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.
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!
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.
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!
I recently received a book in the mail called, “Wilkes County, NC, Pleas & Quarter Sessions Court Minutes, 1798-1805,” by John A. McGeachy. I meant to order the book covering dates 1805-1810 with Priah (Pryor) Vess; however, the book that came in wasn’t a disappointment…
The book I accidentally ordered has a record for Absalom and Jonathan Vest. Prior to this, the earliest record I have for Jonathan is 1805 and the earliest record I have for Absalom is 1809. This book has them listed for Jury Duty as early as 1803!
Unfortunately, the book for court records between 1805-1810 is not available; however, Google Books online provides us with a preview for PRIAH (Pryor) Vess:
It reveals that Priah (Pryor) Vest was charged with Assault. The preview does not show the date of the court-minute session. However, it continues to state that the defendant was found “not guilty” and that the court ordered Priah and William Vest be “bound” in the sum of 200 pounds for 12 months good behavior (McGeachy).
The index references Absalom and Jonathan Vess/Vest, but provides no preview.
In addition, Vince Vess sent us a link from Genealogy.com in reference to James P. Fletcher. It appears that Jonathan Vess wasn’t the only Vess associated with the Fletcher family; so was Absalom Vess.
In 1809 and 1810, Absalom Vess is mentioned in the Sale of Estate and Inventory of Estate for William Fletcher.
So, who was this Fletcher family and do they have relation to the Fletcher family in Patrick County, VA?
While exploring records for Wilkes County, North Carolina, I came across a record, dated 1805, for a Jonathan Vess! This was completely unexpected!!
Familysearch.org Deed Book F-1 Wilkes County, North Carolina 1778-1807
Duncan & Fletcher Families
This record for Jonathan Vess is very intriguing.
It involves a Duncan and a Fletcher family, which are family names seen associated with the Vest/Vess family in Patrick County, VA in 1793.
According to the Patrick County, VA court records, the Vess and Fletcher families were involved in some kind of dispute against another family. Also, court records show a deed transfer for Peter Vess involving John Duncan. Did these families travel to North Carolina?
I am not sure if this is the same Jonathan Vess who married Elizabeth Heron and settled in the Republic of Texas or our mysterious John Vess, father of Willis Vess. Further research is needed.
For the last couple of months, I’ve been researching extensively on Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama and William Vest of Wilkes County, North Carolina. What we thought was a convergence of families in Stokes County, NC, may have actually been in Wilkes County, NC.
I have discovered that a lot of families associated with Willis and Peter Vess have earlier ties in Wilkes County, NC. I have also discovered a lot of interesting things about William VEST and his neighbors in Wilkes County, NC. I am gathering my notes and I will be posting soon regarding my recent findings that might be leading us closer to some earlier Vess ancestors.
I am excited to announce that Vess Genealogy has expanded to a Vess Family Research Site. Of course, it is still a work in progress as I continue to improve the website with new features and more information.
Vess genealogy is challenging to research, because of its unique name in which DNA has interestingly revealed is a name shared by several different unrelated families. I would like to expand the Vess Genealogy website to help other VESS families sort out their lineages and uncover their origins.
This is a monumental task in which will require the help other researchers who are also interested in the VESS name.
While my research blog will continue, I am still working on adding new pages that will provide researchers with current information that can be found in one spot rather than having to collect information from numerous blog posts.
I am still working on creating PDF files for specific lineages and I would like to add family charts.
Further posts will have an open comment section and I am looking into creating an active Discussion Forum (that part will take time to create though) to encourage further collaboration among researchers.
The Vess Family DNA Project is still active and we continue to encourage male descendants to participate in Y-DNA testing.
Furthermore, I am currently working on a VESS Genealogy E-book for the Peter and Willis Vess lines.
I absoultely look forward to working with you to help uncover the mysteries of the VESS family!
The NEW YEAR is upon us and we have some very promising leads to get us started!
1.Vess Family of Patrick County, VA Recently we discovered that Samuel, William, and Peter Vess owned land in Patrick County, Virginia and that Samuel Vess has been in the area (Henry County) since 1782. Who is this VESS family?
