We’ve made a new significant discovery, but we need your help!
If you have completed an Autosomal DNA test through Ancestry or 23andMe, please help us by transferring your results for free to Familytreedna.com so that we can continue our research. If you need help completing the process or have any questions, please email vessgenealogy@gmail.com for assistance.
What Is Triangulation: Genetic Genealogy
Triangulation is a method used in genetic genealogy where segments of DNA are analyzed and compared between shared DNA matches. Those who share the same segments of DNA are likely to share a common ancestor and their family trees (and family histories) provide clues to help identify those common ancestors.
Recent Findings Via Triangulation: Rose-Sparks Connection
Vincent Vess is working on using triangulation methods to identify the parents of Peter Vess and Catherine Cook. His recent finds are super intriguing!
He analyzed segments of DNA of 3 different VESS descendants whose most recent common ancestors are Peter Vess and Catherine Cook. Each, different descendant, descends from a different son of Peter and Catherine [Andrew Logan, Jasper, and Josiah Vess]. The importance of having different descending lines from Peter and Catherine not only help confirm a solid Vess connection, but also helps in identifying early maternal lines (the parents of Catherine Cook).
He then triangulated one segment of DNA on the 5th Chromosome with other shared DNA matches who have public family trees. He discovered 4 matches who share the same segment of DNA as the 3 Vess descendants, yet none of those 4 matches have VESS in their family trees; suggesting all 7 matches share an earlier common ancestor prior to Peter and Catherine Cook.
Between the 4 matches, he discovered they share common connections with Emmanuel ROSE and Reuben SPARKS families in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
The connection between Rose and Sparks maybe recent, for that those names come up frequently as shared DNA matches in Ancestry for both Vincent and I (we suspect it will for other Vess families too).
Wilkes County Is Our Mark
Ever wonder about that War of 1812 record with Peter Vest listed on it?
A good portion of names listed have no records in Surry County. In fact, only 15 of them can be found on the 1810 census record, most having earlier land records, suggesting they were older soldiers. Most of the other names listed are younger soldiers who were not head of household yet in 1810 and many of them actually have later connections with Wilkes County. This is because Wilkes County was made from parts of Surry County in 1777 and a few names on the list (confirmed by maps) had their properties split by the county border. Although no longer part of Surry County, their close proximity to the border probably had them doing much of their business in Surry County, which explains why so many were drafted under Surry County rather than Wilkes County. Is this the case for Peter Vess?
North-Western North Carolina: Migration Routes Converged
Earlier ancestors of the names listed above have original land records issued by Rowan County, for that Rowan County once covered the western parts of North Carolina. When Surry County was formed, the portion of what will become Wilkes County was the District of Washington (but it only lasted a year). In 1777, Wilkes was created in between Surry County and Washington County (formerly District of Washington).
In 1784, the short-lived STATE OF FRANKLIN was formed, mixing records like a tossed salad with the formation of Wayne County (State of Franklin) in a good portion of Wilkes County.
This affected many families in the surrounding areas, especially, those living in Wilkes County.
Why is this important to Vess Genealogy? Because what we have discovered is that many families coming down the Great Wagon Road or those coming up from South Carolina into Tennessee, all converge in this area at one time or another. This was the area in which families traveled across the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky, into Tennessee, or down into the Carolinas.
Vincent Vess discovered the following names listed on a North Carolina, U.S. Census, 1784-1787 (Ancestry.com).
Samuel McQueen/Queen, John Sparks, Joshua Pennington, Richard Estes, William Sparks, Thomas Hodges, Agnis Nichols, Robert Whiteside, William Underwood, William Pennington, Jacob Nichols, Joseph Pruitt, Emmanuel Rose, John Turner, James Webb, Stephen Caudill, Roger Turner, William Hodges, James Caudill, Benjamin Rose, Timothy Buttery, John Rose Sr., Abraham Cook, Thomas Cook…
These names are extremely familiar to us as they are becoming more repetitive in our family research.
Also, included in this list of names is a William Vest, who we have not been able to identify his origins yet. Perhaps, he might have a connection with James Harvey Vest due to the presence of the Caudill family or maybe he is related to Peter Vest on the Surry County War of 1812 record?
Reuben Sparks and Emmanuel Rose
The 4 matches (as mentioned earlier) are connected to the Sparks and Rose families of Wilkes County.
Reuben Sparks and Emmanuel Rose are of the same generation as Peter and Catherine Cook, so a common ancestor would likely be someone prior to them.
These families are intriguing for a number of reasons, but one particular fact that interests us (or at least me) is that both families originated in Maryland, with the Sparks family having come from Frederick County, Maryland and the Rose family having come from Calvert County, Maryland. Note: Calvert is across from Dorchester County, Maryland (Travers family).
Following Geographical Features Rather Than Records
Fortunately, the father of Reuben Sparks, Solomon Sparks, has a lengthy recorded history. He first settled in Surry County when it was Rowan County, then his land was split between Surry and Wilkes County, making him a Wilkes County resident. We can easily track where the Sparks family have gone, for that notes are specific on the Rivers and Creeks in which the Sparks family resided on, making it much easier to locate records due to county changes.
We can use the geographical features mentioned in the genealogical notes provided by the Sparks family to reconstruct the community (like we did for the Tyger River community in SC) further identifying more families in the area that may offer more clues to Vess Genealogy.
Both Sparks and Rose families lived off the Yadkin River, something I look forward to further investigating.
Rose & Travers Family in Anson County, North Carolina
Emmanuel Rose may have a brother named Samuel Rose, who supposedly ended up in Anson County, North Carolina. He is found on the 1763 taxpayer record. Interestingly, so is John Travis (Travers).
John Travis, is supposedly the son of Dr. Edward Travers who came from Cork, Ireland. Also, we recently discovered a Charles Travers in Anson County, NC who may be the brother of John Travis (Travers). Research states John Travis ended up in Abbeville County, South Carolina; which is another place of interest in Vess Genealogy.
Is there a connection? I am interested in finding out!
Genetic Genealogy: The Door To Answers
Genetic genealogy helps us identify specific families that we share a common ancestor. By exploring these families, we can narrow down the genealogical search to specific geographical places.
We have genetic proof that our name changed, but we don’t exactly know when our name changed to VESS, making it very difficult to find early records. Identifying families we are closely related to can help us explore the areas they once lived, thus helping us look for evidience of families with names similar to Vess or Travers.
At this time, we have no genealogical proof of Catherines maiden name (is it really COOK?) nor Peter’s mother’s maiden name; so with more Autosomal DNA kits to analyze, compare, and triangulate, the more matches to family trees we can identify and further explore for answers to Vess Genealogy.
The Vess family came over to America with an O’Donnell and O’Neill. O’Neill was an outlaw, wanted by the English Crown. He changed his name to Mac Hugh or something referring to his red hair. The Vess family loved and respected him.
Descendant of David Andrew Vess
The O’Donnell Vess
On Ancestry.com, many family trees show the father of Peter Vess as O’Donnell Vess from Tyrone County, Ireland.
I had the opportunity to meet a descendant of David Andrew Vess who kindly shared with me the story of O’Donnell Vess, stating it to be a very important family story.
I’ve researched the O’Donnell-Vess connection extensively, but found no genealogical records to support a connection. So, who was this Mac Hugh our family so highly respected?
I did; however, discovered a true historical event regarding an O’Donnell and O’Neill family during the 16th century in Ulster, Northern Ireland.
“Red Hugh O’Donnell” is a real person from Donegal Ireland who was rivals against the O’Neill family from Tyrone, Ireland. Red Hugh was in-prisoned by an English Lord in Dublin Castle, but later escaped with the help of the O’Neill family. Unfortunately, neither of them came to America; however, this is a well known Irish story that Irish settlers would have most certainly brought to the new world. But why was this story so important us?
O’Donnell – O’Neill families fought a Nine Year War in Ireland together and is a very important part of Ireland history.
