The John Poythresses, the William Poythresses and the Francis Poythresses have been saved for last because there are so many of them and due to the fact that it is hard to separate their lives. Once these are complete, we will work on the Thomas Poythress line as that line seems to have the most descendants and will be the main focus once we get started on Thomas Poythress' many descendants. As Deloris Wynne-Riley has so aptly mentioned, there are a lot of "internet genealogists" that will take the printed word on the internet as gospel. I will say again that these "life stories" are not the last word. There are many records that have not been found and studied. We are working with the known records today just as Hall, Smith, Batte and the other respected genealogists made their studies during their lifetimes. At present, Dorman is completing his research in order to produce Volume 2 and 3 of "Adventurers of Purse and Person." The "life stories" posted to this website have been an effort to form a somewhat firm foundation from which to work. The format is not exactly reader friendly but should provide a basic format for comparison and evaluation. Each life story identifies an individual family member, his approximate life span, his immediate family members, his profession, his activities, his property and any inheritance or association with collateral lines. It will still require hours of comparison, research and study of the Poythress "family tree," deed transactions and inheritances, census comparisons, "virtual censuses," military records, historical events, family associations, group associations, court records, business records, tax records, family lore, etc., to finally delineate the individual members of the Poythress family. However, once the records have been evaluated word for word and the existence of each individual identified, further development of the "family tree" will inevitably lead to further undeniable conclusions. The final word will remain with the individual serious researcher to determine the validity of any conclusions based upon the written records and facts. As my usual caution, I will repeat that a project of this magnitude will incur mistakes and typographical errors. This posting and the one to follow will be an attempt to identify the lives of Captain John Poythress, Sr., and Captain John Poythress, Jr. The conclusion as to whether John Poythress, Sr., had a son Thomas or whether Thomas was a brother of John Poythress, Jr., and therefore a son of Major Francis Poythress will have to be made by each reader based upon the records. John Poythress, Sr., and John Poythress, Jr., were first cousins. The Third Generation: Captain John Poythress, of Prince George County R. Bolling Batte on John Poythress [26 John Poythress m. Mary Batte, daughter of Henry and Mary (Lound) Batte. To avoid confusion with his first cousin John Poythress 43 (whose wife was also named Mary), this John was usually designated as "Sen." or "Sr." while cousin John was designated as "Jun." or "Jr." In 1720, John Poythress, Sr., and Mary, his wife, together with four other couples, the five wives all being daughters of Henry Batte, deceased., join in deed of partition whereby they divide 1200 acres in Prince George left by the will of Henry Batte to his daughters. John Poythress, Sr., was a captain in the militia and he represented Pr. Geo. in the House of Burgesses in 1723 and 1726. In 1727, as Capt. John Poythress he was granted 225 acres on the south side of the Meherrin, which land later fell into Brunswick County. The identical land was sold in 1773 by one Thomas Poythress who may have been a son or grandson of John, Sr.] [10. John Poythress (John Poythress2, Mary ______1) was born ABT 1664 in VA [(P_1) BF], and died AFT 1726. He married Mary Batte 1689, daughter of Henry Batte and Mary Lound. She was born 1670 in VA [BATTE 142] [(P_1) BF (W)], and died 1760. Child of John Poythress and Mary Batte is: + 36 i. Thomas Poythress was born AFT 1689 in VA [(P_1) BFA] Martin Brandon Parish, Prince George County, and died in VA [Batte 142 A].] Family John Poythress was born about 1674, in Charles City County, the son of John Poythress and Christian Peebles. He married Mary Batte, the daughter of Henry Batte and Mary Lound. He died after May 27, 1726. Inheritance On December 11, 1712, the Will of John's father, John Poythress, Sr., of Prince George County, was proved by John Winningham, Peter Leeth and William Stainback. John