2. DNA Triangulation DNA has matched the descendants of Peter and Willis Vess to possibly some families in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
a. Sparks Family b. Ephraim Pennington (I found him in Wilkes County, NC!) *DNA matches still being explored c. Hodges Family
3. Maps, Maps, and History! History and maps can teach us so much!
Did you know the Great Wagon Road crossed the North Mayo River where Samuel, William, and Peter Vess owned land in Patrick County, Virginia or that early established residents of Wilkes County, North Carolina were forced to sell their land and venture off to the west and south due to conflict?
The Sparks family settled on Hunting Creek but their property was on the border of Wilkes and Surry (now Yadkin) county. The Yadkin River was an important waterway used to travel south, as the Yadkin River turns into the PeeDee River going right through Anson and Montgomery Counties (Travis, Sugg, Pennington, and Bellew families – just to name a few).
4. William Vest of Wilkes County, North Carolina We have William Vest listed near Thomas Hodges in Wilkes County, VA. The family bio for Thomas Hodges mentions he was married in Virginia to Nancy Cottrell, but does not specify where, so I am not sure, if Thomas Hodges is related to the Hodges in Franklin County, VA that matches closely with Peter and Willis Vess. Interestingly, Cottrell is a surname that comes up frequently in my Autosomal DNA list (6-8 generations back) matching other VESS relatives – possibly a connection via COX.
In the same area (New River), per land records, is the Ephraim Pennington family (New River Pasture Branch). Unfortunately, this is a Pennington family that consists of numerous generations with the “Ephraim” name (I think 5). Further investigation is needed.
5. Whitlocks I’ve found the Whitlock’s in the Surry/Stokes County area. Some near Samuel, William, and Peter Vess of Patrick County, VA via Snow Creek (Stokes Co), near Bellew’s Creek and one in Patrick County, VA. Also, another on Hunting Creek near the Sparks family.
The Whitlock’s appear to have early connections with a Saunder family, per a probate record for Thomas Christmas (great-grandfather of Talitha Whitlock, wife of Willis Vess). We have a Saunders family in Wilkes County, VA near the Whitlock and Pennington families and early court records for Henry/Patrick County mention Col. Peter Saunders (Are there connections?).
When and where did the VESS family meet the Whitlock family? Did the Willis Vess line travel through Tennessee or South Carolina through Georgia? Did you know there is a Whitlock family in Union County, South Carolina who was also part of Stephen F. Austin’s 300 in the Republic of Texas? Did you know there is also a Willis family in Patrick County, Virginia?
Are there connections? Are we getting closer to the truth or just chasing more ghosts?
Wishing everyone a great NEW YEAR and Happy Genealogy trails!
My previous post was extensively long with so many thoughts I just had to get out of my brain. Just to clarify, I was not making any conclusions nor suggesting we are related to the BEST or VICE families. However, I was trying to point out how extremely intriguing it is that Peter and Nathan Vess are in the center of these families, yet seem to lack a solid family connection with any of them. Seems a bit odd.
I am conflicted. My gut at the moment is telling me there is a Wilkes County, NC connection, but my gut is also telling me, there is a Charles Travers connection too. However, just because the VESS family is closely related to the TRAVERS family (DNA suggesting we are descendants of TRAVERS), doesn’t mean, we split from the TRAVERS family in the United States. The VESS family could have likely spilt away from the TRAVERS line long before they crossed the Atlantic.
It is absolutely mind boggling. I feel like the truth is near, yet still very far from reach.
I am very excited about JOHN BESS/BEAS in South Carolina. I am even more excited to discover he is completely separate from the John VICE family on the 1810 census. However, research suggests John Bess, neighbors of Samuel Dunaway, is related to Boston Best (Jerg SebastianBosch). Yet, further research reveals that something is just not right…
Thinking Aloud…
Peter and Willis Vess, born in North Carolina, are proven to be genetically related to the same VESS family; however, they are found states apart from each other.
