Hello, Elaine. In a 4/16 message you mention: "I will rephotocopy the pages in July when I go to Laurel, MS for a family reunion. I also plan on going through some old papers and things that were my grandfather Carl's and see if I find anything of interest." I have a request for when you go to Mississippi. Barbara Neal and I (and perhaps others) would be grateful if you could be on the lookout for any information regarding COUSIN ANNA STANLEY. For years we have been pursuing a theory that this woman might prove or support a connection between James E. Poythress and Lewis Poythress. Here is the story in brief. As you now know we all suspect, but have no proof, that James E. Poythress (1803-1863), of Mecklenburg Co., VA, and Sumter Co., AL, was the son of Lewis Poythress (ca. 1770 - ca. 1848) of Mecklenburg Co., VA. There is an Anna Stanley associated with James E. Poythress and an Anna Stanley (indirectly) associated with Lewis Poythress. Are these two Anna Stanleys actually one and the same person? We are interested in any information you may find to shed light on Anna or Annas. ========== Here are specifics on the connection between Anna and Lewis: 1) Rebecca L. Poythress (ca 1808 - aft 1860), daughter of Lewis Poythress, married a Benjamin Stanley (ca 1800 - aft 1860) on 22 Jan 1832 in Mecklenburg, VA 2) Children in household of Benjamin and Rebecca (per 1840, 1850 and 1860 census records): George M. or W. (ca 1836), Sarah F. (ca 1837), Benjamin L. (ca 1839), John D. (ca 1840), Martha B. J. or R. (ca 1846) and James W. (ca 1850) BUT NO ANNA 3) The 1870 Brunswick, VA, household of (now widowed) Benjamin Stanley shows three persons as follows: Benjamin; age 72; male; white; farmer; $800 personal property; $500 real estate; born VA George M.; age 35; male; white; laborer; born VA (known to be son of Benjamin and Rebecca) ANNA; age 23; female; white; housekeeper; born VA (relation unknown) 4) The 1876 will of Benjamin Stanley (Brunswick Will Book 20, pp. 418-19) cites daughters Martha and Sarah, and references heirs of John D. Stanley, a deceased son of Benjamin, BUT NO ANNA.) 5) The 1880 Brunswick, VA, household of George M. Stanley shows two persons as follows: Stanley, Geo M., white, male, age 47, head of house, single, farmer Valentine, George, black, male, age 11, servant, single, domestic servant This is the only entry of a Stanley in 1880 in Meherrin District (ED 30 and 195) or the bordering South Hill District (ED 149) of Mecklenburg Co. Taken together, these three districts comprise the usual Virginia haunts of the Lewis Poythress line. This indicates a) Anna was NOT the wife of George M. and b) by 1880 Anna was no longer in the area, or no longer surnamed Stanley. In summary then, on the Lewis Poythress side of the story, we have in 1870 an Anna Stanley, born ca. 1847, living in the household of the son-in-law of Lewis Poythress, but not evidenced before or after that time. ========== Here are specifics on the connection between Anna and James E.: 1) On 11 Jul 1998 Barbara posted to the list: 'I photographed a tintype [labeled on the album page as] "Cousin Anna Stanley" which was in an old album that belonged to Catharine Speed Preston (Mrs. James Edward Poythress), which album has been held by an elderly cousin of mine for many years, and which he obtained from his grandfather, one of the sons of James Edward Poythress. The original paper backing of the tintype was replaced about 100 years ago by lined paper, glued to the original front-paper. On that lined paper backing, in old script, is written "Anna Stanley" and the name of the photographer, which appears to be J. C(?) Slorne, or possibly J. C. Sloane; presumably this was copied from the original backing by whoever replaced the back with the lined paper...From the dress and hairstyle of Anna, and the fact that it was a tintype, I think the photo dates from the early 1860s. She appears to be a young adult or possibly in her late teens.' 2) Barbara later estimated the age of the person in the photo to be 23 - 36. 3) Frances Preston (1796-1825), sister of Catharine, married a Benjamin Stanley 15 Jan 1824 in Brunswick, Va. In summary then, on the James E. Poythress side of the story, we have an Anna, born ca. 1824 - 1842 (assuming the tintype is 1860-65) who is called "cousin" by Mrs. James E. Poythress. ========== There you have what we know. Any additional information on Anna Stanley will be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Lyn P. Baird [email protected]