Rebecca Poythress and Richard Pace

 For those truly interested in whether Rebecca Poythress married Richard Pace, please start with "Rebecca Poythress and Richard Pace: Was there a Marriage?"

After reading it, read "Land Patents, Family, Friends and Neighbors Prove Relationships, Part I through Part IV."

If this is too much reading, read the deed from Rebecca Bartholomew to her daughter, Rebecca Poythress, in Part I and then the "Conclusion and Final Thoughts" in Part IV. 

This study has been a long time in the making. However, it provides new material for the descendants of Richard and Rebecca Pace. If facts are wanted, facts are provided.

If Rebecca Pace was not Rebecca Poythress, then the two knew each other very well. The facts are presented. It is up to you to read the study and provide yourself with the answers.

Once you are armed with the facts, antagonists of the marriage will have no rebuttal. And, the multiple Great Grandmother Rebecca will be known to her descendants. She had ten children that grew up to be adults. She lived a long life for that period, somewhere between 58 and 65 years. Her husband gave her a great life combined with adventure while living among or close to her many family and friends. Her mother provided her with a safety net to ensure that she had a good future in the world. She had a nice place to live surrounded by new country, horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. She was able to ride her horses and travel by a buckboard carriage to visit her children and grandchildren who lived nearby. Her older children were around to assist her when her husband was on his many business trips between the trading posts and friendly Indians accompanied by his friends, many of whom were Indian traders, family and neighbors. Rebecca and her family lived well as is evident by her husband's will. Rebecca's life was anything but boring and she shared her life with a husband who loved her dearly.

Rebecca Poythress and Richard Pace: Was there a Marriage?

For over 50 years, there have been many researchers and descendants of Rebecca Poythress and Richard Pace who believed that a marriage did take place between these two. David Avent and Bruce Howard categorically denied that any event ever occurred. Avent and Howard based their decisions on a 1711 deed between 51 year old Rebecca Coggin Poythress Bartholomew and her daughter, Rebecca Poythress, who was 31 years old and on a 1721 deed of sale by Rebecca Poythress' half-sister, Anne Bartholomew Green, to Robert Hunnicutt, when Rebecca was 41 years old.

Based upon Avent's and Howard's statements, Rebecca Poythress, a daughter from a prominent Virginia family, never married.

Additionally, there are many genealogy sites that perpetuate misinformation regarding Rebecca and her half-sister, Anne, and the Poythress and Pace families. While this may mislead researchers and descendants, it is a big business. There is very little one can do to correct all of the misinformation. 

First and foremost, the following chart presents the maternal side of Rebecca Poythress' family as accurately as can be accomplished based upon extant records and deductive reasoning.

It is imperative that one understand who the major players were in Rebecca Poythress' life and in Richard and Rebecca Pace's lives. Families tended to live nearby and neighbors married neighbors in the late 17th and early 18th century. Many husbands and wives knew each other for years bnefore they married.

John Pace, Richard's brother, was an Indian trader as were several of Rebecca Poythress' family members. Some of Rebecca's family members were paid Indian interpreters and messengers or agents for the Virginia colony. Richard Pace was either an Indian trader or heavily involved in the trade business. He continued to move to the "frontier" as soon as the governing powers allowed. He was also a land speculator as were many of the Poythress men. He never identified himself as a "planter" or "farmer."

The following posts, I thru IV, are an in-depth study to identify Richard Pace's wife. Though Avent and Howard strongly denied a wedding between Richard Pace and Rebecca Poythress, this study may offer a rebuttal.

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Land Patents, Family, Friends and Neighbors Prove Relationships, Part I

Introduction to Rebecca Poythress

    This study has been conducted to determine who Rebecca Poythress was, who she married, who her children were and where she lived during her lifetime. Rebecca was born about 1679(1) in Charles City Co., Va., to Major Francis Poythress and Rebecca Coggin.(2) The only records as to her existence were deeds of gift from her mother, Rebecca, on September 10, 1711, to her(3) and her half-sister,(4) Anne Bartholomew, and her half-sister’s deed of lease and sale on December 11 and 12, 1721.(5) Her father was the son of Captain Francis Poythress and Mary Sloman.(6) Her father owned a large plantation on the south side of and close to the James River in the area east of Bailey’s creek.(7) This is where Rebecca Poythress was probably born. She had three brothers, Francis, Thomas and John Poythress who grew up in the area along “Deep Bottom.”(8) Her mother was the daughter of Dr. John Coggin and Mrs. Joyce [------] Cheney Tye.(9) They lived on a large plantation approximately three miles south of the James River about halfway between Bailey’s creek and Powell’s creek.(10) 

