David Poythress was an American revolutionary war soldier who fought under General George Washington and spent the infamous winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He appears to have enlisted about December 18, 1776, for three years, at Middlebrook, in Captain James Foster’s company of the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot Soldiers. He was sick from September, 1777, when he was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and throughout the winter that he was at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He died on May 11, 1778.

The 15th Virginia Regiment was formed in February of 1777. Companies recruited men from Chesterfield, Brunswick, Southampton, King William, Nansemond, Princess Anne, Isle of Wight, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, and Norfolk counties.

The 15th Virginia Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776, as a part of the Virginia Line for service with the Continental Army under the command of David Mason. All or part of the regiment saw action at Brandywine (9/11/1777), Germantown (10/4/1777) and Monmouth (6/28/1778). Monmouth was the last battle of the Philadelphia campaign.

During the winter of 1777 to 1778, General George Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge, nearly twenty miles north of Philadelphia. He used his time at Valley Forge, from December, 1777, until June, 1778, to train his men and to fight to maintain his position as the head of the Continental Army. The soldiers lived in 12′ x 12′ wooden huts that they themselves built. The soldiers tried to find straw to use as bedding in order to stay warm as there were not enough blankets to go around. At least a third of the soldiers did not have shoes. Many did not have a decent coat to protect them against the constant cold, rain and snow. Food was rationed. These were miserable conditions even for a healthy soldier.

Officers & Soldiers Names	Mths. & parts mth.	Pay/mth.	Dollars
James Foster Capt.	1 mo.	40.	40.
Samuel Booker Lt.	1 mo.	27.	27.
Samuel Jones Lt.	1 mo.	27.	27.
David Poythress	“	6 2/3	6 2/3
John Jones	“	6 2/3	6 2/3
Richard Taylor	“	6 2/3	6 2/3
David Evans	“	6 2/3	6 2/3

The following pay rolls and muster rolls do not include all of the members of Captain James Foster’s company. Pay Roll for Capt. James Foster’s Company of 15th Virg. from the 1st day of June to 30th Inclusive [1777]

[67 Officers and Soldiers.]

B rought forward 200.

3 29 1/3

5 29 1/3 L158.16 at 6/ per Dollar E Ex cepted

A Muster Roll for Capt. James Foster’s Company in the 15th Virg. Reg’t. Commanded by Lieut. Col. James Innes at camp taken near Morristown July [1st?] 1777

James Foster Captain appointment November 28 Samuel Booker Lieutenant appointment November 28 Samuel Jones Lieutenant appointment February 4

9. David Poythress private December 18 at Middlebrook

20. John Jones private January 23 sick Philadelphia

32. Richard Taylor private February 14th

44. William Neal private March 30 in the Hospital

The above mentioned Soldiers were enlisted for the term of three years.

July 10th 1777 Mustered then Capt. James Foster’s Company as specified in the above Roll. Jos. Clark D Muster Master.

[68 Officers and Soldiers.]

Pay Roll for Capt. James Foster’s Company in the 15th Virginia Regiment from the 1st day July 1777 to the 31st inclusive.

Officers & Soldiers names	Pay per mth.	Dollars due
James Foster Capt.	40	40
Samuel Booker Lt.	27	27
Samuel Jones Lieut.	27	27
John Crute Sergt.	8	8
Robert Craddock “	8	8
Richison Booker “	8	8
Willis Willson “	8	8
Daniel Vasser Corpl.	7 1/3	7 1/3
Charles Erskine “	7 1/3	7 1/3
William May “	7 1/3	7 1/3
Matthew Jackson Drum	7 1/3	7 1/3
Joseph Singleton Fifer	7 1/3	7 1/3
9. David Poythress	6 2/3	6 2/3
10. Charles Stuart	6 2/3	6 2/3
11. Moses Woosley	6 2/3	6 2/3
12. Joel Vasser	6 2/3	6 2/3
20. John Jones	6 2/3	6 2/3
22. Phillip Singleton	6 2/3	6 2/3
24. Israel Singleton	6 2/3	6 2/3
27. William Woosley	6 2/3	6 2/3
31. Richard Taylor	6 2/3	6 2/3
34. Jesse Briant	6 2/3	6 2/3
35. David Evans	6 2/3	6 2/3
43. William Neal	6 2/3	6 2/3
52. Benjamin Jones	6 2/3	6 2/3
		2 13 1/3
Brought forward		3 16
Total		5 29 1/3

at Ls per Dollar L 158.16

[67 Officers and soldiers in all.]

Pay Roll for Capt. James Fosters Compy. in the 15th Virg. Regt. Commanded by Lt. Col. James Jones from 31st July to 31st Aug. inclusive

Names	Pay per mth.	L/S/D Va. Currency
9. David Poythress	6 2/3	2.1.4
10. Charles Stuart	6 2/3	2.1.4
11. Moses Woosley	6 2/3	2.1.4
32. Richard Taylor	6 2/3	2.1.4
36. David Evans	6 2/3	2.1.4
44. William Neal	6 2/3	2.1.4
57. John Thomas	6 2/3	2.1.4

L 164.11.3/4

548½ dollars at 6/. Dollar NB This Roll intended for 31 days @ 1/4 pd.

