Biographic Compilation by Mike Tutor, circa 2019
Capt. Wm. Poythress (1753-1794), of Flowerdew 100, Cont’l. Army Off., s. of Joshua Poythress, 5th Generation
R. Bolling Batte regarding William Poythress
[211 2 William Poythress (c. 1753-1794 Pr. Geo.), m. Mary Gilliam, daughter of John and Jane (Henry) Gilliam, of Prince George County. William Poythress was a captain in the Continental Army during the Revolution. He was the principle beneficiary of the 1779 will of Thomas Epes 132 32. In 1790, William Poythress deeded to William S. Peachy the same 300 acres of Flowerdew Hundred, previously mentioned, that John Hardyman had conveyed by deed of gift to the first Joshua Poythress and had by the latter been devised to the second Joshua, who had, in turn, devised the same to his son William, the present grantor. William also owned a tract of 863 acres on Simmons Branch upon which he had been living at the time he died. It is probable that the youngest of the sons had reached legal age by that time. William Poythress may have been buried there. [Projection: William Poythress # 211 2 is the one of whom we have the line drawing. William 252 would not seem to be a likely candidate.]
211 21 Joshua Poythress (1784 – post 1854), m. 1810 in Petersburg Jane Mills Angus, daughter of John and Lucy (Wortham) Angus, then of Petersburg but formerly of Scotland. In 1850, Joshua and his wife, Jane, were living in Petersburg (census). By 1854, he was living in New Jersey when he deeded some lots in the town of Blandford to one Shanks. Jane did not join in the deed. Presumably she had previously died.
211 211 Nancy G. D. Poythress m. (1) 1834 Robert Carter Harrison, son of Collier and Beersheeba (Bryant) Harrison of “Kittewan,” Charles City County. Nancy later m. (2) John Crane. What names her middle initials “G. D.” stood for is now anybody’s guess. My guess is that the “G” was for Gilliam, her grandmother’s family name.
211 22 Thomas Eppes Poythress (c. 1785 – 1847), m. c. 1815 Beersheeba, nee Bryant, but then the widow of Collier Harrison who died in 1809. Beersheeba, by her first marriage, was the mother of Robert Carter Harrison who m. Nancy G. D. above. T. E. P. had but one child by Beersheeba, Caroline, who died at the age of seven. By his 1847 Will, Thomas Eppes Poythress left his entire estate to wife Beersheeba for life, and after her death, to brother Joshua, niece Nancy G. D. Harrison, nephew William P. Poythress, and to Harrison step-children. The will provided for having the graveyard at Kittewan enclosed with a brick wall forty feet long on all four sides. Presumably, he, Beersheeba, Caroline, and a number of Harrisons are buried there.
211 221 Caroline Poythress (1817 – 1824) Obituary appears in “Southern Churchman.”
211 23 William Poythress died unmarried.
211 24 Patrick Henry Poythress ( – 1824), m. Mary Elizabeth Eppes (1785 – 1822), daughter of Peterson Eppes of Dinwiddie County. It might be supposed that P. H. P. was named for the famous orator, it having been a popular custom in that period to name children in honor of persons prominent in the affairs of the times. Actually, this Patrick was named for his own great-grandfather, the Rev. Patrick Henry who was an uncle of the orator.
211 241 William Peterson Poythress (1810 – 1862), m. Charlotte Reed (1825 – 1897), daughter of Elias and Sarah (Block) Reed of Richmond. After their marriage, W. P. P. and Charlotte lived in Richmond where all of their children were born. Mr. Poythress died in Nassau, B. W. I., during blockade-running operations in the war between the States. Charlotte died in Richmond and was buried in Hollywood. [This probably doesn’t need saying but just to be sure, the “Hollywood” referred to is a cemetery in Richmond.]
211 241 1 Mary Poythress d. inf.
211 241 2 Patrick Henry Poythress (1846 -1863) Accidentally shot while in C. S. A.
211 241 3 William Powhatan Poythress (1847 – 1920), m. 1877 in Lunenburg Co. Louisa Campbell Mayo (1849 – 1927), daughter of John and Mary Louisa (Campbell) Mayo of Westmoreland County and Richmond. She was granddaughter of Joseph and Jane Poythress 281 9 Mayo of Richmond. W. P. P. was in the wholesale drug business and was founder and owner of W. P. Poythress & Co., of Richmond, a drug manufacturing firm still in operation under that name, although no Poythress is any longer connected with it. Both William P. and Louisa died in Richmond and are buried in Hollywood.
211 241 31 Charlotte Reed Poythress (9 Feb 1880 – 29 May 1880), buried in Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond.
211 241 32 Charlotte Reed Poythress (1881 – 1906). She was given the same name that had been given to her deceased sister, that of their grandmother. Charlotte died in Richmond as a result of an accidental fall. She was unmarried. The marble slab marking her grave in Hollywood, like all the others in the lot bears only her name. It reads: “Charlotte Poythress” – no more.
