Wilkes Co. NC Vess/Vest Research: 1787-1850

New: Wilkes County, NC Vest Record

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Reviewing unindexed Wilkes County, NC records of Civil Action Papers, I discovered the original 1807 court records for Pryor (Pryah) and William Vest regarding assault.

This record calls William and Pryor before the court, instructing that they cannot leave the court without being dismissed (I wonder if this is like an arrest warrant).

It also mentions Peter Vest!
Peter Vest and Mathew McKinney paid money for the appearance of Pryah and William Vest.

Interestingly, Mathew McKinney (based on available records) is not a resident of Wilkes County, NC, but a resident of Surry County, NC.

Why would a resident of Surry County, NC be involved?

With Peter being on the border of Wilkes and Surry County…could this be William Vest and Peter Vest listed on the Surry County War of 1812 record??? AND, possibly William Voss listed on the 1812 Surry County tax list (who didn’t turn in their lists)???

According to historical websites regarding War of 1812, the Surry County Militia would have included residents from Wilkes County, as Wilkes was formed from parts of Surry County.

Note: William Vest on earlier Wilkes County, NC records disappeared after the 1790 census.


This newly discovered document officially connects William, Pryor, and Peter Vess/Vest together in Wilkes County, NC!! Who we later see in White County, TN together after 1815, followed by a Willis Vess.

Could there be a connection to Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama?




Absalom Vest: Fletcher Family Brushy Creek

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Last year, I made some new discoveries about Absalom Vest in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

He married Hannah Raymond (possibly Reynolds) in 1809, they appeared to live on the border of Wilkes and Iredell County (Brushy Creek/ Rocky Creek area). He appears on census and tax lists near the Souther family, who just so happen to be associated with Peter Vess in Rutherford County. Three of Absalom’s children settled in Indiana, with one of them having married a Fletcher.

The few records that we have, do seem to suggest that Absalom and Jonathan Vess/Vest were associated with the Fletcher family in Wilkes County, NC – but to what extent?

According to further research, the estate record that mentions Absalom Vest is supposedly for William Charles Fletcher.

The parents of William Charles Fletcher are supposedly (if family trees are accurate) Reuben Fletcher and Mary Gray, daughter of James Gray and Elizabeth Parks! (Parks is a DNA match to Vess via DNA Triangulation Method)


BUT…there are a lot of Fletchers in Wilkes County and the 1809 Estate record does not specifically say William “Charles” Fletcher.

Some believe, William Charles Fletcher married Margaret Cargile / Cargilet. However, I found the marriage record between William Fletcher and Margaret Cargile / Cargilet and the marriage record between Reuben Fletcher and Mary Gray. Unfortunately, both marriages took place around the same time; so, they are likely not father.

However, the William Fletcher 1809 Estate record may belong to “William Fletcher Sr.” who has land records dating between 1794 – 1799 joining land next to the Smoot family. Wit. include Spencer, James, and Absalom Fletcher – all who lived near the Souther and Smoot families in Brushy Creek in 1790.

Wilkes County records show Absalom and his wife, Hannah, next to the Smoot family too. And, we have a land record between Nathan Duncan and John Fletcher Jr., also joining land next to the Smoot family, witnessed by Jonathan Vess.

The Cargile family is also listed within the same company as the Fletchers, Smoot, and Souther families in 1790, suggesting maybe all the Fletchers are related to each other (I could be wrong though).

William Fletcher and Mary Cargile are believed to have lived in Iredell county, next to the Williams family (on Rocky Creek). Interestingly, on the 1810 census, Absalom Vest is listed next to the Williams family, with William Fletcher listed on the next page, next to another Williams family.

I am curious…are Absalom Vest and Peter Vess related to each other?

Results from the DNA Triangulation Method pinpoint to Brushy Creek for a potential ancestor for Peter Vess of Rutherford County, NC…AND is it just coincidence that Peter Vess has several run-in’s with the Souther family from the same place?

Could the Fletcher and Souther families been guardians of the Vest family? Especially, since William Vest (listed on earlier census records) disappears from the Wilkes County records in 1800??







Dodson Family Leads To Another Vest Record

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Remarkably, I have never once thought to look for a Dodson in Wilkes County, North Carolina!

We see the Dodson family next to the Vest/Vess family in Patrick County, VA in 1790 and then again, in White County, TN in 1815, making a stop in between in Surry County, NC (1790-1815) near the Sparks, Parks, Rose, and Whitlock families. But, did any Dodsons go to Wilkes County?

You will not believe what I discovered!

Dodson-Rose Family
Rev. William Dodson (1737-1832) lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina and died in Iredell County, NC. He is believed to be the son of Thomas Dodson Jr. and Elizabeth Rose. This Dodson family appears to be cousins of the Patrick County, VA Dodson family.
 
The most striking part about this, is their connection to a ROSE family!
This is extremely intriguing, because autosomal DNA matches (via the DNA Triangulation Method) suggests the R1a2 Vess family may have an early ancestor in Wilkes County, NC via the Parks, Sparks, and Rose families, with an overall impression, it might more likely be with Rose.

