Mrs. Mary Poythress Wynne & 2^nd husband, Col. Robert Wynne (1622-1675), 1^st gen. in Virginia Colony

R. Bolling Batte regarding Robert Wynne (NEED Source Citation)

[8. Mary Wynne (Mary ______1) was born AFT 1655. She married John Woodlief. He was born 1614. Child of Mary Wynne and John Woodlief is:
31 i. George Woodlief. He married Elizabeth Wallace.]

Family

Robert Wynne, the son of Peter Wynne and Martha Coppin, was born about 1622, in Canterbury, Kent, England. He married Mrs. Mary Poythress, the widow of Captain Francis Poythress. Their children were (1) Mary Wynne (c. 1655-aft. 1707), the wife of John Woodlief, the son of John Woodlief; (2) Thomas Wynne (1657-1717), who married Agnes Stith, the daughter of John Stith and Jane Mosbey; (3) Robert Wynne (1660-1675); and, (4) Joshua Wynne (3/20/1661-3/29/1715), who married Mary Jones, the daughter of Peter Jones and Margaret Cruse.

Colonel Robert Wynne was mentioned as grandson in the Will of William Coppin, his maternal grandfather. Proof that he was the son of Peter Wynne comes from his father’s Will. Proof that he was the son of Peter Wynne and Martha Coppin is also from the Will of William Coppin, of St. George’s Canterbury, dated January 15, 1632 and proved March 22, 1633. The Will is in the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Kent, 1633-1636. The Wynnes came to America about 1651. Robert Wynne was a Burgess for Charles City County, by 1658. He was Speaker of the House of Burgesses during Virginia’s Long Parliament, 1661-1675. He was in charge of surveying, planning, and improving all public roads in the colony. He was sent to England to escort back the official set of weights and measures which would measure the business dealings of the New World. He was Captain, then Colonel, in the Militia of Charles City County. He owned two houses and a farm in England, which he left to his son, Thomas. His 600 acre plantation, south of the James River, was named “Georges.”

Captain John Woodlief’s eldest son, John Woodlief (1643-c. 1716), married Mary Wynne, daughter of Robert Wynne and Mrs. Mary (Sloman?) Poythress, his neighbor. Captain John Woodlief’s youngest son, George Woodlief (1646-bef. 1701), married Elizabeth Wallace, daughter of James and Joan Wallace of Merchant’s Hope, in Westover parish. George and Elizabeth Woodlief had one child, a daughter, Mary, who married a Carter. According to Bruce Howard: Captain Woodlief’s son, John Woodlief (1643-c. 1716), probably lived at Jordans. He married Mary Poythress, daughter of John Poythress (c. 1640-1712), his neighbor. John and Mary Woodlief had one son, George Woodlief (bef. 1675-c. 1743), who married Norah Epes. Capt. Woodlief’s son, Edward Woodlief (1644-1717), married Sarah (Pollard) and lived in Prince George County between Bailey’s Creek and the Blackwater River in Westover Parish. Edward and Sarah Woodlief had: John, Edward, Sarah, Joseph, James, Thomas, Ann, Mary and Susannah. Sarah Woodlief married Richard Pace, son of James Pace(4). [The Woodlief families tended to name their children with the same common given names.]

Robert Wynne was a Burgess from Charles City County, from March 13, 1658, until 1675, being the Speaker of the House, in the Long Parliament, from 1661 to 1675. By 1661, he was a justice of the Charles City County court with
Colonel Edward Hill. He and Captain John Epes were involved in settling the boundary between Westover parish and Martin’s Brandon parish in March, 1662.