Poythress, Sr., appointed his half-brothers, Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne, and his friend, William Stainback, to divide his estate. He appointed John's mother, Christian, and John Poythress, to be executors of his Will. He named his two brothers, Thomas and Joshua Wynne, and William Stainback to divide his estate. He gave his son, John, two negroes, Bess and Nanny, and their increase, and an equal share of his moveable estate. John, and his brother, Peter, were to give an account of what they had in hand. The witnesses of the Will were John Winningham, Peter Leeth, Thomas Leeth and William Stainback. On December 9, 1712, Francis Poythress, of Westover parish, in Prince George County, deeded to Thomas Poythress, of the same, for £20, all of my tract in Westover parish, known as "Odiums," 100 acres, bounded by John Winningham, the said Thomas Poythress, Deep Bottom Run, being the dividing line of Francis and John Poythress, with all houses, etc. The witnesses were Edward Goodrich, Richard Hamlin and Peter Wynne. Recorded December 11, 1712. In June, 1717, in Prince George County, in the suit in Chancery brought by Charles Anderson against John Poythress and Henry Offley, neither party appearing, the case was dismissed. However, in another entry, Charles Anderson, having filed a Bill in Chancery against John Poythress, executor of John Poythress, deceased, and Henry Offley, late of London, Merchant, it was ordered that a summons be issued against the said John Poythress and Henry Offley to appear at the next court and answer the said charges. Under the date of July 9, 1717, in Prince George County, was an identical entry to the text above, regarding Charles Anderson. (It is speculated that the court took action in July identical to that taken in June, and the clerk, seeing no point in re-composing the entries, simply duplicated them). On August 13, 1717, in Prince George County, the suit in Chancery brought by Charles Anderson against Henry Offley, late of London, Merchant and John Poythress, surviving executor of the last Will and testament of John Poythress, deceased. Thomas Simmons, sub-Sheriff, took oath to the service of the Writ and charged Poythress and he failing to appear, an attachment was granted the complainant against the body of the said Poythress returnable to the next court and it was ordered that the said summons was also against the said Offley returnable to the next court. On September 10, 1717, in Prince George County, in the case of Charles Anderson versus Henry Offley, late of London, Merchant, and John Poythress, executor of John Poythress, deceased, John Poythress appeared and said that he had in his hands money enough of Offley's to pay the plaintiff £19/1/3, and that he would pay. On December 11, 1717, in Prince George County, in the chancery suit of Walter Vernon versus John Poythress, surviving executor of the Will of John Poythress, deceased, the defendant appeared and was granted time to answer. On March 11, 1718, in Prince George County, in the suit of chancery of Walter Vernon versus John Poythress, the surviving executor of John Poythress, deceased, the plaintiff had until the next court to file a reply to the defendant's answer. On January 13, 1719, in Prince George County, the entry was identical to the text above regarding Charles Anderson on July 9, 1717. Professional Life On March 12, 1702 the Governor and Council of Virginia made an address of loyalty to the King of England. A similar loyal address was received from Charles City County. The Grand Jury was composed of John Cocke, Anthony Wyatt, Robert New, Thomas Jackson, George Pasmoore, James Harrison, Randall Madax, Roger Best, David Gudgam, John Wickett, John Daniel, Thomas Daniell, James Gabeker, Thomas Woodham, Robert Harwood, Jno. Hunt, Thomas Anderson, James Gunn, Daniel Higdon, and John Baxter. The Justices were Richard Bland, Charles Goodrich, Daniel Lewellin, Robert Bolling, Littlebury Epes, George Blighton, John Hardiman, Joshua Wynne and Richard Bradford. The Sheriff was Micajah Lowe. The Militia Officers were Thomas Simmons, Adam Tapley, Peter Poythress, Anthony Wyatt, John Epes, Francis Epes, John Limbreij, Joshua Wynne, Micajah Lowe, John Hamlin, John Epes, John Reeker, Jr., Thomas Harrison, John Poythress, John Poythress, Richard Hamlin, John Baxton, William Byrd, Edward Hill, Charles Goodrich, Littlebury Epes, George Blighton, Richard Bradford, John Taylor, Peter Jones, Richard Reeker, and James