    Rebecca Poythress’ father died when she was about nine years old.(11) Her mother married again five years later to brother-in-law, Charles Bartholomew, who was a widower.(12) Charles had been married to Frances Tye, half-sister of Rebecca Coggin.(13) Rebecca Poythress’ half-sister, Anne Bartholomew, was a child of Rebecca Coggin’s second marriage.(14)  

    Rebecca Coggin never knew her father-in-law,(15) Captain Francis Poythress, and was only fourteen years old when Major Francis Poythress’ step-father, Robert Wynne, died.(16) She did know Major Poythress’ brothers, Thomas and Captain John Poythress, and his half-siblings, Mary Wynne Woodlief, Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne.(17) In addition to her half-sister, Frances Tye Bartholomew, Rebecca had a half-brother, Thomas Boyce,(18) a half-sister, Elizabeth Tye Jane Wicket,(19) a step-brother, John Bartholomew, a possible niece, Bethia Boyce Scott,(20) nephews, Philip Jane and John Bartholomew, and grand nephews, Christopher Jane and John and Charles Bartholomew.(21) Her daughter, Rebecca Poythress, grew up among her Jane, Bartholomew, Wynne and Poythress relatives. Rebecca Coggin and Joshua Wynne had been playmates as children.(22)

Extant Evidence from Burned Record Counties of Virginia

    To determine who Rebecca was, this study will examine all pertinent evidence, direct and indirect, to determine if the identity of Rebecca Poythress’ husband and her children can be established. Her marriage has been the subject of research and speculation in a number of studies although none of these prior studies have correlated the nature of allied family relationships, property location and ownership patterns, connections to the affairs of siblings, business interests, naming of issue, inheritance and family migrations. This will be done as thoroughly as is possible based upon extant records. 

    Benedict Arnold’s destructive actions during the American Revolution and the destructive actions of the Union army during the Civil War destroyed many of Virginia’s records. Additionally, incompetent and irresponsible courthouse clerks, storms and fires have destroyed many more records in Virginia. As a result, one has to analyze the significance of every word in every record and utilize deductive logic to interpret what these records represent.

    There are very few birth, marriage or death records from colonial times in Virginia. There are only a few tombstones in Virginia graveyards that can be transcribed due to the effects of time and weather. Maps to plot places and tracts of land mentioned in the existent records require identifying particular terrain or water features in the old deeds or abstracts. However, there is no consistency. Different abstracts of the same records may contain different data, mistakes, or confusing information.

Previous Research and Studies

    There has been a family tradition that Rebecca Poythress married Richard Pace, Jr. Some researchers believed that the land transactions between Francis Poythress, Rebecca’s brother, and Richard Pace in November of 1718 supported the case that Rebecca Poythress became the wife of Richard Pace (Jr.).(23) However, this Richard Pace was actually the nephew of Richard Pace (Jr.).(24)

    On the opposing side, some believed that Rebecca Bartholomew, in her deed of gift in September of 1711, addressing her daughter as “Rebecca Poythress” indicated that her daughter was not married.(25) In 1711, Richard Pace was already married to a woman named Rebecca and had children.(26) Additionally, Anne Green named her sister as “Rebecca Poythress,” not “Rebecca Pace,” in her sale of her gifted property in December of 1721.(27) The use of Rebecca Poythress’ maiden name in both documents vice her married name has caused doubt and disbelief.(28)

    The following deeds of gift were from Rebecca Bartholomew to her daughters, Anne Bartholomew and Rebecca Poythress, and are given in their entirety for the first time - ever - to clear any misconceptions caused by the abstracts.

