vess family

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

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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

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Oh WOW! Summer is officially over!!

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

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

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

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

To join our FB group, click here!

DNA NEWS


VESS DNA Testing

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

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

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

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


TRAVERS DNA Testing

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

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

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

Research News

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

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

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

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

Help Us With Content & Research

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

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

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

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

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











Following The DNA Evidence: Part 1

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When records are scarce, follow the DNA!

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been following the DNA evidence provided by Vincent Vess and have made some remarkable discoveries that are beginning to shed more light on early Vess family history!!

DNA Triangulation Match 1 (ROSE-SPARKS) 🧬

The DNA evidence begins in Wilkes County, North Carolina via the Rose and Sparks families.

According to DNA research provided by Vincent Vess, descendants of Willis and Peter Vess have DNA matches (via the DNA Triangulation Method) with the Emmanuel John Rose and Reuben Sparks families of Wilkes County, North Carolina. Emmanuel Rose and Reuben Sparks are connected through their children: Elizabeth Rose and John Sparks.

These results suggest that an ancestor of Peter and Willis Vess lie somewhere on the ROSE/SPARKS family tree.

It is believed that the connection to VESS is likely via ROSE, rather than SPARKS. So, I began to research the ROSE families, which surprisingly, led me to the WHITLOCK & GREEN families!

Early Rose Families of Wilkes County, NC

According to the Rose Family Association (DNA Project), there were 2 different earlier ROSE families in Wilkes County, North Carolina during the same time period.

The first family, identified as Y-DNA Group A-1, includes John Rose Sr. and his sons, Benjamin, John Jr., Sterling, and Hosea, all who appear to have lived north of the Yadkin River.

The second family, identified as Y-DNA Group L, is John Rose, who appears to have lived south of the Yadkin River. He is noted as being “closely related, if not, a direct descendant of John Rose and Lucy Bennett (Virginia),” via Bennett Rose and Mary Haustraete (Surry Co. NC). It is also noted that this John Rose eventually settled in White County, Tennessee from Surry/Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Emmanuel Rose: Likely Related to Group L

Emmanuel John Rose 🧬 did not have any sons; therefore, there are no direct descendants available for Y-DNA testing for his lineage. However, family websites for the Emmanuel John Rose family, strongly believe Emmanuel John Rose is also the son of Bennett Rose and Mary Haustraete. If accurate, he would be related to John Rose (Group L).

Furthermore, if accurate, there could be a VESS connection somewhere on the John Rose / Lucy Bennett line.

Looking further into this John Rose, I came across our second DNA Triangulation match: George Washington Parks (Grayson Co. VA), as well as other intriguing connections!

DNA Triangulation Match 2 (Parks) 🧬

John Rose (Group L) obtained land on “Gray’s Creek,” in 1782, in Wilkes County, NC, joining the Gray’s line.

The Gray’s line refers to the property of James Gray (obtained in 1780). James Gray married Elizabeth Parks, daughter of Capt. John Parks Sr. and Mary Jane Sharp. Her brother, James Franklin Parks I, is the grandfather of George Washington Parks🧬 of Grayson County, VA (another DNA Triangulation Match to Vess)!

Brier Creek Baptist Church

Interestingly, Brier Creek Baptist Church is located south of the Yadkin River near the properties of John Rose and James Gray.


Between 1801 – 1805, the Rose, Parks, Sparks, and West (Vest) families are mentioned as members. Brier Creek Baptist Church appears to be the center hub for families north and south of the Yadkin River.

Brier Creek Baptist Church is a branch of the Three Forks Baptist Church. The Three Forks Baptist Church was established by Richard Henry Green. *1787 tax list, Richard Green is listed under the Isabell District with William Vest, Benjamin Duncan, Lawerence Duncan, and Russell Jones (residents of Kings Creek).

Church records reveal that several members, despite being distantly apart, bounced between both churches.

