Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Electronic Format:

Location of the original unknown.

Preferred Citation:

Family Anecdotes and Memoirs of His Own Life by Samuel West, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Biographical Information:

Samuel West was born on Martha's Vineyard November 19, (old style) 1738.  He married Priscilla Plimpton of Medfield, Massachusetts, on February 23, 1769.

He received his degree in Divinity and was a "Minister of the Religious Society in Hollis Street" in Boston, Massachusetts when he wrote his memoirs. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: Samuel West

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a 1836 handwritten copy of the undated memoir  of Rev. Samuel West (1738-1808)  of Massachusetts.  The handwritten copy was prepared by his grandsons Benjamin and Samuel West.

Talks about his family's earliest history in the United States, gives descriptions of historic events  in Massachusetts during the 18th century (Boston Tea Party) and talks of religion and his changing views throughout the years.

Also included is a photocopy of a transcription of an 1886 newspaper article.

Related Material

Papers of Samuel West are part of the West Family Papers at the William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan   

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Genealogy
• Massachusetts--History--18th century
• Massachusetts--History--19th century
• Massachusetts--Religious Life and customs
• Massachusetts--Social life and customs
• Photocopies
• United States--Religious History--Christianity
• West family
• West, Benjamin
• West, Samuel