originally posted: 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 W. GESS, deceased, was son of John Gess, who fought in the war of 1812, and was at Dudley's defeat, and of Annie (Winn) Gess, both natives of Virginia. He was born September 8, 1774; she, June 28, 1779; they were married January 19, 1800, in Fayette County, whither they had come
when quite young. Their son, John W., born August 18, 1810, was a resident of the county during his lifetime. On December 18, 1832, he married Mary A., daughter of William and Lydia (Winn) Spurr. The names Winn and Spurr are closely identified with the first settlement of this
part of Kentucky. Mr. Gess died on August 6, 1849. His father survived him just one week. His widow is yet living with her sons. Her eldest daughter and eldest son are dead. Lydia, born December 4, 1835, died January 12, 1842, and Newton E., born February 9, 1841, died January 28,
1859. three sons and a daughter remain, of whom John W., and James., are twins, born September 10, 1843. The other son, Isaac, was born February 26, 1847, and the daughter, Annie G., September 27, 1848. She is now the wife of R. N. Offutt. The twin brothers were in the Confederate army, with Morgan's command, and participated in the battle
of Hartsville, Tenn. Both were made prisoners; James at Buffington, and John at Steubenville, Ohio. Both now reside on the farm received from Government by their great-grandfather, Owen Winn.

Winn Spurr Offutt
=
VA Hartsville-TN Steubenville-OH

originally posted:
http://www.starbase21.com/kybiog/fayette/gess.jw.txt