He was educated in Brighton and spent several years working in a merchant's counting house and in the wool trade.

Weston emigrated to Tasmania in 1823, sailing aboard the Adrian with fellow passenger George Arthur, the new lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land.

Originally intending to travel on to Sydney, when the ship docked in Hobart, Weston decided to remain in Van Deimen's Land.

John West took a prominent part in the formation of the Anti-Transportation League which between 1849 and 1853 had an important influence in the success of this movement.

Weston was elected to parliament at the original opening, in 1856 in the electoral district of Ringwood.