Because the O’Donnell and O’Neill family did not seem to have connections with America or any direct connections with the Vess family (that I can tell), I began searching for American outlaws. Perhaps, the family story was a mix of different people and events?
Interestingly, during the time of David Andrew Vess, there was a notorious American outlaw who was highly respected by the residents in the Dark Corners of South Carolina. The Dark Corners included Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina where the Bellew and Gosnell families were well established; and David Andrew Vess married Magnolia Gosnell. The outlaws name was Lewis Redmond.
Again, I was unable to find a direct connection with the Vess family. Perhaps the family story…is just a story.
The Mysterious Hodge-Vess Connection
The story of the man named after his red-hair that the Vess family highly respected was something I forgot about until just recently, when I stumbled upon John “Red Head” Hodge.
The HODGE (HOGE) name has come up in discussion several times over the past year between me and the co-admins of the Vess Family DNA Project, but we just don’t know how they fit into Vess Genealogy.
The Willis and Peter Vess lines appear to match closely with a HODGE family, but their connection is unknown.
Vincent Vess, who had researched the Hodge family much more extensively than I, had pointed out that there is a Hodge family living near the Vess family in White County, Tennessee.
Further research reveals that this Hodge family comes from Franklin County, Virginia (once part of Patrick-County, VA). I discovered that Robert Hodge, father of Abner Hodge (above) was living in a place called Chestnut Creek, about 30 miles away from William Vess/Voss & Peter Vess on Koger Creek in Patrick County, VA!
According to information provided to me from the co-admins of the Vess Family DNA Project, we match closely with the descendants of Isham Hodge, Abner’s brother. However, we have yet to discover a connection.
Supposedly, Isham and Abner Hodge have a brother whose name is John “Red Head” Hodge. Is this the man named for his red hair that the Vess family highly respected???
John “Red Head” Hodge- Research In Progress
I’m still researching John “Red Head” Hodge.
There are numerous John Hodges (of course, with a name like John), but right now, my focus is on two of them:
The first one that caught my attention is a John “Red Head” Hodge , brother of Isham Hodge, who supposedly married Lucy Elizabeth Dalton, daughter of David Dalton Sr. of Rutherford County, NC.
Lucy Elizabeth Dalton is the sister of Nancy (Sally) Dalton, grandmother of Lucy Malinda Linnia Halford, wife of Andrew Logan Vess! However, other family trees, state she married Reuben Searcy instead (perhaps she married both). So, who is this Lucea Dalton and John Hodges in Franklin County, VA and is this John, in fact, John “Red Head” Hodge?
I mean, it would make sense considering the Vess and Dalton families have known each other for what seems like forever!
There is another John Hodge that some on Ancestry refer to as “Red Head” Hodge, but he resides in Abbeville, South Carolina and married Frances Anderson. According to other genealogy websites that provide more ancestral history, he was known as “Major” Hodge, for having served in the Revolutionary War. I am not sure if he is actually “Red Head” Hodge, but his presence in Abbeville is intriguing.
I wish I had more to share, but at this time, I am still researching.
Well folks, the plot in Vess genealogy thickens! Dun…Dun…DUN!! Are you ready!!!
The Travers and Vess families appear to be one family!
Awaiting Nail-Biting Seat-Clinching Results
Results from Big-Y tests are remarkably fascinating and invaluable to Family DNA projects, as they have the potential to shake up the ancestral tree with the equivalent force of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake! In short, big changes can occur, rewriting family history!
We’ve been anxiously waiting test results for a Big-Y-tester whose Travers family line connects to the early Travers families in Cork, Ireland.
Although it has been highly suspected that the Travers families of Lancashire, England and the Travers families of Cork, Ireland are related, there has been no genealogical evidence (records) to prove it.
Travers families from both Lancashire, England and Cork, Ireland migrated to America during the late 1600’s; but again, there is no genealogical evidence (or DNA evidence) to prove these two Travers families are of the same lineage. Those from Lancashire, England, settled in Dorchester, Maryland and those from Cork, Ireland settled in areas around Pasquotank, North Carolina.
For the Travers family, a genetic connection between the two geographically distant Travers families (England and Ireland) would be a great new discovery!
For the Vess family, it may provide more answers to our mysterious connection with the Travers family and possibly revealing our true origins!
The TRAVERS/VESS Branch
The Big-Y test assigned the new Travers line (with Ireland connections) to R-CTS11317, which is an English/Scottish branch consisting of the Travers and Vess families.
DNA results strongly suggest (without a doubt) that the TRAVERS and VESS families are one family. Not only is our Vess family genetically related to numerous Travers families from England, but also now a Travers family line from Cork, Ireland!
These DNA results are exciting for everyone! For the Travers family, this opens the door to further explore more early Ireland – England family connections. With more Y-testers, researchers may be able to determine (approximately) when the Ireland lines split from England. For the Vess family, this opens the door to explore Travers genealogy for clues to our “Vess” origins. With more Y-testers, we may be able to identify our direct Travers-Vess line!
DNA results also strongly suggest the Travers and Vess families may have a Norman connection, which is further supported by research published by Albert E. Casey, titled: “Southern Travis, Travers, Traverse families from Lancashire and post-Elizabethan Ireland.” According to Casey, the Travers family is an old Norman family name that settled in Lancashire, England when William the Conquerer invaded England in 1066.
English / Scottish Branch: Travers-Vess branch boxed in yellow
Unfortunately, the newly added Travers line with Ireland connections did not provide any further information about the Travers-Vess lines in America; most likely, because this particular Travers line did not go to America. The ancestral split between the Vess family and this particular Travers line has not been determined yet.
When it comes to looking at the Travers and Vess families in America, DNA data does reveal that the Vess family (descendants of Peter and Willis Vess) split from the Travers of Dorchester, Maryland sometime prior to 1665 in England/Scotland. This means, the Vess families of Rutherford County, North Carolina and Franklin County, Alabama did not directly descend from the Travers families from Maryland in America; but instead, the Vess family most likely broke off from a different unknown Travers line. Whether that ancestral split occurred in America or across the Atlantic, is still yet to be known.
Y-DNA Testing For Vess Families Is Important
Even though it appears the Vess family surname is relatively “young,” in comparison to the Travers surname that appears to date back to William the Conquerer, it is still important for Vess families to do more Y-DNA testing as there is so much we do not know about our family’s early history in America.
There is no available Y-DNA data for Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess yet; however, such testing would most likely provide fascinating results! It’s been highly suspected that Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess are related, but there is no genealogical evidence (records) to prove it and because they lived over 200+ years ago, Autosomal DNA tests will eventually (sooner rather than later) no longer be able to detect shared DNA relatives.
Y-DNA testing from descendants of the Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess lines will not only help us better understand their connection to each other, but also to other Vess lines in America. At this time, we aren’t even sure if they are related to Peter and Willis Vess or if they too have a genetic connection with the Travers family.
In addition to Nathaniel and Jonathan Vess, we also have other Vess lines to explore, such as the Vess family in Ohio who are descendants of Hiram Vess of Rockbridge County, Virginia. At this time, we do not know the origins of the Vess family in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Are they related to the Travers family too OR are they related to another family with a similar surname: VOSS, VASS, VICE, or VEST.
Although Peter and Willis Vess did not split from the Travers family from Maryland directly, could there be another Vess line that did who we have yet to discover?
Y-DNA testing from descendants with the Travers, Travis, Traverse, Vess, Voss, and Vass names still have so much to tell us!
Vess Origin Story Historically AccurateAfter All?
Interestingly, Y-DNA data is beginning to prove our Vess family origin story as somewhat historically accurate!
According to the Vess family origin story, the Vess family descends from three brothers from Ireland. One version told, specifically states it was “Cork,” Ireland. Also, as if universally accepted as family fact, the Vess name is not our original surname. Some say it was once pronounced as “Voss” whereas others say it was shortened or completely changed.
This is incredibly fascinating, especially, as there are genealogical records for the Travers family in America under the surname “TRAVESS.” TRA-VESS (or perhaps once pronounced as TRAVOSS) eventually evolved into the surname TRAVIS. We have found that the South Carolina TRAVIS families to be connected to the TRAVERS families in North Carolina who came from Cork, Ireland.