211 241 4 Sarah Reed Poythress (1852 – 1927), unm. Upon her decease in Richmond, passed the last living descendant of Joshua Poythress 21 to be born with the surname “Poythress.” The name thus became extinct in the “21” branch.
211 241 5 Walter Eppes Poythress (1861 – 1888), m. 1887 Marie Joseph Brouse, native of Pennsylvania. Walter Eppes Poythress was a musician. He died of yellow fever while in Jacksonville, Fla. In 1911 his remains were removed to Richmond and reinterred in the family lot in Hollywood. In 1893, his widow m. (2) James Chandler Dorst in Tazewell County, Virginia.
211 242 Mary Poythress d. unm.
211 243 A. H. Poythress d. unm. I have never been able to learn what the initials “A. H.” stood for.
Family
William Poythress was born about 1753, in Prince George County, the son of Joshua Poythress and Mary Short. He married Mary Gilliam, the daughter of John Gilliam and Jane Henry. Jane Henry was cousin of Patrick Henry, the orator. Their children were (1) Joshua (1784-1854), who married Jane Mills Angus, the daughter of John Angus and Lucy Wortham; (2) Thomas Epes (1785-4/1847), who married Beersheeba Bryant; (3) William Poythress (-aft. 1833); (4) Patrick Henry (c. 1780-1824), who married Mary Elizabeth Eppes, the daughter of Peterson and Sarah Eppes; and, (4) Mary (8/3/1793-bef. 1833). William died October 15, 1794, and was buried October 18, 1794, in Dinwiddie County.
Deed 11 Nov 1854. Joshua Poythress of the State of New Jersey conveying lots 39 & 40, Blandford, to one Shanks. [Petersburg DB 21, p. 472]
Richard N. Thweatt and Mary, his wife, sold to Joshua Poythress a piece of ground about ½ acre in Blandford 10 June 1817. [Petersburg DB 5, p. 158] Was conveyed by deed of trust to Thomas E. Poythress, trustee for creditors Harwood and Dunlop 10 June 1819. [DB 6, p. 81] Which was in default and sold to Dunlop by [DB 6, p. 276] 20 Dec 1820.
Dinwiddie Land Taxes showed Patrick H. Poythress owning 94 3/4 acres from 1813 thru 1821 and 153 acres in 1821 and 1822. In 1823 these were shown Patrick Poythress Estate, and in 1824. In 1825 these same 153 acres were taxed to John W. P. Gray “transferred by deed from P. M. Hardaway.” In 1826 he was taxed for only 98 of these acres with note “overcharged last year” and in that year and until 1828 55 acres were taxed to Elizabeth Poythress. In 1829 John W. P. Gray was taxed for 2 separate parcels, one 98 acres, the other 55 acres. A notation on the latter showed “from estate of Elizabeth Poythress, Estate.”
Nov. Term 1812: Deed Patrick H. Poythress and Elizabeth, his wife, to Peter Eppes, recorded. [PG Order Book 1811-1814]
Dinwiddie Will of Patrick Poythress [unrecorded]. 12 August 1818. All estate to wife Elizabeth; if she remarries I give it equally to my children. P. H. Poythress. Wits: Archibald Epps, Arthur Johnston, M. L. Drinkard.
Beersheba Bryant left property to her grandchildren who were the children of Robert Carter Harrison and thus the grandchildren of Collier Harrison. Collier Harrison’s wife was Beersheba Bryant. She married 2nd Thomas Eppes Poythress. Her will as “Beersheba Poythress” making dispositions to her Harrison grandchildren proves that she was widow, first of Collier Harrison and second of Thomas Eppes Poythress.
Will of Thomas E. Poythress. “All to wife Beersheba for life. At her death to brother Joshua, my nephew William P. Poythress, my niece Nancy G. D. Harrison with condition they raise and contribute $1000 to Thomas P. Harrison, son of Braxton Harrison, deceased. If he dies, then to his sister Oceana Harrison. William P. Harrison one of executors. 22 March 1847. Codicil desires to have Harrison Graveyard on Kitewan Estate substantially enclosed with wall of brick 40 feet square. Probated 13 April 1847. [Chas. Cty. Will Bk. 5, p. 35]
Professional Life
March 7, 1777, in the Virginia Gazette, “For sale, for ready money, or 12 months credit, an exceeding good plantation blacksmith, who is very well acquainted with many other kinds of work in that branch of business, such as nail making, tiring wheels, &c. The terms may be known by applying to Joshua Poythress, Sr., at Flower de Hundred, in Prince George County, or to William Poythress at York garrison. There may likewise be purchased a complete set of blacksmith tools with the fellow.”
June 6, 1777, in the Virginia Gazette, “For sale, for ready money, or 12 months credit, an exceeding good plantation blacksmith, who is very well acquainted with many other kinds of work in that branch of business, such as nail making, tiring wheels, &c. The terms may be known by applying to Joshua Poythress, Sr., at Flower de Hundred, in Prince George County, or to William Poythress at York garrison. There may likewise be purchased a complete set of blacksmith tools with the fellow.”
