Willis Vess

Samuel Vest: Spartanburg Co. South Carolina 1800

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

The descendants of Nathaniel Vess are adamant that Jonathan Vess was, at some point, in South Carolina. I am not one to ignore family stories, so I promise ya’ll I’ve been searching for him in South Carolina for a long time!

Unfortunately, I haven’t found any evidence to suggest Jonathan Vess, himself, was ever in South Carolina, but there are records to suggest there was a “Vess” in South Carolina prior to 1830. I am just trying to figure out who…

The earliest known “Vess” records discovered thus far in South Carolina (to the best of my knowledge), date back to 1830, via land and census records for a Polly Vess in Greenville, South Carolina. Unfortunately, that is where it ends.

However, we do have two John Vess families during the 1850’s, that claim to have been born in South Carolina (around the early 1820’s), which indicates that there must have been an earlier Vess family in South Carolina evading the census records.

I have searched for years for a potential early Vess/Vest family in South Carolina and have found nothing, until now…

Nathaniel Vess: War of 1812 Pension Request

On Fold3, I was able to finally access Nathaniel’s full War of 1812 pension record. I’ve heard there was more to his record than what was available on Ancestry.com, but I was never able to find the entire record online until today!

In May of 1879, at the age of 85, Nathaniel Vess filed a pension request for his service during the War of 1812.

The claim states he served as a private (volunteered), in the company commanded by John Gaffney, of the South Carolina Militia, under Col. Richard Arnold. He enlisted at the age of 18 or 19 years old in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was noted that he was unable to remember specific dates. However, he claims to have served for 20 days and [illegible] and was discharged in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

His discharge certificate is reported to have been consumed by fire.

The claim also goes into detail about his residency. He resided in South Carolina, then moved to North Carolina in 1845, having stayed for 18 years, before relocating to Tennessee.

However, census records show he arrived in North Carolina in 1830, and he was there for over 20 years. We have to remember, when he filed this claim, he was 85 years old! So, his memory might not have been the best.

Unfortunately, seven months after filing this claim, Nathaniel Vess died from consumption and his pension request was denied, because they were unable to find him on any of the muster rolls. I bet they couldn’t find him, because they misspelled his surname.

What We Already Know

So, with the new information obtained from Nathaniel’s War of 1812 pension record, I shifted my search to Spartanburg County, South Carolina (again). But, not without reviewing what we have already discovered first…

🔲 Nathaniel Vess married Clarinda Bellew, who is supposedly the daughter of John Bellew and Clarinda Gosnell. These two families (Bellew/Gosnell) are prominent families of Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina.

🔲 The earliest “Vess” records date back to 1830 for Polly Vess. She is on the 1830 Greenville, South Carolina census, suggesting she might be a “Vess” widow. She is also on a handful of land records with a Joel Callahan during the 1830’s.

🔲 We have two John Vess families in South Carolina during the 1850’s whose records state they were born in South Carolina prior to 1830. One has a Civil War record, claiming he enlisted in Greenville, South Carolina. Note: During the Civil War, to the best of my knowledge, Nathaniel and Peter’s children in North Carolina were still in North Carolina.

🔲 Records for Nathaniel Vess indicate that he was born in South Carolina. He enlisted in the South Carolina Militia at the age of 18 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. And, census records, show him in North Carolina in 1830, listed next to John and William Bellew.

Records strongly suggest that there was an earlier Vess (or family with a similar surname to Vess) in South Carolina prior to 1830. They just don’t seem to be on record anywhere.

Spartanburg County, South Carolina: Samuel Vest

So, with the information we have so far, it does make the 1790 Spartanburg County, South Carolina census more interesting! Gosnell, Bellew, and Callahan!

All of them, eventually settled in Greenville, South Carolina! We have the Gosnell/Bellew (connection to Nathaniel through his wife) and Joel Callahan (connection to Polly Vess). Is there a connection between Nathaniel Vess and Polly Vess? Super interesting!

Ancestry.com



But, no Vess/Vest families are listed near them on the 1790 census. There is a curious “William West,” but nothing that stands out as a potential “Vess.”


However, browsing Spartanburg County records using the Full Text AI search in Familysearch.org, I came across a land record, dated 1800, between Thomas and William Phillips that was witnessed by a “Samuel Vest.”

Spartanburg Land Records 1803-1805

To the best of my knowledge, there are no known early “Vest” families in South Carolina; especially, during the early 1800’s. What makes this record even more intriguing, is that it is a “Samuel Vest.”

I lost track of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia after 1795! Could this be him?

New Theory: The Real Three Brothers, Jonathan, Peter, & Nathaniel

There is just something about Nathaniel Vess that tugs at me. While I am a 100% confident that Peter, Willis, Jonathan, and Nathaniel Vess are all related, and without a doubt, certainly related to the earlier Patrick County, Virginia Vess family, Nathaniel Vess, is the only one who doesn’t have an early connection to Wilkes County, North Carolina.

