Person:Charles Vest (2)

The following information was obtained from Mary Jo Martin (jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net) in December 2005.

When the American Revolution moved south, Charles Vest's older brothers, William and Samuel volunteered for service in NC. In 1779, Charles who was only 16 years old, left home against his father's wishes to find his brothers and to volunteer for service in the same regiment with them. The zealous young Whig started out walking to his destination. While walking along Ararat Rd, in Surry Co. NC, he came to the relatively new town of Richmond, which was the county seat. At this time, this area was having some trouble with the Tories, so young Vest was arrested on the spot and placed in jail on suspicion of being a spy. He told his story to Sheriff Briggs, who was also the jailer. The sheriff agreed to check out his story but it would take a few days to contact his family in Washington Co., VA (formed out of Bedford Co.,VA) Until the news arrived, Charles must remain in jail. Sarah Briggs, the beautiful young daughter of Sheriff Briggs, assisted her parents in cooking for and serving meals to the prisoners. She carried meals to Charles Vest and as he was about her age, she took more than a passing interest in this handsome young patriot. In a few days the news reached Richmond that the Vest lad had told the truth. He was immediately released. He continued his journey, found his brothers and soon became a full-fledged soldier. He fought in the Battle of King's Mountain under Col. Joseph Winston. When the war was over, Charles came back to Richmond, NC. As soon as he arrived he made a deal with Briggs to be one of his hired men during the coming year. There were three possible reasons for Charles Vest to return to Richmond. First, he had been impressed with Sheriff Briggs and the manner in which he apologized for his wrongful imprisonment; second, Col. Joseph Winston, also from Surry Co., could have persuaded him to come and live there, but third, and probably the almost sure reason for his return was the beautiful young girl named Sarah Briggs. They were married within a year. He bought a lot in Richmond about the time of their marriage and built a house. when the town was completely destroyed by a hurricane, he took some of the timbers from it and built a new house in what is now the Antioch Church Community of Stokes Co., NC. Charles became active in local government and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He was a Captain in charge of training soldiers in an area that included what is now King, NC. He was also an election official in Germanton Precinct (Stokes Co., NC) in 1792 and again in 1804. He owned 606 acres of land in 1800. He must have painted a glowing picture of his adopted home, because the census for 1790 listed his father, William Vest and his entire family living in Stokes Co., NC.

1. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
2. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
3. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
4. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
5. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
6. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
7. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
8. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
9. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
10. ↑ Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).