Author: J. V.

William River Vess: Another Son of John Vess

/ J. V. / 2 Comments

Not much is known about John Vess, the oldest son of Peter Vess and Catherine “Katie” Crook of Rutherford Co. North Carolina.

For generations, the only information we had on John was from the 1850 census record in Bill’s Creek, Rutherford Co., North Carolina (below). He was married to a woman named Elizabeth and they had 4 children together.

Only just recently, through DNA genealogy and access to more digital genealogical records, have we been able to discover more about the early Vess family…

John Vess & Elizabeth Taylor: Rutherford Co. NC

John Vess was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina in 1820 to Peter VESS and Catherine “Katie” CROOK.

He married Mary Elizabeth Taylor (marriage date unknown). He briefly attended Bill’s Creek Baptist Church in November of 1846, with his brothers Alfred and Andrew (Andy) Vess. He was later dismissed (date unknown).

In December 1846, he signs a court-document with his brother Josiah, settling his father’s debt with Joseph Souther via a land deed for Peter’s property.

In 1850, he is in Bill’s Creek, Rutherford Co. North Carolina with his wife and 4 children, listed next to his family, Josiah Vess, Catherine Vess, and his younger siblings, except for Andrew Vess. It is strongly believed that Peter Vess likely passed away in 1846.

In 1854, a Petition for Divorce was announced in the newspaper between John and Elizabeth Vess. The article states John Vess was a non-resident of the state, suggesting he had moved out of state.

Elizabeth married Joshua SOUTHER in Nov 1854, in Henderson Co. North Carolina. We discover her maiden name is TAYLOR via her marriage record to Joshua SOUTHER.

On the 1860 census, we have Elizabeth Souther and her younger children (Vess) living with Joshua Souther in Henderson Co. North Carolina.

In 1870, Joshua and Elizabeth Souther are living next Elizabeth’s parents, James TAYLOR and Mary TAYLOR (GILBERT) in Henderson Co. NC.

Children of John Vess and Elizabeth Taylor

DNA genealogy revealed that Sarah Vess, daughter John Vess and Elizabeth Taylor, married Jackson PRESSLEY.
Genealogical records show us that Silas Vess died during the Civil War, Sophrona Vess married Columbus SUMMEY, and, Mary Vess was last seen on the 1860 census (age 13); she may have married prior to the 1870 census. But, apparently, John and Elizabeth had an other child: William River VESS.

I came across a marriage record for a William Vess in Henderson Co. NC dated 1870, which states his parents are John and Elizabeth Vess (below). The only Vess family I am aware of in Henderson Co. is John’s children, living with their mother Elizabeth and Joshua Souther. And, to the best of my knowledge, Nathaniel Vess did not have any children named John.

William Vess married Laura MAHAFFEY (Rowena Laura Lou Mahaffey), whose parents are supposedly William MAHAFFEY and Calvania PRESSLEY from South Carolina. Her mother might be related to Jackson PRESSLEY, as it is believed his family also came from South Carolina – more research is needed.

William Vess was born in 1852 in North Carolina, which would have certainly been before John and Elizabeth’s divorce.

According to family trees and online biographies, William and Rowena (Laura) settled in Texas. According to Find-A-Grave, William died “from the 1917 epidemic” in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas.

Sources:

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Bills Creek, Rutherford, North Carolina; Roll: 644; Page: 330a

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.






VESS Family: Intriguing Discoveries

/ J. V.

Between 1800-1830, we have pockets of Vess/Vest families throughout the United States, but no idea how they are all related (if related at all).

Austosomal DNA evidence only provides bits and pieces to the puzzle. This is because not all the family trees connected to our shared DNA matches are accurate or complete, not all descendants are testing, and there is also the problem that some DNA testers, although 100% related, just don’t show up on our shared DNA results due to being too distant to detect, especially, with ancestral connections 6-8 generations back. However, autosomal shared DNA matches do offer valuable clues to where our earlier ancestors may have lived; which is how we were able to uncover the VESS/VEST family in Wilkes County, North Carolina. A lot of our shared DNA matches with the VESS family have a significant amount of family trees with earlier ancestors in Wilkes-Stokes-and Surry County, North Carolina; kind of concentrated along the Yadkin River.

Ancestry.com splits my maternal and paternal DNA matches, which is extremely helpful, since my DNA is pretty murky between two parents with deep roots in the south. However, all my shared DNA matches with the VESS line share something in common: western North Carolina. I am confident that our VESS family has connections with the VESS/VEST family in Wilkes County, North Carolina; I just don’t know the exact connection yet.

