J. S. Vance. The Vance family were among the earliest pioneers of Washington county, and as nearly as can be ascertained are perhaps the oldest settlers of Smith township. The first ancestor of these prominent citizens, of whom we have an accurate history, was one Maj. William Vance, born in 1718 in Scotland, and came to Virginia in early life, afterward moving to Washington county, Penn., where he died April 18, 1788. His son Joseph was born, about 1750, near Winchester, Va., where he was married, and coming to Washington county, Penn., about 1773, located about three miles southwest of Burgettstown, in Smith township, on a large tract of land. This land was then an unbroken wilderness, or, to quote a pioneer phrase, "there was not a stick amiss." But it has since been divided into nine of the finest farms in Washington county. As soon as a rude shelter had been erected for the family, Joseph Vance, in company with a few of his widely parted neighbors, began the erection of what was known as "Vance's Fort." This was intended to protect the settlers from the onslaughts of the Indians, who were yet numerous in the Territory, and bitterly resented the encroachment of the pale faces upon their hunting grounds. The fort was situated but a short distance from the cabin of Joseph Vance, and stood for many years, the only signs of its existence now visible being a piece of brick-colored ground and an old stone chimney. At the gates of Fort Vance, under a white oak tree, on October 14, 1778, the Rev. James Powers preached the first sermon known to have been heard west of the Alleghany mountains. On this wild tract Joseph Vance and his wife passed their lives, with the exception of occasional visits to his birthplace, and as the immigration increased, property rose in value. The vast tract of land, once seemingly worthless, became very valuable and the pioneers reaped the deserved reward of early years of toil, privation and danger. The first wife of Joseph Vance died many years ago, leaving him six children, viz.: William, John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jeannette and Mary. Of this family, Elizabeth married William Wylie, and settled in Harrison county Ohio; Jeannette married James Stephenson, and settled in Smith township, Washington county, Penn.: Mary married Robert Lee, and settled in Belmont county, Ohio; one son, Joseph, returned with his father on a visit to Virginia, then went west and his fate was never known. For his second wife Mr. Vance was married to a native of Winchester, VA., who died soon after their marriage, and he made a third choice in the person of Mary Moore, a native of Winchester, Va., who bore him two daughters: Anna Mary (wife of William Brady, Ohio county, W. VA.), and Hannah (married to Edward Morgan, Ohio county, W. VA.). The father died May 6, 1832, and in 1852 his faithful wife was laid beside him.
William Vance, eldest son of Joseph, was born November 30, 1775, on the old "Fort Vance farm" in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed in the usual duties of pioneer life, a large portion of them falling to him as the eldest son. On December 24, 1799, he was married to Rachel Patterson, who was born June 3, 1781, daughter of William Patterson, of Cross Creek township, this county. To the union of William and Rachel Vance children were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Cynthia, born March 8, 1801, married William Van Ostran (they moved to Wayne county, Ohio, where she died in 1884); Joseph, born September 18, 1802, was a farmer in Smith township, and died in 1864; James, born July 23, 1804, followed agriculture in Jefferson township, this county, and died in 1881; William P., born September 4, 1806, lived on a farm in this county for some time, thence moving to Hardin county, KY., and is now a retired farmer of Caldwell county, MO.; Allison, born December 14, 1808, died in Washington county on the home farm; Elizabeth, born February 17, 1811, is now living in Burgettstown, Penn., the widow of David S. Walker; Ann, born November 8, 1812, was united in marriage with Norris Walker (she died leaving a large family of children); David, born April 14, 1815, died in infancy; and Rachel born, December 28, 1816, was married to Josiah N. Scott, and is now deceased. On January 9, 1817, the mother of these children passed from earth , and on June 12, 1818, Mr. Vance was married to her sister, Hannah Patterson, who was born in 1786. Five children were born to this union, namely: Thomas P. (deceased farmer of Cross Creek township), born July 15, 1819; Mary (unmarried, living in Rome, GA.), born June 1, 1821; Caroline (deceased wife of R. S. Caldwell, Hopewell township, this county), born December 30, 1824; John S., born June 7, 1827; and Jane (wife of J. S. Young, of Ohio, died in Rome, GA., where they resided), born September 7, 1830. During his earlier life the father resided on the home farm in Smith township, in company with his brother John, whose interest he afterward purchased. In 1816 William Vance was elected a representative of Washington county in the State Legislature. He was an enthusiastic member of the Whig party, was a counselor and adviser among his friends, and favored the tariff bill from its infancy. After his term of office had expired, Hon. William Vance returned to his farm, having made a signal success in the performance of his duties. He was a liberal contributor toward and consistent attendant of the Presbyterian Church with which his wife was connected. He died April 18, 1856, and in 1878 his widow followed him "across the dark river." Both are buried in the Cross Creek cemetery.
John S. Vance was the second son of William and Hannah Vance. He grew to manhood on the home farm in Smith township, where he was born, and received a common school education. On November 9, 1848, he married Emily H. Jerome, who was born December 19, 1827, a daughter of John Jerome, of West Liberty, Ohio county, W. VA., but a native of Maryland, whose widow (nee Harriet Miller) moved to Cross Creek village, Washington county, Penn., after his death. Mrs. Vance has but one brother, James Jerome, living in Minerva, Stark county, Ohio. John S. and Emily H. Vance have had the following children: Caroline J. (Mrs. Robert Campbell, of Sheridan, Penn.), William O. (living at home), Charles J. (residing in Oakdale Station, Allegheny county. Penn.),Thomas W. (county recorder of Jefferson county, Ohio). Joseph G. (a farmer of Cross Creek township, this county), Edwin L. (deceased in youth), John F. (a resident of Bridgeville, Penn., in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company), Jessie B. (deceased in childhood), Frank B., Viola V. and Mary G. (the latter three living at home).
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Vance lived on the home farm in Smith township until 1858, when they settled on their present home, a portion of the original Vance tract, upon which Mr. Vance has erected new and commodious buildings. He follows farming and stock raising, giving considerable attention to the breeds of fine-grade sheep, and like all who have borne the name, is a most successful business man. He was a Whig, now voting the Republican ticket, but is not an active politician, as he has no ambition for office. He attends the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek. His house, all the improvements on which were made by himself, is situated two miles southwest of Burgettstown. Mr. Vance is a man of large stature, and is in the enjoyment of good health.
Text taken from page 1176 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed September 1997 by Cathy Cadd of Redmond, WA as part of the Beers Project.
Published September 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]