Absalom Vess

Wilkes County Vess/Vest Family Records 1787-1830

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

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

1787-1790: William Vest on Elk Creek

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

1790 census record listed near to Benjamin Duncan.

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

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

Absalom Vess: 1808-1830

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Absalom Vess: Wilkes County, North Carolina

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Earliest Known Vess Record: BETTY VESS 1773

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

Quick Recap

In Wilkes County, North Carolina between 1787 – 1790, there is a WILLIAM VEST. He is found residing in the Isbell District along Kings Creek. In 1789, he is appointed to oversee the road along Elk Creek. Then, in 1790, he appears to have moved to the Judd District on Reddies River.

After 1790, the VEST name disappears. However, between 1803 – 1810, we begin to see the VESS name with Absalom, Jonathan, William, and Pryor “Vess.” After 1810, these men completely disappear from Wilkes County, North Carolina.


Betty Vess 1773: Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Looking at the 1790 Wilkes County, North Carolina census for William VEST, he is listed next to Barnet OWEN (Judd District). After a little digging, Barnet OWEN is related to Henry MULLINS (also on 1790 census).


Barnet OWEN and Henry MULLINS, both purchased land in 1787 on the waters of Reddies River at the head of Tumbling Shoal Branch. Reddies River connects to the Yadkin River. These are the only two families with land records, via nclandgrants.com, referencing “Tumbling Shoal Branch,” so I assumed these families probably have close connections with each other.

I discovered a family website, “The Descendants of Henry Mullins,” by Charles Owens. According to Owens, Henry Mullins purchased land from William Owen in Pittsylvania Co., VA in 1773; listing BETTY VESS as one of the witnesses! If this record does read “VESS,” it would become the earliest known “VESS” record found to-date.

Also listed as witnesses is the ALFORD family, which we know is related to the VEST family (Bedford / Chesterfield Counties). However, the ALFORD family is quite extensive, according to their amazing website, The ALFORD American Family Association, and thus has connections with many early American families.

I am in the process of trying to find the original record between Henry Mullins and William Owen to see if there is a property description to determine exactly where in Pittsylvania County, VA this property was located; for that it may better determine if Betty Vess is a VESS, VEST, or VOSS.

Samuel, Peter, and William Vess resided in Patrick County, VA, an area that was once Henry County; but prior to the formation of Henry County (1777), it was Pittsylvania County. Betty Vess predates the formation of Henry County. So, was Betty in the southern part of Pittsylvania that will become Patrick County (making her a VESS), was she in the northern part that will later become Bedford County (making her a VEST), or was she in today’s eastern portion of Pittsylvania (making her a VOSS)???

More research is needed.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this is another potential “Vess” ancestor?

Absalom, Jonathan, and Prior Vess: Wilkes County, NC

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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?