August 8, 1777, in the Virginia Gazette, deserted from Captain Pierce’s company of artillery, John Griffith (alias Wells) who is about 5 feet 10 inches high, has a family on the eastern shore, and is very well acquainted about Back River and Hampton. He was a sailor on board the Virginia frigate, and has taken several unlawful bounties. Whoever delivers the said deserter to his company, at Portsmouth, shall have 20 dollars reward. William Poythress, lieutenant.
In 1779, the U. S. Treasury offered to exchange new bills for presumably counterfeit old paper money. Many Virginians made this exchange, in whole or in part, to the Virginia Continental Loan office in 1779 and 1780. The exchange could be for new money, applied to loans, or applied to taxes. The records of exchangers and the amount exchanged provides a short proxy census of Virginia in 1779:
Name County Entry # Amount Deposited
Poythress, William Prince George 1019 $120
Poythress, Peter Prince George 1262 $311
Poythress, Joshua Prince George 1500 $484
Poythress, Thomas Brunswick 3765 $38
Washington’s General Order of October 2, 1779. For artillery and artillery artificer regiments, the uniform was ordered to be blue, faced and lined with scarlet, with yellow buttons, the coats to be edged, and the buttonholes to be bound, with narrow lace or tape. The light dragoons were to wear blue faced and lined with white, with white buttons. The blue coats of the infantry regiments were all to be lined with white, and have white buttons, and states were distinguished by different colored facings, as follows: the New England states, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, white facings; New York and New Jersey, buff facings; Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, red facings; North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, blue facings and buttonholes edged with narrow white tape. (Varick Transcripts of Washington’s General Orders, Library of Congress.)
February 6, 1783, Lieutenant William Poythress, Army, Certificate, Voucher 1783. I certify that Lieutenant William Poythress was appointed as such in the 1st Regiment of Artillery in March, 1777, that he was promoted to a Captain Lieutenant on August -, 1780, and that he resigned March 5, —–, —— ended his service from his first appointment. Lt. Col. Ed. Carrington, Artillery. J. Pendleton, Esq. Copy…William Poythress, Lieutenant – # 001098665. These documents remain to be abstracted from Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, reels 1-29. Noted on the catalog entry is “Certificate: Lieutenant Colonel Ed. Carrington. Voucher is noted “1783.” This William is otherwise undistinguished in the catalog entry. However, Virginia Revolutionary War Records, Section II (4), [Document No. 30, List No. 1, show “Poythress, William Capt. Lieut. Cont’l. 4000 Nov. 8, 1783, 3 years. Although unable to distinguish which William this man is on the Batte chart, he is assigned # 001098665 on catalog entry. Note the dual appearance of “1783” which might conceivably be a “date” or a voucher number as shown above.
November 8, 1783, Land Office Military Warrant, No. 1878. To the principal surveyor of the lands set apart for the Officers and Soldiers of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This shall be your warrant to survey and lay off in one or more surveys, for William Poythress his heirs or assigns, the quantity of four thousand acres of land, due unto the said William Poythress in consideration of his services for three years as a Captain Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Virginia Continental Line agreeable to a certificate from the Governor and Council received into the Land Office. Given under my hand, and the seal of the said Office. Survey 1668.
Civic Activities
June 3, 1778, in Prince George County, a deed, Robert Bolling and wife, Clara, to John Bland. Court order to receive relinquishment of right of dower for Clara Bolling was satisfied by the oaths of Robert Gilliam and William Poythress.
In Prince George County, the Will of Benjamin Harrison, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, dated November, 9, 1789, and proved December 14, 1790.
To my nephew, John Harrison, my Manor Plantation lying on Powell’s Creek, and negroes, Tom, Dolly, Fanny, Bumford, Billy and Archy.
To my nephew, Thomas Harrison, Jr., six negroes, Will, Beck, Jenny, Elizabeth and Amy.
To my niece, Elizabeth Stainback, two negroes, Frank and Sarah, upon the following condition, that is as my said niece is expected to marry my nephew, William Fann, and if the said Fann shall hereafter claim a mare and colt now in my possession after marrying the said Elizabeth, my will and desire is that the said negroes shall be delivered to my nephew, James William Harrison, to him and his heirs forever.
To my nephew, James William Harrison, the plantation whereon my father, James Harrison, formerly lived.
My nephew, James William Harrison, to be my executor. The witnesses were William Wilkins, William Poythress and Colin Cocke. Pleasant Cocke and Colin Cocke were securities for bond of £5,000.
August 4, 1791, the account of the estate of Robert Harrison, 1788 and 1789. The names, among others, was William Poythress.
September 13, 1791, in Prince George County, the account of the estate of David Williams, names, among others, William Poythress.
As Witness
September 14, 1772, in Mecklenburg County, Thomas Taylor, Jr., to Messrs. Dinwiddie, Crawford and Company. The witness was William Poythress.
