Lewis Poythress, Sr., born about 1765, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the son of Thomas (c. 1729 – 1800) and Martha “Patsy” Poythress. He died in 1847 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He married as his 1st wife, Elizabeth “Patsy” Giles (1773 – 1802) in 1792. He married as his 2nd wife, Rebecca B. Taylor in 1802. Lewis Poythress’ children were: Edward (1798 -aft. 1860), John (1800 – 1818), James Edward (8/13/1803 – 1/17/1863), David E. (1/26/1805 – ), Rebecca L. (1810 – 1861), Sarah G. (1/16/1814 – 12/12/1854), Lewis Y. (1819 – 1874) and Thomas M. (1823 – 7/1891). Edward (1798 -) and John (1800) were children by Lewis’ 1st wife.

26 Dec 1792. Marriage Bond of Lewis Poythress and Patsey Giles. Surety: Meredith Poythress; Minister: John Loyd; Sealed and delivered in the presence of Newman Dortch.

Mecklenburg Cty. (Marriage Bonds and Consent papers, 1770-1810, “P” Reel 58, p. 376).

9 Apr 1802, Mecklenburg County. Marriage Bond of Lewis Poythress and Rebecca B. Taylor, Surety: Thomas Watson, in the presence of John Dortch. Minister: James Meachem.

Census records

1820 – Mecklenburg County, VA – Lewis Poythress (1761-1770)

Portress, Lewis – pg. 158A, 1 M under 10, 2 M 10-15, 2 M 16-25, 1 M 45+, 1 F under 10, 1 F 10-15, 1 F 45+, 1 M

slave 26-44 [Virtual census]

Lewis Poythress	55
Rebecca Taylor	~40
Edward Poythress	22
John Poythress	20
James Edward Poythress	18
David E. Poythress	14
Rebecca L. Poythress	10
Sarah G. Poythress	6
Lewis Y. Poythress	1

1830 – Mecklenburg County

Potress, Lewis – pg. 15, 1 M 5-9, 1 M 10-14, 1 M 60-69, 2 F 15-19, 1 F 40-49, 1 M slave 10-23, 1 F 10-23, 1 F

slave 24-35, 1 F slave 36-54 [Virtual census]

Lewis Poythress	65
Rebecca Taylor	~50
Rebecca L. Poythress	19
Sarah G. Poythress	16
Lewis Y. Poythress	10
Thomas M. Poythress	7

1840 – Mecklenburg County

Portress, Lewis – pg. 407, 1 M 15-19, 1 M 20-29, 1 M 70-79, 1 F 60-69, 1 M FCP 10-23, 1 F FCP 10-23

Lewis Poythress	75
Rebecca Taylor	~60
Lewis Y. Poythress	21
Thomas M. Poythress	17

Daughter, Rebecca L. Poythress Stanley

Lewis and Rebecca Poythress daughter, Rebecca L. Poythress (1810-), married Benjamin Stanley. Rebecca and Benjamin lived in Brunswick County in 1850 and 1860. Their children were: George M. (1833-), Sarah F. (c. 1835-), Benjamin L. (c. 1838-), John D. (1839-), Martha R. J. (1845-) and James W. (c. 1847-).

1850 – Brunswick County

HH 103 – Southern Dist., page 322, 7 Aug.

Stanly, Benjamin, age 50, male, farmer, $942 real est., born VA

, Rebecca L., age 40, female, born VA

, George M., age 17, male, farmer, born VA

, Sarah F., age 16, female, born VA

, Benjamin L., age 13, male, born VA

, John D., age 11, male, born VA

, Martha R., age 5, female, born VA

, James W., age 3, male, born VA

1860 – Brunswick County

HH 22 – Meherrin Dist., page 616, 20-21 Jan. Poythress – Virginia Census Records Page 28 of 28 Stanley, Benjamin, age 60, male, farmer, $1200 real est., $5000 personal est., born VA

, Rebecca L., age 52, female, born VA

, George M., age 26, male, $2000 real est., born VA

, Sarah F., age 23, female, born VA

, Benjamin L., age 21, male, born VA

, John D., age 20, male, born VA

, Martha R. J., age 14, female, born VA, attends school

, James W., age 10, male, born VA, attends school

Death of Benjamin L. Stanley, June 20, 1861. Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics Reel 5; Deaths Brunswick; 1861-1896, 1861 p. 60, l. 97 Benjamin L. Stanley; W/M; 20 June 1861; of measles; age 23; b. Brunswick d. Brunswick; parents Benj. and R(ebecca) L. Stanley, unmarried; source Benj. Stanley father.

