My Vance Family
[Some of the links will take you to other websites. The links from various online documents and below will be found on this website. The Rootsweb World Connect Project is also hosted by rootsweb.com.]
I have only been able to trace back my Vance family to my gggg-grandfather Patrick Vance and his wife Elizabeth Houston or Elizabeth Huston. Her maiden name has not been confirmed. Patrick had at least two brothers -- David and John. Their parents have not been proven even though there are many thoughts to their ancestry. What we do know is the DNA of my Vance line. The test results of the Vance DNA project may be found HERE. Group summaries may be found HERE, and the DNA Blog HERE. (Be sure to use your back button to come back to this site.) There are two people who descend from Patrick who have submitted their DNA: #57216 and #39459. The test results found in the "blue" section are considered "probably" related but how is not known at this time.
My Rootsweb World Connect Project begins here for my Vance family. Remember to use your back button to come back to this site.
It is believed that Patrick and his two brothers John and David came to America from Ireland -- possibly Donegal. It is known that both John and Patrick settled in Stoufferstown (now known as Chambersburg), Franklin County, Pennsylvania. John built his home sometime between 1774-1780 and it was later known as the "Strickler House." The house was later demolished and a Wal-Mart now sits in its place. Patrick's home (above) was built in 1773 and still stands in Chambersburg (formerly known as Stoufferstown). It is now the corporate headquarters for Valley Quarries, Inc. Be sure to use your back button to come back to this site. David moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
My gggg-grandfather Patrick Vance married Sarah Taylor May 20, 1767, in Pennsylvania. They had at least six children: Jane, John, David, Sarah, James, and Elizabeth. After Sarah's death August 1777, he married Elizabeth Houston. Some say her father was Christopher Houston, and others think she was the daughter of John Huston. Patrick and Elizabeth had at least nine children: Patrick, Agnes, Robert, William Houston (my ggg-grandfather), Aaron, Mary, Samuel, Joseph, and Jean (or Jane).
Patrick Vance: From Pennsylvania to Knox and Jefferson Counties Tennessee Ancestry and Descendants by Margaret Vance Webb states on Page 8: "Between 1793 and 1796 Patrick Vance moved south to Tennessee where he bought 140 acres of land from Robert Miller in Knox County on the north side of Holston River (called the Tennessee River and now called Fort Loudon Lake) being part of a grant to William Lea containing 300 acres. The land was near Ebenezer, Knox County, Tennessee." Page 9 states: "Patrick Vance then bought 640 acres in Jefferson County, Tennessee, 20 miles above (North) of Knoxville, Tennessee, on south side of the Holston River from Perkins and Seals et al. Indenture date January 1796 but was not registered until 30 July 1801 just one month before he died. The land was later transferred to his children. Sweet Gum Bend or Beaver Creek, commonly called "Upper Bint" on the Holston river is located ? miles north-east of Strawberry Plains and about 2 1/2 miles north of the Andrew Johnson Highway. it is believed that this is the location of the Vance property and at one time, it was called Vance's Bend."
Vance Family Association
If you are a Vance or a Vance descendant, you should certainly consider joining the Vance Family Association.
Various Online Documents
Please go here for the Escape of Enoch Vance.
Please go here for James P. Vance Memorial Service.
Vance Family Death Certificates
Patrick Vance Rootsweb World Connect Project