February 2, 1773, in Mecklenburg County, Benjamin Smith to Dinwiddie, Crawford and Company. The witness was William Poythress.
March 8, 1773, in Mecklenburg County, Henry Langford to Dinwiddie, Crawford and Company. The witness was William Poythress.
March 8, 1773, in Mecklenburg County, Henry Langford to James Hargrove. The witnesses were Lewis Parham, Isham Malone and William Poythress.
May 4, 1773, in Mecklenburg County, Joseph Magoune to Dinwiddie, Crawford and Company (deed as bond for sum owed). The witnesses were Lewis Parham, William Poythress and John Lucas.
Property: Personal Property and Land
February 10, 1774, in the Virginia Gazette, “Noble’s Warehouse, January 11, 1774. Sometime in November last, I purchased a sorrel mare of Lewelling Williamson, for which I gave him my note of hand for £25 payable in April next. Immediately after we had concluded the bargain, I understood that he was under an execution, and went to him, and demanded my note, as the mare was under an encumbrance. Williamson then told me that if she was sold, by the execution the bargain should be void. She was accordingly sold by the said execution, and I immediately sent for my note of hand, which he again refused, and insisted on the money when it become due. Therefore, in justice to the public, I think it necessary to forewarn all persons from receiving said note, as I am determined not to discharge it. William Poythress.
May 9, 1777, in the Virginia Gazette, John Lucas advertised for a strayed or stolen horse. He would give 40 shillings reward to any person that will deliver the said horse to, among others, Mr. William Poythress, at Flower de Hundred. “Strayed or stolen from the subscriber at Hanover courthouse, the 9th of this instant (April) a bay horse about 4 feet 6 or 7 inches high, with a switch tail and hanging mane, branded, but not known, his back was hurt some time ago, and was so very tender when I lost him that he generally gave way to the saddle when a portion got on him. He has a star in his forehead, a snip on his nose, two white feet, and the third partly or all so, I do not remember which. The horse I am informed was raised in Prince George County, so that it is probable, if he is not stolen, he may be somewhere on the north side of the James River endeavoring to get to the place where he was raised. I will give 40 shillings reward to any person that will deliver the said horse to Colonel Syme, at Newcastle, Mr. William Russell, in Williamsburg, or Mr. William Poythress, at Flower de Hundred. John Lucas.”
In 1782, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on (120 + 184 =) 304 acres.
In 1785, in Prince George County, alterations made by transfer of land, recorded by Peter Epes; from Edward Bland to William Poythress, 250 acres; from William Poythress to Robert Gilliam, 852 acres.
In 1787, in Prince George County, the tax records included William Poythress, Mary Poythress, Elizabeth Poythress, Joshua Poythress (estate); and, Francis Poythress.
In 1787, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on (800 + 184 + 120 =) 1,104 acres.
In 1788, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on (850 + 184 + 120 =) 1,154 acres.
In 1789, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on (850 + 184 + 120 =) 1,154 acres.
October 2, 1790, William Poythress and Mary, his wife, of Prince George County, to William Samuel Peachey, of Amelia County, 300 acres, along the James River, in Prince George County, and being the lower part of the plantation Flower-de-hundred whereon Joshua Poythress, the Elder, his late father, lived and devised by his Will to the said William Poythress, and one other tract in the county about 1 mile from above mentioned tract containing 100 acres which tract the said Joshua Poythress in his lifetime purchased from Hatch and by his Will aforesaid devised the same to the said William Poythress, party to these premises. The witnesses were Charles Duncan and William M. Carter. [This document was a conventional order of the court to the executors to examine Mary Poythress apart from her husband William to ascertain that she was indeed releasing her dower rights for the sale of this property inasmuch as “said Mary cannot travel to the county court”]. The court found that the release of dower was properly obtained and the court certified the right to sell his property. [PG Deeds 1787-1792, p. 422]
In 1790, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on 850 acres, 304 acres less than in 1789.
In 1791, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on (296 + 850 =) 1,146 acres.
In 1792, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on 750 acres; 396 acres less than in 1791.
In 1793, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on 750 acres.
In 1794, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by William Poythress, on 750 acres.
In 1795, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
In 1796, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
In 1797, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
In 1798, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
In 1799, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
In 1800, in Prince George County, land taxes were paid by the estate of William Poythress, on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres.
Adjoining Property
October 1, 1787, in Prince George County, Robert Bolling and Clara, his wife, of Prince George County, to William Gilliam of the same, 273 acres, on the south side of the Appomattox River. The witness was, among others, William Poythress.
September 14, 1790, in Prince George County, Robert Birchett, tobacco inspector, to James Sturdivant, tobacco picker, for £150, paid to James Sturdivant, Jr., land purchased by Robert Birchett from William Poythress, Jr., bounded by the Reedy branch and John Hunnicutt, 333½ acres. No witnesses.
Family Estates
In Prince George County, the Will of Thomas Epes, of Prince George County, dated August 26, 1779.
