money was repudiated by government act, which threw those people who lived at the frontier into bankruptcy. In Ohio at the time, imprisonment was the fate of a debtor. Thomas West, rather than spend the time in prison, on a good horse rode out by way of Sandusky and Buffalo to Lewiston, Canada, Hamilton and Little York (now Toronto) to Newmarket, in Upper Canada, where a large colony of Quakers, of which he was of that faith, lived and had been living for ten years. From them, he obtained means with which to go back and bring his family which he did, taking three months’ time with ox teams and wagons to travel from Springfield to Newmarket.”
What can be gleaned from these accounts of the move, is that he probably goes to Canada and not Vermont, that it's probably Stephen that helps him, that it's probably the way he got there, and that he probably does this trip twice. Once to get money, and then later with the entire family. It's about 530 miles from Springfield, Ohio to Newmarket, Ontario, Canada on the route that Julian describes (In an account of Stephen Howard's trip to Newmarket in 1801, the same path through Hamilton and on into Toronto, Canada are mentioned. I believe this was also called an “old Indian trail.”). Calculating ten miles per day, it comes to 53 days. But add in other travel issues of the day, and three months is not hard to believe. Though Thomas Jr. would have arrived in Newmarket much faster when he took that “fast horse” going alone.
On June 4, 1819 Thomas Jr. is a witness to the Last Will & Testament of Samuel Foster in East Gwillimbury, York, Ontario. It's a full signature of his, on that date, at that location. Why Thomas Jr. witnesses Samuel Foster's will can be explained as timing. He goes to see Stephen Howard for financial help, arriving just when Samuel Foster (father of Stephen's wife Tamma) is doing this legal work. Also witnessing this will is Samuel West, the brother of Thomas Jr., but now calling himself Amos West.
Because of the timing of Samuel Foster's will, I now wonder if Thomas was even in Springfield at the time of his father's death or en route to Canada? How sad that appears to be from the outside now. Could he have left to find help before the last days of Thomas Sr.? This may explain why Griffith Foos is made co-executor in January, Thomas Sr. thinking his son may not return? It's possible that a probate record exists in Clark County, Ohio, and that will help solve this mini puzzle. So now, it's quite possible that Thomas has missed the death of his father, knows nothing about it, and has that event to care for as well upon his return. And things don't get much better I'm afraid to say. Because on August 1, in Harmony, his first son Julian is killed in an accident. Family notes say Julian was killed by “a falling tree at 17 years old.” Julian was actually nineteen years old when he died, but the idea of a falling tree sounds very plausible. And particularly heart wrenching considering the events surrounding the West family at this time. Like Thomas Sr. and mother Deborah, we don't know where his son Julian is buried either. The fact we even know the dates of their death is more a tribute to a family that remembered loved ones long after their death. As is the case with son Benjamin, the important family events were recorded in the family Bible. And though there is no record of a Thomas West Jr. family Bible, the assumption is that there definitely was one, and probably made its way to Wisconsin in later years, where much of this information was copied.
Thomas Jr. and Polly have lost their first son Julian. It's time to pack up everything and move. But this takes some time. One nice event to ease the pain is the wedding of their niece Lucy West Robbins to Samuel Jameson Alden in Cincinnati on August 25, 1819. Do they make this event? And then, do they stay around for the marriage of nephew Abner West to Salome Lyon on November 3, 1819? I believe they do, and leave just a few days after when the weather is good. Thomas Jr. has already put the property up for sale, finishes business in town, says goodbye to everyone, and the family leaves by wagon. There's unfortunately no record of this trip, a journal if you will, but that must have been one long haul.
Traveling in the West family wagon in November of 1819 is Thomas Jr. (45), Polly (46), Deborah (17), Thomas (14), Eliza (12), Benjamin (9), George (7), Quincy (5), Alfred (3), and Derrick (19 months). They head towards East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada, to meet and stay with Stephen Howard, the Quaker. From the various writings, it also says that Thomas Jr. was teaching at this time. There is no proof of this, but it wouldn't be unheard of for a new arrival to teach. Could Thomas Jr. have been teaching his own children and those of these Quaker families? Thomas Jr. was an involved man, and probably did whatever it took to land on his feet. (On a side note, regarding life at the Stephen Howard home, son Benjamin will later marry Stephen's daughter Mary Howard. There is no doubt this is how they met.)
