Family

Thomas James Poythress, Jr., also known as Esquire and Sheriff, was born about 1756, the son of Thomas Poythress (c. 1729-1800). Thomas James Poythress, Jr.’s wife, Martha, died after 1805. Two of their children were Thomas Poythress, Jr. (1781-), and Martha Elizabeth Amanda Poythress (1786-1861). Thomas James Poythress, Jr., died by 1803, in Burke County, Georgia.

Son, Thomas Poythress

Thomas Poythress was born about 1781.

Thomas Poythress, 1830, Charleston Co., S. C., St. Thomas/St. Dennis Parish, p. 193, 1 m 40-49, 2 f 10-14, 1 f 15-

19, 1 f 40-49, 10 m slaves under 10, 15 m slaves 10-23, 10 m slaves 24-35, 10 m slaves 36-54, 8 m slaves 55-99, 10

f slaves under 10, 10 f slaves 10-23, 12 f slaves 24-35, 9 f slaves 36-54, 11 f slaves 55-99. Thomas Poythress b. 1781-1790

1 F 40-49 b. 1781-1790

1 F 15-19 b. 1811-1815

2 F 10-14 b. 1816-1820

Daughter, Martha Elizabeth Amanda Poythress

Martha Elizabeth Amanda Poythress was born January 26, 1786, in Virginia. She died October 5, 1861, in Georgia. She married a Dixon and an Odom. She was approximately four years younger than her brother, Thomas Poythress.

Professional Life

Before July 15, 1781, in Brunswick County, Joseph Prince against Thomas Poythress, Jr. and Thomas Poythress, Sr., debtors Francis Mallory, special bail and judgement confessed for 3,000 pounds inspected tobacco at pitch landing with interest from December 25, 1782, and the books and by consent the execution of this judgment is stayed 3 months. The entry relates that in 1781, in Brunswick County, there were two Thomas Poythresses, both of legal age and associated economically.

In April, 1782, in Brunswick County, Thomas Poythress in proceedings of Virginia Revolutionary Public Claims. (Court date not given, date above extrapolated from preceding and following court dates). A return of the proceedings of the Brunswick County court under an act entitled “an Act for adjusting claims for property impressed or taken for the public service.” James Quarles: 1 pair stirrup irons and leathers, 1 girth and 1 crupper taken by Thomas Poythress who was assigned in impressing horses under Paschall.

In 1783, in Brunswick County, Thomas Poythress was listed under “Co. Commissaries, Impressment Officers” for Revolutionary War Service.

October 21, 1799, Thomas Poythress was elected Sheriff of Burke County, Georgia.

October 28, 1799, Thomas Poythress, along with Thomas Poythress, Jr., George Poythress and Edward Poythress signed a petition on behalf of Leonard Nobles, asking Georgia Governor, James Jackson, to pardon the death sentence. “Burke County, Georgia, Petition asking for Pardon for Leonard Nobles, Jr., 1799. To his Excellency James Jackson esquire Governor and commander in Chief in and over the State of Georgia and of Militia & Army & Navy there of. The petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the County of Burke in the said State, Most Respectfully Sheweth. That having understood Leonard Nobles is at present confined in the Jail of Screven County and under Sentence of Death        they are induced from Motives of Humanity, and in consideration of his extreme age and helpless Family to Solicit your Interposition in his favor and that your Excellency… granting him a pardon for the above mentioned Offence; and they as duty Bound will ever pray, etc.” Burke County, 28th October 1799. Signers: 50 individuals, including.. Thomas Poythress, Geo. Poythress, Edward Poythress, Thomas Poythress, Jr.

April 29, 1800, in Georgia Military Affairs, Thomas Poythress, Sheriff of Burke County, Georgia, testified at a court of inquiry into the conduct of Major William Wynne, who was charged with not keeping a guard over the jail in Waynesborough, allowing the escape of one, Anthony Disto, “confined for murder.”

May 6, 1800, in Screven County, Thomas Poythress, Sheriff of Burke County, Georgia, to Barbara Vince, widow, (highest bidder $300) by suit of James Henderson versus estate of Jacob Griner. The witnesses were George Poythress and John Mobley.

October 9, 1800, in Burke County, Georgia, Presentment of the Grand Jury: “In Court, October 9, 1800, the grand jury brought in their presentments as follows: Burke County, October term, We the grand jurors for the body of the county aforesaid do make the following presentments: Item # 6, we present Thomas Poythress, Esquire, Sheriff of this county, acting as gaoler, for neglect of duty. [note: Thomas Poythress died in October of 1800].

