Proof that George Washington Cress is the son of George & Nancy Cress is based upon the sworn statement by Jane McKinney made in Claiborne Co., TN on 19 July 1872 related to Nancy Reed Cress’ application for a War of 1812 pension. (SV-1878.3)
In Kansas he was a mail carrier and United Brethren Minister.
1820 Wythe Co., VA census: George Cress, aged 26-45yrs with wife aged 26-45yrs, 4 males <10yrs (James, Henry, Andrew, Geo Wash.); 1 male 10-16 (David); 1 male 16-26 (who? brother Joshua?); 1 female 10-16 (Nancy or Sarah Jane?). (SV-209 & 404 pg 59, SV-578 & SV-579 & SV-1665)
1830 Wythe Co., VA Census: George Crouse (sic) 40-50 yrs; 1 Male 20-30 yrs (David); 3 Males 15-20 yrs (James W, Henry & Hiram?); 1 Male 10-15 yrs (Geo Washington); 2 Males 5-10 yrs (Jacob & Nathaniel); 1 Female 30-40 yrs (Nancy aged ~40); 1 Female 15-20yrs (Nancy); 2 Females <5 (Catherine & Elizabeth?). (SV-149 pg 111; SV-404 pg 59 & pg 724 & SV-1664)
1835 He was an early settler in Crab Orchard in Lee co., VA and bought land on 7 Feb. 1835 from John Bailey and from George Cress (his father) of Smyth Co. (SV-149 & SV-404 pg 362)
1838 A George & Nancy Cress of Lee co., VA sold to William Halsey for $400 a 100 acre parcel in Smyth co., VA on the headwaters of the South Fork of the Holston River bordering land owned by John Cress. Was this him or George & Nancy Reed Cress ?? (SV-477)
Is this him?? Feb. 1840 Lee Co., VA Deeds (Book 8 pg 339): George Cress bought land from John Garrison Jr (both of Lee Co.) for $8 for 8 acres. (SV-1566)
1840 VA census: Living in Lee Co. 3 houses from Samuel Parsons: 1 Male 20-30 (Geo Wash., aged 22 yrs); 1 Males < 5 (James Fletcher); 1 Female 15-20 (Nancy Parker Cress, aged 18). (SV-404 pg 725)
Is this him or his father?? Aug. 1841 Lee Co., VA Deeds (Book 8 pg 383): George Cress bought land from Elisha Cox & John M. Crabtree (all of Lee Co.) for $65 for 500 acres on S. side of Little Black Mtn on waters of the Big Crab Orchard (Borders land of Geo Cress). (SV-1566)
1841 (Book 3 pg 521) George W. Cress assignee of Drury F. Carter by authority of Virginia Land Office Treasury Warrant No. 10597 dated June 24, 1831. Enters 25 acres and warrant No. 12801 dated Feb. 10, 1837. Enters 75 acres in all 200 acres of land in Lee Co. located on the waters of Jones Creek. (SV-799)
1850 He moved to Claiborne Co., TN and then to Whitley Co., KY (SV-149 & 404 pg 10 & 59)
1850 TN census: Living in Claiborne co. aged 31, wife, Nancy (28); James F. (11); Elizabeth (9); Matilda (7); Amy (3); Martha E. (1/2). (SV-404 pg 727 & SV-658 & SV-747)
Note: Claiborne Co., TN Grantee Deeds does not list any CRESS buying property 1797-1865
1853 Claiborne Deeds: George W. Cress sold land to James C. Taylor for $75. (SV-844 & SV-1608)
1856 Claiborne Deeds: G. W. Criss sold land to Stephen Cawood for $90. (SV-844 & SV-1608)
1857 He moved to Morris Co., Kansas. (SV-404 pg 10)
1860 Kansas Census (Ancestry.com): George Cress (40 VA) living in Clarks Creek, Morris Co. with wife, Nancy (35 VA) and 4 kids: Eliza (21 TN); Matilda (18 TN); Anna (14 TN) and martha (11 TN).
1870 Kansas Census (Ancestry.com): Geo Cress (52 VA) living in Neosho, Morris Co. with wife, Nancy (48 VA) and James Cress (11 Kansas) and Amy Napper (2 VA) and Magdela Napper (4 KS) and Charles Nipper (2 KS) and Geo Jackson (28 England).
1880 U.S. Census (Ancestry.com): G. William Cress (62 b. VA) living in Parker, Morris Co., Kansas with wife, Nancy (57 b. VA) and grandson, James (20 b. Kansas).