Edmund Poythress, (c. 1718-1781), son of David Poythress, 4^th Generation

Inheritance
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.

Pertinent Information

The Virginia Gazette, May 16, 1745: By the Hon. William Gooch, Esq., his Majesty’s Lieutenant-Governor, and Commander in Chief, of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. Whereas I have received credible information that one Edmund Poythress, of the County of Prince George, is notoriously guilty of horse stealing; and not-withstanding legal process has been issued against him, he so absconds that he cannot be brought to justice. And whereas the said offense of horse stealing is of late become very common, and a growing evil, which ought to be remedied as much as possible: These are therefore, in his Majesty’s name, to require and command all Sheriffs, Constables, and others his Majesty’s liege people within this colony; (and to desire all those in the neighboring governments) to aid and
assist in apprehending and taking the said Edmund Poythress, so that he be brought to justice; for which this shall be their warrant. And I do hereby offer a reward of four pounds, to be paid to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said Poythress, so as to be brought to justice, and convicted of said crime. Given under my hand, at Williamsburg, this 15th day of May, 1745, in the eighteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Second. William Gooch. The said Poythress is of a middle stature about 25 years old, of a red complexion, his eyebrows and eye lashes red, and the hair of his head mixed red and brown; and has a large mole near one corner of his mouth. He usually wears and old light colored cloth coat, and a red waistcoat. He sometimes calls himself John Mitchel. He was lately seen on the road to Carolina.

Personal Property: Land
June 13, 1752, Burnell Claiborne entered a caveat against Edmund Poythress concerning a grant of 400 acres on the Nottoway River, in Lunenburg County, on which the Virginia Council found that a patent should be issued to Francis Poythress, son and heir of Francis Poythress. [This appears to be Francis Poythress who married Mary Peterson.]

[April 18, 1753, in Dinwiddie County, John Williams, 38 acres, on both sides of the Reedy branch adjoining William Poythress, William Cryer, Samuel Gordon and Edward Poythress. This certificate was afterwards altered to the name of Zacharias Fenn.]

April 18^th 1753. Survey’d. for John Williams of Dinwiddie County 38 acres of land lying on both sides the Reedy Branch in the said County Beginning at William Poythress’s corner pine stump on William Cryers line at A and Running on the said Cryers line from A to B East 56 poles to his corner white oak, Then still on his line B to C South 20 degrees West 126 poles to his corner at several small trees chop’d inwards, Then on his line from C to D South 67 degrees East 66 poles crossing the Branch to Samuel Gordon’s corner on the said Cryers line. Then on the said Gordons line from D to E South 52 degrees West 17 poles to Edward Poythress’s corner Dogwood Then on the said Edward Poythress’s line from E to A North 5 degrees West 192 poles to the Beginning. Wm. Watkins, Surveyor. NB The above Certificate was afterwards altered to the name of Zacharias Fenn.

16 Aug 1756 Abraham Cock, Lunenburg County, w/ 40 shillings, 400a S. Side of Nottaway River Brunswick County pt A) at Poythress’ lower corner on the river, along his line, etc. [VPB 33, p. 128]

June 19, 1760, Matthew Ornsby, of Amelia County, to William Glascock, of Dinwiddie County, 400 acres, in Amelia County, on both sides of the Butterwood Creek and bounded by John Lewis, Haynes, North Branch, George Lewis, Steger and Hood. The witnesses were Francis Poythress, John Poythress, James Hinton, John Hightower, Jr., and Edmund Poythress.

Dinwiddie Co. Clerk’s Fee Book, 1763. The charges are denominated in pounds of tobacco for which it is likely warehouse receipts were used to pay the bill.                                                                Debit

Edmund Poythress

March, 1763 file replevying Bond against White & Mayes 10 Attorney Judgement 10 Copy 10 Tax

                          charge Costs 11 Papers 10                                                                                                 56

April, 1763 Sers for Judgement vs. P. Poythress in 1764 [?] 5 Copy 10 Sers for Cook 5 Copy Bill of 

                          Costs 11                                                                                                                             31

May, 1763 Executive order &c vs White & Mayes 23                                                                                23

August, 1763 Petition &c Judgement vs Liggon 50 Subpoena for Witnesses 10                                        60

                                                                                                                                                                   170

Peyton Randolph, Esquire

[    ] Continuance vs E. Poythress 15 1764 Jan Judgement                                                                      [    ]

Judgement vs Black on Petition

[Dinwiddie Co. Wills. Mary Poythress.]

I Mary Poythress of the County of Dinwiddie being very sick and weak but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to God; and calling to mind that all must die and return to dust from whence they came, so make and ordain this my last will and Testament – I do give, devise and bequeath to my Loving Daughter Tabitha Poythress and her heirs forever, whatever falls or belongs to me by Law, of my Dec’d husband Edward Poythress’ estate.

