vess family

Orphans of John Vess

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John Vess (b. 1820) is the son of Peter Vess and Catherine Crook in Rutherford County, NC. He married Elizabeth Taylor and had 5 children together: Sarah, Silas, Mary, Sophrona, and William.

In 1854, Elizabeth announced her divorce to John Vess in the newspaper, stating he was an out-of-state resident. She married Joshua Souther in Henderson County, NC, the same day she announced her divorce in the newspaper.

A newly discovered record, reveals that Silas and Mary Vess, “orphans of John Vess,” were bound to Joshua Souther in 1855.

This suggests John Vess either died or is long gone from the state of North Carolina!

We do not know where John Vess went after 1850.

There is some speculation that he is one of the three John Vess families in Abbeville County, South Carolina, while there is some speculation that he is John P. Vess in Franklin County, Alabama who is not only the same age at John Vess in North Carolina, but also doesn’t appear in Alabama until 1860.

John Vess as John P. Vess would make those mysterious close shared DNA matches between me (a descendant of Peter Vess) and the Alabama Vess family (connecting to Tennessee Simmons/ Dodson family) make better sense, since John P. Vess married Louisa F. Simmons, who I believe is Louisa F. Dodson, former wife of Zachariah T. Simmons in Tennessee.

Remarkably, by arranging my shared DNA matches to the Alabama Vess family to match their suggested relationship to me on Ancestry’s family tree, strongly suggests that Willis Vess or John P. Vess is the son of Peter Vess.

Unfortunately, just because it would make sense, doesn’t mean it’s accurate.

We need more DNA testing and genealogical records to further explore the relationship between both Vess families.

Resource:

“Buncombe, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898W-Q995-2?view=fullText : Feb 24, 2025), image 639 of 965; North Carolina. Division of Archives and History.

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
















Absalom Vest: Fletcher Family Brushy Creek

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Last year, I made some new discoveries about Absalom Vest in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

He married Hannah Raymond (possibly Reynolds) in 1809, they appeared to live on the border of Wilkes and Iredell County (Brushy Creek/ Rocky Creek area). He appears on census and tax lists near the Souther family, who just so happen to be associated with Peter Vess in Rutherford County. Three of Absalom’s children settled in Indiana, with one of them having married a Fletcher.

The few records that we have, do seem to suggest that Absalom and Jonathan Vess/Vest were associated with the Fletcher family in Wilkes County, NC – but to what extent?

According to further research, the estate record that mentions Absalom Vest is supposedly for William Charles Fletcher.

The parents of William Charles Fletcher are supposedly (if family trees are accurate) Reuben Fletcher and Mary Gray, daughter of James Gray and Elizabeth Parks! (Parks is a DNA match to Vess via DNA Triangulation Method)


BUT…there are a lot of Fletchers in Wilkes County and the 1809 Estate record does not specifically say William “Charles” Fletcher.

Some believe, William Charles Fletcher married Margaret Cargile / Cargilet. However, I found the marriage record between William Fletcher and Margaret Cargile / Cargilet and the marriage record between Reuben Fletcher and Mary Gray. Unfortunately, both marriages took place around the same time; so, they are likely not father.

However, the William Fletcher 1809 Estate record may belong to “William Fletcher Sr.” who has land records dating between 1794 – 1799 joining land next to the Smoot family. Wit. include Spencer, James, and Absalom Fletcher – all who lived near the Souther and Smoot families in Brushy Creek in 1790.

Wilkes County records show Absalom and his wife, Hannah, next to the Smoot family too. And, we have a land record between Nathan Duncan and John Fletcher Jr., also joining land next to the Smoot family, witnessed by Jonathan Vess.

The Cargile family is also listed within the same company as the Fletchers, Smoot, and Souther families in 1790, suggesting maybe all the Fletchers are related to each other (I could be wrong though).

William Fletcher and Mary Cargile are believed to have lived in Iredell county, next to the Williams family (on Rocky Creek). Interestingly, on the 1810 census, Absalom Vest is listed next to the Williams family, with William Fletcher listed on the next page, next to another Williams family.

I am curious…are Absalom Vest and Peter Vess related to each other?

Results from the DNA Triangulation Method pinpoint to Brushy Creek for a potential ancestor for Peter Vess of Rutherford County, NC…AND is it just coincidence that Peter Vess has several run-in’s with the Souther family from the same place?

Could the Fletcher and Souther families been guardians of the Vest family? Especially, since William Vest (listed on earlier census records) disappears from the Wilkes County records in 1800??







