CAPTAIN FRANCIS WEST.
Captain Francis West, a younger brother of Lord De La Warr, arrived
in the Colony in September, 1608. He is said by the historian
Neill to have married a widow in the Colony; no issue is mentioned.
He was long a member of the Council, and in 1622 held the appointment
of Admiral of New England. He owned lands near "Westover," James
River, famed as the seat of the Byrds. He was Acting Governor of Virginia
from the death of Sir George Yeardley, November 14, 1627, until his
departure for England, March 5, 1629, when he was succeeded by Dr.
John Pott. He must have returned to Virginia, as his name appears as
a member of the Council in 1632-3. By a tradition in the family he is
said to have been drowned; when, it is not stated.