Death of James W. Stanley, August 6, 1867. Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics Reel 5; Deaths Brunswick; 1861-1896, 1867 p. 88, l. 53 James W. Stanley; W; M; 6 August 1867; typhoid fever; age 20; b. not stated; d. Brunswick; parents B(enjamin) and R(ebecca); did not get marital status; source B. Stanley father.

Daughter, Sarah G. Poythress Dortch

1850 – Mecklenburg County

HH 213 – 98 th Regiment, page 61, 24 Sept. Dortch, William, age 32, male, overseer, born VA

, Sally, age 35, female, born VA

, Martha, age 12, female, born VA

, Jasper, age 7, male, born VA

, Alvy, age 5, male, born VA

, Tom, age 3, male, born VA

Civic activities

Death of Benjamin L. Stanley, June 20, 1861. Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics Reel 5; Deaths Brunswick; 1861-1896, 1861 p. 60, l. 97 Benjamin L. Stanley; W/M; 20 June 1861; of measles; age 23; b. Brunswick d. Brunswick; parents Benj. and R(ebecca) L. Stanley, unmarried; source Benj. Stanley father.

Death of James W. Stanley, August 6, 1867. Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics Reel 5; Deaths Brunswick; 1861-1896, 1867 p. 88, l. 53 James W. Stanley; W; M; 6 August 1867; typhoid fever; age 20; b. not stated; d. Brunswick; parents B(enjamin) and R(ebecca); did not get marital status; source B. Stanley father.

Mecklenburg Records, Personal Property Tax List, 1800. Poythress, Lewis; Poythress, Meredith 2; son Peter.

* tithes….the numeral after the name represents the number taxable. All males sixteen or over were taxable. Estates, women and non-residents were not taxable. The sons were between the ages of sixteen and twenty one. Slaves and taxable personal property were not itemized in the above excerpt. Taxing district was Mecklenburg Lower District, John Holmes, Commissioner.

Jones, etc. vs. Admr. of Harwell, etc. Plaintiffs William Jones and John P. Smith ask for execution of an 1849 court order against Reuben A. Puryear, sheriff and administrator of the estate of James M. Harwell for $75.10 owing to William A. Jones and Rebecca his wife and a like amount owing to William M. Tanner and his wife Mary plus court costs of $ 39.02. The above decrees were on record against the administrator of the said Harwell in the distributions of the estate of H. F. Tanner and also against the plaintiffs as Securities in the administration bond. Presumably Harwell died without assets. The plaintiffs, having given surety, paid Harwell’s debts rather than having their land levied upon.

In this court now the plaintiffs claim to have discovered that Harwell had an interest in remainder in the land and slaves held by Nancy Thomas, widow of Bennett Thomas. Also beneficiaries of Bennett Thomas were the children of Nancy Thomas (among them Lucy Thomas m. Thomas M. Poythress). Others of the “remainder heirs,” Taylor Thomas and Charles O. Thomas specifically, have sold off their interests in land and slaves on which the plaintiffs now ask the court to levy against both the two that have sold legacies and the remaining heirs who have not sold, all of whom are legatees in a trust fund held by Nancy Thomas. The court finds for the plaintiffs and the remainder of the documents largely deal with mechanics of this process. (Mecklenburg Records, Virginia Chancery Records #1858-015 CC, 1855). [Thomas Poythress was the son of Lewis Poythress and Rebecca B. Taylor.]

