Rachel Melinda Vess: New Vess Ancestor
It’s always exciting to add newly discovered ancestors to the Vess family tree! Rachel Melinda Vess (1881-1969) is a new addition to the Peter Vess lineage. She is the daughter of James Harvey Vess and Mary Josephine Dalton, granddaughter of Andrew Logan Vess and Lucy Malinda Halford, and great-granddaughter of Peter Vess and Catherine Crook.…
Josiah Vess 1822 – Bef. 1860
Josiah (Joseph) Vess is the son of Peter Vess and Catherine Crook in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Not much is known about him, as he seems to have disappeared after 1850, like his older brother John. Fortunately, I was able to dig up a little something… Burke County Josiah Vess was born in Rutherford County,…
Peter Vess: A New Burke County Record
Burke County, North Carolina is interesting, because many families in Wilkes County, North Carolina relocated to this area after 1800, including our families of DNA interest: the Rose, Parks, and Sparks families. But, so did the Souther family, who were once close neighbors of Absalom Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Peter Vess seems to…
Nathaniel Vess: New Land & Court Records
I didn’t think there were anymore records to be discovered for Nathaniel Vess. When it comes to early Vess ancestors, Nathaniel Vess probably has the most records, so it was extremely exciting when I was able to find more records for him. 1849 Buncombe County, North Carolina: Land Record In 1849, Jackson Vest (Andrew Jackson…
Catherine Vess: Given Name Eleanor?
During the 18th and 19th century, it became increasingly popular among Southern families to use their middle name as their first name. While it wasn’t uncommon for formal documents to address men by their middle name, rather than their given name, it didn’t usually apply to women (they often had to use their given name).…
Pardon The Mess: Motivation In Progress
Summers are generally when I take a break from genealogy. But, this summer, I’ve been steadily busy uncovering new Vess-related records! So many new records, to the point, I realized that this website needs a major update!! Also, I think I am finally ready to blog again! I’ve had a serious writers block since 2023,…
Orphans of John Vess
John Vess (b. 1820) is the son of Peter Vess and Catherine Crook in Rutherford County, NC. He married Elizabeth Taylor and had 5 children together: Sarah, Silas, Mary, Sophrona, and William. In 1854, Elizabeth announced her divorce to John Vess in the newspaper, stating he was an out-of-state resident. She married Joshua Souther in…
Jonathan Vess: Missouri
According to the Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas in 1829 from Missouri. Stories about Jonathan Vess never mention Missouri, as it has been long believed he came from South Carolina. So, let’s do some research! Vess/Vest Records Early Vess records often alternate between the VESS, VOSS and VEST surnames.…
New: Wilkes County, NC Vest Record
Reviewing unindexed Wilkes County, NC records of Civil Action Papers, I discovered the original 1807 court records for Pryor (Pryah) and William Vest regarding assault. This record calls William and Pryor before the court, instructing that they cannot leave the court without being dismissed (I wonder if this is like an arrest warrant). It also…
Absalom Vest: Fletcher Family Brushy Creek
Last year, I made some new discoveries about Absalom Vest in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He married Hannah Raymond (possibly Reynolds) in 1809, they appeared to live on the border of Wilkes and Iredell County (Brushy Creek/ Rocky Creek area). He appears on census and tax lists near the Souther family, who just so happen…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Vess Genealogy 