He was the child of Captain John West, Virginia Governor and his wife Ann (surname unknown).
[2] His father received an extra land grant because John was the first child of English parents born in the York River area.
In recognition of the family's contributions to the colonial enterprise, the Virginia Assembly passed the following Act: WHEREAS the many important favours and services rendred to the countrey of Virginia by the noble family of the West, predecessors to Mr. John West, their now only survivor, claim at least that a grateful remembrance of their former merrits be still continued to their survivor, It is ordered, That the levies of the said master West and his family be remitted, and that he be exempted from payment thereof during life.
[5] However, the rebellion caused an official investigation and the report of the Commissioners noted: Col. John West a person greatly impaired in his stock & goods by the Rebells, and a most constant Loyall Gentleman during the late Rebellion, and was for some time after Bacons death Imprisoned by the Rebell Partie.
[9] Although there is evidence that Col. West was living apart from his wife in 1685,[10] the year before Cockacoeske's death, the reasons for their separation remain unknown.