genealogy

Rockbridge Vess Family: A Rockingham County Record Found 1806

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The Vess family of Rockbridge County, Virginia.
A family whose origins are just as mysterious as the origins of the North Carolina Vess family.

We don’t know where the Vess family in Rockbridge County, Virginia originally comes from. Some say they are descendants of the West family, while others say Vest family.

Rockbridge County, Virginia Records: As Early As 1810

The Vess family first appears on record in Rockbridge County, VA, on the 1810 census, for Samuel Vess (Vass/Voss).

Between 1816-1818, we have records that tell us that Samuel Vess joined land with Henry Standoff, on a branch of Colliers Creek, and Hiram Vess joined land with Christopher “Coinhour” (Cokenour) on Brattons Run. Hiram Vess doesn’t appear on census until 1820.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any clues, as to where they came from prior to 1810.

Rockingham County, Virginia: 1806

During my search for early Vess records this week, I discovered Samuel and Hiram Vess in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1806!

Familysearch.org


They are listed on the 1806 Rockingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List. I wasn’t able to find them in any other tax years though.

However, we might be on the right track, as there is a Cokenour family in Rockingham County, VA too. I apologize for misspelling their surname.

Hiram Vess married Polly Cokenour in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1819. According to their marriage record, Polly is the daughter of Christian Cokenour. So, I wonder if “Christopher” whose land is next to Hiram Vess, is suppose to read as “Christian.” I’ve only seen the transcribed typed record.

However, the Cokenour family in Rockingham Co. Va is via Joseph and Jacob Cokenour (Cockenour). Joseph’s wife is named Barbara, and that’s about all I’ve uncovered thus far.

Perhaps, by researching their family, it might reveal connections to earlier ancestors of Samuel and Hiram Vess, as families often traveled together.

It will be interesting to see if any more records come up!

End The West vs Vest Debate with Y-DNA Testing

There are active DNA projects for the VESS, VEST, and WEST families on Familytreedna.com.

I strongly encourage descendants of the Vess family from Rockbridge County, Virginia to complete a Y-DNA test. We can see if your results match with the VESS, VEST, or WEST family. OR maybe a completely different family!

For the R1a2 Vess Lineage, we can check for a potential match now!
If you are a direct male descendant of the Rockbridge Vess family (with the Vess surname) and have already done an autosomal DNA test, check your results!

🔲 If your Autosomal DNA test was completed through 23&Me or FTDNA, check to see if your results show M420.

🔲 If your Autosomal DNA test was completed through Ancestry, download your raw DNA data and run it through The Clade Finder, to check to see if your results show YP4141 or R1a.

If your results show M420, YP4141, or R1a, please reach out to us, so we can talk about possible Y-DNA testing! You can reach the admins via the Vess Family DNA Project or send an email to vessgenealogy@gmail.com.









































Samuel Vest: Spartanburg Co. South Carolina 1800

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The descendants of Nathaniel Vess are adamant that Jonathan Vess was, at some point, in South Carolina. I am not one to ignore family stories, so I promise ya’ll I’ve been searching for him in South Carolina for a long time!

Unfortunately, I haven’t found any evidence to suggest Jonathan Vess, himself, was ever in South Carolina, but there are records to suggest there was a “Vess” in South Carolina prior to 1830. I am just trying to figure out who…

The earliest known “Vess” records discovered thus far in South Carolina (to the best of my knowledge), date back to 1830, via land and census records for a Polly Vess in Greenville, South Carolina. Unfortunately, that is where it ends.

However, we do have two John Vess families during the 1850’s, that claim to have been born in South Carolina (around the early 1820’s), which indicates that there must have been an earlier Vess family in South Carolina evading the census records.

I have searched for years for a potential early Vess/Vest family in South Carolina and have found nothing, until now…

Nathaniel Vess: War of 1812 Pension Request

On Fold3, I was able to finally access Nathaniel’s full War of 1812 pension record. I’ve heard there was more to his record than what was available on Ancestry.com, but I was never able to find the entire record online until today!