These are some intriguing new discoveries I’ve dug since January of this year…

A Peter Vess in Franklin County, Alabama

Occasionally, I browse newspaper articles on Newspaper.com for VESS families and sometimes, I get lucky…

Below is a newspaper clipping for a PETER VESS dated 1842 in Franklin County, Alabama!

This is really interesting, because the only VESS ancestor we know of in Franklin County, Alabama during the 1840’s is WILLIS VESS. What’s even more interesting, is that mail for Peter VESS is being held at the post office in Russellville, which is the same post office for the Willis VESS family. So, Who is Peter Vess?

SPARKMANTOWN: South Side of Caney Fork

I have reason to believe that the Willis VESS family is connected to the VESS/VEST family in White County, TN. Specifically, in an area once known as Sparkmantown (below). It consisted of the SPARKMAN, DODSON, SIMMON, SMALLMAN, and MEDLEY families in Van Buren County (White County), Tennessee; families who were also listed next to Peter VEST on the 1820 and 1830 census and on the VESS/VEST land records.

Reviewing the land records for Pryor, Willis, and William VESS/VEST in White County, Tennessee, they all mention having property on the “south-side” of Caney Fork (mountain side). In 1840, the south-side of Caney Fork became Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Peter VEST is listed on the 1820 and 1830 census for White County, Tennessee. There are no VESS/VEST families listed thereafter; probably due to the county change in 1840. A William R. VEST is listed on the 1840 census for Van Buren County, Tennessee (below), living with the DODSON family and a SPARKMAN.



According to a previous post, Willie Vess: Interesting New Discovery, I discovered a land record between “Willie” VESS and Zachariah SIMMONS. I also discovered a marriage record between a William DODSON and a MARTHA VEST. So, there was a VESS/VEST presence in the area known as Sparkmantown.



Interestingly, I have a lot of Autosomal DNA matches (shared matches with my VESS family) with descendants of the SIMMON family in White County, TN, suggesting a possible connection to White County, Tennessee; however, I am not sure where the connection is, for that the family trees are incomplete.

I wonder if the Peter VESS in White County, Tennessee in 1830, could be the same Peter VESS in Franklin County, Alabama in 1840?

John P. Vess: Franklin County, Alabama Thoughts

We know Willis VESS is part of our VESS family, because of Y-DNA testing. According to my DNA results, I share DNA matches with the descendants of Henry Russell VESS (son of Willis Vess), John P. VESS (brother of Willis Vess), John Jackson VESS (son of Willis Vess), and Mary Elizabeth VESS (daughter of Willis Vess). Those descendants also appear to share DNA matches with other Peter VESS (of Rutherford County, North Carolina) descendants; however, not all of them; which could just be due to a variation of genes or they are just too distant on the family tree to detect.

John P. VESS intrigues me, because I am not quite sure where he came from… he is significantly younger than Willis VESS and doesn’t appear to come into existence until the 1860 census. Also, his census records, regarding birth, alternate between North Carolina and Tennessee.

According to the 1880 census, he was born in Tennessee and that his parents were born in North Carolina, which falls in line with Pryor and William VESS/VEST moving from Wilkes County, North Carolina to White County, Tennessee. He is also married to Lousia F. SIMMONS at this time, who appears to be a descendant of the SIMMONS family from White County, Tennessee (but that could just be coincidence).

If he didn’t come from White County, Tennessee VESS/VEST family, could he be John VESS, the son of Peter VESS in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

In 1854, Peter’s son, John VESS, divorced his wife Elizabeth TAYLOR. The Petition for Divorce was announced in the newspaper stating he was an out-of-state resident; but where did he go?

John VESS in Rutherford County, North Carolina, born 1820, who married Elizabeth TAYLOR, had his first child in 1841 (Sarah Vess who married Jackson Pressely). The John VESS in Franklin County, Alabama, born in 1822, who married Sarah WHITLOCK, appears to have had his first child in 1853 (at the age of 31). That seems a bit unusual, considering men usually started families in their 20’s. But again, census records are notorious for being inaccurate.

Nathaniel Vess: Interesting Coincidences

After an update on Ancestry.com, I no longer have DNA matches with Nathaniel Vess (South Carolina line) or Jonathan Vess (Texas line) anymore. If they are related to our VESS family, they are too distant to detect on Autosomal DNA testing; suggesting they were likely cousins or half-siblings of Willis and Peter VESS. According to oral traditions, Peter and Nathaniel VESS were supposedly half-siblings.

