Amos WEST

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I. BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS

Amos West was born 1766 in Green Springs, Louisa County, Virginia. He was the youngest of six siblings, some of who were natives of North Carolina. His ancestry is unknown, yet descendants claim the family originated in Virginia. As a young child, his parents died sudden deaths, and he was reared by Lucy Fike, a loving aunt in Orange County, North Carolina. However, there is one discrepancy. Family tradition suggests Amos was raised in old Williamsburg, Virginia:

You will recall that it was here at Williamsburg that great, great grandfather Amos West and his son Richard were born and reared and were members of the Bruton Parish Church. You will recall that great, great grandfather Amos was a soldier of the American Revolution and for his service was awarded land in Kentucky before Kentucky was a state. He and your grandfather Richard moved to Russellville and built that beautiful mansion, that is just as beautiful today as it was when they built it. (Rickman Letter Extracts)

When Amos was a young man, the Revolutionary War raged. He enlisted in the Virginia army, probably during the war's latter years. The exact period he served is unknown, for no pension application was located. Old stories state the Virginia government awarded him a Kentucky land grant for valorous service. This land was the site of present-day Logan County (Evans 3).

The notes of Herbert Rickman state Amos resided in Virginia after the war and later moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina: "Captain James Herndon and Amos were friends in Virginia and both decided to migrate to Chapel Hill, North Carolina...do not think they remained there very long, but both men decided to go to Logan County, KY." (Letter Extracts)

II. THE JOURNEY TO TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY
Between 1787 and 1789, Amos, his brother Richard West Sr., and his friends James and George Herndon left North Carolina to claim land in Logan County. (James Herndon also received a land grant from the Virginia government.) Among the party were James' wife Isabella, his daughter Frances, and other family members (Giulvezan 15). As with all migrations from North Carolina, they probably started at the Block House--a "protective fortress" marking the Wilderness Road's beginning. This fortress safeguarded traveling party formation against Indians (Ikelman 5). The adventurous group journeyed through the Cumberland Gap and temporarily settled in Sumner County, Tennessee. Living among Herndon relatives, Amos resided there until the fall of 1792 (Giulvezan 15). The following are record abstracts from Sumner County:

1789 - AMOS WEST was taxed in Sumner County: 1 poll; no land; amount of tax - 19 shillings 6 pence; land in city - none; amount of city tax - 2 shillings.

1790-1791 - AMOS WEST was taxed in Sumner County: 1 poll; no land; amount of tax - 1 shilling. (Giulvezan 15)

Before and during his stay in Sumner County, Amos West and Frances Herndon became sweethearts and decided to marry before continuing their journey to Kentucky. They shared their plans with James and Isabella Herndon, who "readily gave their consent." A wedding ceremony was held the following day on April 2, 1791 (Evans 3-4). Amos was twenty-five years of age and Frances was seventeen at the time.

In 1792, Amos and Richard West became the second and third West brothers to
settle in Logan County. Amos and his wife Frances obtained land on Big Whipperwill Creek. This was located near Mr. Maulding's Spring or "cedar house" (Giulvezan 15).

III. LIFE IN KENTUCKY

Amos West became one of Logan County's most prominent landowners in the
years that followed. On May 28, 1797, he received one in a new series of land grants south of the Green River (Giulvezan 7). Part of the "Relief of the Settlers on the South Side of Green River Act," these grants gave numerous Revolutionary War veterans and pioneers a lawful opportunity to obtain new lands. Amos's acreage in this area later amounted to 400. Between 1793 and 1798 Amos acquired an excess of 500 acres on the Red River, Spring Creek, Tarapin Creek, and Whipperwill areas (Giulvezan 18). Below are relative document abstracts:

1797 - May 28 - Land patent #20 for 200 acres (surveyed Sept. 2, 1796) was issued to Amos West by James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky, by virtue of Certificate #260 "granted by the State of Kentucky for the Relief of Settlers on the South Side of Green River Agreeable to an Act of Assembly Passed in the Year 1795."

1797 - Oct. 26 - a receipt for 18 pounds 17 shillings 9 pence was issued by John Logan to Amos West, "assignee of Peter Cartright who was assignee of James Ward" in consideration of 200 acres of land in Logan County granted to him by virtue of an Act of Assembly passed in 1795 for the Relief of Settlers on the South Side of Green River. This 200 acres was the land surveyed on Dec. 10, 1796 and issued to Amos West by patent on Nov. 6, 1801(Giulvezan 17).

Here are a few records from this time:

1798 - Mar. 13 - Amos West was appointed overseer of the road from his house to Richard Wilkins.

1798 - James Herndon was appointed overseer of the road from Dry Branch to Amos West's.

1799 - Amos West was taxed in Logan County. 1 white over 21; 3 blacks (1 over 16); 4 horses; 500 acres on Red River, Whipperwill and Spring Creek (Giulvezan 17).

