Well folks, the plot in Vess genealogy thickens! Dun…Dun…DUN!! Are you ready!!!
The Travers and Vess families appear to be one family!
Awaiting Nail-Biting Seat-Clinching Results
Results from Big-Y tests are remarkably fascinating and invaluable to Family DNA projects, as they have the potential to shake up the ancestral tree with the equivalent force of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake! In short, big changes can occur, rewriting family history!
We’ve been anxiously waiting test results for a Big-Y-tester whose Travers family line connects to the early Travers families in Cork, Ireland.
Although it has been highly suspected that the Travers families of Lancashire, England and the Travers families of Cork, Ireland are related, there has been no genealogical evidence (records) to prove it.
Travers families from both Lancashire, England and Cork, Ireland migrated to America during the late 1600’s; but again, there is no genealogical evidence (or DNA evidence) to prove these two Travers families are of the same lineage. Those from Lancashire, England, settled in Dorchester, Maryland and those from Cork, Ireland settled in areas around Pasquotank, North Carolina.
For the Travers family, a genetic connection between the two geographically distant Travers families (England and Ireland) would be a great new discovery!
For the Vess family, it may provide more answers to our mysterious connection with the Travers family and possibly revealing our true origins!
The TRAVERS/VESS Branch
The Big-Y test assigned the new Travers line (with Ireland connections) to R-CTS11317, which is an English/Scottish branch consisting of the Travers and Vess families.
DNA results strongly suggest (without a doubt) that the TRAVERS and VESS families are one family. Not only is our Vess family genetically related to numerous Travers families from England, but also now a Travers family line from Cork, Ireland!
These DNA results are exciting for everyone! For the Travers family, this opens the door to further explore more early Ireland – England family connections. With more Y-testers, researchers may be able to determine (approximately) when the Ireland lines split from England. For the Vess family, this opens the door to explore Travers genealogy for clues to our “Vess” origins. With more Y-testers, we may be able to identify our direct Travers-Vess line!
DNA results also strongly suggest the Travers and Vess families may have a Norman connection, which is further supported by research published by Albert E. Casey, titled: “Southern Travis, Travers, Traverse families from Lancashire and post-Elizabethan Ireland.” According to Casey, the Travers family is an old Norman family name that settled in Lancashire, England when William the Conquerer invaded England in 1066.
English / Scottish Branch: Travers-Vess branch boxed in yellow
Unfortunately, the newly added Travers line with Ireland connections did not provide any further information about the Travers-Vess lines in America; most likely, because this particular Travers line did not go to America. The ancestral split between the Vess family and this particular Travers line has not been determined yet.
When it comes to looking at the Travers and Vess families in America, DNA data does reveal that the Vess family (descendants of Peter and Willis Vess) split from the Travers of Dorchester, Maryland sometime prior to 1665 in England/Scotland. This means, the Vess families of Rutherford County, North Carolina and Franklin County, Alabama did not directly descend from the Travers families from Maryland in America; but instead, the Vess family most likely broke off from a different unknown Travers line. Whether that ancestral split occurred in America or across the Atlantic, is still yet to be known.
Y-DNA Testing For Vess Families Is Important
Even though it appears the Vess family surname is relatively “young,” in comparison to the Travers surname that appears to date back to William the Conquerer, it is still important for Vess families to do more Y-DNA testing as there is so much we do not know about our family’s early history in America.
There is no available Y-DNA data for Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess yet; however, such testing would most likely provide fascinating results! It’s been highly suspected that Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess are related, but there is no genealogical evidence (records) to prove it and because they lived over 200+ years ago, Autosomal DNA tests will eventually (sooner rather than later) no longer be able to detect shared DNA relatives.
Y-DNA testing from descendants of the Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess lines will not only help us better understand their connection to each other, but also to other Vess lines in America. At this time, we aren’t even sure if they are related to Peter and Willis Vess or if they too have a genetic connection with the Travers family.
In addition to Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess, we also have other Vess lines to explore, such as the Vess family in Ohio who are descendants of Hiram Vess of Rockbridge County, Virginia. At this time, we do not know the origins of the Vess family in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Are they related to the Travers family too OR are they related to another family with a similar surname: VOSS, VASS, VICE, or VEST.