This has lead some Vess family researchers to wonder, if the VESS surname was formed in America rather than across the Atlantic? And, if more Travers families test, will we find an ancestral split between the Travers and Vess families, perhaps along the Cork, Ireland Travers line?
It’s only a matter of time, before the mysteries of our Vess family’s history are finally revealed!
This summary of recent Y-DNA updates is based on information available on familytreedna.com and information kindly provided by Michael Travers, co-admin of the Vess Family DNA Project. Thank you Mike!! 🙂
Peter and Willis Vess are related to each other on the same family line, a FACT confirmed by Y-DNA testing. Where they connect on the family tree still remains a mystery, but I believe we are getting close! A few recent discoveries (observations) within the last couple of weeks have given life to old dead-ends providing me with an entirely new perspective to VESS Genealogy!!
In this post, I will share with you my recent findings, observations, how they likely connect to previous findings, and the interesting new genealogical picture that is starting to take form!
Early Settlers Of Foxtrap: Franklin County, Alabama
Although Peter and Willis Vess are related, I just find it absolutely incredible that they are so far apart from each other geographically! No wonder nobody knew the two family lines were kin! However, recent discoveries (or observations) may better explain how and why they settled so far apart…
According to family genealogist, Anna Popejoy, on FindAGrave.com, John Vess (father of Willis Vess) “settled in the Foxtrap area by 1818” in Franklin County, Alabama. Franklin County was established in February of 1818, so any land records prior to 1818 would have been issued either by the Mississippi Territory or from other states (TN, VA, or Carolinas).
The earliest known VESS record in Alabama is a land record for Willis Vess dated 1837 for property located in the Foxtrap area of Franklin County (issued from the Huntsville land office in Madison County, Alabama). Using ALGenweb archives, I was able to compile a list of early land owners between 1830-1837. Using the Franklin County, AL plat map, I was able to identify and narrow down land owners who obtained land within the same 2 township(s) as Willis Vess.
I discovered the following families: Dubois, Truelove, Hendley, Tharp, Thompson, Quillin, Sugg, Hudson, Willis, Mullins, Bradfoot, and Harvey. The earliest being the Hendley family located near Mountain Star (1824).
Then, I compared them to the 1820 census record and discovered that many of these families where in Franklin County, Alabama in 1820. Including the name Littleberry Matlock. We can see the name Littleberry F Matlock listed near Willis Vess on the ALGenweb plat map.
If John Vess had settled in Franklin County, Alabama by 1818, he should have been listed on the 1820 census; however, again, the census is said to be incomplete.
Researching the families listed on a map I created, I discovered many of them have origins in South Carolina and the Tharp family, specifically, comes from Rutherford County, North Carolina. Research indicates that the entire area is family connected, but the connections are strongly connected around the Saints Crossroads area and just below Mountain Star; no early family connections in the Foxtrap area (or so it seems).
More Clues To Early Settlers Found In Whitlock Family Research
A document posted on Ancestry.com, titled “Genealogy of Lou Pero,” references Anna Popejoy’s research about the Whitlock family wagon train from Georgia, published in the book, “Whitlock Gleanings,” by Thomas Edward Roach (1984). This document has provided many clues as to the early settlers of the area.
According to Anna Popejoy [“Genealogy of Lou Pero” document referencing “Whitlock Gleanings“], the Whitlock family made its way towards Alabama late in the year of 1821 and settled in an area known as Saint’s Cross, [see map above] named after the Saints family. The wagon train included “Robert Thompson and Pennington families.” This is interesting, considering him and his brother, Waddy Thompson are listed on the 1820 census record, a year before the Whitlock’s journey to Alabama from Georgia.
Online, there is a Will for the wife of Robert’s brother, Waddy Thompson, stating she and the Thompson brothers came from Greenville Co. South Carolina (married in 1795) [Posted to USGenweb Archives by J. Robison, 2009]. She was previously married to a Garrott Rutledge, prior to Thompson. Interestingly, I learned that Gov. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina owned large tracts of land in Alabama and when he died (1790’s), those tracts were sold to early settlers of Franklin County, Alabama. The source states the land was mainly in Dist. 8 and 9, but I have not found any early maps which reference districts, only townships.
Did Robert and Waddy Thompson obtain land through grants from Rutledge due to a connection with Waddy’s wife’s prior family connections?? Is that why the area has so many residents whose origins are from South Carolina??
The document also states the Whitlock family traveled to Tuscumbia for supplies, which is located in the northern part of Franklin County, Alabama now known as Colbert County, which was established in 1867.
Uncovering The Missing Half of Foxtrap
When we think of Foxtrap Creek, we think of the two (2) townships in Franklin County, Alabama in which Willis Vess has land [map above]. However, later census records for Willis Vess are under Colbert County, Alabama, which strongly suggests that his land must be on the border between Franklin and Colbert County. Looking at a map, Foxtrap Creek actually extends up into Colbert County! With a bit of cutting and pasting, below is a complete picture of Foxtrap Creek in both Colbert and Franklin County.
On the Colbert County side, there appears to be an actual Foxtrap community with a church and community center. The Foxtrap area in which Anna Popejoy refers to may not have been limited to the portion of Foxtrap on today’s Franklin County side. Because the Whitlock family had to go to Tuscumbia for supplies (1820’s), which is north of Littleville [map above], Foxtrap may be a little older than the area now known as Saints Crossroads.
Unfortunately, I am still trying to find land records of the early families who have settled in the portion of Colbert County area that was once Franklin County. There are early records, but no corresponding maps (as of yet) to show us where exactly these early families had land on the Colbert County side of early Franklin County.
Tharp Family of Rutherford County, NC
Looking at the Foxtrap community in Colbert Co. AL, we have a Tharp Cemetery. The Tharp family arrived prior to 1820 and they supposedly come from Rutherford County, NC. Interesting!
Hezekiah Tharp, according to FindAGrave.com, is buried in Tharp Cemetery in Littleville AL. Further research reveals that “James” Hezekiah Tharp was born in Rutherford County, NC 1795 and his sister is Phoebe Matlock, wife of Littleberry Matlock of South Carolina (Littleberry Matlock, maybe Jr. later obtains land in the same township as Willis).
They married in 1815 in Wilson Co. TN. I have learned that many of the South Carolina residents who settled in Alabama were “drafted” to TN for the War of 1812, including Robert Thompson, mentioned earlier. This could explain how Peter and Willis Vess settled so far apart; perhaps the VESS family was separated due to the War of 1812.
The children of Hezekiah Tharp married into the Pennington, Thompson, Presley, Vandiver, and Hulsey families which are families residing in the Saints Crossroad area in Franklin County; which means, there is a good chance, especially, if Littleberry Matlock is a neighbor to Willis Vess, that there might be an earlier Vess ancestor mentioned in an early record pertaining to one of these early families (probate, court, financial, etc.). Further research is needed.
Jarvis Willis Possible Connection To Peter and William Vess/Voss of Patrick County, VA
It is widely believed that Willis Vess was likely named after the Willis family and we know that a couple of the older children of Willis Vess married into the Willis family in Franklin County, Alabama, as Willis Vess and John Willis were close neighbors [as shown on the map below].
According to a document on Ancestry.com titled, “Willis Land in 1850s Huntsvills, AL,” posted 20 Feb 2019 by MySNPs, John Lewis Willis (son-in-law of Willis Vess) is the grandson of Jarvis Willis from Dorchester County, Maryland. The document states that the Willis and Vess families may have “crossed paths” in Stokes County, North Carolina and then migrated together to Alabama through Tennessee. It is noted that this is based on census records showing Jarvis Willis in Stokes County, NC and ancestral trees indicating that John Vess (father of Willis Vess) was born in Stokes County, NC.
