SV-188 suggests that his first name was Johan, middle name Nicholas
Note: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Germany Township, near Littlestown, Adams Co., PA dates from 1763. (SV-1216)
His baptismal sponsors were Niclaus & Esther Thiel. (SV-251 & SV-1619.13)
He was christened in St. Johns Lutheran Church, Littlestown, PA. (SV-402)
3 May 1762, he was christened by Rev. Jacob Lischy Johan Niclaus Cress S/O Joh. Georg and Christiana. (SV-404 pg 49 & SV-682 & SV-1619.13)
Additional proof that Nicholas was the son of George Cress is provided by George Cress’ 1823 will. (SV-287)
SV-335 claims he was born in 1764 as does Ure in DAR applications (see Edgar’s book pg 719)
He was not born in Wythe, VA as he was christened 3 May 1762 in Littlestown, Adams co., PA (SV-140)
Proof that he was a son of George Cress (b. 1739) comes from two sources:
1) Record of his christening: Joh. Niclaus cr. 3 May 1762, son/Joh. Georg and Christiana.
2) Named in the March 1822 will of George Cress (b. 1739): “Thirdly, I leave to my son, Nicholas Cress fifty pounds to be equally divided between his sons.”
(SV-507 pg 10)
Some think he fought in Revolutionary War also (SV-184 pg 4 e-mail from henke@inwave.com)
SV-184 says he was born in 1764
1773 to 1933 Montgomery Co., VA: No Grantor or Grantee entries for CRESS. (SV-541)
Note: Book Augusta Co. VA Marriages 1748-1850 does not list an Elizabeth Somers or Summers who married anyone named CRESS.
1780-1800 Amherst Co., VA: No CRESS marriage or Wills. (SV-1455)
1785 Amherst Co., VA: Not on tax list.
1787 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 0 white male 16-21 and 2 Horses and 2 Cattle. (SV-1419)
1788 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 2 Horses. (SV-1419)
1789 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 0 Horses. (SV-1419)
1790 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 1 Horses. (SV-1419)
1791 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 2 Horses. (SV-1419)
1792 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 2 Horses. (SV-1419)
1793 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: Nicholas Cress: 1 white male over 16 and 3 Horses. (SV-1419)
He appears to have moved to Amherst about 1795
1794-1798 Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List: No Nicholas Cress is listed. (SV-1419)
No proof he married in Augusta Co., VA. His marriage is not listed in John Vogt’s book “Augusta Co., VA Marriages 1748-1850.” (SV-1165)
31 March 1795 Amherst Co., VA Land Grant pg 410: Nicholas Crass (sic) granted warrant #8919 (assignee Wm Dameron) for 29 ac.(surveyed Jan 1793) on Stovalls and Harress Creeks and on both sides of Synches road. (SV-1615)
10 May 1796 Amherst Co., VA Land Grant pg 198: Nicholas Crass (sic) granted 47 ac. on Stovalls and Creek. (SV-1615)
1796 Nicholas Cress & Eliz., of Amherst Co., VA sold a tract in Amherst Co., VA on Stowalls & Harris Creek, totalling 222 ac. to Daniel Burford Sr. (SV-385 & SV-1456; Image in SV-1779) Note: No record of purchase of this property Could it have come to him thru his wife?
12 Sep. 1797 “This Indenture made the 12th day of September 1797 between Philip Kennedy and Mary his wife of Wythe County and State of Virginia of the one part and Nicholas Cress of the same county and late (this may indicate that he was dead or it may indicate he was new to the county) of the other part, witnesseth that the said Philip Kennedy and Mary his wife for and in consideration of the sum of £ 275 current money of said state to them in hand paid do bargain and sell unto the said Nicholas Cress and his Heirs one certain tract or parcel of land in the said county of Wythe containing one Hundred and Sixty Two acres and bounded as followeth to wit: Beginning at a black South twenty eight degrees West, eighty six poles to a hiccory sixty West fifty six poles to a white oak South five degrees East thirty eight poles to a cherry tree South fifteen degrees West eighteen poles to a white oak South sixtten East twenty six poles to a poplar Elm & Beech North twenty seven degrees West one hundred and fifty eight poles to a white oak by a branch North eight degrees West thirty poles to a large white oak by a creek & up the creek twenty eight poles to a double Elm North 10 degrees East twenty eight poles crossing the creek to cherry tree corner to Smith’s land & with Smith’s line North fifty eight degrees East two hundred and sixteen poles to two white oak saplings corner to Smith’s Land to the beginning. Together with all its appurtenances to the said Nicholas Cress and his Heirs to the sale we and behalf of him the said Nicholas Cress & his Heirs doth covenant with the said Nicholas Cress and his heirs the said land with all its appurtenances unto the said Nicholas Cress and his Heirs against all persons whatever will forever warrant and defense. In witness whereof they the said Philip Kennedy & ____ his wife have hereunto set their hands & affixed their seals the day and year above written.”
