HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, KENTUCKY, by Robert Peter, ed. by
William H. Perrin, O. L. Baskin Co., Chicago, 1882.  Reprinted by Southern
Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1979.

JOHN GESS, farmer, P. O. Lexington.  There is, perhaps, no section of 
the country in the United States that can boast of finer homes than the 
Blue Grass Region of Kentucky, and among those estates that are the 
pride of Kentuckians and attract so much attention from strangers may 
be mentioned the home of Mr. John Gess, the subject of this brief sketch, 
who traces the genealogy of his family back to the time of the emigration 
of his grandfather from England to America.  He settled in Virginia, 
where he married Miss Sarah Lucas, a  native of Scotland, and 
subsequently removed to Fayette County, Ky.  They were among the first 
pioneers, and located at the head of Boone's Creek, where they resided 
during the balance of their lives.  Among their children was John Gess, 
the father of our subject.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
spent most of his life in his native county, in agricultural pursuits.  
His death occurred in 1843, by being thrown from a horse.  His wife, 
Mary, daughter of James and Elizabeth Vallandingham, came from 
Virginia with her parents, who settled about ten miles east of Lexington, 
near the Richmond pike, where they resided until their death.  Their only 
surviving son is John Gess, of whom we write.  He was born in 1832, and 
his childhood, youth and manhood have been spent in his native county.  
His attention has been given to agricultural pursuits and stock raising.  
His estate comprises 1,200 acres of fine blue grass land, lying alongside 
the Richmond pike, and about five miles from Lexington.  In 1855, he was 
married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Berryman) 
Christian, who were early settlers of Fayette County.  He was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, and an honorable upright citizen.  Mr. and Mrs. Gess 
are members of the Baptist Church, and are enjoying the confidence and 
respect of the best citizens of the community in which they reside.  Six 
children have been born to them, two sons, William and George T., and 
four daughters - Laura, Mary E., Harriet and Susie.

Lucas Vallandingham Berryman Christian
=
VA Scotland England

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/fayette/gess.j.txt