    Know all men by these presents that we Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew of Prince George County in Virginia for & in consideration of the natural love & affection we bear to our daughter Anne Bartholomew of the same county as also for the bettering & advancing her fortune in the world, do give grant Enfeoff & confirm & by these presents have given granted enfeoffed & confirmed unto the said Anne Bartholomew her heirs and assigns forever, after our decease & the decease of the survivor of us, & not til Then, two hundred acres of land lying & being on both sides the Easterly run within the said county of Pr. George & parish of Westover, being the remaining part of one thousand acres of land granted to the said Rebecca in the time of her widowhood, as by an escheat Patent bearing date the 29th of April Ao. 1692 will Appear, the moiety whereof is at present belonging to Col. Littlebury Epes and three hundred acres more Whereof is given & granted by us, to Rebecca Poythress as per deed of gift to her for the same bearing even date with these presents may appear. The said two hundred acres of land hereby given and granted to the said Anne having for the bounds thereof on the side next the said Rebecca three hundred acres, the bounds & courses thereof where they join together & on the other sides the courses of the Patent & deeds of sale from Batts to Ardington together with all houses, edifices, plantations, orchards, gardens, woods, water pastures, feedings, & all profits privileges & advantages thereunto belonging, to have & to hold the said dividend & piece of land containing by estimation two hundred acres be the same more or less, within the bounds before mentioned unto the said Anne Bartholomew her heirs & assigns forever, from and after the death of us the said Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew & the survivor of us, together with all houses edifices, plantations, & all other the before mentioned privileges, peaceably & quietly to have hold use occupy possess & enjoy to her, & their own proper use & behoof forever, without any let hindrance of us or either of us & the said Anne Bartholomew her heirs & assigns shall & may by force & virtue of these presents have hold use occupy possess & enjoy the lands & premises here given & granted free & clear from any debts duties and incumbrances her Majesties Quit rents only excepted for as full & ample manner to all intents & purposes as the said Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca his wife or either of them or their heirs might or could enjoy the same. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this tenth day of September Ao. 1711. Charles Bartholomew (seal). Rebecca (x) Bartholomew (seal). Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us John Woodlief, Rich’d. Walpole, John Denton.                                                                                                          Pr. Geo. County Court Tuesday the 13th day of Sept. Ao. 1711. The above written deed was  acknowledged in open court by both the subscribers to be their acts & deeds to the therein named Anne Bartholomew & her heirs forever, & at her prayer the same was ordered to be recorded & it is truly recorded. Test. E. Goodrich.(29)

    If Avent and Howard had seen the original deed to Anne Bartholomew, not an abstract, they would have seen “enjoy to her, & their own proper use.” Mrs. Anne Green was addressed as Anne Bartholomew, her maiden name.

    Know all men by these presents that we Charles Bartholomew and Rebecca Bartholomew of Pr. George County in Virginia for & in consideration of the natural love and affection we bear to our daughter Rebecca Poythress of the same county as also for & towards the bettering & advancing her fortune in the world, do Give grant enfeoff & confirm & by these presents have given granted enfeoffed & confirmed unto the said Rebecca Poythress her heirs & assigns forever, three hundred acres of land situate lying & being on both sides of the Easterly Run within the said county of Pr. George & parish of Westover, being part of one thousand acres of land granted to the said Rebecca in the time of her widowhood the moiety whereof is at present belonging to Col. Littlebury Epes, & the three hundred acres of land by these presents mentioned to be given & granted to the said Rebecca next adjoining to the said Epes his land being bounded on the lower side by his said land & on the inner most sides by the lines of the Patent & so running along the said lines til it comes to the road or path that goes from Jordans to Blackwater & so along that path to the Easterly run & from that run such a course to the headline or outermost part of the whole tract as will make up the full quantity of three hundred acres land to have & to hold the said three hundred acres land hereby given & granted unto the said Rebecca Poythress her heirs & assigns forever, with all houses edifices, gardens, orchards, plantations & all other profits privileges & advantages thereunto belonging or appertaining peaceably & quietly without any let or hindrance of us or either of us or any persons claiming by from or under us of either of us free & clear of and from all & all manner of encumbrances rents or arrearages of rents, her Majesties Quit rents for the same & two years rent of the plantation on which Geo. Reives now liveth (only excepted) which said two years rent is to be paid by the said Rebecca Poythress to the said Charles Bartholomew the next ensuing years & the said Rebecca Poythress her heirs assigns shall & may by force & virtue of these presents have hold use occupy possess & enjoy the lands & premises hereby given & granted in as full & ample manner to all intents & purposes as we the said Charles Bartholomew or Rebecca Bartholomew one or either of them might or could enjoy the same. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this 10th day Sept. 1711. Charles Bartholomew (seal). Rebecca (x)  Bartholomew (seal). Signed sealed delivered in the presence of John Woodlief, Rich’d. Walpoole, John Denton.                                                                                                                                                                                                Pr. George County Court the 13th day of Sept. 1711. The next before written deed was acknowledged in open court by both the subscribers to be their act & deed to the therein named Rebecca Poythress & her heirs forever, & at her prayer the same is ordered to be recorded & it is truly here recorded. Test, E. Goodrich.(30)

    The following lease and deed of sale were from Burrell & Anne Green and Francis Poythress to Robert Hunnicutt. The deed of lease is given in its entirety.

