Vess

Peter Vess: A New Burke County Record

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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

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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!












































Jonathan Vess: Missouri

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According to the Stephen F. Austin’s Register of Families, Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas in 1829 from Missouri.

Stories about Jonathan Vess never mention Missouri, as it has been long believed he came from South Carolina.

So, let’s do some research!

Vess/Vest Records

Early Vess records often alternate between the VESS, VOSS and VEST surnames. We see it in records for the early Vess/Vest families in Patrick County, Virginia, early Vest/Vess families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and early records for our known ancestors like Peter and Willis Vess.

The VESS surname didn’t really stick until after 1840.

This consistent use of alternating names in early records helps us identify “potential” VESS ancestors to further research. We cannot immediately assume they are VESS, but it has become an efficient tool in looking for Vess-related records that may be under a similar surname.

Jonathan – Not As Popular As John

Fortunately for us, Jonathan Vess appears to have preferred the name “Jonathan” over “John,” which vastly narrows down the search field for potential records.

Interestingly, Jonathan, as a first name, doesn’t seem as popular as the first name, John. Indexed searches for Jonathan on Ancestry.com, in general, regardless the surname, still returns just a couple of pages of results – making it extremely easy to browse through!

Military Records

I came across two military records – one for Jonathan VESS (Rangers, United States Volunteers) and another for Jonathan VEST (Capt. Collard’s Co. Louisiana Militia).

I am very confident these records refer to the same individual, but further research is needed, because there are no stories that Jonathan Vess ever went to Missouri, let alone Louisiana!

Interesting Military History: War of 1812

It turns out that, Capt. Collard’s “Louisiana Militia” is sort of misleading on this record for Jonathan Vest. It’s not Louisiana as we know it today.



Elijah Simmons Collard started out as a private in the Upper Louisiana Militia, an area that was known as Haute-Louisiane (aka Illinois Country), which included Missouri territory. He then became Captain of the “Missouri” Militia.

Jonathan VEST is listed as a private under Captain Collard’s Company, which if Collard was “captain” at that time, this would likely include the Missouri Militia.

There is also a military record for Jonathan VESS as a Ranger.
Rangers were volunteers, and they came out of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. As you can see on the map above, those states appear to be located in Upper Louisiana.

The Capt. Collard’s Co. record for Jonathan Vest likely refers to the Battle of New Orleans (1815), which included volunteers (Rangers) and militia’s.

Jonathan Vest is listed as a Louisiana solider for the Battle of New Orleans. However, there doesn’t seem to be a record of him, on official military lists regarding that battle, suggesting he was likely a volunteer. Which is probably why there are two War of 1812 records for him – one regarding the Battle of New Orleans and the other stating he is a Ranger.

Building A TimeLine To Search For More Records

Given the history of the Rangers and Capt. Elijah Simmons Collard, I suspect Jonathan Vess was not a resident of Louisiana during the Battle of Orleans, but a resident somewhere in Upper Louisiana (Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois area).

While records for Jonathan Vess appear scarce, these military records give us a further look at where he might have been in between his marriage in 1792 in Virginia (to Elizabeth Heron) and his arrival to Texas in 1829, allowing us to narrow our search for more records.

As for his connection to South Carolina, I am still researching!

  • 1792 Patrick County, Virginia Marriage
    Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron

  • 1795 Patrick County, Virginia Tax List
    Jonathan Vess

  • 1803 Wilkes County, North Carolina Jury Duty
    Jonathan Vess

  • 1805 Wilkes County, North Carolina Land Record
    Jonathan Vess/Vest Witness to land record between Nathan Duncan & John Fletcher Jr.

  • War of 1812 Records
    Jonathan Vess (Ranger)
    Jonathan Vest (Capt. Collard Louisiana Militia) Battle of New Orleans

  • 1829 Stephen F. Austin Register of Families
    Jonathan Vess
















Vess Surname and Finding Related Records

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The challenging part of Vess Genealogy is locating early “Vess” records and trying to determine if they belong to the R1a2 VESS family, the I-M253 VEST family, or a different family of a similar surname.