And, it does get more interesting…

Absalom Vest
Rev. William Dodson has property on Beaver Creek, Lamberts Fork, and in Brushy Mountain (waters of Hunting Creek), all issued to him during the time in which the Vest/Vess family were also living in Wilkes County, NC.

Beaver Creek is not too far from Kings Creek, where we find William Vest and Benjamin Duncan (1787-1790) and Hunting Creek, is where we find the Souther, Fletcher, Smoot, and Absalom Vest families (1800-1830).

Map From 1787 Wilkes County State Census

I was looking at all the Dotson/Dodson land records and discovered Absalom Vest!

William Dodson Jr. (son of Rev. William Dodson) obtained land in 1821 on waters of the S. Yadkin River (Wilkes Co.), with Absalom Vest as a witness with Uriah Davis.

We know Absalom lived in Wilkes County, NC between 1803-1829, but he briefly went to Iredell County in 1810, listed next to the William’s family.

Rev. William Dodson also had land in Iredell County. He obtain land in Iredell County in 1804, joining land with a Daniel Meadows. Interestingly, we see Absalom Vest listed on the same page as Daniel Meadows on the 1810 Iredell County census.

(William and William Jr. are in Wilkes County, NC in 1810 listed next to the Phillips family).

Another Dodson-Rose line
There is another Dodson family on Beaver Creek (1805) via Joel Dodson, per land records.
Joel Dodson is believed to be the son of Elijah Dodson and Martha Stubblefield. Elijah Dodson, is believed to be the son of Rev. Joshua Dodson and Ruth Rose. Another Rose!

Martha Dodson (Stubblefield) can be seen on the 1787 Wilkes County state census in the Carrell’s District with the many Parks families, Thomas Stubblefield, and Benjamin Martin family.

In the 1790 census, we see Patty (believed to be Martha Dodson) on the same list as William Dodson, near the Parks family again.

Peter Vest appears in this area in the 1805 tax list for Thurmond District (previously Carrell’s District), which still included most of the Parks families.

Elijah Dodson’s father, Rev. Joshua Dodson, is believed to have died in Surry County in 1798. Unfortunately, the only other Dodson family I am aware of in early Surry County, NC would be Reuben Dodson, believed to be the son of Lambeth Dodson II of Patrick County, NC.

Member of Brier Creek Baptist Church
I re-read the church minutes for Brier Creek Baptist Church, where members include the Sparks, Parks, and Rose families. In 1803, Peter and Peggy “West” become members, who I strongly believe is Peter Vest as seen on the 1805 Thurmond District tax list.

To my surprise, records mention new members: William Dotson and Susey Dotson (1796). I am not sure if this is Rev. William Dodson (who is believed to have a 2nd wife) or another Dodson family. However, they are listed with members that include James Gray, wife Elizabeth Parks, and Timothy Buttry.

Timothy Buttry is related to Keziah Buttery, the wife of Reuben Sparks. Reuben Sparks son, John Sparks, married Elizabeth Rose (Autosomal DNA match to Vess via DNA Triangulation). John and Elizabeth are mentioned as members of Brier Creek Baptist Church, when Peter and Peggy West joined in 1803.

Autosomal DNA Matches To Vess Via DNA Triangulation Method

Following Other Dodson’s: Jonathan Vess of Texas
It’s amazing how the Dodson family appears to lead us to Vess/Vest records!
So, could they lead us to more Vest/Vess records?

According to Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families, we see Jonathan Vess listed as arriving to Texas from Missouri in 1829. Unfortunately, I’ve struggled to research families in Missouri and many researchers, like myself, are puzzled by “Missouri,” as it has been long held belief that Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas from South Carolina.

But, I was curious anyway… Did Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families include a Dodson family?

Remarkably enough, there is an Archolaus Dodson listed in Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families, having arrived in Texas from Missouri in 1827 (a couple years prior to Jonathan Vess). His parents are believed to be Obadiah Dodson and Sarah Garrison of North Carolina, with Obadiah being the son of Reuben Dodson and Agnes Whitlock!

Interesting note: Talithia Whitlock, the wife of Willis Vess (R1a2 Vess) of Franklin County, Alabama, is the granddaughter of Nathaniel Whitlock. A probate record for John Christmas listing his grandchildren, suggests Nathaniel Whitlock to be the brother of Charles Whitlock, whose daughter is Agnes Whitlock (wife of Reuben Dodson).

Small world, huh?

Henry County, VA: Samuel Vess
AND, there is another intriguing Dodson find…

Samuel Vess (presumed to be the father of Peter Vess of Patrick Co. VA) listed on the 1782 Henry County, VA tax list, is listed next to John Whitt. John Whitt’s sister is believed to be Hannah Whitt, who married Lambeth Dodson III, brother of Reuben Dodson (of Surry Co, NC)!

What Does It All Mean
To be 100% honest…I have no idea!

But, it is intriguing how the Dodson family appear to connect to locations where we have Vest/Vess records and appear to be around families who match to Vess via the DNA Triangulation Method.

I am hopeful for an R1a2 Vess family connection, but without genealogical records to prove it, it’s still just all speculation. In fact, I could just be chasing an un-related Vest/Vess family!!

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.






















Following The Souther Family

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It’s extremely interesting…Where there is a Souther there always seems to be a Vest/Vess family!

