John born c 1780...married
- Tabitha born c 1782...married
- Alena born c 1791....married
- Richard born c 1792...married
- Elizabeth VANCE born c 1794
- Milly (Polly) born c 1796...married
- Abner Jr. born c 1796...married
- Sarah born c 1811...married
- Minerva born c 1811...married
- Nancy born c 1813...married
- Isobel born c 1815...married
- James born c .....married
- William born c ....married
You can also visit The Vance Family
Association
ABNER and SUSANNAH HOWARD VANCE
Abner Vance born c 1750 in NC. He migrated into the southwestern part of Virginia (Clinch River Valley, Russell Co) sometime around 1790. He was of the Baptist faith and spent much of his time preaching.
One of Abner's daughters (and it is thought to have been Elizabeth) ran off with Lewis HORTON. After several months Lewis Horton returned with the girl and dropped her off at her parent's home. It is said that Abner and Susannah pleaded with Lewis to marry the girl. He refused and turned to ride away. Abner went into the house and returned with his gun and shot Horton as he was riding away. Horton died a few hours later.
Abner Vance became a "fugitive". He left Russell County that night, September 17, 1817 and traveled along the Tug and Guyandotte Rivers where he spent the next two years.
At the urging of family members Abner returned to Russell County to stand trial for the murder of Lewis Horton. Public opinion was that Abner would be "freed" due to his "reputation as a preacher". On his arrival in Russell County, he was locked in jail and held without bail.
The first trial ended in a "hung jury". A second trial was held in Washington County. There Abner Vance was found "guilty" of the murder of Lewis Horton and sentenced to hang. A third trial was held. Abner was again found guilty and sentenced to hang. The case was taken to the court of appeals but the lower courts decision was upheld.
Petitions for the release of Abner Vance were circulated but to no avail. The Governor would not interfere. Abner Vance was hanged 16th of July, 1819 in Abington, Washington County VA. A short time afterwards a courier arrived with a pardon from the Governor. Susannah VANCE and her children left Russell County and migrated into the Tug, Big Sandy and Guyandotte River valleys.
Susannah HOWARD VANCE born c 1763 NC was the daughter of Abraham and Jane ____ ALLEN HOWARD
Children of Abner VANCE and Susannah HOWARD
Hannah born c 1794 d/o ---- and ----- RADER
Francis BROWNING born c 1781 NC died 29 Dec 1858
Joseph DEMPSEY born c 1799 s/o John and Rachel SOLOMON DEMPSEY
Mary born c 1792 d/o Mary SIMMS
James BROWN born c 1792
Jane PERRY born c 1807 d/o Joseph and Isobel SHIRKEY PERRY
John MCCLOUD born c 1803
John DEMPSEY born c 1797 s/o John and Rachel SOLOMON DEMPSEY
Ephraim HATFIELD born c 1811 s/o Valentine and Martha WEDDINGTON HATFIELD
John HATFIELD born c 1813 s/o Valentine and Martha WEDDINGTON HATFIELD
Barbara MILLER
Nancy BURNSIDE
