Circulating on numerous genealogy sites is a marriage record dated “1789” for an “Andrew L. Vest and Linnia Holferd.”
This has become extremely controversial, for that many strongly argue that there are 2 generations with ancestors named Andrew Logan Vess, whereas others strongly argue there is only just the one Andrew Logan Vess (1825-1907) who is the son of Peter Vess.
Is there another Andrew Logan Vess? Probably… It’s not entirely unheard of to have multiple generations with the same name; however, are there two generations of “Andrew Logan Vess and Linnia Halford”? Probably not.
This post is about the controversial 1789 record for Andrew L. Vest and Linnia Holferd, my thoughts and opinions with supportive documentation as to why I do not think this record is accurate. The conclusions, however, are up to the individual reader/researcher.
The Record In Question
Pictured below is a marriage record for an “Andrew L. Vest” and a “Linna Holferd” dated 1789 and is being used to suggest that Peter’s parents were Andrew L. Vest (Vess) and Linna Holferd.
About Andrew Logan Vess
1825-1907
Andrew Logan Vess and Lucy “Linnia” Malinda Halford have numerous records supporting his existence, which include:
● His picture (above).
● Census Records of him and Linnia (Lucy Malinda Halford).
● Numerous written family records (below)
● Tombstone in Davistown Cemetery (below).
● Marriage Record dated 1849
● Civil War and Pension records
● DNA – The Halford family has extensive well-researched family tree.
It is important to note that Andrew Logan Vess was married twice. His second wife is Cynthia Conner.
Furthermore, we recently discovered that his maternal grandfather was named Andrew, and that many of children of Peter were named after Catherine’s side of the family. Andrew Crook (Abt. 1750-1814) of Rutherford County, North Carolina.
To learn more about the life Andrew Logan Vess, click here.
Davistown Cemetery in McDowell County, NC
This is likely a replacement of the original tombstone in which the birthdate was likely the only legible date left from the previous weathered tombstone.
1789 Marriage Record
There is a 1789 marriage record for an “Andrew L. Vest” and a “Linna Holferd,” that is being used to suggest that Peter’s father was Andrew Vest (Vess).
To further suggest the idea of an “older” Andrew Logan Vess, the same record seems to show 2 different Andrew Logan Vess’s, with marriages separated by 78 years.
A Different Record: Marriage Date 1849
But wait, there is a different publication of these marriage records that shows Andrew L. Vest and Linna Holferd married in 1849!
Perhaps this is a typo?
Comparing Two Different Publications
I decided to investigate further by comparing both records, published by two separate entities. As shown below, you can see the only discrepancy between the two different records is the year in which the marriage took place (everything else is the same).
R. O. Ledbetter: Who Is He?
Both publications state R. O. Ledbetter as the bondsman; so perhaps by learning a little bit more about him, we can determine what period of time the marriage between Andrew L. Vest and Linna Holferd actually took place.
The thing is, the Ledbetter family is quite extensive with many family members named Richard. In fact, my 7th great-grandfather is a Richard Ledbetter! So, how can I possibly pin-point the correct Ledbetter?
Interestingly, at the same time that I came across this discrepancy between marriage records, I had just bought the book: Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History, by Helen M. Lu. AND guess who is in it! R. O. Ledbetter!
The earliest account in which R. O. Ledbetter (Richard Overton Ledbetter) is mentioned, is dated 1842, when him and his wife (Elizabeth Harris) was received by the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church. He was an active member from 1842-1854. Within that period of time, he could have certainly been a bondsman for Andrew L. Vest and Linna Holferd whose marriage is dated 1849. He served on several important committees and for several years, was an Assistant Clerk for the church.
His brother Brazilla Ledbetter also attended the church too, in which allowed me to further research R. O. Ledbetter’s birthdate: 1811, in which makes him too young to have been a bondsman for Andrew L. Vest and Linna Holferd in 1789. And, I have not found any older family members named Richard “Overton” Ledbetter, especially, in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
Also, if you review the marriage record for A. L. Vess and Cynthia Conner whose marriage is dated 1867 (Andrew Logan’s second wife), you will find that the bondsman is Wm. Flynn, who also served the church during the same time period as R. O. Ledbetter.
Furthermore, according to the book, Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History, Andrew Logan Vess (son of Peter and Catherine Vess) was received by Bill’s Creek Baptist Church in 1846. The earliest account in which Linnia Halford (his first wife) is mentioned, is dated 1848 (member list). Also note, that Andrew Logan Vess is mentioned in the book under the following names: Andrew L. Vess, Andy Vest, A. L. Vest, Andrew Vest. After thoroughly reading this book, it is clear that there is only one Andrew Logan Vess (Vest).
Conclusion: A Transcription Typo
In my opinion, I strongly believe the marriage date of 1789 in the publication complied by Brent H. Holcomb, to be a transcription typo. It happens.
However, such typos are notorious for making incorrect connections; especially, if one does not know that Andrew Logan Vess (son of Peter and Catherine Vess) was married twice!
I have had many researchers strongly argue that Peter’s father is (in fact) an Andrew Vess; however, it is something they’ve only heard, perhaps by others who were mislead by this widely circulated typo. But, who knows! Maybe Peter’s father is named Andrew; but if so, it may be best to look for other records as evidence to prove it.
Sources:
Lu, H., 1984. Bill’s Creek Baptist Church. Dallas, Tex.: H.M. Lu.
At the age of 38, on Sept. 1, 1863, Andrew Logan Vess joined the military. He served as a Confederate solider (private rank) under the 62nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company F. 
Vess Genealogy 