Court Cases

In December, 1782, court order, attachment on the property of Thomas Poythress, Jr., in the hands of Thomas Poythress, Daniel Wagnon, Benjamin Jackson. Phillip Mallory, plaintiff, against Thomas Poythress, Jr., defendant, as an attachment…The said attachment being returned executed on a field of corn, a potato patch, and a parcel of fodder, and also on all the estate of the defendant that might be in the hands of Thomas Poythress, Daniel Wagnon, and Benjamin Jackson, that they were summoned as garnishees and the defendant not appearing on the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney, judgement was awarded him against the defendant for £7/12/0 with interest from the ____ and the ____  and it was ordered that the Sheriff do sell the attached affects and apply the money arising from the sale towards satisfying this judgment and the said Wagnon being sworn declared that he had in his possession a note of hand due from Amos Naring to the defendant for £2/10/0 due on the 8th instant. It was therefore ordered that the said Amos Naring do pay the same to the plaintiff towards satisfying the residue of this judgment and this attachment was continued for the other garnishees. Notes: In the abbreviation following the name of Thomas Poythress, it was unclear whether it was Jr. or Sr. “Jr.” was the likelier text. In any case, there was a Thomas Poythress, father and son, living in Brunswick County. No year date was furnished in this document but it most likely followed the previous court order by a short time, likely a matter of a month or more. [Thomas Poythress, Jr., was mentioned in the court proceedings of his father, Thomas Poythress, Sr., who the court addressed as Thomas Poythress.]

Civic Activities

March 30, 1789, Thomas Poythress, for removing Henry Woodward at a meeting of the Overseers of the Poor at the courthouse, from St. Andrews parish Vestry Book, of Brunswick County, Virginia.

Personal Property and Land

In 1782, the personal property list, of Brunswick County, listed Thomas Poythress and Meredith Poythress and six slaves, also 6 horses and 18 cattle.

November 6, 1787, Isham Randle and Frances Randle of Brunswick County, sold to Edward Drumgold, of Brunswick County, 50 acres, in Brunswick County, adjoining William Warrick, generally known by the name of Randle’s Ordinary, Benjamin Britt and Edward Drumgold, on the Pitch Landing Road, in the head of Bennett’s great branch. The witnesses, William Finch, Thomas Poythress and George Walton. At the Brunswick County Court, April 28, 1788, the indenture was proved by the oaths of William Finch and George Walton, having been proved on January 28, 1788, by the oath of Thomas Poythress, also a witness.

In 1788, in Brunswick County, in the personal property tax records, Thomas Poythress was listed for 1 tithe.

August 12, 1791, Thomas and Sally Clary, of Brunswick County, sold to Thomas Poythress, of Brunswick County, 85 acres, in Brunswick County, bounded as follows (detailed description of land boundaries). [Note: the transaction appeared in the 1791 land tax records. This deed showed this Thomas with a wife named Martha].

In 1792, in Brunswick County, Proprietor Name #acres rates total value amt tax Thomas Poythress 35 3/7 36-9-9 -10-10

March 20, 1794, in Brunswick County, Thomas Poythress witness to Moseley-Bass indenture. This Indenture made March 20, 1794, between Isaac Moseley and Selah, his wife, of Brunswick County, of the one part, and John Hicks Bass, of the said County, of the other part, for and in consideration of the sum of £32 doth grant bargain sell alien release and confirm unto the said John Hicks Bass one certain tract or parcel of land containing 52½ acres by estimation lying and being in Brunswick County and bounded as follows, Viz: beginning on Eaton’s Road at a red

oak thence S 34 W 9 chains 25 links along Moseley’s line to a white oak corner thence N 76 W 9 chains 40 links at an inside red oak corner thence S 29 W 18 chains to a small saplin corner on Frederick Cooks line thence along said Cook’s line N 61 W 10 chains to a B. Jack corner thence along said Cooks line and Daniel Whites line N 10 W 65 chains to a corner on said Whites line at the road thence along the road S 70 E 36 chains to B. Jack thence along Mosely line N 33 E 183 chains to a B. Jack corner on Grief Harwell’s line thence S 6 E 12 chains 75 links to hiccory corner on said Harwell’s line thence N   E 621 chains to a red oak corner on Bass’s line thence S 30½ E 675 chains

         said John Bass’s line to turkey oak corner on Mosely’s road thence S 84 E 102 chains to the beginning. Signed by Isaac Mosley and Selah Moseley. Witnessed by John Gholson, Harrison Barner and Thomas Poythress.