1787 Tax List: Brushy Mountain Community

On the 1787 tax list for Wilkes County, NC, John Rose is listed with some notable families:
Souther, Combs, Smoot, Parks, Fletcher, and Dunkin in the Brushy Mountain community south of the Yadkin River. All these families, at some time or another, have a record connected to the Vest/Vess family.

Note: Absalom Vest and Jonathan Vess appear in the Brushy Mountain Community on record between 1803-1805.

John Rose (Group L) Relocates in 1790

John Rose (Group L) relocates to Surry County, North Carolina in 1790, prior to the arrival of the Vest/Vess family (Peter, Absalom, Jonathan, William, and Pryor 1800-1810).

However, keep in mind, there was an earlier documented “William Vest” in Wilkes County, NC between 1787-1790 on Kings Creek (parts of which is documented as part of Brushy Mt), located south of the Yadkin River, west of John Rose’s property on Gray’s Creek.

In 1790, John Rose is listed on census (Surry Co.) next to the Jarvis family, who are also related to the John Rose/Lucy Bennett family (via Abner Rose). Interestingly, on the same census page, we see Mathew Sparks and William Whitlock…

Sparks, Whitlock, Dodson, Green, & Parks Families

Mathew Sparks is distantly related to Reuben Sparks 🧬 (father of John Sparks, husband of Elizabeth Rose) via family in Maryland. Mathew Sparks died in 1813, having eventually settled on Hunting Creek (border of Wilkes/Surry Co.).

William Whitlock though, is much more interesting…as he is the son of James Whitlock Jr.

James Whitlock Jr. is the son of James Whitlock Sr. and Agnes Christmas. His siblings include Charles, Mary, Thomas, and Nathaniel Whitlock. Nathaniel Whitlock is the grandfather of Talithia Whitlock, wife of Willis Vess in Franklin Co. Alabama.

James, Charles, and Thomas Whitlock settled in Surry/Stokes County, NC from Virginia.

Whitlock-Dodson & Patrick Co. VA Connection
The daughter of Charles Whitlock, Agnes Whitlock, married Reuben Dodson. Reuben Dodson, according to family websites, is believed to be the brother of William Dodson who settled in White County, TN. This would be the same William Dodson who owns property on Caney Fork next to the Pryor, Peter, William, and Willis Vest family.

Furthermore, it is strongly suggested that Reuben and William Dodson are also the sons of Lambeth Dodson from Patrick County, Virginia. Lambeth Dodson is listed next to William and Peter Vess/Vest/Voss on the Patrick County, VA tax list via Mayo River.

Thomas Whitlock, brother of James, Charles, and Nathaniel Whitlock, can be seen on the same page as Peter and Samuel Vess on the 1799 Patrick County, VA Tax List.

Also, note that Abner Hodges is also in Surry County at this time. Abner Hodges is listed on the early tax lists near Samuel Vess in Henry County, VA and then later listed next to Peter Vest on census in White County, TN.

It appears John Rose relocated to an area of families from Patrick County, VA, who are documented in records with the Vess/Vest/Voss family prior to 1800.

Green & Parks Family
There is an 1806 Surry County, NC court record for James Whitlock to oversee a road near Flat Rock, a branch of Hunting Creek. Including in the record is Thomas Whitlock, Richard Green, and James Parks (James Franklin Parks I).

The Whitlock and Green families supposedly have earlier connections, along with the Gray family; however, I do not know the specific connections at this time.

Richard Green created the Three Forks Baptist Church and is listed next to William Vest on the 1787 Wilkes County, NC tax list.

Talithia Whitlock, wife of Willis Vess in Franklin Co. Alabama, is a distant cousin of Richard Green via her mother, Elizabeth Green. They are related via family in Trenton, New Jersey.

Richard Green’s son, Amos Green, is listed on the Bill’s Creek Baptist Church member list (dated 1829-1836) with Peter and Catherine Vest (Vess) in Rutherford County, North Carolina; along with several members of the Souther family from the Brushy Mt. community in Wilkes County, NC.

Where Next…

The Jarvis family in Surry County, NC (related to the Rose family) has land records on Fisher Creek, which is interesting, because Fisher Creek is where we find the Bray family and tax notes mentioning a William “Voss,” who appears to be unrelated to the Vass family in Stokes County.