Current research now strongly suggests that John Vess of Stokes County, NC is most likely John VEST, the son of William Tunwell Vest who we have confirmed via Y-DNA analysis is not related to our VESS family. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean that the Willis and Vess families didn’t migrate together to Alabama. In fact, this document might further support a connection between Willis Vess and the Vess/Voss family in Patrick County, VA!
As per a previous post, we found a land record for Willis Vess in White County, Tennessee on Caney Fork near a Peter and William Vess. It is believed that this Peter and William Vess may be the same Peter and William Vess of Patrick County, VA as shown on the 1790-1801 Patrick County, VA deed list. Well, turns out now that Jarvis Willis wasn’t too far behind Peter and William in Tennessee.
There is an early Tennessee land record for Jarvis Willis on the waters of Beam Creek; unfortunately, there is no county listed. However, looking at maps, I found Beam Creek in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Zooming out, we find that White County and Cumberland County are next to each other. Zooming in to Beam Creek and we find that Beam Creek turns into Caney Fork, which then extends down into White County, Tennessee where Peter, William, and Willis Vess have land records! What are the odds!
Beam Creek and Caney Fork in Cumberland County, TN
Willis Family Come From Dorchester/Caroline Co. Maryland
According to, “Willis Land in 1850s Huntsvills, AL,” posted 20 Feb 2019 by MySNPs, Jarvis Willis is from Dorchester Maryland and notes that Lucinda Fisher is also listed on the Franklin County, AL plat map, next to Willis Vess, John Willis, and Charles Willis [map above]. Her daughter married Jasper Willis, son of Charles Willis. And, the author notes, that the Fisher and Willis families “intermarry often in the 1800’s, back up in Caroline County, Maryland [once part of Dorchester Co., Maryland].”
This is a VERY intriguing note, now that we know we are closely genetically related (via Y-DNA) to the Travers family of Lancashire England who settled in Dorchester County, Maryland!
According to research by Albert E. Casey M.D., there are two (2) Travers families in America, one having settled in Dorchester County, Maryland from England and the other having settled in Albermarle County [abolishedcounty], North Carolina from Ireland. There is no proof (as to date) whether these two (2) Travers families are related; however, records show that at least one line from the Travers family from Maryland joined the Travers family in North Carolina.
Based on the results of just a few Y-DNA testers, DNA analysis suggests the VESS family likely branched off the TRAVERS family line, at least those who settled in Maryland, sometime before 1665 in Britain or Scotland. We need more Y-DNA testers from different VESS, TRAVERS, and TRAVIS lines to be able to better pin-point not only which specific Travers line we broke off from, but when and where!
Geographically Close Families
I always found it very interesting that the Voss and Travers families often appear to be geographically close to one another in America.
In Dorchester Co. Maryland (Taylors Island), we have the Travers family from England and not too far away, in Caroline Co., Maryland, there is a Voss family (John Voss). In North Carolina, not too far from the Travers family from Ireland, we have clusters of Voss/Vass families.
According to The Vaulx Family of England, Virginia, and Maryland, by Michael L. Marshall, there was a Robert Vaulx from England in Dorchester, Maryland; however, no specific mention of any Vaulx, Voss, Vass families having been in Caroline County, Maryland [note: Caroline Co. was once part of Dorchester Co.]. Also, Marshall notes that there is no proof that the southern Voss/Vass families in the Carolina’s are related to the Vaulx families from England (De Vallibus line) and if they are, he notes they must be of a different lineage having arrived into America at different times.
Both the Vaulx (De Vallibus) and Travers families descend from ancient Norman families who arrived in England with William the Conquerer. Interestingly, they are geographically close in England as well. The Travers family can be found in Lancashire England, whereas the Vaulx family (those that migrated to America) come from Cumberland, England. Whether or not they are related or have any connections, is not yet known.
Now, when you add the Willis families (those that I’ve come across during research) to the map [below], we get a remarkable new perspective!
If we split from the Travers family in America, it would likely be from the Travers family in Ireland (based on our Vess family story), which would allow (in theory) for Peter and Willis Vess to be born in North Carolina and Nathan Vess in South Carolina. But could it explain Jonathan Vess of Texas or Peter and William Vess of Patrick County, VA? Perhaps, because based on research by A. Elder on the McCullouch family of Texas, James Heron, who maybe the father of Elizabeth Heron, wife of Jonathan Vess, not only had land in Virginia near Peter and William Vess in Patrick County, VA but even earlier dated land records in Abbeville County, South Carolina!
Different Migrations Seen In Records
From my observation, a pattern of migrations have begun to appear!
Along the east side of Virginia, we have the Virginia Voss/Vass families (connection to Vaulx family unknown) migrating south into North Carolina (Ambermarle, Orange, Casewell, Granville, etc.). The Willis family, based on numerous sources, did the same, but now we know they originated in Maryland. We also know at least one Travers family from Maryland also went to North Carolina and joined the Travers family from Ireland.
The Travers family from Ireland migrated into South Carolina: Frances Travers in Tyron County, NC with land on the South Carolina side and his brothers obtaining land in Abbeville co. South Carolina, and of course, Charles Travers (Ireland or Maryland origin is unknown) is found in Anson County, NC with the Sugg and Bellew family, noting the Benson family in South Carolina (implying a connection).
Records state one Virginia Voss family (possibly related to the Vaulx family) migrated to South Carolina, but South Carolina records are scarce (he supposedly owed a large debt to someone in Virginia).
Along the west side of Virginia, we have the Great Wagon Road. The Vice, Whitesides, Logan, Pettit, Gosnell, Ecker, Mooney, and Pool families all have records showing they once traveled along this route, through Frederick County, VA, down into Augusta Co. VA, Rockbridge Co. VA, and into Surry/Stokes County, North Carolina.
Nathaniel Vice and his family crossed over to Kentucky (via the Cumberland Gap) and John Vice continued South, down through Casewell Co. North Carolina and into South Carolina where he settled in the Tyger River Community. Many Rutherford County, NC residents come from Orange, Casewell, and Granville counties, such as the Owenby, Hill, Ledbetter, and Murphy families. Joseph Voss (from the Virginia Voss family) traveled this route also, with early records in Casewell, and settled in South Carolina. William Voss of the same family, settled in Mecklenburg Co., NC, married Elizabeth Orr, and then traveled to Tennessee where it is said they established Lawerence County, Tennessee (just north of Franklin County, Alabama).
After 1810, families began to head west! I used to think families only traveled in one direction, but records have proven me wrong. Families, especially prominent land owners, traveled back and forth. North Carolina farmers in Rutherford County, NC took their products to market all the way to Charleston, South Carolina using the rivers. War took families to the western frontier or back north where they first came from. Land grants and opportunity took many of them west too!
How Willis Vess ended up in Alabama, so far away from Peter VESS in North Carolina is still a mystery, but I think we are beginning to narrow down some really good plausible ideas. Maybe the Vess family did split up in Surry County, NC? Maybe our family has earlier roots in South Carolina and War took the Willis Vess line to Tennessee? Maybe we came down the Great Wagon Road? Maybe we did split from one of the Travers families in America?
Only further research and Y-Testing will help us unravel the mysteries of our Vess family!
We’ve been at a frustrating genealogical brick-wall for so long, that the brain is desperately looking for any kind of connection, even if it is not supported by evidence or lacks logical sense.
For instance, as I am still rooting for a Vess-Travers split in America, I came across this article about a Charles Travis/ Travers in Anson County, NC who supposedly (not confirmed) had brothers named John and James. Immediately, my thoughts raced back to different versions of our family story that referred to the three brothers as “Charles” Peter Vess, Jonathan Vess, and “James” Nathaniel Vess.” Desperate for connections can lead to wasted time and more dead ends; however, something extremely intriguing in the online article of Charles Travis/Travers caught my immediate attention which led me to some interesting new discoveries!!
Friendly Reminder: The opinions and thoughts in this post are based on my own personal point of view researching these families. Links to sources are provided to allow the reader / researcher to form their own opinions, thoughts, and conclusions.
