Benjamin Poythress, the son of William Poythress, only lived about 32 or 33 years. His father, William, only lived about 39 or 40 years. Benjamin’s possible son, Hardiman Poythress, only lived for 30 or 31 years. It is hard to believe that in a span of 81 or 82 years that three generations of men came and went. Whether genetics or family disasters, there was very little time to create any legacy for the next generations. William Poythress’ father, Colonel William Poythress (1694-1763), lived 68 or 69 years and did exceedingly well for himself and his family. Without Colonel William Poythress, the family would have had little to pass on to the next generation. Socio-economics would play a major role in the lifestyle of later generations and very short lives would forbid future success or be the result of socio-economics. By the time that Benjamin was old enough to inherit, his father was deceased. His father had little time to create an abundance of success. Benjamin probably had a decade to create his own fortune before he died. This left very little for his son, Hardiman Poythress. However, Hardiman evidently had something to leave behind at his death as he left some estate in his will to “pay Elizabeth Poythress for the benefit of (his) infant children.”

After William Poythress’ (1728-1768) Death

William Poythress’ (1728-1768) son, Benjamin (1756-1789), appears to be the father of Hardiman Poythress (1779- 1810). Hardiman appears to have named a son, Benjamin (1808-1865).

September 12, 1771, the Virginia Gazette announced an auction, on Butterwood Creek, in Dinwiddie County, at the plantation where Nathaniel Hobbs was overseer. Thirty Virginia born slaves, belonging to the estate of William Poythress were to be sold.

August 11, 1774, the Virginia Gazette announced the rental of William Poythress’ plantation, where he had lived in Prince George County, about four miles from Blandford, containing 500 acres, a house, necessary outhouses, barns and orchards. Anyone interested in the property was to contact Major Peter Poythress.

In July, 1775, in Prince George County, the division of the estate of William Poythress, of Prince George County: The division of slaves of William Poythress, deceased, by decree of the Prince George County court, July, 1775, we have divided the slaves William Poythress died possessed of, between the plaintiffs, John Gordon and Lucy, his wife, Ann Isham Poythress and Mary Poythress and the defendant, Benjamin Poythress, and allotted to each of the legatees their share. The value of those allotted to John and Lucy Gordon was unequal to the value of those given to the others, and Benjamin is to pay the other legatees: to Ann Isham Poythress, £3/13/4; to Mary Poythress, £11/3/4; to Benjamin Poythress £1/13/4; to Benjamin Poythress as heir of William Poythress, Jr., £8/13/4; to Benjamin Poythress as heir of Sally Poythress, £1/13/4. All names of slaves were listed, but no last names, except for Andrew Miller, Jack Vaughan, Lucy Cook and Frank Cook. [William Poythress, Jr., Benjamin Poythress, Lucy Poythress Gordon, Ann Isham Poythress, Mary Poythress and Sally Poythress were children of William Poythress and (Lucy Edwards?).]

In July, 1775, the division of William’s slaves was ordered by the Prince George County court. His son, William, and his daughter, Sally, had already died, leaving his son, Benjamin, and his daughters; Lucy, who married John Gordon, Anne Isham Poythress, and Mary Poythress.

December 23, 1775, in the Virginia Gazette, the executors of William’s estate, announced auctions at his plantation on Little Roanoke, in Charlotte County, also at his Butterwood Quarter, in Dinwiddie County, and at his Tombeaton Quarter. At the Butterwood Quarter, there was to be an auction of a large number of slaves. In 1777, Peter Poythress, of Branchester, the executor of William’s estate, announced final plans to deliver the estate to the beneficiaries.

November Quarterly Sessions 1789, Dinwiddie County, p. 126. William Yates Complainant against Francis Muir Administrator of John Gordon dec’d. Francis Muir & Mary his wife, Francis Muir Administrator “de Bonis non” of Benjamin Poythress dec’d. and Lucy Gordon Infant, Issue of the said John Gordon by the said Francis Muir her guardian Defendant Upon an Injunction in Chancery. By consent of the parties this cause was this day heard upon the Bill, answers and exhibits filed and the arguments of counsel on all sides on consideration whereof it is ordered and

decreed by the Court that the judgment at Law obtained by the Defendant Francis Muir as Administrator of the said John Gordon dec’d. against the Complainant be enjoined perpetually and that Kennon Jones, John Jones, David Walker and John Edmondson Gent. or any three of them be appointed Commissioners to audit and settle the accounts of the Administration of the Estate of Benjamin Poythress dec’d. and to divide his Estate and set apart to each of the claimants their proportion thereof and make report of their proceedings therein to the Court in order to a final decree.

After Benjamin Poythress’ death

According to the Court in 1789, the Commissioners were “to audit and settle the accounts of the Administration of the Estate of Benjamin Poythress dec’d. and to divide his Estate and set apart to each of the claimants their proportion thereof. It appears that Benjamin’s sisters, Lucy, Ann Isham and Mary were to have their inheritance set apart from Benjamin’s estate. Apparently Benjamin’s sister, Lucy Gordon, was deceased by 1789 and her daughter, Lucy Gordon, became an heir for her mother’s portion.