While exploring records for Wilkes County, North Carolina, I came across a record, dated 1805, for a Jonathan Vess! This was completely unexpected!!

Familysearch.org Deed Book F-1 Wilkes County, North Carolina 1778-1807

Duncan & Fletcher Families

This record for Jonathan Vess is very intriguing.

It involves a Duncan and a Fletcher family, which are family names seen associated with the Vest/Vess family in Patrick County, VA in 1793.

According to the Patrick County, VA court records, the Vess and Fletcher families were involved in some kind of dispute against another family. Also, court records show a deed transfer for Peter Vess involving John Duncan. Did these families travel to North Carolina?

I am not sure if this is the same Jonathan Vess who married Elizabeth Heron and settled in the Republic of Texas or our mysterious John Vess, father of Willis Vess. Further research is needed.

Click here: Peter Vess: Patrick County, VA Court Minutes

Just The Tip Of The Iceberg

For the last couple of months, I’ve been researching extensively on Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama and William Vest of Wilkes County, North Carolina. What we thought was a convergence of families in Stokes County, NC, may have actually been in Wilkes County, NC.

I have discovered that a lot of families associated with Willis and Peter Vess have earlier ties in Wilkes County, NC. I have also discovered a lot of interesting things about William VEST and his neighbors in Wilkes County, NC. I am gathering my notes and I will be posting soon regarding my recent findings that might be leading us closer to some earlier Vess ancestors.