Nearby in White County, Tennessee are records of a Peter, William, and Willis Vess, with the assumption that Peter and William maybe the same Peter and William from Patrick County, Virginia.
Willis Vess supposedly has a brother named John Peter Vess, who was born in Tennessee in 1822. These findings, if related, suggest a migration from Patrick County, VA to Franklin County, Alabama; however, it doesn’t explain Peter and Nathaniel Vess in the Carolinas, unless the VESS family split apart in Wilkes County, North Carolina where we find record of William Vess.
Peter Vess in North Carolina is 31 years older than John Peter Vess in Franklin County, Alabama and he is 19 years older than Willis Vess (Alabama), but DNA suggests that Peter is more closely related to Willis Vess than he is to Nathaniel Vess, even though Nathaniel Vess lives closer to Peter. Is this due to lack of DNA testers, Nathaniel being a half-brother (more distant), or is Nathaniel Vess not related at all? Matching descendants of both Peter and Willis Vess appear on autosomal DNA tests, which suggests there is a close connection 6-8 generations back, either as brothers or 1st cousins.
Even descendants of John Peter Vess appear on autosomal DNA tests, but I can’t help but wonder, if maybe he is misplaced on the family tree. If records of Willis Vess in White County, Tennessee is Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama, then perhaps it isn’t too much of a stretch to wonder if John Peter Vess (who married a Whitlock) is the son of Willis Vess.
However, the families we are following from Patrick County, VA to Franklin County, Alabama is missing a JOHN VESS! According to Anna Popejoy, the father of Willis Vess is John Vess and he settled in the Foxtrap area of Franklin County, Alabama in 1819. Peter’s land record in 1831, suggests an older John Vess (perhaps a father or brother). And, according to the Nathaniel Vess line, they are related to Jonathan William Vess and Elizabeth Heron (married in Patrick County, VA) who settled in the Republic of Texas in the 1820’s (clearly not the same John Vess as Foxtrap).
Jonathan William Vess could have connections to South Carolina, for that there are records of James Heron having property near Peter and William Vess in Patrick County, VA as well as property in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Perhaps there are two different James Heron families, but we also know that many of the families in South Carolina settled in Franklin County, Alabama.
We also have records of James Heron having property next to a mysterious Vess family in Tazewell County, Virginia (not too far from the VESS/VEST family in Rockbridge, VA and not to far from the VICE family across the Cumberland Gap in Kentucky and a Henry Vice in Washington County, VA.) Also, in this area in Virginia is the WHITE family that Elizabeth Vess, wife of Jonathan Vess, married after Jonathan’s death in Texas.
We also have a Samuel Vess associated with Peter Vess in Patrick County, Virginia. Samuel Vess seems to be connected with the Vess family in Rockbridge County, VA – via Hiram Vess. Are there two Samuel Vess families in Virginia?
Then, if we take a look at South Carolina, we have a John VICE, John BESS, a mysterious Henry and James Vist, and the BEST family. Mixed in between both Virginia and South Carolina are the VOSS families.
Haplogroups – Y DNA
Vess and Travers Families -Haplogroup R1a
Peter and Willis Vess are descendants of the TRAVERS family from Lancashire, England (Haplogroup R1a). Unfortunately, there is a huge gap in our lineage between 1650 (estimated date as to when we split from one known Travers family) to 1791 (birth of Peter Vess). At some point, in between, our lineage took on the VESS name, which may have evolved from TRAVESS (Travis).
The VESS name is modernly new and research strongly supports it is a surname that originated in America. Statistics today, reveal that the VESS surname is predominately found in the United States and the name is greatly linked to the Peter and Nathaniel Vess families of North Carolina. The TRAVIS name evolved from the TRAVERS family from Ireland (who settled in the Carolina’s) and perhaps some from England (who settled in Dorchester, Maryland). At this time, we know that the Peter Vess line (descendants of Travers) broke apart from the Travers family in Maryland sometime prior to 1650 in England. However, Y-DNA appears to confirm that the England Travers and Ireland Travers are of the same family. The question that remains, is which line did Peter and Willis Vess descend from?