Professional Life

October 27, 1656, at a court held in Westover, in Charles City County, present were Mr. Thomas Drewe, Captain Richard Tye, Mr. Anthony Wyatt, Captain David Peebles, Captain John Epes, Captain Thomas Stegge, Mr. Charles Sparrow and Captain Robert Wynne. It was ordered that 26 pounds tobacco per poll be forthwith levied and collected by the present sheriff on every tithable person in this community being 516 and paid as follows, viz: (in a list:) John Stith, 1 wolf, 200 pounds tobacco. [Richard Tye (-1658) married Mrs. Joyce Boyce about 1649. David Peebles (c. 1610-1657) married Elizabeth Bishop, daughter of John and Elizabeth Bishop. They were the parents of Christian Peebles who married John Poythress (c. 1640-1712). John Epes (1626-1679) married Mary Kent. Robert Wynne (1622-1678) married Mrs. Mary Poythress (c. 1618-aft. 1675).]

Assembled March 13, 1658, the Burgesses from Charles City: War’m Horsmenden and Captain Robert Wynne; Northumberland: Peter Knight and John Haney; Henrico: Major William Harris; James City: Henry Soane, Major Richard Webster, Thomas Loveinge and William Corker; Surry: Lt. Colonel Thomas Swann, William Edwards, Major William Butler and Captain William Cawfield.

Assembled, March 13, 1660, the Burgesses from: Charles City: Theodorick Bland, Captain Robert Wynne and Charles Sparrow; Northumberland: Captain Peter Ashton. [Theodoric Bland (1629/30-1671) married Anne Bennett (c. 1642-1687).]

In April, 1661, at a court held at Westover, in Charles City County, present were Colonel Edward Hill, Esquire, Mr. Thomas Drewe, Mr. John Holmwood, Captain Robert Wynne, Mr. Stephen Hamlin. [Edward Hill (1610-1663) married Hannah Jordan. Thomas Drew married Mrs. Frances Ward Barker Netherland (1599-). Robert Wynne (1622-1678) married Mrs. Mary Poythress (c. 1618-aft. 1675).]

In April, 1661, in Charles City County, abstract, memo that Colonel Edward Hill, Esquire, at this court, did give to John Poythress, the son of Captain Francis Poythress, deceased, 50 acres at Jordans, adjoining the land now occupied by Captain Robert Wynne. [Captain Robert Wynne was married to John Poythress’ mother, Mrs. Mary Poythress, after the death of her first husband, Captain Francis Poythress. Colonel Edward Hill, Esq., (1610-1663) married Hannah Jordan.]

The General Assembly which met March 23, 1662, ordered Captain Robert Wynne and Captain John Epes to summon some of the neighbors with them to settle the boundary between Westover and Martin’s Brandon Parish.

The Assembly of 1661-1676, which convened for the first time on March 23, 1661, lasted by various prorogations and adjournments for fifteen years, the last session beginning March 7, 1676. Though there was not a general election during this long period, the membership of the House of Burgesses must have been during this period considerably changed by deaths and seats made vacant by the acceptance of office. There are only two complete lists, 1663 and 1666, but the county records supply the names of various persons who were certainly members during other years. In the Session of December 23, 1662: from Charles City: Captain Robert Wynne, Speaker, Stephen Hamelyn and Captain Francis Gray. [Stephen Hamlin was the father of John Hamlin, who married Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Richard Taylor (1625-aft 1678) and Sarah Barker (1623-1694). Captain John Epes (1626-1679) was the son of Francis Epes (1597-1656) and Marie Pawlett, and was married to Mary Kent.]

In the Session of October 23, 1666, the Burgesses from Charles City: Captain Robert Wynne, Speaker, and Captain Thomas Southcoat.

April 3, 1673, at a court at Westover, in Charles City County, present were Mr. Anthony Wyatt, Colonel Robert Wynne, Major Edward Hill, Mr. John Drayton, Mr. Thomas Epes, Mr. James Bisse and Captain Francis Poythress. [James Bisse was the third husband of Sarah Barker Taylor Lucy Bisse (1623-1694). Thomas (1630-1679) and Elizabeth Epes’ son, Thomas Epes (bef. 1654-), married a daughter of Anthony Wyatt. Robert Wynne (1622-1678) was the step-father of Francis Poythress(2) (c. 1639-1688). Francis Poythress(2), Court Justice, would have been approximately 34 years old in 1673. John Drayton married Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop Peebles about 1658. Edward Hill (1637-1700) was the son of Edward Hill and Hannah Jordan.]