It’s also interesting, that Nathaniel doesn’t seem to have any close connections to Peter Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina. You’d think, if brothers (half or not), they’d be close together on census, attending the same church, and sharing the same family connections. Isn’t that just strange?

I am looking back at the tax lists…Jonathan Vess disappeared from Patrick County, Virginia the same time as Samuel Vess! The last known record of them in Patrick County, Virginia, was on the 1795 tax list!

Do you think…maybe, Samuel and Jonathan Vess came down to Spartanburg County, South Carolina after 1795 from Patrick County, Virginia, and then Jonathan Vess went back up to Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1803, before making his way to Missouri? But, why leave Nathaniel Vess behind in South Carolina?

UNLESS, Nathaniel Vess has a different mother OR Nathaniel Vess is the youngest child of Samuel Vess of Patrick County, Virginia!

If Nathaniel Vess is the youngest child of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia, he would then, be the brother of Jonathan and Peter Vess of Patrick County, Virginia. AND, that would fit our family’s origin story referencing the three brothers: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess!

That would be wild, if true!



Let me know your thoughts on this theory in the comments.


That would explain, why autosomal DNA matches between the descendants of Peter and Nathaniel Vess are so distant from each other! They weren’t half brothers, but possibly uncle and nephew. It’s completely mis-leading to researchers, because Peter is slightly older than Nathaniel, but not entirely far fetched, because I know families, whose uncle and nephew / aunt and niece were born around the same time! It happens a lot in large families!

BUT…there is no evidence what so ever to say that this Samuel Vest in Spartanburg County, South Carolina is the same Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia. But, the “Vest” surname in a South Carolina county where Nathaniel Vess says he later join the militia, is super intriguing!

I do hope Samuel Vest in South Carolina has more records!


















Vess Genealogy: Remarkable Discoveries Between 2020-2026

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

Vess families have been pondering their family origins for generations, and in 2020, the journey to find out had official begun…

In 2020, when I started this genealogy adventure, I didn’t know my Vess family even came from North Carolina, let alone had been there for so many generations (over 200 years).

For all I knew, in all seriousness, our original Vess ancestors landed on America’s rocky west coast directly from Ireland (having taken the scenic route, I guess). I also didn’t know how to do genealogy, what in the world genetic genealogy was or how that worked, nor did I know my American history (rusty since high school). Furthermore, I never in a million years, imagined, I’d develop such a passion for genealogy itself!

In the last 6 six years, I’d say a lot has been accomplished in uncovering the history, lineages, and origins of the Vess family. None of which would be possible, without the Vess Family DNA Project admins, Michael Travers and Vincent Vess, the vast amount of Vess families (and those with similar surnames) sharing their own research with us, their incredible family stories, and providing consistent support and interest, motivating us to continue our research!

We Only Had Oral Tradition’s To Work With

In the beginning, we only had oral tradition’s to work with, on top of a handful of records that have been discover thus far.

We didn’t know Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama even existed, or that his family was related to the Peter Vess family. In the beginning, we were told that there were just only three brothers: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess. How many more early Vess families are left to be discovered?

The Vess family comes from three brothers from Ireland: Jonathan, Peter, and Nathaniel Vess, with Nathaniel believed to be a half brother. Jonathan settled in Virginia, Peter in North Carolina, and Nathaniel in South Carolina. No matter what lineage you talk to, everyone is adamant that the Vess surname is not their original surname. Jonathan married Elizabeth Heron, Peter married Catherine “Katie” Cook, and Nathaniel married Clarinda Bellew.


Below is a list of what has been discovered thus far, changing everything we were once told about the Vess family…

2020: Intro to Genetic Genealogy

🔲 A descendant of Willis Vess interestingly appears as a match on the R1a2 lineage (Y-DNA) with the Travers/Hays families.

🔲 Willis Vess is an unknown Vess, requiring further investigation.

🔲 It is eventually determined, by the end of the year, that the North Carolina Vess family (Haplogroup R) is unrelated to the early Virginia Vest family (Haplogroup I). This will become a valuable tool used to help sort out the different early Vess/Vest families.

🔲 It is determined, by reviewing available genealogical records for Nathaniel Vess, that he may have earlier connections specifically to Glassy Mountain, Greenville, South Carolina.

2021: The Vess Family DNA Project

🔲 A “Vess” family was discovered in Patrick County, Virginia (Deed record dated between 1790-1800).

🔲 We discovered that Willis Vess lived in Franklin County, Alabama and that he was born in North Carolina. He was extensively researched by genealogist Anna Popejoy, whose work was published in Whitlock Gleanings and FindAGrave.com.