While the Souther family doesn’t appear to be close neighbors, they consistently pop up in Vess research…so, who is this Souther family and could they be related to the Vess family?

Frequent Appearances

Bill’s Creek Baptist Church Rutherford Co. NC
The Souther family first appear in the book, Bill’s Creek Baptist Church Two Hundred Year History, by Helen M. Lu, listed as members with Peter and Katy Vest (Peter Vess and Catherine Crook) between 1829-1836. They were received at Crooked Creek in 1828 and dismissed (no date).


Sarah Souther
Elizabeth Souther
Mary Souther
Jane Souther
John Souther
Joseph Souther

Buncombe Co. NC
After we discovered Catherine’s family, I noticed that Stephen Souther is listed next to Rachel Crook (Catherine’s mother) on the 1830 Buncombe County, NC census.

Rutherford Co. NC Deed
In 1846, Peter’s land (109 acres) was transferred to Joseph Souther to cover a $50 debt. If the $50 was paid, the contract would become null and the property would be reinstated to the Vess family.


Marriage
In 1854, Joshua Souther married Elizabeth Taylor, ex-wife of John Vess (son of Peter Vess).

Michael and Jesse Souther

The Souther families mentioned earlier include Michael and Jesse Souther from Wilkes County, North Carolina. They are the sons of Stephen Souther and Mary Polly Bussell. Their siblings include: Joel Souther, Elizabeth Gilreath, Sarah Hampton, Henry Souther, and Capt. Joshua Souther.

The Souther family lived on Hunting Creek in the Brushy Mountain community, near the Fletcher, Smoot, Gray, and Rose families and, interestingly, also the Vest family (Absalom and Jonathan Vest/Vess).

Michael U. Souther: Connections and Observations

Michael Souther eventually settled in Buncombe County, North Carolina, while his brother Jesse Souther eventually settled in Old Fort, McDowell County. However, prior to that, they made a stop in Crooked Creek, Burke County, NC (now McDowell County) and Rutherford County, NC.

Michael Souther obtained 30 acres of land on Crooked Creek in Burke County, NC in 1802, joining his own land. His brother Jesse doesn’t appear in Burke County until 1810.

Michael Souther is believed to have married a woman named Agatha; unfortunately, her maiden name is unknown.

Their son, Stephen Souther, husband to Nancy Gilliam, obtained land in Burke county in 1818 on Broad River next to his father-in-laws property.

Stephen later relocated to Buncombe County, and is the one listed next to Rachel Crook on the 1830 Buncombe Co. census.

Michael and Agatha’s other son, Joshua Calvin Souther, married Dicy Gilliam, and later married the ex-wife of John Vess (Elizabeth Taylor).

In 1810 and 1820, Michael Souther is living in Rutherford County, NC, before relocating to Buncombe County in 1830, where he passed away in 1834.

I noticed Michael and his son, Joshua, are listed next to Ambrose Ownsby on the 1820 census. In 1830, Joshua is still listed next to Ambrose Ownsby, but also with Minyard Gilliam, his father-in-law.

Small World: Ambrose Ownsby is the father of Zillah “Granny Duck” Murphy, the grandmother of Cora Nevada Moffitt, wife of Pinkney Vess (son of Andrew Logan Vess and Malinda Halford).

It is also interesting to note that Joshua Souther, has a son named William Haynes Souther. Could that be a reference to the late Rev. William Haynes, Rachel Crooks (Haynes) father? Is that why, we see Stephen Souther, Joshua’s brother, next to Rachel Crook (Haynes) on the 1830 Buncombe County census?

Jesse William Souther: Connections and Observations

Jesse Souther appears in Burke County via the 1820 census. He married Nancy Jane Combs in Wilkes County, NC in 1800. They live in the Crooked Creek area (now McDowell County), eventually settling in Old Fort.

It is Jesse’s family who appears on the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list with Peter and Katy Vest (Peter and Catherine Vess) between 1829-1836. 

In 1831, Peter Vess obtained land in the Broad River Township of Rutherford County, NC, which is located in between both Souther families of Crooked Creek (McDowell County) and Fairview (Buncombe County).

The Vess family disappear from the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list between 1836-1843.
In 1838, Peter (Vest) is listed as a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Burke Co. NC, located outside of Old Fort, not too far from Davistown Freewill Baptist Church where Andrew Logan Vess (Peter and Catherine’s son) is buried.

Bethlehem Baptist Church in Burke County, NC would be much closer to Peter’s property than Bill’s Creek Baptist Church, but not sure if the Souther family was also a member of the same church.

Absalom & Jonathan Vest/Vess Wilkes County, NC

Absalom and Hannah Vest in Wilkes County, NC also resided in the Brushy Mountain community near the Souther, Fletcher, Smoot, Gray, and Rose families.

We find Absalom Vest listed with the Souther family (Joel and John Souther) via the Wilkes County, NC 1805 tax list and (his wife Hannah) on the 1830 census.

Abslaom’s daughter, Elizabeth Vest, married Wesley Dishmond (Dishman). His brother William, married Hilley Souther, who is the daughter of Joel Souther and Patsey Brown.