Uncovering The Life of Andrew Crook

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

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

Buncombe County, NC Gap Creek

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

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

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

Rutherford County, NC Cleghorn Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broad River Basin Map
FindAGrave.com

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

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

Col. Issac Craton – Possible Miller/Twitty Connection

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources:

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























Dodson Family Leads To Another Vest Record

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Remarkably, I have never once thought to look for a Dodson in Wilkes County, North Carolina!

We see the Dodson family next to the Vest/Vess family in Patrick County, VA in 1790 and then again, in White County, TN in 1815, making a stop in between in Surry County, NC (1790-1815) near the Sparks, Parks, Rose, and Whitlock families. But, did any Dodsons go to Wilkes County?

You will not believe what I discovered!

Dodson-Rose Family
Rev. William Dodson (1737-1832) lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina and died in Iredell County, NC. He is believed to be the son of Thomas Dodson Jr. and Elizabeth Rose. This Dodson family appears to be cousins of the Patrick County, VA Dodson family.
 
The most striking part about this, is their connection to a ROSE family!
This is extremely intriguing, because autosomal DNA matches (via the DNA Triangulation Method) suggests the R1a2 Vess family may have an early ancestor in Wilkes County, NC via the Parks, Sparks, and Rose families, with an overall impression, it might more likely be with Rose.

And, it does get more interesting…

Absalom Vest
Rev. William Dodson has property on Beaver Creek, Lamberts Fork, and in Brushy Mountain (waters of Hunting Creek), all issued to him during the time in which the Vest/Vess family were also living in Wilkes County, NC.

Beaver Creek is not too far from Kings Creek, where we find William Vest and Benjamin Duncan (1787-1790) and Hunting Creek, is where we find the Souther, Fletcher, Smoot, and Absalom Vest families (1800-1830).

Map From 1787 Wilkes County State Census

I was looking at all the Dotson/Dodson land records and discovered Absalom Vest!

William Dodson Jr. (son of Rev. William Dodson) obtained land in 1821 on waters of the S. Yadkin River (Wilkes Co.), with Absalom Vest as a witness with Uriah Davis.

We know Absalom lived in Wilkes County, NC between 1803-1829, but he briefly went to Iredell County in 1810, listed next to the William’s family.

Rev. William Dodson also had land in Iredell County. He obtain land in Iredell County in 1804, joining land with a Daniel Meadows. Interestingly, we see Absalom Vest listed on the same page as Daniel Meadows on the 1810 Iredell County census.

(William and William Jr. are in Wilkes County, NC in 1810 listed next to the Phillips family).

Another Dodson-Rose line
There is another Dodson family on Beaver Creek (1805) via Joel Dodson, per land records.
Joel Dodson is believed to be the son of Elijah Dodson and Martha Stubblefield. Elijah Dodson, is believed to be the son of Rev. Joshua Dodson and Ruth Rose. Another Rose!

Martha Dodson (Stubblefield) can be seen on the 1787 Wilkes County state census in the Carrell’s District with the many Parks families, Thomas Stubblefield, and Benjamin Martin family.

In the 1790 census, we see Patty (believed to be Martha Dodson) on the same list as William Dodson, near the Parks family again.

Peter Vest appears in this area in the 1805 tax list for Thurmond District (previously Carrell’s District), which still included most of the Parks families.

Elijah Dodson’s father, Rev. Joshua Dodson, is believed to have died in Surry County in 1798. Unfortunately, the only other Dodson family I am aware of in early Surry County, NC would be Reuben Dodson, believed to be the son of Lambeth Dodson II of Patrick County, NC.

Member of Brier Creek Baptist Church
I re-read the church minutes for Brier Creek Baptist Church, where members include the Sparks, Parks, and Rose families. In 1803, Peter and Peggy “West” become members, who I strongly believe is Peter Vest as seen on the 1805 Thurmond District tax list.

To my surprise, records mention new members: William Dotson and Susey Dotson (1796). I am not sure if this is Rev. William Dodson (who is believed to have a 2nd wife) or another Dodson family. However, they are listed with members that include James Gray, wife Elizabeth Parks, and Timothy Buttry.

Timothy Buttry is related to Keziah Buttery, the wife of Reuben Sparks. Reuben Sparks son, John Sparks, married Elizabeth Rose (Autosomal DNA match to Vess via DNA Triangulation). John and Elizabeth are mentioned as members of Brier Creek Baptist Church, when Peter and Peggy West joined in 1803.

Autosomal DNA Matches To Vess Via DNA Triangulation Method

Following Other Dodson’s: Jonathan Vess of Texas
It’s amazing how the Dodson family appears to lead us to Vess/Vest records!
So, could they lead us to more Vest/Vess records?

