Captain John Poythress, Jr., (c. 1681-1724), of Martin’s Brandon, Prince George County, 3rd Generation

R. Bolling Batte regarding John Poythress

[22. John Poythress (Francis Poythress2, Mary ______1) was born BEF 1688 in VA [(P_1) DC], and died ABT 1724. He married Mary ______. She died AFT 1724. Children of John Poythress and Mary ______ are:74 i. John Poythress was born BEF 1724 in ~Virginia [(P_1) DCA].75 ii. Elizabeth Poythress was born BEF 1724 in VA [(P_1) DCD].76 iii. Rebecca Poythress was born BEF 1724 in VA [(P_1) DCE].77 iv. Anne Poythress was born BEF 1724 in VA [(P_1) DCF].+78 v. Francis Poythress was born 1707 in ~Virginia [(P_1) DCD], and died ABT 1729.79 vi. William Poythress was born AFT 1717 in VA [(P_1) DCC].]FamilyJohn Poythress was born about 1681, in Charles City County, the son of Francis Poythress and Rebecca Coggin. He married Mary (Hardyman?) about 1710. Their children were (1) John Poythress (c. 1705-bef. 6/1760); (2) Frances Poythress, (3) Rebecca Poythress, (4) Elizabeth Poythress (c. 1720-bef. 7/1801), who married James Cocke; (5) William Poythress, and (6) Anne Poythress. John Poythress, also called Captain John Poythress, was dead before May 12, 1724. His wife, Mary, married as her second husband, John Abington, before February 8, 1725. [Mary Poythress was mentioned as John Poythress’ widow in court on December 13, 1726.]

Son, William Poythress

March 13, 1739, in Prince George County, 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.

December 16, 1756, in Bertie County, North Carolina, Edward Boyd and wife, Abigale, of Society Parish, sold 200 acres to Samuel Jobe for £16, land granted Barnaby Bryant, December 13, 1755. The witnesses were William Poythress and James Abington. [After the death of William Poythress’ father, John Poythress, Jr., William’s mother married John Abington.]

Daughter, Elizabeth Poythress Cocke
July, 1801, in Prince George County, the Will of Elizabeth Cocke, dated 1800.
To Elizabeth Cocke, 400 acres, the plantation she bought of Richard Harrison, also 100 acres, adjoining it known by the name of the Woodyard.
To James Cocke, the land she inherited “by the death of her brother, John Poythress, called Goodwine, also the land she purchased of John Worthen.
To Benjamin Cocke, the remainder of Woodyard after deducting 300 acres devised to her daughter, Elizabeth.” [Woodyard was described as being 12 miles east of the Prince George courthouse. Elizabeth Poythress Cocke’s brother was John Poythress (c. 1711-1760), son of their father John Poythess (c. 1681-1724).]

In 1789, Elizabeth Cocke was listed with two tracts of 234 acres each, one of which she inherited direct and the other at the death of her brother, John Poythress. Elizabeth Poythress married Captain James Cocke, son of Benjamin Cocke. James Cocke died about 1783. Prince George County tax lists mentioned her tract “Goodwines” that she inherited from her brother, John Poythress. James Cocke served in the Navy during the Revolution. He was Captain of the Raleigh that patrolled the James River. From November 2, 1776, to February, 1777, he commanded the cruiser Manley Galley.

November, 1809, Chapter 63, laws of Maryland under the control and direction of the levy court, and by them applied towards defraying the county charges. Passed, January 6, 1810, an Act authorizing Doctor James Cocke to remove certain negroes into the state of Maryland. Whereas the said James Cocke has, by his petition set forth, that in the year 1804, he removed from Virginia to this state, but being then undetermined as to the place of his permanent residence, he did not avail himself of the power he enjoyed under the acts of assembly, to bring into this state, at the time of his said removal, or within 12 months thereafter, certain negroes which he was entitled to, and possessed of, under the last will and testament of his grandfather John Poythress, and his father James Cocke, and has prayed that a law may pass, authorizing him to remove the said negroes, as slaves, from the state of Virginia into the state of Maryland, in the same manner that he could have done at the time of his removal as aforesaid; and the prayer of the said petition appearing reasonable, therefore, be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, that the said James Cocke be and he is hereby authorised and empowered, at any time or times within 12 months after the passage of this act, to remove and bring into this state the said negro slaves, or any of them, and their issue, in the same manner that he might or could have done at the time of his own removal herein, any law to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding, provided the said Doctor James Cocke register the said negroes, and their issue, in Baltimore County court, in the same manner as he by law would have been compelled to do had he have brought them into this state within one year after his removal from Virginia as aforesaid, and provided said negroes be of that description allowed by the laws of this state to be removed and brought into this state. [The document showed that Dr. James Cocke was the son of James Cocke and the grandson of John Poythress, Jr.]