    This Indenture made this eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred twenty one between Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress of the County of Surry of the one part and Robert Hunnicutt of the County of Prince George shoemaker of the other part witnesseth that the said Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings current money to them in hand paid by the said Robert Hunnicutt whereof they do hereby acknowledge the receipt, have bargained and sold and do by these presents bargain and sell unto the said Robert Hunnicutt his executors and administrators, one tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres, more or less, situate lying and being In the County of Prince George on both sides the Easterly Run, the same being part of a Patent for one thousand acres of land, granted unto Rebecca Poythress by an escheat Patent bearing the date the twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety two, the moiety or one half of which land is in the possession of Littlebury Epes, and three hundred acres more of the said land was given to Rebecca Poythress the daughter of the aforesaid Rebecca the Patentee the other two hundred acres, the residue thereof, was given to the aforesaid Anne having for the bounds thereof the side next to the said Rebecca’s three hundred acres where they join together, and on the other sides, the courses of the said Patent and deed of sale from Batts to Ardington. To have and to hold the said land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said Robert Hunnicutt his executors and administrators from the day next before the date hereof, unto the end and term and for and during the term of one year, from thence next ensuing to the intent that by virtue thereof, and of the Statute for the transferring uses into possession, the said Robert Hunnicutt may be in the actual possession of the said land & premises and be enabled to take and accept of a grant & release of the reversion and inheritance of the same land & premises to him and his heirs to the use of him his heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals the day and year above written. Burrell Green (seal), Anne Green (seal), Francis Poythress (seal). Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Joseph Simmons, Abraham Odium, James Jones.                                                                                                                            At a Court held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County on the second Tuesday in December being the twelfth day of the said month, Anno Domini 1721. The above written deed of lease of land (indented and sealed) was in open court acknowledged by Burrell Green and Ann his wife and Francis Poythress the subscribers thereto, to be their act and deed to Robert Hunnicutt named therein, on whose motion the same by order of the court is truly recorded. Test. Wm. Hamlin Clerk of court.(31)

    This Indenture made this twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred twenty one between Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress of the County of Surry of the first part to Robert Hunnicutt of the County of Prince George shoemaker of the other part witnesseth that the said Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress by indenture bearing the date hereof, and for the consideration therein expressed, have bargained and sold to the said Robert Hunnicutt his executors and administrators, one tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres, more or less, situate, lying and being in the county of Prince George, on both sides the Easterly Run, the same being part of a Patent for one thousand acres of land, granted unto Rebecca Poythress by an escheat Patent bearing the twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand, six hundred, ninety two, the moiety or one half of which land is in the possession of Littlebury Epes and three hundred acres more of the said land, was given to Rebecca Poythress, the daughter of the aforesaid Rebecca the Patentee, the other two hundred acres, the residue thereof, was hereby given unto the aforesaid Anne, and is bounded as in the said Indenture is mentioned to have and to hold the said land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said Robert Hunnicutt his executors and administrators, from the day next before the date of this indenture, unto the end and term of one year from thence next follows and fully to be completed by virtue thereof, and of the Statute for transferring uses into possession the said Robert Hunnicutt might be in the actual possession of the said land & premises and be enabled to accept of and take a grant and release of the reversion and inheritance thereof to him and his heirs, to the use of him his heirs and assigns forever as by ye said executed indenture of lease more at large appeareth. Now this indenture witnesseth that the said Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress for and in consideration of the sum of twenty one pounds, ten shillings to them in hand paid by the said Robert Hunnicutt, whereof they do acknowledge the receipt, have granted, remised, released and confirmed and do hereby give grant, remise, release and confirm unto the said Robert Hunnicutt in his actual possession now being by virtue of the said recited indenture of bargain & sale made to him of a year and of the said Statute and to his heirs and assigns forever, the aforesaid land and premises with the appurtenances, and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of the said Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress in and to the same and every part thereof, and the reversion and remainder and remainders thereof and of every part thereof. To have & to hold the said land & premises with the appurtenances unto the said Robert Hunnicutt his heirs and assigns forever, to the only use and behoof of the said Robert Hunnicutt and his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Burrell Green and Anne his wife and Francis Poythress for themselves, their heirs executors and administrators do covenant and agree with the said Robert Hunnicutt his heirs executors and administrators, that they and every of them, the before hereby granted land and premises and every part thereof with the appurtenances will warrant and forever defend against any persons whatsoever. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals, the day and year above written. Burrell Green (seal), Anne Green (seal), Francis Poythress (seal). Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Joseph Simmons, Abraham Odium, James Jones.(32)