🔲 We discovered Peter Vess and his family in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: Two Hundred Year History,” by Helen M. Lu.



🔲 The Vess Family DNA Project was established.

🔲 Descendant of Peter Vess completed Y-DNA testing, resulting in a match to the R1a2 lineage with Willis Vess and Travers family. The match suggests, Peter and Willis Vess are related as part of the same Vess family.

🔲 Y-DNA results, reveal that Peter and Willis Vess are English in origin, and are descendants of the early Travers family of Lancashire, England (no specific lineage identified yet).

🔲 It is suggested that the the Vess surname might be a shortened version of TRAVIS (TRAVESS), a variant of the surname Travers.

🔲 The Vest family in White County, Tennessee peeks my interest, although there is no evidence to suggest a connection to the Vess family.

🔲 A family story about how the Vess family once adored a red-headed outlaw fascinates me, and leads me to explore a popular newspaper article about a William Vess and the auburn haired Great Western Land Pirate, John Murrell.

🔲 The DNA Triangulation Method directs our attention to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE families in Wilkes County, North Carolina, suggesting a potential maternal Vess ancestor, requiring traditional genealogy methods to unearth records. The matches strongly suggest a connection more likely via ROSE, than Sparks or Parks.

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that Sarah Jane Vess, wife of Jackson Pressely, is not a descendant of Nathaniel Vess, but of Peter Vess, via son, John Vess and wife, Elizabeth Taylor.

🔲 More records for the Vess family in Patrick County, Virginia were uncovered, dating further back to 1782, with a William and Samuel Vess. In addition to marriage records for Peter Vess and Poignance Vaughn and Jonathan Vess and Elizabeth Heron. Records reveal that the Vess family lived directly on the border of Henry/Patrick County, VA, on the Mayo River, near the Abraham Penn and George Hairston plantations.

2022 Wilkes County, North Carolina & Their Connection To Tennessee

🔲 We discovered Revolutionary War records under the “Vess” surname, via Samuel, William, and Col. Peter Vess, all from Dunmore County (now Shenandoah County), Virginia.

🔲 We discovered, a “Vest/Vess” family in Wilkes County, North Carolina, while researching the Sparks, Parks, and Rose families. These families include: Peter, Pryor, William, Jonathan, and Absalom.

🔲 Records suggest a potential DODSON family connection to the Vest/Vess family in Wilkes County, North Carolina. We see them as neighbors in Patrick County, VA, prior to seeing them again as neighbors in White County, TN. They are also related to the earlier Whitlock family.

2023: Irish Traditions Influenced By Crook Family

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the true maiden name of Peter’s wife, Catherine, is CROOK, not Cook.

🔲 We discovered, through traditional and genetic genealogy, that John Vess (son of Peter Vess) has a son named William River Vess.

🔲 We discovered, through land records, that the wife of Samuel Vess in Patrick County, Virginia is named Catherine.

🔲 We discovered, through newspaper articles, that Pryor Vest in Tennessee died a horrific death in 1831, while in jail.

🔲 We discovered even more earlier “Vess” records, via William and James Vess of Loudoun County, Virginia dated between 1760-1770.

🔲 We discovered, through traditional genealogy methods, that Peter’s wife, Catherine is of Irish descent. Her parents are John Emmanuel Crook and Rachel Haynes. The father of Rachel Haynes, William Haynes, is said to be the first pastor of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church, in the book, “Bill’s Creek Baptist Church: 200 Year History,” by Helen M. Lu. John Emmanuel Crook, is the illegitimate child of Andrew Crook(s) from Ireland. It is observed that all of Peter’s children are named after those on Catherine’s side of the family, suggesting our Irish traditions may stem from her side of the family.

2024: Exploring The Individual Vess/Vest Families

🔲 We begin to discover that the Vest family in Wilkes County, North Carolina also have records under the “Vess” surname, which are often used interchangeably.

🔲 We discovered records, revealing that Peter Vess in Patrick County, Virginia, is Peter Vest, in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records, revealing the life of Absalom Vest (Vess) and his wife, Hannah Raymond (believed to be Reynolds).

🔲 We noticed that Peter Vess in Rutherford County, North Carolina has an unusual amount of records involving the Souther family, the same Souther family we see next to Absalom Vess in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records in White County, Tennessee showing Peter Vess and Willis Vess together, transferring land to Zachariah Simmons. This record, among previous ones, suggests, Peter, Pryor, William, and Willis are part of the same Vest/Vess family from Wilkes County, North Carolina/ Patrick County, Virginia.

🔲 We discovered Pyror Vest has a history of causing trouble, with a growing list of court-records regarding assaults and affrays (disturbing the peace). These records often involve William and Peter Vess.