Professional Life
March 12, 1702 the Governor and Council of Virginia made an address of loyalty to the King of England. A similar loyal address was received from Charles City County. The Grand Jury was composed of John Cocke, Anthony Wyatt, Robert New, Thomas Jackson, George Pasmoore, James Harrison, Randall Madax, Roger Best, David Gudgam, John Wickett, John Daniel, Thomas Daniell, James Gabeker, Thomas Woodham, Robert Harwood, John Hunt, Thomas Anderson, James Gunn, Daniel Higdon, and John Baxter. The Justices were Richard Bland, Charles Goodrich, Daniel Lewellin, Robert Bolling, Littlebury Epes, George Blighton, John Hardiman, Joshua Wynne and Richard Bradford. The Sheriff was Micajah Lowe. The Militia Officers were Thomas Simmons, Adam Tapley, Peter Poythress, Anthony Wyatt, John Epes, Francis Epes, John Limbreij, Joshua Wynne, Micajah Lowe, John Hamlin, John Epes, John Reeker, Jr., Thomas Harrison, John Poythress, John Poythress, Richard Hamlin, John Baxton, William Byrd, Edward Hill, Charles Goodrich, Littlebury Epes, George Blighton, Richard Bradford, John Taylor, Peter Jones, Richard Reeker, and James Thweatt.

Civic Activities
May 8, 1712, in Prince George County, 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. [John Hardiman died as a result of having been kicked in the chest by his racehorse.] [On 3 Mar 1691 John Hardiman purchased a mill from John Taylor. He married Mary Eppes, the full sister of Littlebury Eppes and half-sister of Francis Eppes II, the children of Francis Eppes I. He was born September 9, 1654 in County Bristol, England and died September 11, 1711 in Prince George County. He married Marie “Mary” Eppes August 1, 1685, in Henrico County, dau. of Francis Eppes & 2^nd wife Elizabeth Jane Littlebury who was the widow of William Worsham. Mary died about 1726 in Prince George County.]


A 1720 Act of the General Assembly, which took effect on January 1, 1721, united the parts of Westover and Weyanoke on the south side of the James River into Martin’s Brandon parish. Also in 1720, Brunswick County, Virginia, was created by an Act of the Virginia Assembly to establish a new county from the southern part of Prince George County. Brunswick was named for the Duchy of Brunswick, an ancestral German possession of the Electorate of Hanover. The new Brunswick being deemed insufficient in population to constitute a county, areas of the counties of Surry and Isle of Wight were added to Brunswick in an effort to more equally distribute the tithable individuals.

January 11, 1721, in Prince George County, Joshua Poythress received 400 pounds tobacco for killing four wolves; John Gilliam, Sr., 200 pounds tobacco for killing two wolves; Robert Poythress, John Poythress, John Gilliam, Jr., and Richard Pace received 100 pounds each for killing one wolf respectively.

Court Cases

August 13, 1717, in Prince George County, in the action on the case pending between John Pool and John Poythress, Francis Mallory and George Hamilton were chosen by the said parties and appointed by the court to meet and settle the difference between the said plaintiff and the defendant and make report of their proceedings therein to the next court. [Francis Mallory (-1719), the son of Thomas and Mary Mallory, was the husband of Elizabeth Goodrich. George Hamilton was mentioned in a deed with Richard Pace on July 12, 1718, and in a court document with Francis Poythress in April, 1739.]


September 10, 1717, in Prince George County, in the case brought by John Pool against John Poythress for 200 pounds of tobacco due for stripping two weighty hogsheads of tobacco, Francis Mallory and George Hamilton reported that Poythress ought to pay Pool 140 pounds of tobacco and judgment was granted.


