William Poythress (c. 1762 – unk), son of William Poythress (c. 1720-aft. 1782) and Sarah, 5th generation.

William Poythress was born about 1720, the son of John Poythress and Mary (Hardyman?). He married Sarah and they were known to be of Bertie County, North Carolina, by 1753. His mother, Mary, married John Abington after the death of his father, John Poythress, Jr. It appears that William and Sarah Poythress had a son named William and that William married Ann Lewis in September of 1785 in Bertie County, North Carolina. William, the father, would have been approximately 65 years old at the marriage of his son.

Records for William, the father:

September 8, 1753, in Bertie County, North Carolina, William Poythress, of Bertie County, purchased 100 acres on Jumping Run adjacent to John Harrell.

December 8, 1755, in Bertie County, North Carolina, Peter Hays and wife, Bether [Butrice?], sold 100 acres to Thomas Hays for £10 on the south side of Cashy Swamp. The witnesses were William Poythress, George Vann and John Bryan.

October 21, 1756, in Bertie County, North Carolina, William Poythress, of Bertie County, in North Carolina, and wife, Sarah, sold 100 acres to Matthew Turner, of Bertie County, in North Carolina, adjoining Gristock, over Jumping Run in the fork, adjoining John Harrell, to the first station, it being out of a deed granted to Thomas Page, the said deed bearing date 1753. Sarah Poythress, the wife of William Poythress, freely surrendered all her right of dower. The witnesses were Henry Averet and George House. [Henry Averet was bondsman for William Poythress who married Ann Lewis in 1785 in Bertie County.]

December 16, 1756, in Bertie County, North Carolina, Edward Boyd and wife, Abigale, of Society Parish, sold 200 acres to Samuel Jobe for £16, land granted Barnaby Bryant, December 13, 1755. The witnesses were William Poythress and James Abington. [After the death of William Poythress’ father, John Poythress, Jr., his mother married John Abington. James Abington could have been a half-brother of William Poythress or some relation.]

In February, 1764, in Bertie County, North Carolina, William Poythress was ordered to serve on the grand jury. The same court allowed him to keep a tavern at his dwelling house.

October 9, 1764, William Poythress, of Hertford County, sold 140 acres, in Bertie County, between the lines of William and Thomas Outlaw.

In June, 1765, in Bertie County, North Carolina, William Poythress won a judgement for £6, 5 shillings, against William Bryan in the Bertie County court.

In December, 1768, William Poythress made a Northampton County deed of gift of household goods to Richard Outlaw for affection he had for Rachel Outlaw.

It is quite possible that the December, 1768, deed of gift was one of the last records for William Poythress, the father. The following five entries may be William Poythress, the son. Hertford County was formed in 1759 from parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County.

Records for William, the son

In 1779, William Poythress appeared in Hertford County, North Carolina.

In 1779, William Poythress was taxed on 150 acres in the 4th District of Hertford County, North Carolina. (Hertford County was formed in 1759 from parts of Bertie, Chowan and Northampton Counties).

In 1782, William Poythress was taxed on 200 acres in the 4th District of Hertford County, North Carolina.

This may be the son of William and Sarah Poythress, and the grandson of John Poythress, Jr., and Mary [Hardiman?]: Bertie County, North Carolina, Marriage Bond: September 27, 1785. William Poythress and Anna Lewis. Bondsman: Henry Averett. Witness: Stevens Grey.

In 1787, William Poythress appeared in Freemans District, Bertie County, North Carolina. [possibly the son]

Working Trial Chart 1st generation

Francis Poythress (1609-1650) and Mary (1617-1677)

2nd generation

Francis Poythress (1639-1688) and Rebecca Coggin (1678-1738)

3rd generation

John Poythress (1681-1724) and Mary

4th generation

William Poythress (c. 1720-aft. 1782) and wife, Sarah, of Bertie Co.

5th generation

William Poythress (c. 1762-) and Ann Lewis md. 1785, of Bertie Co. possible brother: Dr. John Poythress (d. 1813) married Polly.

6th generation

James “Jim” Poythress (c. 1790-1846) and Sarah “Sally” Crowder (c. 1790-), of Northampton Co. possible brother: John Poythress (c. 1792-aft. 1830) and wife, of Northampton Co.

(Both James and John appeared in the 1830 Northampton Co., NC, census).