The inscription on the gravestone for Thomas West, buried in the Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery (aka "Kingwood United Methodist Church Cemetery") Kingwood Township, Hunterdon Co., NJ, reads as follows: “In memory of Thomas West, who departed this life January 5th, A.D. 1855, in the 66th year of his life.” ( Source [1903] and Source [1498, MEMORIAL# 140589232]). I’m assuming that “in the 66th year of his life” means that he was 65 at his last birthday and was therefore, at death, partway through his 66th year of life. If the inscription is accurate, this Thomas was born circa 1789 (making the assumption he turned 65 in 1854). But this would make him about 21-27 years younger than his wife, Rachel (depending on her age at death); not impossible, but unlikely. This of course conflicts with the sources that say he died in 1834 or 1835. But note that if he turned 65 in 1834, that would make his birth year a more believable 1769. Also note that this grave is next to the grave of “Rachel West.” Given that it has now been shown that Thomas' will was proven 20 Jan 1835, he probably died in Dec. 1834 or Jan. 1835, helping to make the case that the date on the gravestone is an error and probably was meant to read “1835” (unless I’m just reading it wrong - it is hard to be certain from the photos (see the sources noted above; the Findagrave photo seems the clearest). Also, he had to have died before August 1849, since his wife was a widow when she died then. [1895]

A newspaper index points to “The New Jersey State Gazette” for 24-JAN-1835, page 3, and reports Thomas’ birth and death dates as: “(1775)-Ja.6, 1835.” The actual newpaper item has not yet been consulted. [5700]

Another alternate death date is given by Source [7415] which says 03-JAN-1853.

High Sheriff of Hunterdon? [1897]

Thomas’ father may have been William WEST, one of the witnesses to William HOOGLAND’s will. [3853]