Looking at the 1830 census record for Nathaniel VESS in Rutherford County, North Carolina, we see Nathaniel with his father-in-law John BELLEW.

I discovered that the BELLEW and GOSNELL families settled in Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina. I strongly believe Nathaniel VESS is from there too.

Looking back at the 1830 census (above), I noticed a CONSTANT PLUMLY (PLUMLEY). Interestingly, the VESS/VEST family in White County, Tennessee has an early land record adjoining property with a PLUMLEY family on Caney Fork (below). Further research reveals the two PLUMLEY’S are related…

Constant PLUMLEY is the son of William PLUMLEY and Hester O’NEAL. In 1790, William PLUMLEY lived in Burke County, North Carolina, before moving south to South Carolina. His son, Issac PLUMLEY, Constant’s brother, settled in White County, Tennessee on Caney Fork. According to family trees, William PLUMLEY died in Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina in 1830.

What is even more interesting, is that according to the 1830 census for Greenville, South Carolina, we have a Polly VESS (below). Could she be related to Nathaniel Vess?

As for family stories go, which are not always accurate, I was told a family story about our VESS family having once respected an O’NEAL outlaw. Could Hester O’NEAL, wife of William PLUMLEY have been part of that O’NEAL family?

Did Constant PLUMLEY move to Rutherford County, North Carolina with Nathaniel VESS and John BELLEW from Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina in 1830? And is there a PLUMLEY – VESS connection?

Pryor Vest: Marion County, Tennessee

Lastly, I discovered a new land record for Pryor VEST; this time in Marion County, Tennessee in 1830.

I am not sure if this is the same Pryor VEST as the one in Wilkes County, NC and White County, TN. He doesn’t appear on any census records for any of the locations he has land records and he appears to have land in numerous counties, not just White County, TN. Why is he so elusive?

Research is Slow, but Appears Steady

Research is slow, mostly due to the lack of available records; however, I do feel we are gaining some traction in uncovering the mysteries of the VESS/ VEST family.

I may not be able to provide any solid conclusions, but I will do my best to post as much as possible to help others who are working on the same research.








The Wife of Peter Vess: Maiden Name CROOK

/ J. V. / 3 Comments

Oral tradition states that Peter VESS of Rutherford County, North Carolina married Catherine “Katie” COOK, but was that her real maiden name?

Peter and Catherine VESS are genealogical brick walls. They appear out of nowhere as early as 1820 on census in Rutherford County, North Carolina. The only record with them together is an 1829-1836 church list from Bill’s Creek Baptist Church. We have yet to discover any documents of Catherine’s maiden name, making it difficult to locate her parents.

However, recent DNA evidence has revealed that her maiden name may actually be CROOK.

The Lack of Evidence For COOK

We’ve had a theory, for a long time now, that COOK may not be Catherine’s real maiden name.

Despite the numerous COOK families in North Carolina, autosomal DNA barely produces any matches. Personally, the only COOK’s I’ve ever encountered in my autosomal DNA matches are COOKS assigned to my maternal side.

I’ve explored the 3 different COOK families passing through Rutherford County, NC: The Ephriam Cook line, James Cook line, and the later Loney Cook line; none of which have records or family trees with a Catherine “Katie” Cook.

In 2021, DNA evidence suggested we may have a Sparks-Rose maternal ancestor on the Vess line; but we aren’t sure which side of the family: Peter’s or Catherine’s. Since the early Sparks-Rose family predominately lived in Wilkes County, NC, it is probably best to say the connection might be on Peter’s side; especially, after discovering a VESS/VEST family in Wilkes County, NC.

So, that leaves us back to square one, until just recently…

DNA Evidence For CROOK

Vincent Vess, who uses DNA triangulation methods to try to locate earlier ancestors, has made a fascinating new discovery!

Through extensive work, he has discovered a genetic connection to the CROOK families of Rutherford County and Buncombe County, North Carolina.

His work led him to a John and Andrew CROOK. Adding this family to Catherine Katie’s Cook’s line in Ancestry.com, updated his Thruline matches revealing a bunch of matching DNA cousins, most of which are descendants of Zephaniah Crook and his sister Mary Polly Crook; suggesting that Catherine “Katie” Cook’s parents are JOHN CROOK and RACHEL HAYNES.

