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Hi everyone, I am Steve Poythress. I have recently read the Poythress mailing list archives (http://www.poythress.net), and through chasing links found this forum.
I have traced my paternal line through Elmo, Horace, and James R. Poythress (b. 1795); on my maternal side is a lot of the Turner family. I think I have gone as far with my internet research will allow and want to know more. My father knows *nothing* of our family history nor has the desire, so he has no clue other than a mention years ago of a strong rumor of Native American blood and that his father grew up in Richmond VA. I have never met or known any Poythress’s beyond my father, so I’ve decided I’m on my own to rediscover the truth.
How did the Poythress name get introduced into the Saponi community? My imagination tells me that one of the ‘blue blood’ Poythress’s must have taken a wife (or more!) in the early 1700s leading eventually to the birth of James R. in the late 1700s – again my speculation. What happened at Ft Christanna? Whatever it was, the Poythress’s were in the middle of everything there.
I will take the time soon to read the forum archives here, but wanted to ask if anyone here might know of any Poythress’s (living in Northhampton Co NC) or Turner’s (living in Greenville Co VA) that would be willing to share family history/lore please PM me so I can pass along my contact info – I would be grateful. I’m also willing to drive out, so reunions etc would also not be out of the question.
Mr. P. 🙂
Welcome, Mr. P.,
Sorry for the slow response but I was laid up for a few weeks and then had some threads to catch up.
Please look up in the banner and click on the ‘search’ button on the upper right. Search on poythress and scroll the results down to the message “Cannon Family of LaCrosse Va” by Spirit. There are other threads there that will also be of interest.
Bill
Steve
This is Crystal. I sent you a PM so make sure you check your mailbox on the forum.
Regarding the Poythress name with Indian blood. There are many theories but the strongest seems to be Peter Poythress. However, as you know, John Wall was a major player in movement of the Saponi to Fort Christanna and according to most reliable researchers, including those Poythress researchers on their site, all conclude that they believe John Wall married Ann Poythress, niece of Peter Poythress, the trader and interpretor. Then there is the connection between the Peters, Poythress and the Turners. Some of the land deeds filed for movement of the Saponi make reference to Joseph Turner’s path, showing that he was in Brunswick Co prior to the collapse of Fort Christanna and prior to the county opening for settlement. These land deeds date bet. 1717-1720.
There is much to discuss regarding the options. I don’t believe that alot of the “Blue Blood Poythress” line is “blue blood”. There was a description of a Poythress gent in the Colonial Papers, describing him as being red in complexion and being charged for stealing horses. My mystery man is Hardyman Poythress. He married Elizabeth Golder in Prince Geo Co , VA in 1800. Prior to his marriage, he is living in Northampton Co NC as an FPC and his will is ordered into court in 1812 (if I remember correctly) in Prince George Co. Supposedly, the Poythress group of Northampton stem from Odam and Hardyman Poythress. After Hardyman’s death, his wife Betsy is still in Northampton with several children. 20 years pass and behold, there is my James Poythress listed as FPC and hence, the rest of the line. If there is no connection between the two Poythress groups of Prince and Northampton, why is this gent being named after the Eppes and Hardyman family PLUS movement back and forth to the home town of Joshua Poythress and Flowerdew Hundred?
Too many if’s going on with this line and the fact that Prince George Co courthouse burned. Too many answers unknown and speculation has to take hold. I would be very interested in seeing what Turners you have in your line as well as what other names you have. Also, in Greensville Co, do you have any land deeds for your family? I am curious to know who their neighbors were and if they were in the Fountain’s Creek area.
Talk soon
Crystal
Information I have turned up on James R. Poythress (aka James R. Portis):
He was born about 1795-1796, mother’s first name was Julie. He married Sarah Crowder (aka Sallie) 1-13-1827 in North Hampton County, NC. He appears in North Hampton County 1830 census as free-person-of-color. He died in North Hampton County, NC, although I do not have a year of death or certain knowledge he was buried in the area (but I am betting it is safe to assume so).
I have no clue as to his father’s identity, and inference suggests it is real possibility that his mother’s maiden name was actually Poythress – if this were to be true then he received his last name from his unmarried mother, making him an illegitimate child – but this is total conjecture on my part, just a theory that might support the missing facts. But I have not done as much digging as others here so I am sure there is more info to uncover.
Other than that it has been supposed that James R. is somehow decended from Peter Poythress (indian trader) but this is again someone’s wild guess.
Mr. P. 🙂
Steve,
So, you are mine. 🙂
My guess is that the father of James R is Hardyman Poythress. If you look at the 1820 census, Betsy (Elizabeth Golder Poythress) is living with 2/3 boys. I can’t remember which right now. Betsy and Hardyman marry in Prince Geo Co VA and Hardyman’s will is ordered by the PGC Court in 1812. I believe he dies in service during the war of 1812. I found his military record and within a year, his will is ordered. 1830 you will see James and John Poythress. I don’t think that Julie was his mother as I can’t find anything other than Julia living with Celie Poythress and nothing else of her. I don’t take too much to what they dictated in records. Good lord, they have so many records messed up in Northampton that you can’t tell one from the other.
For example, Mamie Poythress is listed as Ozini and Eteriah Turner is listed as Zederiah.
What is so interesting with Hardyman Poythress is his connection to Prince Geo Co. In VA, he’s listed as white but in NC, FPC.
How do you descend from James? I am through Lovel Poythress and Amanda Turner. You have alot of family that is ready to meet you. There are quite a few of us researching this Portuguese Settlement.
Talk soon
Crystal
You mentioned Elmo, are you referring to Uncle Jack?
Elmo is my great-grandfather:
7. James R.
6. Lovel
5. Horace Frederick
4. Frederick Elmo (Jack)
3. Charles Fredrick
2. Gary Fredrick
1. Me 😀
I have a footnote here that Elmo (Jack) was a carpenter – I believe that I got this straight from Granny (Bertha Lee Forbes) – have you heard this as well?
Hardyman… I wondered about Odom myself, but then gave up on both as there is not enough evidence to even suggest a tie-in, but sounds like you might be on a solid lead there.
I’ve been meaning to call Sister, just have not made time to do so… I have talked with my own sister (Penny Poythress) and we want to make a trip back east around late spring ’06 to learn more about our roots. My father and I are in north Texas now (we work together in fact), my sister is still living on the west coast (Sacramento area).
Mr. P. 🙂
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