In a remarkable discovery at the historic site of Jamestown, Virginia, researchers have unveiled a scandal lurking within the family of Thomas West, the colony's first governor. This revelation comes from DNA analysis of two skeletons found in unmarked graves at an Anglican church, which was used by colonists from 1608 to 1616. The findings indicate that both individuals were related to West, highlighting a hidden narrative that has long been obscured by time. The research, published in the journal Antiquity, was conducted by teams from the University of Mississippi and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
The DNA analysis revealed that the two men shared a maternal lineage, leading researchers to discover that one of them, Captain William West, was born to Thomas West's spinster aunt, Elizabeth. Despite being raised within the esteemed West family in England, the circumstances of his birth were deliberately omitted from family records. This scandalous detail may have influenced Captain West’s decision to seek fortune in the American colony, according to the study’s findings. Dr. Christine Lee, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Mississippi, emphasized how combining genetic data with historical evidence can illuminate narratives that were once considered shameful.
The unmarked graves were discovered in 2014, and the craftsmanship of the coffins suggested that the deceased were significant figures within the colony. One of the skeletons belonged to Captain West, who died in his early 20s and was buried with a spangled military sash, indicating his high status. The other skeleton was identified as Sir Ferdinando Wenman, who died at age 34. Although both men were recognized as kin to Governor West, the nature of their relationship remained unclear until the DNA analysis provided critical insights.
The next phase involved sampling ancient DNA from the remains, which revealed unexpected results. The degraded condition of the DNA limited the analysis, but researchers managed to identify the mitochondrial haplogroup, a matrilineal aspect of the genome. Both Captain West and Wenman shared the haplogroup H10e, suggesting a close maternal relationship. This discovery prompted researchers to investigate historical documents related to Captain West’s female relatives, ultimately leading to a court case from 1616 that shed light on his illegitimacy.
The legal documents indicated that Captain West had left his possessions to Mary Blount, another aunt of Governor West, raising questions about his familial status. The court records revealed that Mary Blount had raised Captain West “on behalf of her unmarried, deceased sister, Elizabeth.” This phrasing, along with the absence of formal recognition of Captain West as Elizabeth's son, underscored the scandal surrounding his birth. Researchers noted that the coded language in the documents further supported the notion of his illegitimacy.
Despite the challenges posed by the incomplete ancient DNA, the findings were significant enough to confirm that Captain West, Governor Thomas West, and Ferdinando Wenman were indeed cousins. This revelation not only enhances the understanding of family dynamics in early colonial America but also sheds light on the societal pressures and stigma associated with illegitimacy during that era.
The implications of this research extend beyond mere genealogy; they provide a glimpse into the lives of early colonists who faced personal dramas akin to those experienced today. Michael Lavin, director of collections and conservation at the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, remarked on the importance of revealing these long-buried family secrets. The intersection of historical and scientific inquiry has allowed modern researchers to uncover narratives that were once hidden, enriching the story of Jamestown, the oldest English settlement in North America.