Exploring the CROOK family records, Vince made an intriguing observation, noticing the names within the CROOK family are the same names seen in the PETER VESS family: ANDREW, ZEPHANIAH, RACHEL, JASPER, and JOHN.

I did not come up in Vince’s shared DNA matches he used to discover the CROOK lineage, likely because I am too distant to detect (we’re already distant cousins). At first, my Thrulines showed no DNA matches to the Crook family after adding them to my tree. However, today, my Thrulines now show 1 DNA match with a descendant of Zephaniah Crook. Interestingly, all, and I do mean all, their shared DNA matches are descendants of Andrew Logan Vess, lineages from both wives Halford and Connor, strongly suggesting a connection with an early ancestor of Andrew Logan Vess. The Willis Vess lines would not show up, because Catherine married Peter Vess.

So, these DNA results seem very promising.

According to Ancestry.com, I have discovered a couple of ancestry trees for John Crook and Rachel Haynes, listing a Catherine Katie CROOK as their daughter, born in 1804, having lived in Bill’s Creek, and died after 1850- no marriage or children are listed. I find this super intriguing, as the information is not only oddly similar to our Catherine Katie COOK but there are no records of VESS. So, I am wondering, if their Catherine Katie CROOK is our Catherine Katie COOK??

The CROOK & HAYNES Family

John Crook married Rachel Haynes, the daughter of William Haynes. According to the book, Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History, by Helen M. Lu, William Haynes was their first pastor.

The Haynes family owned land near Bill’s Creek, specifically, on Cove Creek and Knob’s Creek. Looking at the 1820 census for Peter Vess, I concluded that he lived on Knobs Creek, just wasn’t sure which one as there are 2 located in the Broad River Basin. In 1850, without Peter, Catherine is back in the Bill’s Creek area.

In 1804, a John Crook, presumably the father of Catherine, obtained land on Cove Creek joining the Haynes line in Rutherford County, NC. William Haynes had land on Cove Creek near Broad River, issued in 1794, in between Knobs Creek and Bill’s Creek.

In Buncombe County, NC, we have an Andrew Crook who obtained land on Gap Creek in 1804. John Crook later obtained land in Buncombe County, NC, joining land with his son Zephaniah Crook. Interestingly, Buncombe County, NC is where Peter and Catherine’s youngest children went to live after their death. They are seen on census with Dempsey Sumner, who has land on Cane Creek. Gap and Cane Creek connect.

The Crook family has a history of having been in Rowan County, NC on Lick and Tom’s Creek. There appears to be 2 John Crooks in Rowan County, one that went to White County, TN with the GOOLSBY family and one who went to Rutherford County, NC and then Buncombe County, NC. Each are intriguing, because we find VESS in both locations.

Further research is needed, of course, but I am super excited we have a new lead to Vess family history!































Pryor, William, Peter and Willis: White County, TN 

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

I am pretty convinced that Pryor and William Vest of Wilkes County, North Carolina ended up in White County, Tennessee. While the evidence may seem compelling that they may be related to Willis Vess, I haven’t been able to find any solid evidence to prove it.

1807 Wilkes County, North Carolina

In 1807, Pryor and William VEST are in trouble, both with serious court cases. Pryor Vest had been charged with assault. Who he had assaulted is unknown, but the jury had found him not guilty. It appears that William Vest was also involved, as it was ordered that the prosecutor pay for all costs and jail fees for “both cases.” I assume they were in jail and perhaps for a lengthy time, since it also mentions “12 months of good behavior;” but perhaps that meant 12 months of no other infractions. Either way, they probably had a good reason to leave town and start a new life…

1814 White County, Tennessee

In 1814, Pryor Vest obtains land in White County, Tennessee on Caney Fork.

1815-1818 White County, Tennessee

In 1815, Pryor Vest obtains more land on Caney Fork.
From 1815-1818, Pryor and William Vest are listed on the tax records.

1820 White County, Tennessee

In 1820, Peter VESS comes along on the 1820 census.

1823-1826 White County, Tennesse

From 1823-1826, the tax lists show Pryor and William VEST, but under various spellings.

1823: Pryor VEST and William VEST
1824: Prior VASSE and William VASS
1825: William VEST
1826: William VIST and Willis VIST

1830 – 1850 White County, Tennessee

In 1830, Peter VESS is listed on the 1830 census. There is also a Lucy Vess, but doesn’t seem to be listed near Peter Vess or any familiar neighbors.

In 1831, William “VESS” obtains land on the south-side of Caney Fork, which will later become Van Burren County.