Although Peter and Willis Vess did not split from the Travers family from Maryland directly, could there be another Vess line that did who we have yet to discover?
Y-DNA testing from descendants with the Travers, Travis, Traverse, Vess, Voss, and Vass names still have so much to tell us!
Vess Origin Story Historically AccurateAfter All?
Interestingly, Y-DNA data is beginning to prove our Vess family origin story as somewhat historically accurate!
According to the Vess family origin story, the Vess family descends from three brothers from Ireland. One version told, specifically states it was “Cork,” Ireland. Also, as if universally accepted as family fact, the Vess name is not our original surname. Some say it was once pronounced as “Voss” whereas others say it was shortened or completely changed.
This is incredibly fascinating, especially, as there are genealogical records for the Travers family in America under the surname “TRAVESS.” TRA-VESS (or perhaps once pronounced as TRAVOSS) eventually evolved into the surname TRAVIS. We have found that the South Carolina TRAVIS families to be connected to the TRAVERS families in North Carolina who came from Cork, Ireland.
This has lead some Vess family researchers to wonder, if the VESS surname was formed in America rather than across the Atlantic? And, if more Travers families test, will we find an ancestral split between the Travers and Vess families, perhaps along the Cork, Ireland Travers line?
It’s only a matter of time, before the mysteries of our Vess family’s history are finally revealed!
This summary of recent Y-DNA updates is based on information available on familytreedna.com and information kindly provided by Michael Travers, co-admin of the Vess Family DNA Project. Thank you Mike!! 🙂
Peter and Willis Vess are related to each other on the same family line, a FACT confirmed by Y-DNA testing. Where they connect on the family tree still remains a mystery, but I believe we are getting close! A few recent discoveries (observations) within the last couple of weeks have given life to old dead-ends providing me with an entirely new perspective to VESS Genealogy!!
In this post, I will share with you my recent findings, observations, how they likely connect to previous findings, and the interesting new genealogical picture that is starting to take form!
Early Settlers Of Foxtrap: Franklin County, Alabama
Although Peter and Willis Vess are related, I just find it absolutely incredible that they are so far apart from each other geographically! No wonder nobody knew the two family lines were kin! However, recent discoveries (or observations) may better explain how and why they settled so far apart…
According to family genealogist, Anna Popejoy, on FindAGrave.com, John Vess (father of Willis Vess) “settled in the Foxtrap area by 1818” in Franklin County, Alabama. Franklin County was established in February of 1818, so any land records prior to 1818 would have been issued either by the Mississippi Territory or from other states (TN, VA, or Carolinas).
The earliest known VESS record in Alabama is a land record for Willis Vess dated 1837 for property located in the Foxtrap area of Franklin County (issued from the Huntsville land office in Madison County, Alabama). Using ALGenweb archives, I was able to compile a list of early land owners between 1830-1837. Using the Franklin County, AL plat map, I was able to identify and narrow down land owners who obtained land within the same 2 township(s) as Willis Vess.
I discovered the following families: Dubois, Truelove, Hendley, Tharp, Thompson, Quillin, Sugg, Hudson, Willis, Mullins, Bradfoot, and Harvey. The earliest being the Hendley family located near Mountain Star (1824).
Then, I compared them to the 1820 census record and discovered that many of these families where in Franklin County, Alabama in 1820. Including the name Littleberry Matlock. We can see the name Littleberry F Matlock listed near Willis Vess on the ALGenweb plat map.
If John Vess had settled in Franklin County, Alabama by 1818, he should have been listed on the 1820 census; however, again, the census is said to be incomplete.
Researching the families listed on a map I created, I discovered many of them have origins in South Carolina and the Tharp family, specifically, comes from Rutherford County, North Carolina. Research indicates that the entire area is family connected, but the connections are strongly connected around the Saints Crossroads area and just below Mountain Star; no early family connections in the Foxtrap area (or so it seems).
