Francis West (colonel) Colonel Francis West (1711 – June 28, 1796) is most notable because he was the Sheriff of King William County in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia and he represented the same county in the House of Burgesses. Francis was born in King William County, the son of Captain Thomas West and Agnes (?). He was Sheriff there in 1741 and member of the House of Burgesses from 1748–1758. He served in the Colonial Defense forces during the French and Indian War.