In May of 1879, at the age of 85, Nathaniel Vess filed a pension request for his service during the War of 1812.

The claim states he served as a private (volunteered), in the company commanded by John Gaffney, of the South Carolina Militia, under Col. Richard Arnold. He enlisted at the age of 18 or 19 years old in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was noted that he was unable to remember specific dates. However, he claims to have served for 20 days and [illegible] and was discharged in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

His discharge certificate is reported to have been consumed by fire.

The claim also goes into detail about his residency. He resided in South Carolina, then moved to North Carolina in 1845, having stayed for 18 years, before relocating to Tennessee.

However, census records show he arrived in North Carolina in 1830, and he was there for over 20 years. We have to remember, when he filed this claim, he was 85 years old! So, his memory might not have been the best.

Unfortunately, seven months after filing this claim, Nathaniel Vess died from consumption and his pension request was denied, because they were unable to find him on any of the muster rolls. I bet they couldn’t find him, because they misspelled his surname.

What We Already Know

So, with the new information obtained from Nathaniel’s War of 1812 pension record, I shifted my search to Spartanburg County, South Carolina (again). But, not without reviewing what we have already discovered first…

🔲 Nathaniel Vess married Clarinda Bellew, who is supposedly the daughter of John Bellew and Clarinda Gosnell. These two families (Bellew/Gosnell) are prominent families of Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina.

🔲 The earliest “Vess” records date back to 1830 for Polly Vess. She is on the 1830 Greenville, South Carolina census, suggesting she might be a “Vess” widow. She is also on a handful of land records with a Joel Callahan during the 1830’s.

🔲 We have two John Vess families in South Carolina during the 1850’s whose records state they were born in South Carolina prior to 1830. One has a Civil War record, claiming he enlisted in Greenville, South Carolina. Note: During the Civil War, to the best of my knowledge, Nathaniel and Peter’s children in North Carolina were still in North Carolina.

🔲 Records for Nathaniel Vess indicate that he was born in South Carolina. He enlisted in the South Carolina Militia at the age of 18 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. And, census records, show him in North Carolina in 1830, listed next to John and William Bellew.

Records strongly suggest that there was an earlier Vess (or family with a similar surname to Vess) in South Carolina prior to 1830. They just don’t seem to be on record anywhere.

Spartanburg County, South Carolina: Samuel Vest

So, with the information we have so far, it does make the 1790 Spartanburg County, South Carolina census more interesting! Gosnell, Bellew, and Callahan!

All of them, eventually settled in Greenville, South Carolina! We have the Gosnell/Bellew (connection to Nathaniel through his wife) and Joel Callahan (connection to Polly Vess). Is there a connection between Nathaniel Vess and Polly Vess? Super interesting!

Ancestry.com



But, no Vess/Vest families are listed near them on the 1790 census. There is a curious “William West,” but nothing that stands out as a potential “Vess.”


However, browsing Spartanburg County records using the Full Text AI search in Familysearch.org, I came across a land record, dated 1800, between Thomas and William Phillips that was witnessed by a “Samuel Vest.”

Spartanburg Land Records 1803-1805

To the best of my knowledge, there are no known early “Vest” families in South Carolina; especially, during the early 1800’s. What makes this record even more intriguing, is that it is a “Samuel Vest.”

I lost track of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia after 1795! Could this be him?

New Theory: The Real Three Brothers, Jonathan, Peter, & Nathaniel

There is just something about Nathaniel Vess that tugs at me. While I am a 100% confident that Peter, Willis, Jonathan, and Nathaniel Vess are all related, and without a doubt, certainly related to the earlier Patrick County, Virginia Vess family, Nathaniel Vess, is the only one who doesn’t have an early connection to Wilkes County, North Carolina.

It’s also interesting, that Nathaniel doesn’t seem to have any close connections to Peter Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina. You’d think, if brothers (half or not), they’d be close together on census, attending the same church, and sharing the same family connections. Isn’t that just strange?