Brief Summary of Charles Travis/Travers
According to the online article, Genealogy Report: Descendants of Charles Travis/Travers, Charles Travers was born between 1745-50 in North Carolina, he married Elizabeth HARRIS in Granville, North Carolina (abt 1770), and together had 7 children. Although it states he died in Illinois, research strongly suggests that Charles Travers may have stayed in Anson County, North Carolina (later to become Montgomery County, NC) and that it was his sons who moved out of state.
This source states that Charles Travers maybe a descendant of Dr. Edward Travers from Cork, Ireland; however, there hasn’t been any solid genealogical evidence to prove it, despite Dr. Edward Travers having a grandson named “Charles,” per his son’s Will. It is also noted that Charles had a brother named John and James, which I believe, if they are related to Dr. Edward Travers, John maybe the Travers family in Edgefield, South Carolina. Further researcher is needed to confirm a connection.
1790 Census Record : David Benson
Our Vess family has a couple of connections with the Gosnell and Bellew families of South Carolina. Early connections that we know of is with Nathaniel Vess who married Clarinda Bellew, a descendant of both the Bellew and Gosnell families. Another early connection, one on Peter’s line, is with David Andrew Vess, who married Magnolia Gosnell, whose 2nd great aunt is Clarinda Vess (Nathan’s wife).
Magnolia Gosnell’s family appears to be from Madison County, North Carolina with her father having been born in Greenville County, South Carolina, descendant of Charles Gosnell Jr. and Lucy Pruitt. I do not know where David Andrew Vess (from McDowell County, North Carolina) met Magnolia Gosnell (from Madison County, North Carolina), but research suggests the Vess and Gosnell families may have more history together than we originally thought, perhaps as long time friends or neighbors.
I’ve seen this name before countless times, but with not much of a clue as to whether it meant anything. But now, lets look back at the 1790 census record for Spartanburg County, South Carolina: Joshua Gosnell, Abraham Belue (Bellew) and there listed below them is a David Benson.
So, how does David Benson connection to Charles Travers??
Well, according to the online article about Charles Travers, the daughter of David Benson (Nancy Benson) married the son of Charles Travers (Thomas Travers). They were married in 1811, in Kentucky with Nancy being much younger than Thomas, which may suggest that Thomas had children prior to his marriage to Nancy.
With that discovery, I was able to research a little more on David Benson… David Benson married Elizabeth Pruitt (Pruette) who was born in South Carolina (1775). I wonder if she is related to Lucy Pruitt, wife of Charles Gosnell Jr, born of the Pruitt family in Spartanburg County, SC whose family has connections with the Pool, Hembree, and Bellew families in the Tyger River community???
According to the North Carolina Land Grants and Deeds website, David Benson was issued land (1795) on the branch of Webbs Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Is this the same David Benson? The Webb family on Webbs Creek consisted of John, William, Elias, and Robert Webb and there is also a Lewis Bailey family. Webbs Creek branches off the Second Broad River (eastward). Cathey’s Creek also branches off the Second Broad River (westward), and west of the Second Broad River is the Bill’s Creek community. Is there a connection? I do not know yet, but perhaps it is worth noting.
Connection to Willis Vess: Montgomery County, NC
Charles Travers appears in 1790 Montgomery County, NC census record. Interestingly, we also find a very large Suggs family, specifically, a “Harbert Suggs.” So, where have I seen the name Suggs before??
Going back to the Franklin County, Alabama plat map to look at the Foxtrap area where, according to Anna Popejoy, the father of Willis Vess (John Vess) settled sometime between 1818-1820, you can find “Harbert Sugg” not too far away. Further research tells us Harbert obtained land from Huntsville (likely for Franklin, AL) as early as 1831. Also, several Sugg family sources state the Suggs family in Franklin County, Alabama did come from Montgomery County, North Carolina. Harbert Sugg’s mortality record, even states he was born in North Carolina.
Connection to Nathan Vess: Abraham Belyeu / Bellew in Anson County, NC
We know there was an Abraham Bellew in Anson County, NC (1790 census) , but we do not know if he is related to the Abraham Bellew on the 1790 South Carolina census listed next to Joshua Gosnell and David Benson. Perhaps the South Carolina Bellew is Abraham Bellew “Jr.”?? Further research is needed, but if David Benson is the David Benson mentioned in the article about Charles Travers, perhaps there is a connection.
While looking up the Suggs family, I came across Abraham Belyeu. According to an article on Thomas Sugg , written by Wynona Maxey (2008), Robert Sugg and Abraham Belyeu are witnesses on a land deed on Pee Dee River. This doesn’t exactly connect to Charles Travers, but it is worth investigating, considering Charles Travers supposedly lived on or near the Pee Dee River.
Connection To Peter Vess: Harris – Ledbetter Family
Helen M. Lu’s book, Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History, provides us great insight into the generation of Andrew Logan Vess and his brothers; however, just barely gives us a glimpse into Peter’s generation. According to Helen M. Lu, church records prior to 1827 have been lost and only one page in her book gives us an idea on who where early members of the church between 1827-1830 (Lu pg. 115).
Many of these names are well known: Whiteside, Vess, Dalton, Bagwell, Hill, Ledbetter, and Green; however, Harris is one that I do not recognize.
According to the article on Charles Travers, Charles Travers married Elizabeth Harris. The article also mentions that the Travers family were close to a “West” Harris family. A quick research reveals there was a Col. West Harris Jr. (Montgomery Co, NC) who married Edith Ledbetter, daughter of Charles and Frances Ledbetter. It will take some time to research the connection between the Ledbetter family in Anson County and the Ledbetter family in Rutherford County, but I bet they are related (even if distantly).
Going back to the complied list of early Bill’s Creek Baptist Church members [above], I see an unidentified Harris family. Looking up “Archibald Harris” only gives me information on an Archibald Harris in Anson County, NC (interesting), but I haven’t found an Archibald Harris in Rutherford County, NC, nor have I been able to find anything on the other listed Harris members.
A New Lead or Just Wishful Thinking
IF we did split directly from the TRAVERS family in America, perhaps it was with the Travers family in Montgomery County, North Carolina. AND IF, (A HUGE IF) we are related to the Travers family in Montgomery County, North Carolina, perhaps this explains Peter and Willis Vess having been born in North Carolina and Nathan Vess born in South Carolina; especially, if Nathan was a cousin rather than a brother.
Perhaps the Vess family was in Anson / Montgomery County and one of the Vess brothers (father of Nathan Vess) travelled with the Bellew family to South Carolina, which is where Nathan was supposedly born. The other Vess brother (father of Peter and Willis Vess), possibly named John, moved to Alabama with the Willis and Suggs families prior to 1830.
What about the promising Vice family? What about the VESS/VOSS/VEST families in Patrick, Rockbridge, and Augusta County in Virginia. What about the Voss family in Casewell County?
Well, maybe there is a connection with them too; families weren’t technically small back then. It is unlikely Peter, Willis and Nathan Vess are the only relatives of their generation. I mean, it wasn’t until just recently that we discovered that Peter and Willis Vess, not only are genetically related (same family line), but closely related!
Also, I just learned that the Pettit family traveled through Augusta County, Virginia on their way to South Carolina. Apparently, according to one source, the western part of Virginia was just giving away South Carolina land grants.
When it comes to Vess genealogy, there are always new leads and that is what makes Vess genealogy so frustrating.
Sources Lu, Helen M. Bill’s Creek Baptist Church Two Hundred Year History 1782–1982. United States, United States, 1984.
The Vess family has a close genetic relationship with the Travers family from Lancashire, England; however, at this time, we do not have enough Y-DNA testers to determine whether we are close cousins or a branch of the TRAVERS family who veered off with a different surname (VESS). Y-DNA testing and genealogical records has revealed some insightful information that greatly warrants more Y-Testers and genealogical research.