    The witnesses for Anne Green’s deed to Robert Hunnicutt in Surry Co. in December, 1721, were neighbors of her grandfather John Coggin’s farm. Joseph Simmons was the son of Thomas Simmons and executor of his father’s will in Surry Co. dated 17 February 1725/6 and probated 18 April 1733. Joseph inherited property on Powell’s creek below his brother, Thomas. He was one of the witnesses. Margaret Goodrich, executrix of Edward Goodrich, leased 100 acres to Abraham Goodrich, February, 1721/2. The land was adjacent to Philip Jane, the late Edward Hill and Richard Pace, the nephew of Richard and Rebecca Pace. Abraham Goodrich witnessed the deed less than two months before he leased the land from Anne’s step-cousin, Margaret Wynne Goodrich. Neighbor, Philip Jane, was Anne’s first cousin. James Jones, the son of James Jones, a cooper, was born about 1666 in Charles City Co. He was probably one of the witnesses and was about 55 years old. His father’s land was near Captain David Peebles, Robert Jones, Piney swamp, old Town Bridge and on the line of Richard Tye.(33)

    Eight publications have been examined regarding the possibility that Richard Pace, Jr., married Rebecca Poythress. Dr. Claiborne T. Smith, Jr. (1968), wrote that “Circumstantial evidence is strong that she (Rebecca Poythress) married Richard Pace, d. 1738, and removed with him to N. C....According to family tradition, this Richard Pace m. a Rebecca Poythress.”(34) R. Bolling Batte (1977) wrote that Rebecca Poythress, daughter of Francis Poythress and Rebecca Coggin, married Richard Pace. Flora B. Dotson (1987) wrote that “John Jane...was the uncle of Rebecca Poythress, who married Richard Pace...” Frieda Reid Turner’s compilations (1993) reported that “In 1697/8, Richard (Pace) III married Rebecca Poythress...” Phillis Lindenmeyer (1995) wrote that Richard Pace/Rebecca Poythress had ten children: three sons, Richard, Thomas and William; and, seven daughters, Ann, Rebecca, Amy, Frances, Tabitha, Mary and Sarah. Dorothy Ford Wulfeck (2009) wrote that “Poythress, Rebecca m. Richard Pace.” For over fifty years, there have been many proponents for this marriage.

    Two published studies have interpreted that the names shown on deeds were proof that while Richard Pace, Jr., married a woman named Rebecca that she could not have been Rebecca Poythress.(35) David Avent (1982) wrote: “If the 300 acres described had belonged to Rebecca, wife of Richard Pace, it would have belonged to Richard Pace, in right of his wife, and he would have been cited as the owner of the 300 acres, not Rebecca Poythress.” Bruce Howard (1998) wrote: “It should be clear to you at this point (re: the 1711 deed) that Rebecca the daughter of Major Francis & Rebecca Poythress, now the step-daughter of Charles Bartholomew, her uncle, was a single young woman.” For over forty years, there have been opponents of this marriage.

    Mr. Avent and Mr. Bruce did not posit alternative candidates - just that it could not have been Rebecca Poythress. No other surname, other than Poythress, has ever been advanced in prior studies.

    Mrs. Rebecca Poythress Bartholomew identified her daughter as Rebecca Poythress in her deed of gift. Rebecca was her daughter from her marriage to Major Francis Poythress (c. 1639-1688) and would have had the maiden name of Poythress. It is documented that Richard Pace and his wife, Rebecca, were married and had children prior to 1711.(36) According to both researchers, Rebecca Poythress would have been addressed as Rebecca Pace if, in fact, Rebecca Poythress was married to Richard Pace. This interpretation posits that the use of her maiden name precludes the possibility of her being married to Richard Pace, Jr. By that interpretation, it also precludes the possibility that she ever married. Neither study explores reasons, other than having been unmarried, that Rebecca’s mother would have used her daughter’s maiden name.