Jonathan Vess is also believed to be in the same area, as he is listed as a witness to a deed record (dated 1805) between the Duncan and Fletcher families, joining lines with the Smoot family in Brushy Mountain. The Smoot and Souther families have been long time neighbors.

The Fletcher family seems to have some significance, as Absalom is mentioned in Estate records for the Fletcher family. Furthermore, recent research has uncovered parts of Absalom’s linage, revealing a family connection to the Fletcher family, through his daughter Lucy Vest who married William Fletcher.

While I have not found any records to show a direct Souther -Vess family connection, it is extremely intriguing how close they are to both Vest/Vess families (Absalom and later Peter).

So, the question remains – is the Souther family related to the Vess family, are they close family friends, or is it just all mere coincidence? An even bigger question is…could we be on the right track of finding the parents of Peter and Willis Vess!

















Absalom Vest & Hannah Raymond of Wilkes County

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In Wilkes County, North Carolina, there is a hidden pocket of “Vest/Vess” families who do not appear on census records, but are buried in court /tax records.

This Vest/Vess family was so well hidden in documentation that remarkably, neither the Virginia VEST family (Haplogroup I) or North Carolina VESS family (Haplogroup R1a2) have ever claimed them on their family tree!

Because they appear to be very close to many of our recently identified Vess-DNA matches (Rose, Sparks, and Parks families) in Wilkes County, NC and no known family trees for any of them…they could possibly be related to R1a2 Peter and Willis Vess family.

This Wilkes County Vest/Vess family includes Jonathan, William, Absalom, Pryor, and Peter Vest/Vess. Each with records using the Vess/Vest name interchangeably, which further supports a possible VESS connection, as the Virginia VEST family (Haplogroup I) rarely, if ever, have “Vess” records. There is also no evidence to suggest that any of the Rockbridge VESS families (not tested) ever lived in Wilkes County, NC.

Absalom Vest Death

Absalom Vest lived in the Hunting Creek/Brushy Mountain community. Records of his existence span between 1803 – 1820. He married Hannah Raymond in 1808 in Wilkes County. In 1810, they are shown to be in Iredell County, but they returned to Wilkes County in 1820. In 1830, Hannah is listed on the Wilkes County census, suggesting Absalom had died. The 1831 tax records tell us she owned 30 acres of land, possibly inherited from her husband.

Absalom appears to have died in 1829. According to Wilkes County court records (for 1829), Lucy and Harvey Vest are orphans. It specifically mentions that Harvey Vest is the son of Hannah Vest.

Lucy was bound unto Benjamin F. Martin, husband of Sally Rousseau. Harvey was bound unto Thomas J Bouchell.

Hannah Vest-Eades

Hannah returns to Iredell County in 1840 and is listed as “Vess” next to Issac Eades. Issac is the son of Ezekiel Eades, who she marries in 1854. We find Ezekiel and Hannah together on the 1850 Wilkes County census and they are listed next to Hannah’s son, Harvey Vest.


Lucy married William Fletcher in 1845 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, NC.

Hannah also has a daughter named Elizabeth, who married Wesley Dishmond in 1834 in Wilkes County, NC. They have a daughter named Maranda Fletcher Conger, per Indiana death certificate.

Absalom and Jonathan Vest/Vess, per Wilkes County court records, suggest a possible relationship with the Fletcher family (I assume they were close family friends), therefore, a Fletcher connection is not a surprise at all and further supports a likely connection to Absalom Vest.

Lucy, Harvey, and Elizabeth (born in North Carolina) settled in Indiana.


Patsey Vest

There is another Wilkes County marriage, via Patsey Vest and Gilpin Eades (1834). Gilpin Eades is also the son of Eziekiel Eades. I assume she is likely another daughter of Absalom and Hannah Vest.

1820 Census records indicate Absalom and Hannah had 5 children:

1 male under 10: assume to be Harvey
3 females under 10: assume to be Lucy & Patsey & 1 unknown.
1 female between 10-15: assume to be Elizabeth

Another William Tunwell Vest Mixup

Lucy and Elizabeth have public family trees (Indiana), however, they connect them to the William Tunwell Vest family of Stokes County, NC, instead of the Vest/Vess family of Wilkes County, NC.

This is likely because of their North Carolina birth. For the longest time, the William Tunwell Vest family (Stokes County, NC) was the only known early Vest family in North Carolina per census records, with the Wilkes County Vest/Vess family buried in court /tax records. We’ve seen this mistake made with other early North Carolina Vess ancestors (Peter and Willis Vess).

But to be fair, there are a lot of VEST families in Indiana who are truly related to the William Tunwell Vest family. AND, some descendants of Peter Vess (North Carolina) and Samuel Vess (Rockbridge Co. Virginia) also relocated to Indiana, making Indiana a mixing pot of different Vest/Vess families.

SO, is Absalom Vest/Vess a long lost forgotten VESS or VEST? DNA testing is the only way to tell for sure! If you or know someone who could be a descendant of Absalom Vest/Vess, please contact us about our Vess Family DNA Project. We are always looking for new testers to help us with our family research!