Thweatt. Governor Spotswood appointed Captain John Poythress, Sr., to serve with Colonel John Hardyman, Major Joshua Wynne and Captain Francis Mallory as members of the Commission to investigate the Virginia-North Carolina line on October 21, 1707. They were to examine under oath "such ancient inhabitants of Prince George, Surry, Isle of Wight and Nansemond counties and discover the truth as to the said bounds between the said colonies." Also they were to ask the "ancient and intelligent Indians of the Nottoway, Meherrins and Nansemond nations," what they knew about the area. Among the old inhabitants of Prince George County that were deposed was Robert Bolling, Gentleman, aged 61, who "hath known the Nottoway river for 37 years or more" and "Major Wynne's quarter is on the sight of the old Nottoway Indian town." Joshua Wynne (1661-1715) was the son of Robert Wynne (1622-1678) and Mary Poythress Wynne, and therefore an uncle to John Poythress (c. 1674-aft. 1724). John Poythress was a cousin to the Hardymans, and John Poythress' wife, Mary Batte (c. 1674-c. 1760), was a granddaughter of Martha Mallory. James Thweat, of Bristol parish, aged 64 years or thereabouts, swore before Benjamin Harrison, Jr., and John Hardiman, on November 12, 1707, that he had known the River, now called Nottoway River, for 48 years or more and that it had never been called by any other name. When he first became acquainted with those parts, the chief town of the Nottoway Indians was on the south side of the Nottaway River where Major Wynne's Quarter is now located, about three miles above the mouth of Monksneck Creek, and some few of them lived at Rowonte, which is about 4 miles up Monksneck creek; and two or three families of them at Tonnatora, which is on the north side of the Nottaway River, and that they lived at some of these places, and at Cottashowrock, and thereabouts, until 25 or 26 years ago, and then they removed and settled their great town upon Atyamonsock Swamp at the place now called Old Town. About 48 years ago, the Meherrin Indians lived upon the Meherrin River at Cowochahawkon and some of them at Unote, and about 24 years ago some of them lived at Unote and some at Taurara, but how long they lived there after that time, he could not remember. James Thweatt (1643-), of Bristol parish, was an officer in the Virginia militia when he signed the loyalty oath on March 12, 1702. In 1704, he owned 750 acres, some on the south side of the Appomattox River, which was in Bristol parish, and some on the south side of the James river which was in Jordan's parish. James Thweatt, the Elder, and Robert Bolling were both questioned about the Virginia-North Carolina dividing line. On March 13, 1712, in Prince George County, the inventory and appraisal of the estate of Edward Maine, deceased, was presented in court and the appraisers were sworn before John Poythress. The inventory was presented by Francis Mallory, the administrator, and it was ordered that the inventory be recorded. On June 14, 1715, in Prince George County, John Poythress, among others, was listed present as a Gentleman Justice for the court. Typically, these gentlemen justices were listed as present at the recording of each monthly opening of the court. John Poythress was listed, among others, present as a Gentleman Justice on July 6, 1715; August 9, 1715; and September 13, 1715. On March 13, 1716, John Poythress and James Thweatt and others appeared in court, took the usual oaths, signed the tests and were, accordingly, sworn Justices of Prince George County, pursuant to a Commission of Peace, etc., dated December 8, 1715. John Poythress was listed, among others, present as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on April 2, 1716; June 12, 1716; and on October 9, 1716, at a court held at Merchant's Hope, in Prince George County. On March 13, 1717, in Prince George County, pursuant to the Act for appointing Sheriffs, John Poythress, Samson Meredith and Richard Hamlin, Gentlemen Justices, were recommended to the Honorable then Governor to execute the office of Sheriff the ensuing year. On March 13, 1717, pursuant to a commission of the Peace, dated December 8, 1715, John Poythress, James Thweatt and Lewis Green, Jr., took the oaths as Justices of Prince George County. John Poythress was listed, among others, present as a Gentleman Justice, of Prince George County, at Merchant's Hope on May 14, 1717; June 11, 1717; October 8, 1717; December 10 and 11, 1717; January 14, 