R. Bolling Batte regarding Peter Poythress

[27 Peter Poythress m. 1711 in Charles City Anne_____, a widow, whose own maiden name and the name of her first husband are unknown. He was sometimes referred to as “Peter Poythress of Flowerdew Hundred” to distinguish him from his nephew (and son-in-law) Peter Poythress “of Branchester.”271 Anne Poythress (1712 – 1758), m. Richard Bland (1710 – 1776) “of Jordans,” son of Richard and Elizabeth (Randolph) Bland. Their daughter Elizabeth was the wife of Peter Poythress 281 “of Branchester.”][15. Peter Poythress (John Poythress2, Mary ______1) was born ABT 1690 in VA [(P_1) BG][ also 142 C]”Flowerdew Hundred.” He married Anne ______ 1711 in Charles City County, Virginia. She was born in [Widow of B.K.R?].

Child of Peter Poythress and Anne ______ is:
+ 49 i. Anne Poythress was born 13 DEC 1712 in VA [(P_1) BGA], and died 9 APR 1758 in VA at Bland’s Point.]


Family

Peter Poythress was born about 1674 in Charles City County, Virginia, the son of John Poythress and Christian Peebles. He married Anne (Jones) Baker, on March 4, 1712, in Charles City County. Their only child, Anne Poythress (12/13/1712-4/9/1758), married Richard Bland on March 21, 1729, the son of Richard Bland and Elizabeth Randolph. Peter died before February, 1763.

Inheritance

December 11, 1712, the Will of Peter’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 Peter’s mother, Christian, and Peter’s older brother, John Poythress, to be executors of his Will. He gave his son, Peter, two negroes, Ben and Nanny, and their increase, and an equal share of his moveable estate. Peter, and his brother, John, were to give an account of what they had in hand.

Professional Life

Peter was a militia officer in Prince George County by March, 12, 1702. He was an Indian trader and interpreter, and worked closely with William Byrd II, of Westover parish, who mentioned Peter quite often in his personal diary.


In Byrd’s diary for September 8, 1711, Byrd stated that they sat in council concerning the Indians, and that some tributary Indians came before them and promised to be very amiable to the white man. It was agreed that they should send Peter Poythress to the Tuscarora Indians to treat with them and to demand the release of Baron Graffenriedt who was prisoner among the Indians. It was also decided that the militia of Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight counties would meet at Nottoway town, in Isle of Wight County, on the following Wednesday and that Governor Spotswood would be there, with them, to show the strength of the white man to the Indians. That evening, several gentlemen joined the council, including Mr. Richard Bland, who brought letters from the Governor of Carolina that told how backwards the Carolinians were in their daily lives. About 10 o’clock, they went to bed and Colonel Ludwell stayed the night. Baron Christopher de Graffenriedt, a Swiss, had been instrumental in settling the Swiss and Palatine Germans in North Carolina. He and John Lawson, the surveyor-general of North Carolina, were responsible for the settlement of New Bern, North Carolina. When the Tuscarora Indians revolted in 1711, de Graffenriedt and Lawson were captured. Graffenriedt was later released but John Lawson was burned at the stake.


In Byrd’s diary for October 9, 1711, about 3 o’clock, the Tuscarora Indians came with their guard and Mr. Peter Poythress. He told the Governor that the Baron was alive but that Mr. Lawson was killed because he had been so foolish as to threaten the Indian who had taken him. The Indians were treated with and dispersed.


In Byrd’s diary for January 21, 1712, Mr. Peter Poythress arrived at Byrd’s house and brought him a letter from his brother, Custis, who wrote that the Governor was angry about what Byrd had said regarding a particular issue.


In Byrd’s diary, for the afternoon of February 5, 1712, Byrd ordered his sloop to go to Colonel Eppes’ for some poplar trees for Governor Spotswood and then he went to visit Mrs. Harrison. He stayed with her until the evening when he returned home and walked about his plantation. When he returned to his house, he learned that Peter Poythress had been there.


In Byrd’s diary, on March 4, 1712, Byrd arose about 7 o’clock and prepared to go to the wedding of Mrs. Anne Baker and Mr. Peter Poythress. He and his family set out in his coach and got to Colonel Edward Hill’s before 12 o’clock. They did not find much company there just relations of the bride and groom and some neighbors. About 12 o’clock, Mr. Poythress and Mrs. Anne Baker were married and about 2 o’clock they had dinner. That evening they danced and had a very, merry time.