July 14, 1719, in Prince George County, in the action brought by Thomas Goodwynn against John Poythress, for 34 pounds, 6 shillings, 3 pence, due by account, the defendant being arrested and not appearing nor any Security returned for him, on the motion of the plaintiff’s attorney judgement was granted him against the said defendant and James Thweatt, Sheriff, for the said sum and costs unless the said defendant shall appear at the next court and answer the said action.

October 13, 1719, in Prince George County, the action on the case brought by Thomas Goodwynn against John Poythress, the plaintiff failing to prosecute, the case was dismissed.

Property: Land
[October 23, 1703, in Charles City County, John Poythress, was granted 609 acres, on the south side of the James River, on the south side of the Blackwater, to the Nottaway path, to the Blackwater spring, to the Blackwater Maine Swamp, near Captain Robert Lucy’s line, by Townes’ Quarter, adjoining Hercules Flood. The 609 acres was formerly granted to Francis Poythress by a patent dated September 27, 1681, and was deserted by him and since granted to John Poythress by the order of the General Court bearing the date of April 21, 1703, for the transportation of thirteen persons into the Colony, two of those individuals being Elizabeth Smith and Charles Bartholomew.] [Charles Bartholomew was Rebecca Poythress’ second husband. This may be part of the inheritance that John Poythress (c. 1681-1724) left his son, John Poythress, by Will in 1724. This land had belonged to Major Francis Poythress, who patented the land on September 28, 1681.]

[John Poythress his patent for 609 acres of land in Charles City County. C C Thacker, Dep. Sec. Paid Mr. Auditor Bird six rights. Robt. Lloyd, Richd. Wilkinson, Joyce Bibrek, Eliz. Smith, Eliz. Brumfield, Charles Bartholomew, Patrick Connoley.]

23 Oct 1703 John Poythress (October 23, 1703, 609 acres, Charles City county). To all &c Whereas &c Now Know ye that I the said ffrancis Nicholson Esq. Governor &c do with the advise & consent of this Council of State accordingly give & grant unto John Poythress an irregular tract of land on the Blackwater lying on the south side of James River in the County of Charles Citty beginning on the south side of the Blackwater at a pine & running thence south southwest thirty chaines to a corner thence southeast by south forty chaines to a corner black oake thence east thirty one chaines thence southeast sixty one chaines to ye Nottaway path continued eighteen chaines to the first branch continued one hundred & two chaines to the second branch continued thirty three chaines to the Blackwater spring continued thirty one chaines to a corner hickory thence southeast by east twelve chaines thence east by north twelve chaines to the third branch continued eighty eight chaines to the Blackwater Maine Swamp to a beach marked four wayes thence bounding north along the swamp near the line of Capt. Robert Lewcyes thirteen chaines & northeast thirteen chaines & northeast by north eleven chaines & northeast by east thirty four chaines & northeast twenty two chaines & east five chaines & northeast by east twenty chaines & north northeast sixteen chaines as the swamp windeth & turneth to reedy branch to a white oake marked four wayes thence north forty six chaines to a corner black oake thence west southwest sixteen chaines to a great swamp continued over great swamp sixteen chaines to pine marked four wayes thence southwest by west twenty chaines thence west sixty two chaines to the branch it comes by Townes his quarter continued forty chaines to a white oake marked four wayes thence west northwest thirty nine chaines to ye line of Hercules Flood thence for fifty acres he bought of the said Flood southwest forty chaines to a meadow taking in a point of land containing fifty acres thence up the Main Swamp west & west & by south & west southwest two hundred chaines to the place we began including six hundred & nine acres two rods & nine poles of land ye  said land was formerly granted unto ffrancis Poythress by patent dated ye 28th of September 1681 & by him deserted & is since granted unto the said John Poythress by order of the General Court bearing date ye 21st day of April 1703 & is further due unto the said John Poythress by & for the transportation of thirteen persons into this said Colony whose names are to be in the records mentioned under this patent To have & to hold &c To be held &c yielding & paying &c provided &c given under my hand & the seale of the Colony this 23rd day of October Anno Domini 1703. ffr. Nicholson. John Poythress his patent for 609 acres of land in Charles City County. C C Thacker, Dep. Sec. Paid Mr. Bird Auditor six rights. Robt. Lloyd, Richd. Wilkinson, Joyce Bibrek, Eliz. Smith, Eliz. Brumfield, Charles Bartholomew, Patrick Connoley. [PB 9, p. 571]


In the 1704 Quit Rents Roll, in Prince George County, Francis Poythress, Sen., paid taxes on 1,283 acres; John Poythress, Jun., paid taxes on 916 acres; and, Thomas Poythress, paid taxes on 616 acres.