According to Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families, we see Jonathan Vess listed as arriving to Texas from Missouri in 1829. Unfortunately, I’ve struggled to research families in Missouri and many researchers, like myself, are puzzled by “Missouri,” as it has been long held belief that Jonathan Vess arrived in Texas from South Carolina.

But, I was curious anyway… Did Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families include a Dodson family?

Remarkably enough, there is an Archolaus Dodson listed in Stephen F. Austin’s Book of Registered Families, having arrived in Texas from Missouri in 1827 (a couple years prior to Jonathan Vess). His parents are believed to be Obadiah Dodson and Sarah Garrison of North Carolina, with Obadiah being the son of Reuben Dodson and Agnes Whitlock!

Interesting note: Talithia Whitlock, the wife of Willis Vess (R1a2 Vess) of Franklin County, Alabama, is the granddaughter of Nathaniel Whitlock. A probate record for John Christmas listing his grandchildren, suggests Nathaniel Whitlock to be the brother of Charles Whitlock, whose daughter is Agnes Whitlock (wife of Reuben Dodson).

Small world, huh?

Henry County, VA: Samuel Vess
AND, there is another intriguing Dodson find…

Samuel Vess (presumed to be the father of Peter Vess of Patrick Co. VA) listed on the 1782 Henry County, VA tax list, is listed next to John Whitt. John Whitt’s sister is believed to be Hannah Whitt, who married Lambeth Dodson III, brother of Reuben Dodson (of Surry Co, NC)!

What Does It All Mean
To be 100% honest…I have no idea!

But, it is intriguing how the Dodson family appear to connect to locations where we have Vest/Vess records and appear to be around families who match to Vess via the DNA Triangulation Method.

I am hopeful for an R1a2 Vess family connection, but without genealogical records to prove it, it’s still just all speculation. In fact, I could just be chasing an un-related Vest/Vess family!!

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.






















Following The Souther Family

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It’s extremely interesting…Where there is a Souther there always seems to be a Vest/Vess family!

While the Souther family doesn’t appear to be close neighbors, they consistently pop up in Vess research…so, who is this Souther family and could they be related to the Vess family?

Frequent Appearances

Bill’s Creek Baptist Church Rutherford Co. NC
The Souther family first appear in the book, Bill’s Creek Baptist Church Two Hundred Year History, by Helen M. Lu, listed as members with Peter and Katy Vest (Peter Vess and Catherine Crook) between 1829-1836. They were received at Crooked Creek in 1828 and dismissed (no date).


Sarah Souther
Elizabeth Souther
Mary Souther
Jane Souther
John Souther
Joseph Souther

Buncombe Co. NC
After we discovered Catherine’s family, I noticed that Stephen Souther is listed next to Rachel Crook (Catherine’s mother) on the 1830 Buncombe County, NC census.

Rutherford Co. NC Deed
In 1846, Peter’s land (109 acres) was transferred to Joseph Souther to cover a $50 debt. If the $50 was paid, the contract would become null and the property would be reinstated to the Vess family.


Marriage
In 1854, Joshua Souther married Elizabeth Taylor, ex-wife of John Vess (son of Peter Vess).

Michael and Jesse Souther

The Souther families mentioned earlier include Michael and Jesse Souther from Wilkes County, North Carolina. They are the sons of Stephen Souther and Mary Polly Bussell. Their siblings include: Joel Souther, Elizabeth Gilreath, Sarah Hampton, Henry Souther, and Capt. Joshua Souther.

The Souther family lived on Hunting Creek in the Brushy Mountain community, near the Fletcher, Smoot, Gray, and Rose families and, interestingly, also the Vest family (Absalom and Jonathan Vest/Vess).

Michael U. Souther: Connections and Observations

Michael Souther eventually settled in Buncombe County, North Carolina, while his brother Jesse Souther eventually settled in Old Fort, McDowell County. However, prior to that, they made a stop in Crooked Creek, Burke County, NC (now McDowell County) and Rutherford County, NC.

Michael Souther obtained 30 acres of land on Crooked Creek in Burke County, NC in 1802, joining his own land. His brother Jesse doesn’t appear in Burke County until 1810.

Michael Souther is believed to have married a woman named Agatha; unfortunately, her maiden name is unknown.

Their son, Stephen Souther, husband to Nancy Gilliam, obtained land in Burke county in 1818 on Broad River next to his father-in-laws property.

Stephen later relocated to Buncombe County, and is the one listed next to Rachel Crook on the 1830 Buncombe Co. census.

