While going through some of my CD files, I found the following genealogy from "Kentucky Genealogies, #1, Genealogies of Kentucky Families Vol. II, The Ancestry of Edward West of Lexington Kentucky, 1757-1827,"by Mabel Van Dyke Baer. Please note that this is not my ancestor, nor am I researching any of them and don't know anything else about them other than what follows, but I am posting these excerpts for anyone else who may be interested. (Remarks in parentheses are mine.DW) -------------------------------------------- Important as was Edward WEST, silversmith and steamboat inventor, of Lexington, Kentucky, it has been printed inaccurately in several important publications that he was the son of the Reverend Dr. William WEST of Baltimore, Maryland. To clear the way for a solid foundation in fact there follows a transcript of the family Bible of Rev. Dr. William WEST, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD from 1779-1791. The Bible was owned by Miss Jean RUMSEY, copied by Miss Vitoria GITTINGS and deposited in the library of the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, MD in October 1931, by Dr. J. Hall PLEASANTS. Additional material which evidently was added to the original record is shown in parentheses. Family Bible of the Rev. Dr. William WEST, 1737-1791 Doctor James WALKER was born at Peterhead (Scotland), May 11th, Anno 1705, died near Baltimore Town, January 14th 1759. On the 26th of August 1731, he married Susanna GARDNER who was born in Maryland, March 12th, 1715. Hugh WEST (s/o John WEST and Ann HARRIS) was born March 18th A.D. 1705, died Aug. 25th 1754. On the 29th of Dec. 1725, he married Sybil HARRISON (d/o Capt. Wm. HARRISON and Sarah HALLEY, his wife) who was born 3rd Febry 1705, died May 27th 1787, abt 4 o'clock on Sunday morning. William WEST (4th s/o Hugh WEST and Sybil his wife) was born Aug.17, 1737. Susanna WALKER (4th child of James WALKER & Susanna, his wife) born Febry 26, 1738. William WEST mar. Susanna WALKER, Apr. 26, 1768. George William WEST (first child of William WEST & Susanna, his wife) was born Jan. 22, 1770, Parish of St. Andrews, St. Mary's County, MD. Margaret WEST (d/o Wm. & Susanna WEST) born July 9, 1773, Parsh of St. Margaret's, Westminster, Anne Arundel County, MD. Sybil WEST their daughter was born Aug, 4, 1774, 1 o'clock P.M., Hartford County, MD. Susanna WEST, their daughter, was born Aug.4, 1774 at 5 o'clock P.M. and died the 20th of the same month. John WEST, their son, was born April 24, 1780, died Aug. 6 following in Baltimore Town. Susanna WEST, the valuable and beloved wife of Wm.WEST died Baltimore Town , July 13, 1787, buried on the South End of the Chancel of St. Paul's Church. Rev. Dr. Wm. WEST died in Baltimore Town, March 30, 1791, buried in his vault in St. Paul's Church. Mr. George William WEST, s/o Rev. Dr. Wm.WEST, died Aug. 1, 1795, in the 26th year of his age, and is buried in the family vault in St. Paul's Church. Sibyl WEST, d/o Hugh WEST and Elizabeth, his wife, born Oct. 21, 1762. John Beale HOWARD, Junr. and Margaret WEST were married Sept. 26, 1796. Dr. West's will, dated March 29, 1791, filed in the City of Baltimore, mentions his children Margaret WEST and Sibyl WEST, as well as his son George William WEST, who was named his executor. (Baltimore Co.,MD Will Book no. 4, p. 541) Edward WEST Jr. silversmith and inventor, born 1757, was the son of Edward WEST, Sr. and Elizabeth MILLS of Fairfax County, Virginia, married October 6, 1752, recorded in Overwharton Parish Register, Stafford County, VA. ("Overwharton Parish Register, 1720 -1760, Old Stafford County", by William F. Boucher). Edward WEST Sr., gunsmith, left Fredricksburg, VA, in 1784, settled in Georgetown, Kentucky, then in Woodford County. In 1785, Edward WEST, Jr. arrived in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, and in 1788 set up a silversmith shop on High Street. By 1793, he had invented his steamboat. (Following is the will of Edward WEST, Sr. of Woodford Co.,KY, which was then in Virginia, dated December 5, 1791) Woodford County Kentucky Will Book A, pp.51, 52 December 5, 1791 I, Edward WEST, of Woodford County and state of Virginia being weak of body but sound in memory and understanding do make this my last Will and testament, First my will and desire is that all my just debts be first paid out of my estate by my Executors which shall be hereafter appointed, Secondly I give to my son and daughter, Edward WEST and Betsy GUNNINS, five shillings each of my personal estate as they have received a proportionable part formerly and each of them an equal part of the said with the other children to them and their heir forever; Thirdly I give and bequeathe to my beloved wife Elizabeth WEST and my sons William WEST, John WEST, Thomas WEST, Lewis WEST, and James WEST and my daughters Polly WEST, Peggy WEST and Sally WEST all the rest of my estate both reald and personal to be equally divided amongst them to them and their heirs forever, my son William WEST is to hve the lands obtained by a warrant for twelve hundred and nine acres and number 11828 which is in my name but was purchased with said William WEST money and is now a part of my estate, therefore it is not to be charged in his properties, my son Thomas WEST hath received my estate to the amount of seventy pounds, Beside Bond to be collected to a considerable amount and my desire is that my son Thomas WEST is to be charged ith the seventy pounds aforementioned in his proposition of my estate so that he may have an equal part with the others and no mre, Also my son John WEST hath property in his hand to a considerable amount which