Our known ancestor, Willis Vess, is shown on the 1830 census record for Franklin County, Alabama (indexed as VISS); however, in 1837, 1846, and 1849, a Willis “Vess” obtains land on Caney Fork (mountain side, which I believe per the map, the mountain side is the south side of Caney Fork). Note: The TN 1826 tax record Willis is listed as VIST. Is this our Willis Vess or a different Willis Vess??


Willis Vess in Alabama obtained numerous plots of land in Franklin Co. Alabama, who’s to say, he didn’t obtain land elsewhere?

What Ties Them All Together

The tax, land, and census records, show Pryor, William, Peter, and Willis all on Caney Fork, near the same neighbors: Plumley, Dodson, and Hodge. Incredibly, the same Hodge and Dodson family from Virginia where we find records of Samuel, William, and Peter VESS/VEST.

Later census records for Willis Vess state he was born in North Carolina and we have records of Pryor and William VEST being in Wilkes Co. NC prior to 1814.

Also, John P. Vess, who married Sarah Whitlock, believed to be the brother of Willis Vess, has an 1880 census record stating he was born in Tennessee and his parents were born in North Carolina. Interesting how that fits with Pryor and William’s history having lived in North Carolina prior to Tennessee.

Also, Willis Vess has an intriguing land record in Alabama that mentions a heir named William Vess. A person we have yet to identify; unless it is his nephew, William Vess, son of John P. Vess (not 100% confirmed). There is a William Vess on a census record for John P. Vess, but he is listed as a “step-son.”

Of course, census records are notorious for being somewhat inaccurate.

There is also the VESS name itself. Every known Vess line has earlier records with the VEST name. We can usually tell them apart from the VEST family from Virginia, but how records over a period of time end up showing various different spellings, like VESS, VISS, VIST, POST, VASS, etc. I have not seen any VEST family records have such an array of different surname spellings like our VESS family.

Time Line

Trying to fill in the blanks as I locate records…

Tax and land records are available on Familysearch.org, but it stops loading after about 20 slides and takes a long time for it to work again – so progress in searching records in a file of 1500 slides is super slow.

YEARName Record Location
1814Pryor Vest Land RecordCaney Fork
1815Pryor Vest Land RecordCaney Fork
1815Pryor and William VestTax ListCaney Fork
1816Pryor and William VestTax ListCaney Fork
1817Pryor and William VestTax ListCaney Fork
1818Pryor and William VestTax ListCaney Fork
1819
1820Peter Vess Census RecordCaney Fork
1821
1822
1823Pryor and William VestTax List Caney Fork
1824Prior Vasse and William VassTax List Caney Fork
1825William Vest Tax List Caney Fork
1826William Vist and Willis Vist Tax List Caney Fork
1827
1829
1830Peter VessCensus RecordCaney Fork
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835

Exploring The Vess/Vest Family of Rockbridge County, Virgina

/ J. V.


Last year, I started researching the VESS/VEST families of Rockbridge County, Virginia whose origins are just as mysterious as the predominate VESS families of North Carolina and Alabama.

At this time, we have no Y-DNA data available to determine their relation to other VESS/VEST families.

Below are my current findings and notes…

Census Records

The earliest available census record for Rockbridge County, VA is dated 1810. The name “Vess” or “Vest” does not appear to show up via the search index; however, I did locate the VESS family in this census (see below), indexed under the name “Saml Nass.” I discovered Samuel Vess through clues from various other types of records dating back to 1810 connecting him to the Standoff family and other neighbors.

Ancestry.com 1810 census: Indexed under the name “Saml Nass”

Census Records

1810
Samuel “Vass/Voss”
1820
Samuel “Vess”
Hiram “Vess”
1830
Samuel “Vess”
Addison “Vess”
Hiram “Vess”
John “Vess”
1840
Samuel H. Vest
William Vest
William Vest
Samuel Vest
Hiram Vest
John Vest
Samuel Vest
Addison Vest
Hiram Vest
William Vest
1850
William Vest b. 1808
Sarah (wife)
Children: Samuel A. , John, William A., Sarah A., Martha, James T, & Carlin
Margaret Vess b. 1831
living with Alphin family
Addison Vest b. 1804
Hannah (wife)
Children: John, Mary, Martha, William, Ester, Sarah, & Samuel
Andrew Vest b. 1826
living with Morris family
John Vest b. 1825
Matilda (wife)
Children: Hannah E., William P., Mary, & Matilda
Levi Vest b. 1807
Betsy (wife)
Children: John W., P Givens K., Mary E., James A., George W., Lucy A., & Phebe J.
George Vest b. 1805
Jane (wife)
Children: Sarah A., Julia, Margaret, & George

Tax Records

The Vess/Vest name does not appear on tax records until 1814, via Hiram Vess. I believe Hiram Vess maybe the son of Samuel Vess.

