I was able to dig up another record for Jonathan Vess in Lincoln County, Missouri.
This is exceptionally rare! I was not expecting to find any more records in Missouri, as records prior to 1830 in Missouri are extremely limited!
I found him, out of chance, in the Lincoln County, Missouri Probate Records. The date appears to be 1826, listed in a guardianship record for William Quinn, who was appointed guardian of Isiah Gilmore. William Quinn was ordered to pay bond to 3 men, Jonathan Vess, John “Hepperson,” and Chirstopher McVay, as securities.
In short, these men, usually close neighbors or family members, will be responsible for paying the bond with their own money, in the event, William Quinn were to mismanaged the funds for Isiah Gilmore. It’s my understanding, that this is kind of like an insurance policy for a child who inherited cash/property.
Unfortunately, none of these records seem to provide us any clues as to where Jonathan Vess was prior to 1825; which means, we’ve likely hit another brick wall!
However, it does appear that Christopher McVay and Jonathan Vess in the probate record with William Quinn might have been neighbors.
In 1825, Jonathan Vess obtained land from Alfred Gordon, whose property joined Benjamin Allen’s line. On the 1830 census (the first available census for Lincoln County, Missouri), shows Christopher McVay, listed next to Benjamin Allen, and John Quinn (possible relative of William Quinn). Had Jonathan Vess remained in Missouri after 1829, he probably would be listed on census in between Benjamin Allen and Christopher McVay.
While this strongly suggests he is neighbors with those listed on the probate record, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t be related to them either. Families often traveled in groups, and reside next to each other (or really close to each other). He could have a sister or older daughter, who might be married to one of his neighbors. Or, one of these neighbors could be a cousin.
We just don’t have enough information, to determine whether Jonathan Vess is a lone wolf in Missouri, or if he is following family.
Interestingly, I have been reviewing the Stephen F. Austin Registry of Families to see who else might have arrived in Texas the same time as Jonathan Vess in 1829 and so, far, I have found a John Brown, with his wife Nancy, who not only arrived in Texas in 1829, but also did their oath around the same time in December. Furthermore, I discovered a land record in Jackson County, Texas dated 1830 for a John Brown. I am curious, if this is the same John Brown from Missouri, and if so, what part of Missouri did Mr. Brown come from?
Of course, more research needs to go into this, but it’s the only lead I have for right now.
Jonathan Vess Research
Vess Genealogy: Remarkable Discoveries Between 2020-2026
Vess families have been pondering their family origins for generations, and in 2020, the journey to find out had official begun…
In 2020, when I started this genealogy adventure, I didn’t know my Vess family even came from North Carolina, let alone had been there for so many generations (over 200 years).
For all I knew, in all seriousness, our original Vess ancestors landed on America’s rocky west coast directly from Ireland (having taken the scenic route, I guess). I also didn’t know how to do genealogy, what in the world genetic genealogy was or how that worked, nor did I know my American history (rusty since high school). Furthermore, I never in a million years, imagined, I’d develop such a passion for genealogy itself!
In the last 6 six years, I’d say a lot has been accomplished in uncovering the history, lineages, and origins of the Vess family. None of which would be possible, without the Vess Family DNA Project admins, Michael Travers and Vincent Vess, the vast amount of Vess families (and those with similar surnames) sharing their own research with us, their incredible family stories, and providing consistent support and interest, motivating us to continue our research!
We Only Had Oral Tradition’s To Work With
In the beginning, we only had oral tradition’s to work with, on top of a handful of records that have been discover thus far.
We didn’t know Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama even existed, or that his family was related to the Peter Vess family. In the beginning, we were told that there were just only three brothers: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess. How many more early Vess families are left to be discovered?
The Vess family comes from three brothers from Ireland: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess, with Nathaniel believed to be a half brother. Jonathan settled in Virginia, Peter in North Carolina, and Nathaniel in South Carolina. No matter what lineage you talk to, everyone is adamant that the Vess surname is not their original surname. Jonathan married Elizabeth Heron, Peter married Catherine “Katie” Cook, and Nathaniel married Clarinda Bellew.
Below is a list of what has been discovered thus far, changing everything we were once told about the Vess family…
2020: Intro to Genetic Genealogy
🔲 A descendant of Willis Vess interestingly appears as a match on the R1a2 lineage (Y-DNA) with the Travers/Hays families.
🔲 Willis Vess is an unknown Vess, requiring further investigation.
🔲 It is eventually determined, by the end of the year, that the North Carolina Vess family (Haplogroup R) is unrelated to the early Virginia Vest family (Haplogroup I). This will become a valuable tool used to help sort out the different early Vess/Vest families.
🔲 It is determined, by reviewing available genealogical records for Nathaniel Vess, that he may have earlier connections specifically to Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina.
2021: The Vess Family DNA Project
🔲 A “Vess” family was discovered in Patrick County, Virginia (Deed record dated between 1790-1800).