[68 Officers and Soldiers.]

A Muster Roll for Capt. Fosters Compy. of the 15th Virg. Regimt. Cam. By Lt. Col. Jas. Innes taken September 1st 1777

No. Names Appointment Remarks

1. Captain Jas. Foster Nov. 28

1. Lieutenant Sam’l. Booker Nov. 22
2. Lieutenant Samuel Jones Feby. 4 On command

1. David Poythress Private Sick Philadelphia
2. Chas. Steward Private Sick Trentown
3. Moses Woosley Private On duty Morristown

1. John Dunn Private Sick Virginia
2. Richard Taylor Private On command35. Jesse Bryant Private Sick Kennady36. David Evans Private On command44. William Neal Private Sick MendesonSeptember 1st 1777 Then Muster’d. Capt. Fosters Company as specified in the above Muster Roll. Jos. Clark D. M. Master.[67 Officers and Soldiers.]
   Pay Roll for Capt. James Foster’s Compy. in the 15th Virg. Regt. Commanded by Lt. Col. James Innes for the Mo.Sept. 1777Officers & Soldiers NamesMo./DaysDollars/mo.L/S/DJames Foster Capt.140.12.0.0Samuel Booker Lt.
   2 78.2.0Samuel Jones Lieut.
   2 78.2.08. David Evans
   
   2 .0.016. John Jones
   
   2 .0.020. Richard Taylor
   
   2 .0.032. David Poythress
   
   2 .0.038. William Neal
   
   2 .0.0No . dollars due 515 @ 6/ ea. is 154.10 J ames Foster Capt.
   A Muster Roll of Capt. James Foster’s Company in the 15th Virginia Regiment Commanded by Lt. Col. James Innes for the month October 1777CommissionedJames Foster Capt sick absentSamuel Booker 1st Lt sick absentSamuel Jones 2nd Lt sick absentSoldiers8. David Evans Private enlisted for 3 years18. John Jones Private enlisted for 3 years22. Richard Taylor Private enlisted for 3 years
3. David Poythress Private enlisted for 3 years in Hospital

39. William Neal Private enlisted for 3 years in Hospital

Novr. 4th Mustered then Capt. Fosters Company as specified above Jos. Clark DMM [69 Officers and Soldiers.]

A Muster Roll of Capt. James Fosters Company of the 15th Virginia regiment of Continental troops Commanded by Lieutenant Col. James Innes for the Month November 1777

Commissioned

James Foster Captain Died 15th Nov. Sam’l. Booker 1st Lieutenant Sick absent Sam’l. Jones 2nd Lieutenant

Robt. Foster Ensign Appointed 16th Apl. 1777 Privates

8. David Evans 3 years

18. John Jones 3 years

22. Richard Taylor 3 years Sick absent

33. David Poythress 3 years Sick absent

39. William Neal 3 years Sick absent

Decemr. 22 Mustered then Capt. Fosters Company as specified in the above Roll Jos. Clark D. M. M. [54 Officers and Soldiers.]

Pay Roll of Capt. James Fosters Company of the Fifteenth Virginia Regiment of foot in the Service of the United States Commanded by Lieut. Col. James Innes for the Month Decr. 1777

Names Rank commencement of pay	Time of svc.	Pay/mo.	Amt. Pay due
Sam’l. Booker 1st Lt. 1 Dec.	1 mo.	27	27
Sam’l. Jones 2nd Lt. “	”	“	27
Robert Foster Ensn. “	”	“	20
8. David Evans private “	”	6 2/3	6 2/3
18. John Jones private “	”	6 2/3	6 2/3
22. Richard Taylor private “	”	6 2/3	6 2/3
33. David Poythress private “	”	6 2/3	6 2/3
39. Wm. Neal private “	”	6 2/3	6 2/3

[53 Officers and Soldiers.]

T otal Amt. dollars 413 1/3 Eq ual to L124 Vir. Curry.

Sam ’l. Booker 1st Lieut.

Pay Roll of Capt. Fosters Company in the Fifteenth Virginia regiment of Foot in the service of the United States commanded by Major Gustus Bro. Wallace taken to 1 February 1778 W hole amt. of Names Rank commencement of pay time of svc; m/d pay per mth. Casualties Pay due L/S/D

Thomas Jones	Private	20 May	8/10	6 2/3	enlisted 20 May	16.13.4
David Evans	Private	1 Jan.	1	6 2/3		2 .
William Neal	Private	1 Jan.	1	6 2/3		2 .
Richard Taylor	Private	1 Jan.	1	6 2/3		2 .
David Poythress	Private	1 Jan.	1	6 2/3		2 .
			B ro. forward	L165.12.0
			Eq ual to	552. Dollars

E. E. Sam ’l. Jones Lt.

[53 Officers and Soldiers.]