1814 Rockbridge County, VA Tax Record: Familysearch.org

Adam Vert

Earlier Rockbridge County, VA tax records do reveal an ADAM VERT, which predates any WEST, VESS, VEST families in Rockbridge County, Virginia, but I am not sure if he is connected to the Vess family. Adam Vert is the son of Conrad Vert from Loudoun Co, VA.

Just recently, I discovered an online PDF titled, “List of Slave Owners and Names of Slaves,” that consist of an unknown INDEX showing the names James and William Vess. I reached out to the source that posted it and they kindly told me that the Index comes from the book, titled, LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA TITHABLES, 1758-1786, by Marty Hiatt & Craig Roberts Scott. 1994, 2011.

This was a bit surprising, because the only other earlier VESS name in Virginia that we knew of was in Patrick and Henry County. However, I do recall finding one mysterious source, showing the name Samuel and William “Vess” of Dunmore Co. VA, which would be close to Loudoun Co. VA.

It’s exciting to find more VESS names!

Also listed in this record is Conrad VERT, father of Adam Vert.

Note: The VESS family has records in various spellings: VESS, VEST, VERT, VISS, POST, and VOSS. So maybe there is a VERT-VESS connection; more research is needed.

Land Records & Maps

I thought the earliest VESS/VEST record I found dated 1801, but I cannot seem to relocate that record (still searching).

The VESS/VEST family lived in an area known as Collierstown which is along Colliers Creek. In 1818, Henry Standoff joined land with Samuel Vess. I have not found any land records specifically for Samuel Vess, so I do not know where his property was located. Land records for Henry Standoff, indicate his properties were along Buffalo Creek, a branch off Colliers Creek. View entire map on Library of Congress website- link in caption below.

Library of Congress⎜Rockbridge County Virginia Section no. 1: Colliers Creek
1818-1883


There is an 1816 land record for Christopher Coinhour (I think Hiram’s father-in-law) joining land with Hiram Vess near Brattons Run. Hiram Vess married Polly Cokenour in 1819.


Library of Congress ⎜Rockbridge County Virginia Section no. 2: Brattons Run


The Vess/Vest family also had land on Kerr’s creek in 1851 via Hiram Vess, not on the map.

Marriage Records 1800-1850

22 Jun 1819Hiram VessPolly Cokenour
7 Apr 1828Addison VessHannah Standoff
28 Feb 1832Samuel Jr. VessElizabeth Ford 
6 Aug 1832William VessPhebe Morris 
27 Sept 1832William VessSarah T. Nowel (Noel)
24 Feb 1832Elizabeth VessJohn Morris 
27 Feb 1833Samuel H. VessAnn McPherson 
14 Mar 1833Hiram VessMargaret Elliott
14 Aug 1834Levi VessElizabeth Bias
29 Mar 1840George VessJane Elliott 
27 April 1843Harvey VessSusan Lipstrap
30 Oct 1845Lucinda VessIssac Lipstrap
31 Dec 1845John VessMatilda Morris
16 Dec 1845Margaret VessAdam Whilhem
26 Dec 1848Mary Ellen VessGeorge E. Hamilton 
4 Dec 1849Nancy VessHenry Hostetter
7 Jan 1850Harvey VessRachel Ailstock


Wilkes County Vess/Vest Family Records 1787-1830

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

There is a VESS family hiding in plain sight in Wilkes County, North Carolina. They are easily missed, because they do not appear to be on any census or tax records, or so, none that have been transcribed yet. However, court-records have revealed that there was, in fact, a VESS family in Wilkes County, North Carolina between 1803-1810. Those records then opened the door to discover more records!

1787-1790: William Vest on Elk Creek

1787 Wilkes County, NC tax list, listed next to Benjamin Duncan.

1790 census record listed near to Benjamin Duncan.