It has been recorded that Thomas Jr. and Polly have a son named David Millard West on September 15, 1822 in East Gwillimbury. From this information we can assume that the trip was successful and that the desire to procreate was not left in Ohio. Also, giving David the middle name of Millard is somewhat curious. Later, the Howard's, West's and Millard's will marry into one another, but at this early date I can only assume a connection. And though I've assumed throughout this entire writing, I won't do it here, because honestly I have no idea why he's called David Millard West.
It is supposed that Thomas Jr. applied for land by way of the Clergy Reserve in Upper Canada. Without going into a full history of what the Clergy Reserve was and it's relation to the United Empire Loyalists and Protestant Church, suffice to say that I do not believe he acquired land this way. Thomas Jr. was an American leaving financial stress and not political strangulation. I don’t believe he ever thought Canada was a lifelong event. He even says as much in his 1838 letter to Derrick, stating this place was “never home.”
I believe Thomas Jr. did what he had to do, and moved his family to an area with friends and cousins, and the opportunity to earn a living. That work was farming. What kind of farming we don’t exactly know. But he describes the growth of wheat in that 1838 letter, so we assume vegetables as food and not animal. It is also said that Thomas West Jr. owned the first McCormick reaping machine in the county sometime about 1845 (info. from waynecook.com).
Thomas Jr. sells more land in Springfield, Ohio on December 8, 1823 and June 8, 1824, respectively. Chances are he was gathering cash for a purchase of sorts. Family records indicate that he first moved to East Gwillimbury in 1819. It’s possible that it was Holland Landing, as this is where the Stephen Howard family was living. It could also have been Newmarket, since a large majority of Quakers were living there as well. But we know at some point he becomes one of the first settlers in West Gwillimbury. Bond Head to be exact. At least that is what it is later called. On December 12, 1824, Thomas Jr. signs an affidavit swearing that he witnessed Samuel Foster sign his own will in 1819. The affidavit states that Thomas Jr. lives in West Gwillimbury, County of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.
We don’t know if Thomas Jr. has already purchased property by late 1824, but know for certain he does on March 18, 1829. Thomas Jr. buys Lot 2, Concession 5, consisting of 200 acres. This particular piece of land seems to stay in the family another 100 plus years. When Thomas Jr. and some of his children decide to sell and move to Wisconsin in about 1845, this piece of land ends up, we think, with George Washington West, his son. This is all a guess until official records are found, but we know that great grandson, Charles Thomas West (1878-1945), owns part of this property in 1912. In the 2005 book "Governor Simcoe Slept Here" by the Bradford West Gwillimbury Historical Society, it is written by descendants that the property was sold in 1954.
In 1829, Thomas West Jr. is 54 and his wife Polly is 55 years old. His son Thomas has already married Hannah Phillips and we believe they are living on the farm with their young family. His daughter, Eliza West, as previously stated, married Dr. William Phillips at this time as well. They have a small child too. His name is Thomas West Phillips (1828-1889), if that isn’t confusing enough. We believe they are living on their own property near the Thomas West Jr. farm (which I’ll now call the ‘old homestead’).
By 1837, two of the Thomas West Jr. boys have purchased property near to the old homestead. Namely Benjamin (Lot 4, Concession 6) and George (Lot 6, Concession 6). The 1837 West Gwillimbury City Directory also lists Amos West as owning property, but he is way over on Lot 108, Concession 1. But Eliza’s family is close, with William Phillips owning Lot 1, Concession 6. Thomas West is listed in the directory as owning the old homestead. But because of the confusion with the name Thomas in this family, it’s hard to know if this is Thomas Jr. or his eldest son Thomas. As per family notes, the old homestead has been, or probably will be, given to son Thomas. Additionally, as you will soon read, Thomas seems to be with his father Thomas Jr. as he writes a letter. Are they living together? Additionally, one of them is a county commissioner in 1837, and starts a petition to increase certain road monies in the township (From the “Journal of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada,” 1839, page 96). Aged 32 and 63 respectively, it could be either one of them. Though at these ages, it is more likely to be his son Thomas West.
