Edward Vann

Sally’s family ties – 6-great – grandparents of R A Holloman III

Edward Vann ca 169x – 1752 | his parents
or his brother or cousin
of Chowan County, NC


This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!


Perhaps — Edward Vann was born ca 1690 the son of William Vann ca 1656 – 11 Aug 1740 Chowan Co and Sarah
The family lived in that part of Chowan County that became Hertford County in 1759 and eventually Gates County in 1779.
this Edward Vann died in 1752.

Children of Edward Vann died 1752 and Mary include:
1. Edward Vann ca 1715 – 1762 Gates Co [then Hertford Co]
2. Ann Vann bef 1738 –
3. Sarah Vann bef 1738 –
4. Elizabeth Vann bef 1738 –

1738 – Will of Edward Vann written – proved 4 June 1752
In the name of God Amen, February the fourteene day one thousand seven hundred and thirty eight, I Edward Van of Chowan pet being sick and weak of boddy but sound and perfit memory praise be to almighty God for it do make and ordain this my last will and testament in mannor and form following that is to say first & principally I commend my soul into the hands of almighty God having through the meritorious death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life and my body comit to the earth to be decently buried at the descretion of my executors hereafter named and as touching all such temporal estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as followeth
First my will that all my just debts and honorable charge be honestly paid and discharged ———
Item I give my dearly beloved wife Mary my plantation which I live on during her lifetime or widowhood
Item I give my son Edward Vann free priviledge to build him a house where he will upon my land
Item I give unto my son Edward Van part of a tract of land I have upon the head of Brady Pine Swamp lying on the north side of the swamp and from the head of the swamp after it north to the line I give to him and his heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Vann the other part of it the tract on the south side of the swamp and so through to the line I give to her and her heirs forever only if their mother had a notion to make use of that tract of land on the head of the knotty pine swamp for want in the time of her widowhood shall sell it to another for —- of herself and her young children
Item I give to my daughter Sarah one shilling
Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth one shilling
Item I give to my daughter An four butter dishes and two cows and yearlings one feather bed and furniture belonging to it
Item I give to my son Edward one feather bed and furniture belonging to it I give him three cows and yearlings and —– of hogs that he —-
Item I give to my wife Mary —- Negro Boy during her lifetime or widowhood and every —— within and without and lastly nominate and appoint my dear beloved wife Mary and my son Edward to be executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills or wills that hath been maid by me heretofore in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal
Signed and sealed in the presents of us Edward [his :V mark] Vann

John [his IV mark] Vann
William Vann [signed]
John Lewis [signed]

William Vann proved the will 4th June 1752 before Gab Johnston
July Ct 1752

1704 William Vann, 100 ac – on Nansemond Co rent rolls

1708 Edward Vann son of John Vann wit: a convey. of land.

1727, Aug 12 – Edward Vann wit to will of Richard Odum.

1728, 30 Oct – Patent to George Vann for 230 acres on East side of Knotty Pine Swamp – old Albemarle Records

1737, Jan – Edward Vann wit to will of Henry Baker in Chowan Co.

1738 Vestry minutes – 22 July 1738 — John Williams proposed to this Vestrey to take and keep of the Parish, a Child born of ye body of one Mary Vann Single woman of this county & prish, she Being Dead, for the consideration of the Sum of fifteen pounds — him by the prish and have the Child bound to him till it Cums of age– it is Considered and ordered [to do just that] p 60 Vestry min of St Paul’s Parish abs by Fouts

1737, 8 Mar – Edward and Henry Vann wit will of John Coward in Chowan Co.

1735, April – William Vann writes will – proved Aug 1740 Chowan Co.
Son, Edward Vann, Daughters: Sarah Hogh, Ann Vann, Grandson William son of Edward. wife Sarah etrx.

1738, 14 Feb – Edward Vann writes will – proved 4 July 1752. Son Edward land on swamp. Daughters: Ann Vann, Sarah, Elizabeth, Edward exec. Wife not mentioned. wit: John and William Vann.

Bk C, page 667, Deed, John Alston to Edward Vann [a description of Alston land found in Jesse Vann’s papers.]