To my wife, Betty, use of the plantation I live on for life, and 7 negroes: Ned (called Butterwood), his wife, Tabb, Antony, little Charles and Obedience, and the use of my household goods.To my kinsman William Poythress, son of Joshua, after the death of my wife, all of my land and plantation. If he dies without issue, then to my kinsman, Richard Epes, son of Peter Epes. If Richard dies, then to kinsman Peter Epes, son of Peter Epes.
To my Godson, James Irby, £30, and if he dies without issue to his sister, Lucy Irby.
To my Godson, Archibald Robertson, negro man, Jack, and £200.
To my sister, Mary Mason, my two negroes, Matt and Tempe.
To my niece, Elizabeth Richardson, wife of Jordan Richardson, negro woman, Hannah.
To my niece, Mary Mason, negro woman, Darcus.
To my niece, Rebecca Mason, negro woman, Clarissa.
To my kinsman, Francis Epes, son of Peter Epes, negroes.
To my Goddaughter, Sarah Epes, daughter of Peter Epes, negro girl, Mason.
To Godson, William Scott, son of Thomas Scott, negro girl, Obedience.
To Thomas Scott, son of Thomas Scott, negro man, little Charles and £100.
To my kinsman, William Poythress, son of Joshua Poythress, two negro men, great Charles and Dick.
To my sister-in-law, Martha Coleman, negro woman, Sara, and her child, Daniel.
To my nephew, Thomas Mason, negro woman, Lucy and her son, Peter.
To William Epes, son of Peter Epes, negro man, Ned.
To Peter Scott, son of Thomas Scott, negro boy, Jamie.
To Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Thomas Scott, negro girl, Janey.
My executors, Peter Epes, William Poythress, Archibald Robertson. The witnesses were Francis Stainback, Sarah Irby and Robert Young. Signed by Thomas Epes.
September 25, 1779, in the Virginia Gazette, Deaths, Mr. Thomas Eppes, of Prince George County, who has devised the greatest part of a very considerable fortune, to Mr. William Poythress, an officer in the continental army.
September 19, 1791, in Prince George County, the Will of John Gilliam, the Elder.
To my wife, Jane, the use of my estate and negroes: Ciss, Agg, Beck, Hannah, Moll, old Beck, Hannah, Esther, Judy, Phillis, Beck and son, Bob, and my chariot and horses. If my wife dies without a Will, the estate is to be divided between my son, Walter Boyd Gilliam, and my daughter, Mary Poythress.
To my son, Walter Boyd Gilliam, my land at my wife’s death and my slaves: Esther, Pompey, Suckey, Mingo, Ciss, Phebe, Hall, York, Manmoth, Harry, Ned, Betty, James, Moses, Bob, Mandy, Anthony, Lucy, and Bristol. Also to divide Phebe, Lucy, Nanny, Pegg, Doll, and Hannah.
My trustees, Thomas Griffin Peachy, Walter Boyd Gilliam, and Reuben M. Gilliam, to maintain Elizabeth Arthur for her life (his daughter). The witnesses were Isaac Hall, John Angus, Richard Carrington, Jr. [John Gilliam died in 1801].
William Poythress’ Will
Bristol Parish Register: William Poythress died October 15th and was buried October 18th, 1794.
In Prince George County, the Will of William Poythress, of Martin’s Brandon parish, in Prince George County, dated September 2, 1794, and proved September 11, 1795.
It is my will that the whole of my lands both in this state and Kentucky be equally divided among my four sons, to them and their heirs forever.
It is also my will that if either of my children die under age and without issue the share of such deceased child shall be subject to distribution among the survivors at the times and agreeably to the terms in the preceding clauses that is to say the land among the surviving sons and the slaves and personal estate among all of the surviving children.
I do appoint my friend, David Maitland, my whole and sole executor desiring him to pay all my just debts, and to follow the intention of this my last Will and testament sealed with my seal and signed with my hand this September 2, 1794. William Poythress. The foregoing was declared by William Poythress as his last Will and testament in the presence of William Davis, Walter B. Gilliam and Richard Burnett, Jr. At the court of quarterly sessions continued and held for Prince George County at the Courthouse on Wednesday, September 11, 1795, this last Will and testament of William Poythress, deceased, was presented into court and proved by the oaths of Walter B. Gilliam and Richard Burnett, Jr., two of the witnesses thereto and by order of this court was truly recorded.
Survey in 1807 divided lands of William Poythress (father) into shares for William, Jr., Joshua, Thomas and Patrick Poythress.
State of Virginia, Prince George County to wit: I Nathaniel B. Sturdivant clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will and testament of William Poythress, deceased, as taken from the records file in my office. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the county aforesaid November 21, 1821 and in the 46th year of the Independence of the United States of America. Nathaniel B. Sturdivant, Clerk of Court.
State of Virginia, Prince George County to wit: I Benjamin Harrison, presiding magistrate of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Nathaniel B. Sturdivant is clerk of the County aforesaid that the attestation hereto annexed made by him are in due form and that full faith & credit are due to his Official Acts such within every Court in the United States – given under my hand November 26, 1821 in the 46th year of the Independence of the United States of America. Benjamin Harrison (seal).
