James and John Poythress were listed two households apart in the 1830 census. They may have been brothers. The 1830 census reveals that James and John were in the 40 to 49 year old range with their births in the range of 1781- 1790. Both had wives. James’ wife appears to have been born between 1800 and 1810 and John’s wife appears to have been born between 1780 and 1790. James had one older female and two younger children, a male and a female, in his household. John appears to have had two young females in his household. In the 1850 census, James Poythress was 65 years old indicating his birth about 1785.

Sarah “Sally” Crout (Crowder) (c. 1800-bef. 1850) & James “Jim” R. Portis [Poythress] married 1/13/1827 in Northampton County, North Carolina, with Bondsman, Thomas R. Hutson, witness, Sam L. Calvert and minister, John Jones, MG (Minister of the Gospel). James Poythress and Sarah Crowder had children: Sterling Poythress, William Poythress, James Poythress, Lovel Poythress, Joseph Poythress, and Richard Plunk Poythress. Several of these sons married Turner women.

1830 – Northampton Co., NC (two names away from John Poythress) James Poythress: 1m 40-<50, 1m <5, 1f 50-<60, 1f 20-<30, 1f <5 [Virtual census]

James Poythress 45

Sarah “Sally” Crowdere 30 (female) b. 1800-1810

(female) b. 1825-1830 William Poythress 3

1830 – Northampton Co., NC (two names away from James Poythress) John Poythress

1m 40-<50, 1f 40-<50, 2f 30-<40, 1f 20-<30

John Poythress b. 1780-1790 (female) b. 1780-1790

(female) b. 1790-1800

(female) b. 1800-1810

1850 – HH 1158 – Northampton County, North Carolina, p. 71, 8 Nov. Portis, James, age 65, male,(blank), none, born NC, pauper

, William, age 20, male, (blank), none, born NC

, James, age 18, male, (blank), none, born NC

, Lovel, age 15, male, (blank), born NC,

, Joseph, age 7, male, (blank), born NC, pauper

, Plump, age 5, male, (blank), born NC, pauper

James Poythress’ wife, Sarah, apparently died before the 1850 census.

7th generation

Joseph Poythress (1845-12/8/1920) and Mary Jane Garner (1846-), of Northampton Co., NC. Joseph Poythress was the son of Jim Poythress and Sarah Crowder. The informant for Joseph’s death certificate was W. M. Poythress, of Wilson, North Carolina.

8th generation

William Harrison Poythress (6/7/1890-8/13/1956), of Northampton Co., NC, was the son of Joseph Poythress and Mary Jane Garner. He married Mahala Hayes (3/31/1896-6/8/1980) in 1912.

brother: James Thomas (10/15/1869-11/15/1942), of Northampton Co., married Betty Ann Poythress (11/15/1872- 1/22/1962), daughter of Love Poythress and Amanda Peterson.

brother: John Washington (1879-3/4/1934), of Northampton Co., married Eunice Lee Newsome (1889-), in 1907.

9th generation

Oliver Poythress (1914-1980), son of William Poythress and Mahala Hayes, married Estelle Brantley (9/17/1917- 6/29/2003), of Wilson Co., NC.

Child of son, Richard Plunk Poythress (1845-) and Alta Jean Turner:

Richard P. “Jack” Poythress (10/18/1872-3/20/1947), farmer, born Northampton Co., died Warsaw, Duplin Co., NC, usual residence, Bowden, Duplin Co., NC, married Laura Peterson (age 74); His parents were Richard Poythress and Alta Jean Turner, both of Northampton Co., NC.

Children of son, Lovel Poythress (1835-) and Amanda:

Horace Poythress (10/18/1868-2/14/1956).

James Thomas (10/15/1869-11/15/1942), of Northampton Co., and Betty Ann Poythress (11/15/1872-1/22/1962), daughter of Love Poythress and Amanda (Peterson?)

Hal Peter Poythress (6/7/1878-12/23/1956), son of Love Poythress and Mandie (Garner?) Mrs. B. A. Poythress, of Wilson, NC, was informant.

1930 – Wilson Co., NC

HH 326 – Wilson Twp., sheet 18B, ED 28, 11 Apr.