1744, 18 March – Bk C Chowan Co – Joseph Vann of Chowan precinct to William Vann 200 ac. Wit: Edward Vann.

1744, 28 June – Vestry records of St. Pauls – William Daniel and Edward Vann to prosession “all land on the east side of Coles Crk. to where the road crosses Knotty Pine Swamp Thence down the said road to Kitterells Road thence along the Road to George Williams and from thence to the head of the White Potts, then down the said Swamp to Bennets Creek, thence down the said Creek to the first station.”

1749 -Bk C, page 177 – George Vann of Bertie to William Vann

1752, Feb 25th -The marriage Bond of Mrs. Ann Peterson and John Vann, witnessed by Joseph and Edward Vann.

1752 – Joseph Vann writes will – proved 1753. Son George and Jacob. Daughters: Ann Langston, Darkas, Mary Elizabeth, and Judy.Geo. and Eliz. exec.

1753 – Bk A page 348 – John Vann to John Corbin.

1754 – John Vann was in Militia.

1756 – Edward Vann present when the lines of John Lewis were processioned by William Powell and Richard Felton. they also did the lines of John Vann, himself present and the lines of Mary Vann she present. the line between William Huggs and Mary Vann both present.
Edward Vann present when Jacob Odom and Jeames Bradey processioned
Edward Warren his land dun, Demsey Buckes his land dun
Edward Vann his land dun, James Bradey his land dun
26 March 1756 George Vann his land dun, Jacob Vann his Land dun, present George Van, Jacob Rogers, Jacob Vann, Elizabeth Vann

1758 – Committee of Public Claims met at the house of John Vann – Col. Records of North Carolina.

1762 – 15 Oct – Will of Edward Vann granted to William Vann and Mary Vann.
Hertford Co wills and administrations list filed with Sec of State

1763, Jan – George Brownrigg, Esq and Will Halsey sign a bond for Ann Vann to adm. the estate of John Vann – – Chowan Co adm.

1764 – Aug Vestry meeting – Azariah Vann [or Vaun] appointed clerk and leader.

1765, Oct – William Vann and Thomas Barnes signed a bond for Elizabeth Riddick to adm. the estate of William Riddick.

1768, 21 June – Received from Thomas Vann four lard barrels Turpentine for Gibson & Granberry — signed for by Sam’l Donaldson.[John Vann Papers -NC Archives as reported in “The Gen. of Jacob Vann” by Story & Wilsey p 194]

1768-1770 William Murfree Tax Receipt Book [Hertford County] — T. Vann received money from Aaron Mainer [1768 and 69] for B Wynns Jr. tax collector.
Charles Vann paid 1 tax in 1769 and 1770
Demsey Vann paid 1 tax in 1770
Jesse Vann paid 3 taxes for each of the years 1768, 1769, 1770
Mary Vann paid 1 tax in 1769 and 1770 [Thomas?]
William Vann paid 2 taxes in 1768, 2 in 1769 and 4 in 1770
William Vann Jr paid 1 tax in 1770

1772, May – Thomas Vann and Jesse Barnes signed a bond for Edward Howell to admin. the estate of John Watson -Hertford Co adm.

Edward Vann was born ca 1690 the son of William Vann ca 1656 – 11 Aug 1740 Chowan Co and Sarah
The family lived in that part of Chowan County that became Hertford County in 1759 and eventually Gates County in 1779.
Edward Vann died in 1752.

Children of Edward Vann and Mary:
1. Edward Vann bef 1738 –
2. Ann Vann bef 1738 –
3. Sarah Vann bef 1738 –
4. Elizabeth Vann bef 1738 –