William L. Poythress vs. Exr. of Nancy Thomas. William L. Portress/Poythress testifies that Nancy M. Thomas is his grandmother and died in December of 1864, leaving a proved and admitted will specifying the entire residue of her property, after having previously provided by her Will for certain small portions of personal property to and among certain legatees. It may be inferred that the Exr., whomever he or she may be, is allegedly holding out on William who is pleading in Chancery Court. Deposition given by William L. Poythress 3 Nov 1879 in behalf of himself, (plaintiff) “in a certain matter of account referred to me for settlement by a decree of the Circuit Court of

Mecklenburg at its June term 1879 in the chancery cause of Poythress vs. Riggan, Exor &c.” William L. Poythress deposes 1) he is the grandson of Nancy M. Thomas who died in Mecklenburg County in December, 1864 and 2) he was at that time serving in Company D, 44th Virginia Battalion at Petersburg. [William L. Poythress was the son of Thomas M. Poythress and Lucy Thomas of Mecklenburg County. William was the father of Foxall Poythress. Lewis Poythress was the father of Thomas Poythress.] (Mecklenburg Records, 1880, Virginia Chancery Records #1880- 030 CC).

R. P. Cleaton vs. Harriet Thomas, etc. “A. J. Poythress…neighbor…he and others rented her land. Mention of brother, not named…regarding 35 acres.” (Mecklenburg Records, 1889, Virginia Chancery Records #1889-007 CC.)

Property

2 Mar 1796. Abstract. John and Martha Cleaton sold 98 acres in Mecklenburg to Lewis Poythress. (Mecklenburg County, Deed 10, page 62, Film #0032536).

13 Jan 1801. Abstract. Lewis Poythress sold to John Giles 100 acres in Mecklenburg County. (Mecklenburg County Deeds, page 605).

4 Nov 1801. Abstract. Thomas Watson and his wife Susanna Watson sold 104 acres to Lewis Poythress in Mecklenburg. (Mecklenburg County, Deeds, page 47).

3 Nov 1813. Abstract. Dennis Bass sold 33 acres to Lewis Poythress in Mecklenburg County. (Mecklenburg County Deeds).

20 April 1816. Abstract. Grief Harwell sold 138 acres to Lewis Poythress in Mecklenburg County. (Mecklenburg County Deeds).

15 Aug 1844. Lewis Poythress sold 143½ acres in Mecklenburg to David Poythress. (Mecklenburg County Deed Book 31, 1843-1845, Reel 15, page 253-254).

18 Oct 1845. Lewis Poythress deeds his homestead of 140 acres to sons Lewis Y. Poythress and Thomas M. Poythress. (Mecklenburg Records, DB 31, page 605).

Lewis Poythress to Lewis Y. Poythress and Thomas M. Poythress. Recorded 18 October 1845. Know all men by these presents that I Lewis Poythress, Sr. for and consideration of my natural estimation and love for my two youngest sons Lewis and Thomas Poythress and in the further consideration of the sum of one dollar to me in hand paid by them the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do give unto my sons above named one tract of land containing by estimation one hundred and forty acres bounded as follows (virg) by the land of Charles D. Cleaton, and John Giles and David Poythress, Williamson Rainey Sr. together with one yoke of oxen, one cow and calf, oxcart, one box of furniture, forever free from the claim or claims of all and any person whatsoever upon the condition however that my said sons Lewis and Thomas do bond themselves to keep me the said Lewis Poythress and my wife Rebecca Poythress free from want the remainder of our lives from the adversity of the above named land and other property. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 14th day of September 1845. Lewis Poythress, Lewis Y. Poythress, Thomas M. Poythress.

Mecklenburg County. Mr. James M. Harwell and Benj H. Rogers Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Lewis Poythress, Lewis Y. Poythress and Thomas M. Poythress parties to a certain deed bearing date on the 14th day of September 1844 and hereto    personally appears before    our county aforesaid and acknowledges the same to be their act and deed and     to certify the sum acknowledge to the Clerk of the Court of Mecklenburg in order that the new deed may be recorded. Witness our hand and seals this 14th day of Sept. 1845. James M. Harwell JP, Benj H. Rogers JP, Mecklenburg County Clerks Office 18th October 1845. The foregoing bill of sale together with the certificate of acknowledgment thereon endorsed was this day received in the clerks office aforesaid and admitted to record. R B Baptist. (Mecklenburg County, Deed Book 31, 1843-1845, Reel 15, p. 605).