I am looking back at the tax lists…Jonathan Vess disappeared from Patrick County, Virginia the same time as Samuel Vess! The last known record of them in Patrick County, Virginia, was on the 1795 tax list!

Do you think…maybe, Samuel and Jonathan Vess came down to Spartanburg County, South Carolina after 1795 from Patrick County, Virginia, and then Jonathan Vess went back up to Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1803, before making his way to Missouri? But, why leave Nathaniel Vess behind in South Carolina?

UNLESS, Nathaniel Vess has a different mother OR Nathaniel Vess is the youngest child of Samuel Vess of Patrick County, Virginia!

If Nathaniel Vess is the youngest child of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia, he would then, be the brother of Jonathan and Peter Vess of Patrick County, Virginia. AND, that would fit our family’s origin story referencing the three brothers: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess!

That would be wild, if true!



Let me know your thoughts on this theory in the comments.


That would explain, why autosomal DNA matches between the descendants of Peter and Nathaniel Vess are so distant from each other! They weren’t half brothers, but possibly uncle and nephew. It’s completely mis-leading to researchers, because Peter is slightly older than Nathaniel, but not entirely far fetched, because I know families, whose uncle and nephew / aunt and niece were born around the same time! It happens a lot in large families!

BUT…there is no evidence what so ever to say that this Samuel Vest in Spartanburg County, South Carolina is the same Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia. But, the “Vest” surname in a South Carolina county where Nathaniel Vess says he later join the militia, is super intriguing!

I do hope Samuel Vest in South Carolina has more records!


















New Peter Vess Record!

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I am always saying it! Just when I think there is nothing more to discover, I end up stumbling across something new!

This record is great, as it further supports a Vess-Crook connection.


In 2023, it was discovered, via genetic genealogy methods, that the maiden name of Peter’s wife, Catherine, is CROOK, instead of Cook. An incredible discovery that has opened the door to potential discoveries of Peter and Catherine’s earlier lives and family history.

Catherine Crook is the daughter of John E. Crook and Rachel Haynes of Rutherford County, North Carolina, with the Crook family also having ties to Buncombe County, North Carolina.

During the early 1800’s, John E. Crook, obtained land in Rutherford County, North Carolina, joining his in-laws property (Haynes) on Cove Creek near Broad River, close to Bill’s Creek Baptist Church.


In 1830, Zephaniah Crook, (son of John E. Crook, Catherine’s brother) obtained land joining his father’s land in Buncombe County, North Carolina (on the Swannanoa River), with the land record indicating that John E. Crook is deceased. I haven’t found any records as to what happened to his land; maybe it eventually transferred to Zephaniah.

In 1831, Peter Vess obtains land on Cedar Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina (later to become Buncombe County). Although Peter lived in Rutherford County, NC, he appears to have a connection to Burke County, North Carolina (later McDowell County), with his children having connections to both Burke and Buncombe County, suggesting possible early family ties to both counties.

Some of the earlier families of Burke County, NC eventually settled in the same general area as the Crook family, in Buncombe County (including the Souther family). There is a family relationship between Peter and these earlier families, but those specific relationships have yet to reveal itself. We also find Peter’s youngest children in Buncombe County, after Catherine’s death.

In 1835, Zephaniah Crook sells his property on Swannanoa River to Frederick Burnett. Peter Vess is listed as a witness. I had to do a double take, because the document is titled, Buncombe Deeds 1890, yet, the land record itself, is specifically dated 1835, not 1890. This isn’t entirely surprising, as I’ve uncovered records from much weirder places.


By researching Catherine’s family, we might be able to find clues to Peter’s past, as I would think they would have met through mutual families.

Jonathan Vess: Another Missouri Record

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I was able to dig up another record for Jonathan Vess in Lincoln County, Missouri.

This is exceptionally rare! I was not expecting to find any more records in Missouri, as records prior to 1830 in Missouri are extremely limited!

