This is an excerpt from the site below. There is also a section on the PORTIS FAMILY. http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Pettiford_Ridley.htm For a list of Virginia families in this group: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Virginia_NC.htm POYTHRESS FAMILY 1. Odam Poythress, born about 1755, purchased 50 acres adjoining Peter Nowles and James Sexton in Northampton County, North Carolina, on 3 December 1777, and he and his wife Sele sold this land two years later on 23 August 1779 [6:237, 351]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 4 free males and 4 free females in Captain Williams' District in 1786 for the state census, 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:72], 12 in 1800 [NC:469], and 10 in 1810 [NC:742]. He purchased 100 acres on Jack Swamp on 9 February 1785 [DB 10:51]. Administration of his estate was granted John Sandifer on 3 December 1817 on a bond of 1,000 pounds [Minutes 1813-21, 68]. His children were probably i. Thomas, who paid money to the Northampton County estate of Robert Crow between January and March 1801 [Gammon, Record of Estates, Northampton County, I:120]. ii. Littleberry, who sold land in Northampton County in 1819, two years after Odam's death. iii. Francis, who gave Littleberry his power of attorney in Northampton County Court on 9 June 1819 [Minutes 1813-21, 177]. 2. Hardimon Poythress, born about 1757, was head of a Northampton County household of 3 free males and 2 free females in Captain Williams' District of the state census and 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:72]. He died before 7 March 1796 when Jesse Mitchell was granted administration on his estate by the Northampton County Court on only 50 pounds bond [Minutes 1792-96, 219]. Temperance Poythress, head of a Northampton County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:471], was most likely his wife. Their children were probably i. Odam, Jr., who died before 4 March 1817 when his next of kin, John Poythress, was required to show cause why administration on his estate should not be granted to the greatest creditor [Minutes 1792-96, 7]. ii. John, whose estate administration was granted Hardimon Poythress in Northampton County Court on a bond of 50 pounds [Minutes 1792-6, 18]. Other descendants were i. "Sterling and Lucy Poltress, children of color," bound apprentices to Ransom Sherrin in Halifax County on 15 February 1824. ii. Sebastian and Frances Portres, (paupers) bound out on 4 March 1824 by the Northampton County Court [Minutes 1821-25, 373].