What Do We Know About The “Vess” Surname

The Vess surname related to the R1a2 North Carolina Vess family (Peter and Willis Vess line) is strongly believed to have been shortened from the surname TRAVIS (TRAVESS). The surname Travis is a variant of the surname Travers.

Y-DNA testing reveals that the R1a2 North Carolina Vess family are descendants of the earlier Travers family of Lancashire, England, which supports oral traditions that the Vess surname is not its original surname. 

Locating & Identifying “Vess” Family Related Records

Vess records often have the VEST surname. This makes it incredibly difficult to distinguish them from other unrelated Vess/Vest families. 

However, it is critically important to view the original document, for that many VESS family related records have been indexed under the wrong name (usually VEST) due to illegible handwriting.

The Vess name written in Old English is spelled, “Vefs.” Sometimes, it is misspelled as, “Vesf,” which is often incorrectly transcribed as VEST, as the f, often looks like a t. Sometimes, the e is incorrectly transcribed as an a or an o, often resulting in other variations, such as VASS, VAST, or VOST. 

While early records do exist with the VESS name, the Vess name on records did not become consistent until after 1850, when the United States implemented a mandatory school system, improving literacy. 

How To Know If A Record Is Vess-Related

We have generally found that IF an early ancestor has genealogical records that use the Vest, Vess, Vist, Vost, Vert, Vass/Voss names interchangeably in a single location, they are most often VESS-related. 

Whereas, the VEST family, who are unrelated to the VESS family, rarely, if ever, have “Vess” records. If there is a record indexed under the Vess name for a Vest ancestor, it is usually due to illegible handwriting on the original document.

“Vess” May Have Once Been Pronounced As “VOSS”

Oral traditions from the R1a2 Vess family mention that the VESS name was believed to have once been pronounced as “VOSS.” This is plausible, as the surname Travis, with a thick accent, could have certainly sound like “TRA-VOS.” To further support this theory, we have discovered that very early records of Vess (pre-Revolutionary War), alternate between Vess/Vass/Voss, more frequently than between Vess/Vest. 

One theory, based on records discovered thus far, could be that the early families with records alternating between Vess/Voss could be related to the early families with records alternating between Vess/Vest. Both families shortened their name from Travis to Vess, which was pronounced either Voss or Vess, depending on the accent and likely recorded as what appears to be “Vest” due to illegible Old English handwriting.

A Vess-Related Record Does Not Automatically Indicate A Vess Relationship and Vice-Versa

The ability to locate Vess-related records has allowed us to slowly identify and isolate groups of different earlier Vess and Vest families; however, we cannot in good faith, connect these families without additional supporting genealogical records (probate, census, birth, marriage, etc.) to prove a solid connection to one another, even in the event, DNA may suggest a relationship. 

Genealogical records are required to build complete and accurate family trees.

VESS: A Lost TRAVERS Family

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The North Carolina VESS family are related to the early TRAVERS family of Lancashire, England (left) and Cork, Ireland (right).

Early Travers Family History

The earliest known TRAVERS family originated from Normandy.  They arrived in England with William the Conqueror in 1066. 

According to legend, they took over “Tulketh’s castle” in Lancashire, England and fought along side William the Conquerer himself. 

Tulketh’s Castle, known as Tulketh’s Hall, was originally a monastery.  It became Ashton Manor, prior to becoming Tulketh’s Hall.  Several researchers claim that the Traver’s family never actually owned Tulketh Hall directly; however, had owned land in the Ashton area (now known as Preston) near Tulketh Hall.

Tulketh Hall in Preston, Lancashire, England

Travers Genealogy 

Descendants of the Norman Travers family later moved to Scotland and Ireland, before eventually, making their way across the Atlantic to America. Unfortunately, the Travers family has a lot of gaps in their family tree. It was only until just recently with Y-DNA testing that it was discovered that the Travers families of Ireland and England are related; which has been long debated among researchers. 

During the 1800’s, Samuel Smith Travers went about documenting the different Travers families and their lineages in an effort to create a complete family tree. His work was published in 1864, titled, A Collection of Pedigrees of the Family of Travers, Abstracts of Documents, Collected by S.S. Travers, Arranged by H. J. Sides.