Also, War of 1812 records for Surry County, NC list a William and Peter “Vest,” who also appear to be unrelated to the VEST family in Stokes County, NC.

At this time, the border between Wilkes and Surry County, along Hunting Creek (Brushy Mt.) might be where some of the Vess family split after 1810, with the Willis Vess line going west to Tennessee (w/ Dodson, Rose, and Hodges) and the Peter Vess line venturing down south to Rutherford County, NC (w/ Green & Souther)…


































Belinda Vess: 1860 Marriage Rutherford Co. NC

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

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

In 1860, the Vess family have split ways.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, we do not know what became of Elizabeth…

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

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

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

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






John “Vess” Families In South Carolina

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John and Alfred Vess, sons of Peter and Catherine Vess, both left the state of North Carolina after 1850. I am curious if they both went to South Carolina…

We do not know exactly where John Vess went to (other than he left the state of North Carolina), but Alfred Webb Vess settled in Georgia, whose in-laws came from Abbeville County, South Carolina where records during the same time period show several other “Vess” families. 

Did John and Alfred have Vess family in South Carolina?

James Marvin Vess:
Saluda, Abbeville County, South Carolina

In the 1850 South Carolina census, we find a John Vess (b. 1825 SC), with wife, Drucilla Turner, and son James Marion Vess in Saulda, Abbeville County, South Carolina. Records from the South Carolina Archives and History Digital Collections for “John Vess” reveal they are living in the Greenwood community (which will become its own county in 1897). 

This John Vess disappears after 1850 too. 

Interestingly, according to DNA research by Vincent Vess, descendants of James Marion Vess share DNA matches with both Vess and Crook cousins, which strongly suggests a connection to Peter and Catherine Vess from Rutherford County, North Carolina via possibly their son John Vess. 

In the 1850 Rutherford County, North Carolina census, we do find John Vess listed with his wife Elizabeth Taylor (and kids), living with Catherine and his younger siblings. Vincent points out that this is dated September 17th, 1850, whereas the 1850 Abbeville County, South Carolina census with John Vess and Drucilla Turner (Vess) is dated November 25th 1850; two months apart. Could they be the same person?

This John Vess (if not our John Vess) in South Carolina could also be a very close relative of Peter Vess (brother, father, half-brother, etc) who may also descend from a CROOK. Or, it may be a false lead, with DNA matches descending somewhere else on the CROOK branch (non-Vess related). 

BUT, Vincent also points out, that another VESS-CROOK lineage is not implausible, for that we have documentation of an older “John Vess” in Rutherford County, North Carolina, as a “John Vess” was a witness to a land record for Peter Vess in 1831. 

Peter’s son, John, was only 11 years old at the time, and not legally old enough to sign legal documents yet. I was told by a historian from the North Carolina Genealogical Society that the legal age would have been 16.

Even more interesting, is that Greenwood County is near Newberry County (South Carolina) where Catherine’s paternal grandfather, Andrew Crook may have come from (prior to obtaining land in Buncombe Co in 1804)… Could there be a connection?



Could “John Vess” in Abbeville County, South Carolina, be our “John Vess” from Rutherford County, North Carolina or is it possibly another lost “Vess-Crook” lineage.

Brothers John & William Vess:
Saluda Regiment, Abbeville County, South Carolina

In the 1850 census for Saluda “Regiment,” Abbeville County, South Carolina (separate census from the above Saluda, Abbeville County, SC census), there are two brothers (maybe cousins) living with a Brooks family: John and William “Vess.” 

Abbeville County was divided into 2 regiments, Savanah River Regiment (where we find Alfred’s in-laws) and Saluda Regiment (where we have John & William Vess). I have yet to determine the difference between Saluda Regiment census and just Saluda census records, as they are distinctly different (it does not include the John Vess & Turner family). 