Family estates

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 10 Mar 1818, Will of Edward Giles. In the name of God Amen, I Edward Giles of Mecklenburg County and State of Virginia doth make this my last will and testament. It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid from the Sale of my Crop of Tobacco Bacon and Corn remaining on hand and after those debts are paid it is my will and desire that all my remaining property both real and personal be sold on twelve months credit and from the monies arising from such Sale or Sales to be distributed as follows ––

Item first I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Milly Nance two Hundred dollars to her and her heirs –– Item second, I give and bequeath to my Grandson Edward Poythress twenty five dollars to him and his heirs –– Item third, I give and bequeath to my Grandson John Poythress one hundred dollars to him and his heirs ––

Item fourth, I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Martha Giles Daughter of my Daughter Betsy P. Giles two hundred dollars to her and her heirs ––

Item fifth, and last after all my just Debts funeral expenses and the above legacies are first paid it is my will and desire that the remainder of my estate be equally divided amongst my four Living Children Jean P. Basey, John Giles, Edward Giles, and William Giles to each of them and their heirs, given under my hand this 10th day of March, 1818.

I appoint Edward Giles, Jr. and John Bassey exors to this my last Will and Testament –– Signed and sealed Edward

(x) Giles (Seal). In presense of Bushrod Webb, John Cook Sen., Henry (x) Wartman.

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 16th day of March 1818. This Last Will and Testament of Edward Giles dec’d was presented into Court and proved by the Oaths of the Witnesses thereto, and Ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Edward Giles Jr. one of the executors therein named who made oath thusly and together with John Cook, Henry Wartman and Bushrod Webb his securities in turn into and acknowledge their bond in the penalty of Twenty five thousand dollars conditions as the law. [Edward and John Poythress were children of Lewis Poythress (1765-1847.]

Will of Jack Potress, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 17 August 1818. In the name of God, Amen, I Jack Potress of Mecklenburg County, being in sound mind and memory, do make any ordain this my last will and testament, hereby I devise what my grandfather Giles left to me, I wish it to be paid to my father and his heirs Edward Giles, James, and his heirs. Jack (x) Potress.

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 17th day of August 1818, this will was proved by the oath of James S. Nance, one of the two witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. (Addendum):  another court held in the county the 18th day of 1818 the same was further proved by one other witness thereto subscribed at Mecklenburg County in motion of Lewis Poythress and appearing to the court is with his will.      .

George Poythress got land in adjacent Jackson County, Florida, in July 1827 and later died, leaving his will that mentioned his brother Lewis back in Virginia.

Court cases

Lewis Poythress vs. Edward Giles, Admr. etc. Lewis Poythress claimed to be the heir of John (Jack) Poythress who was one of the two grandchildren named as heirs by Edward Giles (Will recorded 16 Mar 1818) and bequeathed

$100 thereby. It was Lewis’ claim that by Will of John on 17 Aug 1818, John/Jack devised to his own father (Lewis) that which he had been devised by his grandfather.

Lewis Poythress pleads that “frequent applications have been made to the Exor aforesaid by both the said John Poythress during his lifetime and by your orator since his death for the payment of the Legacy aforesaid which he (Giles) has always refused.

Lewis further pleads that other legatees of the said Edward Giles are Milly Nance, Edw Poythress, Martha Giles an infant, Jean B. Bassey wife of Jesse Bassey, John Giles, Edward Giles and William Giles be levied upon. Lewis’ pleading is that the above be made “defts hereto” and that Edward Giles be compelled to render an account of his actings and dealings as Exer. The summary pleading is that “your worships will decree that he (William Giles) shall pay to your orator the said Legacy of one hundred dollars and its interest. To which end it may please your worships to award a writ of subpoena &c.” Poythress vs. Giles &c. Bill and exhibits. 1820 Augt Bill filed. No farther step taken. Sept Court at rules. Octr plesd. (Mecklenburg Records, Virginia Chancery Records # 1820-012, 1820).

