Samuel Vance, Jr. was born about 1749 in Frederick County, Virginia to Samuel Vance and Sarah Coleville Vance. He married Margaret Laughlin on January 8, 1778 in Washington County, Virginia. They were reportedly the parents of John, Samuel, Robert, Andrew, David, Harriet, Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, James, Sarah, and an infant who died shortly after birth.

In "History of Virginia From Settlement of Jamestown to Close of the Civil War" Volume II notes:

"Samuel Vance came to Washington county in 1773 from Frederick county, Virginia. In those early days he had many bouts with hostile Indians. In 1780 he joined Colonel (William) Campbell's regiment, Continental army, and took part in the battle of Kings Mountain. He was a man of scholarly attainments, particularly well informed in ancient and modern history. He died in the eighty-ninth year of his age, at his home near Abingdon, where he had lived for sixty-five years.

Sam's father willed him the title to his 343 acres of land on Spring Creek, Virginia purchased from Col. Edmund Pendleton. "also the land I now live on I leave & bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Vance", oldest son & heir at law of Samuel Vance Sr., Dec."

Sam received a letter from his brother Robert Vance dated August 2, 1792 that exhibits the thoughts of an aging patriot to his brother, both who had grown old in the service of their country: "Oh, Sam, let you and I be very busy and up and doing while it is day. For the Lord cometh wherein no man can work. There is no work done in the grave where we are fast a hastening. Let us try to make our Call and Election sure by getting an interest in Jesus Christ and a hiding place to cover us from the wrath of God that will surely overtake a Christless world. I hope you will set a pious and Exemplary Life before your children for example is more powerful than precept and heads of families have a great charge the charge of precious souls the value of one of which is worth more than ten thousand worlds. May God grant his grace to each of us and able us to discharge every duty incumbent on us and prepare us here in the Kingdom of Grace for the enjoyment of Himself in the Kingdom of his Glory."

He died in 8 December 1838 in Abingdon, Virginia. His will dated 19 November 1820 said: "Calling to mind that I must die, I make this last Will, viz: all my lawful debts first paid, all my lands & negroes & stock of all kinds, with stills & farming tools of all kinds, to be sold at Public Sale & proceeds to be divided as follows, viz: To my sons, Andrew & David--Fifteen Hundred Dollars each--to Robert seven hundred, to James one thousand, to Margaret Fulkerson, one hundred, to Harriet, one hundred, to my son John's son, Samuel, one hundred dollars, to James son, Samuel, one hundred dollars. to Vance Keller, one hundred dollars. I will Harriet all the bed clothes & the bed that she makes while she remains single, the bed I laid on to Jean [Jane] Keller, the curtains to Margaret Fulkerson, the proceeds, if any is left to be equally divided amongest [amongst] my children. I leave my books to the following; Way Bolingbroke's works to Samuel & Robert Popes works to John & James Moor on Navigation to Samuel. All the furniture in the house to be sold as above & the proceeds as above."