When I see “Andy Vest” in a North Carolina record, I immediately think of Andrew Logan Vess, but turns out, this is not Andrew Logan Vess at all. This is another unknown VESS!!

I found this record a while ago, for Benjamin and Andy Vest. It comes from the Polk County, North Carolina Court Records, dated 1856. They were ordered to be brought to court to be “dealt with,” no further details were provided.

I was left wondering who in the world is Benjamin (assuming Andy was Andrew Logan Vess), and what in the world did they do!

Turns out, Benjamin and Andy (Andrew) Vess are young teenagers, born between 1846/1847 in North Carolina. They appear to have the Vess surname, with records alternating between Vess and Vest in court-records. Interestingly, later records show that Benjamin settled with the VEST surname, while Andrew appears to have settled with the VESS surname.

1856 Court Records

In March of 1856, they were ordered to be brought to court to be dealt with; assuming they might be orphans.

In June of 1856, they were separated, with the courts ordering the Sheriff to take Benjamin Vest to Jonathan Arledge and Andy Vest to Thomas Littlejohn.

In September of 1856, Benjamin “Vess” entered into an apprenticeship under Jonathan Arledge until the age of 21.

In December of 1856, Andrew “Vess” entered into an apprenticeship under Thomas Littlejohn until the age of 21.

Records indicate that Benjamin “Vest” married Harriet Davidson in 1872 and Andrew “Vess” married a woman named Liewanner in 1899.

Where Did They Come From?

I do not know who the parents of Benjamin and William Vess are or where these kids even came from, but their Polk County court record references Henderson County. Polk County was formed in 1855 from parts of Henderson and Rutherford County.

I am only aware of one VESS family associated with Henderson County, NC.
Elizabeth Vess, (ex-wife of John Vess) married Joshua Souther in Henderson County, North Carolina in 1856, but later records show them as residents of Buncombe County. Joshua Souther adopted Elizabeth’s youngest children, so I do not know where Benjamin and William would even fit in.

There must be another Vess/Vest family in the area that we aren’t aware of yet.