1803-1807: Absalom, Jonathan, Peter, Pryor & William Vess/Vest

1803 MayAbsalom Vest Jury Duty Wilkes County, NC
1803 NovJonathan VestJury Duty Wilkes County, NC
1803 NovAbsalom VestJury Duty Wilkes County, NC
1805
Feb 		Jonathan VessWitness land record between Nathan Dunkin and John Fletcher, Jr. Brushy Mountain -Smoots Line
1805
Feb		Jonathan VessWitness (with Mary Dunkin) between James Fletcher, Jr. and John Fletcher, Jr. Brushy Mountain
1805 Peter VestWilkes county, NC Tax List Thurmonds District
1806 MarAbsalom VestJury Duty Wilkes County, NC
1806 MayAbsolom VessJury Duty Wilkes County, NC
1806 NovAbsolom VessAbsalom Vess vs James Fletcher & William Fletcher Case No. 7
1807 NovPriah Vest (Pryor)State vs Priah Vest: Assault; Jury find the defendant not Guilty
1807 NovPriah & Wm VestOrder by the Court: Prosecutor pay costs in both cases & jail fees, suit against the Vests
1807 NovPriah & Wm Vest Order: Priah and Wm Vest be bound in the sum $200 for their good behavior for 12 months, James Gwen enters himself Security
Wilkes County, NC, Pleas & Quarter Sessions Court Minutes 1798-1805 and 1805-1810
Transcribed by John A. McGeachy and 1805 Wilkes County, NC tax list

Absalom Vess: 1808-1830

In 1808, Absalom Vess married Hannah Raymond in Wilkes County, NC.

In 1809-1810, he is listed on an Estate record for William Fletcher in Wilkes County, NC.

In 1810, Absalom is listed on the Iredell County census record.

In 1815, we see him on the Iredell Tax List.

In 1820, with extremely close examination, squeezed in at the bottom of the census, we find Absalom Verl (Vest) on the Wilkes County, NC census.

In 1815, Wilkes county gained from Iredell county, so it is not clear as to whether Absalom moved to Wilkes county from Iredell county, or he is on record for Wilkes county, due to a county change.

At this time, Pryor and William Vess were in Tennessee, with Pryor Vess having a land record dated as early as 1814 in White County, TN.

In 1830, Hannah Vess appears on the Wilkes County census record instead of Absalom Vess, suggesting he may have passed.


2023: Happy New Year!!

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Happy New Year!!

Last year, research was slow and eventually came to a halt due to an extremely hectic schedule.

I just now realized that my research ended with a major genealogy cliff-hanger regarding the recently discovered Vess family in Wilkes County, North Carolina! I’ve received a lot of new information that I am super excited to share!

I’ve just recently posted an exciting update in the sidebar regarding Y-DNA for the Travers family and the (R1a) Vess families of North Carolina and Alabama!

Please bare with me as I work on updating the website with new information and resources this month.

I am looking forward to a new year of amazing discoveries!

















Willie Vess: Interesting Tennessee Finds

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

I am browsing records and I came across WILLIE VESS in Van Buren County, Tennessee dated 1846.

There are land records for a WILLIS VESS dated 1831 and 1837 in White County, Tennessee on the “south side” of Caney Fork (Mountain side). In 1840, Van Buren county was created and Caney Fork became the boundary line between White County and Van Buren County; meaning, the Willis VESS property should now be in Van Buren County.

According to Van Buren County deed records, a WILLIE VESS (maybe Willis) sold 2.78 acres at the foot of the mountain to Zachariah T. SIMMONS. Is this Willis Vess property?


According to Ancestry.com, Zachariah T. SIMMONS married Mary Louisa DODSON. Mary’s parents are supposedly William “Bucky” DODSON and Martha Frances PECK. William “Bucky” DODSON is supposedly William DODSON in White County, TN living next to the Peter VEST family on Caney Fork.

I discovered a death record for a Sarah Elander DODSON, wife of Thomas Bryant SPARKMAN, whose parents are listed as William DODSON and Martha VEST. On Ancestry.com, Sarah Elander DODSON is supposedly the sister of Mary Louisa DODSON (wife of Zachariah SIMMONS), both daughters of William DODSON and Martha PECK.

Is Martha PECK and VEST the same person? Where did the PECK name come from? Also, could it be VEST, since her gravestone doesn’t have a maiden name on it?

Interestingly, I do have a handful of SIMMON, SPARKMAN, JOHNSON, and DODSON as DNA relative matches, all who share close matches with VESS relatives and all connecting to the SIMMON, SPARKMAN, DODSON families in White /Van Buren County, TN.

Is the connection through WILLIS VESS? Does this further support a VESS family connection in Tennessee?