Michael and Agatha’s other son, Joshua Calvin Souther, married Dicy Gilliam, and later married the ex-wife of John Vess (Elizabeth Taylor).

In 1810 and 1820, Michael Souther is living in Rutherford County, NC, before relocating to Buncombe County in 1830, where he passed away in 1834.

I noticed Michael and his son, Joshua, are listed next to Ambrose Ownsby on the 1820 census. In 1830, Joshua is still listed next to Ambrose Ownsby, but also with Minyard Gilliam, his father-in-law.

Small World: Ambrose Ownsby is the father of Zillah “Granny Duck” Murphy, the grandmother of Cora Nevada Moffitt, wife of Pinkney Vess (son of Andrew Logan Vess and Malinda Halford).

It is also interesting to note that Joshua Souther, has a son named William Haynes Souther. Could that be a reference to the late Rev. William Haynes, Rachel Crooks (Haynes) father? Is that why, we see Stephen Souther, Joshua’s brother, next to Rachel Crook (Haynes) on the 1830 Buncombe County census?

Jesse William Souther: Connections and Observations

Jesse Souther appears in Burke County via the 1820 census. He married Nancy Jane Combs in Wilkes County, NC in 1800. They live in the Crooked Creek area (now McDowell County), eventually settling in Old Fort.

It is Jesse’s family who appears on the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list with Peter and Katy Vest (Peter and Catherine Vess) between 1829-1836. 

In 1831, Peter Vess obtained land in the Broad River Township of Rutherford County, NC, which is located in between both Souther families of Crooked Creek (McDowell County) and Fairview (Buncombe County).

The Vess family disappear from the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list between 1836-1843.
In 1838, Peter (Vest) is listed as a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Burke Co. NC, located outside of Old Fort, not too far from Davistown Freewill Baptist Church where Andrew Logan Vess (Peter and Catherine’s son) is buried.

Bethlehem Baptist Church in Burke County, NC would be much closer to Peter’s property than Bill’s Creek Baptist Church, but not sure if the Souther family was also a member of the same church.

Absalom & Jonathan Vest/Vess Wilkes County, NC

Absalom and Hannah Vest in Wilkes County, NC also resided in the Brushy Mountain community near the Souther, Fletcher, Smoot, Gray, and Rose families.

We find Absalom Vest listed with the Souther family (Joel and John Souther) via the Wilkes County, NC 1805 tax list and (his wife Hannah) on the 1830 census.

Abslaom’s daughter, Elizabeth Vest, married Wesley Dishmond (Dishman). His brother William, married Hilley Souther, who is the daughter of Joel Souther and Patsey Brown.

Jonathan Vess is also believed to be in the same area, as he is listed as a witness to a deed record (dated 1805) between the Duncan and Fletcher families, joining lines with the Smoot family in Brushy Mountain. The Smoot and Souther families have been long time neighbors.

The Fletcher family seems to have some significance, as Absalom is mentioned in Estate records for the Fletcher family. Furthermore, recent research has uncovered parts of Absalom’s linage, revealing a family connection to the Fletcher family, through his daughter Lucy Vest who married William Fletcher.

While I have not found any records to show a direct Souther -Vess family connection, it is extremely intriguing how close they are to both Vest/Vess families (Absalom and later Peter).

So, the question remains – is the Souther family related to the Vess family, are they close family friends, or is it just all mere coincidence? An even bigger question is…could we be on the right track of finding the parents of Peter and Willis Vess!

















New: Willis & Peter Vess Tennessee Records

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Willis Vess Records: Tax Lists

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

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

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

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

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

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

William R Vess, Unidentified Son of Willis Vess

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

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

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

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








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.

Absalom Vest & Hannah Raymond of Wilkes County

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

In Wilkes County, North Carolina, there is a hidden pocket of “Vest/Vess” families who do not appear on census records, but are buried in court /tax records.

This Vest/Vess family was so well hidden in documentation that remarkably, neither the Virginia VEST family (Haplogroup I) or North Carolina VESS family (Haplogroup R1a2) have ever claimed them on their family tree!

Because they appear to be very close to many of our recently identified Vess-DNA matches (Rose, Sparks, and Parks families) in Wilkes County, NC and no known family trees for any of them…they could possibly be related to R1a2 Peter and Willis Vess family.

This Wilkes County Vest/Vess family includes Jonathan, William, Absalom, Pryor, and Peter Vest/Vess. Each with records using the Vess/Vest name interchangeably, which further supports a possible VESS connection, as the Virginia VEST family (Haplogroup I) rarely, if ever, have “Vess” records. There is also no evidence to suggest that any of the Rockbridge VESS families (not tested) ever lived in Wilkes County, NC.