1718; and, March 11, 1718. On March 11, 1718, in Prince George County, John Poythress, Robert Mumford, and James Thweatt, Gentleman Justices, were recommended to the Governor as persons fit to be Sheriff of the County. On April 9, 1718, at a court held at Merchant's Hope, for Prince George County, for receiving and certifying to the next session of the Assembly for Propositions, Grievances and Public Claims of the said County, present, among others, was John Poythress, Gentleman Justice. John Poythress was listed, among others, present as a Gentleman Justice, of Prince George County, on June 10, 1718; July 8, 1718; August 12, 1718; January 13, 1718/9; and, May 12, 1719. John Poythress was listed among others as present as a Gentleman justice of Prince George County on July 15, 1719, and on September 8, 1719. On September 8, 1719, in Prince George County, Richard Pace, Thomas Kirkland and William Reese made an appraisement of the estate of Phillip Jane, deceased, sworn before John Poythress. Elizabeth Jane was the administratrix. John Poythress was listed among others, present, as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on October 13, 1719, and on November 11, 1719. On November 11, 1719, in Prince George County, John Poythress, Samson Meredith and John Hardyman, among others, were present as Gentlemen Justices. [Note: from here and sporadically forward, John Poythress appeared to co-sign William Hamlin's order to close the court]. John Poythress was listed among others, present, as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on January 12, 1720. On March 8, 1720, in Prince George County, pursuant to the direction of the Act for Appointing Sheriffs, John Poythress, Robert Mumford and John Hardyman, Gentlemen Justices, were recommended to the Honorable Lieutenant Governor as fit and able to execute the office as Sheriff of this County for the next ensuing year. On March 8, 1720, in Prince George County, John Poythress, John Hardyman and Louis Green, Gentlemen, were recommended to the Honorable Lieutenant Governor, as fit and able to execute the office of Coroners of this County. John Poythress was listed among others, present, as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on March 11, 1720. John Poythress was listed among others, present, as a Gentleman justice of Prince George County on June 14, 1720. On June 14, 1720, in Prince George County, John Hardyman, John Poythress and Edward Goodrich were to make oaths as Sheriffs. John Poythress and Edward Goodrich entered bond with John Hardyman for his performance as Sheriff. John Hardyman (1686-1738), son of John Hardyman and Mary Epes, was married to Henrietta Maria Taylor, daughter of John Taylor. Edward Goodrich (1693-1720) was married to Margaret Wynne (1694-1729), daughter of Joshua Wynne and Mary Jones. On June 14, 1720, in Prince George County, John Poythress, Robert Poythress and John Woodlief, having taken the official oaths of allegiance, signed the test, were sworn vestrymen of Westover parish. John Poythress was listed among others, present, as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on August 9, 1720, and on September 13, 1720. John Poythress was both attorney and social acquaintance to Elizabeth Taylor Duke. On September 19, 1720, Colonel William Byrd recorded in his diary that he dined at his home, Westover, with Mrs. Duke and her attorney, Mr. Poythress, along with his "brother and sister Duke," James Duke and his wife, Mary Byrd Duke. John Poythress was listed, among others, present, as a Gentleman Justice of Prince George County on October 31, 1720, and on January 10, 1721. On January 10, 1721, in Prince George County, John Woodlief and John Poythress, among others, were chosen Vestrymen for the parish of Martin's Brandon parish and accordingly appeared in court and took the Oath appointed by law, signed the test, and were sworn Vestrymen of the parish. John Poythress, was a member of the assembly in the House of Burgesses, for 1723 to 1726. The first session of this Assembly was called for December 5, 1722, but was prorogued and did not meet until May 9, 1723. The second and last session met May 12, 1726. He was in attendance at a meeting May 27, 1726, when the House of Burgesses petitioned the King asking retroactive approval for a tax placed upon all imported liquors, except from Great Britain, to fund the operation of William & Mary College; also, asking the King to find additional monies for this purpose "out of your