Unfortunately, a collection of different pedigrees was the best he was able to do and researchers are still trying to piece them together. Hopefully, further Y-DNA testing among the different Travers/Travis families will help complete this ancient family tree. 

Travers Families in America 

There are several known early Travers families in America.  Y-DNA testing suggests they are related, yet arrived and settled in America at different times.

Travers from Lancashire, England Settled in Maryland

William Travers (act 1650-1701) settled in Maryland on what is known as Taylor Island in Dorchester, County, founded by his cousin Thomas Taylor. It is believed that he married Elizabeth Chapline.

Current Y-DNA testing shows that the North Carolina Vess family come from an earlier branch that contains the Travers who emigrated to Dorchester County, Maryland and those that stayed in Lancashire, England.

Travers (TRAVIS) From Cork, Ireland Settled In North Carolina

William Travers Jr. was born in Bandon Bridge County, Cork, Ireland. It is believed that his father, William Travers Sr., was born in Lancashire, England.

William Travers, Jr. settled in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. This line of Travers changed their surname to TRAVIS.  

William’s son Daniel Travis (1669) is the father of Dr. Edward Travis who settled on Goose Creek. Dr. Edward had 3 sons, John, William, and Thomas (it is believed he had a son named Charles too). John, born in 1715, established what is known as Travers Creek in Orange County, North Carolina. Descendants of this North Carolina lineage then moved to South Carolina before moving westward. 

The famous William Barret Travis, commander of the Republic of Texas during the Battle of the Alamo is a direct descendant of this Travers line.

William Barret Travis 1809-1836
WikiTree.com

Travers of Jamestown Island, Related to Travers (Travis) In North Carolina

Edward Champion Travers (Travis) of Jonestown Island was born in Lancashire, England. He had a tobacco plantation (Travis Plantation) on Jamestown Island and exported tobacco to his brother William Travers (Travis) who lived in Bandon Bridge, Cork, Ireland. Jamestown Island was largely owned by the Travis and Ambler families. The site of their early settlement is still being excavated by archeologists today. Edward Champion Travers (Travis) is believed to be the uncle of William Travis Jr. who settled in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.

Y-DNA Testing

More Y-DNA testing from different Travers/Travis and Vess families are needed to uncover more information about how all these families are related to one another.

If you are a direct male descendant with the Travers, Travis, or Vess surname and would like to help us further our research, please check out our Vess Family Y-DNA project.



William Voss: Surry County, North Carolina

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Just recently, I found Peter Vess on an 1805 Wilkes County, North Carolina tax list in an area bordering Surry County, North Carolina, consisting of families who appear to have a genetic connection with VESS (Sparks, Rose, and Parks).

Between 1812-1814, there is a War of 1812 Muster Roll record with William and Peter Vest, whom of which are not seen on any VEST family trees. Could they be Vess?

While trying to dig up more information, I discovered an 1812 tax list (Thomason District) in Surry County, North Carolina, for a William VOSS. It is noted that he did not turn in his “list according to law.” Perhaps, because he was enlisted in the War of 1812.

The earliest known VOSS record near this county is Reverend Thomas VOSS who lived in Stokes County, North Carolina; appearing on Stokes County census records as early as 1800 near the VEST family in Winston-Salem area. His son William Voss, was born in Stokes Co. (not Surry), with his earliest record being the 1820 Stokes County census record. I do not believe the family of Thomas Voss ever lived in Surry County, NC.

Is This William Voss a Vest?

It’s not unusual for the VESS name to be transcribed as VOSS or VEST.

VEST and BRAY are listed in the War of 1812 record for Surry County (below). Thomas Bray is William Bray’s son (mentioned in the above tax record). The Bray family lived near Fisher River, close to the Wilkes county line.

Upon further investigation, the Sparks family (Benjamin Sparks) had properties along Little Fisher River too, as well as owning a property (Swan Pond) that specifically mentions being next to the Wilkes County line. Benjamin Sparks is the son of Reuben Sparks, whose family might have a maternal connection to VESS.