Philip Kennery & Mary Kennedy fixed their marks. Sidebar Note: “Dec’d David Cress son of Grantee 30th August 1814” Wythe Book 2 pg 95. (SV-385 & SV-404 pg 49 & SV-781 & SV-832 & SV-834.1 & SV-834.3)
SV-183 says he died in Wythe co., VA in 1799
Dec. 1799 Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: “Elizabeth Cress, relict of Nicholas Cress decd., granted administration of goods and chattels rights and credits of the deceased. Bond with Nehemiah Bonham & Sherrard James. Nath’l Morgan, Frederick Slimp and Michael Buster to appraise the estate of Nicholas Cress.” pg 55. (SV-1651.2)
1800, Jan. 15: Appraisement of his estate in Wythe Co., VA. (SV-385)
See SV-1668.1->.4 for photocopies of inventory and estate sale record
He probably died in late 1799 since his will was probated 11 Jan. 1800. (SV-404 pg 49)
Jan. 1800 Inventory of his estate in Wythe Co. Will Book #1 pg 131 (SV-836)
Key Items:
Gunsmith Tools $10
Black Cow $20
Black Mare $40
Gray Mare $50
Ten Books $4
One set of Blacksmith Tools $50
Gun $8
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Mar. 14, 1809 “John Lastly and Michael Buster appointed to settle with the administrator of the estate of Nicholas Grace (Groce, Cress?), deceased, and that they receive the estate of the heirs and deliver same to Samuel Williams their guardian.. (SV-1651.5)
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Apr. 12, 1809 “John Lastly and Michael Buster appointed to settle with administrators of the estate of Nicholas Grace (Groce, Cress?) deceased, amount of administration and receive estate of the heirs and deliver it so Samuel Williams their guardian reported and ordered that said Williams sell it publicly.. (SV-1651.6)
Wythe Co., VA Wills: Jun. 14, 1809 SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF NICHOLAS GIESS (GRACE) “Court appointed Michael Buster, John Smith and Thomas Coppenhafer (signed Kobenhaver) as commissioners to settle land with Elizabeth Taylor, late Elixabeth Grace on April 1809.” (SV-1654.2)
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Jun. 14, 1809 “Michael Buster, John Smith and Thomas Copehaver reported the dower they laid off for Elizabeth Taylor, late Elizabeth Grace (Cress?) of the lands of Nicholas Grace (Cress?) deceased.” (SV-1651.7)
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Jul. 19, 1810 “Samuel Williams, guardian to the heirs of the heirs of Nicholas Cress, deceased, returned account of the sale of the estate.” (SV-1651.8)
July 1810: Wythe Co. court order, Samuel Williams reported on sale of the estate (SV-176 pg 178) Wythe Will Book 2 pg 2 (SV-836 & SV-1654.3)
Key Items sold:
7 Sheep $60
George Cress bought 1 Hand Dairy for $2
David Taylor bought 1 pr of Drawing Chairs for $2 and several other items
Christian Reedy bought small basin (could he be related to Nancy Reed??)
Peter Shoop bought one pair of “Stilyards” for $3 and one cow for $15
Levi Williams bought 1 bedstead for $1
Isaac Williams bought one cow for $13
Jacob Shoop bought 1 Black Mare for $68
Harvey Wisman bought one Black Mare for $78
David Taylor bought Black Mare and 2 cows for $68
David Taylor bought set Blacksmith tools and Gunsmith tools for $71
George Cress bought 1 Rifle gun for $8
Total value of goods sold: $404 with 1/3 going to the widow and the balance to the heirs
1815 Wythe Co., VA Tax List: Nicholas Crase (Cress?) Heirs, one farm on the head of the South Fork of Holston, 108 ac having thereon one cabin of logs, one stable, and one meat house all of logs, valued at $600. (SV-1680.13)
1823 His father’s will left him 50 pounds currency for his sons (it was left posthumously) (SV-149 &183)
Son Nicholas does not exist (or perhaps died prior to 1809)!! LDS Ancestral file for Nicholas & Elizabeth Cress lists a son Nicholas as born bt 1800 (Ref. AFN:3W9X-38) He is not mentioned in list of children of Nicholas Cress in 1809 Summers vs. Summers (see for John Summers, SV-664)