June 4, 1673, at a Westover court, in Charles City County, present were Mr. Anthony Wyatt, Lt. Colonel Epes, Colonel Wynne, Major Hill, Captain Southcott, Mr. Bisse, Mr. Clarke and Captain Poythress.

June 4, 1673, at a Westover court, in Charles City County, Abstract regarding ordinary at Westover. Captain Edward Hill proposes to lease new building there for 21 years, the court not to be removed from Westover for that term and no other to have license to keep an ordinary on the north side of the river during this time. This proposition accepted November 28, 1672. Signed as follows: Robert Wynne, Anthony Wyatt, John Drayton, Sr., John Epes, Thomas Mallory, Francis Poythress, Nicholas Wyatt, Daniel Clarke, James Bisse and Thomas Epes. [John Epes (1626-1679) married Mary Kent. Thomas Mallory (1635-1678) married Mary.]

August 4, 1673, at a Westover court, in Charles City County, present were Mr. Anthony Wyatt, Lt. Colonel John Epes, Colonel Robert Wynne, Major Edward Hill, Captain Otho Southcott, Mr. John Drayton, Captain Nicholas Wyatt, Mr. Thomas Epes and Captain Francis Poythress.

August 5, 1673, in Charles City County, Com Civitat Carol, present were Mr Anthony Wyatt, Lt. Colonel John Epes, Colonel Wynne, Captain Southcott, Mr. Drayton and Captain Francis Poythress. 

In March, 1676, war was declared against the Indians and it was ordered that the forts be garrisoned and that Sir Henry Chicheley be placed in command of five hundred enlisted men to disarm neighboring Indians. Chicheley was recalled by Sir William Berkeley before the march on the Indians began. In May, 1676, an overseer and a servant of young Nathaniel Bacon were slain by Indians with the result that Bacon sent word to Berkeley requesting a commission. In the interim, Bacon took command of five hundred men and marched to the falls on the James. Despite losing all but sixty of his men to Berkeley’s recall, Bacon and his remaining followers routed a party of Indians at an old fort. Upon Bacon’s return home, he was elected to the Burgess from Henrico County. Soon thereafter, Berkeley had Bacon arrested but released him upon an oath by Bacon that he would be a gentleman. However, Bacon set out again and defeated Indians at every encounter, the largest fight being against the Appomattox Indians at the present location of Petersburg, Virginia. By September, 1676, plantations seemed to be safe from Indian attack. Returning to Jamestown, Bacon and his men set fire to the town while Sir William Berkeley watched the event from his ship on the James River. Leaving Jamestown, Bacon marched his men to Gloucester Point where he crossed the York River into Gloucester County. He planned to fight Colonel Brent and his twelve hundred men but Brent’s men deserted upon the approach of Bacon. After twenty weeks of fighting and living in the open country, Bacon died on October 1, 1676. No one else could provide the leadership that young Bacon had provided, and Berkeley, with newly arrived support from England, began to capture the leaders of the rebellion and hanged many of them.