I found him, out of chance, in the Lincoln County, Missouri Probate Records. The date appears to be 1826, listed in a guardianship record for William Quinn, who was appointed guardian of Isiah Gilmore. William Quinn was ordered to pay bond to 3 men, Jonathan Vess, John “Hepperson,” and Chirstopher McVay, as securities.

In short, these men, usually close neighbors or family members, will be responsible for paying the bond with their own money, in the event, William Quinn were to mismanaged the funds for Isiah Gilmore. It’s my understanding, that this is kind of like an insurance policy for a child who inherited cash/property.

Unfortunately, none of these records seem to provide us any clues as to where Jonathan Vess was prior to 1825; which means, we’ve likely hit another brick wall!

However, it does appear that Christopher McVay and Jonathan Vess in the probate record with William Quinn might have been neighbors.

In 1825, Jonathan Vess obtained land from Alfred Gordon, whose property joined Benjamin Allen’s line. On the 1830 census (the first available census for Lincoln County, Missouri), shows Christopher McVay, listed next to Benjamin Allen, and John Quinn (possible relative of William Quinn). Had Jonathan Vess remained in Missouri after 1829, he probably would be listed on census in between Benjamin Allen and Christopher McVay.

While this strongly suggests he is neighbors with those listed on the probate record, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t be related to them either. Families often traveled in groups, and reside next to each other (or really close to each other). He could have a sister or older daughter, who might be married to one of his neighbors. Or, one of these neighbors could be a cousin.

We just don’t have enough information, to determine whether Jonathan Vess is a lone wolf in Missouri, or if he is following family.

Interestingly, I have been reviewing the Stephen F. Austin Registry of Families to see who else might have arrived in Texas the same time as Jonathan Vess in 1829 and so, far, I have found a John Brown, with his wife Nancy, who not only arrived in Texas in 1829, but also did their oath around the same time in December. Furthermore, I discovered a land record in Jackson County, Texas dated 1830 for a John Brown. I am curious, if this is the same John Brown from Missouri, and if so, what part of Missouri did Mr. Brown come from?

Of course, more research needs to go into this, but it’s the only lead I have for right now.








Vess Genealogy: Remarkable Discoveries Between 2020-2026

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Vess families have been pondering their family origins for generations, and in 2020, the journey to find out had official begun…

In 2020, when I started this genealogy adventure, I didn’t know my Vess family even came from North Carolina, let alone had been there for so many generations (over 200 years).

For all I knew, in all seriousness, our original Vess ancestors landed on America’s rocky west coast directly from Ireland (having taken the scenic route, I guess). I also didn’t know how to do genealogy, what in the world genetic genealogy was or how that worked, nor did I know my American history (rusty since high school). Furthermore, I never in a million years, imagined, I’d develop such a passion for genealogy itself!

In the last 6 six years, I’d say a lot has been accomplished in uncovering the history, lineages, and origins of the Vess family. None of which would be possible, without the Vess Family DNA Project admins, Michael Travers and Vincent Vess, the vast amount of Vess families (and those with similar surnames) sharing their own research with us, their incredible family stories, and providing consistent support and interest, motivating us to continue our research!

We Only Had Oral Tradition’s To Work With

In the beginning, we only had oral tradition’s to work with, on top of a handful of records that have been discover thus far.

We didn’t know Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama even existed, or that his family was related to the Peter Vess family. In the beginning, we were told that there were just only three brothers: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess. How many more early Vess families are left to be discovered?

The Vess family comes from three brothers from Ireland: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess, with Nathaniel believed to be a half brother. Jonathan settled in Virginia, Peter in North Carolina, and Nathaniel in South Carolina. No matter what lineage you talk to, everyone is adamant that the Vess surname is not their original surname. Jonathan married Elizabeth Heron, Peter married Catherine “Katie” Cook, and Nathaniel married Clarinda Bellew.


Below is a list of what has been discovered thus far, changing everything we were once told about the Vess family…

2020: Intro to Genetic Genealogy

🔲 A descendant of Willis Vess interestingly appears as a match on the R1a2 lineage (Y-DNA) with the Travers/Hays families.