What is intriguing about John and William Vess (if accurate) is that it is noted on census they were born in North Carolina, ruling out Peter and Nathaniel’s line. They were born about 1824 and 1826, ruling out Pryor, William, and Peter’s line from Wilkes county, who were in White County, TN by 1820. 

This leaves Absalom Vess and the briefly mentioned Johnathan Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  Johnathan was only mentioned a couple of times between 1803-1805, with no indication as to where he went next; however, Absalom is a possible candidate as he remained in North Carolina with records between 1803-1820. His wife Hannah appears to have survived him. Census records (although mostly girls) did reveal they had at least 2 sons (but only 1 in the age range above). 

There is also the suspected older John Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina (witness to Peter’s land) to also consider…

John Vess Age 51
Greenville, South Carolina

According to Civil War records, there is a “John Vess” (records also “Vest”) who enlisted from Greenville, South Carolina. Other than the 1830 census for Polly “Vess,” there are no “Vess” families on census or any other available records in Greenville, SC.  

Civil War records from Fold3.com, reveal correspondences asking to be dismissed from the military due to his age. He claimed to be 51 years of age (1864) with an estimated birthdate of 1813; unfortunately, he had no proof of his age. 

According to the records, John Vess was interviewed by a man, who declared in a written statement, that he believes (based on the interview) that John Vess is of 50 years old of age.

Unfortunately, none of these records indicated where John Vess was born.

What Are We Looking At?

Who are these “Vess” families? Are they Haplogroup R1a2, like us, or are they another family (unrelated to us) whose name eventually evolved into Vess?


*Note: Descendants of Nathaniel Vess have yet to complete a Y-DNA test or upload their Autosomal DNA results to the Vess Family DNA Project. At this time, we do not know if the Nathaniel Vess line is related to the Peter & Willis Vess family (Halpogroup R1a2).


John Vess from Greenville, South Carolina intrigues me, because his Civil War records are under the “Vess” and “Vest” name, which strongly suggests he may be a “Vess” relative for Peter and Willis Vess. Records alternating between the “Vest” and “Vess” name are often associated with the VESS family. 

Having shared DNA matches with the Vess/Turner family (Vess & Crook matches) in Abbeville County is fascinating; especially, since Greenwood is near Newberry County, where the Crook(s) family use to resided prior to 1800. 

And, what about the brothers/cousins also in Abbeville County, whose census states they were born in North Carolina? If true, do they come from Wilkes County, North Carolina?

The most fascinating thing to me, is that there is an off and on presence of “Vess” families in South Carolina between 1794 (Nathaniel’s birth) to 1870 whose origins and lineages are unknown! 

• 1794 Nathaniel Vess is believed to have been born in South Carolina.
• 1810 John “Beas” (not sure if Vess) appear on census (Spartanburg Co.) near families later associated with Nathaniel and Peter Vess.
• 1830 Polly Vess in Greenville County in the same census as the Plummley family seen near Nathaniel Vess in Rutherford Co. NC and Pryor Vest in White County, TN.
• 1850 John Vess (b. SC) / Drucilla Turner Saluda, Abbeville Co. shared DNA matches with VESS & CROOK descendants.
• 1850 John & William Vess Saluda Regiment, Abbeville Co., supposedly born in North Carolina.
• 1860 John Vess (age 51) from Greenville, Co. 

What is the connection (if any)? Very intriguing!











 












Peter & Peggy: A Look At Census Records

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It was exciting to find Peter and Margaret Vess from Patrick County, Virginia in church records between 1801-1803 as “Peter & Peggy West” and then later Peter “Vest” in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  Of course, I wanted to see if there were any more Vest records under the “West” name…

1810 Census: A West Not A Vest

To my surprise, I found a Peggy West in the 1810 Wilkes County, NC census, but I don’t think it could be that easy…

A Peggy West with 3 children under the age of 15 (2 girls, 1 boy). Unfortunately, this record has been claimed by the West family as John West & Margaret “Peggy” Whitherspoon. 

This appears to be accurate, as this Peggy West isn’t near any Vess DNA matches nor is she near any families that we’ve seen close to Vest families; and several families listed on this census are also on numerous West family trees. 