🔲 We discovered that Willis Vess lived in Franklin County, Alabama and that he was born in North Carolina. He was extensively researched by genealogist Anna Popejoy, whose work was published in Whitlock Gleanings and FindAGrave.com.
🔲 We discovered Peter Vess and his family in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History,” by Helen M. Lu.
🔲 The Vess Family DNA Project was established.
🔲 Descendant of Peter Vess completed Y-DNA testing, resulting in a match to the R1a2 lineage with Willis Vess and Travers family. The match suggests, Peter and Willis Vess are related as part of the same Vess family.
🔲 Y-DNA results, reveal that Peter and Willis Vess are English in origin, and are descendants of the early Travers family of Lancashire, England (no specific lineage identified yet).
🔲 It is suggested that the the Vess surname might be a shortened version of TRAVIS (TRAVESS), a variant of the surname Travers.
🔲 The Vest family in White County, Tennessee peeks my interest, although there is no evidence to suggest a connection to the Vess family.
🔲 A family story about how the Vess family once adored a red-headed outlaw fascinates me, and leads me to explore a popular newspaper article about a William Vess and the auburn haired Great Western Land Pirate, John Murrell.
🔲 The DNA Triangulation Method directs our attention to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, suggesting a potential maternal Vess ancestor, requiring traditional genealogy methods to unearth records. The matches strongly suggest a connection more likely via ROSE, than Sparks or Parks.
🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that Sarah Jane Vess, wife of Jackson Pressely, is not a descendant of Nathaniel Vess, but of Peter Vess, via son, John Vess and wife, Elizabeth Taylor.
🔲 More records for the Vess family in Patrick County, Virginia were uncovered, dating further back to 1782, with a William and Samuel Vess. In addition to marriage records for Peter Vess and Poignance Vaughn and Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron. Records reveal that the Vess family lived directly on the border of Henry/Patrick County, VA, on the Mayo River, near the Abraham Penn and George Hairston plantations.
2022 Wilkes County, North Carolina & Their Connection To Tennessee
🔲 We discovered Revolutionary War records under the “Vess” surname, via Samuel, William, and Col. Peter Vess, all from Dunmore County (now Shenandoah County), Virginia.
🔲 We discovered, a “Vest/Vess” family in Wilkes County, North Carolina, while researching the Sparks, Parks, and Rose families. These families include: Peter, Pryor, William, Jonathan, and Absalom.
🔲 Records suggest a potential DODSON family connection to the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, North Carolina. We see them as neighbors in Patrick County, VA, prior to seeing them again as neighbors in White County, TN. They are also related to the earlier Whitlock family.
2023: Irish Traditions Influenced By Crook Family
🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the true maiden name of Peter’s wife, Catherine, is CROOK, not Cook.
🔲 We discovered, through traditional and genetic genealogy, that John Vess (son of Peter Vess) has a son named William River Vess.
🔲 We discovered, through land records, that the wife of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia is named Catherine.
🔲 We discovered, through newspaper articles, that Pryor Vest in Tennessee died a horrific death in 1831, while in jail.
🔲 We discovered even more earlier “Vess” records, via William and James Vess of Loudoun County, Virginia dated between 1760-1770.
🔲 We discovered, through traditional genealogy methods, that Peter’s wife, Catherine is of Irish descent. Her parents are John Emmanuel Crook and Rachel Haynes. The father of Rachel Haynes, William Haynes, is said to be the first pastor of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church, in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: 200 Year History,” by Helen M. Lu. John Emmanuel Crook, is the illegitimate child of Andrew Crook(s) from Ireland. It is observed that all of Peter’s children are named after those on Catherine’s side of the family, suggesting our Irish traditions may stem from her side of the family.
2024: Exploring The Individual Vess/Vest Families
🔲 We begin to discover that the Vest family in Wilkes County, North Carolina also have records under the “Vess” surname, which are often used interchangeably.
🔲 We discovered records, revealing that Peter Vess in Patrick County, Virginia, is Peter Vest, in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
🔲 We discovered records, revealing the life of Absalom Vest (Vess) and his wife, Hannah Raymond (believed to be Reynolds).
🔲 We noticed that Peter Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina has an unusual amount of records involving the Souther family, the same Souther family we see next to Absalom Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
🔲 We discovered records in White County, Tennessee showing Peter Vess and Willis Vess together, transferring land to Zachariah Simmons. This record, among previous ones, suggests, Peter, Pryor, William, and Willis are part of the same Vest/Vess family from Wilkes County, North Carolina/ Patrick County, Virginia.
🔲 We discovered Pyror Vest has a history of causing trouble, with a growing list of court-records regarding assaults and affrays (disturbing the peace). These records often involve William and Peter Vess.
🔲 We discovered an additional “Vess” in White County, Tennessee, via James Vess, on tax lists with Willis and William Vest/Vess.
