Stephen West, a merchant, importer of goods and slaves, member of the Maryland Legislature, and Revolutionary War provider. "In January of 1756 “Darnall’s Delight” with its brick mansion was sold to another important figure in Maryland’s early history. His name was Stephen West. Woodyard Plantation became West’s residence and remained such until his death in the 1780s. West was a member of the Provincial Council and it was he who at least a year before the Declaration of Independence foresaw the need for gathering together arms and ammunition to aid the colonials in a struggle against the British. Stephen West felt so strongly about this need that he hired a gunsmith out of his own funds to manufacture weapons. Even before July 4, 1776 West was engaged in the manufacture of arms and their subsequent sale to the colonial militia. He continued those activities throughout the Revolution. Whether or not West’s manufacture of armaments took place at “The Woodyard” is not known at this time. However, it remains a distinct possibility, for in his diary on May 21, 1777 Ebenezer Hazard described a number of other industries that were going on at West’s home, “The Woodyard”. Mr. West has here a manufactory of Linen both flaxen and hempen, Cottons & Wollens; a small Brewery, Distillery, etc. Among his machines for manufacturing is one for spinning Cotton, in which one wheel turns 22 spindles & as many Threads are spun at once. . .”2 1 Wills. Liber 13, folios 223 – 232. Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland. 2 Maryland Historical Magazine. Vol. 46, p. 50. It is a known fact, though, that West sold clothing items manufactures at “The Woodyard” to the patriot forces during the American Revolution. It was also probably Stephen West who added an enormous two story brick wing measuring 116 ½ by 34 ½ feet to the original brick mansion built by Colonel Darnall. This large brick wing is first mentioned in 1798 Federal District Tax and it perhaps served as part of Stephen West’s industrial complex at “The Woodyard” during the 1770s and 80s. After Stephen West’s death in the 1780s “The Woodyard” remained in the hands of the West family for nearly a hundred years. It was during its ownership by General Stephen West, son of the first mentioned Stephen West, that “The Woodyard” became the headquarters of the famous or perhaps infamous Brigadier General William H. Winder. Winder used the mansion house as his headquarters during the War of 1812 on July 23, 1814, just a month and a day before his ignoble retreat at the Battle of Bladensburg. The site of the Woodyard Plantation thus holds a strong potential for being one of the most extraordinarily important archeological sites in all of Maryland." The PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY JANUARY 1974 Vol. II, No. 1

Wife: Hannah Williams,(1733-1815) daughter of Capt. Richard Williams.
Children: General Stephen West (1765-1828), Christina Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, William Henry, John Stephen, Rachel Sophia