🔲 Willis Vess is an unknown Vess, requiring further investigation.

🔲 It is eventually determined, by the end of the year, that the North Carolina Vess family (Haplogroup R) is unrelated to the early Virginia Vest family (Haplogroup I). This will become a valuable tool used to help sort out the different early Vess/Vest families.

🔲 It is determined, by reviewing available genealogical records for Nathaniel Vess, that he may have earlier connections specifically to Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina.

2021: The Vess Family DNA Project

🔲 A “Vess” family was discovered in Patrick County, Virginia (Deed record dated between 1790-1800).

🔲 We discovered that Willis Vess lived in Franklin County, Alabama and that he was born in North Carolina. He was extensively researched by genealogist Anna Popejoy, whose work was published in Whitlock Gleanings and FindAGrave.com.

🔲 We discovered Peter Vess and his family in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History,” by Helen M. Lu.



🔲 The Vess Family DNA Project was established.

🔲 Descendant of Peter Vess completed Y-DNA testing, resulting in a match to the R1a2 lineage with Willis Vess and Travers family. The match suggests, Peter and Willis Vess are related as part of the same Vess family.

🔲 Y-DNA results, reveal that Peter and Willis Vess are English in origin, and are descendants of the early Travers family of Lancashire, England (no specific lineage identified yet).

🔲 It is suggested that the the Vess surname might be a shortened version of TRAVIS (TRAVESS), a variant of the surname Travers.

🔲 The Vest family in White County, Tennessee peeks my interest, although there is no evidence to suggest a connection to the Vess family.

🔲 A family story about how the Vess family once adored a red-headed outlaw fascinates me, and leads me to explore a popular newspaper article about a William Vess and the auburn haired Great Western Land Pirate, John Murrell.

🔲 The DNA Triangulation Method directs our attention to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, suggesting a potential maternal Vess ancestor, requiring traditional genealogy methods to unearth records. The matches strongly suggest a connection more likely via ROSE, than Sparks or Parks.

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that Sarah Jane Vess, wife of Jackson Pressely, is not a descendant of Nathaniel Vess, but of Peter Vess, via son, John Vess and wife, Elizabeth Taylor.

🔲 More records for the Vess family in Patrick County, Virginia were uncovered, dating further back to 1782, with a William and Samuel Vess. In addition to marriage records for Peter Vess and Poignance Vaughn and Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron. Records reveal that the Vess family lived directly on the border of Henry/Patrick County, VA, on the Mayo River, near the Abraham Penn and George Hairston plantations.

2022 Wilkes County, North Carolina & Their Connection To Tennessee

🔲 We discovered Revolutionary War records under the “Vess” surname, via Samuel, William, and Col. Peter Vess, all from Dunmore County (now Shenandoah County), Virginia.

🔲 We discovered, a “Vest/Vess” family in Wilkes County, North Carolina, while researching the Sparks, Parks, and Rose families. These families include: Peter, Pryor, William, Jonathan, and Absalom.

🔲 Records suggest a potential DODSON family connection to the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, North Carolina. We see them as neighbors in Patrick County, VA, prior to seeing them again as neighbors in White County, TN. They are also related to the earlier Whitlock family.

2023: Irish Traditions Influenced By Crook Family

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the true maiden name of Peter’s wife, Catherine, is CROOK, not Cook.

🔲 We discovered, through traditional and genetic genealogy, that John Vess (son of Peter Vess) has a son named William River Vess.

🔲 We discovered, through land records, that the wife of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia is named Catherine.

🔲 We discovered, through newspaper articles, that Pryor Vest in Tennessee died a horrific death in 1831, while in jail.

🔲 We discovered even more earlier “Vess” records, via William and James Vess of Loudoun County, Virginia dated between 1760-1770.