In Byrd’s diary, on March 16, 1712, in the afternoon, Peter Poythress came over the James River, from Flowerdew Hundred, the home of Governor Spotswood, and told Byrd that the Governor had received the Tuscaroras very coldly and had ordered them to go and help the people of Carolina cut off Hancock town, of which order the Indians said they would comply.

Richard Colbert has the following information and more at www.angelfire.com. It is an interesting article and contains many of the people from Prince George County, Virginia.
Chickasaw Indian traders lived along the Roanoke River near Plumtree (Mush) Island, the Occoneechee Neck, and Quankey Creek. Licensed Indian traders of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, included Robert Lang, Charles Hicks, John Brown, William Gilchrist, Abraham Colson, James Anderson, William Kemp, James Moore, Richard Hyde, John Sims, William Williams, and John Pettygrew.
Gideon Gibson was one of the wealthiest men at Sandy Bluff and a “free man of color.” He lived near the Occoneechee Neck adjacent to land owned by Arthur Kavanaugh, Ralph Mason, and Richard Turbeville before buying land on Quankey Creek from Robert Lang, a Chickasaw and Cherokee Indian trader. Lang also owned land at Elk Marsh and Plumbtree Island. Lang had received his land patents at Quankey Creek and Plumbtree Island on March 1, 1719/20. Gideon’s brother, Jordan, went west with Daniel Boone. Benjamin Cutbirth (Calvert/Colbert) was also a member of Daniel Boone’s entourage. Robert Lang and Gideon Gibson were not the only woodsmen who lived at Quankey Creek in North Carolina. Joseph Sims and James Moore also lived there. These woodsmen also traded with the Chickasaws. During the off-season, they often rested at Sandy Bluff before returning to North Carolina.
Peter Jones had accompanied Joseph Colson, Robert Hicks, Major Mumford, and William Byrd II during the survey of “Eden.” On the south side of the James River below the mountains the frontier at this time was represented by the Welsh settlement on the Meherrin River; Colonel William Byrd’s improvements on the Roanoke above Sandy Creek, including the three islands, Sapponi, Occoneechee and Totero; Major Robert Munford’s Quarter nearby; Colonel William Byrd’s “Land of Eden” on the Dan and Major Mayo’s Survey adjoining; Richard and William Kennon’s grant on Cub Creek which supplied farmsteads for John Caldwell’s Presbyterian Colony. Three years later, on June 24, 1724, Joseph Calvert bought an additional 250 acres from John Gray “on Morratuck River and Plumbtree Island adjacent to William Green, Near Foltera Fort. The lands bought by Colson/Calvert, and Turbeville on the north side of the Morratuck (Roanoke) River were near an Indian path that led to the courthouse in Brunswick County, Virginia, and to the plantation of Major Robert Mumford [Munford]. The Turbevilles, Colsons, and Calverts worked for Major Robert Mumford of Brunswick County, Virginia, and with Thomas Whitmell. Major Mumford was a large land speculator and the descendant of an Indian trading family. The Mumfords had traded alongside men like Abraham Wood, Benjamin Harrison, Robert Bolling, William Byrd I, Peter Poythress, and Robert Hicks since the late 1600s. The Turbevilles learned of the Occoneechee Neck on the Roanoke through their association with Arthur Kavanaugh and Major Robert Mumford. By 1712, both Kavanaugh and Mumford were large landowners in Virginia and North Carolina. Kavanaugh began selling his North Carolina patents in 1713 and Mumford acted as his attorney. Thomas Whitmell, the Indian trader, bought 600 acres from Kavanaugh on the north side of the Morattuck River in 1715.
Before moving to North Carolina, the Turbevilles sold the land they owned in Prince George County, Virginia, to Peter Mitchell, an Indian trader and land speculator. Mitchell lived high on the Roanoke River near the Caldwells and James Logan. Anderson was also an Indian trader and land speculator who worked with Mumford. Prior to 1722, Anderson lived with his family on the Occoneechee Neck of the Roanoke River. Before moving to the Roanoke River and the Occoneechee, Anderson had lived in Prince George County, Virginia.

