Peter Vess

Uncovering The Life of Andrew Crook

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Andrew Crook is the grandfather of Catherine “Katie” Crook, wife of Peter Vess. He was born in Ireland probably around the late 1750’s. It is not known when he left Ireland, but we do know he was in North Carolina between 1804-1814.

According to his probate record (1814), he has one “illegitimate” son named John Emmanuel Crook (mother unknown) and one daughter named Mildred Arthur Creighton Crook (with Sarah Baber).

Buncombe County, NC Gap Creek

The earliest record we have for Andrew Crook is his land records dated 1804 on Gap Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

In 1804, he obtained land on Gap Creek from Jesse Norton (acreage not specified). Then, in 1805 (issued 1804), he obtained 100 acres of land on Gap Creek, joining the property of William Henry and William Mills. (Wit. J. Paris and Wm Justice)

  • Ancestry.com, North Carolina, U.S., Land Grant Files, 1693-1960

Rutherford County, NC Cleghorn Creek

About 1806, Andrew Crook relocated to Rutherford County, North Carolina, where he married Sarah (Sally) Baber, the daughter of James Baber and Mildred Arthur. According to Baberfamilytree.org, their marriage was short, as Andrew died in 1814. They only had one child together, named Mildred Arthur Creighton Crook, born in 1810.

Andrew’s son, John Emmanuel Crook and his wife Rachel Haynes, (parents of Catherine “Katie” Crook) was already living in Rutherford County at the time. They are listed on the 1800 Rutherford Co. census (5 family members). The data on census correlates with the ages of family members who would have been alive during that time. John and Rachel were likely married sometime before 1790 in Rutherford County, NC.

Rachel’s father, William Haynes, is believed to be the first pastor at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church. They lived on Cove Creek. In December 1804 (entered Jan 1803), John Crook obtained 100 acres of land, joining his in-law’s property (William Haynes) on Cove Creek.

We do see Andrew Crook on census in 1810, with his wife Sarah Baber and daughter Mildred. He owned slaves and other records reveal that he lived on Cleghorn Creek.

In 1808, he sold 50 acres of his Buncombe County property on Gap Creek to William Staton, and it appears the rest of the property was then sold to William Justice in 1813 (finalized in 1815).

In 1809, Andrew obtain land on Cleghorn Creek from J. Miller (acreage not specified). He then, obtained an additional 95 acres on Cleghorn Creek from Anthony Dickey in 1811. This property was then sold by the “executors of Andrew Crook” in 1817 and 1820.

Broad River Basin Map
FindAGrave.com

Andrew Crook died in Rutherford County, NC in 1814 and is buried in the Twitty-Miller family cemetery (Rutherford County, North Carolina).

Interestingly, Andrew Crook is the only Crook to be buried in the Twitty-Miller family cemetery, suggesting to me, he may have family connections with them. Specifically, with the Miller family, as cemetery mapping indicates he is buried outside the fence with the Miller family, not Twitty family.

Col. Issac Craton – Possible Miller/Twitty Connection

According to family sources, Andrew Crooks mother was a “Creighton.” Hence, his daughter’s full name is Mildred Arthur Creighton Crook.

In Rutherford County, NC we have a Col. Issac “Craton.” Not only is his surname similar to Creighton, but he married a Miller (Elizabeth “Betsey” Miller), and is also listed as a witness on several marriage records for John Crook’s children. Coincidence??

Elizabeth “Betsey” Miller is the daughter of John Miller and Susanah Bell Twitty, granddaughter of the prominent land owner, David Miller! Many earlier residents of Rutherford County and Buncombe County, obtained their land from David Miller.

The Miller and Twitty families (mostly the Miller family) also owned land on Cleghorn Creek in Rutherford County, NC. I am curious if Andrew Crook obtained his land on Cleghorn Creek in 1809 from “John” Miller (listed as J. Miller)?

Now, according to Isaac’s newspaper obituary, family and friends believed he came from Guilford County, NC. This is interesting to me, because we do have a Crook family from Guilford / Rowan County who eventually settled in White County, TN with the Goolsby family. I wonder if there could be a connection?

Andrew’s mother is believed to be a Creighton, so could Andrew Crook and Issac Craton be related? Cousins or perhaps, uncle/nephew? What is Andrew’s connection to the Twitty-Miller family? Was John Emmanuel Crook’s mother a Miller? Or is Andrew Crook buried with the Miller family, because of a family connection to Issac Craton, husband of Elizabeth Miller? So many questions!