According to family sources, her husband John West died in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1800. Whereas, Peter Vest in the 1820 White Co. TN census suggests there is a husband and wife (female & male over 45 years old). 

The Vest family appears to have left Wilkes County, NC prior to 1810. 


Peter Vest/West/Vess Census: Consistent Aging

Census records are not always accurate, but we do see consistent aging (in records) for Peter between Patrick Co. VA to White Co. TN, suggesting they are the same person.

Peter Vess and Pugnance Margaret Vaughn were married in 1785 (Henry Co). According to a 1787 Henry Co. tax list, Peter was under the age of 21, with an estimate birth year between 1766-1771. 

In the 1800 (Wilkes Co), Peter West is between 26-44, then in 1820 (White Co), Peter Vest is over 45 years old, and then in 1830 (White Co), he is between 50-59; all of which support a birth year between 1766-1771.


Sources:

Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. 
Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Exploring The Life of Alfred Webb Vess 1826-1882

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Alfred Webb Vess 1826-1882

Rutherford County, North Carolina

Alfred Webb Vess is the 4th son of Peter Vess and Catherine “Katie” Crook. He was born in 1826 in Rutherford County, North Carolina in the Knob Creek community. He had 9 siblings: John, Josiah (Joseph), Andrew Logan, Rachel, Elizabeth, Alexander, Eliza, Zephaniah, and Jasper. 

Alfred Webb Vess may have been named after Rev. Alfred Webb, who was a pastor at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church between 1827-1833. His parents were members of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church between 1829-1836, and his great-grandfather, William Pressley Haynes, is believed to have been one of the first pastors at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church.

In 1831, the Vess family moved to the Broad River Township of Rutherford County (now Buncombe County), on Cedar Creek in between Old Fort, McDowell County and Fairview, Buncombe County. However, the Vess family would eventually returned back to the Knob Creek community.

In 1846, Alfred and his brothers joined Bill’s Creek Baptist Church with their mother, Catherine (without Peter). In 1850, they are back in the Knob Creek community. Alfred (21 years old) was still living with his family, which included his mother and all his siblings, except for Andrew Logan Vess (who was living next to his Halford in-laws at the time). 

Franklin County, Georgia

In 1853, Alfred Webb Vess married Mary Elizabeth McFarlin in Franklin County, Georgia, daughter of Benjamin McFarlin and Nancy Stone from Abbeville County, South Carolina (Savannah River area). Together they had 5 children: Benjamin E. Vess, Albertina Vess, Alfred Webb Vess Jr. , Mary Jane Vess, and Lucy Lee Vess. 

It is not known as to why Alfred Webb Vess settled in Georgia, so far away from his Vess family in North Carolina. He may have followed his older brother John Vess out of state, as a divorce record for John, dated 1854, states he was an “out-of-state” resident. There is reason to believe John may have went to South Carolina, which maybe where Alfred met the McFarlin family. At this time, there is no evidence that Alfred went to South Carolina before settling in Georgia. 

If you have any information about why or how Alfred Webb Vess settled in Georgia, please leave a comment below.  🙂

Civil War

At the age of 36, on May 12, 1862, Alfred Webb Vess joined the military, having served as a Confederate solider (private rank) under the 34th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company G.

In May of 1864, he appears to have transferred to Company I. On December 16, 1864, he was captured in battle and imprisoned in Nashville, Tennessee. 

A few months later, Alfred contracted the Measles and was hospitalized in Richmond, VA on February 26, 1865. According to the Widow Pension files, Measles had settled in his lungs. He regained enough health to finish out his service in the army (as a musician,) but after returning home to Franklin County, GA, he struggled with poor health ever since. 

Athens, Clarke Co. ,Georgia

After the Civil War, Alfred and his family moved to Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, where census records indicate he was a “sewing machine agent.” According to the 1880 census, they were living at 307 Strong Street, which appears to be where the Hotel Indigo is now, located downtown Athens near the University of Georgia. 