Lewis Poythress vs Edward Giles Adm. etc 1820-012

Lewis Poythress adm. of John Poythress Exr. apt. Edward Giles administrator of Edward Giles deed. Examine will of Edward Giles Sr. and of John Poythress and bring a will in chancery for a decree left by Edward Giles Sr. to John Poythress and which was willed by J. P. to Lewis Poythress.

The commonwealth of Virginia to the Sheriff of Mecklenburg County, Greetings. You are hereby commanded to summon Edward Giles, administrator of Edward Giles deceased & Milly Nance, Edward Poythress, Martha Giles, Jane B. Bassey, John Giles, William Giles legator of deed, Edward Giles, said. to appear before the justices of our county court of Mecklenburg at the courthouse of the said county on the first day of August. Court next to answer a bill in chancery against them by Lewis Poythress, adm. of John Poythress deceased, and then they in no wise shall miss under the penalty of $100.

And then have there this writ witness Edward S. Tabb, clerk of our said court the 27th day of June 1820 in the    year of the commonwealth. Edward S. Tabb.

28 of July 1820 Executed on Martha Giles. And on the 31st of July 1820 Executed on Edward Giles and Milly Nance, Edward Poythress and Jane B. Basey and William Giles and John Giles. No inhabitants of this county. Jones Daly, Deputy of Lewis Parham Sheriff.

Poythress Vs. Giles. 1820 August Bill filed, no further step take notice. Sept court at ruler. October rules.

To the worshipful court of Mecklenburg County in chancery setting humbly complaining sheweth to your worship, your orator Lewis Poythress, that some time past a certain Edward Giles departed this life having first published his will which is of record in the county court office of Mecklenburg, and is here referred to, wherein he bequeathed to John Poythress a legacy of one hundred dollars. That some time after the death of Edward Giles, the said John Poythress died having first published his will wherein he bequeathed the said legacy to your orator, -which is also of record and is here referred to as a part of this bill.-

That a certain Edward Giles Jr. qualified as Exr. on the estate of Edward Giles the testator. That frequent applications have been made to the said aforesaid both by the said John Poythress during his lifetime and by your orator since his death for a payment of the legacy aforesaid which he has always refused. That the other herein entitled as legators of the said Edward Giles deed are Milly Nance, Edward Poythress, Martha Giles an infant, Jean

B. Basey wife of Jesse Bassey, John Giles, Edward Giles and William Giles. Your orator who has also qualified as administrator on the Estate of John Poythress pray that the said Edward Giles Exr. as aforesaid and the said Milly Nance, Edward Poythress, Martha Giles, by a guardian to be appointed her, Jesse Bassey and Jean B. Basey his wife, John Giles, the said Edward Giles in his own right and William Giles may be made defendants hereto. That the said Edward Giles Exr is aforesaid may be compelled to render an account paid, _? and dealings as Executor and trust for the what estate there is in his hands, belonging to the testator first mentioned. And finally that your worship will decree that he should pay your orator the said legacy of one hundred dollars with its interest to which end may it please your worship to award a writ of subpena.

Poythress vs. Giles and Co.: Papers for suit in chancery. subp to August Court. Inquire of Lewis Poythress which of Edward Giles, Giles legators are married, and who are their husbands. Also as to the infant and is subpena in chancery. Milly Nance of Virginia and single. Edward Poythress of Virginia. Martha Giles infant, by John Nance guardian.

Jean B. Bassey wife of Jesse Bassey. John Giles North Carolina. Edward Giles. William Giles Tennessee.

Will of Jack Poythress: In the name of God Amen. I Jack Poythress of Mecklenburg County being in sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament hearby. I desire what my grandfather Giles left to me. I wish it to be paid to my father his heir Lewis Poythress. J ack (x) Poythress L. S.

Edward Giles, James L. Nance, Milly Nance.