On July 16, 1838, Thomas Jr. sat down to write a letter to his son Derrick, who was living in Michigan. Derrick West (1818-1902) had gone to Michigan with Brooks Wakefield Howard (1817-1891) during the Upper Canadian Rebellion of 1837. Amnesty was granted them both by 1839, and they returned. Derrick eventually moved to Wisconsin with the rest of his family, and Brooks Howard stayed in Newmarket and lived out his life. Brooks Howard was the brother of Mary Howard (1813-1852), who was the wife of Benjamin Franklin West (1810-1873), my 3rd great grandfather. Brooks Howard played an important role in my family, being the well-to-do uncle of my 2nd great grandfather, Dr. David Abijah West (1847-1900). We believe he put Dr. David through medical school in Toronto.
But continuing, this is what Thomas Jr. wrote that day, about life in West Gwillimbury at the time. The full letter.
“My dear son,
I once more seat myself for the purpose of answering your letter, I feel glad, Derrick, that you are not forgetful of us, that you are so happily situated at Mr. Griffiths, I rejoice to hear of your health, your stability, and your rejection of evil habits, in this course I pray God may enable you to persevere. As to ourselves we are in good bodily health as usual. Thos. arrived here 7 or 8 days after leaving you, apparently well pleased with the country. Broth. Hugh arrived on the 9th of this inst., moving although he has offered his place for sale, but says he does not know what he should do if he were to sell. However, I think if he can sell to advantage he will do so. Benjamin seems inclined to sell, and I think he will if he has an opportunity. George is determined to sell, and move the coming winter if possible, Quincy is also determined to sell his first opportunity, Alfred, I know not what his mind is on the subject, but I think he will follow suit. As to David, his mind is with you. I have just read the above to Thos., he says, write that he will surely move to the far West. The times are dull, very little prospect of selling at present. Solomon Stone will remain where he is. William Phillips says but little about moving, but think if the rest of the family move he will do likewise. Polly and Lydia have each a young son and are doing well. As for myself, my mind and feelings are the same as when you left this country. But I do not expect to live long in this or any other country. And this part of the country does not nor never will look like home to me; my principal concern is to be prepared for a better world. It would give me much pleasure however to see my family comfortably settled in the western country where respect is paid to merit, where equal rights and privileges are secured, and acknowledged by the constitution and laws. Beside all this I’m not pleased with the climate here nor never was. I am convinced that the climate farther west is more preferable as the production of the country abundantly shows. Crops here look well. The month of June and July were but wet and warm; vegetation is very rapid. Wheat generally smutty. We shall inn a few days commence haying, probably have six or seven tones. Derrick you are often thought of, you are often spoken of , you are often prayed for, and but seldom out of my mind. But I thank God that I have a hope that we in this world will be reunited until death separates us, and I have e a strong hope and faith that we shall meet after we have done with this troublesome world in a better where parting shall be no more. Fort this I hope, and for this I most sincerely pray. Thos. tells me you think of coming home this fall with Brooks. You had better for several reasons. First, we wish to see you exceedingly - secondly we have a very good school teacher. You can have the opportunity of going to school without much expense. In the next place, if George concludes to move this winter the will be glad to have your assistance and that is not all, I think not unlikely that should George move, your mother, Deborah, David, and myself will go too. Could I see you, Derrick, I could say many things I cannot put on paper but I really delay. Direct all communications to Holland Landing Post Office. Derrick be careful to ask and regard the advice to Mr. Griffiths, and remember me most affectionately ye in him. Watch carefully over yourself lest you be overcome with the vain shows and glories of this world. Be not allured into vanity. Shun the very appearance of evil, and do not forget to pray. Accustom yourself to reading the scriptures, avoid vain company, treat all people with civility, and put your trust in God. The families and all your friends around, and brothers and sisters in the church here request me to remember them affectionately to you. Tell Mr. Griffiths his friends in this part are well. Thomas tells me he intends sending you suit of clothes, but if you conclude to come this fall I think it better to omit it until then, for which reason you had better write soon. Be particular in your letter about the produce of the country and all other matters you may think interesting. Now Derrick, with you mother, we bid you an affectionate farewell for the present.
Thos. West
To
Mr. Derrick N.F. West
Niles, Berrien County
State of Michigan”
It’s a very revealing letter, about his feelings for Canada, for that area of West Gwillimbury, about moving, and his limited time on the planet. Thomas Jr. lives another 27 years, which makes him seem a bit like a worry wart, no? Such are the times.