Peter Vest is later listed on the War of 1812 muster roll (2nd Regiment of Surry County) in 1814, with families who are also closely associated with the area close to the Wilkes County border (if not on the border).


I have not found any more VOSS records in Surry County, strongly suggesting this off-the wall Voss on the 1812 tax list maybe actually be a Vest/Vess.

The tax list suggests William Voss had land. He may not have a land record, but he might be mentioned in a neighbors land record. The task now is to pinpoint where this William Voss had land and who his possible neighbors might have been.

There is still a lot of exploring to do, but I feel like we are certainly on the right track!








Catherine Vess in Patrick County, VA 1790

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The Patrick County Vess family is getting bigger! Samuel, William, Peter & Pugnance, Jonathan & Elizabeth (father Andrew Heron), Sarah, and now Catherine!

In the Henry County, Virginia land records [Deed books, v. 4-6 1788-1805 Familysearch.org], I discovered three “Vess” records. The remarkable part of this, is that the records are “Vess,” not “Vest.”

Two of the land records are between Samuel and Peter Vess and the other is between Samuel Vess and John Duncan. I still do not know if John Duncan is related to the Duncan family in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

One of the records, between Samuel and Peter Vess, (pg. 114-115), reveal that Samuel’s wife is named Catherine.

This is an amazing find, as it’s rare to find early genealogical records about spouses. It also confirms that Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia in 1790 is not Samuel Vess in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1800. Samuel Vess in Rockbridge County, Virginia was married to Mary Lyons/ Lenior.

The last record for Samuel Vess is dated 1795 in Patrick County, Virginia. So, what happened to Samuel and Catherine after that? And, what could Catherine’s maiden name be??





Exploring The Vess/Vest Family of Rockbridge County, Virgina

/ J. V.


Last year, I started researching the VESS/VEST families of Rockbridge County, Virginia whose origins are just as mysterious as the predominate VESS families of North Carolina and Alabama.

At this time, we have no Y-DNA data available to determine their relation to other VESS/VEST families.

Below are my current findings and notes…

Census Records

The earliest available census record for Rockbridge County, VA is dated 1810. The name “Vess” or “Vest” does not appear to show up via the search index; however, I did locate the VESS family in this census (see below), indexed under the name “Saml Nass.” I discovered Samuel Vess through clues from various other types of records dating back to 1810 connecting him to the Standoff family and other neighbors.

Ancestry.com 1810 census: Indexed under the name “Saml Nass”

Census Records

1810
Samuel “Vass/Voss”
1820
Samuel “Vess”
Hiram “Vess”
1830
Samuel “Vess”
Addison “Vess”
Hiram “Vess”
John “Vess”
1840
Samuel H. Vest
William Vest
William Vest
Samuel Vest
Hiram Vest
John Vest
Samuel Vest
Addison Vest
Hiram Vest
William Vest
1850
William Vest b. 1808
Sarah (wife)
Children: Samuel A. , John, William A., Sarah A., Martha, James T, & Carlin
Margaret Vess b. 1831
living with Alphin family
Addison Vest b. 1804
Hannah (wife)
Children: John, Mary, Martha, William, Ester, Sarah, & Samuel
Andrew Vest b. 1826
living with Morris family
John Vest b. 1825
Matilda (wife)
Children: Hannah E., William P., Mary, & Matilda
Levi Vest b. 1807
Betsy (wife)
Children: John W., P Givens K., Mary E., James A., George W., Lucy A., & Phebe J.
George Vest b. 1805
Jane (wife)
Children: Sarah A., Julia, Margaret, & George

Tax Records

The Vess/Vest name does not appear on tax records until 1814, via Hiram Vess. I believe Hiram Vess maybe the son of Samuel Vess.

1814 Rockbridge County, VA Tax Record: Familysearch.org

Adam Vert

Earlier Rockbridge County, VA tax records do reveal an ADAM VERT, which predates any WEST, VESS, VEST families in Rockbridge County, Virginia, but I am not sure if he is connected to the Vess family. Adam Vert is the son of Conrad Vert from Loudoun Co, VA.