Prince George County records reveal that in the 1704 “Rent Roll of all the lands held in the County,” the following names were listed: John Anderson, Lewis Green, Peter Jones, Peter Mitchell, Hubert Gibson, Colonel Robert Bolling, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, Arthur Kavanaugh, Francis Poythress, Sr., Daniel Higdon, Colonel William Byrd, Robert Hix, Robert Munford, Richard Turberfield, and William Eppes. In 1722, Major Mumford and John Anderson were the first individuals to apply for a patent in present-day Mecklenburg County in Virginia. It was for “2,811 acres in the fork of Cock’s (now Poplar) Creek” and the Roanoke River. When Richard Turbeville and his family moved to North Carolina, they lived on the Occoneechee with other Chickasaw traders and next to Anderson, Colson, Pace, Mason, Gibson, Lang, and Thomas Whitmell. On March 1, 1719/20, the Lords Proprietors of North Carolina issued patents to Plumbtree Island and on the south side of Plumbtree Swamp abutting the island. These patents went to Thomas Whitmell, William Green, John Cotton, John Geddes, William Reeves, Barnaby Milton, and Robert Lang.

Civic Activities
June 12, 1716, Gilbert Hay, John Wilkins, Peter Poythress and James Jones, Jr., were ordered to appraise Jack and Diana Day, which was under the care of William Formlington.


In June, 1716, on the petition of William Tomlinson, it was ordered that Jack, an Indian boy, be bound by the churchwardens of Westover parish until he was 21. Gilbert Hay, John Wilkins, Peter Poythress and James Jones, Jr., were to appraise him.

April 19, 1717, on the petition of John Hobbs, a surveyor of the highways, it was ordered that Captain John Poythress’ tithables, James Bishop, William Hobbes, Peter Poythress and William Poythress were to assist Hobbs in clearing the highways.

Property: Personal Property and Land

October 11, 1719, Tom, a negro boy, belonging to Peter Poythress, was judged to be nine years old and on October 13, 1719, Amy, a negro girl belonging to Peter Poythress, was judged to be eleven years old.


February 14, 1721, William Moore, of Southwarke parish, in Surry County, sold to Peter Poythress, of Prince George County, 92 acres, in Lawne’s Creek parish, in Surry County, bounded by the north side of Three Creeks. The witness was James Chappell.


September 12, 1721, Adam Ivy, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, sold to Peter Poythress, of the same parish, and county, 40 acres, in Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, adjoining Peter Poythress. The witnesses were Peter Wynne and Robert Poythress.


October 4, 1721, John Hardyman, and his wife, Henrietta Maria, of Prince George County, sold to Peter Poythress, of the same county, all that Water Grist or Corn Mill now called by the name of Hardyman’s Flower Mill, located on Powell’s Creek, in Martin’s Brandon parish, and 100 acres of land adjoining the mill purchased by John Hardyman, late of Prince George County, father to the aforesaid John Hardyman, by a deed dated March 3, 1690. The witnesses were Francis Eppes, Jr., Elizabeth Duke and Margaret Goodrich.


December 12, 1721, Hubbard Gibson and Mary, his wife, and Edward Gibson, their son, of North Carolina, sold to Peter Poythress, of Prince George County, 200 acres, on the north side of the Blackwater Swamp, in Prince George County, the same being part of a greater tract of land granted to Francis Poythress, now deceased, and since his death the said land was granted to John Poythress, son to the aforesaid Francis Poythress, as lapsed from the said Francis Poythress and by the said John Poythress sold unto the aforesaid, Hubbard Gibson, his wife, Mary and their son, Edward Gibson, by deed dated December 11, 1704. The witnesses were Richard Cureton, Richard Sykes and John Fennel.


February 15, 1726, Henry Jones and Katherine, his wife, of Surry County, sold to Peter Poythress, of Prince George County, 250 acres on the south side of the Nottaway River, bounded by Flatt Swamp, in Surry County. The witnesses were William Poythress, William Freeman and William Dennis.


July 12, 1726, Littlebury Hardyman, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, sold to Peter Poythress, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, a tract or parcel of land lying or being on Harris Run on the south side of the James River [no acreage specified but complete description of bounds]. The witnesses were William Poythress and Nick’o. Hatchs, at a court at Merchant’s Hope.


November 12, 1754, Peter Poythress to John Woodlief. The deed from John Woodlief to Peter Woodlief, dated the 10th of March, 1761, for “one hundred acres of land commonly called and known by the name of Deep Bottom, and now in possession of the said Peter Woodlief, and is the tract of land which he now lives on.” This is the tract of land conveyed by Peter Poythress to John Woodlief, by deed of the 12th of November, 1754; which describes it, as “one hundred acres of land, more or less, commonly called and known by the name of Deep Bottom, situate, lying and being in the said parish of Martins Brandon and county of Prince George, and is bounded as followeth, on the north side by Deep Bottom run; on the south side by Richard Bland’s land; on the east side by John Woodlief’s land; and on the west side by Thomas Poythress’s land.” Which necessarily shews it was not part of the Sion Hill tract, then owned by the said John Woodlief. [Court of Appeals of Virginia, November 1796, Quesnel vs. Woodlief.]