Amos and Frances West experienced years of wealth and prosperity. They built a home near a small bridge crossing over Sulphur Spring Creek and raised a large family (Giulvezan 3). Their children, five born in Logan County, would become the progenitors of many important Kentucky families. Four years after the 1791 birth of Polly, a son, Leonard E. West, was born. In later years four more children followed: Isabella West b. May 25, 1798; Agness West b. January 10, 1800; James Herndon West b. 1803; and Richard West b. January 6, 1806 (Smith Correspondence 1998).


V. 1800-1819: YEARS OF WEALTH AND PROSPERITY

Amos West and his father-in-law James Herndon became the most recognized
men in Logan County. In fact, they were close friends and extremely fond of one
another. James, being a Revolutionary War Captain, had massive land holdings
exceeding 10,000 acres (Rickman Letter Extracts). Amos' farmland totaled 1,157 acres, the majority received as government land patents. His first patent was issued December 16, 1805 by Governor Christopher Greenup. Others never ceased to follow:

1812 - Jan. 27 - Land patent #8352 for 200 acres (surveyed Jun1 18, 1805) was issued by Gov. Charles Scott to Amos West (assignee of John Carpenter) by virtue of Certificate #1095 granted by the County Court of Logan in August 1804.

1812 - Aug. 18 - Land patent #8347 for 200 acres (surveyed June 18, 1805) was issued by Gov. Scott to Amos West (assignee of James Herndon Jr.) by virtue of Certificate #610 granted by the County Court of Logan in August 1802.

1812 - Aug. 18 - Land patent #8348 for 200 acres surveyed Jan. 24, 1806) was issued by Gov. Scott to Amos West (assignee of Thomas Butler, who was assignee of John Butler, Jr.) by virtue of Certificate #1292 granted by the County Court of Logan in December 1804.

1812 - Aug. 18 - Land patent #8351 for 2 acres (surveyed Oct. 19, 1804) was issued by Gov. Scott to Amos West (assignee of Matthew Neely) by virtue of Certificate #1104 granted by the County Court of Logan in August 1804.

1812 - Aug. 18 - Land patent #8354 for 66 acres (surveyed June 18, 1805) was issued by Gov. Scott to Amos West (assignee of John Milstead by virtue of Certificate #1029 granted by the Logan County Court in July 1804.

1813 - Jan. 23 - Land patent #8048 for 200 acres (surveyed Oct. 7, 1807) was issued by Gov. Isaac Shelby to Amos West by virtue of Certificate #244 ("alias 267") granted by the County Court of Logan in August 1801.


1814 - Feb. 1 - Land patent #5986 for 25 acres (surveyed June 19, 1805) was issued by Gov. Shelby to Amos West (assignee of Nathaniel Powell, was assignee of Charles Vickery) by virtue of Certificate #373 granted by the County Court of Logan in January 1802.

1817 - Dec. 15 - Land patent #8355 for 137 acres (surveyed Jan. 24, 1806) was issued by Lt. Gov. Gabriel Slaughter to Amos West (assignee of Thomas Butler) by virtue of Certificate #1152 granted by the County Court of Logan in 1804.
(Giulvezan 22-24)

As one might infer, Amos quickly sold a large amount of this land and likewise received tremendous profits. This process of buying and selling significantly increased his fortunes. The range of his sales sometimes extended to Robertson County, Tennessee and Jessamine County, Kentucky (Giulvezan 22-23). Unsold, his holdings would have equaled over 1,600 acres (Smith Correspondence 1998).

Andrew Jackson, then eminent in Tennessee, became a close acquaintance of
Amos and "visited often" in his home. He was especially fond of Amos' son Richard and returned to visit him on frequent occasions. The distance from Jackson's famous home, the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee, was only 75 miles.  On Richard's front porch, Andrew made the famous political speech, announcing that he would run for U. S. President a second time (Rickman Letter Extracts).

VI: A TIME OF CHANGE

These years were not bereft of sorrow. Sometime after February 27, 1807 Amos'
thirty-three year old wife Frances passed away, leaving him with six children to raise. Two of which were toddlers. Amos remarried Anne B. Thompson, a relative of James and Isabella Thompson Herndon, April 18, 1808 (Evans 4). She and a slave named Phoebe assumed responsibility for the care of the young children.

1810 - Amos West was enumerated as the head of a family when the Federal Census was taken. Males: 4 under 10; 2, 10-16, 1, 16-26; 1, 26-45; 1 over 45. Females: 1 under 10; 2, 10-16; 3, 16-26.

1811 - Amos West was taxed in Logan County: 1 white over 21; 2 whites 16-20; 8 blacks (6 over 16); 1,157 acres.

1813 - Dec. 16- Amos West and his wife Anne sold to James Holland, Jr. of Cumberland County, Kentucky, 50 acres on Spring Fork of the north prong of Red River. Consideration, $200.