December 11, 1704, John Poythress sold 200 acres, on the north side of the Blackwater swamp, in Prince George County, to Hubbard Gibson, Mary, his wife, and Edward Gibson, his son. [This property was a part of a greater tract of 609 acres of land formerly granted by patent to Francis Poythress, deceased, on September 27, 1681, and since his death was granted to John Poythress on October 23, 1703.]


[March 23, 1715/6, John Poythress, of Prince George County, was granted 100 acres, on the north side of the Maherrin River, in Isle of Wight County, on the east side of the Long Meadow branch.] [This land appears to be near the land of Hercules Flood and the late Major Francis Poythress, on the Long Meadow adjacent to the Ealeroot Level.]

23 Mar 1715 John Poythres (March 23, 1715, Isle of Wight, 100 acres). George &c To all &c Know ye that for divers good causes and considerations but more especially for and consideration of the importation of two persons to dwell within this our Colony & Dominion of Virginia whose names are Richard Inglesby and John Phillips. We have given granted and confirmed & by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give grant and confirm unto John Poythres of Prince George County one certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred acres and lying and being on the north side of Maherin river in the County of Isle of Wight and bounded as followeth, to wit, beginning at a red oak on the east side of the long meadow branch thence south seventy six degrees east one hundred twenty two poles to a live oak in a swamp then south fourteen degrees west one hundred & thirty six poles to a hickory saplin, then north seventy six degrees west one hundred twenty two poles to a lightwood post near the long meadow branch side and north fourteen degrees east one hundred thirty six poles to the beginning. With all &c To have & hold &c To be held &c yielding & paying &c provided &c In witness &c Witness our trusty and well beloved Alexander Spotswood our Lt. Governor &c at Williamsburg under ye seal of our said Colony the twenty third day of March one thousand seven hundred & fifteen in the second year of our reign. A. Spotswood. PB 10, p. 280.


November 8, 1720, in Prince George County, Francis Poythress, the Elder, of Westover parish, in the County of Prince George, sold to John Poythress, Jr., of the same parish and county, 150 acres, called by the name of Powell’s, bounded on the north by Richard Bland, on the south by lands lately in the occupation of Joseph Patterson, bounded easterly on the Deep Bottom and westerly on the land of Thomas Poythress. The witnesses were Edward Goodrich, Thomas Binford and Margaret Goodrich.


[September 5, 1723, John Poythress, of Prince George County, was granted 200 acres of new land, in Isle of Wight County, on the south side of the Maherrin River, on the east side of the Cane Branch.] [This was the same property re-patented by his son, John Poythress, on March 17, 1737, and sold by Thomas Poythress to John Dawson on July 6, 1773.]

5 Sep 1723 John Poythres (John Poythress, September 5, 1723, 200 acres, New Land, Isle of Wight County. Patent Book 11, pages 258-259). George &c To all &c Know Ye that for divers good causes and considerations but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of twenty shillings of good and lawful money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia. We have given granted and confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give grant and confirm unto John Poythres of Prince George County one certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres lying and being on the south side of Maherin River in the County of Isle of Wight and bounded as followeth, to wit, beginning at a gum on the east side of the Cane Branch thence east by south forty four poles to a black oak thence north seventy five degrees east twenty eight poles to a white oak then north eighty five degrees east fifty four poles to a red oak thence north seventy five degrees east fifty seven poles to a red oak then north by west eighty nine poles to a white oak then north west by west one hundred and seventy seven poles to a black oak then south west by west eighty six poles to a maple by the side of the Cane Branch aforesaid and down the various courses of the run of the said branch to the beginning with all &c To have hold &c To be held &c yielding & paying &c provided &c In witness &c witness our trusty and well beloved Hugh Drysdale Esqr. our Lieutenant Governor &c at Williamsburgh under the seal of our said Colony the fifth day of September one thousand seven hundred and twenty three in the tenth year of our reign. Hugh Drysdale. [VPB 11, p. 258]


[October 13, 1727, Captain John Poythress, of Prince George County, was granted 275 acres of new land, on the south side of the Maherrin River, in Brunswick County, on the south side of the Reedy Branch on the Beaver Pond Creek. This was the same property sold by Thomas Poythress, of Martin’s Brandon parish, to William Rives on May 13, 1773. (This land was evidently surveyed prior to John Poythress’ death and awarded after his death).] [Thos. Poythress sold 275 acres of this property in 1773.]