🔲 We discovered, through traditional genealogy methods, that Peter’s wife, Catherine is of Irish descent. Her parents are John Emmanuel Crook and Rachel Haynes. The father of Rachel Haynes, William Haynes, is said to be the first pastor of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church, in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: 200 Year History,” by Helen M. Lu. John Emmanuel Crook, is the illegitimate child of Andrew Crook(s) from Ireland. It is observed that all of Peter’s children are named after those on Catherine’s side of the family, suggesting our Irish traditions may stem from her side of the family.

2024: Exploring The Individual Vess/Vest Families

🔲 We begin to discover that the Vest family in Wilkes County, North Carolina also have records under the “Vess” surname, which are often used interchangeably.

🔲 We discovered records, revealing that Peter Vess in Patrick County, Virginia, is Peter Vest, in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records, revealing the life of Absalom Vest (Vess) and his wife, Hannah Raymond (believed to be Reynolds).

🔲 We noticed that Peter Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina has an unusual amount of records involving the Souther family, the same Souther family we see next to Absalom Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records in White County, Tennessee showing Peter Vess and Willis Vess together, transferring land to Zachariah Simmons. This record, among previous ones, suggests, Peter, Pryor, William, and Willis are part of the same Vest/Vess family from Wilkes County, North Carolina/ Patrick County, Virginia.

🔲 We discovered Pyror Vest has a history of causing trouble, with a growing list of court-records regarding assaults and affrays (disturbing the peace). These records often involve William and Peter Vess.

🔲 We discovered an additional “Vess” in White County, Tennessee, via James Vess, on tax lists with Willis and William Vest/Vess.

2025: Unexpected Discoveries

🔲 We discovered that Jonathan Vess in Jackson County, Texas, has a Will, but is only available in-person – not online.

🔲 A further look at the Stephen F. Austin Register of Families, for Jonathan Vess in Texas, state he came from Missouri, not South Carolina, as often told. The record also states he arrived with 2 children and 4 dependents, suggesting the children we were told he had, may not all be his biological children.

🔲 We discovered, through genealogical records, that the 3 youngest children of Jonathan Vess are actually the children of William Vess.

🔲 We discovered a court record in Buncombe County, North Carolina, that two children of John Vess (son of Peter Vess) were adopted by a Souther.

🔲 We discover court records in Henry County, Virginia, that Pryor and William Vest in White County, Tennessee are in fact, Pryor and William “Vess.” This led to discovering other Tennessee records under the “Vess” surname.

🔲 We discovered a court-record, suggesting Catherine’s full name, may be “Eleanor Catherine Crook.”

🔲 We discovered land and court-records for Nathaniel Vess in Haywood County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records that tell us that Peter Vess, while a resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina, went to church and estate sales in Burke County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered further evidence to suggest Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama may likely be related to Pryor and William Vess in White County, Tennessee.

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the Vess family has DODSON matches, in addition to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE matches. This suggests the Vess family may have a maternal ancestor related to one of these families. It is strongly suggested, that it might be specifically via a DODSON/ROSE family.

Interestingly, there just so happens to be a DODSON-ROSE family, from Richmond, Virginia, who are related to the DODSON families in Patrick County, Virginia. Furthermore, Absalom Vess is a witness to a land record, in Wilkes County, NC, for a DODSON, who is a direct descendant of the DODSON-ROSE line.

2026: Entering A New Chapter

🔲 We discovered a land record for Jonathan Vess in Lincoln County, Missouri dated 1825, mentioning his 2 sons, William and Lofton Vess.

Conclusion

Perhaps we finally have enough records to start piecing together a more comprehensive picture of the earlier Vess families, and hopefully, it may lead to new discoveries!

Please be sure to follow this blog, as we enter a new chapter in Vess Genealogy!!









Johnathan Vess: I Finally Found Him In Missouri

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

Jonathan and Elizabeth Vess of Jackson County, Texas.

We’ve all been told that Jonathan and Elizabeth Vess arrived in Texas from South Carolina, but according to Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, it was Missouri.

In 1829, at the age of 50, according to the Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, Jonathan and his wife, with 2 children and 4 dependents arrived in Texas from Missouri. Unfortunately, if they came from Missouri, there are no census records for Missouri prior to 1830.

