In 1786, Franklin County, Virginia was formed from parts of Bedford and Henry Counties. Samuel Vess/Vest has been in the Henry county area since the early 1780’s and when Franklin County was formed, he still remained in Henry county, an area that would later become Patrick County. The formation of Franklin County, separated him from his close neighbors the Hodge family who are seen on a Franklin County map (Chestnut Mt.) on the county border.

While I was researching the Hodge family in Franklin County, VA, I discovered a RICHARD VEST. He is listed on a tax record dated 1788.

I am not sure who this Richard VEST is, for that he does not seem to be on any VEST family trees. However, it is known that the VEST family were in Bedford County; however, they do not appear in Franklin County, VA until 1810.

This Richard Vest of Franklin County, VA is clearly in between two different VEST families- the Chesterfield VEST family in Bedford County, VA and the Samuel, Peter, and William VESS/VEST family of Patrick County, VA. Determining which one he belongs to is going to require some more research.

If you have any information about Richard VEST of Franklin County, Virginia (1788) that you can share, please feel free to comment below or email vessgenealogy@gmail.com. Thanks! 🙂