The court held for Mecklenburg County the 17th day of Aug 1818. This will was hereby the oath of James L. Nance one of the witness is thereto & was ordered to be recorded at another court held for said County, the 18th day of Jan 1819. The same was further proved by the oath of Edward Giles another Witness thereto and in mention of Lewis Poythress who made oath recorded gave bill and a security according to law. Certificate was granted him for obtaining letters for administration of the estate of the said Jack Poythress with the will aforesaid   ?   in deed form. (?) Teste Edmund L. Tabbs (?). Meckl. teste (?) BB Easley D. O.

In a court held for Mecklenburg County the 16th day of March 1818, The within written last will and Testament of Edward Giles deceased was exhibited in court and proved by the oath of three witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded. And in mention of Edward Giles Jr., one of the Exrs therein named who made oath and gave bond and security according to law- certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of the said will in due form- Reserving (?) liberty to the other Exr. to be in the probate where he shall think fit. Teste Edward L Tabb. Clerk Teste Wm. R. Easleys.

Will of Edward Giles: In the name of Almighty God, Amen. I Edward Giles of Mecklenburg County said state of Virginia doth make this my last will and testament . It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid from the sale of my estates crop of tobacco Bacon & corn remaining in hand and after these

debts are paid It is my will and desire that all my remaining property both real and personal be sold on twelve month circuit and from the moneys earning from such sale or sales to be distributed as follows.

Item first I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Milly Nance two hundred dollars to her and her heirs Item second. I give and bequeath to my grandson Edward Poythress twenty five dollars to him and to his heirs. Item 3rd. I give & bequeath to my grandson John Poythress one hundred dollars to him and to his heirs.

Item 4th. I give & bequeath to my grand daughter Martha Giles, daughter of my daughter Betsey P. Giles two hundred dollars to her and to her heirs.

Item 5th and last. After all my just debts and funeral expenses and the above sequences are first paid it is my will and desire that the remainder of my estate be equally divided amongst my four living children Jean P. Bassey, John Giles, Edward Giles, and William Giles to each of them and their heirs. Given under my hand this 10th day of March 1818. I appoint Edward Giles Jr and John Bassey Exrs. to this my last will and testament. Edward x Giles L. S.

Signed and Sealed in presence of: Bushrod Webb, John Cook Sr., Henry (x) Wartman.

Lewis Poythress Affidavit

Barbara Poythress transcribed the following after Sarah Poythress referred her to it: Revolutionary War Pension Applications containing Lewis Poythress’ affidavit and a certification of it and another page from the file that evaluated the widow’s application on the basis of Lewis’ affidavit.

The applicant was “Mary or Polly Taylor,” widow of Jesse Taylor, based on his Virginia service as a Sergeant during the Revolution. We learn from Lewis’ own affidavit, made on 18 May 1846, in Mecklenburg Co, VA, and from the Justice of the Peace’s certification of it, that

• Lewis was born in Dinwiddie Co, VA about 1765 – 1786
• at age 80 Lewis’ mind was apparently not impaired by age, per the J.P.
• Lewis lived in Brunswick Co, VA during the Revolutionary War, before coming to Mecklenburg Co, VA
• Lewis had lived in Mecklenburg Co, VA since about 1786
• and it’s nice to know Lewis was “a gentleman of the first respectability” per the J.P.

Actually Lewis made a critical mis-statement in his affidavit. We know that his first marriage bond was 27 Dec 1792 in Mecklenburg Co., VA., for his marriage to Elizabeth Giles. That marriage ended in her death. He then soon married Rebecca B Taylor, per bond in Mecklenburg Co., VA., dated 9 April 1802. Thus as of his 18 May 1846 affidavit, he had been married for a total of about 53.5 years in those two consecutive marriages, NOT about 56 years as he stated. As we’ll see below, that hurt the cause of Mary or Polly getting a pension.

Lewis was correct that Jesse and Mary or Polly Taylor were married before he married, because per Mary or Polly’s own statement, she and Jesse Taylor married in the end of Aug. or first part of Sept. of 1792, which was about 4 months before Lewis married Elizabeth Giles at the end of Dec 1792. However, he said they were living together as husband and wife “before 1792” which was likely wrong.