Sources:
Year: 1840; Census Place: Iredell, North Carolina; Roll: 363; Page: 231; Family History Library Film: 0018094 [Hannah Vess]

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

The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Wilkes, North Carolina; Roll: 649; Page: 360b [Eziekiel Eades & Hannah Eades]

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Index, 1741-2004 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. [Wesley Dishmond & Elizabeth Vest, William Fletcher & Lucy Vest]

Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1926-1927; Roll: 11 [Maranda Fletcher Conger-Dishmond]

Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Wilkes, North Carolina; Page: 493; NARA Roll: M33_83; Image: 344

Year: 1870; Census Place: Center, Hancock, Indiana; Roll: M593_320; Page: 357A

Year: 1870; Census Place: Richland, Fulton, Indiana; Roll: M593_316; Page: 83A; Family History Library Film: 545815

Familysearch.org Wilkes County, NC (Catalog) 1829 Court Records & 1831 Tax Records








Following The DNA Evidence: Part 1

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When records are scarce, follow the DNA!

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been following the DNA evidence provided by Vincent Vess and have made some remarkable discoveries that are beginning to shed more light on early Vess family history!!

DNA Triangulation Match 1 (ROSE-SPARKS) 🧬

The DNA evidence begins in Wilkes County, North Carolina via the Rose and Sparks families.

According to DNA research provided by Vincent Vess, descendants of Willis and Peter Vess have DNA matches (via the DNA Triangulation Method) with the Emmanuel John Rose and Reuben Sparks families of Wilkes County, North Carolina. Emmanuel Rose and Reuben Sparks are connected through their children: Elizabeth Rose and John Sparks.

These results suggest that an ancestor of Peter and Willis Vess lie somewhere on the ROSE/SPARKS family tree.

It is believed that the connection to VESS is likely via ROSE, rather than SPARKS. So, I began to research the ROSE families, which surprisingly, led me to the WHITLOCK & GREEN families!

Early Rose Families of Wilkes County, NC

According to the Rose Family Association (DNA Project), there were 2 different earlier ROSE families in Wilkes County, North Carolina during the same time period.

The first family, identified as Y-DNA Group A-1, includes John Rose Sr. and his sons, Benjamin, John Jr., Sterling, and Hosea, all who appear to have lived north of the Yadkin River.

The second family, identified as Y-DNA Group L, is John Rose, who appears to have lived south of the Yadkin River. He is noted as being “closely related, if not, a direct descendant of John Rose and Lucy Bennett (Virginia),” via Bennett Rose and Mary Haustraete (Surry Co. NC). It is also noted that this John Rose eventually settled in White County, Tennessee from Surry/Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Emmanuel Rose: Likely Related to Group L

Emmanuel John Rose 🧬 did not have any sons; therefore, there are no direct descendants available for Y-DNA testing for his lineage. However, family websites for the Emmanuel John Rose family, strongly believe Emmanuel John Rose is also the son of Bennett Rose and Mary Haustraete. If accurate, he would be related to John Rose (Group L).

Furthermore, if accurate, there could be a VESS connection somewhere on the John Rose / Lucy Bennett line.

Looking further into this John Rose, I came across our second DNA Triangulation match: George Washington Parks (Grayson Co. VA), as well as other intriguing connections!

DNA Triangulation Match 2 (Parks) 🧬

John Rose (Group L) obtained land on “Gray’s Creek,” in 1782, in Wilkes County, NC, joining the Gray’s line.

The Gray’s line refers to the property of James Gray (obtained in 1780). James Gray married Elizabeth Parks, daughter of Capt. John Parks Sr. and Mary Jane Sharp. Her brother, James Franklin Parks I, is the grandfather of George Washington Parks🧬 of Grayson County, VA (another DNA Triangulation Match to Vess)!

Brier Creek Baptist Church

Interestingly, Brier Creek Baptist Church is located south of the Yadkin River near the properties of John Rose and James Gray.


Between 1801 – 1805, the Rose, Parks, Sparks, and West (Vest) families are mentioned as members. Brier Creek Baptist Church appears to be the center hub for families north and south of the Yadkin River.

Brier Creek Baptist Church is a branch of the Three Forks Baptist Church. The Three Forks Baptist Church was established by Richard Henry Green. *1787 tax list, Richard Green is listed under the Isabell District with William Vest, Benjamin Duncan, Lawerence Duncan, and Russell Jones (residents of Kings Creek).

Church records reveal that several members, despite being distantly apart, bounced between both churches.

1787 Tax List: Brushy Mountain Community

On the 1787 tax list for Wilkes County, NC, John Rose is listed with some notable families:
Souther, Combs, Smoot, Parks, Fletcher, and Dunkin in the Brushy Mountain community south of the Yadkin River. All these families, at some time or another, have a record connected to the Vest/Vess family.

Note: Absalom Vest and Jonathan Vess appear in the Brushy Mountain Community on record between 1803-1805.

John Rose (Group L) Relocates in 1790

John Rose (Group L) relocates to Surry County, North Carolina in 1790, prior to the arrival of the Vest/Vess family (Peter, Absalom, Jonathan, William, and Pryor 1800-1810).

However, keep in mind, there was an earlier documented “William Vest” in Wilkes County, NC between 1787-1790 on Kings Creek (parts of which is documented as part of Brushy Mt), located south of the Yadkin River, west of John Rose’s property on Gray’s Creek.

