Francis West

Notes:

[Broderbund WFT Vol. 11, Ed. 1, Tree #0089

Arrived in VA w/Cpt Christopher Newport in 1608, and named a grantee of
the 2nd charter of the London Co. in 1609. As President of the colony's
Council, assumed the role of Chief Executive after the overthrow of Cpt
John Smith in September 1609, but was soon replaced by George Percy.
Between voyages to England and elsewhere, continued to serve as a member
of the VA Council; also appointed to other offices in Va. including
Commander at Jamestown in 1612 and Master of the Ordnance in 1617.
Commissioned Admiral of New England in November 1622, but quickly
returned to Va. after encountering resistance from the fishermen in the
area. As President of the Council, became Acting Governor of Va. in
November 1627 following the death of Gov. George Yeardley, and served in
that capacity until March 1629.

West's first period as Chief Executive lasted only about 2 weeks, but his
second term was both longer and more significant. By the late 1620's, Va.
has passed through its earliest growing pains and, despite a
persistently high death rate, the colony's population was beginning to
increase dramatically. In Feb 1628, for example, it was reported that
1,000 immigrants to Va. had been "lately received." West's tenure was
also marked by an increasing awareness of the importance of tobacco to
Va.'s economy, and in March 1628 a colonial assembly, meeting on an ad
hoc basis and at the Crown's suggestion, considered the question of a
royal proclamation which forbade the importation of tobacco into England
w/o the king's license.

Although he sailed for England in 1629, West returned to Va. by 1631. He
appears to have resumed his seat on the colony's Council, since in Feb
1633 he is noted as being present at one of that body's sessions. He died
in Va. probably in early 1634. (Bio Directory of Amer Colonial and Rev.
Governors, John Raimo)

Francis married Temperance Flowerdew on 31 Mar 1628 in Virginia, USA. Temperance (daughter of Anthony Flowerdew and Martha) was born about 1587; died in 1629 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Francis married Jane Davye about 1615, and was divorced. Jane was born in 1577/1587; died in 1620/1687. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jr. Francis West was born in 1607/1632; died in 1612/1712.

Francis married Margaret about 1606, and was divorced. Margaret was born in 1569/1582; died in 1611/1682. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Anne Knollys on 19 Nov 1571. Anne was born in 1536/1560; died in 1594/1650. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Elizabeth Strange before 1555. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Strange and Anne Vaux) was born about 1534 in Chesterton, Gloucester, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 20 Jun 1803, Snitterfield, Warwickshire, England

George married Elizabeth Morton in 1497/1531. Elizabeth was born in 1512 in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, England; died in May 1592 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England; was buried in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Anne Vaux. Anne was born in 1513 in Harrowden, Northampshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]