There are other earlier Missouri records available, but who knows where to start! Texas genealogical records doesn’t give us any clues, as to which area in Missouri to even start looking for Vess families. In fact, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But, wouldn’t you believe, that Jonathan Vess has a record in Missouri, under the VESS surname! It wasn’t easy to locate though, because the record is indexed under the surname WEST, even though it clearly reads VESS.

Using AI to Track Down Jonathan Vess In Missouri

Jonathan Vess has a land record in Lincoln County, Missouri, dated 1825.

I used AI to search indexed records under the name “Jonathan West” in Missouri, as “West” seems to be another variant of Vess, as seen in Peter Vess records in Wilkes Co. NC between 1800-1803.

Remarkably, it pulled a deed record that read Jonathan “Vess.”

Jonathan Vess acquired land from Alfred Gordon in 1825. The description box for the property states “see record,” which suggests there might be another record available for this transaction.

Using AI again, nothing came up under the name Jonathan “West,” or under any of the usual variants of Vess. There weren’t any results under the name Alfred Gordon either.

However, the first record did provide us with a Book and page number for the record detailing the description of the property. Generally, not all books are available online though. If they are, they are sometimes locked, requiring a trip to the library to unlock it. And even then, it doesn’t mean it’s on the correct page.

Luckily for us, the Book was available online and the record was exactly where it should be: Book C pg. 387 (continued on pg. 388). A land record between Alfred Gordon and Jonathan Vess, with the Vess surname written in Old English (Vefs).

The description of the property doesn’t identify a river or township, just marked by coordinates, trees, and joining neighbors, Alfred Gordon and John Ezells, neither who sound familiar to me.

Now, the next question is….
How are we sure this is the same Jonathan Vess in Jackson County, Texas?

Jonathan, William, and Lofton Vess In Missouri Together

Luckily for us, the record specifically states William and Lofton Vess are the “2 sons” of Jonathan Vess. Good thing “Lofton” isn’t a common name.

In Jackson County, Texas, we have records of a William and Lofton Vess. William married Minerva Millican in 1835, and Lofton married Mary Ann Ryan in 1837.

Interestingly, Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas with 2 children and 4 dependents, which I assumed his 2 children were William and Mary Lorena; but perhaps those 2 children were in fact, William and Lofton Vess.

Which if true, would mean, the “4 dependents,” would be the girls: Mary Lorena, Malinda, Sarah Ann, and Louisa Elizabeth. In my opinion, I still strongly believe the “4 dependents” could be grandchildren of Johnathan Vess, from a deceased child, as Jonathan arrived in Texas at the age of 50. It will be interesting to find out their lineage, if possible.

South Carolina

This Missouri record tells us that Jonathan Vess and his family were in Missouri between 1825 and 1829, prior to settling in Texas. So, where was he prior to 1825?

I am still looking for early Vess records in South Carolina. Not only is the Vess family adamant Jonathan Vess was there (at some point), we’ve found later genealogical records of at least 2 “Vess” families, claiming to have been born in South Carolina prior to 1820.

There are no VESS records prior to 1830 in South Carolina. So who are these later Vess families related to, that was in South Carolina prior to 1830!

I am curious to find out!

Citation:

“Lincoln, Missouri, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://

http://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH9-H9Z5-C?view=fullText : Feb 7,

2026), image 209 of 605; Lincoln County (Missouri). Recorder of Deeds.

Image Group Number: 007903817

Peter Vess: A New Burke County Record

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Burke County, North Carolina is interesting, because many families in Wilkes County, North Carolina relocated to this area after 1800, including our families of DNA interest: the Rose, Parks, and Sparks families. But, so did the Souther family, who were once close neighbors of Absalom Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Peter Vess seems to have a connection with some of the Wilkes County, NC families in Burke County, NC, but whatever those connections are specifically, have yet to reveal itself…

I found a new Burke County record, dated 1833, with Peter Vess listed on the “Sale of the Estate of Moses Noblitt/ Noblett,” having obtained an ax and a saw from the sale. Also listed, but not the least surprising, is also John Souther. Another record with Vess and Souther.

