Month: January 2024

Exploring The Life of Alfred Webb Vess 1826-1882

/ J. V. / Leave a comment
Alfred Webb Vess 1826-1882

Rutherford County, North Carolina

Alfred Webb Vess is the 4th son of Peter Vess and Catherine “Katie” Crook. He was born in 1826 in Rutherford County, North Carolina in the Knob Creek community. He had 9 siblings: John, Josiah (Joseph), Andrew Logan, Rachel, Elizabeth, Alexander, Eliza, Zephaniah, and Jasper. 

Alfred Webb Vess may have been named after Rev. Alfred Webb, who was a pastor at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church between 1827-1833. His parents were members of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church between 1829-1836, and his great-grandfather, William Pressley Haynes, is believed to have been one of the first pastors at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church.

In 1831, the Vess family moved to the Broad River Township of Rutherford County (now Buncombe County), on Cedar Creek in between Old Fort, McDowell County and Fairview, Buncombe County. However, the Vess family would eventually returned back to the Knob Creek community.

In 1846, Alfred and his brothers joined Bill’s Creek Baptist Church with their mother, Catherine (without Peter). In 1850, they are back in the Knob Creek community. Alfred (21 years old) was still living with his family, which included his mother and all his siblings, except for Andrew Logan Vess (who was living next to his Halford in-laws at the time). 

Franklin County, Georgia

In 1853, Alfred Webb Vess married Mary Elizabeth McFarlin in Franklin County, Georgia, daughter of Benjamin McFarlin and Nancy Stone from Abbeville County, South Carolina (Savannah River area). Together they had 5 children: Benjamin E. Vess, Albertina Vess, Alfred Webb Vess Jr. , Mary Jane Vess, and Lucy Lee Vess. 

It is not known as to why Alfred Webb Vess settled in Georgia, so far away from his Vess family in North Carolina. He may have followed his older brother John Vess out of state, as a divorce record for John, dated 1854, states he was an “out-of-state” resident. There is reason to believe John may have went to South Carolina, which maybe where Alfred met the McFarlin family. At this time, there is no evidence that Alfred went to South Carolina before settling in Georgia. 

If you have any information about why or how Alfred Webb Vess settled in Georgia, please leave a comment below.  🙂

Civil War

At the age of 36, on May 12, 1862, Alfred Webb Vess joined the military, having served as a Confederate solider (private rank) under the 34th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company G.

In May of 1864, he appears to have transferred to Company I. On December 16, 1864, he was captured in battle and imprisoned in Nashville, Tennessee. 

A few months later, Alfred contracted the Measles and was hospitalized in Richmond, VA on February 26, 1865. According to the Widow Pension files, Measles had settled in his lungs. He regained enough health to finish out his service in the army (as a musician,) but after returning home to Franklin County, GA, he struggled with poor health ever since. 

Athens, Clarke Co. ,Georgia

After the Civil War, Alfred and his family moved to Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, where census records indicate he was a “sewing machine agent.” According to the 1880 census, they were living at 307 Strong Street, which appears to be where the Hotel Indigo is now, located downtown Athens near the University of Georgia. 

Alfred Webb Vess appears to have been appointed as Constable, with a probate / bond record dated 1878, mentioning duties as Constable of the 216th District (more research is needed). 


Not much seems to be known or has been shared with me about his life in Georgia. If you have any information that you would like me to add to this article to share with others, please comment below or email me at vessgenealogy.com.

Death: Alfred Webb Vess and Mary E. Vess

Alfred Webb Vess died on October 27, 1882 in Athens, GA, due to Consumption (Tuberculosis), believed to have been brought on by the Measles contracted during the Civil War.

According to the Widow Pension files, it was clearly stated that Alfred Webb Vess did not die a pauper, despite having left no property or money to his wife, Mary. 

After Alfred’s death, Mary went to live with her son, Alfred Webb Vess Jr. She filed several pension applications, with a physicians statement detailing her poor health that prevented her from being able to work. According to the physician statements, she was confined to her bed due to Chronic Bronchial Catarrh (chronic bronchitis), with a severe cough. It was also noted that she suffered from neurological pain, anxiety, and frequent stomaches. Mary E. Vess, passed away on December 26, 1908. 