In 1790, John Rose is listed on census (Surry Co.) next to the Jarvis family, who are also related to the John Rose/Lucy Bennett family (via Abner Rose). Interestingly, on the same census page, we see Mathew Sparks and William Whitlock…

Sparks, Whitlock, Dodson, Green, & Parks Families

Mathew Sparks is distantly related to Reuben Sparks 🧬 (father of John Sparks, husband of Elizabeth Rose) via family in Maryland. Mathew Sparks died in 1813, having eventually settled on Hunting Creek (border of Wilkes/Surry Co.).

William Whitlock though, is much more interesting…as he is the son of James Whitlock Jr.

James Whitlock Jr. is the son of James Whitlock Sr. and Agnes Christmas. His siblings include Charles, Mary, Thomas, and Nathaniel Whitlock. Nathaniel Whitlock is the grandfather of Talithia Whitlock, wife of Willis Vess in Franklin Co. Alabama.

James, Charles, and Thomas Whitlock settled in Surry/Stokes County, NC from Virginia.

Whitlock-Dodson & Patrick Co. VA Connection
The daughter of Charles Whitlock, Agnes Whitlock, married Reuben Dodson. Reuben Dodson, according to family websites, is believed to be the brother of William Dodson who settled in White County, TN. This would be the same William Dodson who owns property on Caney Fork next to the Pryor, Peter, William, and Willis Vest family.

Furthermore, it is strongly suggested that Reuben and William Dodson are also the sons of Lambeth Dodson from Patrick County, Virginia. Lambeth Dodson is listed next to William and Peter Vess/Vest/Voss on the Patrick County, VA tax list via Mayo River.

Thomas Whitlock, brother of James, Charles, and Nathaniel Whitlock, can be seen on the same page as Peter and Samuel Vess on the 1799 Patrick County, VA Tax List.

Also, note that Abner Hodges is also in Surry County at this time. Abner Hodges is listed on the early tax lists near Samuel Vess in Henry County, VA and then later listed next to Peter Vest on census in White County, TN.

It appears John Rose relocated to an area of families from Patrick County, VA, who are documented in records with the Vess/Vest/Voss family prior to 1800.

Green & Parks Family
There is an 1806 Surry County, NC court record for James Whitlock to oversee a road near Flat Rock, a branch of Hunting Creek. Including in the record is Thomas Whitlock, Richard Green, and James Parks (James Franklin Parks I).

The Whitlock and Green families supposedly have earlier connections, along with the Gray family; however, I do not know the specific connections at this time.

Richard Green created the Three Forks Baptist Church and is listed next to William Vest on the 1787 Wilkes County, NC tax list.

Talithia Whitlock, wife of Willis Vess in Franklin Co. Alabama, is a distant cousin of Richard Green via her mother, Elizabeth Green. They are related via family in Trenton, New Jersey.

Richard Green’s son, Amos Green, is listed on the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list (dated 1829-1836) with Peter and Catherine Vest (Vess) in Rutherford County, North Carolina; along with several members of the Souther family from the Brushy Mt. community in Wilkes County, NC.

Where Next…

The Jarvis family in Surry County, NC (related to the Rose family) has land records on Fisher Creek, which is interesting, because Fisher Creek is where we find the Bray family and tax notes mentioning a William “Voss,” who appears to be unrelated to the Vass family in Stokes County.

Also, War of 1812 records for Surry County, NC list a William and Peter “Vest,” who also appear to be unrelated to the VEST family in Stokes County, NC.

At this time, the border between Wilkes and Surry County, along Hunting Creek (Brushy Mt.) might be where some of the Vess family split after 1810, with the Willis Vess line going west to Tennessee (w/ Dodson, Rose, and Hodges) and the Peter Vess line venturing down south to Rutherford County, NC (w/ Green & Souther)…


































Peter & Peggy: A Look At Census Records

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

It was exciting to find Peter and Margaret Vess from Patrick County, Virginia in church records between 1801-1803 as “Peter & Peggy West” and then later Peter “Vest” in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  Of course, I wanted to see if there were any more Vest records under the “West” name…

1810 Census: A West Not A Vest

To my surprise, I found a Peggy West in the 1810 Wilkes County, NC census, but I don’t think it could be that easy…

A Peggy West with 3 children under the age of 15 (2 girls, 1 boy). Unfortunately, this record has been claimed by the West family as John West & Margaret “Peggy” Whitherspoon. 

This appears to be accurate, as this Peggy West isn’t near any Vess DNA matches nor is she near any families that we’ve seen close to Vest families; and several families listed on this census are also on numerous West family trees. 

According to family sources, her husband John West died in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1800. Whereas, Peter Vest in the 1820 White Co. TN census suggests there is a husband and wife (female & male over 45 years old). 

The Vest family appears to have left Wilkes County, NC prior to 1810. 


Peter Vest/West/Vess Census: Consistent Aging

Census records are not always accurate, but we do see consistent aging (in records) for Peter between Patrick Co. VA to White Co. TN, suggesting they are the same person.

Peter Vess and Pugnance Margaret Vaughn were married in 1785 (Henry Co). According to a 1787 Henry Co. tax list, Peter was under the age of 21, with an estimate birth year between 1766-1771. 

