I am posting a note sent to me a couple months back that was part of an exchange of information with Mike Tutor related to some of the longstanding Poythress orphans, so to speak.
Mike assembled a biographic compilation and trial charge proposing a family lineage for Dr. John Poythress (see below).
And we have had various efforts to assemble records and accounts related to his life and profession.
And Mike also gives us a biographic compilation for William Poythress — suggesting Dr. John Poythress may have been the half-brother of William Poythress of Bertie County, NC (m. Ann Lewis).
The note Mike sent adds more context that could open new research questions about the relationship between the Irby family with several generations of physicians and the Poythress.
Here are the threads Mike started to weave together for us…
March 13, 1739, in Prince George Co., on the complaints of William Poythress, one of the orphans of John Poythress, of Jordan’s, deceased, who was bound as apprentice to Robert Simpson, of this county, for misusage and which complaints appeared to be just the said William was discharged from the apprenticeship and chose CHARLES IRBY, his guardian, who had time until the next court to appear and give bond and security.
May 8, 1712, in Prince George Co., an inventory and appraisal of the estate of John Hardyman, deceased, was valued at £845/12/0 by R. Hall, JOHN POYTHRESS and EDMUND IRBY and presented by John Hardyman, the administrator.
Please note the capitalized names in the abstracts. John Poythress’ son, William, moved to NC. On the Poythress Family chart, I listed William and Dr. John Poythress as sons of William & Sarah. As a minor, John’s son, WIlliam, asked for Charles Irby (1713-1763) to be his guardian. Charles Irby was the son of Dr. Edmund Irby, M.D. (1675-1733). Dr. Irby had son, Dr. John Irby, M.D. (1695-1747).
Of all of the information that we have seen, these two documents place medical doctors in the Irby family and a guardian of the Irby family to William Poythress. If this information was pursued further, would we see something to suggest that William Poythress’ possible son, Dr. John Poythress, M.D., might have been influenced? Something to ponder….V/R, Mike
If we can determine where the Edmund Irby and John Irby studied medicine we may have a clue about where Dr. John Poythress studied medicine. And there may be more to learn from the Irby families.
As Mike says, something to ponder;)