Patrick Poythress, Dinwiddie Co (unrecorded Will) 1818

Notes: Excerpted from posts to the Poythress Rootsweb mailing list.

In the January 1972, Vol. X, Issue No.1, “Virginia Genealogical Society
Quarterly” (long out of print) is an article (pp. 3-13) entitled “Unrecorded
Wills of Dinwiddie County” which was “contributed by Mrs. E.B. Short,
Dinwiddie, Virginia 23841.” The article has no introductory notes, and no
notes following the transcribed wills. Presumably these unrecorded wills were
found by Mrs. Short at the Dinwiddie County, VA Courthouse.

The following transcription is on the bottom of p.5 of the above-mentioned
article (with spelling, capitalization, sentence structure & punctuation as
shown in the article):

PATRICK POYTHRESS
I Patrick Poythress being of sound mind and lawful age, do ordain the
following to be my Last Will and Testament.
In the first place, I give unto my loving wife Elizabeth, during her
widowhood all the Estate I now have, or may hereafter have, but in case of her
marriage I then give it equally to be divided between my children. I appoint
Mr. [illegible] to be my Executor.
P. H. Poythress

Witnesses:
Archibald Epps
Arthur Johnston
M. L. Drinkard
[Note on back of this will states it was written 12 August 1818]

1810 Survey Record of William Poythress Estate — 200 Acres to Patrick Poythress

On May 15, 1810, in the Prince George County Surveyor’s record, Pursuant to an Order of the court and by direction of John Batte, John H. Peterson and Peter Epes, I surveyed the estate of William Poythress, deceased, on Old Courthouse Road. William Poythress’ land was called “Branchester” and Simmons branch.

The Plat shows 200 acres to Patrick Poythress, 313 acres to William Poythress, 50 acres to Joshua Poythress and 300 acres to Thomas Poythress. Robert Turnbull was the County Surveyor. In November, 1811, in the Prince George County Court, Nathaniel Marks, Administrator of Hardiman Poythress, deceased, was to pay Elizabeth Poythress for the benefit of the infant children of said Hardiman Poythress.

Based upon the above, it looks like Betty became responsible for the children of William Poythress and Mary Gilliam. Betty’s husband, William Poythress, of Branchester, seems to have provided for his cousin’s children through the division of his property. Patrick Henry Poythress, the oldest son and child of William Poythress and Mary Gilliam was most likely living on his own plantation and married to Mary Epes. Elizabeth Poythress, daughter of William Poythress and Elizabeth Bland, married Richard Marks and lived at Branchester.

The three youngest males are most likely the orphans of Hardiman Poythress as she was taking care of his infant children. It is interesting to note the surnames of Hardiman Poythress’ administrator and Elizabeth Poythress’ husband – “Marks.” In August, 1811, in the Prince George County court, the Will of William Poythress, of Branchester, was proved. In December, 1811, the Will of William Poythress was further proved by Sarah Stiles.