Will of another Edward Vann 4 Apr 1770 – Sept Ct 1770 Bertie County
“. . .being sick and weak of body. . . “
Son William Vann – my plantation and land where I live, reserving their use for my wife Mary Vann.
Wife Mary Vann -lend Negro Nane for her lifetime with reversion to my daughter Mary Vann.
Son William Vann – lend Negroes Dick, Tarte, Nat and Beck until my son King Vann is twenty one.
Daughter Elisebeth – Negro Beck when she marries or is twenty one.
Son William Vann – all that is due me and the use of the Negroes I have loaned him, and he is to maintain his mother and younger children.
Son King Vann – Negro Tarte.
Daughter Sarah Vann – Negro Nat.
Son William Vann – Negro Dick.
Son Cader Vann – land on the south of Roquis Swamp between Thomas Leary and Mary Hill.
Son Cader Vann- Negor Pat.
Son King Vann – land on Cashi Swamp, also cow and calf, bed, etc.
Wife Mary – bed.
Ex: son William
Wit: Michael King, Wm. King, Charles King

William Vann adm. of estate granted to son William Vann 12 May 1774 Bertie Co – adm granted to David Harrell 21 Feb 1775 Div. 7 Aug 1775
Record signed by Noah Hinton, Charles Averet, and Thomas House
1. Solomon Harrell son of Kaziah Harrell who was a daughter of the dec.
2. Mary Whitney, a daughter
3. Demsey Vann, a son
4. Elizabeth Jernigan, a daughter
5. William Vann, a son
6. Sarah Vann, a daughter
7. Jesse Vann, a son
8. Winefred Vann, a daughter
9. Nathan Vann, a son
acct. current 9 Nov 1799

1786 Gates County State Census
p. 1 John Vann 1 wm 21-60
Thomas Vann 1 wm 21-60, 4 wm under 21 or over 60, 3 wf, 1 b 12-50, 6 b under 12 or above 50
Edward Vann 1 wm 21-60
—— p.2
Jesse Vann 1 wm 21-60, 3 wm under 21 or over 60, 5 wf, 4 b 12-50, 1 b under 12 or above 50
—– p 6
William Vann 2 wm 21-60, 4 wm under 21 or over 60, 3 wf, 1 b 12-50, 1 b under 12 or over 50
——p 14
Darcase Vann 3wf, 1 b under 12 or above 50
—– p 15
William Vann 1 wm 21- 60, 2 wm under 21 or over 60, 2 wf

1790 Gates County
Dorcas Vann 1m over 16, 1 f, 1slave total 3
Jesse Vann 2 – 1 – 5 – 0 – 6 total 14
John Vann 1 – 5 – 2 – 0 – 2 total 10
Rachel Vann 2 – 3 – 1 – 0 – 4 total 10
Thomas Vann 2 – 3 – 4 – 0 – 8 total 17
1790 Edgecombe County
Edward Vann 1 – 1 – 1 – 0 – 0 total 3
Elisha Vann 1 – 1 – 4 – 0 – 0 total 6
William Vann 1 – 3 – 2 – 0 – 0 total 6
1790 New Hanover County
William Vann 1 – 0 – 3 – 0 – 0
1790 Burke County
Jno Vann 2 – 1 – 3 – 0 – 0
1790 Cumberland County
William Van 2 – 1 – 7 – 0 – 4
1790 Sampson County
Elizabeth Van 0 0 1 0 0
John Van 1 2 1 0 0
Kedar Van 1 0 1 0 0
King Van 1 3 4 0 0
Needham Van 1 0 0 0 0
Stephen Van 1 2 4 0 0
William Van 2 2 5 0 1

1793 Will of Darkis Vann proven Nov Ct Gates Co

1800 Gates County
James Vann 00020-10010-04
Rachel Vann 01000-00010-01
John Vann Sen 21001-01001-02
Jesse Vann 00201-10201-09
John Vann [of Jesse] 01010-00000-02
1800 Martin County
Thomas Vann 11401-20301-03
1800 Edgecombe County
William Vann 10010-20010-00
Elisha Vann 10210-10010-00
1800 Buncombe County
John Vann 11010-40010-00
1800 Duplin County
John Vann [1806 tl]
William Vann [1806tl]
Stephen Vann 02001-10101-00
1800 Sampson County
William Vann 11101-00111-00
King Vann 21210-21110-00
William Vann 10100-10100-00
Charity Vann 01110-01301-00
Thomas Vann 00010-10100-00
Needham Vann 10010-00100-00
John Vann 22010-21010-01
John Vann 30010-22010-00