Our family story states that Peter, Jonathan, and Nathaniel Vess came from Ireland, which would lead us to assume we may have connections with the Travers / Travis family in the Carolinas, for that they are descendants of the Travers family from Ireland (Robert Travers). But, if we are related to Peter and William Vess in Patrick County, VA, could we have come from an unknown Travers in Maryland, who may have Ireland roots, rather than English roots like the known Travers in Dorchester, Maryland? Many families from Maryland traveled the Great Wagon Road down through the Virginia counties we find a mix of VESS, VEST, and VICE families.
VOSS/ VAUX/ VASS Families – Haplogroup Unknown
We do have a John VOSS documented in Caroline County, Maryland, next to Dorchester, Maryland (he seems a bit out of place). *Note: Jarvis Willis in Tennessee has land along the same river as Peter and William Vess in White County, TN and his family comes from Caroline County, Maryland. The Sparks family found in Wilkes County, NC and Rutherford County, NC also come from Caroline County, Maryland.
Near Maryland in Virginia we have the Robert Vaux family (descendants of the ancient De Vallibus family). We do not know what Haplogroup they belong to.
Further south in Virginia, we have records of a John Voss, who has some descendants that are documented to settle in South Carolina via Joseph VOSS. The son of Joseph Voss, William Voss, married Elizabeth ORR in Meckenlenburg County, NC and they settled Lawerence County, Tennessee (just above Franklin County, Alabama). This VOSS family is shown to be related to a Henry Voss, who left Virginia having owed a lot of debt to a neighbor. Early records only show a BASS family; however, most recently, I’ve discovered an early HENRY BESS record in South Carolina. Also note, that the 1810 census for Spartanburg County, SC has a Henry VIST listed, next to a James Vist.
It is speculated that the VOSS and VASS families are related. The VASS family is related to Vincent VASS who settled on the North Carolina coast (having spent time in Stokes County, NC). The VASS family is located geographically close to the Travers family from Ireland; however, no correlations have been found. They also seem to intertwine with the VOSS family who are also found in Casewell County, North Carolina, where John VICE and Frances Roebuck of South Carolina married and where we find Greenbury Voss/Vess.
According to researchers, the origins of the VOSS and VASS families are unknown. It is supsected that they are related to the VAUX family, but that has yet to be confirmed, nor are there any active DNA projects that reveal their Haplogroup.
Vice Family – Haplogroup Unknown As mentioned earlier, one of the Vice families are found in Casewell County, NC (where we have a mix of VOSS and VASS families). The Vice family Haplogroup is unknown, but they are interestingly found near the VESS family of Rockbridge County, VA and the many families of interest associated with Peter and Nathaniel Vess in the Carolinas.
According to their family story, their earliest known ancestor is John Vessey from Frederick County, Virginia.
Mysterious VESS Haplogroup R1b A recent Vess family whose records go back to Tazewell County, VA (1850) reveal themselves to be Haplogroup R1b. According to researchers, their earliest known ancestor for this Vess family maybe a “Henry Vess,” who seems to have connections with Patrick County, VA. In my opinion, based on recent research, is that he maybe he is related to Henry VICE, who I found living in between Patrick County, VA and Tazewell County, VA.
Vess family of Rockbridge- Haplogroup Unknown I was informed that the Vess family of Rockbridge may be descendants of the WEST family. The West family’s Haplogroup is R1b. However, the Rockbridge VESS/VEST family is related to Samuel Vess/Vest. Again, is this the same Samuel Vess associated with Peter Vess in Patrick County, Virginia?
Also in Rockbridge, I have found that the VICE and VEST families having passed through. Are they related?
VEST Family- Haplogroup I
Y-DNA testing has confirmed that Peter and Willis Vess are not related to William Tunwell Vest of Stokes County, North Carolina. William Tunwell Vest is a descendant of John Daniel Vest of Chesterfield County, Virginia and their Haplogroup is I, drastically different than our VESS Haplogroup R1a.
