I found this publication called, The People and the Churches of the Collierstown & Kerr’s Creek Area, by Cole Dawson Anthropology 377 Dr. McDaniel; May 27, 1982.

It briefly talks about the early settlers of the Collierstown and Kerr’s Creek area. We have land records and a map that tells us the VESS/VEST family settled in this area in the early 1800’s.

This is an interesting read, because it talks about the religion and cultural practices of these early settlers who were pretty much cut off from the rest of world. Interestingly, it states that the son’s of the families in this area stayed with their parents until they were 21 years old.

This publication also mentions Reverend Andrew Heron. This is interesting, because I recently found a website that says Andrew Heron to be the father of Elizabeth Heron (Patrick County, VA marriage record 1792), wife of Jonathan Vess of the Republic of Texas. Could Reverend Andrew Heron in Rockbridge be Elizabeth Heron’s father?

Probably not.
According to an Abstract article for the book, Building A Nation: 1776-1828, by William E. Van Vugt, Reverend Andrew Heron of Rockbridge County, VA arrived to America in 1807. Therefore, likely not the same Andrew Heron supposedly listed as “Dad” on the 1792 marriage record for Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron.

Sometimes I feel like Thomas Edison, who once said something like this: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10000 ways that won’t work.”

In genealogy…I haven’t failed making connections; I’ve just found 10,000 connections that don’t work. One day, a light bulb will turn on and a connection will be found! 🙂