More Clues To Early Settlers Found In Whitlock Family Research
A document posted on Ancestry.com, titled “Genealogy of Lou Pero,” references Anna Popejoy’s research about the Whitlock family wagon train from Georgia, published in the book, “Whitlock Gleanings,” by Thomas Edward Roach (1984). This document has provided many clues as to the early settlers of the area.
According to Anna Popejoy [“Genealogy of Lou Pero” document referencing “Whitlock Gleanings“], the Whitlock family made its way towards Alabama late in the year of 1821 and settled in an area known as Saint’s Cross, [see map above] named after the Saints family. The wagon train included “Robert Thompson and Pennington families.” This is interesting, considering him and his brother, Waddy Thompson are listed on the 1820 census record, a year before the Whitlock’s journey to Alabama from Georgia.
Online, there is a Will for the wife of Robert’s brother, Waddy Thompson, stating she and the Thompson brothers came from Greenville Co. South Carolina (married in 1795) [Posted to USGenweb Archives by J. Robison, 2009]. She was previously married to a Garrott Rutledge, prior to Thompson. Interestingly, I learned that Gov. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina owned large tracts of land in Alabama and when he died (1790’s), those tracts were sold to early settlers of Franklin County, Alabama. The source states the land was mainly in Dist. 8 and 9, but I have not found any early maps which reference districts, only townships.
Did Robert and Waddy Thompson obtain land through grants from Rutledge due to a connection with Waddy’s wife’s prior family connections?? Is that why the area has so many residents whose origins are from South Carolina??
The document also states the Whitlock family traveled to Tuscumbia for supplies, which is located in the northern part of Franklin County, Alabama now known as Colbert County, which was established in 1867.
Uncovering The Missing Half of Foxtrap
When we think of Foxtrap Creek, we think of the two (2) townships in Franklin County, Alabama in which Willis Vess has land [map above]. However, later census records for Willis Vess are under Colbert County, Alabama, which strongly suggests that his land must be on the border between Franklin and Colbert County. Looking at a map, Foxtrap Creek actually extends up into Colbert County! With a bit of cutting and pasting, below is a complete picture of Foxtrap Creek in both Colbert and Franklin County.
On the Colbert County side, there appears to be an actual Foxtrap community with a church and community center. The Foxtrap area in which Anna Popejoy refers to may not have been limited to the portion of Foxtrap on today’s Franklin County side. Because the Whitlock family had to go to Tuscumbia for supplies (1820’s), which is north of Littleville [map above], Foxtrap may be a little older than the area now known as Saints Crossroads.
Unfortunately, I am still trying to find land records of the early families who have settled in the portion of Colbert County area that was once Franklin County. There are early records, but no corresponding maps (as of yet) to show us where exactly these early families had land on the Colbert County side of early Franklin County.
Tharp Family of Rutherford County, NC
Looking at the Foxtrap community in Colbert Co. AL, we have a Tharp Cemetery. The Tharp family arrived prior to 1820 and they supposedly come from Rutherford County, NC. Interesting!
Hezekiah Tharp, according to FindAGrave.com, is buried in Tharp Cemetery in Littleville AL. Further research reveals that “James” Hezekiah Tharp was born in Rutherford County, NC 1795 and his sister is Phoebe Matlock, wife of Littleberry Matlock of South Carolina (Littleberry Matlock, maybe Jr. later obtains land in the same township as Willis).
They married in 1815 in Wilson Co. TN. I have learned that many of the South Carolina residents who settled in Alabama were “drafted” to TN for the War of 1812, including Robert Thompson, mentioned earlier. This could explain how Peter and Willis Vess settled so far apart; perhaps the VESS family was separated due to the War of 1812.
The children of Hezekiah Tharp married into the Pennington, Thompson, Presley, Vandiver, and Hulsey families which are families residing in the Saints Crossroad area in Franklin County; which means, there is a good chance, especially, if Littleberry Matlock is a neighbor to Willis Vess, that there might be an earlier Vess ancestor mentioned in an early record pertaining to one of these early families (probate, court, financial, etc.). Further research is needed.