2025: Unexpected Discoveries
🔲 We discovered that Jonathan Vess in Jackson County, Texas, has a Will, but is only available in-person – not online.
🔲 A further look at the Stephen F. Austin Register of Families, for Jonathan Vess in Texas, state he came from Missouri, not South Carolina, as often told. The record also states he arrived with 2 children and 4 dependents, suggesting the children we were told he had, may not all be his biological children.
🔲 We discovered, through genealogical records, that the 3 youngest children of Jonathan Vess are actually the children of William Vess.
🔲 We discovered a court record in Buncombe County, North Carolina, that two children of John Vess (son of Peter Vess) were adopted by a Souther.
🔲 We discover court records in Henry County, Virginia, that Pryor and William Vest in White County, Tennessee are in fact, Pryor and William “Vess.” This led to discovering other Tennessee records under the “Vess” surname.
🔲 We discovered a court-record, suggesting Catherine’s full name, may be “Eleanor Catherine Crook.”
🔲 We discovered land and court-records for Nathaniel Vess in Haywood County, North Carolina.
🔲 We discovered records that tell us that Peter Vess, while a resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina, went to church and estate sales in Burke County, North Carolina.
🔲 We discovered further evidence to suggest Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama may likely be related to Pryor and William Vess in White County, Tennessee.
🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the Vess family has DODSON matches, in addition to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE matches. This suggests the Vess family may have a maternal ancestor related to one of these families. It is strongly suggested, that it might be specifically via a DODSON/ROSE family.
Interestingly, there just so happens to be a DODSON-ROSE family, from Richmond, Virginia, who are related to the DODSON families in Patrick County, Virginia. Furthermore, Absalom Vess is a witness to a land record, in Wilkes County, NC, for a DODSON, who is a direct descendant of the DODSON-ROSE line.
2026: Entering A New Chapter
🔲 We discovered a land record for Jonathan Vess in Lincoln County, Missouri dated 1825, mentioning his 2 sons, William and Lofton Vess.
Conclusion
Perhaps we finally have enough records to start piecing together a more comprehensive picture of the earlier Vess families, and hopefully, it may lead to new discoveries!
Please be sure to follow this blog, as we enter a new chapter in Vess Genealogy!!
Johnathan Vess: I Finally Found Him In Missouri
Jonathan and Elizabeth Vess of Jackson County, Texas.
We’ve all been told that Jonathan and Elizabeth Vess arrived in Texas from South Carolina, but according to Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, it was Missouri.
In 1829, at the age of 50, according to the Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, Jonathan and his wife, with 2 children and 4 dependents arrived in Texas from Missouri. Unfortunately, if they came from Missouri, there are no census records for Missouri prior to 1830.
There are other earlier Missouri records available, but who knows where to start! Texas genealogical records doesn’t give us any clues, as to which area in Missouri to even start looking for Vess families. In fact, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But, wouldn’t you believe, that Jonathan Vess has a record in Missouri, under the VESS surname! It wasn’t easy to locate though, because the record is indexed under the surname WEST, even though it clearly reads VESS.
Using AI to Track Down Jonathan Vess In Missouri
Jonathan Vess has a land record in Lincoln County, Missouri, dated 1825.
I used AI to search indexed records under the name “Jonathan West” in Missouri, as “West” seems to be another variant of Vess, as seen in Peter Vess records in Wilkes Co. NC between 1800-1803.
Remarkably, it pulled a deed record that read Jonathan “Vess.”
Jonathan Vess acquired land from Alfred Gordon in 1825. The description box for the property states “see record,” which suggests there might be another record available for this transaction.
Using AI again, nothing came up under the name Jonathan “West,” or under any of the usual variants of Vess. There weren’t any results under the name Alfred Gordon either.
However, the first record did provide us with a Book and page number for the record detailing the description of the property. Generally, not all books are available online though. If they are, they are sometimes locked, requiring a trip to the library to unlock it. And even then, it doesn’t mean it’s on the correct page.
Luckily for us, the Book was available online and the record was exactly where it should be: Book C pg. 387 (continued on pg. 388). A land record between Alfred Gordon and Jonathan Vess, with the Vess surname written in Old English (Vefs).
The description of the property doesn’t identify a river or township, just marked by coordinates, trees, and joining neighbors, Alfred Gordon and John Ezells, neither who sound familiar to me.
Now, the next question is….
How are we sure this is the same Jonathan Vess in Jackson County, Texas?
Jonathan, William, and Lofton Vess In Missouri Together
Luckily for us, the record specifically states William and Lofton Vess are the “2 sons” of Jonathan Vess. Good thing “Lofton” isn’t a common name.
In Jackson County, Texas, we have records of a William and Lofton Vess. William married Minerva Millican in 1835, and Lofton married Mary Ann Ryan in 1837.