June 12, 1677, the court, at Westover, was composed of Colonel Edward Hill, Colonel John Epes, Major John Stith, Captain Thomas Mallory, Captain Daniel Lewellin and Captain Francis Poythress. During the 12th, 13th and 14th of this month, Francis Poythress, acting as a Commissioner with others, examined various persons in regard to a certain petition that had been presented to the Governor and Council from Charles City County. John Eppes, James Bisse, Nicholas Wyatt, John Stith, acting as Commissioners examined various persons in regard to a certain petition that had been presented to the Governor and Council from Charles City County. Among others were Captain Francis Poythress, Mr. Henry Batte and others. This at Westover. This petition may have pertained to the aftermath of Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion. Frances was also nominated to prepare a list of tithables for Jordan’s parish, in Charles City County. On September 14, 1677, action was taken against a number of men for trespassing at Captain Arthur Allen’s plantation, as Allen had been removed from his home by the rebels during Bacon’s rebellion. Among the jury, was Francis Poythress’ brother, Mr. John Poythress, and Mr. Richard Pace. The action was withdrawn. [John Poythress (c. 1640-1712) married Christian Peebles, daughter of David Peebles and Elizabeth Bishop. James Bisse was the third husband of Sarah Barker (1623-1694), daughter of William Barker and Frances Ward. John Stith (1620-1694) was the father of Agnes Stith (1658-1718) who married Thomas W. Wynne (1657-1717), son of Robert Wynne and Mary Poythress Wynne.]

Civic Activities

December 3, 1658, at a court held at Merchant’s Hope, Captain John Woodlief and Mr. George Potter were appointed to examine the difference between Captain Robert Wynne, for the estate of Mr. John Sloeman, deceased, and Mr. Francis Epes and Mr. Thomas Epes, and report to the next court. Dorman doesn’t make Francis Epes’ wife, Marie, a Pawlett. Dorman says “The maiden name is unknown and her given name, Marie (Mary), is known only from the baptismal record of their son. Mrs. Epes was still alive in January, 1644, when Captain Thomas Pawlett, of Charles City, a brother of Sir John Pawlett, wrote in his will, naming Francis Epes as one of the overseers of the Will and leaving him his drum, giving to Mrs. Epes his Bible and 20 shillings to buy a mourning ring in his memory.” Dorman footnotes from William and Mary Quarterly, series I, IV, p. 152, “Capt. Pawlett was evidently close to the Epes family.” [John Woodlief (1614-1676) was father of John Woodlief (1643-c. 1716) who married Mary Wynne (1655-aft. 1707), daughter of Robert Wynne and Mrs. Mary Poythress. John Sloman (-c. 1658) married Katherine Epes (c. 1588) and may have been father of Mrs. Mary Poythress. Francis Epes (1627-1678) married Elizabeth Littlebury (1623-1678). Thomas Epes (1630-1679) married Elizabeth. Francis Epes and Thomas Epes were sons of Francis Epes and Marie Pawlett.]

As Witness

February 3, 1659, at a Charles City Court, John Burton…Lt. John Banister one plantation at Bonaccord which I hold by lease for thirteen years or upwards to come. The witnesses were Robert Wynne, Thomas Crane and Howell Pryce, Clerk of Court.

October 10, 1659, in Charles City County, John Cogan of Merchant’s Hope, in Charles City County, surgeon, sold Anthony Wyatt, of Chaplins’ Choice, in the same County, Gentleman, for bond of £240 Sterling, dated September 1, 1659, “the plantation whereon he now dwells, 5 negro servants, crops, etc.” The witnesses were Howell Pryce and Robert Wynne. [One of Anthony Wyatt’s daughters married Thomas Epes (bef. 1654-). Robert Wynne (1622-1678) married Mrs. Mary Poythress (c. 1618-aft. 1675). Richard Coggin (-1658) married Mrs. Joyce Boyce Tye (c, 1618-) in 1659.]

April 3, 1666, at a court at Westover, in Charles City County, Captain John Woodlief, aged 51 years or thereabouts, examined and sworn, said that going aboard of a small Ship riding before James City with Mr. Anthony Wyatt and some others, there lay some hammocks – cabin where they were with one of the Seamen belonging to the Ship. Mr. Wyatt demanded of him if they were to be sold who told him yes, and upon that Mr. Wyatt bought two hammocks of him and the man desired Ferdinand Aston who was then aboard to receive the pay for them, afterwards the said Mr. Wyatt went to James City – the hammocks aboard and in his return from there he – [went] Ship side and called very often, and hearing no man to requested Mr. Thomas Mallory [to go aboard and search for the hammocks] and reached them according to Mr. Wyatt’s directions, and withal handed over a jug of wine beverage and further saith not. John Woodlief. Jurat coram. Robert Wynne. [Thomas Mallory (1635-1678) was the son of Thomas Mallory (1605-1671) and father of Francis Mallory (-1719).]