BASS Family – Descendants of Native Americans We can rule out a BASS family connection. They are Native American with lineages originating from Norfolk, Virginia. This doesn’t mean we should disregard records with the BASS name for that VESS records could easily be misspelled as BASS.
BEST / BOSCH Family North Carolina- Haplogroup Unknown The Best family of Lincoln County, North Carolina is very well documented. Records can be traced all the way back to the boat they arrived on to America and they arrived with the Ecker family. Again, this doesn’t we should disregard records with the BEST name, for that VESS records could easily be misspelled at BEST – even today, the VESS name is often mistaken as BEST (I know from personal experience).
Interestingly, I have discovered more BEST families in North Carolina who do not seem to be related to the Sebastian Best, yet found closely near the wandering VOSS families.
DUNAWAY
This is the record (below) that sparked my gears to turn! Nathaniel Vice in Kentucky married Sarah DUNAWAY.
As per my previous post on John Bess, he appears to be connected with Samuel Dunaway. He is listed near Samuel Dunaway on census records, Dunaway is listed on his 1810 land record, and he signed as a witness on Samuel Dunaway’s will in South Carolina.
Records show that Samuel Dunaway and John Bess lived on Thicketty Creek, which is quite distant from the VICE family on Enroee River. According to the book, Tryon County, North Carolina Minutes of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1769-1799, Samuel Dunaway Sr. was a constable. Thicketty Creek area was also once part of Tryon County.
However, John BESS and the John VICE families are separate families, confirmed by the 1810 census (showing John VICE and his sons, Nathaniel, George, and John Roebuck Vice together) and John Bess near Dunaway and Henry Pettit. Note: Peter is on census listed with Henry Pettit in 1820 Rutherford County, NC. It is documented that Henry Pettit is from South Carolina (son of Joshua Pettit).
Yet, we have Nathaniel Vice in Kentucky married to a Dunaway. Is there a connection? Also, the father of Nathaniel Vice in Kentucky is said to be NATHANIEL CAMP VICE.
This is interesting, because the CAMP family, traveled down from Frederick County, VA (where Nathaniel Vice is from) and settled in Rutherford County, North Carolina on Island Ford – just a few miles away from Sandy Run. In fact, Benjamin Camp has land on Sandy Run (Tyron County). Sandy Run is where we find Henry Pettit and Peter Vess in 1820, in addition to long time residents: Bridges, Young, Webb, Logan, Sparks, Hambrick, and Willis families. Also note, that Thicketty Creek is not too far from Sandy Run.
BUT, the BEST family throws in a monkey wrench, for that some family trees claim that JOHN BESS of Spartanburg County, South Carolina is John Best or some say Jacob Best, son of Boston Best. And, the 1790 census record, shows a connection: Here we have Samuel Dunaway with Boston Best, Henry Pettit, and Joshua Pettit.
This is likely Boston Best JR., because Boston Sr. is in Lincoln County, NC in 1790, near the Gosnell family. Gosnell is connected to Nathaniel Vess.
Something Not Right
Now, here is where something doesn’t seem right. The family trees of John Bess of Spartanburg County, South Carolina are not consistent. John Bess (Jr) born in 1815 settled in Warren County, Tennessee. This John Bess is listed as the son of either John Bess Sr. (son of Boston Best) or John Bess Sr. (son of Thomas Hobbs). I do not know who Thomas Hobbs is.
From my perspective, John Best, son of Boston Best Sr. died in Lincoln County. He is shown on the 1790 census with Boston Best Sr. and his brother Jacob Best. So, it is unlikely that John Bess is John/Jacob Best, son of Boston Best Sr. However, Boston Jr. appears to be in Spartanburg County, SC in 1790 (away from his family in Lincoln County, NC).
Boston Best Jr. could of had a son named John Best, but is he John BESS that went to Warren County, TN. According to the HENNESSEE Family webpage, John Bess of Spartanburg County, SC (b. 1783) married Lucinda Kimberlin. I do not know when they moved to Tennessee, but their youngest son is noted to have been born in Tennessee in 1817.