Just recently, I discovered an online PDF titled, “List of Slave Owners and Names of Slaves,” that consist of an unknown INDEX showing the names James and William Vess. I reached out to the source that posted it and they kindly told me that the Index comes from the book, titled, LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA TITHABLES, 1758-1786, by Marty Hiatt & Craig Roberts Scott. 1994, 2011.

This was a bit surprising, because the only other earlier VESS name in Virginia that we knew of was in Patrick and Henry County. However, I do recall finding one mysterious source, showing the name Samuel and William “Vess” of Dunmore Co. VA, which would be close to Loudoun Co. VA.

It’s exciting to find more VESS names!

Also listed in this record is Conrad VERT, father of Adam Vert.

Note: The VESS family has records in various spellings: VESS, VEST, VERT, VISS, POST, and VOSS. So maybe there is a VERT-VESS connection; more research is needed.

Land Records & Maps

I thought the earliest VESS/VEST record I found dated 1801, but I cannot seem to relocate that record (still searching).

The VESS/VEST family lived in an area known as Collierstown which is along Colliers Creek. In 1818, Henry Standoff joined land with Samuel Vess. I have not found any land records specifically for Samuel Vess, so I do not know where his property was located. Land records for Henry Standoff, indicate his properties were along Buffalo Creek, a branch off Colliers Creek. View entire map on Library of Congress website- link in caption below.

Library of Congress⎜Rockbridge County Virginia Section no. 1: Colliers Creek
1818-1883


There is an 1816 land record for Christopher Coinhour (I think Hiram’s father-in-law) joining land with Hiram Vess near Brattons Run. Hiram Vess married Polly Cokenour in 1819.


Library of Congress ⎜Rockbridge County Virginia Section no. 2: Brattons Run


The Vess/Vest family also had land on Kerr’s creek in 1851 via Hiram Vess, not on the map.

Marriage Records 1800-1850

22 Jun 1819Hiram VessPolly Cokenour
7 Apr 1828Addison VessHannah Standoff
28 Feb 1832Samuel Jr. VessElizabeth Ford 
6 Aug 1832William VessPhebe Morris 
27 Sept 1832William VessSarah T. Nowel (Noel)
24 Feb 1832Elizabeth VessJohn Morris 
27 Feb 1833Samuel H. VessAnn McPherson 
14 Mar 1833Hiram VessMargaret Elliott
14 Aug 1834Levi VessElizabeth Bias
29 Mar 1840George VessJane Elliott 
27 April 1843Harvey VessSusan Lipstrap
30 Oct 1845Lucinda VessIssac Lipstrap
31 Dec 1845John VessMatilda Morris
16 Dec 1845Margaret VessAdam Whilhem
26 Dec 1848Mary Ellen VessGeorge E. Hamilton 
4 Dec 1849Nancy VessHenry Hostetter
7 Jan 1850Harvey VessRachel Ailstock


Samuel Vess Family Patrick County, VA: Timeline

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● 1782: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Samuel Vest with John Whitt, Turner family, William Heard, and Richard Reynolds

● 1783: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
William Vest and Samuel Vess

● 1784: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Samuel Vess

● 1785: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Samuel Vest

● Marriage Record Henry County, VA
Peter Vess and Pugnance

● 1786: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
NO VESS/VEST LISTED

● 1787: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Peter Vess – under age 21. (estimate birth between 1766-1771)
Samuel Vess- over age 21

Notes: Probably estimate Peter’s birth between 1766-1771. Samuel is likely Peter’s father.

● 1788: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Peter Vess
Sarah Vess
Sam Vess (Samuel Vess)

● 1789: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Peter Vess
Samuel Vess

● 1790: Personal Property Tax List Henry County, VA
Peter Vess
William Vess
Samuel Vess

Notes: Land records not dated. But Samuel Vess was granted 13 acres part of Abraham Penn’s 1,000 acre grant in 1783 and references Peter Vest’s corner (probably sometime after 1785). William’s land record for 175 acres states surveyor Dickenson which was a surveyor between 1779-1780.

