Smyth co. VA marriage record says he was 22 yrs in 1861 so born ca. 1839. (SV-419)
1850 census: Living with parents in Johnson co., TN. (SV-568)
1860 TN census: Living in Johnson Co., TN with parents and 7 siblings (SV-240)
1862 John M. Cress & Vina along with Benj Hopkins & wife, Anna; John Hackle or Pickle & wife, Nancy; Ezra S. Pierce & wife, Lucinda; Silas H. Woulf & wife, Elizabeth and Virginia Faris, heirs of Conrad Faris, dec’d sold to William A. Faris & John Faris & wife, Rachel E. (SV-477)
1870 Johnson co., TN census: called “James M Cress”, aged 36 with wife, Vinie, and 6 kids: Martha E. (8); Wm. A (7); Samuel T. (5); Sarah F. (5); Ulysses G. (1); Eliza V. (1/12). (SV-243)
1880 TN census: Living in Johnson co. with wife, Vinie (26) 4 daugthers and 6 sons. (SV-305)
SV-242 indicates they were married in Wythe Co., VA