1816 - May 10 - Amos West and his wife Anny conveyed to Leonard West for $1 12 1/2 acres on Spring Creek (one-half of a 25 acre survey patented to Amos   West.) (Giulvezan 23)

Amos' lived to witness the marriage of his second daughter Isabella on January
18, 1813. She married Hiram H. Halcomb: "1816 - July 8 - "Amos West's corner" was mentioned in the description in a deed between Hiram Halcomb, his wife "Esabala," and William B. Milspaugh." (Giulvezan 23)

VII: THE LAST YEARS OF AMOS WEST

As Amos' neared the end of his life, he sold a great portion of his land to various
civilians and made a lasting contribution to present-day Sulphur Spring, Simpson County, Kentucky, formerly Logan County. He and his wife "conveyed" land to build the first community school house and church. This transaction is recorded in county history books and records:

1819 - May 6 - Amos West and his wife Anne conveyed to Thomas McLannahan, Leonard West, Sr. and William Milliken, trustees, 147 poles "beginning at a red oak on or near the edge of the road leading from Russellville to Gallatin about 40 poles from Amos West dwelling house" that they shall erect and build or cause to be erected and built thereon a house for the purpose of a school house and meeting house." Consideration, $1. (Giulvezan 24)


LOGAN COUNTY, KY WILL BK. B, p. 231 WILL OF AMOS WEST
May the 6th AD 1819. I Amos West being at this time in a Low state of health but in intire Strength of mind do feell it injoind on me to make this my Last will and Testament (Viz) I do here will to my beloved wife Anne one negro Girl called Charlotte during hir life or widowhood also the third of the Land whereon I now live Including the house &c agreeable to a true estimate of value also one third of the Stock and &c which is not hereafter willd -- I also will to my Daughter Polly Millikin one negroe Girl called Harrott also I will to my Daughter Isabel Holkem one negro Girl call'd Clarion also I will to my Daughter Agness one negro Girl called Nancy & one Sorrel mare which is now called Her's one Saddle and Bridle which is to paid out of my estate one Cow and Calf one ewe & Lamb one feather bed and furniture Also I do will to my Son Leonard West Ninety Seven acres of Land where he has now improved and agreeable to the lines laid off to him also one bed and furniture -- I also will to my son James West one horse worth Sixty Dollars one Saddle and bridle one feather bed and furniture one negroe boy call'd Carry I also will to my Son Richard all the home tract & twelve & a half acre extended in the name of Charles Vickery together with the third of the land I alot to my wife Anne at her death or widowhood also my negroe man George I alot to work for the Support of my present wife & two sons James & Richard During her life or widowhood -- I also intend that Richard to pay to James My son Four hundred Dollars when they both become of age all other part or parcel of my estate after the Dec'd of my wife or Widowhood the Remains of my estate together with George shall be equally Divided & I desire James Herndon and William Millikin to Execute this my will day and date above Signd.

     Witnesses: Leonard West, William R. Drake, J. Morrow
                    Amos West (Seal)
This will was presented, proven, & ordered to be recorded in Logan County Court at Russellville, Ky. on June 21, 1819. (Evans 18)


The Kentucky Land Grants by Willard Rouse Jillson, published in Louisville,
Kentucky by Filson Club Publications, 1925:


                 THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
                         Volume 1
                         Part 1
       CHAPTER IV GRANTS SOUTH OF GREEN RIVER (1797-1866)
                     THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
                         page 430
                      Grantee: West, Amos
                        Acres: 200
                         Book: 1
                         Page: 20
                      Date Survey: 9- 2-1796
                        County: Logan
                    Watercourse: Little Whipperwill

                 THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
                         Volume 1
                         Part 1
        CHAPTER IV GRANTS SOUTH OF GREEN RIVER (1797-1866)
                     THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
                         page 430
                      Grantee: West, Amos
                        Acres: 200
                         Book: 1
                        Page: 469
                     Date Survey: 12-10-1796
                        County: Logan
                      Watercourse: Tarepin Cr


                 THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
                         Volume 1
                         Part 1
     CHAPTER IV GRANTS SOUTH OF GREEN RIVER (1797-1866)
                     THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
                         page 430
                      Grantee: West, Amos
                        Acres: 200
                         Book: 2
                        Page: 365
                       Date Survey: ----
                        County: Logan
                      Watercourse: Spring Cr


                 THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
                         Volume 1
                         Part 1
   CHAPTER IV GRANTS SOUTH OF GREEN RIVER (1797-1866)
                     THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
                         page 430
                      Grantee: West, Amos
                        Acres: 21 1/2
                         Book: 11
                        Page: 198
                     Date Survey: 10-19-1804
                        County: Logan
                      Watercourse: Spring Cr


                 THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
                         Volume 1
                         Part 1
     CHAPTER IV GRANTS SOUTH OF GREEN RIVER (1797-1866)
                     THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
                         page 430
                      Grantee: West, Amos
                        Acres: 200
                         Book: 11
                         Page: 39
                     Date Survey: 10-23-1804
                        Coun