unappropriated and growing Revenue of Quit Rents in this Colony, or any other way that your Majesty shall think more proper." Signatures in the House of Burgesses for Prince George County were Robert Bolling and John Poythress. The full text may be found in the Swem index. Civic Activities On May 8, 1712, in Prince George County, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of John Hardyman, deceased, was valued at £845/12/0 by R. Hall, John Poythress and Edmund Irby and presented by John Hardyman, the administrator. On April 19, 1717, in Prince George County, on the petition of John Hobbs, a surveyor of the highways, it was ordered that Captain John Poythress' tithables, James Bishop, William Hobbes, Peter Poythress and William Poythress assist said Hobbs in clearing the highways. On May 13, 1718, in Prince George County, Mr. Sampson Meredith was ordered to take the list of tithables in Martin's Brandon parish on 10th June next; Captain John Poythress was to do the same in Weyanoke parish on 20th June next; Captain John Hamlin in Westover parish; and, Major Robert Bolling in Bristol parish. On December 9, 1718, in Prince George County, Elizabeth Duke, the relict of Henry Duke, deceased, of this county, appeared and said that her husband had died without a Will. She was appointed administratrix with John Hardyman her security. Mr. John Hatch, Captain Hamlin, Captain John Poythress and Gilbert Hay appraised and inventoried the estate of Captain Henry Duke, in Prince George County, on January 22, 1719. On April 14, 1719, in Prince George County, Henry Batte made oath that Thomas Harwell, deceased, died intestate, and was granted administration of his estate. John Poythress, Robert Poythress, John Fitzgerald and Edward Mitchell were to take inventory. On April 14, 1719, in Prince George County, Joshua Poythress, Robert Poythress, John Fitzgerald and Edward Mitchell, were nominated and appointed to appraise the estate of Thomas Harwell, deceased, and make a report of their proceedings therein to the next court when Henry Batte, the administrator, thereof was ordered to return the inventory. On May 12, 1719, in Prince George County, Mr. Samson Meredith was appointed to take a list of tithables in Martin's Brandon parish on June 10 next; Captain John Poythress was appointed in Weyanoke parish; Mr. John Hardyman was appointed in Westover parish; and, Major Robert Bolling was appointed in Bristol Parish. On June 9, 1719, in Prince George County, John Poythress, John Hatch, William Harrison and Gilbert Hay were ordered to appraise the estate of Randle Pratt, deceased, and make a report of their proceedings to the next court when Henry Holder, as the executor, was to return the inventory. On May 10, 1720, in Prince George County, the assignments of those that were made to take the lists of tithables were John Poythress, Gentleman, in Weyanoke parish, Samson Meredith, Gentleman in Martin's Brandon parish, etc. A 1720 Act of the General Assembly, which took effect on January 1, 1721, united the parts of Westover and Weyanoke on the south side of the James River into Martin's Brandon parish. Also in 1720, Brunswick County, Virginia, was created by an Act of the Virginia Assembly to establish a new county from the southern part of Prince George County. The new Brunswick being deemed insufficient in population to constitute a county, areas of the counties of Surry and Isle of Wight were added to Brunswick in an effort to more equally distribute the titheable individuals. On January 10, 1721, in Prince George County, John Poythress, Edmund Irby, Gilbert Hay and William Harrison were chosen, sworn, etc. to appraise the estate of Edward Goodrich. Margaret Goodrich, the executrix, was to return the inventory. On January, 1725, in Prince George County, Captain John Poythress was to receive by order of the court 1 pound, 12 shillings, 6 pence, from the estate of Edward Goodrich. On August 9, 1726, in Prince George County, John Poythress swore to an account of the goods and chattel of Charles Goodrich. On December 13, 1726, in Prince George County, John Poythress swore to the inventory of chattels of Littlebury Hardyman. On June 10, 1727, in Prince George County, John Poythress swore to the estate inventory of William Jackson. Court Cases March 11, 1718, in Prince George County, in the case of Francis Epes versus John Poythress, the plaintiff failing to prosecute, a non suit was granted the defendant. Property: Personal Property and Land