Absalom Vess: Wilkes County, North Carolina

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

I’ve done some more digging into Absalom Vess of Wilkes County, North Carolina and here is what I’ve discovered:

Absalom “Vess” first appears on record in 1803 in the Wilkes County, North Carolina Pleas & Quarter Sessions Court Minutes 1798-1805 for a couple of jury duty sessions.

In 1806, he is part of a couple more jury duty sessions followed by a court case: Absalom Vess vs. James Fletcher & William Fletcher. I have not found any sources that specifically link this Fletcher family with the Fletcher family in Patrick County, VA. However, Fletcher and Vess seem to have a history together. The Fletcher family in Wilkes county come from Fauquier County, VA, so they may have stopped in Patrick County, but it is not confirmed.

In 1808, Absalom marries Hannah Raymond. I could not find any RAYMOND families, but I did find a REYNARD family in the area, which looks like Reymond in cursive. Hannah might be a Reynard.

In 1809-1810, Absalom Vess is mentioned in the Will documents for William Fletcher: Acct Sale of Estate (1809) and Inventory of Estate (1810).

There are only two family trees on Ancestry.com for Absalom Vest, which states his daughter is Elizabeth Vest who married Westly Dishmon (various spellings). Together they had a daughter named Maranda Fletcher Cogner.

In 1810, Absalom is listed on the Iredell County, NC census and then disappears after that, with Hannah Vess being listed as head of household in 1840.

My guess, is that Absalom Vess was born sometime during the 1780’s and died before 1840.



Vess/Vest family of Rockbridge, VA: Mysterious Origins

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

There is a VESS/VEST family in Rockbridge County, Virginia, who first appears on record during the early 1800’s. There doesn’t seem to be any Y-DNA data available for this family; so I do not know if they are related to the VESS R1a2 line or another family with a similar surname.

Family Origins: Still A Mystery

There appears to be numerous theories as to where the VESS/VEST family of Rockbridge County, Virginia comes from…

DESCENDANTS OF THE WEST FAMILY

I had the opportunity to speak with a few members of this family who state it is believed that they are descendants of the WEST family; specifically, the De La Warr lineage (English roots). Unfortunately, I have not found any documentation yet to support this connection.

There was an extensive DNA project available a few years ago which identified several different WEST families in America; some distantly related and some completely unrelated. The research also included descendants of the De La Warr lineage, revealing their Haplogroup to be R1b (different from VESS R1a2).

The WEST Family DNA Project is no longer available to review online; however, I have saved some information from the website, which may be useful with Y-DNA testing through FTDNA.com. It is my understanding that many WEST families have also tested through FTDNA.com.

GERMAN ORIGINS: THE VEST FAMILY

Some believe the VESS/VEST family of Rockbridge County, Virginia may be German in origin. I do not know if this is an oral family tradition or something that came about from all the Rockbridge VESS/VEST family trees online connecting to the John Daniel VEST family of Chesterfield County, Virginia (Haplogroup I), who is believed to be a descendant of Moses Johann Vest from Germany (1650).

Families trees with the VEST family connection seem to be inconsistent. Some connect the VESS/VEST family of Rockbridge County, VA to Samuel Vest, son of John Daniel Vest I of Chesterfield Co., VA; however, John Daniel Vest I did not have a son named Samuel (at least not named in his Will & Testament dated 1765).

Another connection is via Samuel Vest, son of William Tunwell Vest; however, the dates and census records do not seem to add up. Unfortunately, the name “Samuel” was just as common as “John.” In that case, the Rockbridge County, Virginia VESS/VEST could (in theory) be connected to Samuel Vest of Patrick County, Virginia.

Unfortunately, I have not found any documentation yet to support a connection with the VEST family either.

Y-DNA Testing

There doesn’t seem to be any available Y-DNA data yet for this particular VESS/VEST family. It would be very beneficial for direct male descendants of this VESS/VEST line from Rockbridge County, Virginia to complete a Y-DNA test via Familytreedna.com.

A basic Y-DNA test will provide us with a Haplogroup, which would be a great start to researching this family’s mysterious origins; especially, since we know the VEST family is Haplogroup-I, WEST family is Haplogroup R1b, and our VESS line is Haplogroup R1a.

If you are interested in Y-DNA testing through FTDNA.com, have any information related to the Vess/Vest family of Rockbridge County, Virginia you would like shared on this website or information that will further assist with this research, please feel free to email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com. 🙂