The good news is that after nearly two more years, and after more affidavits, and finally a special Act of Congress for her relief on 14 August 1848, Mary or Polly Taylor finally got her widow’s pension. Pursuant to the Rev. War Pension Act of 7 July 1838, after her own special Act of Congress in Aug. 1848, she got a pension of $120 per year, to commence retroactively, as of 7 April 1845, the date of her initial application in Hamilton Co., IL. Through the voluminous paperwork in the file, we learn other interesting facts about this former resident of Mecklenburg Co., VA. On 7 April 1845, she had stated she was 67 years old, thus born about 1777-1778.

We also learn her maiden name and her father’s name: from Hamblen Freeman’s 7 Nov 1846 affidavit (when he was then living in her county’s adjacent Illinois county of Franklin) that he grew up in Mecklenburg Co., VA, within 2 miles of the farm where the widow, Mary Branton, daughter of James Branton, grew up. Hamblen Freeman was about 3 years younger than she was and he clearly recalled her marriage in about 1792 to Jesse Taylor because she was so young and Jesse Taylor was “an old young Man” which age difference “Created More than ordinary

Conversation with this affiants associates, and Among the Neighbors.”

Freeman also testified that Jesse Taylor was known there to have served in the Revolution as a Soldier and a Sergeant, and particularly remembered his speaking of having been in the Battle of Guilford Court house. Hamblen Freeman said he never heard the legality of Taylor’s marriage to Mary Branton questioned, and he never heard anyone dispute Taylor’s having been a Soldier & a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War.

Mary or Polly and her husband, Jesse Taylor, lived in Rutherford County, Tennessee (the area around Murfreesboro

– a little southeast of Nashville), at the time he initially applied for a Revolutionary pension on 17 January 1829. Jesse stated that he “enlisted in the Continental line of the State of Virginia, of the Army of the Revolution, for twelve months, and was in the service at the close of the War; at which period I was an orderly Sergeant in Captain Ballard company, in the then Regiment commanded by Colo: Samuel Meredith.” His pension application was rejected.

Unfortunately for us, Jesse Taylor gave no indication of his age when he applied. I have not yet gleaned enough from the file, or from other info, to determine exactly how this Revolutionary Sergeant, Jesse Taylor, may have been related to the second wife of Lewis Poythress, Rebecca B Taylor. I presume they were likely related, because many years after Jesse Taylor and his widow had left Mecklenburg Co., VA (at least by 1829), the widow, from Hamilton Co., IL, was in touch with Lewis Poythress in Mecklenburg Co, VA, in order to get Lewis’ 1846 affidavit trying to help her get her widow’s pension.

Lewis’ 2nd wife was daughter of David Taylor and Rebecca Dortch; and she was granddaughter of Thomas Taylor, Sr., of Mecklenburg Co., VA. His 24 Oct 1772 will mentioned a grandson, Jesse Taylor.

Not only did the Revolutionary Sergeant Jesse Taylor’s widow Mary or Polly nee Branton get her widow’s pension retroactively, but later she applied by an affidavit dated 31 March 1855, (at which time she said she was age 77, which is consistent with her earlier age of 67 on 7 April 1845), for Bounty Land which she apparently got, judging from the Bounty Land Warrant number on her file’s jacket. In presenting that 1855 statement, other Hamilton Co., IL residents helped her: yet another Jesse Taylor and Jane Taylor, who stated they were disinterested parties in any land she would get; and H. W. Hall, the Justice of the Peace certifying their statement added that he had seen the widow’s husband, Jesse Taylor, die.

The Revolutionary Sergeant Jesse Taylor had died 24 Feb 1832. From Justice of Peace Hall having seen Jesse die, it seems likely he died in Illinois (just 3 years after he had been in Rutherford Co., TN) in the area of Hamilton County, IL — county seat of which was then and still is, McLeansboro, IL, which is about 30 miles into southern Illinois from near the intersection of Kentucky & Indiana with that eastern border of Illinois — not far west of Evansville, Indiana, and not far west of where the Ohio River (one of the “freeways” of that day) forms the state line along between Kentucky and Indiana.]