State of Kentucky, I Achilles Sneed, Clerk of the court of appeals for the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be a copy of the last Will and testament of William Poythress, deceased, with the testimonials thereto annexed was produced to me in my office in Frankfort on February 25, 1823, and that the same is duly recorded. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name the day and year aforesaid. Achilles Sneed, C. C. A.
Note from the text following the Will itself that this document was a certified copy of the original Prince George County Will taken to Kentucky to facilitate disposition of land claims there in William Poythress’ name. The brief abstracts of these proceeding hint that these claims met with some difficulty. Also, beginning as late as 1833 sons Joshua, Thomas E., and William P. were petitioning the U. S. House of Representatives for back pay claimed due to their father. This petition was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary claims in 1834 and 1836. It appears that no action was taken on this claim and it presumably lapsed, the government producing a receipt indicating that Lieutenant William Poythress was duly paid £417/14/0 on November 7, 1783, for the service in question. [This William Poythress may or may not be the Lieutenant William Poythress for whom we have a line drawing.]
[Comments: This William Poythress is without question William # 211 2, who married Mary Gilliam, of the Bolling Batte chart of the Poythress Family in Virginia. He was a nephew of Thomas Epes, of High Peake, married Mary Poythress. He was a great nephew of Elizabeth Poythress (daughter of Captain Francis Poythress’ son John Poythress). Elizabeth married (1) John Fitzgerald and (2) Thomas Eppes so an earlier generation Eppes was also a great uncle. Bolling Batte states that this William was the major beneficiary of his great uncle, Thomas Eppes’ Will of 1779. William married Mary Gilliam, had four sons, cited but unnamed in this Will and had a daughter who was both unnamed and uncited in this Will. The children of this marriage were:
211 21 Joshua Poythress (1784-post 1854) married Jane Mills Angus
211 22 Thomas Eppes Poythress (-1847) married Beersheeba Bryant
211 23 William Poythress – died unmarried
211 24 Patrick Henry Poythress (-1822) married Mary Elizabeth Eppes
211 25 Mary Poythress (1793-).]
December 27, 1833, the Petition of the heirs of Captain William Poythress of the Virginia Continental Line for commutation of five years full pay. Petition submitted to the U. S. Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Following is the text of this petition and its attachments. Captain William Poythress is Batte # 211 2 who married Mary Gilliam. The petitioners are sons Joshua Poythress, Thomas E. Poythress, and William P. Poythress who are Batte #s 211 21, 211 22, and 211 23 respectively. By the time of this petition (1833), siblings Patrick Henry Poythress (211 24) and Mary Poythress (211 25) were deceased and the petitioners represented themselves as the “only” heirs. After three referrals to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, it appears that no action was taken on this partition, and, indeed, the attachments seem to imply the government rested on what it presumed to be proof of payment of the pay and the petition languished in committee with no action.
Text: Page 1, (outside folio/title/disposition notations). William Poythress. the Petition of the Heirs of Captain William Poythress of the Virginia Continental Line for commutation of five years full pay, December 27, 1833, Ref to Com on Rev. Claims; December 9, 1834, Ref to Com on Rev. Claims; June 6th, 1836, Ref to the Committee on Rev. Claims.
Page 2, (Text of Petition). To the honorable Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States assembled. Your petitioners Joshua Poythress, Thomas E. Poythress and William P. Poythress humbly represent that they are the children and only heirs of William Poythress, a Captain in the Army of the Revolutionary war, and an officer in the Virginia Line on Continental establishment. That the said Poythress entered the service at an early period of the War and continued in active service until its termination and received from Virginia his military bounty land for seven years services as appears by the Certificate of Benjamin Harrison then Governor of Virginia and herewith filed marked “B.” It also appears that from the certificate of the Auditor of Virginia marked “A,” accompanying this petition that the said Poythress received £14/14/0 in certificates for the balance of his full pay for services to March 5, 1781. Your petitioners deem it unneccesary to furnish any further testimony of their father’s services as an Officer of the Revolution as the accompanying documentary evidence from the army records of Virginia is conclusive evidence to prove that Captain Poythress is entitled to relief under the Resolutions of Congress passed in 1780. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray the passage of an act granting to them the commutation of five years full pay and interest thereon on account of the aforesaid services of their father which is amply proved continued until the end of the war in the Virginia Continental Line in the rank of a Captain. And your petitioners will ever pray so. Joshua Poythress, Thomas E. Poythress and William P. Poythress. By John H. Price.
Page 3, Exhibit “A,” Certificate of Register of Land Office Virginia. This is to certify, that it appears from a list in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session, 1781, that a Certificate issued on November 7, 1783, in the name of William Poythress….as a Lieutenant Artillery for £417/14/0, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself….and was given for services prior to January 1, 1782. To wit as Lieutenant from March, 1777 to August 19, 1780, and as Captain Lieutenant from August 19, 1780, to March 5, 1781. No Seal of Office. Given under my hand at the Auditor’s Office, Richmond, this December 4, 1883. Jas. E. Meath, Auditor.