Poythress, Jack P., rents $8 mthly., w/m, 28, md. at 23, can’t read/write, NC/NC/NC, carpenter/autobody plant, wage

, Bertha, wife, female, white, age 26, married at age 21, NC, NC, NC

, Charles F., son, male, white, age 3, NC, NC, NC

[Jack P. Poythress (6/14/1901-4/27/1963), was the son of Horace Poythress (10/18/1868-2/14/1956), who was born and died in Northampton Co., and Laura Belle Turner. Jack married Bertha Forbes (1902-) on 12/20/1924 in Wilson County, NC, the daughter of Charlie and Lula Forbes. Horace Poythress’ parents were Lovel and Amanda Turner Poythress. His wives were: Laura Bell Turner Poythress, Lula Turner Poythress and Rosa E. Bass Poythress. His children were: Mamie Poythress Peters, Benjamin Fate Poythress, Frederick Elmo “Jack” Poythress, Ralph Edward Poythress, Annie Rowe Poythress Batten, Laura Bell Poythress Turner, Geneva “Eva” Poythress Keeter, Calvin Coolidge Poythress, Bertha Lee Poythress Scott and Robert Lee Poythress. He had a sister, Betty Poythress, and a brother, Hale Poythress According to his obituary, he had 32 grandchildren 35 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Possible son, William Poythress (1827-1865), of Greensville Co., VA., wife, Julia Brewer:

William Poythress lived three households from Lewis Y. and Mary C. Poythress in Greensville County during the 1860 census. His wife, Julia Brewer (1831-aft. 1880), was the daughter of Martha Brewer (1810-aft. 1870). Their children were: James (1852-), Joseph (1853-), Thomas (1855-), Jane (1856-), Benjamin (1859-) and Martha A. (1864-). William Poythress died between 1860 and 1870. In 1870, only one of his children was living with his wife.

Greensville County was established in 1781 from Brunswick County. Emporia, Virginia, is the county seat. Emporia was used quite often for official records by the Northampton Co., NC, Poythress families. The adjacent counties are Brunswick (west), Dinwiddie (north), Sussex (northeast), Southampton (east), all in Virginia, and Northampton (south) in North Carolina. William lived over the line from Northampton County, North Carolina. Two of his children were apparently named after his possible father and brothers, James and Joseph.

Children

According to the 1860 and 1870 census and death certificates, William and Julia Poythress’ children were: James (1852-), Joseph H. (1853-) Thomas (1855-), Jane (1856-) Benjamin (1859-) and Martha J. (1864-).

Their son, Joseph H. Poythress (1853-11/28/1927), died in Belfield, Greensville County, Virginia. He married in 10/6/1873, in Greensville County, Eliza Spence, the daughter of M. D. Spence. Both Joseph and Eliza were born in Greensville County. Joseph was a farmer and was widowed at the time of his death. The informant on his death certificate was D. B. Woodruff of N. Emporia, Virginia.

1900 – Northampton County

HH 185 – of Robert Robinson, Gaston Twp., sheet 10B, ED 67, 16 June

Potress, Joseph H., Boarder, w/m, b. Apr. 1850, 50, married 1 yr., NC, NC, NC, farm laborer, cannot read and write

, Hattie H., wife, white, female, born Mar.1870, age 30 married 1 yr., NC, NC, NC, cannot read and write [This may be Joseph H. Poythress, the son of William Poythress and Julia Brewer.]

Their daughter, Martha J. O’Neal (1864-3/26/1931) was born in Virginia and was a widow at her death. The informant on her death certificate was Mrs. D. D. Woodruff, of N. Emporia, Virginia.

Census records

1850 – Greensville County, VA HH 181 – page 383, 5 Sept.

Portress, William, age 23, male, laborer, born VA

, Julia, age 18, female, born VA

1860 – Greensville County, VA

HH 309 – Hicksford PO, page 599, 6 Aug.

Potis, William, age 33, male, saw milling, $75 personal est., born VA

, Julia, age 29, female, born NC

, James, age 8, male, born VA

, Joseph, age 7, male, born VA

, Thomas, age 5, male, born VA

, Jane, age 4, female, born VA

, Benjamin, age 1, male, born VA Brewer, Martha, age 50, female, born NC

Virginia did not escape the national and worldwide epidemics of cholera in 1848 and 1865. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine transmitted primarily through drinking water or food. William and all of his children except the youngest child, Martha, disappeared between the 1860 and 1870 census. Other than Martha, only Williams’ wife, Julia, and his mother-in-law, Martha Brewer, appeared in the 1870 census. Their son, Joseph H. Poythress, did live until 1927 even though he did not appear in the 1870 census as a 17 year old. It may be that some of the children were raised by others due to economic conditions.