[Transcribed from jpg image, Page 77, of the file for the Revolutionary War Pension Application to Virginia by the widow of Jesse Taylor. Image viewed at Footnote.com. Remarks inserted in square brackets within the affidavit are remarks by Barbara Neal when transcribing May 30, 2010]

Commonwealth of Virginia. Mecklenburg County.

On this eighteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Lewis Poythress a Citizen of Said County, who being first duly Sworn according to the laws of the State of Virginia doth depose & Say: That I am eighty years of age. I was born in the County of Dinwiddie and lived in the County of Brunswick Va during the Revolutionary War, and have resided in this county about sixty years. I was personally acquainted with Jessee Taylor who formerly lived in this County. I know that Jessee Taylor & Polly lived together as man and wife before seventeen hundred and ninety two from the fact that they lived together before I was married and I have been married fifty [“five” was struck out here] six years. I know that Jessee Taylor & Polly lived together several years before they had any child but do not recollect precisely the number of years. I lived within three miles of Jessee Taylor from the

time I moved to this county until he moved from this state. The names of his children were as follows. The eldest was name Charles. Then William. Then James. Then John. Then Jessee of the Boys and one Daughter by the name of Betsey. I know that Jessee Taylor was reported & believed to have been a soldier in the Revolution & I concur fully in the opinion from the fact that I lived with Taylor one year & frequently heard him say that he served in that war.

L ewis (x) Poythress

[Page 78 is the back side of page 77. Image viewed at Footnote.com. The first two sections below are in one handwriting. The third section of the page is in a different handwriting.]

The within deposition were subscribed and sworn to before [me?] this 18th day of May 1846 Thos. Wartman, JP. I certify that Lewis Poythress who has subscribed and sworn to the within deposition is a credible witness that he is a gentleman of the first respectability and his mind apparently not at all impaired by age. Given under my hand this 18th day of May 1846. T homas Wartman JP.

Virginia. Mecklenburg County Ct.

I, Richard B Baptist Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Thomas Wartman is a magistrate as above and that the forgoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine [wax seal, covered by small square of paper]

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my seal of office at office this 28 day of May 1846.

Rich ‘d B Baptist C

[Page 49, which is the Pension Office’s evaluation of Mary or Polly Taylor’s widow’s pension application after they received Lewis Poythress’ 18 May 1846 affidavit]

Pension Office, July 13th 1846. Sir,

I have the honor to inform you that the affidavit of Lewis Poythress in the case of Mary or Polly Taylor, widow of Jesse Taylor, does not furnish the proof of the date of their marriage heretofore required. This witness states that he had been married fifty six years, and that these parties were living together as husband and wife before his marriage. In her declaration, made in April 1845, Mary Taylor says that she is aged sixty seven years, and alleges that her marriage took Place in 1792.

Agreeably, therefore, to her own statement, claimant was but fourteen years old at the date of the consummation of that event. This witness has placed the date thereof at a period more than two years prior to that of Mary Taylor, when she must have been under twelve years of age, which is altogether improbable.

I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Obt. [obediant] Serv’t. [servant]. J. L. Edwards Hon. Sidney Breese, Senate United States

Highlights:

Lewis Poythress, Sr. (1765-1847)

-1765 birth of Lewis Poythress, Sr.

-1792 married 1st wife Patsy Giles

-1796 bought 90 acres from John & Martha Cleaton,

-1796 William Cleaton Will proved

-1801 sold 100 acres to John Giles

-1801 bought 104 acres from Thomas & Susanna Watson

-1802 married 2nd wife Rebecca Taylor

-1813 bought 33 acres from Dennis Bass

-1816 bought 138 acres from Grief Harwell

-1818 Edward Giles Will proved

-1818 Jack (John) Poythress Will proved

-1844 sold 143½ acres to David Poythress

-1845 sold homestead of 140 acres to sons, Lewis Y. Poythress & Thomas M. Poythress

-1847 death of Lewis Poythress, Sr.

First document (~27)

Neighbors: Charles D. Cleaton, John Giles, David Poythress, Williamson Rainey, Sr.