Unfortuantely, I have not been able to locate their burial sites. 

Sources:

Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History 1782-1982, by Helen M. Lu. 

Ancestry.com: Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database

Ancestry.com. Georgia, U.S., Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.

Hunting For Bears, comp.. Georgia Marriages, 1699-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Notes: Bonds, Vol B, 1847-1876; Guardian, Administrators, and Executors, Vol F, 1877-1928

https://adp.ehistory.org/athens-ga/historic-street-address

Peter’s Parents: Getting Closer!

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Who are Peter’s parents? 
This is a question that family researchers have been wondering for generations! 

Perhaps, it’s a question that will only be answered with genetic genealogy…

ROSE, SPARKS, and PARKS

In 2021, Vincent Vess discovered DNA matches triangulating with the Sparks and Rose families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and then later, a Parks family in Virginia, who came from Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Aside from a mysterious William “Vest” with records dating between 1787-1790 on Kings Creek (far from any Rose, Sparks, or Parks families), there were no other signs of a potential Vess/Vest family in Wilkes County.

However, in 2022, I uncovered a pocket of Vest/Vess families in Wilkes County hiding in court and tax records dated between 1803-1820 which include William, Prior, Jonathan, Absalom, and Peter!

The presence of a multi-generational Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County is very promising! 

DNA Matches To Vess: Possible Maternal Ancestor

Families that match to VESS via DNA Triangulation (descendants sharing the same segment of chromosomes) appear to be the following:

Sparks
Rose
Parks
Holloway
Caudill
Bauguess
Butry

These families all appear to be connected to the John Sparks – Elizabeth Rose family, who are descendants of Emmanuel Rose & Mary Hancock/Hampton and Reuben Sparks & Keziah Butry (various spellings). DNA research strongly suggests that Peter Vess may have a maternal ancestor related to this family. 

Location For Possible Records: Wilkes / Surry County Border

The Sparks family is largely known to have settled on Hunting Creek (South of the Yadkin River), in Wilkes County, North Carolina. However, according to earlier Wilkes County records (which requires some digging), they appear to have been North of the Yadkin River with the Rose and Parks families.

All these families appear on the 1787 census in Captain Johnson and Captain Carrel’s Districts (shown below). The Sparks and Rose families, while documented on census in Wilkes county, also had records in Surry county.  

Note: Wilkes county used to be part of Surry County and Capt. Carrel’s District is on the border of Wilkes / Surry co. 

Brier Creek Baptist Church 1801-1803: Peter “West”

On Familysearch.org, you can access church records for Brier Creek Baptist Church (Roaring River). Reviewing pages covering from 1793-1810, I found the Parks, Sparks, and Rose families together. 

Church minutes mention Elizabeth Rose, Emmanuel Rose, Rebuin Sparks, and John Sparks; the same family in which DNA research is suggesting might have a family connection to Vess.  

In documented church minutes, I came across an entry, dated 1801, mentioning a Peter “West” and his wife “Peggy West.” They were received by experience and baptism on April 24th, 1801. 
Further entries describe incidents of Peter and Peggy West being accused of lying, which resulted in excommunication and repentance. 

“July 24th at church meeting Peggy West citing to meeting by Brother Rose for [illegible]. 

She was found guilty of lying and trying to make mischief in the settlement and was excommunicated.”

“February 27, 1803, Peter West accused of telling untruths and was found guilty and on his request it was laid over till next meeting – March.” (March 1803) “Peter West was restored to fellowship by repentance.”

Familysearch.org Church minutes, 1783-1955 Author:
Brier Creek Baptist Church (Wilkes County, North Carolina) pg. 13-14


There is no further mention of Peter “West” after 1803, but many members of Brier Creek Baptist Church bounced around between other churches in Wilkes County, as they were all part of the same church association, with the Three Forks Baptist Church (west of the Blue Ridge Mts) being the mother church. 

I cannot find any land records for a Peter “West” in Wilkes or Surry County, but I did find a Peter “West” listed on the 1800 Wilkes county, North Carolina census (alphabetical order). 