1870 – Greensville County, VA

HH 126 – Hicksford Twp., page 356, 30 June, Poythress – Virginia Census Records Page 10 of 28 Portrass, Julia, age 40, female, white, born VA, pauper, cannot read and write

Bruer, Martha, age 65, female, white, born VA, pauper, cannot read and write Portrass, Martha A., age 6, female, white, born VA, pauper

1880 – Greensville County, VA

HH 233 – of William Duncan, Hicksford Dist., page 43, ED 28, 14 June

Poytress, July A., white, female, age 50, servant, widowed/divorced, cannot read and write, VA, VA, VA

Son, Joseph Poythress (1845-1920), of Northampton Co.

Joseph Poythress (3/1845-12/8/1920) married Mary Jane Garner (5/1846-) about 1870. He was born in Northampton County and was a farmer. He died in Taylor, Wilson County, North Carolina. Joseph’s parents were James “Jim” R. Poythress and Sarah Crout [Crowder] (1800-bef. 1850) who married in Northampton County, North Carolina, on January 13, 1827. They were both born in Northampton County, North Carolina. The informant on Joseph’s death certificate was W. M. Poythress, of Wilson, North Carolina. W. M. Poythress gave Joseph’s wife’s name as Mary Cook Poythress. The children of Joseph Poythress and Mary Jane Garner were:

—James Thomas (10/15/1869-11/15/1942) married Betty Ann Poythress (11/15/1872-1/22/1962), daughter of Love Poythress and Amanda Peterson. He was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, and was a cabinet maker. He died in Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina. The informant on his death certificate was W. L. Ellis. His parents were born in Northampton County, North Carolina.

—John Washington (1879-3/4/1934), who married, 11/6/1907, in Northampton County, Eunice Lee Newsome

(1889-), daughter of Ann Newsome. He was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, and died in Saratoga, Wilson County, North Carolina, at age 55. He was a farmer.

—William Harrison Poythress (6/7/1890-8/13/1956), who married, 4/24/1912, Mahala Hayes (3/31/1896-6/8/1980), daughter of Gideon Hayes (1873-1905) and Lucy Delaney Lona Vick. They married in Black Creek Twp., in Wilson County, North Carolina. William was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, and died in Wilson County, North Carolina, at age 66. He was a farmer. The informant on his death certificate was Mrs. William Hayes, of Wilson, North Carolina.

1920 – Wilson Co., NC

HH 172 – Wilson Twp., sheet 11B, ED 115, 15 Jan., Poythress – North Carolina Census Records Page 31 of 44 Poythress, James T., rents, male, white, age 50, married, NC, NC, NC, manager/hardware, wage

, Elizabeth A., wife, female, white, age 48, married, NC, NC, NC

, Ross M., son, male, white, age 25, NC, NC, NC

, Clarence M., son, male, white, age 23, NC, NC, NC

, Marion M. , son, male, white, age 21, NC, NC, NC

, Tanner M., son, male, white, age 19, NC, NC, NC

, Sallie M., daughter, female, white, age 12, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Haywood M., son, male, white, age 9, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Luther M., son, male, white, age 7, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Allison M., son, male, white, age 5, NC, NC, NC

James Thomas Poythress (1869-1942) was the son of Joseph Poythress (1845-1920). James Thomas Poythress (10/15/1869-11/15/1942), was born in Northampton Co. and died in Wilson Co., his wife, Bettie Ann Poythress (11/15/1872-1/22/1962), was born in Northampton Co. and died in Wilson Co. Her death certificate listed her parents as Love Poythress and Armanda Peterson. Her death certificate listed her husband as James T. Poythress, dec’d. Mrs. W. L. Ellis, of Wilson, was the informant. His death certificate listed his parents as Joseph Poythress and Mary Garner, both born in Northampton Co, NC; his wife, as Betty A. Poythress. Mrs. W. L. Ellis, of Wilson, was the informant. Their children were: Joseph Mack (12/1894-4/9/1960) who married Clyde Bass on 8/26/1927, Merron Mack (1896-1968), Sally M. Poythress Mattox (1908-2004), Haywood M. (1910-1935), Luther Mack (1912-1981) and Allison J. Mack Poythress (1914-1991).

1930 – Wilson County, NC

HH 10 – Wilson Twp., sheet 1B, ED 29, 2 Apr.