You can find Noblitt/Noblett on the Vess Family tree, but the connection is generations later, via sisters, Lola Mae Vess and Mattie Vess, daughters of Alfred Vess and Nancy Banther (descendants of Andrew Logan Vess). They married Noblitt cousins, related to the earlier Noblitt family of Burke County, NC.

Moses Noblitt lived on Crooked Creek. In 1831, he added 5 acres to his existing property next to the Davis family. This is interesting for several reasons:

The Vess and Davis families have a long oral history of being old close families, but no one seems to know their history together. We don’t have a lot of Davis-Vess connections on the family tree. Yet, Andrew Logan Vess is buried in the Davistown Free-Will Baptist Church cemetery, that used to be a private cemetery for the Davis family.

Michael Souther, from Wilkes County, North Carolina obtained land in 1801 on Crooked Creek. This makes me wonder if Peter Vess could have also been on Crooked Creek prior to 1820.

Other interesting families on Crooked Creek include the Burgin, Bird, Bellew, and Crawford families:

a) Burgin and Bird are some of my earlier ancestors via my 2nd great grandmother, Cora Nevada Moffitt, wife of Pinkney Vess (son of Andrew Logan Vess).

b) The Burgin family was a prominent family in North Carolina, with large tracts of land and plantations, who were also involved in politics. A website during the early 2000’s, mentioned Burgin having a “Vess” servant, which has been long since deleted (I never saved a copy). If not a man named “Vess,” I do not know what a “Vess” servant could mean. But the idea of Peter having been an indentured servant is not new.

c) Jesse Souther, brother of Michael Souther, came to Burke County after 1810 and appears on record near the Burgin, Bird, and Bellew families.

d) Bellew interests me, because we don’t exactly know (100% for sure) the origins of Nathaniel Vess and Clarinda Bellew.

e) Crawford interests me, because I share DNA matches with Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama via a Crawford connection – which is bizarre, as the Willis Vess family, to the best of my knowledge, has never been to Burke, Rutherford, or Buncombe County.

Peter Vess obtained land on Cedar Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina in 1831. This property is located in the Broad River Township, which is sandwiched in between Buncombe and Burke County. Peter’s property is close to the Crooked Creek area, where we are finding records of him in Burke County.


There is so much more to explore in Burke County, North Carolina; especially, in the Crooked Creek area (now McDowell Co), as many of those families later relocated to Buncombe County, where we have more Vess connections.

Citation:
“Burke, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G1KJ-Q5J?view=explore : Jul 24, 2025), image 1618 of 2131; North Carolina. Division of Archives and History. Image Group Number: 005274805

Pardon The Mess: Motivation In Progress

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Summers are generally when I take a break from genealogy.

But, this summer, I’ve been steadily busy uncovering new Vess-related records! So many new records, to the point, I realized that this website needs a major update!!

Also, I think I am finally ready to blog again!
I’ve had a serious writers block since 2023, preventing me from keeping readers up to-date on new discoveries. I mean, the research never stopped, just the posts.

At some point, I had lost direction and a lot of motivation.

There came a point when I truly thought the older Vess generation was right and that I probably should just “let dead dogs lie.”

That dreadful thought that the Vess Genealogy adventure was finally coming to an end, where there just simply wasn’t anything more to discover…

But, I reminded myself, this research exists because I refuse to let dead dogs lie. I will continue to dig up all those old dead dogs and see what secrets they hide!

And that is exactly what I’ve been doing all summer!

In the coming months, I hope to begin a weekly blog, keeping readers and family researchers up to date on new family discoveries, the continued effort in uncovering earlier Vess ancestors, and sharing my passion for the world of genealogy!

Please be sure to subscribe, to receive those discoveries directly to your inbox!












































New: Wilkes County, NC Vest Record

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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?




Following The Souther Family

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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!