Sources:

Ancestry.com, North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Index, 1741-2004
Ancestry.com, North Carolina, U.S., Land Grant Files, 1693-1960
Familysearch.org, Buncombe County, Grantors Index 1789-1889
Familysearch.org, Rutherford County, Deeds v. 6-8 1800-1808
Newspaper.com
FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Archives and History; Montgomery, AL; Alabama Surname Files; Box or Film Number: M84-4563























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!

















New: Willis & Peter Vess Tennessee Records

/ J. L. / Leave a comment

Pryor, William, and Peter Vest/Vess from Wilkes County, North Carolina settled in White County, Tennessee after 1810.

Peter Vest appears on the 1820 & 1830 census, near the Dodson, Hodges, and Medley families. Willis Vess/Vest only appears in land records (1831 & 1837), shown to join property with the Dodson (Daniel Dodson) and Medley families. This property is located on the south mountain side of Caney Fork, which later becomes Van Buren county in 1840.

The property is located in an area known as Sparkmantown. For the longest time, it consisted of the Vess, Simmons, Dodson, Sparkman, and Medley families.

This is the same Dodson family from Surry County, NC census records, near the Rose, Parks, and Whitlock families, mentioned in an earlier post, Following The DNA Evidence Part 1. They are also related to the same Dodson family who lived next to Peter and William Vess in Patrick County, Virginia prior to 1800.

In 2022, I discovered a land record between “Willie” Vess and Zachariah Simmons in Van Buren County, Tennessee dated 1846.

It NEVER once occurred to me there was a page number on that record!

With the page number, I was able to find the entire record and lo and behold: WILLIS VESS & PETER VESS!

This record includes Willis Vess, Peter Vess, Zachariah Simmons, and Daniel Dotson (Dodson). 1830’s records show Willis Vess joining land with Daniel Dodson in White County prior to it becoming Van Buren County in 1840. So, this is the same Vest/Vess family.

Additional Willis Vess Records: Tax Lists

Willis Vess is listed on the Van Buren tax records (District 2) between 1840-1842.
Interestingly, despite numerous land and tax records, Willis Vess never shows up on census.

Peter, Willis, and William Vess: Franklin County, Alabama

The question still remains – is this Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama?

Willis Vess, husband of Telithia Whitlock, first appear in the 1830 Franklin County, Alabama census. While, there are land records for a “Willis Vess” in White County/Van Buren County in 1831, 1837, and 1846. Could Willis Vess have obtained land in two different states?

Interestingly, we also find a record for a Peter Vess in Alabama. It is a newspaper article, dated 1840, announcing mail left at the Russellville Post Office. This is the same Post Office for Willis Vess per his 1860 Franklin Co. Alabama census record.

Simon Peter Vess (son of Willis Vess) had not been born yet. So, if this is not him, could this be Peter Vess from White County /Van Buren County, Tennessee?

William R Vess, Unidentified Son of Willis Vess

Furthermore, who is “William Vess” listed as “heir” on the Alabama land record for Willis Vess dated 1858.

Could this be William R Vest from Van Buren, Tennessee who is seen on the 1850 census with the William Dodson family? The 1850 census states he lived in District 2, which is the same district we find earlier tax records for Willis Vess (between 1840-1842).

Peter Vess in the 1830 White County, TN census is listed between 50-59 years old; so could Willis Vess in Van Buren County, TN be the son of Peter Vess from Wilkes County, North Carolina? And, could they be the same Peter and Willis Vess, associated with the Russellville Post Office in Alabama?!

Circumstantial evidence seems to suggest it, but we need more records and/or DNA testing to further support it!








Kick Off To Another Season of Vess Genealogy

/ J. L. / Leave a comment

Oh WOW! Summer is officially over!!

For those of you who have been following this site, posts are pretty rare during the summer season.

The summer is when I rejoin the living, with my head out of the past and my toes in the sand! 🙂 BUT, that doesn’t mean Vess Genealogy goes on vacation too…NO WAY!

I post little genealogy nuggets here and there all year round on our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group! Posts often include newspaper articles, recently discovered records, family pictures, stories, DNA updates, and of course, some genealogy humor!