But his thoughts on moving are clear, something he very much wants to do. But he also seems to be at the mercy of his children. By 1838, most have their own families. Thomas Jr. also has some young adult children living with him as well. But everyone will be married by the time they leave in 1845. Well, except the youngest child, David Millard West (1822-1877). So how does he get them motivated to go? Why does George seem so adamant about moving at this time, but later does not? What gets him to stay in West Gwillimbury? How do Thomas Jr. and Polly feel about leaving their other children and grandchildren? Were they all suppose to sell and come later? Why Raymond, Wisconsin? Was Derrick the one to scope out the prospects there and report back to the family?
Thomas Jr. and Polly move in what we think is the year 1845. Records have yet to be searched in Ontario, but that is the year most family records suggest. We don’t yet know if the old homestead is sold or given to one of the kids. It’s possible it was given to son Thomas, as some records say, or given to son George because he stays in Ontario. Nothing is known just yet.
Some family records say that it is son Quincy Pickering. West (1814-1891) who goes to Wisconsin first, to set up a home. And that it is this home that Thomas Jr. and Polly go to in 1845. I don’t know for sure if they go to Raymond, Wisconsin first, and then go the Franklin, Wisconsin next, but by 1850, that is where they are living. But through some added research, it appears Derrick goes to Wisconsin first, around 1840. That fits well with the story of Derrick leaving Canada in 1837 because of his involvement in the Canadian Rebellion, and then returning a year later. Maybe Ontario got a little uncomfortable upon his return?
I do find it a bit odd, after appearing as though everyone wants to move to Wisconsin together, that many decide to live in different areas of Wisconsin once they get there. The first to go seems to be Derrick West. He goes to Racine and marries Mary Shumway in 1842, but then almost immediately goes to Columbia County, and then eventually Minnesota. Next up is Quincy and Sarah (Duff) West, who go to Raymond in 1845, but then almost immediately go to Franklin. Thomas Jr. and Polly probably go with Quincy along with daughter Deborah and son David, who is just 22 years old. Alfred and Jane (Traviss) West go to Raymond as well in 1845, probably with Quincy and Thomas Jr., but almost immediately go to Lewiston. Thomas and Hannah (Phillips) West are next up, and they go to Raymond in 1848. Is Thomas Jr. there with Quincy? Raymond and Franklin are not that far, so maybe it’s all the same? David Millard West, having gone to live with Quincy and family, eventually marries Lucy Taylor and they move to Iowa. And then Eliza, Benjamin, and George West, the other children of Thomas Jr., stay in West Gwillimbury, essentially living out their lives. To this day, 2014, all of the descendants of Eliza (West) Phillips and George Washington West are still living in Canada. As for the descendants of Benjamin Franklin West, his children eventually move to Sanilac County, Michigan. Ironically, Benjamin dies at the Worth, Michigan home of his son, Dr. David Abijah West, while visiting from Ontario.
As an interesting side note to the Benjamin Franklin West line. Two of his children become doctors and set up practice in Raymond, Wisconsin between the late 1860’s and 1870’s respectively. But it’s short lived and they both move to Lexington, Michigan instead. Dr. David West is the first to go, and then later his older brother Dr. Alfred Allen West. But there is definitely a connection between this line and the line that move to Wisconsin. We have countless family notes describing visits on both sides. Unfortunately, those visits are well after patriarch Thomas West Jr. has died. One wonders how many of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were able to visit him and Polly after the move to Wisconsin. My 2nd great grandfather, Dr. David Abijah West (1847-1900), describes a visit to Oak Grove Cemetery in Raymond, Wisconsin in 1889. He specifically mentions his grandparents Thomas Jr. and Polly. My hunch is that since he was born in 1847, that David got to meet his grandparents before they died. But that’s a hunch and not a known fact.
“The History of Simcoe County” by Andrew Hunter states that in 1848, Thomas sold Lot 2, Concession 5 to Angus McArthur. But there appears to be a mix up in the book, and I can’t yet confirm that sale. But Thomas Jr. moves with Polly to the home of their son Quincy Pickering West in Franklin, Wisconsin. This is where they both are for the 1850 US census. Obviously, they could have put the farm up for sale and moved before it closed, or vice versa, selling before the move. The timing of the move and the sale are close and not exact.