Interestingly, Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas with 2 children and 4 dependents, which I assumed his 2 children were William and Mary Lorena; but perhaps those 2 children were in fact, William and Lofton Vess.
Which if true, would mean, the “4 dependents,” would be the girls: Mary Lorena, Malinda, Sarah Ann, and Louisa Elizabeth. In my opinion, I still strongly believe the “4 dependents” could be grandchildren of Johnathan Vess, from a deceased child, as Jonathan arrived in Texas at the age of 50. It will be interesting to find out their lineage, if possible.
South Carolina
This Missouri record tells us that Jonathan Vess and his family were in Missouri between 1825 and 1829, prior to settling in Texas. So, where was he prior to 1825?
I am still looking for early Vess records in South Carolina. Not only is the Vess family adamant Jonathan Vess was there (at some point), we’ve found later genealogical records of at least 2 “Vess” families, claiming to have been born in South Carolina prior to 1820.
There are no VESS records prior to 1830 in South Carolina. So who are these later Vess families related to, that was in South Carolina prior to 1830!
I am curious to find out!
Citation:
“Lincoln, Missouri, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://
http://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH9-H9Z5-C?view=fullText : Feb 7,
2026), image 209 of 605; Lincoln County (Missouri). Recorder of Deeds.
Image Group Number: 007903817
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. We see it in records for the early Vess/Vest families in Patrick County, Virginia, early Vest/Vess families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and early records for our known ancestors like Peter and Willis Vess.
The VESS surname didn’t really stick until after 1840.
This consistent use of alternating names in early records helps us identify “potential” VESS ancestors to further research. We cannot immediately assume they are VESS, but it has become an efficient tool in looking for Vess-related records that may be under a similar surname.
Jonathan – Not As Popular As John
Fortunately for us, Jonathan Vess appears to have preferred the name “Jonathan” over “John,” which vastly narrows down the search field for potential records.
Interestingly, Jonathan, as a first name, doesn’t seem as popular as the first name, John. Indexed searches for Jonathan on Ancestry.com, in general, regardless the surname, still returns just a couple of pages of results – making it extremely easy to browse through!
Military Records
I came across two military records – one for Jonathan VESS (Rangers, United States Volunteers) and another for Jonathan VEST (Capt. Collard’s Co. Louisiana Militia).
I am very confident these records refer to the same individual, but further research is needed, because there are no stories that Jonathan Vess ever went to Missouri, let alone Louisiana!
Interesting Military History: War of 1812
It turns out that, Capt. Collard’s “Louisiana Militia” is sort of misleading on this record for Jonathan Vest. It’s not Louisiana as we know it today.
Elijah Simmons Collard started out as a private in the Upper Louisiana Militia, an area that was known as Haute-Louisiane (aka Illinois Country), which included Missouri territory. He then became Captain of the “Missouri” Militia.
Jonathan VEST is listed as a private under Captain Collard’s Company, which if Collard was “captain” at that time, this would likely include the Missouri Militia.
There is also a military record for Jonathan VESS as a Ranger.
Rangers were volunteers, and they came out of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. As you can see on the map above, those states appear to be located in Upper Louisiana.
The Capt. Collard’s Co. record for Jonathan Vest likely refers to the Battle of New Orleans (1815), which included volunteers (Rangers) and militia’s.
Jonathan Vest is listed as a Louisiana solider for the Battle of New Orleans. However, there doesn’t seem to be a record of him, on official military lists regarding that battle, suggesting he was likely a volunteer. Which is probably why there are two War of 1812 records for him – one regarding the Battle of New Orleans and the other stating he is a Ranger.
Building A TimeLine To Search For More Records
Given the history of the Rangers and Capt. Elijah Simmons Collard, I suspect Jonathan Vess was not a resident of Louisiana during the Battle of Orleans, but a resident somewhere in Upper Louisiana (Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois area).
While records for Jonathan Vess appear scarce, these military records give us a further look at where he might have been in between his marriage in 1792 in Virginia (to Elizabeth Heron) and his arrival to Texas in 1829, allowing us to narrow our search for more records.
As for his connection to South Carolina, I am still researching!
1792 Patrick County, Virginia Marriage
Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron1795 Patrick County, Virginia Tax List
Jonathan Vess1803 Wilkes County, North Carolina Jury Duty
Jonathan Vess1805 Wilkes County, North Carolina Land Record
Jonathan Vess/Vest Witness to land record between Nathan Duncan & John Fletcher Jr.War of 1812 Records
Jonathan Vess (Ranger)
Jonathan Vest (Capt. Collard Louisiana Militia) Battle of New Orleans1829 Stephen F. Austin Register of Families
Jonathan Vess
Kick Off To Another Season of Vess Genealogy
Oh WOW! Summer is officially over!!
For those of you who have been following this site, posts are pretty rare during the summer season.