Family Estates

September 1, 1659, Captain Robert Wynne and Anthony Wyatt appraised the perishable estate of the orphans of Captain David Peebles. [David Peebles’ daughter, Christian Peebles, married John Poythress, son of Captain Francis Poythress.]

June 3, 1665, at a court at Westover, in Charles City County, Francis Poythress(2) proved his right by the testimony of Captain Robert Wynne to 450 acres of land for the adventure and importation of Francis Poythress(2), Thomas Mallory, William Hind, John Barlow, Jonn Ward, James Cobcock, Ellinor Towle and Sampson Ellis, twice. [Thomas Mallory (1635-1678) was the son of Thomas Mallory (1605-1671) and father of Francis Mallory (-1719).]

Robert Wynne’s Will

Robert Wynne, of Jordan’s parish, of Charles City County, in Virginia, Gentleman.
My body to be decently buried in Jordan’s Church as near as conveniently it may be to my son, Robert, and for my worldly goods I thus dispose of for those that God has blessed me withal in England.
I give my eldest son, Thomas Wynne, one farm in Whitestaple parish, in Kent, near Canterbury, and normally called by the name Linebett Banckes, with all barns, stables, outhouses, lands, orchards and all things old and they were left me or have been improved since to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever but my will and pleasure is that he enjoy no part or parcel of this until he be 21 years old. In the interim, what profits shall amount annually out of this to be disposed of by my administrator hereinafter nominated. And if it shall please God, my said son, Thomas, die either before he come to age or have lawful issue my will and pleasure is my son, Joshua, enjoy it on the said terms above expressed. And if it please God he die before he comes to age or have lawful issue, that then it shall come to my daughter, Woodlief, and her heirs. But if it shall please God that all die without heirs then to be disposed of as it shall think fit by my administratrix.
I further give my son, Thomas, one house being in Canterbury, in St. Mildred’s parish, with all them thereunto belonging to enjoy and to be held at the age of 21 and in the said form as my farm at Whitestaple and in default of heirs to descend as that doth.
I give youngest son, Joshua Wynne, one house and oatmeale mill with orchards, backfield and garden lying in Dover Lane, without St. Georges in Canterbury, and commonly called by the name of the Lilly Pott, and further I will and bequeath to my said son, Joshua, two houses in the same lane over against the Lilly Pott where a ropemaker and one Rawlins hath been formerly tenants to enjoy every part and parcel of these at the age of 21 years and not before. I give and bequeath them to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. But if it please God he shall die before he come to age or without lawful issue, that then they shall come to his brother, Thomas, and his failing then to his sister, Woodlief, and if she failed then to my administratrix as aforesaid.
I give my daughter, Woodlief, one messauge or tenement being in the parish of Hernehill, to sell align or dispose as to her shall seam requisite it being for the bettering her portion and she to enjoy it as soon as it shall please God to call me to his mercy.
I give my son, Thomas, all of the cattle of his own mark being formerly given him except one cow, called Moll, which is to be killed for provision and likewise one mare and filly foal he is already possessed of and one good featherbed with bolster pillow, rug and two blankets and likewise two guns he is to take his choice of all mine for them.
I give my son, Joshua, my plantation called Georges with all the tobacco house and other houses with all the whole grant of that dividend to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and in default of such heirs to his brother, Thomas, and in default of Thomas, to my daughter, Woodlief, and also the cattle known to be his and a filly now in his possession with a feather bed, bolster pillow, rug and two blankets and two well fixed guns. I give my daughter, Woodlief, one servant of four years to serve the next shipping after my decease or else two thousand pounds of tobacco and oats to buy one.
I give my grandchild and godson, young George Woodlief, one filly foal of about a year old and for all my other estate as well this in Virginia as what shall be sent of England now and until my children come to age I give and bequeath after my just debts are paid unto my beloved wife, Mary Wynne, whom I make my whole and sole administratrix of this my last Will and testament and my desire and request is that my loving friends, Thomas Grendon, merchant, and my son-in-law, Captain Francis Poythress, be overseers to this my last Will and testament to either of whom I give twenty shillings to buy them a small ring in remembrance of me. In witness to every part and parcel of this my last Will and testament I have left my hand and annexed my seal July 1, 1675. Robert Wynne. The witnesses were Thomas Brome, John Burge; endorsed at a court held at Westover, August 3, 1675. 

