henke@inwave.com is descended from him (SV-184)
SV-351 says he was born in Montgomery co., VA.
Death record of son, Josiah, says John was born in Smyth Co., VA. (SV-420)
Edgar Cress says he was born in Rockbridge Co., VA. (SV-404 pg 51)
Did he have a son named David who married Olive Halsey??
SV-242 says he died in Smyth co., VA
1790 - Not found on tax list for Augusta Co., VA.
1800 - Not found on tax list for Augusta Co., VA
1800 - Not found on tax list for Wythe Co., VA
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Dec. 13, 1808 “John Gross (Cress?) orphan of Nicholas Gross (Cress?) deceased chose Samuel Williams as guardian.” Note: John was 18 yrs old (SV-1651.3)
Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: Feb. 14, 1809 “David Cress orphan of Nicholas Cress chose Samuel Williams, guardian. Samuel Williams who is chosen guardian of John Cress and David Cress appeared and entered bond with Joseph Williams.” Note: David is 18 yrs old (SV-1651.4)
1810 Wythe Co., VA Census: John Grace (sic) 16-25yrs and 1 Female 16-25yrs (Elizabeth) listed near family of George Grace (sic). (SV-1665)
1812 Living in Wythe Co., VA and transferred his claim to estate of his grandfather John Summers Sr. to John Summer of Russell co., VA a grandson of John Summers. (SV-356)
1815 Wythe Co., VA Tax List: John & David Crase (Cress?), 100 ac. of unimproved land on the head of the south Fork of Holston, valued at $300. (SV-1680.13)
1817 Thomas Allen & John Summers (both Scott Co., VA) sold to John & David Cress (both Wythe) for $100 a 150 acre tract at the foot of Iron Mtn.; Wythe Book 7 pg 182. (SV-832 & SV-1689.2)
1820 Wythe Co., VA census: John Cress aged 26-45yrs; with wife (26-45), son under 10yrs (Peter), 4 daughters <10yrs (Eliz.; Catherine; Milley & Sally), and daug. 10-16 (Mary Ann “Polly”) (SV-209 & 261, SV-578 & SV-567 & SV-1665)
1822 Wythe Co., VA Deed: David & Ury Crace and George & Nancy Crace delivered to John Crace 160ac. in Rye Valley. 1822. (SV-1689.1)
1824 John & Elizabeth “Crace” of Wythe and David & Wry “Crace” of Tennessee sold to James James of Wythe for $720 a 120 acre tract on the South Fork of Holston River in Rye Valley. Wythe Book 9 pg 670. (SV-83
1824 George “Crace” & wife Nancy of Wythe and David Crace & Ury of Carter Co., TN sold to John Crace (Wythe) for $550 a 160 acre tract in Rye Valley, Wythe Co., VA, it being the same land purchased by Nicholas Crace, their father; Wythe Book 9 pg 671. (SV-832)
June 1827 Joshua Cress of Augusta Co. sold to John Cress of Wythe for $167, his part of 162 acre tract of his father’s (bordering Smith’s Line). Wythe Book 10 pg 579. (SV-834)
1827 Deed inheriting land from father, Nicholas from brothers Andrew, Samuel and Joshua.. (SV-707)
1829 Andrew Kirk sold to John Cress (of Wythe) for $400 a 150 acre tract on South Fork Holston River, adjoining land of John & Eliza Summers; Wythe Book 11 pg 287. (SV-832)
March 1830 Andrew Cress (Augusta Co.) sold to John Cress of Wythe for $183 a tract of 160 acre in Rye Valley (formerly owned by Nicholas Cress, dec’d), father of Andrew & John. Wythe Book 11 pg 390. (SV-834)
May 1830 Samuel Cress of Carter Co., TN sold to John Cress of Wythe for $200 a tract (all his part formerly belonging to Nicholas Cress, dec’d) laying on the headwaters of South Fork of Holston River containing 162 acres. Wythe Book 11 pg 477. (SV-834)
1830 Wythe Co., VA Census: John Crose (sic) (40-50); 1 Male 80-90 yrs (Eliz. Shupe’s father?); 1 Male 10-15 yrs (Peter); 1 Male under 5 (Josiah); 1 Female 50-60 yrs (Elizabeth); 1 female 15-20 yrs (Polly); 3 Females 10-15 yrs (Elizabeth, Catherine & Milley) and 1 Female 5-10 yrs (Sally). (SV-149 pg 111 & SV-404 pg 724 & SV-1664)
April 1830 Wythe Co., VA Court Orders: “Power of attorney from George Cress and John Cress to Henry Cress.” (SV-1652.4)
April 1830 Gallia Co., OH: He and George Cress gas power of attorney to Joshua Cress to collect monies from Henry Cress, executor, of estate of Geo Cress, deceased. (SV-288)
1837 He and Elizabeth sold for $1 to Peter Cress 150 acres in Smyth co., VA on the South Fork of the Holston River. (SV-477)
1838 He owned property in Smyth Co., VA (SV-252)
1838 His brother, George, sold 100 acres of land next his John’s land on the headwaters of the South Fork of the Holston River in Smyth Co., VA to Wm Halsey. (SV-477)
1840 Census: Living in Smyth Co., VA aged 40-50 (he would have been 50 yrs); 1 boy 10-15 (Josiah); 1 girl 15-20 (Sally); 2 girls 20-30 (Catherine & Milley); wife 50-60 (Elizabeth). (SV-657)
1847 Bought 11 acres on Cress Creek in Smyth Co. (SV-203)
Will written 20 Feb. 1849 and does not mention his wife. (SV-1087)
1850 Census: Aged 58, living in Smyth Co., VA. Wife is dead. with 1,000 acres. Living with him are: Milley 30; Sarah 30; Josiah 24; John Denham 13. (SV-184 & SV-584 & SV-661)
1853 John Cress of Smyth Co., VA sold to Josiah Cress 162 acres in Smyth co., VA for $3,000. (SV-477 & SV-709)
1860 Census: Aged 35, living in Smyth Co., VA with wife, Nancy V. 32; Eliz. J. 3; Theodocia C. 5/12; father, John 70 and Sally Richarson, 20 (who is she?) (SV-188)
Will written in 1849 and probated 15 Aug. 1870 (SV-252 & SV-404 pg 430) However, he is not listed on the 1870 census so he probably died before the census.
Photocopy of his will (SV-416 pg 1334) Note: Probate is begun 15 Aug. 1870 says that John Cress is deceased.
Wills highlights (SV-415 & SV-709 in entirety)
Daughter Polly received $200 worth of property
Daughter Elizabeth received $200 worth of property
Son Peter the tract of land on which he lives
Son, Josiah (the youngest), the balance of his land, 162 acres and the 12 acres where John was living.
Daughters Millie & Sally shall have property equal in value to Polly & Eliz. plus an
extra $100 each for their services.
The residue of this estate shall be divided equally among Peter and dau. Sally, Eliz. Milly & Sally.
Peter is made the excecutor. (SV-416)