13 Oct 1727 John Poythres, Capt. (October 13, 1727, Brunswick County, 275 acres, New Land). George the Second &c To all &c We have given granted and confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give grant and confirm unto Capt. John Poythres of Prince George County one certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and seventy five acres lying and being on the south side of Maherin River in the County of Brunswick and bounded as followeth (to wit) beginning at a gum on the south side of the Reedy Branch thence south thirty two degrees east seventy poles to a red oak thence south fifty seven degrees east sixty eight poles to a white oak thence north eighty degrees east two hundred and seventy eight poles to a red oak thence north thirty six poles to a white oak on the Beaver Pond Creek thence up the Beaver Pond Creek to the mouth of the aforesaid Reedy Creek or Branch and up the said Branch to the beginning with all &c to have hold &c to be held &c yielding and paying &c provided &c In witness &c witness our trusty and well beloved William Gooch Esq. our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburgh under the seal of our said Colony the thirteenth day of October one thousand seven hundred twenty seven in the first year of our reign. William Gooch. [PB 13, p. 205]

Pertinent Property
May 1, 1707, James Salmon, of Surry County, planter, deeded to William Rains, of Westover parish, Prince George County, 176 acres, at Joans Hole and the mouth of the Reedy Branch that ran between Rains’ plantation and Captain Mallory’s plantation. The witnesses were Joshua Wynne, John Hamlin and James Binford. On the back of this deed there was an endorsement making over to son, Richard Rains, one piece of farm land within deed, joining upon upper side of the Great Branch, I do make over to my son, Thomas Rains.


June 28, 1707, in Surry County, Joshua Wynne, Gentleman, of Prince George County, and his wife, Mary, sold 150 acres, to Benjamin Harrison, Esquire, of Charles City County, on the north side of the Nottaway River. The witnesses were Frances Mallory, Francis Poythress and Thomas Wynne.


March 3, 1712, in Prince George County, Robert Mumford, of Bristol parish, Prince George County, to Richard Bland, of the City of Williamsburg, a lease to farm, land near Jordan’s, between Deep Bottom and Cureton’s Bottom, in occupation of Thomas Burge, 430 acres, 130 thereof formerly belonging to James Munford, father of said Robert, and given to him by inheritance, part thereof from Colonel John Hardyman and the other 100 by purchase from Mr. Francis Poythress, all of which appears by James Munford’s will. The deed was witnessed by Michael Wallace, Jane Wallace, Dorothy Hillman. [This land was adjacent to John Poythress’ land.]


8 April 1718 John Roberts of Surry Co. and Thomas Winningham of Pr. Geo. Co. to Darrel Young, Jr. of Pr. Geo. Co. for 1300 lbs tobacco 100 acres of land where Winningham lives bounds by Charles Bartholomew, John Young, Capt. John Poythress. John Robbards; Thos (x) Winningham [PG Co., Wills & Deeds, 1713-1728, p. 27]

December 12, 1721, Hubbard Gibson and Mary, his wife, and Edward Gibson, their son, of North Carolina, sold to Peter Poythress, of Prince George County, of the Colony of Virginia, 200 acres, on the north side of the Blackwater Swamp, in Prince George County, the same being part of a greater tract of land granted to Francis Poythress, now deceased, and since his death the said land was granted to John Poythress, son to the aforesaid Francis Poythress, as lapsed from the said Francis Poythress and by the said John Poythress sold unto the aforesaid, Hubbard Gibson, his wife, Mary and their son, Edward Gibson, by deed dated December 11, 1704. The witnesses were Richard Cureton, Richard Sykes and John Fennel. [This was Major Francis Poythress (c. 1638-1688).]