I do choose and appoint William FitzGarrett and my [daugh]ter Tabitha Poythress Executors of this my last will and Testament. Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and offered my seal this 21st day of July 1772. Mary (x) Poythress. Signed, sealed published and Declared in presence of John Cryer, Thos. Anderson, Thomas Rogers, Elizabeth Poythress.

The Will of Edward Poythress, of Isle of Wight County, dated March 13, 1781, proved May 3, 1781.

I give my daughter, Elizabeth Poythress, and her heirs forever, one bed and furniture standing behind the chamber door together with £600 in cash.
I give my daughter, Sarah Poythress, and her heirs forever, one half of my lands, the bounds whereof are as follows beginning at a run which divides the lands of Joseph Cornwell from those on which I now live, from thence to a gum and from thence along a line of marked trees to the head of a slash which divides the lands of Captain Joseph Hill from my own, and from thence a straight line bounded by the path to Hill’s line, together with one bed and furniture now standing in the other room, one loom with all the weaving implements, and a tea kettle.
I give my daughter, Mary Poythress, and her heirs forever, all the other parts of my lands whereon I now live, with one bed and furniture standing in the corner of the room opposite to the one which I have given to my daughter, Elizabeth Poythress, six plates to be chosen by herself and two dishes.
I give and devise to my daughter, Tabitha Poythress, and her heirs forever, one horse and saddle, two of my cattle to be made choice of by herself together with one bed and furniture which she is to choose out of those not before disposed of, one linen wheel, six plates her second choice and two dishes, one brass kettle, and her choice of my iron pots.
My will is that my pine chest after my money and such things as are now therein are taken out, may be given to my daughter, Mary, and her heirs.
My will is that all of the rest of my household furniture and personal estate not disposed of before, may be equally divided between the whole of my children and that the whole of my stock of every kind except what is before devised may be sold and the money arising there from be equally divided among all of my before mentioned children after raising the sum of £600 for my daughter, Elizabeth, as above directed. And my further desire is that my estate may not be appraised.
I appoint my daughters, Mary Poythress and Sarah Poythress, executrixes of with Richard Hardy and James Davis, executors of this my last Will and testament revoking and disannulling all others by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal this March, 13, 1781. The witnesses were Samuel Hardy, Benjamin Atkins and William Hardy. At a court held for Isle of Wight County May 3, 1791. This Will was presented in court by Mary Poythress, Sarah Poythress, Richard Hardy and James Davis, the executor therein named who made Oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the Oaths of Samuel Hardy and Benjamin Atkins, the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of the said executors who together with Richard Hardy, James Davis, Joseph Cornwell, James Peden and James Wills, their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of £100,000 with condition as the law directs. Certificates granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

March 30, 1781, in Isle of Wight County Records, 30 Mar 1781. Legacy of the Will of Edward Poythress to daughter, Elizabeth; daughter, Sarah; daughter, Mary; and, daughter, Tabitha. Richard Hardy, guardian of daughters, Mary and Sarah. Executors Richard Hardy and James Davis. Recorded May 3, 1781. Security Joseph Cornwell, James Pedon and James Wills. [Daughters Mary and Sarah Poythress were underage in May of 1781.]

Highlights: Edmund Poythress (c. 1718-1781), son of David Poythress

– born abt. 1718

– children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Tabitha

– Will of Mary Poythress, Dinwiddie Co., 1772

– his Will proved, Isle of Wight, 1781

First document: 1745 (age ~27)

Neighbor: Joseph Cornwell, Joseph Hill, John Williams, William Poythress, William Cryer, Samuel Gordon, Capt. Joseph Hill

Dinwiddie Co. [Edward Poythress]

128 William Poythris of Pr Geo 9 Jul 1724 [PB 12 p68] 206 ac. Pr. Geo./both Sides of Ready Br. of Butterwood

715 William Poythris of Pr Geo 20 Jun 1733 [PB 15 p47] 297 ac. Pr. Geo./both sides of reedy Br. of Butterwood

223 William Cryer  2 Jan 1737/8 [PB 17 p431] 700 ac. Pr. Geo. & Amelia/both Sides of Tommohitton Swamp

612 John Williams [to Patrick Roney] 12 Jan 1746/7 [PB 25 p336] 247a PG Co/both sides Reedy Br. pt of Sappon

June 13, 1752, Burnell Claiborne entered a caveat against Edmund Poythress concerning a grant of 400 acres on the Nottoway River, in Lunenburg County, on which the Virginia Council found that a patent should be issued to Francis Poythress, son and heir of Francis Poythress. [This appears to be Francis Poythress who married Mary Peterson.]

—- John Williams 18 Apr 1753 [Dinwiddie recs.] 38a Dinwiddie Co/both sides Reedy br adj Wm Poythress, Wm

      Cryer, Sam’l. Gordon & Edward Poythress

Amelia Co.

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