The summer is when I rejoin the living, with my head out of the past and my toes in the sand! 🙂 BUT, that doesn’t mean Vess Genealogy goes on vacation too…NO WAY!
I post little genealogy nuggets here and there all year round on our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group! Posts often include newspaper articles, recently discovered records, family pictures, stories, DNA updates, and of course, some genealogy humor!
I am excited to announce that we have 270 members in our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group! Members include descendants of PETER VESS of Rutherford County, North Carolina, WILLIS VESS of Franklin County, Alabama, JONATHAN VESS of Jackson County, Texas, NATHANIEL VESS of South Carolina, as well as descendants of the Vess family of ROCKBRIDGE County, Virginia!
To join our FB group, click here!
DNA NEWS
VESS DNA Testing
We have an ACTIVE Vess Family DNA Project!
This project includes Autosomal and Y-DNA testers!
We continue to seek BIG Y-DNA testers for the Willis Vess, Jonathan Vess, and Nathaniel Vess lineages, as well as Vess/Vest descendants of unknown ancestry. We do not need any more Y-DNA testers for the Peter Vess/Andrew Logan Vess line.
Requirements for Y-DNA testing: Direct male descendant with the VESS or VEST surname.
If interested in BIG-Y Testing, please contact me via FB Group or vessgenealogy@gmail.com.
TRAVERS DNA Testing
A Big-Y test for an American TRAVIS line was submitted – waiting updates.
We continue to seek Y-DNA testers for the TRAVERS/TRAVIS family, whose Y-DNA testing can help us determine how the TRAVERS and VESS families are actually related to each other, and possibly help the Vess family uncover more early VESS ancestors and family history!
Requirements for Y-DNA testing: Direct male descendant with the TRAVERS or TRAVIS surname.
Research News
Last season, I felt like I had exhausted all the research resources available at that time. It was really discouraging. However, new genealogy records are uploaded every day and I am told new records have been added to Familysearch.org. I also have a few leads that may help me uncover some new family records! It’s just a matter of taking the time and effort to dig them up!!
The recent discovery, by Vincent Vess, that Catherine Cook is in fact a CROOK has led to so many new intriguing discoveries!! I can’t wait to share them this season!
I am still working on the Willis Vess family tree – it’s a bit complicated. But, we’ll get there! If you have any lineage information to share, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com or message me via FB Group.
And this season… I will begin to really explore the early TRAVERS/TRAVIS families!
Help Us With Content & Research
I am always looking for more ancestor content (for my Featured Ancestor page) and new information to help further Vess family research!
If you have any information to further research or any family stories / pictures to share on this site, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com or feel free to share them on our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group.
Furthermore, please pass the word about our Vess Family DNA Project! DNA genealogy is helping us bust through Vess genealogy brick walls! We welcome everyone to participate – Autosomal testers (anyone related to Vess) and Y-DNA testers (direct male descendants with the Vess surname). Our project is through FamilyTreeDNA.com
This site has been created to explore, share, and preserve Vess family history! It has also been created to help other family researchers with their own research.
Lastly, please share our research respectfully, by properly acknowledging us by citing thevessname.com as a source. Thanks! 🙂
Updated Map of “Vess” Records
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 1770-17741758-1786 Loundoun Co. VA (not on map)
James and William VessConrad “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. 1994,20111777-1779 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, 20231773 & 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 VessAncestry.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 & Images1820-1850+ 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 VessAncestry.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
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.
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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.
Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap
So, where are we at with VESS Genealogy in 2023! Here’s a recap:
Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess: Getting Closer!
Sadly, the ultimate question about who the parents are for Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess have yet to be answered…but, I think we are getting closer; as we continue to dig up new records and analyze new DNA information.
A New VESS Line Via Y-DNA Testing: Willis Vess of Alabama
With Y-DNA and autosomal DNA testing, we have discovered another VESS line: Willis Vess of Franklin (Colbert), Alabama.
We have 1 unknown Y-DNA tester who claims to be a descendant of Willis Vess and their results match with a descendant of Peter Vess, revealing that both lineages are of the same VESS family who are descendants of the earlier TRAVERS family (Haplogroup R1a2). However, to further confirm this, we are currently seeking another Y-DNA tester from the Willis Vess line.
According to available records, Willis Vess was born in 1810 in North Carolina and Peter Vess was born in 1791 in North Carolina. It is strongly believed that Willis and Peter Vess share an older ancestor in North Carolina…
VEST vs VEST: Untangling The VEST / VESS Web of Families
Early records of the VESS family are often found under the name VESS (oftentimes alternating between VEST, VOSS, & VESS). Even our earliest known ancestor, Peter Vess, has early records under the name VEST (later VESS). This is often confused with the early VEST family in Stokes County, North Carolina who are from Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Fortunately, the VEST family in Stokes County, North Carolina is well-documented (as well as it can be) and Y-DNA testing reveals that they are an entirely different Haplogroup than VESS; which allows us to better identify and sort out the different VESS/VEST families in Virginia & North Carolina (which is still an on-going project).