Muster Roll of Capt. James Grays Co. In the 15th Virginia regiment of Foot commanded by Major Gustavus B. Wallace taken for the Month February 1778

Commission’d or Appointed Nov. 22nd 1776 James Gray Capt.

  28 1776 Samuel Booker 1st Lieut On Command

Feb. 4 1777 Samuel Jones 2nd Lieut Officers formerly in Capt. Fosters Co.

Apr. 16 1777 Robt. Foster Ensign the whole of which is Join’d. to Capt.

June 20 1777 Samuel Cooper Ensign Grays Co.

Corporals

4. Micajah Holt 3 years

7. Etheldred Holt 3 years Soldiers

21. John Speed 3 years on guard

26. Kirby Portis 3 years

45. Daniel Evans 3 years sick

51. Richard Taylor 3 years sick

55. David Poythress 3 years sick

56. Wm. Neal 3 years sick

65. Jos. Hazlewood 3 years sick

March 7th: Mustered then Capt. Grays Company as specified above Jos. Clark DMM [88 Officers and Soldiers.]

A Muster Roll of Capt. James Grays Co. In the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot commanded by Major Gustavus B. Wallace Taken for the Month March 1778

Commission’d or Appointed

Nov. 22nd, 1776 James Gray Capt.

28 1776 Samuel Booker 1st Lt. on Comm’d. at Laditz Feby. 4 1777 Samuel Jones 2nd Lt.

April 16 1777 Robert Foster Ensign

June 20 1777 Samuel Cooper Ensign Soldiers

21. John Speed 3 years sick in camp

26. Kirby Portis 3 years

45. David Evans 3 years

52. Richard Taylor 3 years sick absent

56. David Poythress 3 years sick absent

57. William Neal 3 years sick absent

Valley Forge April 6th Mustered then Capt. Gray’s Company as specified above J. Clark DMM [84 Officers and Soldiers.]

A Muster Roll of Capt. James Grays Co. In the 15th Virginia regiment of Foot commanded by Major Gustavus Browne Wallace Taken for the Month April 1778

Commission’d or Appointed Nov. 22 1776 James Gray Capt.

  28 1776 Samuel Booker 1st Lieut. on Command Feby. 4 1777 Samuel Jones 2nd Lieut. Sick absent

Apr. 16 1777 Robert Foster Ensign Taken prisoner 24th April June 20 1777 Samuel Cooper Ensign

18. Kirby Portis 3 years

23. David Evans 3 years

30. Richard Taylor 3 years On command

43. John Speed 3 years Sick present

1. David Poythress 3 years Sick absent
2. Wm. Neal 3 years Sick LancasterValley Forge May 1st Mustered then Capt. Grays Company as specified in the above Roll J. Clark DMM [99 Officers and Soldiers.]
   Pay Roll of Capt. James Grays Company in the 15th Virginia Regiment of foot in the service of the United States Commanded by Major Gustavus Bro: Wallace taken for the month April 1778
   Comm. of PayTime of serviceWhole amt. of pay dueKirby Portis
   
   2 .4David Evans
   
   2 .4Richard Taylor
   
   2 .4John Speed
   
   2 .4David Poythress1 Aprl.1 mth.2 .4Wm. Neal
   
   2 .4Benjamin Newton
   
   5 .6.8
   
   
   L 290.10
   [95 Officers and Soldiers]Equal to 968 1/3 Dollars QE James Gray Capt.
   A Muster Roll of Capt. James Grays company in the (15th) Virginia Regiment off Foot commanded by Major Gustavus Browne Wallace taken for the Month May, 1778Commissioned or Appointed Novr. 22nd 1776 James Gray Captn. Decr. 28 1776 Samuel Booker Lieut.Feby. 4 1777 Samuel Jones Lieut. Dismissed from the service June 6th 78 June 20 1777 Samuel Cooper Ens.11. Richard Taylor 3 years15. John Speed 3 years32. Randolph Reese 3 years36. William Neille 3 years42. David Evans 3 years On guard54. Matthew Jackson 3 years Sick present57. Kirby Portis 3 years Sick present
3. Shadrack Vaughn 3 years Sick present

67. John Barker 3 years Hospl. Lancaster

70. Thomas Pope 3 years Hospl. Yellow Springs

72. Benja. Newton 3 years Hospl. Yellow Springs

74. David Poythress 3 years Died May 11th 78

June 7th 1778 Muster’d. then Capt. Grays compy. As specified in the above Roll. J. Clark DMM

[92 Officers and Soldiers listed.] [Could John Speed have been a brother to James Speed (bef. 1753-1822)? The Speed family appears to have intermarried into the Lewis Poythress family.]

Private David Poythress, Company: Foster/Capt. James Gray, Virginia 3rd Brigade, Woodford’s Regiment, 15th Virginia.

David Poythress, (15 V. R.), War Dept. folder 272, 1. Kerby Poythress, (11 V. R.), War Dept. folder 228, 1.

Kirby Portis, (15 V. R.) War Dept. folder 273, 1. (11 & 15 V. R.) War Dept. folder 338, 1.