Joseph West (politician)

Joseph West († May to July 1691 in New York City ) was an English captain and colonial governor of the Province of Carolina .

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John West's early years lie in the dark of history. Nothing is known about his parents. The same applies to his place and date of birth. He must have entered the Royal Navy . In 1667 he was a lieutenant on the warship HMS Jersey . As such, he was involved in the Anglo-Dutch War . In 1667 and 1668 he served in the Caribbean under the command of Captain James Carteret. After several successful naval battles, he returned to London, where he was promoted to captain himself. He was then charged with transporting colonists to what was then the Province of Carolina colony. He was finally able to carry out this mission with great losses from storms. In what would later become South Carolina, the settlers created new plantations, especially on the Ashley River. West was appointed deputy to the 80-year-old Governor William Sayle in the colony .

After his death on March 4, 1671, Joseph West succeeded him as governor. He held this office until April 19, 1672. Then he was replaced by the influential John Yeamans , who had sought the office and thus ousted West. After Yeaman's dismissal or death in 1674, Joseph West became governor of the colony for the second time. The term of office now beginning lasted over eight years. It began on August 13, 1674 and ended in October 1682. During his tenure, he negotiated with the Indians about further land acquisition for the colony and he promoted the improvement of the infrastructure by expanding the road network. The militia was also reinforced. In 1682, West apparently fell out of favor with most of the colonists for advocating the export and sale of Native American slaves to other British colonies. He was then deposed. Two years later, however, after the death of Governor Richard Kyrle, he was appointed governor again. His third term lasted from August 30, 1684 to July 1, 1685. For health reasons, however, he had to give up his office in the summer of 1685 for good. He went on a recovery trip north to Boston . He then returned to Carolina for a short time, where he later sold his property. In addition to a significant property (area: 1630 acres ), he owned a town house, ten African and two Indian slaves and two employed servants. He eventually left South Carolina for New York City, where he stayed at the merchant Miles Forster's house between May 6, 1691, the day he made his will, and July 1 of the same year that will opened, died.

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personal data
SURNAME	West, Joseph
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	English captain and colonial governor
DATE OF BIRTH	16th century or 17th century
DATE OF DEATH	between May 1691 and July 1691
Place of death	New York City