Brunswick County Court, April 28th 1794. This Indenture of Bargain and Sale between Isaac Moseley and Selah his wife of the one part and John Hicks Bass of the other part was acknowledged by the said Isaac to be his act and deed and ordered to be recorded.

No Poythresses were mentioned in the tax records for 1795 in Brunswick County.

The below mentioned property was roughly 5 miles due south of Ft. Christanna on Rattlesnake Creek. This Indenture made August 20, 1795, between Thomas Poythress, of Brunswick County, of the one part, and George Hicks, of the same County, of the other part, witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of £50 Current Money of Virginia to me in hand paid by the said George Hicks the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold and confirmed and by these presents doth bargain, sell and confirm unto the said George Hicks and his heirs forever one certain tract or parcel of land containing 85 acres more or less lying and being in the County aforesaid and is bounded as follows, to wit: beginning at Wesson’s corner white oak on Rattlesnake Creek the white oak being down have made a corner of a hickory thence by his line to a corner hiccory thence by George Hearn’s line West to a corner red oak on John Seward’s line thence by the said John Seward’s line to a corner sweet gum on the said Creek as aforesaid thence by the meanders of the said Creek to the beginning to have and to hold the said land and other premises to the said George Hicks and his heirs forever against the claim and demand of him the said Thomas Poythress and his heirs forever against the claim of every other person or persons forever unto the said George Hicks and to his heirs forever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date first above written. Sealed, signed and delivered. Thomas Poythress (L. S.). In the presents of Christopher Thrower, Henry Mangum, James Harrison, Jr., and John Green. Order prepared, August 28, 1795. Washington and Fletcher ordered to secure relief of dower indenture on above property from spouse, Martha Poythress.

September 28, 1795, in Brunswick County Court, this Indenture of bargain and sale was acknowledged by Thomas Poythress party thereto to be his act and deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste, C. B. Jones, Clerk of Brunswick Court.

In 1796, Brunswick County personal property tax records show Thomas Poythress. No tithe listed, 2 slaves over 16, 2 horses. In 1789-1795 Brunswick Personal property tax shows Thomas Poythress listed: one tithe. In 1797, in Brunswick County, no Poythress was mentioned. In 1798, in Brunswick County, no Poythress was mentioned. In 1798, no entries for Thomas Poythress are found in Brunswick County personal property tax records. Thomas Poythress must have left Brunswick County by mid-1797, at the latest early 1798.

October 1, 1798, in Burke County, Georgia, Thomas Poythress appeared in the tax records.

As Witness

November 6, 1787, Isham Randle and Frances Randle of Brunswick County, sold to Edward Drumgold, of Brunswick County, 50 acres, in Brunswick County, adjoining William Warrick, generally known by the name of Randle’s Ordinary, Benjamin Britt and Edward Drumgold, on the Pitch Landing Road, in the head of Bennett’s great branch. The witnesses were William Finch, Thomas Poythress and George Walton. At the Brunswick County Court, April 28, 1788, the indenture was proved by the oaths of William Finch and George Walton, having been proved on January 28, 1788, by the oath of Thomas Poythress, also a witness.

After Thomas Poythress’ Death

November 10, 1800, in Burke County, Georgia, the administrators of Thomas Poythress were listed as George Poythress and Patsy Poythress.

November 18, 1800, in Burke County, Georgia, letters of administration on the estate of Thomas Poythress, deceased, were granted George Poythress and Patsy Poythress.

March 7, 1801, in Burke County, “Will be sold at public auction 15 April next, Waynesborough, 2 horses belonging to the estate of Thomas Poythress, deceased, etc., by Geo. Poythress, Administrator.”

May 1, 1801, in Burke County, notices of sales of property by the Burke County sheriff; property of Thomas Poythress, deceased, taxes in default.

November 11, 1803, in Burke County, Sheriff’s sale, first Tuesday in September next, courthouse in Waynesborough, one Negro boy named Stephney; taken by virtue of an execution, William Duefto versus George Poythress, administrator of Thomas Poythress.

In 1803, Martha, George and Edward Poythress registered for the 1805 (1^st) Georgia land lottery. The 1805 lottery listed the names of every person who entered. Registration in 1803 for this drawing was a fairly good, although incomplete “proxy” for an 1803 census of Georgia. In the later lotteries, with a few exceptions, only the winners were listed. Land awarded in the 1805 lottery was then Baldwin and Wilkinson County.