Page 4, Exhibit “B,” Warrant for 4,000 acres, No. 1878, Council Chamber 1783. I do Certify that William Poythress is entitled to the proportion of land allowed a Captain Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Continental line who has served seven years. Thomas Meriwether and Benjamin Harrison. A warrant for 4,000 acres issued to William Poythress, November 8, 1783. An examined copy from records in the Land Office of Virginia. Mr. Pedinns, Off. Va., December 12, 1833.
Page 5, Exhibit “C.” County of Prince George, State of Virginia, December 9th, 1833. I hereby certify that Joshua Poythress, Thomas E. Poythress and William P. Poythress are the lawful heirs of William Poythress, formerly an Officer in the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Cocke, J. P.
No. 924, 1,000 acres. Survey for William Poythress, 1,000 acres of an part of a Military Warrant No. 1678, on Reaflers Creek, a branch of Green River, beginning on the Creek near the head thereof, running thence S70 E160 poles to a white oak, thence N30 E500 poles crossing several trails to a poplar, red oak and white oak, southeast corner to the Poythress survey No. 742, thence with a line of the same N70 W320 poles crossing the Creek at 218 poles to a black gum, white oak, and three Dogwoods thence S20 W 500 poles crossing several branches to four poplars, thence S70 E 140 poles to the beginning. Burwell Jackson, April 9th, 1796. Elias Holmes, clerk of court. Examined and recorded May 12th, 1796. See Ky. Survey #1678 for Warrant #1878. Richard C. Anderson.
Surveyed for William Poythress 150 acres of land part of a Military Warrant No. 1878 on the Waters of little Muddy Creek beginning at a hickory sugaratree and hackberry in a line of a Survey of Joseph Swearingine and a northeast corner of Burwell Jacksons entry No. 1859 running thence with Jacksons line S51 W110 poles to a sugartree and hickory thence S52 E150 poles to an elm and two sugartrees thence N51 E30 poles to an ash and two Dogwoods thence S52 E100 poles to an ash and spanish oak thence N51 S80 poles to a hickory, Dogwood and sugartree in Swearingins line thence with his line N52 W250 poles to the beginning. Burwell Jackson, 18th April 1792. Elias Holmes, Elihu Howard. Examined and recorded May 18, 1793. Richard C. Anderson. See Old Ky. Survey #1668 for Warrant No. 1878.
William Poythress’ son, Joshua Poythress, married Jane Mills Angus on August 27, 1810, in Petersburg, Virginia. [Her parents, John Angus and Lucy Wortham were married July 4, 1786, in Petersburg, Virginia] Deed 15 Dec. 1819. Walter Dunn and Mary Ann Dun, his wife Robert Dun and Lucy Dun, his wife, of first part and Jane M. Poythress, formerly Jane M. Angus who intermarried with Joshua Poythress of the County of Prince George, state of Virginia on the other part; those of the first part being residents of the County of Ross, State of Ohio…..grant to Jane M. Poythress, in town of Blandford, county of Prince George late the property of John Angus, deceased, of which he died seized and which descended to the said Jane M. Poythress, Ann Mary Dun and Lucy Dun, the children and only surviving heirs of said John Angus. [Petersburg DB 6, p. 213] By deed 28 July 1820, these lots were sold by Joshua Poythress and Jane M., his wife, to Robin Jackson, a free negro. [Petersburg DB 6, p. 242] Manual for Members Presbyterian Church in Petersburg (1833): No. 17 Jane Poythress, w. of Joshua.
Highlights:
Capt. Wm. Poythress (1753-1794), of Flowerdew Hundred, Cont’l. Army Officer, m. Mary Gilliam
– born Pr. Geo. Co. in 1753
– at York garrison, 1777
– Lieutenant, 1777, 1st Regiment of Artillery, in VA Continental Line during Revolutionary War, 1777-1780
– Capt. Lieut., 1780 (Captain Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Continental line who served seven years – 1783)
– principle beneficiary of Thos. Epes Will, “all my land and plantation,” Wm. was also named executor, 1779
– exchanged old money for new bills from U. S. Treasury, 1779
– married c. 1780 Mary Gilliam, daughter of John Gilliam & Jane Henry
– children (1780-1794): Patrick Henry m. Mary Elizabeth Eppes, Joshua m. Jane Mills Angus, Thos. Epes m. Beeersheba Bryant, Mary, Wm. (d. unm.)
– his father, Joshua, died in 1782 [Joshua Poythress (II) pd. taxes on 581 ac. Pr. Geo. in 1782 & his mother pd. taxes on 493 ac. in 1787 & bought 177 ac. in Pr. Geo. Co. in 1784 = 670 ac. Each son would have received at least 335 ac. in Pr. Geo. Co. plus any land in other counties.]