Based upon the purchases above, Peter bought over 782 acres: 92 acres in Lawne’s Creek parish, in Surry County; 240 acres and a Mill in Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County; 200 acres in Prince George County that previously belonged to Major Francis Poythress; 250 acres in Surry County; and, some acreage along Harris Run. It is not known how much land Peter possessed before 1721. Four slaves were mentioned in the possession of Peter.

Adjoining Properties

March 3, 1712, Robert Mumford, of Bristol parish, in Prince George County, leased 430 acres of farm land to Richard Bland, of the City of Williamsburg. The land was near Jordan’s, between Deep Bottom and Cureton’s Bottom, and was in the occupation of Thomas Burge. Robert Mumford had inherited 130 of the 430 acres from his father, James Munford, and had bought 100 acres from Mr. Francis Poythress, and got the other 200 acres from Colonel John Hardyman. The witnesses were Michael Wallace, Jane Wallace and Dorothy Hillman. Robert Mumford worked closely with William Byrd.

[February 18, 1723, John Golitely, of Prince George County; 100 acres of new land, in Isle of Wight County, on the north side of the Maherrin River, adjacent to Hugh Golitely and Peter Poythress.]

18 Feb 1722/3 John Golitely….of Pr. Geo. Co.; 100 acs. (New Land), Is. of Wight Co.; on N. side of Maherin River; adj. Hugh Golitely & Peter Poythres’ line. 10 shill. [PB 11, p. 171]


December 16, 1723, Adam Ivy, of Isle of Wight County, sold to Edward Prince, of Prince George County, 130 acres in Martin’s Brandon parish, Prince George County, bounded on the east by Gilbert Hay, on the south by Robert Hobbs and Captain John Poythress, on the west by land lately sold by Mr. Peter Poythress, and on the north by Gilbert Hay. The witnesses, Gilbert Hay, Hugh Ivey, David Dunkesin. (Probably brother, John Poythress, Sr.).


March 21, 1729, Richard Bland, “of Jordan’s,” son of Richard Bland and Elizabeth Randolph, married Peter’s daughter, Anne. Richard Bland was the grandson of John Bland who, in 1657, had acquired “Jordan’s” from the first Benjamin Harrison’s widow.

[February 28, 1734, Richard Bland, Gentleman, of Prince George County, was granted 140 acres of new land, in Isle of Wight County, on the north side of the Maherrin River, adjoining Peter Poythress and John Landry.]
28 Feb 1733/4 Richard Bland (February 28, 1733, Isle of Wight, 140 acres, New Land, mentions Peter Poythress). George the Second &c To all &c Know ye &c that for diverse good causes and considerations but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen 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 and confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give grant and confirm unto Richard Bland of Prince George County gent. one certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and forty acres lying and being in the County of Isle of Wight on the north side of Maherin River and bounded as followeth (to wit) beginning at a live oak a corner tree of Peter Poythresses land thence by Poythress’s line north seventy six degrees west one hundred twenty four poles to a red oak then north twenty degrees east seventy two poles to a live oak then north forty degrees eas! t forty six poles to a white oak then north eighty five degrees east one hundred and sixteen poles to a lightwood post in a line of John Landry’s line then by Landry’s lines south southwest eighty poles to a white oak and east southeast one hundred poles to a hickory then south thirty five degrees west thirty seven poles to a live oak then west by north sixty four poles to three chopt inwards in a line of Peter Poythress’s land aforesaid and by Poythress’s line north fourteen degrees east thirty eight poles to the first station 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 William Gooch Esq. our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburgh under the seal of our said Colony the twenty eighth day of February one thousand seven hundred thirty three in the seventh year of our reign. William Gooch. Truly recorded, Matt Kemp. [PB 14, p. 163]

[May 25, 1734, Richard Hay, of Surry County, 200 acres of new land, in Surry County, on the north side of the Three Creeks and on the west side of Odium’s Br., adjoining Peter Poythress and George Hamilton.]

25 May 1734 Richard Hay….of Surry Co., 200 acs.  New Land in sd. Co., N. Side of the three creeks, W side of Odiums Br, adj. Peter Poythress & George Hamilton. £1. [PB 15, p. 223]


[August 1, 1734, William Bridges, of Surry County, 425 acres of new land, in Surry County, on the south side of the Nottoway River, crossing the Flatt Swamp and adjoining Peter Poythress and William Freeman.]