In November, 1708, in Surry County, it was ordered that Sarah, an Indian slave, to John Poythress be added to the list of tithables this present year. In September, 1709, in Surry County, upon the petition of John Poythress, it was ordered that Sarah, his Indian slave, at Nottaway River, be added to Mr. William Cock's list of tithables this present year. On June 22, 1708, John Poythress, took out a patent, for 600 acres, in Prince George County, and found that part of it was in Surry County. It was ordered that the Surry Surveyor lay that part off, etc. On June 8, 1714, in Prince George County, Sarah Daniel, of Westover parish, to John Poythress, Sr., of Weyanoke parish, 50 acres of land bounded on the west by Birchen swamp, on the north by Joseph Daniel, on the east by the said John Poythress and on the south by Thomas Goodwyn. The witnesses were Robert Poythress and Edward Woodlief. On July 15, 1717, John Poythress, of Prince George County, was granted 267 acres of new land, on the south side of the main Blackwater River, in Surry County, on the southwest side of the Indian Swamp, by the side of Beaver Pond Swamp. This land was leased out by Robert Poythress (1690-1743) on March 22, 1733. On July 12, 1725, John Hardyman, of Martin's Brandon parish, in Prince George County, sold to John Poythress, of the same parish and county, 2 acres of land, with a mill, in Prince George County, on Ward's Run bounded by Sarah Wall and John Wilkins. John Hardyman obliged himself to title on the penalty of £80. The witnesses were Joshua Poythress and William Poythress. The court was at Merchant's Hope. Henrietta Maria Hardyman, the wife of John Hardyman, released her dower. John Poythress acquired 919 acres. Robert Poythress leased out 267 acres of this property in 1733. One Indian slave was mentioned in the possession of John Poythress. Adjoining Property On December 16, 1723, Adam Ivy, of Isle of Wight County, sold to Edward Prince, of Prince George County, 130 acres in Martin's Brandon parish, in Prince George County, bounded on the east by Gilbert Hay, on the south by Robert Hobbs and Captain John Poythress, on the west by land lately sold by Mr. Peter Poythress, and on the north by Gilbert Hay. The witnesses, Gilbert Hay, Hugh Ivy and David Dunkesin. Pertinent Information In 1702, Captain Thomas Wynne and his brother, Joshua Wynne, were appointed interpreters to accompany the Nottaway and Meherrin commissioners on their trip north to make peace with the Seneca Indians. In 1703, the Nottoway, Nansemonds, and Meherrin tribes requested that Major Joshua Wynne, and his brother, Thomas Wynne, be appointed Indian interpreters for the tribes. When a Chief of one of these tribes was taken prisoner by the Senecas, the Wynne brothers were asked to accompany the Indians to gain the release of the Chief due to the impasse between the tribes and the Senecas. The Wynnes were able to win the release of their chief and a tribal war was temporarily averted. On January 12, 1705, at Westover, the Will of Colonel William Byrd was examined by Francis Nicholson, Esquire, her majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General, of Virginia, in the presence of the honorable Colonel Henry Duke, one of her majesty's honorable council of Virginia, Captain Littlebury Epps of Charles City County, Henry Duke, Jr., of James City County, Gentleman; and Captain Joshua Wynne, of Prince George County, who said that the original Will appeared to have been written in its entirety in Colonel Byrd's own hand without any blot or interlineation and sealed with his own seal. As Witness On May 1, 1716, in Surry County, Samuel Harwood, Jr., of Weyanoke parish, in Charles City County, to Thomas Cocke, of Southwarke parish, in Surry County, 100 acres, on the south side of the Nottoway River, in Lawnes Creek parish, bounded by a branch of Poplar Swamp (the land being part of 445 acres in Isle of Wight County granted to said Samuel Harwood, Jr., on June 16, 1714). The witnesses were John Cargill and John Poythress. On February 14, 1721, in Prince George County, Adam Ivy returned into court, estate of Elizabeth Ivy, ordered to be recorded. Present were John Hamlin, John Poythress and Robert Bolling. On May 13, 1725, William Coleman sold to John Coleman, 185 acres, on the east side of the great branch of Whipponock Creek, in Prince George County. After 1753, this land was in Dinwiddie County. The witnesses were Robert Bolling, John Poythress and Drury Bolling at a