Jesse Vann and his wife Nancy went on a trip about 1855, leaving all the children who under age temporarily with his brother Dempsey and Dempsey's wife Rebecca. The destination and reason for their trip is unknown. It is also unknown what happened to Jesse and Nancy Colcher Vann, but they did not return. It is presumed that some tragedy occurred, taking their lives. William was very young when his parents left. In the 1860 federal census, five of Jesse & Nancy Vann's children were living with Jesse Vann's brother Dempsey and Dempsey's wife Rebecca as a result of the loss of their parents. They were. Rebecca 14; Ameline 13; George 12; Alice 10 and William age 6 and these ages were given by the census record. Mary was also very young when her parents left for their trip and was likely also in the home of her Uncle Dempse and Aunt Rebecca Vann. Even Martha was about age 16 when her parents left