Jarvis Willis Possible Connection To Peter and William Vess/Voss of Patrick County, VA
It is widely believed that Willis Vess was likely named after the Willis family and we know that a couple of the older children of Willis Vess married into the Willis family in Franklin County, Alabama, as Willis Vess and John Willis were close neighbors [as shown on the map below].
According to a document on Ancestry.com titled, “Willis Land in 1850s Huntsvills, AL,” posted 20 Feb 2019 by MySNPs, John Lewis Willis (son-in-law of Willis Vess) is the grandson of Jarvis Willis from Dorchester County, Maryland. The document states that the Willis and Vess families may have “crossed paths” in Stokes County, North Carolina and then migrated together to Alabama through Tennessee. It is noted that this is based on census records showing Jarvis Willis in Stokes County, NC and ancestral trees indicating that John Vess (father of Willis Vess) was born in Stokes County, NC.
Current research now strongly suggests that John Vess of Stokes County, NC is most likely John VEST, the son of William Tunwell Vest who we have confirmed via Y-DNA analysis is not related to our VESS family. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean that the Willis and Vess families didn’t migrate together to Alabama. In fact, this document might further support a connection between Willis Vess and the Vess/Voss family in Patrick County, VA!
As per a previous post, we found a land record for Willis Vess in White County, Tennessee on Caney Fork near a Peter and William Vess. It is believed that this Peter and William Vess may be the same Peter and William Vess of Patrick County, VA as shown on the 1790-1801 Patrick County, VA deed list. Well, turns out now that Jarvis Willis wasn’t too far behind Peter and William in Tennessee.
There is an early Tennessee land record for Jarvis Willis on the waters of Beam Creek; unfortunately, there is no county listed. However, looking at maps, I found Beam Creek in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Zooming out, we find that White County and Cumberland County are next to each other. Zooming in to Beam Creek and we find that Beam Creek turns into Caney Fork, which then extends down into White County, Tennessee where Peter, William, and Willis Vess have land records! What are the odds!
Beam Creek and Caney Fork in Cumberland County, TN
Willis Family Come From Dorchester/Caroline Co. Maryland
According to, “Willis Land in 1850s Huntsvills, AL,” posted 20 Feb 2019 by MySNPs, Jarvis Willis is from Dorchester Maryland and notes that Lucinda Fisher is also listed on the Franklin County, AL plat map, next to Willis Vess, John Willis, and Charles Willis [map above]. Her daughter married Jasper Willis, son of Charles Willis. And, the author notes, that the Fisher and Willis families “intermarry often in the 1800’s, back up in Caroline County, Maryland [once part of Dorchester Co., Maryland].”
This is a VERY intriguing note, now that we know we are closely genetically related (via Y-DNA) to the Travers family of Lancashire England who settled in Dorchester County, Maryland!
According to research by Albert E. Casey M.D., there are two (2) Travers families in America, one having settled in Dorchester County, Maryland from England and the other having settled in Albermarle County [abolishedcounty], North Carolina from Ireland. There is no proof (as to date) whether these two (2) Travers families are related; however, records show that at least one line from the Travers family from Maryland joined the Travers family in North Carolina.
Based on the results of just a few Y-DNA testers, DNA analysis suggests the VESS family likely branched off the TRAVERS family line, at least those who settled in Maryland, sometime before 1665 in Britain or Scotland. We need more Y-DNA testers from different VESS, TRAVERS, and TRAVIS lines to be able to better pin-point not only which specific Travers line we broke off from, but when and where!
Geographically Close Families
I always found it very interesting that the Voss and Travers families often appear to be geographically close to one another in America.
In Dorchester Co. Maryland (Taylors Island), we have the Travers family from England and not too far away, in Caroline Co., Maryland, there is a Voss family (John Voss). In North Carolina, not too far from the Travers family from Ireland, we have clusters of Voss/Vass families.