Pertinent Information
The younger James Thweatt married Judith Soane on November 24, 1701, but before that, he had been married to her sister, Elizabeth. In their father’s Will of 1714, William Soane, of Henrico county, mentioned “my daughter Elizabeth, late wife of James Thweatt being dead…and my daughter, Judith Thweatt.” This younger James Thweatt was attending the Prince George County Court as a Justice on June 14, 1715. And, on June 10, 1718 “James Thweatt having produced a commission from the Honorable Lieutenant Governor to be sheriff of this county, he accordingly took the usual oaths, etc.” His bond was for £1,000 Sterling. Thomas Simmonds was sworn in as under sheriff at the same time, taking the same oath. By 1719, Sheriff James Thweatt had a son James, Jr., who was of age. They witnessed many deeds and Wills together from then until 1726.

Captain Robert Hicks, the Indian Trader, was the son of Robert, the Taylor. A deed in 1701 to John Poythress notes that his neighbor was Robert Hix, Sr., the taylor, who purchased land from Hugh Lee. John Evans Sr.’s son, Captain John Evans married Sarah Batte. John Hicks married Rebecca Rives (Rebeckah Rieves) (see his will).


April 12, 1720, in Prince George County, the last Will and testament of Richard Bland, deceased, was presented into court by William Randolph and Richard Randolph, executors, etc. [Richard Bland (1665-1720) was married to Elizabeth Randolph (1680-1720). Elizabeth’s brothers were the executors of Richard Bland’s Will.]

As Witness
July 4, 1722, in Prince George County, James Binford, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, sold to Nathaniel Harrison, Esquire, of Southwarke parish, in Surry County, 150 acres, in Lawnes Creek parish on the lower side of Three Creeks, in Surry County. This land was granted to James Binford on March 23, 1715. The witnesses were William Cocke, William Short, John Poythress, John Woodlief, John Hamlin, Charles Lucas, James Baker and John Hardyman.

John Poythress’ Will
In Prince George County, the Will of John Poythress, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, proved May 12, 1724.
I give my son, John Poythress, and his heirs, my plantation where I live, 100 acres of land, as also 100 acres of land adjoining, called Colebrooks, taking in the Ivy point, so running down Hugh Evans’ Spring Bottom to William Stainback’s corner poplar, and also I give my said son, John Poythress, and to his heirs, my tract of land lying on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp, not debarring his brothers, Francis and William Poythress, from getting timber for their plantations’ use, as also giving them liberty to drive their stocks of hogs and cattle upon the land, if they shall think fit, and if it should please God to take him out of the world before he comes to the age of 21 years, or without heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then my will and pleasure is that my son, Francis Poythress, should possess all the above said lands as is mentioned, and to his heirs lawfully begotten forever.
I give my son, Francis Poythress, and his heirs, land lying at and about the place called Brick Chimneys, binding upon my son, John Poythress’, and brother, Thomas Poythress’ lands, so round the Deep Bottom, taking in the whole tract or dividend of land, and if it should please God to take him out of the world before he arrives to the age of 21 years, or without heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then my will and pleasure is that my son, William Poythress, should possess all the above said land mentioned, and to his heirs lawfully begotten forever.
I give my two sons, John and Francis Poythress, and their heirs, 280 acres, joining to Thomas Poythress’ land, so running a south course over the horn branch, and so binding upon John Young’s, Dorrel Young’s, and John Winningham’s land, to be equally divided betwixt my two sons, John and Francis Poythress, and to their heirs forever.
I give my son, William Poythress, and his heirs, 150 acres, binding upon Thomas Poythress’ and Thomas Lovesay’s land, formerly belonging to Joseph Patterson, called Powell’s, and if it should please God to take him out of the world before he arrives to the age of 21 years, or without heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then my will and pleasure is that my son, John Poythress, should possess the above mentioned land, and his heirs lawfully begotten