7 total Household members:
1 male between 26-44
1 female between 26-44
1 female under age 10
1 male between 10-15
2 males under age 10

We also have a record referencing a Peter “Vest” in 1805…

Thurmond District 1805: Peter “Vest”

Last year, I discovered a Peter “Vest” on an 1805 Wilkes County tax list. He is listed in the Willis Thurmond District, which is located near the Wilkes/Surry county border in the old Carrell District; same area that contains the Rose, Sparks, and Parks families. 

Interestingly, the Thurmond family were also members of Brier Creek Baptist Church (same time as Peter “West”). 

Peggy Is A Nickname For Margaret

When it comes to the Vess name, it has a history of being anything: “Vest,” “Vist,” “Best,” “Vert,” “Verl,” “Voss,” “Vass,” “Voss,” and even…”Post.“ So why not add “West” into the mix too? 

Peter “West” documented in Wilkes County, NC between 1801-1803 is likely Peter “Vest” documented in the same area in 1805, and ultimately, there is a 99.9% chance he is a “VESS;” more specifically, Peter Vess and Pugnance Margaret Vaughn from Patrick County, Virginia! 

In 1793, in the Patrick County, Virginia Deed records, it states a Peter “Vess” and his wife, “Margaret,” and John Duncan, sold land to John Spencer. Peter “Vess” then disappeared from records after 1797, suggesting he had left Patrick County, Virginia.

Then, in 1801, we see a “Peter West,” (later Peter “Vest”) in Wilkes County, North Carolina church records with wife “Peggy West.” “Peggy” is a nickname for Margaret!! 

We now have supporting documentation suggesting the Vess/Vest family from Patrick County, VA is the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, NC!!

Mysterious Parks Connection

The connection to the Parks family is unclear, as DNA matches are triangulating with a Parks-Martin family in Grayson Co., Virginia, who used to live in Wilkes County, NC prior to 1800. 

However, we do see Peter “Vest” in the Thurmond District (1805) with a Parks family and a William Martin; both of which I believe (at this time) have connections with the Parks-Martin family in Virginia through Benjamin Martin (Justice of the Peace) and member of Brier Creek Baptist Church with Peter “West” (1801-1803). 

Further research is needed. 

Absalom Vest DNA Matches

Descendants of Willis and Peter Vess appear to share matches with the descendants of Absalom Vest. Unfortunately, at this time, Vincent Vess is not able to compare chromosomes to determine how closely they match each other. If descendants from all three lines share the same segment of chromosomes, that would support a definitive “Vess” – “Vest” relationship to Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Help Us Further Our Research

If you have any information that may assist us further in our research, please leave a comment below or email us at vessgenealogy.com. 

DNA genealogy has been the key to uncovering the lineages, history, and origins of the Vess family. Please help us further our research by joining and participating in our Vess Family DNA Project.

And, furthermore…don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to keep up with new discoveries! 

Plummley: Is There A Connection?

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

Last year, in my Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap post, I mentioned the SOUTHER family and their intriguing close connections to the VESS family. I have yet to determine whether or not they are kin or just a bunch of coincidences. 

• Souther and Vest/Vess families in Brushy Mountain community in Wilkes County, North Carolina (1805 & 1830). 
• Souther family were members of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church same time as Peter and Catherine Vess (between 1828-1836).
• Souther family obtained Peter’s land (1842)
• Souther married Elizabeth Taylor, ex-wife of John Vess, son of Peter Vess (1854).
• Souther is listed next to Rachel Crook, Catherine’s mother on the Buncombe Co. census (1830). 

Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap

When researching Vess genealogy, I read a lot of records (AND I MEAN A LOT) and PLUMMLEY is another name just as intriguing as SOUTHER….as it too seems to follow the VESS name! 


Plummley/Plumlee/Plumly Family: NC, SC, & TN

In 1824, Prior VEST in White County, TN obtained land on Caney Fork, joining the PLUMLEYS line. On the 1830 White County, Tennessee census, there is a Lucy VEST (believed to be the wife of Pryor Vest), listed on the same page as Joel and Denton PLUMMLEY (sons of Issac Plummley). 

In the 1830, Rutherford County, North Carolina census, Nathaniel VESS (NESS) and father-in-law John BELLEW, are listed next to Constant PLUMMLEY. 