In the 1800 (Wilkes Co), Peter West is between 26-44, then in 1820 (White Co), Peter Vest is over 45 years old, and then in 1830 (White Co), he is between 50-59; all of which support a birth year between 1766-1771.


Sources:

Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. 
Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Peter’s Parents: Getting Closer!

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Who are Peter’s parents? 
This is a question that family researchers have been wondering for generations! 

Perhaps, it’s a question that will only be answered with genetic genealogy…

ROSE, SPARKS, and PARKS

In 2021, Vincent Vess discovered DNA matches triangulating with the Sparks and Rose families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and then later, a Parks family in Virginia, who came from Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Aside from a mysterious William “Vest” with records dating between 1787-1790 on Kings Creek (far from any Rose, Sparks, or Parks families), there were no other signs of a potential Vess/Vest family in Wilkes County.

However, in 2022, I uncovered a pocket of Vest/Vess families in Wilkes County hiding in court and tax records dated between 1803-1820 which include William, Prior, Jonathan, Absalom, and Peter!

The presence of a multi-generational Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County is very promising! 

DNA Matches To Vess: Possible Maternal Ancestor

Families that match to VESS via DNA Triangulation (descendants sharing the same segment of chromosomes) appear to be the following:

Sparks
Rose
Parks
Holloway
Caudill
Bauguess
Butry

These families all appear to be connected to the John Sparks – Elizabeth Rose family, who are descendants of Emmanuel Rose & Mary Hancock/Hampton and Reuben Sparks & Keziah Butry (various spellings). DNA research strongly suggests that Peter Vess may have a maternal ancestor related to this family. 

Location For Possible Records: Wilkes / Surry County Border

The Sparks family is largely known to have settled on Hunting Creek (South of the Yadkin River), in Wilkes County, North Carolina. However, according to earlier Wilkes County records (which requires some digging), they appear to have been North of the Yadkin River with the Rose and Parks families.

All these families appear on the 1787 census in Captain Johnson and Captain Carrel’s Districts (shown below). The Sparks and Rose families, while documented on census in Wilkes county, also had records in Surry county.  

Note: Wilkes county used to be part of Surry County and Capt. Carrel’s District is on the border of Wilkes / Surry co. 

Brier Creek Baptist Church 1801-1803: Peter “West”

On Familysearch.org, you can access church records for Brier Creek Baptist Church (Roaring River). Reviewing pages covering from 1793-1810, I found the Parks, Sparks, and Rose families together. 

Church minutes mention Elizabeth Rose, Emmanuel Rose, Rebuin Sparks, and John Sparks; the same family in which DNA research is suggesting might have a family connection to Vess.  

In documented church minutes, I came across an entry, dated 1801, mentioning a Peter “West” and his wife “Peggy West.” They were received by experience and baptism on April 24th, 1801. 
Further entries describe incidents of Peter and Peggy West being accused of lying, which resulted in excommunication and repentance. 

“July 24th at church meeting Peggy West citing to meeting by Brother Rose for [illegible]. 

She was found guilty of lying and trying to make mischief in the settlement and was excommunicated.”

“February 27, 1803, Peter West accused of telling untruths and was found guilty and on his request it was laid over till next meeting – March.” (March 1803) “Peter West was restored to fellowship by repentance.”

Familysearch.org Church minutes, 1783-1955 Author:
Brier Creek Baptist Church (Wilkes County, North Carolina) pg. 13-14


There is no further mention of Peter “West” after 1803, but many members of Brier Creek Baptist Church bounced around between other churches in Wilkes County, as they were all part of the same church association, with the Three Forks Baptist Church (west of the Blue Ridge Mts) being the mother church. 

I cannot find any land records for a Peter “West” in Wilkes or Surry County, but I did find a Peter “West” listed on the 1800 Wilkes county, North Carolina census (alphabetical order). 

7 total Household members:
1 male between 26-44
1 female between 26-44
1 female under age 10
1 male between 10-15
2 males under age 10

We also have a record referencing a Peter “Vest” in 1805…

Thurmond District 1805: Peter “Vest”

Last year, I discovered a Peter “Vest” on an 1805 Wilkes County tax list. He is listed in the Willis Thurmond District, which is located near the Wilkes/Surry county border in the old Carrell District; same area that contains the Rose, Sparks, and Parks families. 

Interestingly, the Thurmond family were also members of Brier Creek Baptist Church (same time as Peter “West”). 

Peggy Is A Nickname For Margaret

When it comes to the Vess name, it has a history of being anything: “Vest,” “Vist,” “Best,” “Vert,” “Verl,” “Voss,” “Vass,” “Voss,” and even…”Post.“ So why not add “West” into the mix too? 

Peter “West” documented in Wilkes County, NC between 1801-1803 is likely Peter “Vest” documented in the same area in 1805, and ultimately, there is a 99.9% chance he is a “VESS;” more specifically, Peter Vess and Pugnance Margaret Vaughn from Patrick County, Virginia! 

In 1793, in the Patrick County, Virginia Deed records, it states a Peter “Vess” and his wife, “Margaret,” and John Duncan, sold land to John Spencer. Peter “Vess” then disappeared from records after 1797, suggesting he had left Patrick County, Virginia.