Alfred Webb Vess appears to have been appointed as Constable, with a probate / bond record dated 1878, mentioning duties as Constable of the 216th District (more research is needed). 


Not much seems to be known or has been shared with me about his life in Georgia. If you have any information that you would like me to add to this article to share with others, please comment below or email me at vessgenealogy.com.

Death: Alfred Webb Vess and Mary E. Vess

Alfred Webb Vess died on October 27, 1882 in Athens, GA, due to Consumption (Tuberculosis), believed to have been brought on by the Measles contracted during the Civil War.

According to the Widow Pension files, it was clearly stated that Alfred Webb Vess did not die a pauper, despite having left no property or money to his wife, Mary. 

After Alfred’s death, Mary went to live with her son, Alfred Webb Vess Jr. She filed several pension applications, with a physicians statement detailing her poor health that prevented her from being able to work. According to the physician statements, she was confined to her bed due to Chronic Bronchial Catarrh (chronic bronchitis), with a severe cough. It was also noted that she suffered from neurological pain, anxiety, and frequent stomaches. Mary E. Vess, passed away on December 26, 1908. 

Unfortuantely, I have not been able to locate their burial sites. 

Sources:

Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History 1782-1982, by Helen M. Lu. 

Ancestry.com: Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database

Ancestry.com. Georgia, U.S., Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.

Hunting For Bears, comp.. Georgia Marriages, 1699-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Notes: Bonds, Vol B, 1847-1876; Guardian, Administrators, and Executors, Vol F, 1877-1928

https://adp.ehistory.org/athens-ga/historic-street-address

Peter’s Parents: Getting Closer!

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Who are Peter’s parents? 
This is a question that family researchers have been wondering for generations! 

Perhaps, it’s a question that will only be answered with genetic genealogy…

ROSE, SPARKS, and PARKS

In 2021, Vincent Vess discovered DNA matches triangulating with the Sparks and Rose families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and then later, a Parks family in Virginia, who came from Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Aside from a mysterious William “Vest” with records dating between 1787-1790 on Kings Creek (far from any Rose, Sparks, or Parks families), there were no other signs of a potential Vess/Vest family in Wilkes County.

However, in 2022, I uncovered a pocket of Vest/Vess families in Wilkes County hiding in court and tax records dated between 1803-1820 which include William, Prior, Jonathan, Absalom, and Peter!

The presence of a multi-generational Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County is very promising! 

DNA Matches To Vess: Possible Maternal Ancestor

Families that match to VESS via DNA Triangulation (descendants sharing the same segment of chromosomes) appear to be the following:

Sparks
Rose
Parks
Holloway
Caudill
Bauguess
Butry

These families all appear to be connected to the John Sparks – Elizabeth Rose family, who are descendants of Emmanuel Rose & Mary Hancock/Hampton and Reuben Sparks & Keziah Butry (various spellings). DNA research strongly suggests that Peter Vess may have a maternal ancestor related to this family. 

Location For Possible Records: Wilkes / Surry County Border

The Sparks family is largely known to have settled on Hunting Creek (South of the Yadkin River), in Wilkes County, North Carolina. However, according to earlier Wilkes County records (which requires some digging), they appear to have been North of the Yadkin River with the Rose and Parks families.

All these families appear on the 1787 census in Captain Johnson and Captain Carrel’s Districts (shown below). The Sparks and Rose families, while documented on census in Wilkes county, also had records in Surry county.  

Note: Wilkes county used to be part of Surry County and Capt. Carrel’s District is on the border of Wilkes / Surry co. 

Brier Creek Baptist Church 1801-1803: Peter “West”

On Familysearch.org, you can access church records for Brier Creek Baptist Church (Roaring River). Reviewing pages covering from 1793-1810, I found the Parks, Sparks, and Rose families together. 

Church minutes mention Elizabeth Rose, Emmanuel Rose, Rebuin Sparks, and John Sparks; the same family in which DNA research is suggesting might have a family connection to Vess.  

