Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed., 1887,
Henry Co.

SQUIRE ROBERT W. VANCE, Sr., was born in what was then Jefferson but now
Oldham County, Ky., October 27, 1817; the third of a family of five
children born to Robert W. and Nancy (Adams) Vance.  Robert W. was a son
of James Vance, a Scotchman by birth, who came to America at an early date,
and settled in Virginia, where he resided the remainder of his life.  His
son, Robert W., was born in Virginia, came to Kentucky when but ten years
of age with his brothers, after his father's death, and settled in
Jefferson County with his brother, James, who was a Presbyterian minister.
He was reared on the farm, but received a good education from his brother,
who had a fine school in Jefferson County for many years.  He became
master of seven languages, and ranked as one of the most able men in
Jefferson County at that time.  He followed teaching the greater part of
his life, and at his death, in 1826, owned a farm in Oldham County.  His
wife was a daughter of William and Mary (Rowan) Adams, a cousin of the
distinguished Judge Rowan.  She was born in Fort Nelson at Louisville at
an early date.  Our subject was very young when his father died.  At the
age of nine years he began to attend market at Louisville, and thus
obtained his start in life.  In 1854 he moved to Henry County, and located
near where he now resides, where he remained until March, 1887.  He at one
time owned upward of 2,500 acres of land, but has divided it among his
children, and now owns about 900 acres.  He is what might be termed as a
self-made man, having acquired his possessions by his own efforts.  He has
been for many years considered a good business man in Henry County, and
was chosen one of the committeemen on the building of the courthouse and
jail at New Castle.  December 22, 1842 he married Virginia R., daughter of
Russell M. and Eliza (Ballard) Smith.  To this union were born twelve
children--seven daughters and five sons: Mary R. (deceased), Eliza, Agnes,
Robert W., Jr., Charles M., Thomas S. (shot in LaGrange, July 27, 1876),
Virginia A., Albert B. (deceased) Susan E., Annie B., Emma A., Ferdinand
C (deceased), and Amelia S. (deceased).  Mrs. Vance died February 22,
1887.  Squire Vance is a Master Mason.

Vance Adams Rowan Ballard Smith
=
Jefferson-KY Oldham-KY VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/henry/vance.rw2.txt