Robert Poythress and the NDNs

Robert Poythress (1690-1747) son of John Poythress from the will in the last posting,

Robert Poythress appears in the records in 1713 when he was accused of furnishing ammunition to the Indians. (Ex. Council Col. Va. 3-366).

Prince George County, VA, Court Orders 1714-1720. p. 329, 14 Jun 1720. On the motion of Robert Poythres he is Exempt from paying Levy for his Negro woman Sue.

Robert Poythres klled 1 Wolf for 100 lbs Tobacco (1690-1747)

Joshua Poythres killed 4 Wolves for 400 lbs Tobacco (1689-1739)

John Poythres killed 1 Wolf for 100 lbs Tobacco

Prince George County Virginia Court Orders 1714-1720, p 347, 11 Jan 1720.

This same Robert Poythress is cited in several articles ran in the papers for runaway slaves as assisting them or claiming to own them. I’ll scan and post those at another time.

Will for Robert Poythress, Prince George Co, 1743

The original was located in Chesterfield County Dead Papers, 17989, and a photocopy is on file in the VA State Library and Archives.

May 24, 1743

“Robert Poythress of Martins Brandon Parish, Prince George County, in perfect senses and memory.

To my son Robert Poythress and his heirs forever all my lands on which I now live containing 1100 acres and also 291 acres adjoining Butterwood Swamp.

To my son Peter Poythress and his heirs forever my lands containing about 600 acres lying on the Nottoway River and known by the name of Tanotoro and 297 acres lying on Butterwood, which I bought of James Glover.

To my son William Poythress and his heirs forever all my lands lying between Monkoes Neck and Nottoway which I bought of Capt Thomas Bolling and all my lands in Amelia Co. contiguous to William Stone’s land.

To my wife the use of 12 Negros: Harry, Hunt, Tom, Jamey, George, Nilsy, Sarah, Lucy, Nick, Hannah, Matt, Nan, Penelope and the use of 1/3 of my lands during her life or widowhood and 1/4 of my house furniture and stocks to be divided between my wife and theirs respectively. The division to be made by my brother, William Poythress, Col. Richard Bland and Mr. John Gilliam or the survivors.

I give to my son Robert and his heirs 9 negroes: Tom boy, Mingo, Charles, Judy, Bett, Jenny, Sarah, George and Boatswin.

I give to my son Peter and his heirs 9 negroes: Phillis, Seanah, Gambia, Caesar, Pheby, Kate, Pat and Pompey.

If either of my sons dies before he comes of age, the whole estate – real and personal – to be divided equally between the surviving sons or their heirs.

I confirm to my daughter Elizabeth Gilliam all the negroes already given to her.

I give to my grandson Robert Gilliam a negro boy Johnny and a girl about the same age.

I give to my daughter Mary Anna Minge negroes: Abbah, Sawney, Jenny to her and her heirs and thirty pounds current money to be laid out in negroes.

I give to my daughter Agness Harwood 98 pounds, 10 shillings current money which her husband has already received.

I give to my grand-daughter Tabitha Harwood one negro girl Sue.

I give to my daughter Susanna Poythress and to her heirs 5 negroes: Pheby, Jack, Hannibal, Nan and Tom.

I give to my daughter Jane Poythress and her heirs 5 negroes: Phillis, Nan, Titus, Scot and Phillis (sic).

All the remainder of my estate I give and devise to be equally divided between my wife and 3 sons. I appoint my wife and sons Robert and Peter to be my executors”.

Robert Poythress (L.S.)

Witnesses:

Richard Bland

William Batte

William Poythress

Recorded at court held at Fitzgeralds for Prince George County 13 Sept 1743. The widow and executrix Elizabeth Poythress exhibited the will with Robert Poythress qualified as executors. All witness proved the will.