    There is no documentary record of her mother’s reasons for using Rebecca’s maiden name but it is plausible that her mother, Rebecca Bartholomew, may have wanted to make it clear that her daughter was issue from her first marriage to Major Francis Poythress. We know the land being transferred was acquired by escheat and granted to her prior to her marriage to Charles Bartholomew.(37)

Poythress and Pace Family Backgrounds

    Rebecca Poythress’ grandfather, Captain Francis Poythress, arrived in the Virginia colony from England by 1633.(38) He was a Burgess for Charles City Co. in 1644, 1645 and 1647 and was a Lieutenant in the militia in the Indian war of 1644 and Captain by 1647. In 1648, he was appointed to collect taxes in the new county of Northumberland that extended from the York and Rappahannock rivers to the Potomac river. He represented Northumberland Co. in the Virginia Assembly of 1648. He amassed 750 acres along and between Bailey’s creek eastward toward Jordan’s Journey on the south side of the James river.(39)

    Richard Pace (Jr.) was the great grandson of Richard Pace, an ancient planter,(40) and emigrant to Jamestown prior to “the coming away of Sir Thomas Dale” in 1616. Richard’s ancestor held a patent for land that was called Pace’s Paines across the James river from Jamestown.(41) On March 22, 1621/2, Chief Opechancanough, head of the Powhattan Indians, executed his planned offensive against the English settlements.(42) During the previous night, Richard Pace learned about the impending attack from a Virginia Indian that lived with him. Pace rowed a boat three miles across the James river to Jamestown and informed Governor Sir Francis Wyatt of the coming attack. Warnings were sent out from Jamestown to alert the plantations. His warning saved hundreds of lives.(43) 

    Richard Pace’s son, George Pace, married Sarah Maycock, the daughter of Reverend Samuel Maycock. Samuel arrived in Virginia by March 10, 1617/8, after Governor Samuel Argall wrote the Virginia Company requesting Mr. Maycock, a Cambridge scholar and minister, be sent to the 

Colony.(44)

    In 1619, Governor Sir George Yeardley added Master Samuel Maycock to his Virginia Council. Samuel Maycock was killed in the March 1621/2 massacre. His daughter and son-in-law came into possession of hundreds of acres of land that eventually passed to his grandson, Richard Pace, Sr.(45) The land was bordered by the James river on the north and Powell’s creek on the west.

    After Samuel Maycock’s death, his daughter, Sarah, was raised in Captain Roger Smith and his wife, Jane Pierce’s household with Jane’s daughter, Elizabeth Rolfe, from Jane Pierce’s previous marriage to John Rolfe.(46) Sarah Maycock and Elizabeth Rolfe were approximately the same age. George Pace and his mother, Isabella Smyth Pace Perry, divided their time between Jamestown island, Pace’s Paines and later Buckland. Isabel’s second husband, William Perry, was a member of the Burgess from 1628 to 1630 and 1632 when he was named to the Governor’s Council and served until his death in 1637.(47)

    Captain Francis Poythress was the progenitor of the Poythress family in Virginia. From Major Francis Poythress and his brother, John, descended all of the known Poythress family members in Virginia from the colonial period until the Civil War. Captain Francis Poythress died about 1650 and his children were raised to maturity by a step-father, Colonel Robert Wynne. Major Francis Poythress married Rebecca Coggin and they were married about ten years until his death in 1688. Their children, were Francis, Rebecca, Thomas and John.(48) Rebecca Poythress was born about 1679.(49) Her mother married as her second husband, Charles Bartholomew in 1693.(50)

    Robert Wynne was a Burgess for Charles City Co. He had been the Speaker of the House of Burgesses during Virginia’s Long Parliament (1661-1675).(51) He was a colonel in the Charles City Co. militia(52) and owned farms in England and Virginia.(53) Robert selected his step-son, Francis Poythress (c. 1639-1688), as one of the overseers of his will.

    Richard Pace, Jr., was born between about 1662 and 1665, his brother, George, being the eldest son and born in 1661.(54) Richard Pace, Sr., raised his family during the Indian hostilities of the 1670s and, with John Poythress, Major Poythress’ brother, were jurors in the aftermath of Bacon’s rebellion.(55)  Richard Pace, Sr., sold most if not all of his inherited land during the 1660s and moved to a location adjacent to his father-in-law, Richard Baker, in 1664/5, on 140 acres that his father-in-law gave him.(56)

    On February 11, 1659/60, Richard Pace, Sr., sold his land adjacent to Bland’s path to William Wilkins.(57) Bland’s path was named after Richard Bland. Richard Bland II married Anne Poythress, the daughter of Peter Poythress and Anne Jones.(58)