I am excited to announce that we have 270 members in our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group! Members include descendants of PETER VESS of Rutherford County, North Carolina, WILLIS VESS of Franklin County, Alabama, JONATHAN VESS of Jackson County, Texas, NATHANIEL VESS of South Carolina, as well as descendants of the Vess family of ROCKBRIDGE County, Virginia!

To join our FB group, click here!

DNA NEWS


VESS DNA Testing

We have an ACTIVE Vess Family DNA Project!
This project includes Autosomal and Y-DNA testers!

We continue to seek BIG Y-DNA testers for the Willis Vess, Jonathan Vess, and Nathaniel Vess lineages, as well as Vess/Vest descendants of unknown ancestry. We do not need any more Y-DNA testers for the Peter Vess/Andrew Logan Vess line.

Requirements for Y-DNA testing: Direct male descendant with the VESS or VEST surname.

If interested in BIG-Y Testing, please contact me via FB Group or vessgenealogy@gmail.com.


TRAVERS DNA Testing

A Big-Y test for an American TRAVIS line was submitted – waiting updates.

We continue to seek Y-DNA testers for the TRAVERS/TRAVIS family, whose Y-DNA testing can help us determine how the TRAVERS and VESS families are actually related to each other, and possibly help the Vess family uncover more early VESS ancestors and family history!

Requirements for Y-DNA testing: Direct male descendant with the TRAVERS or TRAVIS surname.

Research News

Last season, I felt like I had exhausted all the research resources available at that time. It was really discouraging. However, new genealogy records are uploaded every day and I am told new records have been added to Familysearch.org. I also have a few leads that may help me uncover some new family records! It’s just a matter of taking the time and effort to dig them up!!

The recent discovery, by Vincent Vess, that Catherine Cook is in fact a CROOK has led to so many new intriguing discoveries!! I can’t wait to share them this season!

I am still working on the Willis Vess family tree – it’s a bit complicated. But, we’ll get there! If you have any lineage information to share, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com or message me via FB Group.

And this season… I will begin to really explore the early TRAVERS/TRAVIS families!

Help Us With Content & Research

I am always looking for more ancestor content (for my Featured Ancestor page) and new information to help further Vess family research!

If you have any information to further research or any family stories / pictures to share on this site, please email me at vessgenealogy@gmail.com or feel free to share them on our Vess Genealogy Facebook Group.

Furthermore, please pass the word about our Vess Family DNA Project! DNA genealogy is helping us bust through Vess genealogy brick walls! We welcome everyone to participate – Autosomal testers (anyone related to Vess) and Y-DNA testers (direct male descendants with the Vess surname). Our project is through FamilyTreeDNA.com

This site has been created to explore, share, and preserve Vess family history! It has also been created to help other family researchers with their own research.

Lastly, please share our research respectfully, by properly acknowledging us by citing thevessname.com as a source. Thanks! 🙂  











Following The DNA Evidence: Part 1

/ J. L. / 1 Comment

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)…


































Belinda Vess: 1860 Marriage Rutherford Co. NC

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According to Vess family records and the 1850 census, we know Peter and Catherine Vess had 10 children: John, Josiah, Andrew, Alfred, Rachel, Eliza, Alexander, Elizabeth, Zephaniah, and Jasper.

So, who in the world is “Belinda” Vess on the Rutherford County, NC marriage record with Isaac M. Bradley Jr. in 1860?

In 1860, the Vess family have split ways.

John is divorced and lives out of state (whereabouts unknown), with his children living with their mother in Henderson Co. with Joshua Souther.

Alfred is also out of state, in Georgia, married to Mary McFarland from South Carolina.

Josiah is missing from census, but his family is still in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

Andrew is married to Lucy Halford and is living next to Josiahs brother-in-laws (James and Drury Early) in Broad River, Rutherford Co. NC.

Alexander is also missing from the 1860 census, but marriage records show he married Martha Wilkerson in December of 1860 in McDowell County.

Rachel, Eliza, and Jasper are living with Dempsey Sumners in Buncombe County. Rachel will stay with Dempsey until she is about 40 years old and Jasper will eventually inherit Dempsey’s property, taking in Eliza.

Zephaniah is living with Noah Whitesides in Buffalo Creek, Rutherford County, NC near Issac Conner (uncle of Andrew’s future wife, Synthia Conner).

