David Poythress (c. 1685-1739), of Surry County, 3rd Generation

I have not determined whether Edmund, son of David Poythress, and Edward Poythress were the same individual.

R. Bolling Batte regarding David Poythress

[24 David Poythress. In a 1735 deed, David Poythress conveyed 350 acres in Pr. Geo. to Robert Poythress (his brother), stating that the land had been devised to him by the will of his father, John Poythress. The name of the wife of David Poythress is unknown. In 1739, his son Edmund Poythress came into court and stated that his father had died without a will. William Poythress, brother of David, was Edmund’s surety.241 Edmund Poythress. His qualification as administrator of his father’s estate (above) is the only record we have of him.][11. David Poythress (John Poythress2, Mary ______1) was born in VA [(P_1) BD], and died ABT 1739. He married ______ ______. Child of David Poythress and ______ ______ is:37 i. Edmund Poythress was born BEF 1728 in [(P_1) BDA], and died AFT 1739.]

Family

David Poythress was born about 1685, in Charles City County, the son of John Poythress and Christian Peebles. His son, Edmund Poythress, was born by 1718. David died before April 8, 1740.

Inheritance

December 11, 1712, the Will of David’s father, John Poythress, Sr., of Prince George County, was proved by John Winningham, Peter Leeth and William Stainback. John Poythress, Sr., had appointed his half-brothers, Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne, and his friend, William Stainback, to divide his estate. He appointed David’s mother, Christian, and David’s oldest brother, John Poythress, to be executors of his Will. He named his two brothers, Thomas and Joshua Wynne, and William Stainback to divide his estate. He gave his son, David, 300 acres of land at Tunnatorah, two negroes, Jack and young Mary, and an equal share of his moveable estate. The witnesses of the Will were John Winningham, Peter Leeth, Thomas Leeth and William Stainback.

Civic Activities

In Prince George County, the Will of John Spell, of Prince George County, January 13, 1712.To my grandson, Thomas Spell, a young cow, mare, and iron pestle.All of the rest of my estate to be divided between my wife, Anne Spell, and my son, George Spell, equally.My executor to be my loving friend John Winningham. The witnesses were David Poythress, Peter Leigh and William Stainback. Administration was granted to John Woodley, the executor.In 1713, bounty awards for Surry County, David Poythress received 200 pounds tobacco for one wolf’s head, as did Thomas Cock and Thomas Wynne.In Surry County, the Will of Thomas Dinkins, dated October 30, 1717, probated May 21, 1718.A legacy to his sons, Thomas, James and Charles, one shilling each.To his daughters, Mary Vandinan, Ann Sesshings and Margaret Perry, one shilling each.To his wife, Margaret, the plantation he lived on during her life, and then to his son, Thomas Denkins, Jr.To his son, Sanders Dinkins, one half of his land, the lower half.To his wife, Margaret, the rest of his estate. The witnesses were David Poythress, Jos. Fowler and Robert Wynne. Elizabeth Dinkins, was named administratrix of the estate of Thomas Denkins, her husband.March 20, 1729, in Surry County, a writ was issued against Thomas Bolling who was summoned to answer Robert Bolling and Frances Bolling over the equal division of 1,800 acres which they held in Southwarke parish. Division of the land by William Moor, Edward Echols, Charles Leath, Jarvis Wynfield, George Booth, John Thrower, Daniel Poythress, Thomas Wynne, Stephen Housman, John Jackson, Sloman Wynne and Thomas Thrower. [Unknown whether Daniel Poythress is a transcription error].

Property: Personal Property and Land

August 9, 1720, in the Prince George County court, Cato, a negro boy belonging to David Poythress, was adjudged twelve years old.


[September 5, 1723, David Poythress, of Surry County, 250 acres of new land, on the north side of the Nottaway River, in Surry County, on the east side of the Indian Swamp, a corner of the said Poythress’ old land, thence by his own old line.]

5 Sep 1723 David Poythres (Prince George County, 250 acres, New Land). George &c Know ye that for divers good causes and considerations but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of twenty five 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 confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give grant and confirm unto David Poythres of Surry County one certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and fifty acres lying and being on the north side of Nottaway River in the County aforesaid and bounded as followeth, to wit, beginning at a red oak on the east side of the Indian Swamp a corner tree of the said Poythres old land thence by his own old line north forty four degrees east three hundred and ninety six poles to a red oak then north seventy five degrees west one hundred and seventy three poles to a pine then south! west by south two hundred and eighty four poles to a gum by the side of the Indian Swamp aforesaid and down the various courses of the run of the said swamp 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 Hugh Drysdale Esq. our Lieutenant Governor 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. [PB 11, p. 284]


July 16, 1735, David Poythress, of Surry County, 600 acres, sold to Robert Poythress, in Surry County, 350 acres having been devised to David Poythress, December 11, 1712, by his father, John Poythress, deceased, by his last Will and testament, the other 250 acres were surveyed and patented by David Poythress on September 5, 1723. The land was on the north side of the Nottaway River, in Surry County, adjoining John Roberts, the Pole branch and the Indian Swamp. The witnesses, Thomas Edmunds and David Wallace.

Robert Poythress left the land he bought from his brother, David Poythress, to his son, Peter Poythress, in his 1743 will. The 350 acres were originally granted to John Poythress, David’s and Robert’s father, on October 24, 1701. David inherited 300 acres at Tunnatorah, in Surry County, from his father. Daivd bought another 250 acres that adjoined this property. He sold all 600 acres to his brother, Robert. Three slaves were mentioned in the possession of David.

