Dr. John Poythress might be the son of William (c.1720-aft. 1782) and Sarah Poythress. William and Sarah lived in Bertie County, North Carolina. Their son, William, married Ann Lewis in 1785 in Bertie County. That would make son, William, born about 1762-1764. Dr. John Poythress may have been born in the 1760s or 1770s. He died in 1813. No document has been found giving Dr. Poythress’ age. He evidently was an established doctor according to the records. His wife’s name was Polly. They evidently did not have any children as no other relative was named in his Will.

Dr. John Poythress and William Poythress (b. 1762-1764) may have been brothers. John Poythress of Carteret County, Town of Beaufort, North Carolina, 1813.

State of No. Carolina. Town of Beaufort. In the name of God, Amen.

I John Poythress being weak in body but of sound mind do this day make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following viz:

Imprs. My spirit I commit to the Superintendance of him from whom I received life. My body I recommend to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix here in after named.

My effects, & debts, active and passive I give to my beloved wife Polly Poythress, to her, her heirs & assigns for ever.

Lastly I nominate & appoint my beloved wife Polly my sole Executrix Ratifying & confirming this my only true Will & Testament & disannulling all former wills by me made. Octr. 23rd 1813

Signed Sealed publish’d & pronounced in presence of: John Poythress (Seal) Wm. Bell, Jno. Hyson.

p. 91: “Many physicians were interested in attending such large groups of men, especially if located in their home towns. Dr. John Poythress of Beaufort asked for a commission, only to have a rival candidate, Dr. James Manney… [“Frustrated Patriots: North Carolina and the War of 1812” by Sarah McCulloh Lemmon, Published by University of North Carolina Press, 1973. Original from the University of Michigan.] Dr. James Manney (3/20/1785 N. Y. – 8/7/1852 Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC) was 28 years old when Dr. John Poythress died.

p. 54: “A town cannot actually survive life without having a doctor, dentist or pharmacist to take care of the folks who live there. The same is true in Beaufort. Medicine here and throughout the state and country has come a long way since the early 1800s when the first medical doctor arrived. Dr. John Poythress was legally appointed the port physician for Beaufort. He advertised in the Raleigh Star about the opening of a private infirmary. But having died later in the year, his dream went with him.” [“A Story of North Carolina’s Historic Beaufort,” by Mamre’ Marsh Wilson. Published by The History Press, 2007.]