1 Aug 1734 William Bridges….of Surry Co., 425 acs. New Land in sd Co., S. side of Nottoway Riv., crossing the Flatt Sw., adj. Peter Poythress & William Freeman. £2/S5. [PB 15, p. 261]


[January 10, 1736, George Mayberry, 225 acres, in Surry County, on the south side of the Nottoway River and up the east side of Flatt Swamp, adjoining William Bridges and Peter Poythress.]

10 Jan 1735/36 George Mayberry 225 acs. Surry Co., S. side of Nottoway Riv., up the E side of flatt Sw.; adj. William Bridges & Peter Poythress. £1.S5 [PB 16, p. 428]


April 19, 1737, George Mayberry and wife, Martha Maybury, of Surry County, to Richard Bland, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, 225 acres, being land granted to George Mayberry on January 10, 1736, on the east side of Flatt Swamp and bounded by William Bridges and the land late in the tenure of Peter Poythress but now belonging to the said Richard Bland. The witnesses, Thomas Eldridge and Francis Mayberry.


[September 22, 1739, John Brantley, 350 acres, in Isle of Wight County, on the north side of the Maherrin River; adjoining James Crecian, William Lee, William Williams, Mr. Peter Poythress and Mr. John Peterson.]

22 Sep 1739 John Brantley 350 acs. Is. of Wight Co., N. side of Maherin Riv.; adj. James Crecian, William Lee, William Williams, Mr. Peter Poythress & Mr. John Peterson. £1.S15 [PB 18, p. 515]


1742, John Golightly, of Surry County, sold to Thomas Avent (Avant), of Surry County, 200 acres, in Surry County, on the north side of the Three Creeks, bounded by John Morgan, 100 acres of which was located on the upper part of a patent granted to Hugh Golightly on March 23, 1716, and was bounded by the low grounds of Three Creeks, John Morgan and the other 100 acres on the upper side of this land, patented to John Golightly on February 18, 1723, bounded by Hugh Golightly’s land and Peter Poythress. The witnesses, Thomas Cocke and James Baker.


November 11, 1749, in Surry County, William Bridges sold to William Dancy, 325 acres on the south side of the Nottoway River, in Albemarle Parish, adjoining Thomas Freeman, the mouth of Frying Pan Branch, crossing the Flat Swamp, William Stuart, William Freeman and Peter Poythress. The witnesses, Nicholas Massenburg, Bridges Freeman and Thomas Freeman.

As Witness

May 9, 1717, Stith Bolling, of Southwark parish, in Surry County, sold to Robert Poythress, of Westover parish, in Prince George County, 500 acres in Prince George County, on Southwardly Run, formerly belonging to Captain Henry Batte, deceased. The witnesses were Peter Poythress, Peter Wynne and Richard Raines.

Court Cases

September 13, 1738, in Prince George County, in the suit of John Noor Reed, late of London, Merchant, versus Peter Poythress, the case was dismissed.

In August, 1749, in the Surry County court, it was ordered that William Donald pay unto John Hamilton, a witness for him, against Peter Poythress, ninety-two pounds of Nett tobacco for two days attendance at this court and for coming 14 miles and returning according to law. It was ordered that William Donald pay unto Francis Wilson, a witness for him, against Peter Poythress, ninety-two pounds of Nett tobacco for two days attendance at this court and for coming 14 miles and returning according to law. It was ordered that Peter Poythress, carpenter, pay unto Daniel Gurr, a witness for him, at the suit of William Donald two hundred and twenty pounds of Nett tobacco for four days attendance at this court and for coming twice, 20 miles and returning according to Law. On September 19, 1749, in the Surry County court, a suit versus Peter Poythress, carpenter.Family EstatesJuly 12, 1715, it was ordered that Thomas Harrison’s Bond for the care and payment of the estates of two of the orphans of Robert Drayton, deceased, be delivered to the care of Francis and Peter Poythress, guardians to the said orphans. [Francis and Peter Poythress may have been guardians of their own young relatives. Their grandmother, Elizabeth Bishop Peebles married John Drayton after the death of her first husband, David Peebles, their grandfather.]

Family Estates

July 12, 1715, it was ordered that Thomas Harrison’s Bond for the care and payment of the estates of two of the orphans of Robert Drayton, deceased, be delivered to the care of Francis and Peter Poythress, guardians to the said orphans. [Francis and Peter Poythress may have been guardians of their own young relatives. Their grandmother, Elizabeth Bishop Peebles married John Drayton after the death of her first husband, David Peebles, their grandfather.]

After Peter Poythress’ Death