Absalom Vest

Absalom Vest: Fletcher Family Brushy Creek

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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.






















Absalom Vest & Hannah Raymond of Wilkes County

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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








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.









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, 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?