According to The Vaulx Family of England, Virginia, and Maryland, by Michael L. Marshall, there was a Robert Vaulx from England in Dorchester, Maryland; however, no specific mention of any Vaulx, Voss, Vass families having been in Caroline County, Maryland [note: Caroline Co. was once part of Dorchester Co.]. Also, Marshall notes that there is no proof that the southern Voss/Vass families in the Carolina’s are related to the Vaulx families from England (De Vallibus line) and if they are, he notes they must be of a different lineage having arrived into America at different times.
Both the Vaulx (De Vallibus) and Travers families descend from ancient Norman families who arrived in England with William the Conquerer. Interestingly, they are geographically close in England as well. The Travers family can be found in Lancashire England, whereas the Vaulx family (those that migrated to America) come from Cumberland, England. Whether or not they are related or have any connections, is not yet known.
Now, when you add the Willis families (those that I’ve come across during research) to the map [below], we get a remarkable new perspective!
If we split from the Travers family in America, it would likely be from the Travers family in Ireland (based on our Vess family story), which would allow (in theory) for Peter and Willis Vess to be born in North Carolina and Nathan Vess in South Carolina. But could it explain Jonathan Vess of Texas or Peter and William Vess of Patrick County, VA? Perhaps, because based on research by A. Elder on the McCullouch family of Texas, James Heron, who maybe the father of Elizabeth Heron, wife of Jonathan Vess, not only had land in Virginia near Peter and William Vess in Patrick County, VA but even earlier dated land records in Abbeville County, South Carolina!
Different Migrations Seen In Records
From my observation, a pattern of migrations have begun to appear!
Along the east side of Virginia, we have the Virginia Voss/Vass families (connection to Vaulx family unknown) migrating south into North Carolina (Ambermarle, Orange, Casewell, Granville, etc.). The Willis family, based on numerous sources, did the same, but now we know they originated in Maryland. We also know at least one Travers family from Maryland also went to North Carolina and joined the Travers family from Ireland.
The Travers family from Ireland migrated into South Carolina: Frances Travers in Tyron County, NC with land on the South Carolina side and his brothers obtaining land in Abbeville co. South Carolina, and of course, Charles Travers (Ireland or Maryland origin is unknown) is found in Anson County, NC with the Sugg and Bellew family, noting the Benson family in South Carolina (implying a connection).
Records state one Virginia Voss family (possibly related to the Vaulx family) migrated to South Carolina, but South Carolina records are scarce (he supposedly owed a large debt to someone in Virginia).
Along the west side of Virginia, we have the Great Wagon Road. The Vice, Whitesides, Logan, Pettit, Gosnell, Ecker, Mooney, and Pool families all have records showing they once traveled along this route, through Frederick County, VA, down into Augusta Co. VA, Rockbridge Co. VA, and into Surry/Stokes County, North Carolina.
Nathaniel Vice and his family crossed over to Kentucky (via the Cumberland Gap) and John Vice continued South, down through Casewell Co. North Carolina and into South Carolina where he settled in the Tyger River Community. Many Rutherford County, NC residents come from Orange, Casewell, and Granville counties, such as the Owenby, Hill, Ledbetter, and Murphy families. Joseph Voss (from the Virginia Voss family) traveled this route also, with early records in Casewell, and settled in South Carolina. William Voss of the same family, settled in Mecklenburg Co., NC, married Elizabeth Orr, and then traveled to Tennessee where it is said they established Lawerence County, Tennessee (just north of Franklin County, Alabama).
After 1810, families began to head west! I used to think families only traveled in one direction, but records have proven me wrong. Families, especially prominent land owners, traveled back and forth. North Carolina farmers in Rutherford County, NC took their products to market all the way to Charleston, South Carolina using the rivers. War took families to the western frontier or back north where they first came from. Land grants and opportunity took many of them west too!
How Willis Vess ended up in Alabama, so far away from Peter VESS in North Carolina is still a mystery, but I think we are beginning to narrow down some really good plausible ideas. Maybe the Vess family did split up in Surry County, NC? Maybe our family has earlier roots in South Carolina and War took the Willis Vess line to Tennessee? Maybe we came down the Great Wagon Road? Maybe we did split from one of the Travers families in America?
Only further research and Y-Testing will help us unravel the mysteries of our Vess family!
Vess Genealogy 