Early Origins

   Like most families, the early origins of the Westneats is shrouded in mystery and speculation.  It is generally agreed, however that the source for the name "Westneat" was William Westnot, son of John Westnot. At the baptism of Ephraim, the second son, the spelling of the name was changed from Westnot to Westneat and has remained that way ever since.

Again, like most families, there are many variations to the spelling of the name Westneat.  Common spellings of the era were Westnit(t), Westnot, Westnutt, Westnett and other less common derivations.

The earliest Westnutt found so far in Cambridgeshire is the marriage of John Westnett(Westnitt) to Sarah Hanchett Peck 9 Feb 1708/9 (dual date because of the change in the calendar) in Kingston.  There are other Westnutts in the area but there is no proof of a relationship with John. Sarah had married John Peck two years earlier and she had been widowed only 2 months when she married John Westnot.

When John and Sarah were married, England was mainly agricultural with manufacturing basically done as a cottage industry. Farming was a three field/common land system that had been in place for nearly a thousand years. Queen Anne was on the throne and England was at war with France. Travel was difficult due to poor roads and highwaymen.

Despite the cold weather and poor traveling conditions, John and Sarah went to Cambridge to be married by license. Since this involved posting a bond, they may have not wanted to wait the 3 weeks of the reading of the banns before marrying.  They were married in St. Edwards, Cambridge on 9 Feb 1708/9. (marriage bond - The bondsman were John Westnitt of Kingston and Robert Adams of Cambridge. "the above bounden John Westnitt $ Sarah Peck of Kingston aforesaid, widow"  John signed with an X)  

As far as is known, John and Sarah had one child, John. The son, John was baptised in Kinston on 26 Feb 1709/10. Sarah died 6 years later and was buried in Kingston on 20 Jan 1715/16. On May of 1716, John re-married 21 year old Sara Eversden in Kingston.  They had two children, Susannah in 1717 and William in 1719/20

On 24 Nov 1721, John wrote his will stating he was "very sick and weak in body" He left his son John the ewe and lamb, Susannah a large brass kittle(sp)(cooking pot), and William some pewter dishes with the initials JP and S on them.  The remainder was left to his "dearly beloved wife". He was buried 5 Feb 1722 at Kingston.

Sarah remarried on 25 Oct 1722 to William Holmes of Kingston.

Children:

   John Westnet  (Son of John and Sarah Peck)

   Susannah        (Daughter of John and Sara Eversden)

   William           (Son  of John and Sara Eversden)