forever.
I give my son, John Poythress, a small featherbed and furniture, six new rush leather chairs, one chest, one gun, and a mare, a young horse, and the increase of her forever, to him and his heirs for ever.
I give my son, Francis Poythress, a small feather bed and furniture, one young mare about three years old, and her increase to him and his heirs for ever.
I give my son, William Poythress, a bay mare, and her increase, to him and his heirs for ever.
I give my three sons, John, Francis and William Poythress, all of my stock of hogs and cattle, to be equally divided amongst them, only what I shall give hereafter unto my loving wife, Mary Poythress, which is four cows and calves, and a parcel of hogs as uses about Colebrooks, about twenty or thirty of them, and my will further is that as much of the stock be disposed of as will be of value sufficient to enter and survey 400 acres of land in the woods, according to the discretion of my executors, for my son, William Poythress, and to be patented in his name, and then the remaining part of the stock to be equally divided between my three sons, John, Francis and William Poythress, and their heirs forever.
I give my three sons, John, Francis and William Poythress, my three negroes, Betty, Judy and Grace, and their increase, to be equally divided when my son, William Poythress, comes to the age of 18 years, and my will and desire is that my son, John Poythress, should have the aforesaid negroes, with their increase, in his possession, when he shall attain to the age of 21, and there to remain till my son, William, attains to the age of 18 years, then they and their increase to be equally divided between my three sons, John, Francis and William Poythress, and to their heirs lawfully begotten forever.
I give my daughter, Rebecca Poythress, my negro man, Tom, and one featherbed and furniture, to her and her heirs for ever.
I give my daughter, Elizabeth Poythress, my negro boy, Jamy, to her and her heirs for ever.
I give my daughter, Ann Poythress, my negro boy, Will, to her and her heirs for ever.
I give my loving wife, Mary Poythress, my negro man, Seipis(?), one featherbed and furniture, four cows and calves and a parcel of hogs uses about Colebrooks, and all my pewter, brass, and iron, as I am possessed with, and my two working horses, and all the rest of the small matters as is not mentioned in this my last Will and Testament, to her and her heirs for ever.
I appoint Robert Poythress and John Woodlief, pastor, my executors of this my last Will and testament. The witnesses, Francis Epes, Jr., William Stainback and John Winningham. At a court held at Merchant’s Hope for Prince George County, on Tuesday, May 12, 1724, the last Will and testament of John Poythress, deceased, was exhibited into court by Robert Poythress and John Woodlief, his executors, who made oath thereto, and it was proved by the oaths of Francis Epes, William Stainback and John Winningham. And on the motion of the said Robert Poythress and John Woodlief, executors, and their giving Bond and Security according to law, Certificate was granted them for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form. The Will was recorded, August 11, 1724, at a court at Merchant’s Hope, for Prince George County, with an account of personal property items valued at £209/14/5. John Stainback, John Winningham and William Stainback were the appraisers. [PG D&W 1713-1728, p. 706]

[December 13, 1726, in the Prince George County court, the inventory of the estate of Captain John Poythress, deceased, was valued at £130/12/8. The executors of the Will were Robert Poythress and John Woodlief. The legatees were Mary, his wife, Rebecca, his daughter, Elizabeth, his daughter, Colonel William Randolph, Captain Richard Randolph and John Fitzgerald, among others.]

Account of John Poythress’ estate submitted by Robert Poythress and John Woodlief Exrs. Recorded 13 Dec. 1726. Sums were paid to widow, to Rebecca his daughter; to Elizabeth his daughter; to Colonel William Randolph; to Captain Richard Randolph and to Mr. John Fitzgerald. [PG D&W 1713-1728, p. 941]

John Poythress, Jr., married Mary [Hardiman?]

– born abt. 1681

– militia officer swore allegiance to King of England, 1702

– 609 acres s/s Jas. R. on s/s Blackwater to Nottaway path to Blackwater spring to Blackwater Maine sw. nr. Robt. Lucy’s line by Townes’ Quarter adj. Hercules Flood, Chas. Cty. Co., 1703 (land formerly granted Francis Poythress 1681, deserted by him, granted to John Poythress 1703)

– transported 13 persons to Colony; Elizabeth Smith & Chas. Bartholomew, Chas. Cty. Co., 1703

– (Jr.) taxes paid on 916 acres, Pr. Geo. Co., 1704

– sold 200 acres to Hubbard Gibson n/s Blackwater sw., Pr. Geo. Co., 1704 (200 of the 609 acres)

– married Mary abt. 1705

– 100 acres n/s Meherrin R. on e. side of Long Meadow br., Isle of Wight Co., 1716 (appears to be nr. land of Hercules Flood & the late Major Francis Poythress on Long Meadow adj. to the Ealeroot Level)

– court case vs. John Pool, Pr. Geo. Co., 1717

– John Roberts, of Surry Co., & Thos. Winningham, of Pr. Geo. Co., to Darrel Young, Jr., of Pr. Geo. Co., 100 ac. where Winningham lives, adj. Charles Bartholomew, John Young, Capt. John Poythress, 1718