Y-DNA: Travers & Vess Families
Y-DNA analysis reveals that the Vess and Travers families are closely related. Unfortunately, our testing pool is small; Y-Testers include a couple of descendants from the Peter Vess line, one descendant from the Willis Vess line, and two descendants of the Travers line from England who are related to the Travers family in Dorchester, Maryland, USA. We do not have any Y-Testers yet from the Nathaniel Vess line (South Carolina) or the Jonathan Vess line (Texas); however, autosomal DNA suggests a distant relationship.
Vess Family DNA Project
Last year, the VESS and TRAVERS families were assigned into the same group CTS11317; then one of the Vess Y-testers (Peter’s line) completed the Big-Y Test, which broke it down further, re-assigning the VESS family their own sub-group R-FT19517. This suggests the two families may have split sometime prior to 1665 in England.
Haplogroup Tree YP4131
A Possible Connection With A Travers Family From Ireland?
What we know for certain, based on available Y-DNA information, is that the VESS family did not split from the TRAVERS line who settled in Dorchester, Maryland, USA. Our ancestral split from their particular line occurred in England before they immigrated to America. But, they were not the only Travers family to immigrate to America…
This finding is intriguing, for that their documented history is remarkably similar to the Vess family story about three brothers from Ireland. In one version of the Vess family story, it specifically mentions the three brothers having come from “Cork, Ireland.”
Furthermore, the TRAVERS surname for this particular line in America evolved into TRAVIS, with a couple of records discovered with the surname spelling of TRAVESS. This is also an intriguing find, considering that the VESS family had always been told that the VESS name is not their original surname. It is believed that their original surname was “shortened,” and/or was pronounced as “VOSS.”
If we consider thick accents of the time, the name TRAVIS could have easily been heard as “TRAVOSS,” and it is entirely plausible that overtime the “TRA” was eventually dropped, just leaving VOSS, which could have easily evolved into VESS. As records show, the “VESS” name didn’t exactly take hold (record-wise) until the 1830’s, and prior to that, it was a mix of VEST and VOSS, perhaps even VASS, likely due to terrible handwriting where the “e,” “o,” and “a” were difficult to tell apart. This would also explain why we see a pocket of VOSS/VASS families near the TRAVERS/TRAVIS families in North Carolina.
According to The Vaulx Family of England, Virginia, and Maryland, it is believed that the VASS families of Virginia /North Carolina “maybe” related to the VAUX family of Virginia (descendants of the Norman De Vallibus family), but there is no solid evidence to confirm such a connection, since there is no record on where the VASS/VOSS families of Virginia/North Carolina originated from across the Atlantic. Perhaps, some of the VASS/VOSS families have a surname that may have evolved from the TRAVERS line??
Although this information is intriguing and very favorable towards the mysterious origins of the VESS family, we do not have any solid evidence to make any final concrete conclusions.
Investigating The Travers Family In The Carolinas
We have only just begun researching the Travers family of North and South Carolina. We know there is a Francis Travers (sometimes Travis) of Tyron County, North Carolina who had land in the modern-day Spartanburg County, SC area in the 1760’s. He descends from the Travers family from Ireland.
Just recently, we discovered a pocket of Travers who are connected to Abbeville, SC, which is intriguing, for that we have an unknown VESS family in the same area in 1850. The Travers family from Ireland have earlier connections in Pasquotank, Pitt, and Beaufort counties in North Carolina. Interestingly, near these areas, we also have the Voss/Vass families whose origins, like the Vess family, are also undetermined.
Further investigation is needed.
Y-Testers NEEDED: Participant Info
To further unravel the mysterious connection between the VESS and TRAVERS family, we need more DNA participants.
We encourage EVERYONE to join the VESS Family DNA Project via FamilyTreeDNA.com.Autosomal DNA tests (from both male and female participants) helps us identify new Vess family lines and has the potential to help us locate genealogical records to make more family connections. Y-DNA tests from male participants from various family lines can help us further understand the connection between the VESS & TRAVERS family. Are we cousins or direct descendants of the same family?
Interested in testing? Please visit the Vess Family DNA Project to contact co-admins for more information or email vessgenealogy@gmail.com
TRANSFER FOR FREE: If you have already completed an autosomal DNA test or Y-DNA test from another company, you may have the option to transfer your data to FamilytreeDNA.com. Transfers are free with a FamilytreeDNA.com account; however, there is a $19 fee, if you wish to access more account tools. This is much cheaper than opening an account by having to order a new DNA test. Please check out this post for more information and instructions about transferring data to FamilytreeDNA.com.
Y-TESTERS NEEDED:
We need more Y-Testers from various family lines: Willis Vess line, Nathaniel Vess line, Travers/ Travis Carolina lines, and VOSS, VAULX, VASS, family lines. There are three Y-DNA tests available:
The Y-37 test helps us identify new Vess/Travers lines. The Y-111 test helps us identify families closely related to us. The Big-Y helps us further understand ancestral splits between closely related families.
Big – Y Testers Needed
We are seeking more Big-Y Testers, specifically from the Willis Vess line and Travers/Travis North & South Carolina line. Participants need to be male and have either the VESS, TRAVERS, TRAVIS surname. For more information about the Big-Y and pricing, please contact Michael Travers or Vincent Vess; contact info is available on the Vess Family DNA Project website.
This is a long post, but I assure you it is worth the read…
Friendly Reminder: The opinions and thoughts in this post are based on my own personal point of view researching these families. Links to sources are provided to allow the reader / researcher to form their own opinions, thoughts, and conclusions.
Tangled DNA Matches
Genetic genealogy is a great tool in locating stuborn early ancestors; however, the colossal challenge of analyzing autosomal DNA is that it is limited to only 6-8 generations.
For me, my autosomal DNA largely captures descendants of Andrew Logan Vess and Lucy Malinda Halford (my 3rd great grandparents – 6th generation). It also detects a good portion of descendants of Andrew Logan Vess and Cinthia Conner, because we share a good deal of DNA from Andrew Logan Vess.
As we move over on the Vess family tree to the siblings of Andrew Logan Vess (John, Josiah, Alfred, etc.), those matches are more distant as they are barely detectable with <1% DNA match. Interestingly though, comparing the number of shared DNA segments (cM), I match closer to descendants of Willis Vess than I do to the descendants of Nathan Vess, sometimes more closely than the siblings of Andrew Logan Vess! This, in my opinion, likely has A LOT to do with my mother’s deep roots in South Carolina and Georgia.
It is extremely difficult to pry apart my parents shared southern DNA matches. My mother matches with ALL the descendants of Andrew Logan Vess and Lucy Malinda “Linnia” Halford (the bulk of my shared Vess matches) on my father’s side, because Linnia Halford’s mother, Sarah Jane “Lollie” HILL, is a descendant of William Augustus Hill, my mother’s 7th great-grandfather. To make matters worse, the Halford and Hill families lived next to each other on Knobs Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina, mingling with so many families connected to the Vess family!
Thomas J. Halford & Sarah Jane “Lollie” Hill Rutherford County, North Carolina
My mother’s Hill line eventually settled in Anderson, Abbeville County, South Carolina, which just so happens to be a hot spot where many families of interest seem to have converged at one point or another. One HILL ancestor of mine, found his way to Greenville, South Carolina and connected with a BENTLEY from Georgia, opening the flood gates to even more deeper roots in the South.
With this, my mother seems to shares DNA matches with many southern families, including the Nathaniel Vice family (via a Turley connection) that migrated to Alabama as they passed through Georgia.
Interestingly, my mother does not share DNA matches with descendants of REUBEN VICE of South Carolina, who is the son of John Vice and Frances Roebuck. She also does not share DNA matches with VICE families in Kentucky who are likely connected to Nathaniel Vice II (brother of John Vice of South Carolina). This is interesting, because if she doesn’t share those matches, it is likely a connection on my VESS line.
How do I know it’s not a connection on my parents maternal lines? DNA matches suggest a connection within 6-8 generations back, which would greatly eliminated my parents maternal sides who arrived late to the United States and had very little connection with the south. My father’s maternal side arrived in Ohio in 1894 from Austria and my mother’s maternal side arrived in Michigan in 1948 from England. When looking at shared matches, it is easy to identify and eliminate leads connected to my parents maternal sides.
