Poythress
Court Records: Prince
George County, Virginia
Wills & Settlement of
Estates 1787 - 1792
Transcription Note:
(Abstracts,
Revision 5 Apr 2001, J.M. Poythress)
Clayton Library, Houston, Texas
12 Sep 2000
Settlement of Estate of Alexander Robertson (p. 13-14,
abstracted)
[note: this is a very complex document with numerous
columns, headings and subheadings]
Sums due to various persons (among others):
Cash to John Poythress
Cash to Joshua Poythress
To Ann Poythress Morison: 545
pounds
12
slaves
several
houses, plantation items
June, 1783 (date written?)
Wit: Joshua Poythress
Richard Bland
Elizabeth
Blair Bland
Will of Elizabeth Poythress (P. 17, abstracted)
Elizabeth Poythress of Prince George County, widow of Peter
Poythress (deceased as well). In
consideration of natural affection for daughter Sally Lee and “to prevent any
dispute which may happen in the construction of my husband’s will respecting
the devise in the said will of Kate’s daughter ‘Fanny’ to my said daughter
Sally Lee”…”which was in said will devised to me…”, I give my
said daughter Sally Lee the said Negro Fanny and her children
Becky, Betty and Kate and their increase…”.
“….my hand and seal the ___ day of ____,
1787.
Signed: Elizabeth Poythress (signed with a waxer)
Wit: John Batte, Tabitha Randolph, William Bingham
At court held this date for Prince George County this
foregoing deed from Elizabeth Poythress to her daughter Sally Lee was proved by
the oaths of John Batte and William Bingham……by order of the court duly
recorded.
Teste: C. S. Russell
Dear Sir:
Since writing to you yesterday it has ocurred to me that
Tuesday next is Prince George Court day and being too unwell to give my
attendence at that time imagine it may be necessary for Mrs. Poythress’ will to
be proved and I shall be much obliged to you to inform Miss Susanna Poythress
that I hope she will save me from acting as an Excr being well satisfied from
my state of health added to the great distance I am from the Estate I shall be
found a very improper person to discharge that trust. As you mentioned to me yesterday that I was the only surviving
heir named in the will it may be necessary that the court should be informed of
my resignation which may be done with this letter.
Miss Poythress, being of lawful age can become an
Administrix with the will as needed or get some friend that she can confide in
to Administer, which will be as effectual as if the Executor named in the will
had qualified. I am with every
sentiment of respect,
Your Mo Ob
Sev,
Nicholas Faulcon
P. S Pray give Miss Poythress Monday morng 1st Feb 1788
this letter tomorrow as I expect
she will want her mother’s Will
Proved on Tuesday.
At a Court held for Prince George County at the Court House
on Friday the
12th day of February 1788 – the foregoing
relinquishment of Nick Faulcon’s
Right of Executorship in the Will of Mary Poythress dced was
presented into court by Susanna
Poythress and being proved by William Poythress the same is by Order of the
Court truly (sic) Recorded.
Teste ---
C.
A. Russell
Clk.
Will of Mary Poythress of Martin’s Brandon Parish, County of
Prince George (abstracted).
To Wilmuth Harrison (daughter) as token of affection for her
a plain gold ring and a pair of gold sleeve buttons.
To my Daughter Susanna Poythress all the residue of and
every species of
Property, etc. that I may die possessed of….home, cattle,
sheep….my portion of my (devisement?) from Peter Poythress’ legacy by his will.
Constitute and appoint my friends Nicholas Faulcon (?),
Peter Poythress and Joshua Poythress to be executors.
Signed: Mary (X)
Poythress
Wit: Dorothy Reed, Colin Cocke, Barbary J. Norton, Jos.
[Joshua]
Poythress, Susanna
Cocke.
At a Court held for Prince George County at the Court House
on Friday the 12th day of February 1788 – the foregoing will was
presented into Court by Susanna Poythress and being proved by the Oaths of
Colin Cocke and Susanna Cocke two of the Witnesses thereto, the same is by
Order of Court truly (sic) recorded – at the same time Susanna Poythress gave
Bond and Security for the faithfull administering on the Estate of Mary
Poythress upon which certificate is granted her for obtaining Letters of
Administration with the said Will annexed.
Teste
–
C. A. Russell,
Clk.
Will Proved (p. 403)
Will of John Morison, dated 19 Apr 1785, proved 10 Aug 1790
Wife: Ann Poythress Morison, whole estate. Makes reference that wife now with
child. To brother Alexander Morison,
Plantation in Brunswick County and Warren County, North Carolina. To five sisters (not named). Brother: Theodorick Morison. Mentions land bought by his father of
Ravenscroft. Wife, Anne, and her father Richard Bland, Esq., with brother David
Morison, named as executors. Will
proved by the oaths of Edmund Ruffin,
George Ruffin and John Batte, the witnesses thereto.
(abstract above courtesy of Carol A. Morrison)
Articles of Agreement (p. 416)
Between William Poythress and Thomas Harris..
William Poythress has claimed an interest in a tract of land
where said Thomas Harris lives and the said William Poythress and Thomas Harris
being willing to settle the affair and affix the right
title…
John Harris gives William Poythress title to a house sold by
William Poythress to Robert Birchett.
House and land had been willed to William Poythress by Peter Poythress
that was sold unto Walter Munnery and Nathanial Tatum.
Signed: William
Poythress
Wit: Edward Marks, Nathaniel Mackay, Boswell Becking
Gentlemen: As I conceive it more consistent with my
interests to renounce the will of my deceased husband and to claim the benefit
of my dower in his estate I beg leave to notify you of this my desire and
humbly hope that your worships in your judicial capacity at our next court will
make such order as you in your wisdom shall seem consistent with Law and my
interest. I am with due respect your
worshipful most obedient servant.
Ann
P. [Poythress] Morison
Witness
William Poythress junr
Geo Ruffin
This letter of renunciation of Ann P. Morison to any
interest in her dced husband’s will was presented into Court and proved by the
Oaths of William Poythress junr and George Ruffin the witnesses through and by
order of the Court is truly (sic) recorded.
Teste
Peter Williams clk
Edwards Island and Edmund Shores
Re Deed of
William Poythress and his wife Mary in the conveyance of 400
acres
to
William Samuel Peachey.
This document is conventional order of the court to
executors to examine
Mary Poythress apart from her husband William to ascertain
that she is indeed releasing her dower rights for the sale of this property
(inasmuch as
“said Mary cannot travel to the county court”).
Court finds that release of dower was properly obtained and
court certifies the right to sell this property. (Teste: Peter Williams)
(p. 579)
Commonwealth of Virginia
to
Peter Epes and Pleasant Cocke
Whereas, William Poythress, son of Peter Poythress dced
to
Christopher McConnice
Land and house in Blandford Town of Petersburg
(William Poythress, by death of his father (Peter) to whom
he is heir-at-law, the above (Epes and Cocke) are instructed to determine if
Elizabeth Poythress, wife of Peter, surrenders dower rights.