The VEST family is Haplogroup I, whereas the VESS family is Haplogroup R1a2.
The VEST family (Haplogroup I) are from Chesterfield County, Virginia, descendants of John Daniel Vest. We can follow a good portion of their lineage through probate and court records. William Tunwell Vest, son of John Daniel Vest, settled in North Carolina, creating confusion between VESS and VEST families. However, records show the VEST family settled in Winston-Salem area in Stokes County, North Carolina and Guilford County, North Carolina.
The father of Willis Vess in Franklin County, Alabama is said to be “John Vess,” and because records state Willis Vess was born in 1810 in North Carolina, he is often confused as the son of John Vest, son of William Tunwell Vest in Stokes County, NC. This is largely because census records between 1790-1810 only show one VEST family in North Carolina, and that is the VEST family in Stokes County. However, John Vest (Haplogroup I) never left North Carolina.
So, if Willis Vess is from North Carolina, but not related to the VEST (Halplogroup I) family, then where is this earlier VESS family in North Carolina?
Vess/Vest Family Hiding In Wilkes County, North Carolina Records
Between 1803-1810, we’ve uncovered a VESS/VEST family hiding in the Wilkes County, North Carolina court & tax records (they do not appear on census records): William, Pryor, Jonathan, Peter, and Absalom Vess/Vest.
*Records alternate between Vest & Vess; strongly suggesting they are VESS in origin, not VEST.
Absalom Vest married Hannah Raymond in 1808 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Hannah is listed on the 1830 census as “Vess.” This Vest/Vess family left Wilkes County, North Carolina after 1810. In 1820, is when we start seeing records of our earliest known ancestors: Jonathan, Peter, Willis, and Nathaniel Vess.
White County, Tennessee: Pryor, William, Peter, & Willis
Pryor, William, and Peter Vest from Wilkes County, North Carolina settled in White County, Tennessee on Caney Fork River. Later land records include a Willis Vess.
This Vess/Vest family were part of a community known as Sparkmantown (later Van Buren County), which included the Dodson, Medley, Plummley, and Simmons families. Records show them as close neighbors and autosomal DNA data & family trees reveal them to be related to each other.
Earlier White County, TN census records show that the Vest family lived near the Hodge family from Patrick County, Virginia when it was Henry County (prior to 1791). They are listed near Samuel Vest (Vess) on tax records. The Hodge and Dodson families also appear in earlier Wilkes County, North Carolina records, suggesting they may have all traveled together (but this is not confirmed).
Signs of A Tennesse – Alabama Connection
Early records in Alabama are scarce due to a court-house fire.
Willis Vess comes into existence, like all the other earliest known Vess ancestors, after the 1820 census and later census records reveal that he was born in 1810 in North Carolina.
Later records also reveal a John P. Vess born in 1822 (related via autosomal DNA testing) whose birthplace alternates between North Carolina and Tennessee. Interestingly, John P. Vess married Mary Louise Simmons, a descendant of the Simmons family in White County, TN.
Other Tennessee hints, include a land record for Willis Vess referencing a William Vess as his “heir.” The question is, who is William Vess?
Also, in 1840, there is a “Peter Vess” listed in the newspaper for unclaimed mail at the Russellville post-office (post office used by the Willis Vess family). Could this be Peter Vess from White County, TN, whose last known record was dated 1830?
There is no evidence to prove Willis Vess in White County, TN is Willis Vess in Franklin County, Alabama; but there is circumstantial evidence to strongly suggest they are of the same Vess family.
An Even Earlier VESS family: Virginia
Tax and land records reveal a VESS (sometimes Vest/Voss) family in Patrick County, Virginia between 1782-1796. This Vess family includes Samuel, William, Peter, and Jonathan Vess.
Land records reveal that Samuel’s wife’s name was Catherine. Samuel, William, and Peter lived near the Mayo River (Patrick County/ Henry County border) near the Penn and Hairston plantations. Samuel and William obtained land from Abraham Penn’s property, suggesting they might have been indentured servants (but not confirmed).
Marriage records show that Peter married Pugnance Vaughn and Jonathan married Elizabeth Heron. It is listed on the marriage record, that Elizabeth’s father is named Andrew.
Samuel, William, and an earlier Peter Vess are believed to have earlier roots in Dunmore County, Virginia (Augusta Co.), according to Revolutionary War Records, whose name alternates between VESS and VASS. Research into Revolutionary War records has confirmed that the Samuel Vess from Dunmore County, VA is not the same Samuel Vest in Stoke County, North Carolina from Chesterfield Co. VA. They fought under different commands during the Revolutionary War.