1810 Anson County
Lazerus, Thomas and William
1810 Cumberland Co
Mrs. , William, Ezekiel
1810 Gates Co
Charles Vann 00100-10011-01 son of William and Rachel
Edward Vann 00001-00000-03
John Vann 01201-00100-03
1810 Hertford Co [difficult to read]
Jesse Vann 00001-00011-08 Jesse and his son John
John Vann 20010-11110-05
1810 Northampton Co
James Vann 10010- 40010- 0110 son of William and Rachel
Jesse Vann 10100 – 00100-0100 aged 16-26
1810 Rutherford Co
Edward, James, Kidar, William Sr, Leonard, Thomas, John, William
1810 Dublin
John Van, Jr. 30100-00100-01

1820 Gates Co
1-10, 10-16, 16-18, 16-26, 26-45, >45, 0-10, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, >45, slaves
Charles Vann 3 0 0 0 1 0- 1 1 0 1 1 0 son of William and Rachel
Dempsey Vann 1 1 0 1 0 0- 0 0 1 0 1 3 son of John and Edith
Harrison Vann 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 son of John and Edith
Jesse Vann 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 son of John and Edith
1820 Hertford Co
James Vann 0 0 1 1 0 1- 3 2 1 0 1 2 son of William and Rachel
John Vann 2 2 0 0 0 1- 1 0 1 1 0 12 [image 5] son of Jesse and Miss Arline
1820 Northampton Co
Jesse Vann 4 0 0 0 1 0- 3 0 0 1 0 04 son of ? aged 26-45
William Vann 1 1 0 0 0 1- 0 2 2 0 1 02 son of William and Rachel

6 thoughts on “Edward Vann”

  1. Hello, I am an African-American Vann from Winton NC located in Hertford County, NC. Through DNA (Ancestry.com) I am matching with the same Vann family, as far down to John “Trader ” Vann and Chief James Vann from Georgia. There are also a large number of Vann’s on the Dawles rolls (Native American census). My grandfather was the late Rochelle Vann, great grandfather was Spurgeon Vann, and great-great grandfather was Peter Vann. I would love to connect with anyone interested in this Vann research as well.

    1. Hi Jacqueline. This is Geneen Johnson . We are probably distantly related. I am descended from African American Vanns from Gates County. Family eventually moved to Suffolk, Virginia. My Ancestry.com cousin matches also include cousins who descend from the Vann traders who married Cherokee wives. My great great great grandfather, Moses Vann,was born to a slave woman named Lotty who was owned by the children of Harrison Vann and his wife Julia Fields. Lotty had been a gift to the Vann children from their maternal grandfather, Mills Fields, around 1834. I believe Harrison Vann fathered Moses. Harrison Vann descended from the earlier Scottish Vann traders of Chowan County from the mid to late 17th century. The test results from more Vanns that take the DNA test will provide further confirmation.

  2. Hi. I have dna profiles on both Ancestry and 23andme for mother and myself. We have quite a few Vann that appear on the family trees of genetic matches. Some of them connect to the Native American Vanns from the South Eastern US and the Moy Toy Cherokee too. Do you know of any connection between your Vann ancestors and the Cherokee?

    1. Hi Gilberto. I am not the owner of this site, but thought I would respond since we are obviously researching the same Vann family. I too have DNA matches to this same group of Vanns, however I am African American. My great great grandmother was Annette Vann, daughter of Moses Vann of Gates County North Carolina. The best I can figure is that the Cherokee Vanns descended from White Vanns of English/Scottish ancestry who were fur traders and indian interpreters. These white Vann men intermarried with Native American women and evidently fathered children with African American slave women as well. The Vanns from Chowan County North Carolina ( later renamed Gates County ) eventually migrated to South Carolina (Edgefield ?) And later down to Georgia. I too am still trying to work out how Moses Vann was descended from these Vanns since he was born in Gates County NC around 1833-34. My great grandmother stated there was Native ancestry on her branch, but never explicitly explained. Now having taken the DNA test I see she was correct and that this descent goes back 3-4 centuries, and yet the dna is STILL traceable. Amazing !

      Geneen Johnson, Esq.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *