The Guess family are, in almost every case, descendants of Richard and Elizabeth (Cromwell) Gist of early Maryland. Two of thier sons, Christopher and Nathaniel Gist, were very famous Indian traders with the Cherokee Nation. Christopher Gist was George Washington's guide and interpreter on his famous trip to the French at what became Pittsburgh, PA and is credited by George Washington with saving his life on two different occasions. Sequoyah, the extradinoraly famous Cherokee who single handedly developed the Cherokee written language is a descendant of Nathaniel Gist. Just some tidbits to chew over. Bill Hunter