Rockbridge County, Virginia Vess Family
If Samuel, William, and Peter Vess of Dunmore Co. VA (Augusta Co.) are all related as one Vess family, it is possible, that one line branched off to Rockbridge County, Virginia whose Y-DNA haplogroup has yet to be determined.
The Rockbridge Co. Vess Family believe they are descendants of the West family; however, early records do not show any WEST families in Rockbridge. There is, however, an Adam Vert, who came from Loundoun Co. (near Dunmore Co.), whose father is Conrad Vert. An early census record for Conrad Vert also shows a James and William Vess too.
Peter Vess: Pauper, Orphan, and a CROOK
During the 1840’s, Peter’s land was sold to the Souther family to resolve a $50 debt, suggesting Peter did die a pauper, as told as family history.
Vince Vess, family researcher, recently discovered that Catherine (Peter’s wife) is not a COOK but a CROOK!
We are still researching the CROOK and HAYNES families (Catherine’s lineage) for clues to Peter’s family and so far, I’ve come across some intriguing information suggesting Peter may have been an orphan:
1. Peter and Catherine’s children are predominately named after members of the CROOK and HAYNES family. They do not follow the traditional naming pattern during that time period, suggesting Peter probably didn’t know his family.
2. The CROOK family is from Ireland and has Ireland and Scottish ancestry. Stories that the VESS family is from Ireland, may have actually been the CROOK family.
3. Recent Y-DNA results now show that we are part of the TRAVERS family from England (not Ireland).
4. We also have stories that the VESS family had high respect for an “outlaw,” which could have been the CROOK family. During the 1830’s, the name CROOK took on the meaning “criminal,” and could have been misinterpreted as an “outlaw” in later generations. And, having Scottish ancestry, Catherine’s grandfather, Andrew CROOK, might have had red-hair, as described in the family story. Furthermore, the VESS family must have had a lot of respect for the CROOK and HAYNES family, to name their children after them.
The discovery of the CROOK and Haynes families has opened an entirely new chapter to VESS genealogy, as records show they all came together in 1804 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. It reveals our connection to families in Buncombe County, North Carolina and how our family came to be part of the Bill’s Creek community. Catherine’s grandfather, William Haynes, was the first pastor of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church and her father, John Crook, bought land joining William Haynes property in 1804.
Look for future posts regarding the CROOK and HAYNES families!
SOUTHER Family Connection
During my research, I noticed we keep running into the SOUTHER family from Wilkes County, North Carolina.
1. Hannah Vess (wife of Absalom Vest) is listed next to a Souther in Wilkes County, NC in 1830 (they are next to the Smoot family, where Jonathan Vess was a witness on a land record between Nathan Duncan and John Smoot (Brushy Mountain area).
2. A Souther is a member of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church during the same time as Peter Vess.
3. A Souther married the ex-wife of John Vess (Peter’s son), Elizabeth Taylor.
4. A Souther obtained Peter’s land, before his death.
5. A Souther is living next to Catherine’s mom in Buncombe County, NC in 1830.
6. I have autosomal DNA matches with direct descendants of the Souther family.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter Vess came to Rutherford County, NC with the Souther family. I am currently researching guardianship, bastardy bonds, and indentured servant records.
South Carolina Connections
Research at the moment suggests that Andrew Crook (Catherine’s grandfather) might be from Newberry South Carolina (now Abbeyville Co.). Some records mention a TURNER family, which is intriguing, because 1850 census records show a John Vess and Drucilla Turner in Abbeyville County, SC, whose origins are unknown. We also have a Turner connection in Patrick County, Virginia (Henry Co.) with Samuel Vess 1782. (More research is needed).
We know there is a VESS- South Carolina connection somewhere, because Nathaniel Vess is from South Carolina. Records strongly suggest that Nathaniel Vess came from Glassy Mountain, Greenville Co. South Carolina (The Dark Corners), as records show that the Bellew and Gosnell families predominantly lived in that area.
However, there are no records of a Vess family in South Carolina prior to 1850; except for an 1830 census for a “Polly Vess” in Greenville County, South Carolina.
Interestingly, Polly Vess is listed next to a William Plummley on the 1830 Greenville County, South Carolina census. His son Contsant Plummley is listed next to Nathaniel Vess and John Bellew on the 1830 Rutherford County, North Carolina census. Constant Plummley is also related to the Plummley family in White County, TN next to the Peter, Pryor, William, and Willis Vest/Vess family. Is there a connection?
Conclusion: Just An Opinion
I strongly recommend that readers and researchers come to their own conclusions and theories about Vess family genealogy. However, if you were to ask my thoughts, I would say the following:
I strongly believe, based on the available records and DNA information at this time, that the VESS family comes from Lancashire, England (not Ireland). At some point, our name was shortened from TRAVERS to VESS, likely through a series of different misspellings (VOSS, VISS, VEST, etc) over numerous generations.