In documented church minutes, I came across an entry, dated 1801, mentioning a Peter “West” and his wife “Peggy West.” They were received by experience and baptism on April 24th, 1801. 
Further entries describe incidents of Peter and Peggy West being accused of lying, which resulted in excommunication and repentance. 

“July 24th at church meeting Peggy West citing to meeting by Brother Rose for [illegible]. 

She was found guilty of lying and trying to make mischief in the settlement and was excommunicated.”

“February 27, 1803, Peter West accused of telling untruths and was found guilty and on his request it was laid over till next meeting – March.” (March 1803) “Peter West was restored to fellowship by repentance.”

Familysearch.org Church minutes, 1783-1955 Author:
Brier Creek Baptist Church (Wilkes County, North Carolina) pg. 13-14


There is no further mention of Peter “West” after 1803, but many members of Brier Creek Baptist Church bounced around between other churches in Wilkes County, as they were all part of the same church association, with the Three Forks Baptist Church (west of the Blue Ridge Mts) being the mother church. 

I cannot find any land records for a Peter “West” in Wilkes or Surry County, but I did find a Peter “West” listed on the 1800 Wilkes county, North Carolina census (alphabetical order). 

7 total Household members:
1 male between 26-44
1 female between 26-44
1 female under age 10
1 male between 10-15
2 males under age 10

We also have a record referencing a Peter “Vest” in 1805…

Thurmond District 1805: Peter “Vest”

Last year, I discovered a Peter “Vest” on an 1805 Wilkes County tax list. He is listed in the Willis Thurmond District, which is located near the Wilkes/Surry county border in the old Carrell District; same area that contains the Rose, Sparks, and Parks families. 

Interestingly, the Thurmond family were also members of Brier Creek Baptist Church (same time as Peter “West”). 

Peggy Is A Nickname For Margaret

When it comes to the Vess name, it has a history of being anything: “Vest,” “Vist,” “Best,” “Vert,” “Verl,” “Voss,” “Vass,” “Voss,” and even…”Post.“ So why not add “West” into the mix too? 

Peter “West” documented in Wilkes County, NC between 1801-1803 is likely Peter “Vest” documented in the same area in 1805, and ultimately, there is a 99.9% chance he is a “VESS;” more specifically, Peter Vess and Pugnance Margaret Vaughn from Patrick County, Virginia! 

In 1793, in the Patrick County, Virginia Deed records, it states a Peter “Vess” and his wife, “Margaret,” and John Duncan, sold land to John Spencer. Peter “Vess” then disappeared from records after 1797, suggesting he had left Patrick County, Virginia.

Then, in 1801, we see a “Peter West,” (later Peter “Vest”) in Wilkes County, North Carolina church records with wife “Peggy West.” “Peggy” is a nickname for Margaret!! 

We now have supporting documentation suggesting the Vess/Vest family from Patrick County, VA is the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, NC!!

Mysterious Parks Connection

The connection to the Parks family is unclear, as DNA matches are triangulating with a Parks-Martin family in Grayson Co., Virginia, who used to live in Wilkes County, NC prior to 1800. 

However, we do see Peter “Vest” in the Thurmond District (1805) with a Parks family and a William Martin; both of which I believe (at this time) have connections with the Parks-Martin family in Virginia through Benjamin Martin (Justice of the Peace) and member of Brier Creek Baptist Church with Peter “West” (1801-1803). 

Further research is needed. 

Absalom Vest DNA Matches

Descendants of Willis and Peter Vess appear to share matches with the descendants of Absalom Vest. Unfortunately, at this time, Vincent Vess is not able to compare chromosomes to determine how closely they match each other. If descendants from all three lines share the same segment of chromosomes, that would support a definitive “Vess” – “Vest” relationship to Wilkes County, North Carolina. 

Help Us Further Our Research

If you have any information that may assist us further in our research, please leave a comment below or email us at vessgenealogy.com. 

DNA genealogy has been the key to uncovering the lineages, history, and origins of the Vess family. Please help us further our research by joining and participating in our Vess Family DNA Project.

And, furthermore…don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to keep up with new discoveries!