🔲 We discovered an additional “Vess” in White County, Tennessee, via James Vess, on tax lists with Willis and William Vest/Vess.

2025: Unexpected Discoveries

🔲 We discovered that Jonathan Vess in Jackson County, Texas, has a Will, but is only available in-person – not online.

🔲 A further look at the Stephen F. Austin Register of Families, for Jonathan Vess in Texas, state he came from Missouri, not South Carolina, as often told. The record also states he arrived with 2 children and 4 dependents, suggesting the children we were told he had, may not all be his biological children.

🔲 We discovered, through genealogical records, that the 3 youngest children of Jonathan Vess are actually the children of William Vess.

🔲 We discovered a court record in Buncombe County, North Carolina, that two children of John Vess (son of Peter Vess) were adopted by a Souther.

🔲 We discover court records in Henry County, Virginia, that Pryor and William Vest in White County, Tennessee are in fact, Pryor and William “Vess.” This led to discovering other Tennessee records under the “Vess” surname.

🔲 We discovered a court-record, suggesting Catherine’s full name, may be “Eleanor Catherine Crook.”

🔲 We discovered land and court-records for Nathaniel Vess in Haywood County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered records that tell us that Peter Vess, while a resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina, went to church and estate sales in Burke County, North Carolina.

🔲 We discovered further evidence to suggest Willis Vess of Franklin County, Alabama may likely be related to Pryor and William Vess in White County, Tennessee.

🔲 We discovered, through genetic genealogy, that the Vess family has DODSON matches, in addition to the SPARKS, PARKS, and ROSE matches. This suggests the Vess family may have a maternal ancestor related to one of these families. It is strongly suggested, that it might be specifically via a DODSON/ROSE family.

Interestingly, there just so happens to be a DODSON-ROSE family, from Richmond, Virginia, who are related to the DODSON families in Patrick County, Virginia. Furthermore, Absalom Vess is a witness to a land record, in Wilkes County, NC, for a DODSON, who is a direct descendant of the DODSON-ROSE line.

2026: Entering A New Chapter

🔲 We discovered a land record for Jonathan Vess in Lincoln County, Missouri dated 1825, mentioning his 2 sons, William and Lofton Vess.

Conclusion

Perhaps we finally have enough records to start piecing together a more comprehensive picture of the earlier Vess families, and hopefully, it may lead to new discoveries!

Please be sure to follow this blog, as we enter a new chapter in Vess Genealogy!!









Dodson Family Leads To Another Vest Record

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

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

Frequent Appearances

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


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

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

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


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

Michael and Jesse Souther

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

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

Michael U. Souther: Connections and Observations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesse William Souther: Connections and Observations

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

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

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

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

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

Absalom & Jonathan Vest/Vess Wilkes County, NC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

















New: Willis & Peter Vess Tennessee Records

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Willis Vess Records: Tax Lists

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

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

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

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

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

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

William R Vess, Unidentified Son of Willis Vess

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

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

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

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








Kick Off To Another Season of Vess Genealogy

/ J. 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! 🙂  











Following The DNA Evidence: Part 1

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

When records are scarce, follow the DNA!

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

DNA Triangulation Match 1 (ROSE-SPARKS) 🧬

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

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

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

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

Early Rose Families of Wilkes County, NC

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

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

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

Emmanuel Rose: Likely Related to Group L

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

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

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

DNA Triangulation Match 2 (Parks) 🧬

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

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

Brier Creek Baptist Church

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


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

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

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

1787 Tax List: Brushy Mountain Community

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

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

John Rose (Group L) Relocates in 1790

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

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

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

Sparks, Whitlock, Dodson, Green, & Parks Families

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where Next…

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

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

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


































Peter’s Parents: Getting Closer!

/ J. V. / Leave a comment

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

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

ROSE, SPARKS, and PARKS

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

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

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

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

DNA Matches To Vess: Possible Maternal Ancestor

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

Sparks
Rose
Parks
Holloway
Caudill
Bauguess
Butry

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

Location For Possible Records: Wilkes / Surry County Border

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Thurmond District 1805: Peter “Vest”

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

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

Peggy Is A Nickname For Margaret

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

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

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

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

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

Mysterious Parks Connection

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

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

Further research is needed. 

Absalom Vest DNA Matches

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

Help Us Further Our Research

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

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

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

Plummley: Is There A Connection?

/ J. V. / 1 Comment

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

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

Fall 2023: Vess Genealogy Recap

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Updated Map of “Vess” Records

/ J. V.



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

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

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

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

Time Line

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

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

    Virginia County Court Records Tithables Loudoun County Virginia 1770-1774

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 1820-1850+ Jackson County, TX
    Jonathan Vess

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

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

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

  • 1830 Greenville, South Carolina
    Polly Vess

    Ancestry.com (census)

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

    Ancestry.com (census)