Constant PLUMMLEY is the son of William PLUMMLEY Jr. & Hester O’NEAL. Wiliam’s parents are William PLUMLEE Sr. and Phoebe DENTON (remember Denton Plummley mentioned earlier). William’s brother is Issac Plummley, (Constant’s uncle) who settled in White County, Tennessee. 

William Plummley Jr. died in Glassy Mountain, Greenville County, South Carolina in 1830. Glassy Mountain is where I strongly believe Nathaniel Vess met Clarinda Bellew, as the Bellew and Gosnell families were prominent families in that area at that time.

Furthermore, on the 1830 census for Greenville, South Carolina (which also includes the Plummley family) is a mysterious “Polly Vess.” 

Interestingly, the wife of William Plummley Sr, Phoebe Denton, comes from Shenandoah County (once Dunmore Co.), Virginia. Her parents are Abraham Denton and Sarah O’Dell. 

Her father listed her (as Plumbly) in his 1774 will, made in the “County of Dunmore.” 

Interestingly, there are “VESS” records in Dunmore county, as early as 1775, via Samuel and William Vess. 

Now interestedly, according to family history published on Ancestry.com, posted 29 Feb 2012 titled, “Captain” Abraham Denton, 1700-1774,” the Denton family had issues with the law prior to moving to Dunmore County, VA. Would that consider them as “outlaws,” and if so… any connection to our family story about an O’Donnell & O’Neil outlaw? Could O’Donnell have been O’Dell and could O’Neil be referencing Hester O’Neils family? Or again, just all coincidence?

I look forward to researching this family further; maybe it will lead me to another “Vess” record!

Updated Map of “Vess” Records

/ J. V.



I’ve plotted all the locations and dates we find “Vess” records. We now have an interesting timeline which shows the VESS/VEST family starting in Loundoun Co./ Dunmore Co. Virginia, going straight through Rockbridge Co. Virginia to Henry/Partick County, Virginia (once Pittsylvania Co). then onto Wilkes County, North Carolina, where they then appear to split up after 1810. By 1830, there is a Vess family in Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. 

In all these areas where we have found VESS records, we also see the same family with records under the VEST name. Both names (VESS & VEST) were used interchangeably until 1830, with an occasional record of VOSS, VASS, and VERT in between. 

What seems to be a reasonable rule of thumb when trying to sort out VESS families from other families of similar surnames, is the presence of the VESS name and how frequently it is used by a specific group of VESS/VEST families. You may come across a VESS record for the VEST family, but it is very rare. However, please note that it has been documented that some (1-2) VEST lineages from the Chesterfield Co. Virginia VEST family, did take on the VESS name, which appears to have occurred after 1850. And, we still do not know if the Rockbridge County, VA VESS family is VEST, WEST, or maybe VERT. 

Y-DNA testing is the best way to help us further sort out the different VESS, VEST, VOSS, VASS, and VERT families. Y-DNA testing with family trees, can tell us their Haplogroup and the areas in which that Haplogroup once occupied. 

Time Line

Below, I have included a timeline, that includes the location, family, and source of their “Vess” record.

  • 1770-1774 Loundoun Co. VA (not on map)
    James and William Vess

    Virginia County Court Records Tithables Loudoun County Virginia 1770-1774

  • 1758-1786 Loundoun Co. VA (not on map)
    James and William Vess

    Conrad “VERT” listed in the same record. The son of Conrad Vert, is Adam Vert. Adam Vert later appears in Rockbridge County, VA tax records, prior to Samuel & Hiram Vess.  

    Index of Volume 2: LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA TITHABLES, 1758-1786” by Marty Hiatt & Craig Roberts Scott. 1994,2011

  • 1777-1779 Dunmore County, VA / Frederick Co. VA
    Samuel (wife Ann), Peter, and William Vess

    Ancestry.com (Revolutionary War records)│Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Digital Collections (Vass record) *site deactivated Sept. 30, 2023

  • 1773 & 1782 -1800 Pittslyvania Co. into Henry Co into Patrick Co. VA
    Betty Vess, Samuel (wife Catherine), Jonathan (wife Elizabeth Heron), Peter (wife Pugnance Vaughn), Sarah, and William Vess

    Ancestry.com (marriage records), Familysearch.org (tax lists & land records)│UsGenWeb Archives (Patrick County, Deed List) │Descendants of Henry Mullins, by Charles Owens

