The Tice lady is chasing elsewhere so I expect the exchange to be a one timer: Hi John: thanks for your quick reply. I don't believe I'd be much help to you on your Poythress line. My line is Read. I come thru Peter Read who first appeared in Charles City Co., VA in 1654. He married Ann (unknown) and had son Henry and daughter Ann Read Young (widow of Dorrell Young.) -------------------------------------------- However, we did get one decent document out of it that I don't recall seeing before. It indicates that Francis(2) "returned to England and died" with no indication as to his intention; i. e. did he go back temporarily or was his intention to stay. With a wife and property and children in Virginia I'd guess the former. Anyway for those of you who may have missed the document: Charles City County, VA. Order Book 1687-1688 at a court held at Westover 3 Dec. 1688. Page 549 "Henry Reed exhibits his bill in chancery against Charles Bartholomew and Rebecca his wife, Executrix of Maj. Francis Poythress. Plt. shows that one Ann Young, sister of the orator, dying intestate, in this country; before commission of administration was sent forth, Maj. Francis Poythress inventoried her estate and had it appraised to value of 5664 lbs. tobacco, and was thereof possessed. Thereafter administration was granted to said Poythress and to Peter Read, the orator's father. That the moiety that belongs to one of the orphans of Ann was in the custody of said Peter. That said Peter had of said moiety only a mare and a cow, to value of 950 lbs. tobacco. There remained in custody of Pothress 1882 lbs. tobacco, but Poythress shortly afterward went to England and died, in the nonage of your orator, who begs recovery of 1882 lbs. tobacco, and prays that Charles Bartholomew and Rebecca his wife be subpoenaed to answer. " [note: "Rebecca his wife" is in this instance Rebecca Coggin who has m. 2 Charles Bartholomew following the death of Francis Poythress(2) MP ] Maynard