However, we do not know what became of Elizabeth…

She may have passed away after 1850, or most likely she got married in between census and was lost due to a name change. It is also possible that she may have married Issac M. Bradley Jr., under a middle or nickname.

The bondsman listed on the marriage record between Issac M. Bradley Jr. and Belinda Vess is N. H. P. Whitesides. That is Noah H. Patterson Whitesides, who took in Zephaniah Vess on the 1860 Rutherford County census in Buffalo Creek.

There are several Bradley families on Buffalo Creek with Noah Whitesides. There is an Issac Bradley, son of Absalom Bradley, who would be the same age as Elizabeth; however, I do not see any “Belinda’s” on census nor any Elizabeth’s who would be around Elizabeth’s age (of course that doesn’t mean she isn’t there). Bradley family trees and history sites do not seem to mention a Bradley-Vess family (most sources focus on a Issac Bradley Jr. -Ledbetter family).

Hopefully, with a little more digging, we will be able to identify this mysterious “Belinda” Vess.






Peter & Peggy: A Look At Census Records

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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. L. / 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! 

Plummley: Is There A Connection?

/ J. L. / 1 Comment

Last year, in my Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap post, I mentioned the SOUTHER family and their intriguing close connections to the VESS family. I have yet to determine whether or not they are kin or just a bunch of coincidences. 

• Souther and Vest/Vess families in Brushy Mountain community in Wilkes County, North Carolina (1805 & 1830). 
• Souther family were members of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church same time as Peter and Catherine Vess (between 1828-1836).
• Souther family obtained Peter’s land (1842)
• Souther married Elizabeth Taylor, ex-wife of John Vess, son of Peter Vess (1854).
• Souther is listed next to Rachel Crook, Catherine’s mother on the Buncombe Co. census (1830). 

Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap

When researching Vess genealogy, I read a lot of records (AND I MEAN A LOT) and PLUMMLEY is another name just as intriguing as SOUTHER….as it too seems to follow the VESS name! 


Plummley/Plumlee/Plumly Family: NC, SC, & TN

In 1824, Prior VEST in White County, TN obtained land on Caney Fork, joining the PLUMLEYS line. On the 1830 White County, Tennessee census, there is a Lucy VEST (believed to be the wife of Pryor Vest), listed on the same page as Joel and Denton PLUMMLEY (sons of Issac Plummley). 

In the 1830, Rutherford County, North Carolina census, Nathaniel VESS (NESS) and father-in-law John BELLEW, are listed next to Constant PLUMMLEY. 

Constant PLUMMLEY is the son of William PLUMMLEY Jr. & Hester O’NEAL. Wiliam’s parents are William PLUMLEE Sr. and Phoebe DENTON (remember Denton Plummley mentioned earlier). William’s brother is Issac Plummley, (Constant’s uncle) who settled in White County, Tennessee. 

William Plummley Jr. died in Glassy Mountain, Greenville County, South Carolina in 1830. Glassy Mountain is where I strongly believe Nathaniel Vess met Clarinda Bellew, as the Bellew and Gosnell families were prominent families in that area at that time.

Furthermore, on the 1830 census for Greenville, South Carolina (which also includes the Plummley family) is a mysterious “Polly Vess.” 

Interestingly, the wife of William Plummley Sr, Phoebe Denton, comes from Shenandoah County (once Dunmore Co.), Virginia. Her parents are Abraham Denton and Sarah O’Dell. 

Her father listed her (as Plumbly) in his 1774 will, made in the “County of Dunmore.” 

Interestingly, there are “VESS” records in Dunmore county, as early as 1775, via Samuel and William Vess. 

Now interestedly, according to family history published on Ancestry.com, posted 29 Feb 2012 titled, “Captain” Abraham Denton, 1700-1774,” the Denton family had issues with the law prior to moving to Dunmore County, VA. Would that consider them as “outlaws,” and if so… any connection to our family story about an O’Donnell & O’Neil outlaw? Could O’Donnell have been O’Dell and could O’Neil be referencing Hester O’Neils family? Or again, just all coincidence?

I look forward to researching this family further; maybe it will lead me to another “Vess” record!

Updated Map of “Vess” Records

/ J. L.