  • 1810-1850+ Rockbridge Co. VA
    Samuel & Hiram Vess (origins unknown)

    Ancestry.com (census records)│Familysearch.org (tax lists)

  • 1790 & 1805-1810 Wilkes County, NC
    William, Pryor, Absalom, Jonathan, and Peter Vess

    Wilkes County, NC Pleas & Quarter Sessions Court Minutes 1795-1805 & 1805-1810, Transcribed by John A. McGreachy │Ancestry.com (1790 & 1810, 1820, & 1830 census, War of 1812 record) │Familysearch.org (court records & tax lists)

  • 1814-1840 White Co. & Van Buren Co. TN
    Pryor, William, Peter, and Willis Vess

    Ancestry.com (1820, 1830, 1840 census & land records)

  • 1820 -1850+ Rutherford Co. NC (including Burke & Haywood Co)
    Peter and Nathaniel Vess

    Ancestry.com (1820, 1830, 1840+ census, land records) │Familysearch.org (court records), North Carolina Land Grants & Images

  • 1820-1850+ Jackson County, TX
    Jonathan Vess

    Ancestry.com (census) │Texas Historical Association (Land grant, bios, Stephen F. Austin Register of Families)

  • 1830 -1850+ Franklin County, AL
    Willis, Peter, and John Vess

    Ancestry.com (census & land grants) │AlGenWeb (plat map)│Newspaper.com (Peter Vess) │Familysearch.org (1820 census)

  • 1830 Greenville, South Carolina
    Polly Vess

    Ancestry.com (census)

  • 1850 -1860 Abbeville County, Saulda, South Carolina
    John Vess (husband of Drucilla Turner, father of James Vess). 
    And, 1850 only, William Vess and John Vess, possible brothers.

    Ancestry.com (census)


Genealogy Goals 2024

/ J. V.

Happy New Year!!

I really look forward to making new discoveries in Vess genealogy this year! I got a fresh new blank notebook, an empty desktop, and a long list of new leads to explore!

And of course, what is a brand new year without setting a few new genealogy goals…  

Y-DNA Testing

This year, I hope more families are encouraged to participate in the Vess Family DNA Project!

This project was open to us by Marilyn Barton and actively managed by Michael Travers and Vincent Vess through Familytreedna.com. A HUGE thanks to them for making this family DNA project possible! As well as their continued interests in Vess/Travers genealogy and their valuable knowledge in genetic genealogy!

Genetic genealogy has become a valuable tool in furthering our research in Vess genealogy. It has allowed us to explore the origins of the VESS surname, discover a connection with the early Travers family, identify new Vess lines, sort between the different earlier Vess/Vest families, and it continues to help us piece together Vess family history!

An accurate lineage for Willis Vess

The fact that Willis Vess has a complicated line of descendants, suggests there might have been more than one earlier Vess family in Alabama (other than Willis and John P. Vess). Super exciting!

Research strongly suggests this to be true, with the mysterious find of a “Peter Vess” mentioned in the 1840 list of letters at the Russellville Post Office (newspaper.com) and a “William Vess” mentioned as “heir” in an 1854 land record for Willis Vess; both who are not known nor appear to be documented as children of Willis Vess or John P. Vess. 

I hope further research will lead to new discoveries!

The Travers Family

While we are still filling in the gaps of early Vess genealogy (post Revolutionary War), Y-DNA testing has provided us an even earlier timeline, connecting us to the early Travers family of Lancashire, England who are believed to have arrived in England with William the Conquerer in 1066 from Normandy.

I would love to research and post more about the different Travers families in America and their history prior to arriving to America. 

Genealogy in General

I enjoy genealogy and I would love to expand this blog into sharing my passion for the world of genealogy, as well as some of my favorite researching tools, tips and tricks to researching stubborn ancestors. 

Follow & Join The Vess Genealogy Adventure

New discoveries in Vess Genealogy happen all the time, so please be sure to follow & subscribe to this blog to have new posts sent directly to your inbox!

Also, please join the Vess Family -Genealogy Facebook Group and the Vess Family DNA Project! 

I absolutely welcome other researchers to join in on the adventure! If you have any information that may assist in this research, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com.