Name Reg.# Prize or Blank Registrant’s County Poythress, Edward 47 B B Burke

Poythress, George 65 B Burke Poythress, Martha 50 B B Burke Poythress, Francis 613 B B Hancock Poythress, Meredith 968 B B Screven Poythress, William 967 B B Screven

1807 Lottery – This lottery, together with the one in 1805, completed the opening of the large valley area between the Oconee and the Ocmulgee Rivers. In 1807, the first meeting of the Georgia Legislature took place at the new capital of Milledgeville in Baldwin County, another part of the westward thrust of settlement. Land awarded in the 1807 Lottery was the remaining parts of Baldwin and Wilkinson Counties and Wayne County.

Name County Mil. Dist. Dist./Lot Drew Land

Poythress, Thomas (Orphans of) Burke Sharp’s 22/44 Wilkinson Poythress, Francis (Orphans of) Hancock Coffee’s 24/290 Wilkinson Poythress, Elizabeth Hancock Coffee’s 6/31 Wilkinson

Grant award #209 of 22nd District of Wilkinson County. All of District 22 is in present Laurens County. Grant was taken up and deed issued May 8, 1809. It is 99.9% certain we will not find the downstream transfer of this deed.

Wilkinson is one of Georgia’s most completely “burned” counties.

State of Georgia. By His Excellence Jared Irwin, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of this state and of the Militia thereof. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye, that in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, passed on the 26th day of June, 1826, for making distribution of land in counties of Wilkinson and Baldwin, I have given and granted, and by these presents, in the name and behalf of this State, do give and grant, unto Thomas Poythress’ Orphans, of Burke County, their heirs and assigns forever, all that Tract or Lot of Land, containing two hundred two and one half acres, situate, lying, and being in the Twenty second District of Wilkinson County in the said State which said tract or lot of land is not only distinguished in the plan of said district by number forty four having such shape, form, and marks as appear by a plat of the same hereunto annexed: To have and to hold the said Tract or Lot, together with all and singular, the rights, members, and appurtenances thereof, whatsoever, unto the said Thomas Poythress’ Orphans their heirs and assigns; to them and their proper use, benefit, and behoof for ever in fee simple. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the said State, this eighth day of May in the year 1809 and of the Independence of America the thirty third. Signed by His Excellence the governor, this 8th day of May 1809). Jared Irwin, James Bozeman, S. E. D. Registered the 8th day of May 1809. [Note: the above, with minor variations, is a common format for a lottery grant].

Highlights:

• Thomas James Poythress, Jr., Esquire, Sheriff (1756-c. 1800) married Martha
• born abt. 1756
• married Martha (Patsy) abt. 1779
• children (1780-1786): Thomas & Martha Elizabeth Amanda
• Joseph Prince vs. Thos. Poythress, Sr. & Thos. Poythress, Jr., Brunswick Co., 1781
• VA Revolutionary Public Claims, Brunswick Co., 1782
• Thos, Jr., property in hands of Thos. Poythress, Brunswick Co., 1782
• Co. Commissionaries, Impressment Officers for Revolutionary War Service, Brunswick Co., 1783
• appeared as witness in court, Brunswick Co., 1787-1788
• listed with 1 tithe, Brunswick Co., 1788
• 1 tithe listed, Brunswick Co., 1789-1795
• 85 acres to Thos. & Martha Poythress, Brunswick Co., 1791
• 35 acres shown for Thos. Poythress, Brunswick Co., 1792
• witness to land sale btwn. Moseley & Bass, Brunswick Co., 1794
• Thos. & Martha Poythress sold 85 acres to Geo. Hicks, Brunswick Co., 1795
• not listed in tax records, Brunswick Co., 1795
• no tithe listed, 2 slaves over 16, 2 horses listed, Brunswick Co., 1796
• not listed in tax records, Brunswick Co., 1797 – left VA for GA
• appeared in tax records, Burke Co., GA, 1798
• elected Sheriff, Burke Co., GA, 1799
• signed with father & bros. Geo. & Edward petition on behalf of Leonard Nobles, Burke Co., GA, 1799
• as Sheriff, testified regarding conduct of Major Wm. Wynne, Burke Co., GA, 1800
• deceased Burke Co., GA, 1800 (age ~44; administrators of estate: wife, Patsy Poythress, & son, George Poythress
• wife, Martha, & sons, Geo. & Meredith registered for 1805 GA land lottery, 1803
• Martha, Meredith, Geo., Edward & Wm. awarded land in lottery, Burke & Screven counties., 1805
• orphans of Thos. Poythress won land in GA lottery, Wilkinson Co., 1807
• orphans of Thos. Poythress received 200½ acres, Wilkinson Co., 1807 First document: 1781 (age ~25)

First documents 1781 (age ~ 25)