Exploring Sarah A. Vess & Vardry McBee Connection
Vincent Vess, co-admin of the Vess Family DNA Project, has made an interesting discovery analyzing his own autosomomal DNA.
He discovered a shared DNA match with a Vess descendant of Alabama and a descendant of Sarah A. Vess and Vardry “Nodsed” McBEE; Sarah being the daughter of Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron in Jackson County, Texas.
If the name Vardry McBeesounds oddly familiar, that is because it is a name often seen on many records in North Carolina. According to the Biographical Information section of McBEE Family Papers, Captain Vardry McBee was a constable in 1770 in Tryon County, North Carolina. His son, Vardry McBee Jr., later became a court clerk in Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1812.
The name “Vardry” is used numerous times throughout their family tree. Vardry “Nodsed” McBee, husband of Sarah Ann Vess, being one of them.
Vardry “Nodsed” McBee descends from Captain Vardry McBee (1734) and Hannah ECHOLS from Virginia via Silas Echols McBee Sr. (1765) who is the older brother of Vardry McBee Jr (1775), court clerk of Lincoln County, NC.
Unfortunately, not much is mentioned about Silas Echols McBee Sr. (1765) who appears to have settled in Kentucky. However, according to South Carolina Digital Records, there is a 1785 land record for Silas McBee, next to Vardry McBee (I assume his father-Sr.) on Thickety Creek in the 96th District of South Carolina. [Located North of the Pool and Pettit families] According to Revolutionary War Rosters, Silas and Vardry McBee served under Col. Roebuck (related to Francis Roebuck, wife of John Vice).
We do know that John Vice also had family in Kentucky via Nathaniel Vice II; however, very little is known about them.
Peter White of Texas – Discovery of Henry Vice of Virginia
When Jonathan Vess of Texas died, Elizabeth Heron married Peter White.
Peter White was born in Virginia (1801) to Shadrick White and Sarah Gibson. According to the Annuals of Soutwest Virginia 1769-1800 (pg. 1252), Shadrick was living in an area on or near “Madien Spring Fork Clinch River,” which is located in Tazewell County, VA near the North Fork Holston River.
*Note: Jonathan Vess and Peter White are both listed in Stephen F. Austins Register of Families, both having traveled from Missouri.
I decided to check for VICE families in and around the area and surprisingly, I discovered Henry VICE, living on South Fork Holston River, less than 50 miles away from the White family. Unfortunately, I do not know if Henry Vice is related to John and Nathaniel Vice, however, further research suggests there may be a connection.
1792: Henry Vice joins land with John Vaught and and Jarvis Smyth 1803: Henry Vice adds 60 acres to his own land 1803: Henry Vice joins land with Alexander Campbell and Crockett family 1806: Joseph Williams joins land with Henry Vice
County Boundaries Notes: Although records for Henry Vice state Wythe County, the South Fork of Holston River is not in Wythe County. It begins in modern day Smyth County and flows through Washington County. Wythe County used to cover parts of Smyth and Washington County prior to 1792. Wythe County also included modern day Tazewell County and extended all the way to Patrick County. Residents in the Holston River area are likely to have records under several different counties.
James Harvey Vest
A few months back I gained an interest in James Harvey Vest (1838) from Patrick County, VA. I noticed the name was on a list of Y-DNA results next to Willis Vess; however, it was explained to me that they are not related to each other, but curiously, neither of them are related to the VEST family of Virginia.
I reached out to W. Langdon, whose family has done extensive research on James Harvey Vest. With their help, I was able to check for shared DNA matches between our families and it turns out that my aunt (via her Vess line) does share a DNA match with a descendant of James Harvey Vest with two interesting families on their family tree: CAUDILL and VESSE (specifically Ephremia Vesse).
We could be connected through our family’s COX line (Pearl Cox), for that the COX and CAUDILL families were close together in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Interestingly, this was during a time when a William Vess was there.
I’ve seen Ephremia Vesse on many trees of shared DNA matches. She is the daughter of John “Vessey” and married Partick Conyngham (Cunningham). The interesting part is that sources say she died in Augusta County, Virginia. A place we have found shared DNA matches among the descendants of Willis and Peter Vess with a descendant of an early Logan family living in Augusta County, near the VESS/VEST family of Rockbridge County, VA. [I will share those findings in a different post, as I have found more pockets of VESS/VEST/ VICE families all along the western counties of Virginia]
CAUDILL and VESSE are also interesting, for that the VICE family supposedly descends from a VESSEY in Frederick County, VA and according to Appalachian Home website, CAUDILL and VICE families are listed as “Allied families.” What is the connection though?
In 1850, James Harvey Vest (1838) and his sister Nancy Vest were in Tazewell County, Virginia. His sister Nancy, married Joseph White, who I believe is related to the same White family as Peter White and her marriage record states she was born in Patrick County, VA and that her father is “Henry VOSS” and “Mary” (no last name). According to public trees on Ancestry.com, Mary may have a connection to the Caudle family. Could James Harvey Vest be related to Henry Vice?
But, it gets even more interesting…
James Heron: Holston River
I looked at land records for the Holston River area and discovered James Heron. Not only did he have land on the South Fork of the Holston River (like Henry Vice), but also on all the Forks of the Holston River, including the North Fork near the White family.
I can’t help but wonder,is this the same James Heron we see on the Patrick County, VA Deed Records 1791-1801 on Bull Mountain and Koger Creek with William Vess/Voss? Is this James Heron related to Elizabeth Heron, wife of Jonathan Vess of Texas?
The Genealogy Monkey Wrench: Y-DNA
I hate busting bubbles, but James Harvey Vest does not appear to be genetically related to our Vess family. Although we do share the same parent Haplogroup (R), our lineages separated thousands of years ago into R1a and R1b subgroups. Our Vess family branches from R1a, whereas James Harvey Vest branches from R1b. Yet, curiously, genealogical records strongly suggest that both our families may have a connection with the Vice family.
Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, there is no available information regarding Y-DNA testing for the VICE family.
But, there is a slight glimmer of hope for a connection, for that our VESS family is mysteriously closely related to the Travers family. So, in theory, it is still plausible that there could be a connection to all these families, perhaps through a half-sibling somewhere.
Quick Recap:
Genealogical records suggest a connection between the VESS and VICE families.
There appears to be a distant connection between an Alabama Vess and a descendant of Jonathan Vess of Texas (via Sarah A. Vess and Vardry McBee).
McBee family has history in North Carolina.
Elizabeth Heron married Peter White after the death of Johnathan Vess. The White family is from Tazewell County, Virginia.
Henry Vice (relation to John Vice family unknown) has land in the Holston River area near the White family.
Research strongly suggests that James Harvey Vest from Partick County, Virginia living in Tazewell County, VA in 1850, may have a connection with the Vice family too.
A marriage record for James Harvey Vest’s sister states their father is “Henry Voss.”
James HERON also has land in the Holston River area. Interestingly, we see the name James HERON with William VESS/VOSS on Bull Mountain and Koger Creek in Patrick County, VA deed records 1791-1801. Is this the same James Heron?
Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron were married in Patrick County, VA.
Further research and autosomal DNA analysis suggests a Vess connection with early VICE families in Virginia and records have revealed more pockets of VESS/VEST/VOSS/VICE families throughout the western counties of Virginia.
Let’s start in Patrick He was born in Virginia, 1779 and married Elizabeth Heron in 1791, in Patrick County, Virginia. We have discovered a William Vess/Vest in Patrick County, Virginia living near the Heron family (Patrick County deed records). This is either Jonathan William Vess himself or perhaps his father.
In the mid-1820’s him and his wife, Elizabeth Heron, traveled to Missouri and then down to the Republic of Texas with Stephen F. Austin. In 1831, Jonathan received land from the Mexican government and gave a portion of his land to build the town of Morales, TX (a ghost-town today with a history of outlaws).