During the Revolutionary War, the VESS family may have lived in Augusta County, Virginia and then later settled in Patrick County, Virginia (Pittsylvania Co), before making their way to Wilkes County, North Carolina. I strongly believe the VESS family then split ways after 1810, going to Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, North and South Carolina.
Information To Share Or Interested In Y-DNA Testing: Let’s Talk!
If you have any family stories to share or any information to add to Vess Genealogy, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com.
If you are interested in participating in Y-DNA testing, please email vessgenealogy@gmail.com or reach out to us via Facebook!
We are currently seeking the following Y-DNA testers:
- Direct VESS Male Descendant of unknown VESS origins
- Direct VESS Male Descendant of Willis Vess (Alabama line)
- Direct VESS Male Descendant of John P. Vess (Alabama line)
- Direct VESS Male Descendant of Nathaniel Vess (South Carolina line)
- Direct VESS Male Descendant of Jonathan Vess (Texas line)
- Direct VEST Male Descendant of Absalom Vest (Wilkes / Iredell line)
- Direct TRAVIS and TRAVERS Male Descendants of all TRAVERS/TRAVIS lines
VEST, VOSS, and VASS families are welcome to test too!
June 2023 Updates
Hi Everyone!
Research in Vess Genealogy is on-going and with summer here, I hope to have more time to dig further into a bunch of new leads I have compiled since last summer!
I am at a point where research is slower than usual, because I am now digging through records that are not indexed. I am having to read every record in hopes to find a VESS or VEST. So far, leads from DNA research and other records have led me to some incredible records.
Wilkes County, North Carolina: Current Research
DNA research from Vincent Vess has led me mostly to Wilkes County, North Carolina where I continue to dig up more evidence of VESS/VEST families hiding in the shadows.
I discovered more evidence suggesting the Wilkes County, NC Vess/Vest family are the same families in White County, Tennessee and Patrick County, Virginia.
Also, in addition to Jonathan, Absalom, and William Vess/Vest, I have just recently discovered a Peter Vest too! While Jonathan and Absalom seem to have connections to the Brushy Mountain area, Peter appears to be in an area (on the Wilkes County border with Surry County) with families that fall in line with DNA research. Also in the area, is a well respected man known for his “red hair” (as mentioned in one of our oral traditions) and includes the Souther family who later has interactions with the Peter Vess family and may also have connections with Absalom.
The plot seems to thicken as research continues!
Recent Posted Discoveries
Crook Family: With the amazing DNA research done by Vincent Vess, we discovered and confirmed that Catherine “Katie” Cook is actually Catherine “Katie” CROOK.
This discovery has opened an entirely new chapter to Vess genealogy! There are a lot of new families and new stories to uncover on Catherine’s side!
Peter Vess in Alabama: While we still do not have solid evidence that Willis Vess is related to the Vess/Vest family in White County, TN, circumstantial evidence that they are related continues to pile up!
A Peter Vess appears in an 1842 newspaper article, on a list of letters at the Russellville post office, in Franklin County, Alabama! The only VESS we know of in the area at that time is Willis Vess. And, Simon Peter Vess hadn’t been born yet, so mail left at the post office is certainly not his!
Our Facebook Group
Be sure to invite those who may be interested in Vess genealogy to our Facebook Group!
I do my best to post updates about Y-DNA results, recent discoveries, newspaper clippings, pictures, and stories.
Please feel free to post and share any families stories and pictures, as we would all love to learn more about Vess family history!
DNA Testing
We are breaking through genealogy barriers with DNA testing! I wouldn’t have found the VESS/VEST family in Wilkes County, had it not been for DNA research pointing us in that direction!
We recommend Y-DNA and Autosomal DNA testing through FamilyTreeDNA . Autosomal DNA testing through FamilyTreeDNA helps us create a list of related families that we can use to help us locate earlier shared ancestors leading us to specific locations to dig for genealogical records.
We also have an active Y-DNA project that allows us to explore the very early origins of the VESS family and identify new family lines. This is how we discovered the Willis Vess line!
We still do not have any Y-DNA or autosomal DNA testers for the Jonathan Vess or Nathaniel Vess line.
If anyone knows a male TRAVIS, TRAVERS, or VESS of unknown origin, please check their autosomal results with cladefinder.yseq.net and let us know if it shows R1a or even better YP4141! This can help us identify and connect more Vess/Travers families.
Click here to visit Clade Finder.
Please email vessgenealogy@gmail.com with any questions about DNA testing.
Summer Goals: Introducing Travers Family History
This summer I hope to update the website with more information about the Travers family, our earlier “Vess” ancestors!
Although we do not know our exact lineage from the Travers family, we do have Y-DNA testing that confirms the North Carolina Vess families are in fact descendants of the early Travers family.
I would love to explore and post more about the early Travers family!
Wishing Everyone A Terrific Summer!
VESS Family: Intriguing Discoveries
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.
Vess Genealogy 