Poythress, James T., rents $30 mthly., w/m, 56, married at age 20, VA, VA, VA, carpenter/wagon factory, wage

, Bettie, wife, w/f, 52, md. at age 18, NC, VA, VA,

, Haywood, son, male, white, age 20, VA, VA, NC, salesman/grocery store, wage

, Sallie, daughter, female, white, age 19, attends school, VA, VA, NC

, Luther, son, male, white, age 17, attends school, NC, VA, VA

, Allison J., son, male, white, age 15, attends school, NC, VA, VA

1930 – Wilson Co., NC

HH 477 – Wilson Twp., sheet 26B, ED 30, 25 Apr.

Poythress, Marion M., owns, value of home 3000, w/m, 31, md. at age 26, NC, NC, NC, machinest/iron works, wage

, Mary E., wife, female, white, age 26, married at age 21, NC, NC, NC

, Marion E., son, male, white, age 4 7/12, NC, NC, NC

Marion Poythress (1896-1968), son of James Thomas Poythress 1869-1942), with wife, Mary E. (1904-). William Poythress (1890-1956), of Northampton Co, son of Joseph Poythress (1845-1920)

1930 – Duplin County

HH 138 – Warsaw Twp., sheet 8A, ED 27, 12 Apr., Poythress – North Carolina Census Records Page 33 of 44 Poythress, William, rents, w/m, 45, md. at age 28, can’t read/write, NC, NC, NC, farmer/general farm, employer,

, Mahala, wife, female, white, age 35, married at age 17, NC, NC, NC

, Oliver W., son, male, white, age 16, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Marrion, son, male, white, age 14, NC, NC, NC

, Ad, son, male, white, age 13, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Jessie W., daughter, female, white, age ?8, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Mary B. , daughter, female, white, age 6, attends school, NC, NC, NC

, Virginia J. , daughter, female, white, age 5, NC, NC, NC

, Joseph G. , son, male, white, age 2, NC, NC, NC

, Edward P. , son, male, white, age 1 4/12, NC, NC, NC

William Poythress was the son of Joseph Poythress (1845-1920), of Northampton Co. James Gideon (1927-) was a son of William Harrison Poythress and Mahala Hays.

Children:

Oliver Poythress (2/17/1914-10/14/1980), married Estelle Brantley Poythress.

Marvin Poythress (1916-), born Wilson, NC, son of Will Poythress and Mahala Hayes, married 10/22/37, in Emporia, Greensville Co., NC, Nola Rose (1909-), Wilson, NC.

Lessie Mae Poythress (1918-), born in Wilson Co., NC, daughter of Will Poythress and Mahala Hayes, married Lewis Rose (1917-), born in Nash Co., NC, on 8/24/1938.

Mary Belle Poythress (1923-12/3/2010), daughter of William Poythress and Mahala Hayes. She died in Lucama, Wilson County, North Carolina. She never married.

Oliver Poythress, son of William Poythress (1890-1956)

Pfc. Oliver Poythress, Combat Medic, 1945. Yank, the Army Weekly, Vol 3 No. 43: April 13, 1945. This Week’s Cover: “The Combat Medic who posed for Sgt. Howard Brodie, YANK staff artist, at the Ninth Army front in Germany is Pfc. Oliver Poythress of Raleigh, N.C., attached to K Company, 406th Infantry, 102d Division. Cover picture “Front-Line Portrait Of A Rifle Company Medic.”

Oliver Poythress (2/17/1914-10/14/1980), married Estelle Brantley Poythress. He was born February 17, 1914 in North Carolina, and was a resident of Nash County, North Carolina. He died October 25, 1980, at 66 years of age in Wilson, North Carolina. He was 5’4″ tall and weighed 119 pounds, was single, had completed grammar school and was a semi-skilled chauffeur and driver when he enlisted on December 3, 1942, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He enlisted as a Private for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. His parents were William Poythress (6/7/1890-8/13/1956) and Mahala (nee Hayes) (3/31/1896-6/8/1980), daughter of Gideon Hayes (1873-1905) and Lucy Delaney Lona Vick. William Harrison Poythress married Mahala Hayes 4/24/1912. William was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, and died in Wilson County, North Carolina. Oliver’s grandparents were Joseph Poythress and Mary Garner, both born in Northampton County, North Carolina.

His wife, Estelle Brantley Poythress (9/17/1917-6/29/2003), was born and died in Nash County, North Carolina, and was a widow when she married Oliver Poythress. She died at age 85. She was a high school graduate. Their children were: William Oliver (1952-2013) and Bobby (1954-2014).

Oliver’s siblings were Marvin (1915-1994), Alvin D. (1917-1981, Mary Belle (1923-2010) and Virginia Irene Poythress Bass (1925-2009).