    In 1680, Major Francis Poythress was a neighbor of John Williams and William Edmonds in Jordan’s parish near Bland’s path.(59) Williams and Edmonds received fifty acres for paying Nicholas Whitmore’s transportation to the Virginia colony. Nicholas Whitmore was the step-father of Richard Pace, Jr. Richard Pace, Sr.’s widow, Mary Baker Pace, was married to Nicholas Whitmore by 1692.(60) In 1690, both Major Francis Poythress and Nicholas Whitmore held tracts of land adjacent to Adam Tapley and William Harrison in Jordan’s parish.(61)

    1 (1) “Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 1704,” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 1920. (2) R. Bolling  Batte papers, index cards at Library of Virginia, 1977. (3) Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 33 All of Major Francis and Rebecca Poythress’ sons were of age by 1704. Batte and Smith listed John Poythress as the youngest child and Rebecca as the second oldest child.

    2 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, pp. 31-32.

    3 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 70, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Anne Bartholomew, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    4 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 76, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Rebecca Poythress, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    5 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1713-1728, pp. 502-503, Burrell Green, Anne Green, Francis Poythress to Robert Hunnicutt, 11 Dec 1721, 12 Dec 1721.

    6 (1) Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, pp. 31-32. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Court Orders, Capt. Robert Wynne was administrator of Mr. John Sloeman’s estate, 3 Dec 1658. Mary Poythress Wynne had grandchildren named Sloman Wynne.

    7 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 7, 1679-1689, p. 335, grant to Major Francis Poythress, 20 Nov 1683. 

    8 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Deeds & Wills, 1713-1728, Francis Poythress to John Poythress, Jr., 8 Nov 1720.

    9 Fleet, Beverly, Va. Col. Abstracts Chas. Ct. Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 37, C-11, p. 185, 3 June 1659. Dr. John Coggin and Mrs. Joyce Tye married in 1659. Rebecca Coggin was their daughter.

    10 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 2, pp. 233-234, grant to Richard Tye, 26 Oct 1649.

    11 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 188.

    12 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 509.

    13 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, pp. 503 & 505, 4 June 1694.

    14 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 70, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Anne Bartholomew, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    15 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, pp. 31-32.

    16 Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 33, p. 180.

    17 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, pp. 31-32.

    18 Fleet, Beverly, Va. Col. Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, p. 687.

    19 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 505, 4 June 1694.

    20 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 3, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 200),” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, p. 268. Nathaniel Tatum married Emelia Scott, daughter of John Scott and possibly Bethia Scott, granddaughter of Thomas Boyce and Emelia Craven.

    21 John Bartholomew (-1735) was the only Bartholomew in Pr. Geo. Co., Va., other than Charles Bartholomew, his father. John named his sons, John, after himself, and Charles, after his father. If Frances Tye was John’s (-1735) mother, he would have been a step-brother to Rebecca Poythress and half-brother to Anne Bartholomew.

    22 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, p. 505, 3 July 1694, Virginia vs. Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew.

    23 (1) Dotson, Flora B., “Analysis of Cheney Boyce, Richard Tye, and John Coggan and Poythress,” Jan 1987, p. 9. If Richard Pace did not marry Rebecca Poythress, why would he be involved in all these land transactions with two people by the name of Francis Poythress?” (2) Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 269, Francis Poythress to Richard Pace, 11 Nov 1718, 9 Dec 1718; Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, pp. 269-270, Francis Poythress to Thomas Goodwyn, 11 Nov 1718, 9 Dec 1718; and, Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, pp. 271-272, Richard Pace & Francis Poythress to Thomas Goodwyn, 11 Nov 1718, 9 Dec 1718.

    24 (1) Howard, Bruce, Colonial Ancestors 1609 to 1799, Specialty Publishing & Printing, Box 414, Quitman, MS, 1998, pp. 125-129, “Sarah Pace, wife of Richard Pace, relinquished her dower in land sold by her husband to Thomas Goodwyn.” Richard Pace, the nephew of Richard Pace, Jr., held land adjoining Francis Poythress located one mile SW of the old Pace homestead that had been granted to his grandfather, Richard Pace, Sr. This land adjoined, on the south, Daniel Higdon & Roger Reese and John Williams. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 7, pp. 274-275, Va. patent to Daniel Higdon & Roger Reese, 16 Apr 1683. (3) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 7, p. 334, Va. patent to John Williams, 20 Nov 1683.

    25 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 76, Charles Bartholomew and Rebecca Bartholomew to Rebecca Poythress, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    26 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, p. 770. Richard and Rebecca Pace’s son, Richard, was 21 years of age by 1 Mar 1719/20 and was married by age 23 to Elizabeth Cain.