– Francis Poythress, Sr., sold him 150 acres called Powell’s bounded on n. by Richard Bland s. by Joseph Patterson, e. on Deep Bottom & w. on Thos. Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1720

– 200 acres s/s Meherrin R. on e. side Cane br., Isle of Wight Co., 1723 (same property re-patented by his son, John Poythress, on March 17, 1737, and sold by Thomas Poythress to John Dawson on July 6, 1773)

– deceased 1724 (age ~43)

– widow, Mary, married John Abington, 1725

– 275 acres s/s Meherrin River on s/s Reedy br. on Beaver Pond cr., Brunswick Co., 1727 (This land was evidently surveyed prior to John Poythress’ death and awarded after his death). [John Poythress left more than 630 acres to his sons in his 1724 Will. He acquired approximately 1,366 acres but sold 200 acres in 1704. Thomas Poythress sold 275 acres of this property in 1773) 

– son, Wm., was bound as apprentice to Robt. Simpson; changed to guardian Charles Irby, 1739

First document: 1702 (age ~21)

The 150 acres called Powell’s, left to William Poythress, was bought by his father, John Poythress (c. 1681-1724), on November 8, 1720, from Francis Poythress. The land that was inherited by John Poythress’ son, John Poythress, was possibly bought by John Poythress (c. 1681-1724), on October 23, 1703, and on September 5, 1723.

[Maj. Fr. Poythress had acquired the following land at his death: 450 acres, Chas. Cty. Co., 1665; 609 acres s/s Blackwater R. crossing Nottaway path nr. line of Capt. Robt. Lucy, Townes’ Quarter adj. Hercules Flood, Chas. Cty. Co., 1681; 750 acres escheated land of Thos. Morgan, dec’d., Chas. Cty. Co., 1682; sold 518 acs. to Mr. Daniel Higdon s/s James R. upon the middle southern br., Westover parish, 1683; 980½ ac. from Col. Edward Hill on s/s James River, Westover parish, 1683; 1,250 acres s/s Jas. R. adj. Sampson Ellis, Henry Batt, John Woodley, Jas. Mumford, Edward Hill & his land (bordered lands of Roger Tilman, Jas. Binford, Robt. Abernathy & Wallace), Jordan’s parish, Chas. Cty. Co., 1683 =  450 + 609 + 750 – 518 + 980½ + 1,250 = 4,039½ – 518 = 3,521½ acres (incl. his father’s lands? (750 acres)]. His sons’ lands in 1704 added up to: 1,283 + 916 + 616 = 2,815 acres

[John Poythress left 1,189 ac. to his sons in his 1724 Will. He acquired approx. 1,334 acres but sold 200 acres in 1704 = 1,134 ac.

He gave son, John: (1) 100 ac. his plantation; (2) 100 ac. “Colebrooks” adj. Ivy point, down Hugh Evans’ spring bottom to Wm. Stainback; (3) (409 ac.) s/s main Blackwater sw., (4) ½ of 280 ac. adj. Thos. Poythress & Youngs’ & Winningham  = 749 ac.

He gave son, Francis: (150 ac.) “Brick Chimneys adj. bro. John & uncle Thos. adj. Deep Bottom, ½ of 280 ac. adj. Thos. Poythress & Youngs’ & Winningham = 290 ac.

He gave son, Wm.: 150 ac. “Powells” adj. Thos. Poythress, Thos. Lovesay & Joseph Patterson = 150 ac. Total: 1,189 ac.

He gave each son a negro: Betty, Judy & Grace; Rebecca, negro Tom; Elizabeth, negro boy, Jamy; Ann, negro boy Will; wife, Mary, Seipis.

Slaves (7) (1724)

Divided btwn. my three sons (3) – Betty, Judy & Grace; Rebecca (1) – negro boy, Tom; Elizabeth (1) – negro boy, Jamy; Ann (1) – negro boy, Will; my wife, Mary (1) – negro man, Seipis.

Neighbors: Robert Lucy, Hercules Flood, Hubbard Gibson, Richard Bland, Joseph Patterson, Thomas Poythress, John Young, Dorrel Young, John Winningham, Hugh Evans, William Stainback, Thomas Lovesay, John Roberts,

Thos. Winningham, Dorrel Young, Jr., Charles Bartholomew