court at Merchant's Hope. Family Estates On April 4, 1719, in Prince George County, John Drayton, one of the orphans of Roger Drayton, deceased, chose Captain John Poythress, as his guardian. In Prince George County, the Will of Elizabeth Ivie, of Weyanoke parish, in Prince George County, dated April 26, 1718, proved March 8, 1719. I give my son, George Ivie, twenty shillings, or the worth of twenty in some commodity, as my executor shall see fit. I give my son, Henry Ivie, a gold ring. I give my son, John Ivie, my bed and what belongs to it. I give my son, Gilbert Ivie, twenty shillings, or the worth of twenty. I give my daughter, Susan Hays, a gold ring. I give my son, Adam Ivie, and his daughter, Elizabeth Ivie, all the remaining part of my household goods, to be equally divided between them as he shall see fit, and I do hereby appoint my son, Adam Ivie, my sole executor to see this my last Will and testament truly fulfilled, as witness my hand and seal this April 26, 1718. Elizabeth Ivie. The witnesses were Elizabeth Foster and Mary Poythress. At a Court held at Merchant's Hope for Prince George County on the second Tuesday, March 8, 1719, the above written last Will and testament of Elizabeth Ivie, deceased., was presented into court by Adam Ivie, her executor, who made oath thereto, and it being proved by the oath of Elizabeth Foster a witness thereto, is by order of the court truly recorded. And on the motion of Adam Ivie and his giving security according to law, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate in due form. Mary Batte Poythress (1670-1760), wife of John Poythress (c. 1676-after 5/1726), was a witness to this will. Elizabeth Ivey (-1720) was the wife of Adam Ivey (c. 1640-c. 1710). On September 4, 1720, in Prince George County, an indenture between John Poythress, Sr., and Mary, his wife, of Prince George County; Henry Ligon and Elizabeth, his wife; Edward Stratton and Ann, his wife, of Henrico County; James Parham and Rachel, his wife, of Isle of Wight County; Abraham Jones and his wife, Sarah, of Prince George County. Whereas Henry Batte, deceased, of Prince George County, by his last Will and Testament bequeathed a certain tract of land, in Bristol parish, in Prince George County, lying on both sides of the Second Swamp, containing 1,200 acres, to be equally divided between his five daughters, Mary, wife of John Poythress, Sr.; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Ligon; Anne, wife of Edward Stratton; Rachel, wife of James Parham; Sarah, wife of Abraham Jones, etc. This was a deed partitioning the land in accordance with the Will mentioned. James Parham and Rachell, their parcel of 240 acres being on the land of Abraham Jones, it being the lower part of said tract. Abraham Jones' and Sarah's parcel of 240 acres being on the land of John Poythress. The partition was acknowledged by John Poythress, Sr., and wife, Henry Ligon and wife, Edward Stratton and wife, and Lewis Green, Jr., attorney of James Parham, Rachel Parham, Abraham Jones and Sarah Jones. The division of land, viz: Mary, the wife of John Poythress, 240 acres; Eliza, the wife of Henry Ligon, 240 acres; Ann, the wife of Edward Stratton, 240 acres; Rachell, the wife of James Parham, 240 acres; and, Sarah, the wife of Abraham Jones, 240 acres. This indenture was signed by all five of Batte's daughters and their husbands, and was witnessed by James Thweatt, James Thweatt, Jr., and William Anderson, at a court at Merchant's Hope, Prince George County, where it was recorded on June 13, 1721. John Poythress, Sr., (1674-after 5/1726) was married to Mary Batte (1669-1760); Henry Ligon was married to Elizabeth Batte; Abraham Jones (1690-) was married to Sarah Batte; Edward Stratton was married to Ann Batte; and, James Parham was married to Rachel Batte. On October 4, 1727, in Prince George County, in a Certificate of Probate for the Will of Henry Batte, the Will named Henry Batte's mother, Mary Batte, and his sister, Mary Poythress. The witness was Robert Poythress. After Mary Poythress' Death On March 8, 1760, in Prince George County, the appraisement of the estate of Mary Poythress, deceased, viz: livestock, furniture, household items (itemized), was appraised at £61/18/7. The appraisers were Anthony Penniston, Peter Epes and Nathaniel Raines. Signed by John Watts, administrator of the estate of Mary Poythress. Sworn before Richard Bland, Jr. Mary Batte Poythress (1664-1760) was the wife of John Poythress (1674-aft. 5/1726).