Absalom Vest Death

Absalom Vest lived in the Hunting Creek/Brushy Mountain community. Records of his existence span between 1803 – 1820. He married Hannah Raymond in 1808 in Wilkes County. In 1810, they are shown to be in Iredell County, but they returned to Wilkes County in 1820. In 1830, Hannah is listed on the Wilkes County census, suggesting Absalom had died. The 1831 tax records tell us she owned 30 acres of land, possibly inherited from her husband.

Absalom appears to have died in 1829. According to Wilkes County court records (for 1829), Lucy and Harvey Vest are orphans. It specifically mentions that Harvey Vest is the son of Hannah Vest.

Lucy was bound unto Benjamin F. Martin, husband of Sally Rousseau. Harvey was bound unto Thomas J Bouchell.

Hannah Vest-Eades

Hannah returns to Iredell County in 1840 and is listed as “Vess” next to Issac Eades. Issac is the son of Ezekiel Eades, who she marries in 1854. We find Ezekiel and Hannah together on the 1850 Wilkes County census and they are listed next to Hannah’s son, Harvey Vest.


Lucy married William Fletcher in 1845 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, NC.

Hannah also has a daughter named Elizabeth, who married Wesley Dishmond in 1834 in Wilkes County, NC. They have a daughter named Maranda Fletcher Conger, per Indiana death certificate.

Absalom and Jonathan Vest/Vess, per Wilkes County court records, suggest a possible relationship with the Fletcher family (I assume they were close family friends), therefore, a Fletcher connection is not a surprise at all and further supports a likely connection to Absalom Vest.

Lucy, Harvey, and Elizabeth (born in North Carolina) settled in Indiana.


Patsey Vest

There is another Wilkes County marriage, via Patsey Vest and Gilpin Eades (1834). Gilpin Eades is also the son of Eziekiel Eades. I assume she is likely another daughter of Absalom and Hannah Vest.

1820 Census records indicate Absalom and Hannah had 5 children:

1 male under 10: assume to be Harvey
3 females under 10: assume to be Lucy & Patsey & 1 unknown.
1 female between 10-15: assume to be Elizabeth

Another William Tunwell Vest Mixup

Lucy and Elizabeth have public family trees (Indiana), however, they connect them to the William Tunwell Vest family of Stokes County, NC, instead of the Vest/Vess family of Wilkes County, NC.

This is likely because of their North Carolina birth. For the longest time, the William Tunwell Vest family (Stokes County, NC) was the only known early Vest family in North Carolina per census records, with the Wilkes County Vest/Vess family buried in court /tax records. We’ve seen this mistake made with other early North Carolina Vess ancestors (Peter and Willis Vess).

But to be fair, there are a lot of VEST families in Indiana who are truly related to the William Tunwell Vest family. AND, some descendants of Peter Vess (North Carolina) and Samuel Vess (Rockbridge Co. Virginia) also relocated to Indiana, making Indiana a mixing pot of different Vest/Vess families.

SO, is Absalom Vest/Vess a long lost forgotten VESS or VEST? DNA testing is the only way to tell for sure! If you or know someone who could be a descendant of Absalom Vest/Vess, please contact us about our Vess Family DNA Project. We are always looking for new testers to help us with our family research!

Sources:
Year: 1840; Census Place: Iredell, North Carolina; Roll: 363; Page: 231; Family History Library Film: 0018094 [Hannah Vess]

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. [Eziekiel Eades & Hannah Vest]

The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Wilkes, North Carolina; Roll: 649; Page: 360b [Eziekiel Eades & Hannah Eades]

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Index, 1741-2004 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. [Wesley Dishmond & Elizabeth Vest, William Fletcher & Lucy Vest]

Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1926-1927; Roll: 11 [Maranda Fletcher Conger-Dishmond]

Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Wilkes, North Carolina; Page: 493; NARA Roll: M33_83; Image: 344

Year: 1870; Census Place: Center, Hancock, Indiana; Roll: M593_320; Page: 357A

Year: 1870; Census Place: Richland, Fulton, Indiana; Roll: M593_316; Page: 83A; Family History Library Film: 545815

Familysearch.org Wilkes County, NC (Catalog) 1829 Court Records & 1831 Tax Records








Kick Off To Another Season of Vess Genealogy

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Oh WOW! Summer is officially over!!

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

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

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

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

To join our FB group, click here!

DNA NEWS


VESS DNA Testing

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

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

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

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


TRAVERS DNA Testing

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

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

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

Research News

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

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

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

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

Help Us With Content & Research

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

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

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

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

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