I’ve plotted all the locations and dates we find “Vess” records. We now have an interesting timeline which shows the VESS/VEST family starting in Loundoun Co./ Dunmore Co. Virginia, going straight through Rockbridge Co. Virginia to Henry/Partick County, Virginia (once Pittsylvania Co). then onto Wilkes County, North Carolina, where they then appear to split up after 1810. By 1830, there is a Vess family in Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. 

In all these areas where we have found VESS records, we also see the same family with records under the VEST name. Both names (VESS & VEST) were used interchangeably until 1830, with an occasional record of VOSS, VASS, and VERT in between. 

What seems to be a reasonable rule of thumb when trying to sort out VESS families from other families of similar surnames, is the presence of the VESS name and how frequently it is used by a specific group of VESS/VEST families. You may come across a VESS record for the VEST family, but it is very rare. However, please note that it has been documented that some (1-2) VEST lineages from the Chesterfield Co. Virginia VEST family, did take on the VESS name, which appears to have occurred after 1850. And, we still do not know if the Rockbridge County, VA VESS family is VEST, WEST, or maybe VERT. 

Y-DNA testing is the best way to help us further sort out the different VESS, VEST, VOSS, VASS, and VERT families. Y-DNA testing with family trees, can tell us their Haplogroup and the areas in which that Haplogroup once occupied. 

Time Line

Below, I have included a timeline, that includes the location, family, and source of their “Vess” record.

  • 1770-1774 Loundoun Co. VA (not on map)
    James and William Vess

    Virginia County Court Records Tithables Loudoun County Virginia 1770-1774

  • 1758-1786 Loundoun Co. VA (not on map)
    James and William Vess

    Conrad “VERT” listed in the same record. The son of Conrad Vert, is Adam Vert. Adam Vert later appears in Rockbridge County, VA tax records, prior to Samuel & Hiram Vess.  

    Index of Volume 2: LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA TITHABLES, 1758-1786” by Marty Hiatt & Craig Roberts Scott. 1994,2011

  • 1777-1779 Dunmore County, VA / Frederick Co. VA
    Samuel (wife Ann), Peter, and William Vess

    Ancestry.com (Revolutionary War records)│Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Digital Collections (Vass record) *site deactivated Sept. 30, 2023

  • 1773 & 1782 -1800 Pittslyvania Co. into Henry Co into Patrick Co. VA
    Betty Vess, Samuel (wife Catherine), Jonathan (wife Elizabeth Heron), Peter (wife Pugnance Vaughn), Sarah, and William Vess

    Ancestry.com (marriage records), Familysearch.org (tax lists & land records)│UsGenWeb Archives (Patrick County, Deed List) │Descendants of Henry Mullins, by Charles Owens

  • 1810-1850+ Rockbridge Co. VA
    Samuel & Hiram Vess (origins unknown)

    Ancestry.com (census records)│Familysearch.org (tax lists)

  • 1790 & 1805-1810 Wilkes County, NC
    William, Pryor, Absalom, Jonathan, and Peter Vess

    Wilkes County, NC Pleas & Quarter Sessions Court Minutes 1795-1805 & 1805-1810, Transcribed by John A. McGreachy │Ancestry.com (1790 & 1810, 1820, & 1830 census, War of 1812 record) │Familysearch.org (court records & tax lists)

  • 1814-1840 White Co. & Van Buren Co. TN
    Pryor, William, Peter, and Willis Vess

    Ancestry.com (1820, 1830, 1840 census & land records)

  • 1820 -1850+ Rutherford Co. NC (including Burke & Haywood Co)
    Peter and Nathaniel Vess

    Ancestry.com (1820, 1830, 1840+ census, land records) │Familysearch.org (court records), North Carolina Land Grants & Images

  • 1820-1850+ Jackson County, TX
    Jonathan Vess

    Ancestry.com (census) │Texas Historical Association (Land grant, bios, Stephen F. Austin Register of Families)

  • 1830 -1850+ Franklin County, AL
    Willis, Peter, and John Vess

    Ancestry.com (census & land grants) │AlGenWeb (plat map)│Newspaper.com (Peter Vess) │Familysearch.org (1820 census)

  • 1830 Greenville, South Carolina
    Polly Vess

    Ancestry.com (census)

  • 1850 -1860 Abbeville County, Saulda, South Carolina
    John Vess (husband of Drucilla Turner, father of James Vess). 
    And, 1850 only, William Vess and John Vess, possible brothers.

    Ancestry.com (census)