– taxes paid on (120 + 184 =) 304 acres by Wm. Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1782
– Land Office Military Warrant to survey 4,000 acres of land for Capt. Lt. Wm. Poythress, 1783
– alterations made by transfer of land, recorded by Peter Epes; from Edward Bland to William Poythress, 250 acres; from William Poythress to Robert Gilliam, 852 acres, Pr. Geo. Co., 1785
– Robt. Bolling to Wm. Gilliam s/s Appomattox R., Pr. Geo. Co., 1787 – witness Wm. Poythress
– tax records included William Poythress, Mary Poythress, Elizabeth Poythress, Joshua Poythress (estate); and, Francis Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1787
– taxes paid on (800 + 184 + 120 =) 1,104 acres by Wm. Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1787
– taxes paid on (850 + 184 + 120 =) 1,154 acres by Wm. Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1788
– taxes paid on (850 + 184 + 120 =) 1,154 acres by Wm. Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1789
– witness for Will of Benjamin Harrison, Pr. Geo. Co., 1789
– sold 333½ acres to Robt. Birchett bounded by Reedy br & John Hunnitcutt, Pr. Geo. Co., 1790
– to Wm. Samuel Peachey 300 acres, along the James River, in Prince George County, and being the lower part of the plantation Flower-de-hundred whereon Joshua Poythress, the Elder, his late father, lived and devised by his Will to the said William Poythress and one other tract in the county containing 100 acres which tract the said Joshua Poythress in his lifetime purchased from Hatch and by his Will aforesaid devised the same to the said William Poythress (John Hardyman conveyed the 300 acres to 1st Joshua Poythress who left it for his son, Joshua Poythress, who had left it for this Wm. Poythress), Pr. Geo. Co., 1790
– taxes paid on 850 acres by William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1790
– taxes paid on (296 + 850 =) 1,146 acres by William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1791
– taxes paid on 750 acres by William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1792
– 150 acres waters of little Muddy cr. adj. Joseph Swearingine, Burwell Jackson, Kentucky, 1792
– taxes paid on 750 acres by William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1793
– taxes paid on 750 acres by William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1794
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1795
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1796
– 1,000 acres Reaflers cr. a br. of Green R., Kentucky, 1796
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1797
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1798
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1799
– taxes paid on (750 + 99 =) 849 acres by the estate of William Poythress, Pr. Geo. Co., 1800
– deceased 1794 (age ~41); executor David Maitland; “It is my will that the whole of my lands both in this state and Kentucky be equally divided among my four sons”
His four sons, Patrick Henry, Joshua, Thos. Epes & Wm. would have divided approximately 849 acres in Pr. Geo. Co. That would have given each approximately 212 1/4 acres. A record for 1,150 of the 4,000 acres in Kentucky left each son at least 287 ½ acres each and as much as a 1,000 acres each in Kentucky if they received the entire amount of land for their father’s service in the Revolution..
Wm. Poythress (1753-1794), husband of Mary Gilliam, & father of Patrick Henry Poythress, was a great grandson of John Poythress & Christian Peebles; grandson of Joshua Poythress; son of Joshua Poythress. Wm. Poythress (1765-1810) was a great grandson of John Poythress & Christian Peebles; grandson of Robert Poythress; son of Peter Poythress. These two Williams were second cousins.
“Betty” Poythress, widow of Wm. Poythress (1765-1810), evidently took the orphaned children of Wm. Poythress & Mary Gilliam into her home as their father, Wm., had died in 1794 & their mother, Mary, had died before 1810. These children were probably in her home when the 1810 Pr. Geo. Co. census was conducted and the children were probably Joshua, Thomas Epes, Mary & Wm. Poythress. Their brother, Patrick Henry Poythress, was probably of age and lived elsewhere. Patrick Poythress married Mary Elizabeth Eppes. Betty’s husband left 200 ac. to Patrick Poythress, 313 ac. to Wm. Poythress, 50 ac. to Joshua Poythress & 300 ac. to Thos. Poythress = 863 acres. The 863 acres appear to be Wm. Poythress’ (1765-1810) Simmons Branch property.
Joshua Poythress (I) had: 100 ac. Queensland; 200 ac. adj. Fitzgerald; 300 ac. Monksneck; 333 ac. Monksneck; 200 ac. High Peak; 300 ac. Flowerdew; 250 ac. Flowerdew; and 382 ac. Tommaheton = 2,065 ac. Joshua Poythress (II) sold 615 ac. Monksneck Sussex Co. (1763); pd. taxes on 293 + 200 + 70 +18 = 581 ac. Pr. Geo. = 1,196 ac. See brother, Wm. Poythress, for further analysis.]
Joshua (II): 1763 – sold 615 ac. Monks Neck = 615 ac. + 581 ac. = 1,196 ac.
293 + 200 + 70 +18 = 581 ac. (1782)
William: 120 + 184 = 304 (1782); 800 + 184 + 120 = 1,104 ac. (1787); 850 + 184 + 120 = 1,154 ac. (1788); 750 ac. (1794) Pr. Geo. Co.