This Will was proved in court by the oaths of Thomas Brome and John Burge the witnesses therein named and a probate granted the administratrix therein also named and entered amongst the records of the said court. James Minge, Clerk of Court. Examined May Court, 1677. J. Minge, John Rudde and John Sherman. [Mary Wynne (1655-aft. 1707) married John Woodlief (1643-c. 1716). Thomas Wynne (1657-1717) married Agnes Stith (1656-1718), daughter of John Stith and Jane Mosbey. Robert Wynne (1660-1675) died young. Joshua Wynne (1660/1-1715) married Mary Jones (1658-1718), daughter of Peter Jones and Margaret Cruse.]

Mary Poythress Wynne was the administratrix of Robert Wynne’s Will, dated July 1, 1675, and proved August 3, 1675. In the Will, Robert appointed his friend, Thomas Grendon, and his “son-in-law,” Francis Poythress, overseers of his Will. “Son-in-law” was in common usage at the time and was used in lieu of the modern vernacular, “step-son.” John Poythress, in his Will, proved December 11, 1712, appointed his two brothers, Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne, to divide his estate according to his wishes. The Wills of Robert Wynne and John Poythress indicated that Robert Wynne married the widow of Captain Francis Poythress and she was the mother of Robert Wynne’s children, thereby making her Wynne children and her Poythress children half-brothers & half-sisters. None of Wynne’s children were of legal age when Robert Wynne’s Will was written. 

Mary Wynne was referred to in a suit in the General Court as Robert Wynne’s executrix on October 8, 1675. 

Highlights:

– Mrs. Mary Poythress (c. 1617-aft. 5/1677) m. c. (2) 1654 Robert Wynne (1622-1675).

– Robt. Wynne born about 1622 in Canterbury, Kent, England, to Peter Wynne and Martha Coppin

– came to Virginia Colony about 1651

– married Mrs. Mary Poythress about 1654

– children: Mary born 1655 m. John Woodlief, s. of John Woodlief; Thos. born 1657 m. Agnes Stith, dau. of John

  Stith & Jane Mosbey; Robt. born 1660 died 1675; & Joshua born 1661 m. Mary Jones, dau. of Peter Jones &

  Margaret Cruse

– Captain of militia, Chas. Cty. Co. by 1656

– court justice Chas. Cty. Co., 1656, 1661, 1673

– burgess for Chas. Cty. Co., 1658, 1660-1675

– estate of Mr. John Sloeman, 1658

– Colonel Edward Hill gave John Poythress 50 acres adjoining Capt. Robt. Wynne, 1661

– speaker of House of Burgesses, 1661-1675

– Colonel of militia, Chas. Cty. Co., by 1673

– he and Capt. John Epes to settle boundary between Westover & Martin’s Brandon parishes, 1662

– Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion, 1676

– dec’d. by October 8, 1675(age ~53) when his wife appeared in court as executrix of his Will

First document: 1656 (age ~34)

Neighbors: Capt. Edward Hill, John Poythress