John West III
Encyclopedia
John West III was a justice and sheriff
of King and Queen County
and a House of Burgesses
representative for King William County, all in the US
Colony and Dominion of Virginia
. He was the second son of Colonel John West of West Point, Virginia
and Unity Croshaw
. His birth is debated, however, he may have been the son of Colonel John West and Cockacoeske
, Queen of Pamunkey with whom John West lived after his wife left him because of his adultery.
', the seat established in Virginia by his grandfather, Governor John West
. In 1692, he was appointed justice in King and Queen County and also as a sheriff of the county. He represented the newly formed County of King William in the House of Burgesses
from 1702 to 1706 and was also a justice of the peace.
, he married Judith Armistead, the daughter of Captain Anthony Armistead. They had the following children:
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of King and Queen County
King and Queen County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,630 people, 2,673 households, and 1,897 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 3,010 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
and a 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...
representative for King William County, all in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Colony and Dominion of Virginia
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...
. He was the second son of Colonel John West of West Point, Virginia
West Point, Virginia
West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,867 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Point is located at...
and Unity Croshaw
Unity Croshaw
Unity Croshaw was the daughter of Major Joseph Croshaw, one of the main figures of early Jamestown, Virginia. She was the grandchild of Raleigh Croshaw, one of the founders of Jamestown. She was the daughter-in-law of Colonial Virginia Governor John West of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia...
. His birth is debated, however, he may have been the son of Colonel John West and Cockacoeske
Cockacoeske
Cockacoeskie was a 17th century leader of the Pamunkey Tribe of Native Americans in what is now Virginia in the United States....
, Queen of Pamunkey with whom John West lived after his wife left him because of his adultery.
Biography
He lived at 'West PointWest Point, Virginia
West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,867 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Point is located at...
', the seat established in Virginia by his grandfather, Governor John West
John West (governor)
John West was the colonial Governor of Virginia from 1635 to 1637, the third West brother to serve in that position.-Biography:...
. In 1692, he was appointed justice in King and Queen County and also as a sheriff of the county. He represented the newly formed County of King William in the 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...
from 1702 to 1706 and was also a justice of the peace.
Marriage and issue
On October 15, 1698, in Elizabeth City CountyElizabeth City County, Virginia
Elizabeth City County was a county in southeastern Virginia from 1634 to 1952. Originally created in 1634 as Elizabeth River Shire, it was one of eight shires created in the Virginia Colony by order of the King of England. In 1636, it was subdivided, and the portion north of the harbor of Hampton...
, he married Judith Armistead, the daughter of Captain Anthony Armistead. They had the following children:
- Major Charles West, who inherited the 'West Point' estate of some 4000 acres (16.2 km²). Charles died unmarried and without issue. His will dated 1734 bequeathed 'West Point' to his first cousin Thomas West, the son of his uncle, Captain Thomas West. He served in the 3rd Virginia Regiment3rd Virginia RegimentThe 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia's initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander, George Weedon, was also promoted to brigadier...
with the rank of major from February 1, 1777 to July 6, 1778. - Luranna West, married William Pace.
Ancestry
Sources
- "Middle Peninsula Historic Marker "Cockacoeske"
- "The Powhatan Indians of Virginia: Their Traditional Culture. Rountree, Helen C., University of Oklahoma Press, 1989.
- "Cockacoeske, Queen of Pamunkey: Diplomat and Suzeraine." W. Martha W. McCartney.
- "Powhatan's Mantle: Indians in the Colonial Southeast by Peter H. Wood.