I’m not exactly sure what Thomas Jr. and Polly are doing the last 15 years of their lives, except enjoying a form of retirement (though apparently Thomas Jr. is still farming at age 86) and watching kids grow. We know that in 1850 they are living on the farm owned by Quincy in Franklin, Wisconsin. It appears to be a rather lively household as Quincy and Sarah have some young children. How much fun that must have been for the grandkids. And then with Deborah around, it looks like they were all well taken care of, no? And then, do you think Thomas Jr. was a storyteller? If his letter writing was any inclination, he must have been a good one. He definitely had access to some knowledgeable people throughout his life. One being his grandfather, who died when Thomas Jr. was 16 years old and could have told him some stories. I mean, that man experienced the full history of Colonial America to independence as the pastor of a large church. Do you think Rev. Thomas ever sat down and told Thomas Jr. a thing or two about their history? Or heck, what about Polly? Did she actually know if her father was on that boat with George Washington? Or the winter in Montpelier she and her brothers had to fend for themselves in that cabin, what was that like? Or what about the Davis family marrying into one another? Any stories come down to her about life in Wales, or what times were like in early Colonial Massachusetts?
Except for the one letter of 1838, there are no other known letters sent by or to Thomas Jr. and Polly. With everyone being so far, I’d imagine Thomas Jr. was quite busy detailing their lives at that time. What might he be saying? How successful Quincy had become? How much he misses the grandkids? How are things in Ontario? Would he go on about vegetation, farming, and God again? Is he proud of his children? His grandchildren? What are his worries? What does he love the most about life? What was his greatest disappointment?
As with every human being that lives a long life, times change, opinions shift, and age creeps in to mix it up. Thomas Jr. and Polly saw a lot of things change in their lifetimes. Birth, death, marriage, sickness, health, hardship, prosperity, and faith. But I obviously didn’t know them, so this is all just a guess really. But it’s something people think about their ancestors. The descendants of Thomas West (1805-1886) and Hannah think about it to this very day. What might Thomas Jr. have been thinking about a son that runs off with the neighbor lady and leaves a wife and kids to fend for themselves? Thomas Jr. dies in July of 1865. But only five months prior he either had to hear about or witness the marriage of his son Thomas to Diademia Davis (the irony of that surname). They both had left their spouses to tie the knot. It hurt a lot of people, so the story goes, and tore a family. Cruel? Did Thomas Jr. know about it? He was living in Franklin and Thomas seems to get married in Raymond. Seven miles away? It’s clear from family history that this was a painful event, but one can only assume how Thomas Jr. felt. Though knowing the kind of religious man he was, I assume he frowned upon it. But that will have to wait another discovered letter on another day.
Polly West dies on May 24, 1858. She is 84 years old. In the 1860 US census for Franklin, Thomas is 86 years old and still living with everyone at the Quincy West farm. But it also notes him to be farming. Whether that’s true or not we’ll never know. But my hunch is he was still farming. And that’s a good thing, knowing that Thomas Jr. had this job after the passing of his wife. Probably a sad time filled with much tenderness and grace, if that 1838 letter are feelings he still owns. And he really does have some time left, to prepare himself for this great crossing over, if I can summarize his words from that famous letter. And not knowing exactly how Thomas Jr. dies, how clear his mind must be to be working at that age.
Thomas and Polly are buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Raymond, Wisconsin. Franklin is but 7 miles from Raymond. I don’t have cemetery records, and would love to know who purchased those plots and when. As it is, buried at the Thomas West plot at Oak Grove Cemetery are Thomas & Polly, and their daughter Deborah. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else.
At the time of his death in 1865, Thomas is survived by eight (8) children, fifty-seven (57) grandchildren, and what seems to be twenty-seven (27) great grandchildren.
I'm wondering how much history you may have about Freeman West (1767-1800)?? He married Azubah Haskell (1768-1840) in 1792
ReplyDeleteHis children were
Abner West 1792
Lauretta West 1794-1873
Thomas West 1796-1829
possibly Abigail West 1800-1842 she was my third great grandmother & I have very little info on her.