John died in 1846. His daughter, Mary Lorena Vess, married Samuel McCulloch Jr., who was a free-slave, famously known for fighting in the Texas Revolution.
I am extremely excited to announce that we have been given the opportunity to start a VESS FAMILY DNA PROJECT!
A huge thanks to Marilyn Barton, for allowing us to revive her Vess Family DNA project on Familytreedna.com and also, a huge thanks to Michael Travers and Vincent Vess for managing it for us!
How To Join?
To join and participate, you must have an account with Familytreedna.com.
Click on this link for step-by-step instructions from yourdnaguide.com.
How Long Does The Transfer Process Take
Familytreedna.com states it takes 3-5 business days to process, but some reviews state it could be as quick as a few hours; it all depends on how many transfers they have to process (it’s a queue system).
However, you can join the Vess Family DNA Project and explore public Haplotrees while you wait for your results to process.
$19 To Access Additional Tools
It is my understanding that a free account opened by transferring DNA results from another vendor, allows you access to FamilyFinder and DNA Projects. However, one must pay $19 to unlock additional tools such as the Chromosome Browser, MyOrigins, and AncientOrigins.
Which isn’t that bad, considering you’re not having to buy an expensive DNA kit again or pay any kind of subscription to continue to access information.
Who Can Participate?
Any member of Familytreedna.com can join the Vess Family DNA Project! It is my understanding that this DNA project is not restricted to any specific type of testers and thus, all DNA tests are able to provide valuable information to the project.
Information provided by Autosomal DNA testers (both genders) allow us to make new family connections.
Information provided by mtDNA testers allow us to explore maternal roots.
Information provided by Y-DNA testers allow us to identify and connect different VESS/ VOSS/VASS/ VEST family lines.
Information provided by Big-Y testers allow us to further investigate and unravel the mystery between the Vess and Travers families.
The more participants, the more DNA information we can obtain and analyze, and then the more connections we can make!
Transferring Y-DNA Test Results
If you have already done a Y-DNA test through a different company that used the Sorenson 33 or 46-marker test, you can transfer your results to Familytreedna.com to participate in the Y-DNA portion of the Vess Family DNA Project.
Prior to 1820, the “Vess” name seems scarce. This is either because the Vess family just recently arrived to America or that there was a name change. Today’s research strongly suggests a name change.
When a surname is misspelled, we often tend to overlook important records. My genealogy game plan to bring these records to light is to research the neighbors of Peter, Nathan, and Willis Vess and investigate any nearby families with a similar surname. So far, I have a couple of excellent contenders with the VEST, VOSS, BEST, and BASS families. Unfortunately, I have yet to find any documents to confirm a direct connection with any of them.
With a handful of different families with similar surnames already piled high on my research plate, I had no intention on investigating anymore families; however, I would be foolish to disregard a family whose family story seems quite similar to our own family story…
The VASS Family: Sounds Oddly Familiar
I have spent years reaching out to different families with similar surnames in hopes one would have a similar family story to ours, but nothing ever came close until now…
I stumbled upon the VASS family with a document that wasn’t even about the VASS family itself, but more so about a man named Pendleton in Virginia whose daughter married a Vass. I can’t even tell you why I was looking at Pendleton to begin with, which happens a lot.
In genealogy, one document often leads to another document, then to another and another to the point you’re not exactly sure who it is that you were looking for in the first place! Honestly, I am pretty sure this all started with looking at map.
As I was saying, I stumbled upon a document that led me to more documents about the VASS family in Virginia. After reviewing my notes, I was shocked by how similar their family story is to ours…
1) Instead of Ireland, their “long time” family story has always been about “3 brothers from Germany.” 2) Their name used to be pronounced as “Voss” (just like us). 3) Some say they are German in origin and others say Scotland. (just like us, but instead of Scotland, it is Ireland).
There are a couple of documents pertaining to the VASS family, some of which strongly suggest they are Scottish, as part of the ROSS-Clan, with surname variants of Vaux, Vaus, and Wass. The Wass version is what they believe mistakes them for German. One source states the original name was DE-VALLIBUS; in my opinion, sounds French.
The VASS family was supposedly a prominent family in Virginia via John Vass and Rachel Pendleton. Their descendants eventually went down into North Carolina with the variant surname VOSS. They settled in parts of Casewell and Pasquotank Counties. [Note: There is Greenbury Voss/Vess in Casewell County]
Furthermore, there is a Vincent Vass (b. 1790) who married Mary Cosner living in Stokes County, North Carolina during the early 1800’s. This is interesting, because it means that William Tunwell VEST was not the only family in the area at the time with a similar surname to “VESS.” Also, we have a Peter Vest on a War of 1812 Surry County, NC record that we have not been able to connect to either the VESS or VEST family.
The VASS family is supposedly connected to the North Carolina VOSS family, which got me thinking: Is Frederick “Bass” of Anson County, NC, neighbors with the Bellew family, related to this VASS/VOSS mix?
The document linking the VASS/VOSS family (John Vass & Rachel Pendleton) to Vincent Vass cuts off and does not mention how they are related; unfortunately, I have not been able to find the original publication to read onto the next page.
I have just barely scratched the surface of the VASS family. As I mentioned before, this search initially began with looking at maps, in which I think has something to do with the names Whitlock, Vaughn, & Thompson scribbled on a piece of paper next to the name Pendleton. Of course, I didn’t jot down their connection!
Glasgow, Scotland
All this mention of Scotland, reminded me of Glasgow, Scotland. See, my DNA results show ancestors having once living in Glasgow, Scotland. This intrigues me, because in the 1820-1830’s, we see records for a “Vess” family arriving to America from Glasgow. I do not know if there is a connection yet, but it is interesting nonetheless.
The VOSE Family: Lancashire, England
As if the pile of families with similar surnames wasn’t big enough, the VASS family led me to another:
There is one source that made a brief connection between the VASS and VOSE family, in which is not well understood. In my opinion, it seems as if they were connected together, because both families share the surname variant of VAUX. However, before tossing this family aside into the “maybe” pile, one particular thing caught my eye: The VOSE family is from Lancashire, England.
This brings me to the TRAVERS family of Lancashire, England. It is my understanding that Y-DNA data currently suggests that the VESS and TRAVERS families are related and it is believed that the two families split “prior to mid-1650.”
Interestingly, I came across a 1784 marriage record for a Mary TRAVERS and an Edward VOCE (VOSE) in Lancashire, England, but no family tree to determine further connections (if any).
The VOSE family is originally from Normandy. Interestingly, (in my opinion) the name DE-VALLIBUS that is supposedly associated with the VASS family, seems more fitting for this VOSE family.
In the early 1600’s, Robert and Sarah Vose migrated to America. Further research shows that the VOSE family prominently living in Massachusetts with no mention of any family migrating South. So with that, I tucked the VOSE family away with the WEST family- ruling them out completely.
Henry Vose of Virginia
Interestingly, buried within a plethora of documentation about the VOSE family in Massachusetts, there is this tiny bit that reads: “Henry Vose, who arrived in Virginia in 1653.”houseofnames.com
Now, THAT is much closer to the Carolina’s! I decided to type his info into Ancestry.com where I came across this piece of genealogy gold [right]!
He arrived in North Hampton, Virginia in 1653, sponsored by Anti. Hoskins. And guess what other name is listed with his: William Willis!
This is interesting, because we think the Willis Vess family in Alabama (from North Carolina) might have a connection with a Willis family.
Of course, this doesn’t confirm anything.
No Solid Connections Yet
Although I am disappointed that no new connections have been made, this new information is encouraging.
This new information isn’t pointing me into a new direction (which is exciting), but more so back to where I’ve already been; meaning, there is a good chance I was on the right track, but missed something! I just have to figure out what.
So far, I have recognized that research seems to be on opposite ends of our family history timeline and we are just needing to fill in a 140+/- year gap. We can trace our lineage to Peter, Nathan, and Willis and we know (via DNA) that at some point they were connected to the Travers family in England. So, roughly between 1650 – 1791 is missing.
Vess Genealogy 