Adjoining Property

[September 5, 1723, John Robbords, the other track contained 235 acres and was granted John Robbords by patent at Williamsburg, September 5, 1723. This property on the south side of the Trading branch, in Surry County, adjoining David Poythress, a corner of Robbards’ other land, then by his own old line. The witnesses were Sloman Wynne, William Pettway and Robert Hicks.] [in this instance Isle of Wight > Brunswick > Greenville]

5 Sep 1723 John Robbords (Roberts) the other track containeth 235a and was granted John Robbords by Letters Patent at Williamsburgh 5 September 1723 (this property is plat #173, VPB 11 p270) pt A) at a pine on S side of the Trading branch thence ln S60W; 70P; pt B) red oak then ln SW; 90P; pt C) pine corner of David Poythress’s Land thence by Poythresses lines ln S75W; 173P; pt D) red oak ln S32W; 114P; pt E) gumb in a branch a corner of sd Robbards other land then by his own old line ln NW; 58P; pt F) black oak and ln W; 22P; pt G) red oak thence ln N30W; 214P; pt H) red oak thence ln NW; 54P; pt I) gum by the side of the tradeing branch and up the run of sd branch to the begining Wtn: Sloman Wynne, William Pettway, Robert Hicks lm.

September 10, 1740, John Robbards, of Albemarle parish, to Edward Pettway and his wife, Elizabeth, for their lifetimes and then to go to their son John Pettway, for love and affection, a tract containing 235 acres, in Surry County, which was granted to John Robbards on September 5, 1723, and was bounded by the south side of the Trading Branch, adjoining David Poythress and the said Robbard’s old line.

As Witness

August 19, 1729, Henry Mitchell, of Southwarke parish, sold to John Coats, 100 acres, on the Trading Branch in Surry County. The witnesses, Robert Wynne, John Mitchell and David Poythress.

March 22, 1733, a deed of lease on 267 acres, Robert Poythress, of Prince George County, to John Parrum, of Surry County, on the south side of the main Blackwater River, in Surry County, on the southwest side of the Indian Swamp, by the side of the Beaver Pond Swamp. The witnesses, Sloman Wynne, David Poythress and William Parrum. [This land was bought by first cousin, John Poythress (1681-1724), son of Major Francis Poythress, on September 15, 1717.]

After David Poythress’ death

April 8, 1740, in Prince George County, Edmund Poythress, son of David Poythress, late of Bristol parish, in this county, came into court and made oath that the said David Poythress departed this life without any Will as far as he knows or believes and on his motion and giving Bond and Security according to law, a certificate was granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the said deceased’s estate in forms; Edmund Poythress, administrator of David Poythress, deceased, with William Poythress, Gentleman, his security entered into Bond in the sum of L800 payable to Robert Bolling, Gentleman, and was condition for his just and faithful administration on the said decedents estate (blotted) the same in court. (likely the blot covered the instructions regarding the estate’s inventory).

October 9, 1753, in Prince George County, the inventory of the estate of David Poythress, value £25/5/0, appraised by Thomas Twitty and Edward Mitchell, Jr. Presented by Edmund Poythress, administrator.


Highlights:

David Poythress (c. 1685-1739), of Surry Co.

– born in Chas. Cty. Co. about 1685

– inherited 300 acres at Tunnatorah, Surry Co., from father, John Poythress, 1712

– 250 acres n/s Nottaway R. on e. side Indian sw. adj. his old land, Surry Co., 1723

– John Robbords s/s Trading br. adj. David Poythress, Surry Co., 1723 

– sold 600 ac., on n/s Nottaway R. adj. John Roberts, Pole br. & Indian sw., Surry Co., to bro. Robt. Poythress, 1735

(Robt. left this land to son, Peter Poythress in his 1743 Will)

– deceased 1739 (age ~54)

– Wm. Poythress, Gentleman, provided Bond in court for Edmund Poythress, the son & executor of David Poythress

(uncle Wm. Poythress)

– John Wms. both sides Reedy br., Dinwiddie Co., adj. Wm. Poythress, Wm. Cryer, Sam’l. Gordon, Edward Poythress, 1753

First document: 1713 (age ~28)

inherited 300 ac. Tunnatorah Surry Co., 250 ac. Nottaway R. adj. Indian sw. by his land, Surry Co. = 550 ac.

sold 600 ac. Nottaway R. Indian sw., Surry Co. to bro. Robt. Poythress = 600 ac.

Slaves: inherited (2) Jack & young Mary (1712); (1) Cato, 12 yrs. old (1720) [Daivid’s mother, Christian, had a slave named, Catto. Christian died abt. 1717. It is possible that David inherited Cato from his mother.

Neighbors: John Roberts, Edward Pettway

Surry Co.

—- David Poythress 11 Dec 1712 inherited 300 acres of land at Tunnatorah from his father, John Poythress

—- David Poythress 5 Sep 1723 [PB11 p284] 250a NL Surry Co/N side Nottaway R on E side Indian sw adj his land

—- John Robbards 5 Sep 1723 [  ] 235a Surry Co/S side Trading br adj David Poythress & Robbard’s other land

—- Robert Poythress 16 July 1735 [  ] 600a Surry Co/N side Nottaway R adj John Roberts, Pole br & Indian sw

      [Robert Poythress left this land to his son, Peter Poythress, in his 1743 will]

—- Edward Pettway & Elizabeth, his wife 10 Sep 1740 [  ] 235a Surry Co/S side Trading br adj David Poythress &

      Robbard’s line

—- William Glascock 19 Jun 1760 [  ] 400a Amelia Co/both sides of Butterwood cr adj John Lewis, Haynes, North Branch, Geo Lewis, Steger & Hood