is part of my estate which he is to account with my executors for, my desire is that my estate shall be kept together as long as it may be convenient others divided, And lastly I nominate and appoint my son William WEST and Thomas MARTIN my executors, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninity one. Edward WEST (his mark & seal) Signed in the presence of James MARTIN Adam JOHNSTON Woodford County April Court 1792 The last will and testament of Edward WEST deceased was produced in Court proved by the oaths of James MARTIN and Adam JOHNSTON two subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of William Wills WEST and Thomas MARTIN the executors therein named, who made oath thereto according to law and together with John GRANT and James MARTIN their securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of eight hundred pounds conditioned, as the law directs certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Teste Cave JOHNSON CCJ The will of John WEST of Stafford County, Virginia, dated November 4, 1774, (this is the date as written in the book, but the year should have been 1744. DW) establishes him as the father of Edward WEST Sr. of Fredricksburg, VA and Georgetown, Kentucky, and the grandfather of Edward WEST Jr. of Lexington, Kentucky. John WEST's wife was Dorothy, whose maiden name is unknown. The will is recorded on page 411 of Will Book M, 1729-1748, Stafford County, Virginia, which was lost for many years. (following is the will) Stafford County Virginia Will Book M, p. 411, 412, November 4, 1744 In the Name of God Amen I - John WEST of the County of Stafford being sick and weak in body but of sound & perfect memory thanks be given to God for the same and knowing it is appointed for all men...to die Do make and Ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following revoking all wills by me at any time heretofore made. Impr my precious and Immortal soul I give & ... into the hands of God that gave it not doubting but that the merits and passion of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer to meet with joyful resurrection and touching what worldly Estate it hath pleased God of Infinite Mercey & Goodness to bless me withal I give and devise in the following manner. Item I give and bequeathe unto my Dear and loving wife Dorothy the use of my whole Estate during that in she remains my widow for the support of herself and Children on this restriction and proviso that she pay my Children their respective Legacies not here bequeathed as they retain their respective ages but it is my desire if my said wife should marry then only to be Entitled to the third of my Estate, only my Negro man Harry I give and bequeath to my said wife and to her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my four sons Edward John William & James WEST my Negro woman Jenny and her now and future Increase to be equally divided among them as they respectively Attain their several Ages and so continually in Equal portion afterwards what Increase the said Jenny shall leave to them & their Heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath two hundred Acres of land lying in Prince William County bought of William COCKRILL to my sons Edwd and John WEST to be Equally divided between them and the Heirs of their bodies Lawfully begotten and for want of such Heirs to my sons William & James and those Heirs of their bodies Lawfully begotten & for want of Such then to my right Heirs forever. As to the residue of my Estate of what kind soever I desire that after my wife's decease or Marriage may be Equally divided among my four children above named Edward John William & James WEST and their Heirs forever and in case of their Deaths then to the Survivour or survivors in Equal portions as near as may be allotted in Quantity and Quality allowing my said Wife the use thereof during her life or widowhood as before exprest & intended under the above & said limitations who I appointed as whole & sole Exr desiring my estate may and be Appraised. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 4th day of Novr 1744. John WEST (his mark & seal) Sealed and published as the last will and testament in presencde of us. Rogers Will MILLS Thomas WEST At a Court for Stafford Coun ty Feby the 12th 1744 - The within last will and Testament of John WEST decd was presented into Court by Dorothy WEST the Exr. therein named who made Oath thereto according to Law and being proved by the Oaths of the witnesses as thereto subscribed is admitted to record and on motion of the sd. Exr. and she having complied with what is usual in such Cases Cert. is granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form. Teste H. TYLER Cl. Ct. Edward WEST Jr. died August 23, 1827, age 70 , Lexington, Kentucky. His wife Sarah, daughter of Samuel BROWN & Maria CREED, had died three years before him on Feb. 7, 1824, age 63. They were first buried in the garden of their home on High Street, then moved to the Presbyterian Cemetery in Lexington. Their children: Jane, married Aug. 25, 1806 John B. Catherine, married July 11, 1809, Dr. Arthur CAMPBELL William Edward, b. 1788, died 1857, unmarried. Maria Creed, married Oct. 4, 1810, Samuel PRICE Edward, died at age 19 Thomas Lewis, died Apr. 14, 1806, age 10. Sarah Brown, married May 1818, Robert WOODS Hannohretta, married March 1, 1814, Moses NORVELL Eliza Mills, married Nov. 15, 1818, Simon BRADFORD Benjamin Franklin, unmarried Patterson Bain, unmarried William Edward WEST, 4th child of Edward WEST Jr. became a celebrated painter, he painted the portrait of Lord BYRON. ----------------------- Deloris Williams