1791: Patrick County, VA was created from Henry County

● 1791: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Samuel Vess
Peter Vess

● 1791-1792: Patrick County Land Tax
Samuel Vess transfers 50 acres of land to Peter Vess

● 1792: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Samuel Vess
Peter Vess
William Vess

● 1792: Marriage Record Patrick County, VA
Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron

● 1793: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Samuel Vess

● 1793: Land Dispute Peter Vess and Fletcher Family with Copely Family
Notes: Tax records show a George and Benjamin Fletcher but no COPELY


● 1793: Patrick County Land Deed List 1791-1801 (FHL film 33,337)
Peter and wife Margaret and John Duncan and wife Janey, 100 acres on Mays River, Dodson line to John Spencer.

● 1794: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Samuel Vess

● 1795: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Samuel Vess
Peter Vess
Jonathan Vess

● 1796: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Peter Vess

Notes: Did Samuel Vess pass away?

● 1797: Personal Property Tax List Patrick County, VA
Peter Vess

● 1798: NO VESS FAMILIES LISTED

Patrick County, Virginia Vess Families: 1782-1797

/ J. V.

Well, I am trying to squeeze in some more research before the end of the year!

According to New York and Virginia Genealogy, they have a marriage record for Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron that states “Dad Andrew Heron.” So, is Andrew Heron the father of Elizabeth Heron? And does he have any connection with James Heron listed on the Patrick County 1791-1801 deed list?

Tax Records for the Vess family in Patrick County, Virginia

The census records for Patrick County, Virginia have been lost, but Familytree.org has personal property tax lists (1791-1823), in which has the VESS family listed from 1791-1797.

Until now, we thought Peter Vess may have left Patrick County, Virginia in 1793, but according to the tax lists, Peter Vess is listed until 1797.

I have not been able to figure out if William VIA is VESS. Note: There is a William VIA in Wilkes County, NC along with William VEST with court records of a William VEAS.

Samuel Vess/Vest

Patrick County, Virginia was formed from Patrick-Henry County (Henry County) in 1791. So, looking at the taxes lists for Henry County, I found Samuel Vess listed as early as 1782. Personal property tax lists, 1782-1830

Land Records

William Vess (Transfer of Land) bounded to Reynolds family. Ancestry.com

Samuel Vest 1783, 1,000 acres joining Abraham Penn and connecting to George Dotson and Peter Vest line. Ancestry.com

Abraham Penn and George Hairston were large plantation owners in the area (Hairston Plantation still standing today) and often granted indentured servants a portion of their land at the end of their contract. Was Samuel, Peter, and William indentured servants or also wealthy land owners?

Peter Vess and Pugnance Vaughn

Peter Vess married Pugnance Vaughn in 1785 in Henry County, Virginia. Is Samuel Vess his father??

Also, looking records for a William Vaughn (listed above in tax records), I have found family trees for a William Thomas Vaughn and Martha Patsy Reynolds. Note: There is a Reynolds family listed in the area with Peter and William Vess.

According to the family tree, the parents of William Vaughn are Samuel Vaughn and Prudence Loughan (Logan?). I haven’t found any family records for Pugnance Vaughn, but I do wonder if Pugnanace Vaughn (wife of Peter Vess) is supposed to be “Prudence” and possibly related to Samuel and Prudence Vaughn??


Earliest Records of the VESS name

The earliest records we have found with the VESS name are Revolutionary War records for Samuel, Peter, and William Vess.

Above, we have a Revolutionary War record for Samuel and William “Vess” for Dunmore County, Virginia.
This is interesting, because Dunmore County is Shenandoah County today, located just below Frederick County, Virginia. Note: The Vice family story begins in Frederick County, Virginia.

A Possible Start To New Discoveries

I am hoping these newly discovered records can provide us new leads to the official identity of Peter, William, and Samuel Vess.

I am not aware of the Chesterfield County, VA VEST family having any records in the northern portion of Virginia (Frederick County area), which seems like a promising new lead; unfortunately, Dunmore County is an abolished county, meaning scarce records are even more scarce.

Although this may be a wild goose chase with a family completely unrelated to Peter and Willis Vess, I am very interested in helping other families sort out the different VESS, VEST, VOSS, VASS, VAUSE, and VICE families of Virginia.