I went to Library of VA today and found another chancery article with Poythress in it. I don't remember seeing it on the website, so just in case I'll sent you the jist of it. In his deposition he tells he was a Confederate. This is regarding Mecklenburg Co., VA chancery case: On the index it says: William L. Portress & Exr. or Nancy Thomas 1880-030CC Throughout the case he is listed as "Poythress" The file was probably 80 pages, so I only copied a few pages and read through it. Here's just a summary and genealogical info from the case: If it helps anyone, to place the location of this family, William Bennett Thomas' brother Robin Thomas lived on Nelly Jones Rd. (Blackridge/Bracey area) ____________________________________________ William Poythress sues executor of Nancy Thomas estate. Nancy House was the wife of William Bennett Thomas. William L. Poythress says Nancy was his grandmother, and he wasn't getting his inheritance. There is about 50 pages of witnesses, stating how the property value was depleted and Confederate currency no longer valid, so heirs can't get what was originally promised. Included in this chancery is the will of Nancy House Thomas. (If interested in full copy of will, let me know and I'll email it) Nancy and William Bennett Thomas had a daughter named Lucy J. Thomas who married Thomas M. Poythress. In the will Lucy's name is spelled "Lucie J. Poythress" _______________________________________ Will states: " I bequeath to my Lucie J. Poythress all the Ran (??) cotton I now have to her and her heirs forever.....I bequeath to my grandson William L. Poythress all the remainder of mine estate whether it consists of money, bonds, accounts or other property to him and his heirs forever." Dec 1864 It appears the finances were adjusted to compensate for loss of value and a new amount figured to be owed to William. The last thing I wanted to share I found really interesting. It's an interview with William Poythress. Here it is in it's entirety: _____________________________________________________________________________ "The deposition of William L. Poythress taken before me this November 3rd, 1879 to be read as evidence in behalf of himself, deff. in a certain matter of account referred to me for settlement by a decree of the circuit court of Mecklenburg at it's June term 1879 in the chancery case of Poythress Vs. Riggan, Exr etc. Present AS (?) Lee attorney for deff. " RT Thorp attorney for deft. "WL Poythress being duly sworn testifies and says___ "1st Question by Defts atty What was the relationship of the testatrix (?), Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas, to you, who its appeared died in this county Dec 1864? Ans She was my grandmother. "2nd question by same "Where were you at the time of her death and in what kind of service were you at that time engaged? Ans I was in the Confederate Army at Petersburg in Company "D" 44th VA Battalion- 3rd question by same State any conversation you may have had with the defendant EH Riggin Ex'or of Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas, at or about what time that conversation occurred and what statement the said defendant then made to you in regard to the amount in his hands as such Ex'or and how much he stated was in his hands and due to you from him as Ex'or as aforesaid? Ans I went to Dr Riggins in 1866 about the last of July or first of August and he told me he hadn't settled up the estate exactly yet. He thought when he did settle up there would be something coming to me-He said there might be between three or four hundred dollars coming to me as far as he knowed, but he couldn't tell until he had settled it up. (Julie's note: The words "4th question" was written then crossed out, but the question itself was not crossed out.) "Did you understand Dr. Riggan as stating at the time mentioned ie in July or August 1866, a sum of money between three and four hundred dollars and that that sum was due to you as legatee under the will of Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas "Note Question excepted to because it is plainly a leading question and therefore not a proper one to be asked by Deffs counsel- Ans I understood him to say between three and four hundred dollars and I took it for granted that there would be something due me after he settled it up though I did not know how much. 5th Question by same State in what manner you understood the statement made to you by the defendant EH Riggan, as to the amount of money he owed you as legatee in the will of Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas? Ans Well I didn't understood any amount as due-He said there might be some three or four hundred dollars coming to me as far as he knowed. He couldn't tell until after he settled up the estate. And further desponent saith not. WL Poythress (Julie's note: he signed his name) This desposition was subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd November 1879. CJ Faulkner, commnr

Hi Julie, Thanks so much for your info from this Mecklenburg Co, VA chancery case, William L. Portress (Poythress) & Exr. or Nancy Thomas 1880-030CC. This is one of the Chancery Court cases that, back in August 2001, we had only a little part of. Appreciate you reviewing the full 80 pages & letting us know the gist of the whole thing. Yes, I'd appreciate you emailing me the full copy of the will of Nancy House Thomas, wife of William Bennett Thomas. Cheers, Barbara bp_neal@earthlink.net