Then, in 1801, we see a “Peter West,” (later Peter “Vest”) in Wilkes County, North Carolina church records with wife “Peggy West.” “Peggy” is a nickname for Margaret!! 

We now have supporting documentation suggesting the Vess/Vest family from Patrick County, VA is the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, NC!!

Mysterious Parks Connection

The connection to the Parks family is unclear, as DNA matches are triangulating with a Parks-Martin family in Grayson Co., Virginia, who used to live in Wilkes County, NC prior to 1800. 

However, we do see Peter “Vest” in the Thurmond District (1805) with a Parks family and a William Martin; both of which I believe (at this time) have connections with the Parks-Martin family in Virginia through Benjamin Martin (Justice of the Peace) and member of Brier Creek Baptist Church with Peter “West” (1801-1803). 

Further research is needed. 

Absalom Vest DNA Matches

Descendants of Willis and Peter Vess appear to share matches with the descendants of Absalom Vest. Unfortunately, at this time, Vincent Vess is not able to compare chromosomes to determine how closely they match each other. If descendants from all three lines share the same segment of chromosomes, that would support a definitive “Vess” – “Vest” relationship to Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Help Us Further Our Research

If you have any information that may assist us further in our research, please leave a comment below or email us at vessgenealogy.com. 

DNA genealogy has been the key to uncovering the lineages, history, and origins of the Vess family. Please help us further our research by joining and participating in our Vess Family DNA Project.

And, furthermore…don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to keep up with new discoveries! 

Peter Vest In Wilkes Co. North Carolina

/ J. V.

Who is Peter Vest listed on the War of 1812-1814 military record for Surry County, North Carolina??

Many believe this is Peter Vess of Rutherford County, North Carolina, husband of Catherine “Katie” Cook (CROOK). Others suggest he is related to William Tunwell Vest of Stokes County, North Carolina. But, I strongly believe it is Peter Vess of Patrick County, Virginia…

Peter Vest 1805

I’ve been trying to locate this Peter Vest for years! And then finally, he appeared on the 1805 Wilkes County Tax List- Capt. Thurmond District.

Looking at land records for those listed on this tax list, we find families that fall in line with DNA research by Vincent Vess (PARKS, SPARKS, & ROSE).

Capt. Thurmounds District is located near the Surry county border. They were probably close enough to the border that they probably often crossed into Surry County for business and thus, enlisted in Surry County during the War of 1812. Interestingly, several other men listed in the War of 1812 record can be found in Wilkes County too.

We can officially confirm that this is not Peter Vess of Rutherford County, North Carolina, for that Peter in Rutherford County, would have only been between 11-14 years old in 1805 (not old enough to be listed on a tax list).

Absalom Vest 1805

During the same year, listed in a tax list for a different district, we find Absalom Vest. Which I nearly missed, as it’s scribbled in Old English (below).

Absalom is listed on the same list as Reuben Parks, Joseph Souther, and Fletcher families. Which is really intriguing for several reasons…

Reuben Parks is also on the same tax list as Peter Vest. Like many residents in Wilkes County, he had many properties, which makes it difficult to pinpoint their exact homesteads. Did he live near the Surry County border or did he live in the Brushy Mountain area?

Even more intriguing is Joseph Souther. This Souther family is related to the Souther family who later attended Bill’s Creek Baptist Church in Rutherford County, NC with Peter Vess (1829), acquired land in Rutherford County, NC from Peter Vess to settle a debt (1846), married the ex-wife of John Vess (1854), and has a couple of direct descendants who appear to share autosomal DNA matches with Vess relatives.

The Souther family in Wilkes County may have connections with Absalom Vest too, as Hannah Vess is listed near them on the 1830 census records, which also includes John Smoot, who is mentioned in the 1805 land record in Brushy Mountain between the Fletcher brothers, where Jonathan Vess is listed as a witness.

We also see the Fletchers listed on the above tax list too, but they were prominent land owners in Wilkes County and largely involved in the local government, so it’s difficult to say what relationship the Vess and Fletcher families had, if any.

There Might Be More Hidden Vest Families

Vincent Vess sent me more DNA research which suggests some of the Vest’s listed on the William Tunwell Vest family tree, might actually be part of the Wilkes County Vess/Vest family. Inetrestingly, none of the Surry County Vest’s are listed on the William Tunwell Vest family tree – so who are they??

For example, this marriage record below.
Who is Anne and Issac Vest in Surry County and is Phililp Williams related to the William’s family that Absalom and Hannah Vest are always listed near on census? Could this Phillip William’s be the same Phillip Williams who died in Wilkes County in 1816?

Hopefully, further DNA and genealogical research will start to reveal more answers!

Sources

Familysearch.org, Tax records (Wilkes County, North Carolina), 1778-1908, 1805 List.

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data:North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. War of 1812.









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

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

1807 Wilkes County, North Carolina

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

1814 White County, Tennessee

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

1815-1818 White County, Tennessee

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

1820 White County, Tennessee

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

1823-1826 White County, Tennesse

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

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

1830 – 1850 White County, Tennessee

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

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

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


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

What Ties Them All Together

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time Line

Trying to fill in the blanks as I locate records…

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

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