John Bess of Spartanburg County, SC who is associated with the Dunaway family on census, appears to have been born between 1766-1784. He obtained land on Thicketty Creek in 1810 and is listed on Dunaway’s will dated 1815. So, John Bess could certainly be the John Bess who went to Warren County, Tennessee. So perhaps, this John Bess is the son of Boston Best Jr. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation on Boston Best Jr.
How Does VESS Fit In?
What boggles my brain the most is how Peter and Nathan Vess are smack dab in the middle! Is Nathan Vess a BESS, with BOSCH origins? If anything, the Gosnell-Best connection seems to fit very well for him. Is Nathan part of our of VESS family story, because he is geographically close to Peter? Is Peter related to Nathan via a VICE – CAMP- DUNAWAY connection on Sandy Run?? Which may also explain a distant genetic connection.
Why does Fredrick BASS keep popping up all over the place too – in Wilkes County, NC and Anson County, NC near Bellew, Sparks, Rose, and Sugg families, near Charles Travers. Is Frederick Bass the son of Boston Best known as Frederick Best???
The Suggs family moved from Anson County, NC to Franklin County, Alabama near Willis Vess. They were listed as neighbors of Charles Travers in Anson County (when it was Mecklenburg- making them neighbors of BEST family), and according to Charles’ family bio, there is mention of a connection with David Benson. David Benson is shown on census with the Gosnell and Bellew families in South Carolina (1790). Also, it is suspected that Charles Travers is a descendant of Robert Travers from Ireland.
Is there a connection and if so, how is it all connected???
The VICE family seems like great candidates as possible VESS ancestors due to their connection with the PETTIT family in South Carolina, but I doubt there is a paternal-link. We just don’t share the same origin stories and I find that strange. I would think different lines of our early ancestors would share a similar family story regarding Ireland.
If you think about it, every version of our family origin story always has 3 consistent parts: Ireland, 3 brothers, and a name change. No matter what, these 3 elements appear to mean a lot to our VESS family.
Of course, family stories are not 100% accurate, but surely they must contain some ounce of truth that can provide us clues to our past. I mean, the stories had to come from somewhere?
I have often wondered if the Ireland aspect came about because of Tryon County (abolished county in North Carolina) that could easily be misinterpreted later as the County of Tyrone in Ireland. However, the Peter Vess line spent generations in one place (McDowell County) that was once part of Tryon County. How would they not know Tryon County ever existed??
Also, I must admit, I’ve only heard family stories about Ireland from the Peter Vess line. What have the Willis Vess and Nathaniel Vess lines been told? Is it similar? Have they been told they come from Ireland too?
The VICE family intrigues me for the consistent name of NATHANIEL and JOHN throughout their family tree. However, according to several sources that I found online, the VICE family is supposedly Welsh in origin. Those descending from Nathaniel Vice and Dorcas Meadows supposedly have a connection with Pochahantas (now surely our family wouldn’t leave that part out). Carolyar.com
Other sources say they are Dutch (Frederick Count, VA had a Dutch population). AND, despite having the name VESSEY on their family tree – stories say he came from England. I have not found any stories suggesting any kind of connection to Ireland.
Their English origins intrigue me, because I feel as if VESS DNA is predominately English. It is my understanding that the Y-DNA Haplogroup we descend from is English/Scottish, which has recently taken me into a new direction away from the VICE family, but interestingly, not too far away from the VICE family.
As of right now, for me, the VICE family is a DEAD END; at least until a male VICE descendant tests their Y-DNA or we stumble across some significant genealogy record that can confirm a solid connection. In the mean time, research in South Carolina has not gone to waste!
Researching the families in South Carolina (especially, Abbeville) where we find a mysterious John Vess and Drucilla Turner (1850), has some interesting findings related to an unknown VICE family, a TRAVERS family from Cork Ireland, and a ghost VOSS family who appears to have eluded the census records yet mysteriously pop up in other family records (like Wills and accounting papers)!