    27 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1713-1728, pp. 502-503, Burrell Green, Anne Green & Francis Poythress to Robert Hunnicutt, 11 Dec 1721, 12 Dec 1721.

     28 (1) Howard, Bruce, Colonial Ancestors 1609-1799, Specialty Publishing & Printing, Box 414, Quitman, MS, 1998, p. 325. (2) Avant, David A., Some Southern Colonial Families, Vol. 2, Publ. by Avant Studios, Box 1711, Tallahassee, 1982, Chapter V: Pace Family of England, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia, p. 209-212.

    29 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 70, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Anne Bartholomew, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    30 (1) Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 76, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Rebecca Poythress, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711. (2) Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 71, Will of Randolph Birchenhead. 19 July 1711, 3 Sept 1711. The will stated, “rest of estate to be divided between Mrs. Bartholomew and his wife, Eliza Birchenhead.” Wit: George Rives, Ursula Rives and William Stainback. 

    31 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1713-1728, pp. 502-503, Burrell Green, Anne Green, Francis Poythress (lease) to Robert Hunnicutt, 11 Dec 1721, 12 Dec 1721. Burrell and Anne Green did not have children. Her heir would have been her brother, Francis Poythress. As such, he apparently appeared in the deed to ensure a secure title to Robert Hunnicutt.

    32 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1713-1728, pp. 502-503, Burrell Green, Anne Green, Francis Poythress (sale) to Robert Hunnicutt, 12 Dec 1721, 12 Dec 1721.

    33 (1) Geesnmore - A Family History, https://geesnmore.wordpress.com/charles-gee-and-hannah/hannahs-family/jones-of-sussex-and-prince-george/. (2) Richard Tye died in 1658. John Coggin married Tye’s widow in 1659 and came into possession of Tye’s property. (3) Robert Jones’ Level, later known as Poplar Level, was adjacent to the lands of Robert Jones, James Jones and Richard Jones, the clerk. (4) James Jones’ (b.~1666) wife was Rebecca Blight. His mother was probably Rebecca Lewis. His daughter, Rebecca, was born in the 1690s. (5) A 1667 deed to William Harrison, Jr., for 386 acres, stated that his land adjoined Captain David Peebles, to Robert Jones, down the Pyny Swamp to the old Towne Bridge, to James Jones, to the line of Mr. Richard Tye. (1) Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 32. (2) R. Bolling Batte papers, index cards at Library of Virginia, 1977: “Pace, Rebecca (Poythress) (P-1) DD, CC#148, Par(ents): Francis and Rebecca (Coggin) Poythress, D1, C#67, p. 96/32, mar(ried): Richard Pace.” (3) Dotson, Flora B., “Analysis of Cheney Boyce, Richard Tye, and John Coggan and Poythress,” Jan. 1987, p. 12 & P. 25. (4) The Pace Family, 1607-1750, First ed., Vol. 1, compiled by Freda Reid Turner, copyright 1993 by Eleanor Pace Terrell. Numerous quotes of marriage pp. 88, 90,91, 109, 165, 166, 202. (5) Family Group sheets “Pace” and “Poythress,” 1995, Phyllis Lindenmeyer. (6) Marriages of Some Virginia Residents, 1607-1800, Series 1, Vol. 5, compiled and publ. by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, 2009, p. 251.

    34 (1) Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 32. (2) R. Bolling Batte papers, index cards at Library of Virginia, 1977: “Pace, Rebecca (Poythress) (P-1) DD, CC#148, Par(ents): Francis and Rebecca (Coggin) Poythress, D1, C#67, p. 96/32, mar(ried): Richard Pace.” (3) Dotson, Flora B., “Analysis of Cheney Boyce, Richard Tye, and John Coggan and Poythress,” Jan. 1987, p. 12 & P. 25. (4) The Pace Family, 1607-1750, First ed., Vol. 1, compiled by Freda Reid Turner, copyright 1993 by Eleanor Pace Terrell. Numerous quotes of marriage pp. 88, 90,91, 109, 165, 166, 202. (5) Family Group sheets “Pace” and “Poythress,” 1995, Phyllis Lindenmeyer. (6) Marriages of Some Virginia Residents, 1607-1800, Series 1, Vol. 5, compiled and publ. by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, 2009, p. 251.

    35 (1) Some Southern Families, Vol. 2, by David A. Avant, Published by L’Avant Studios, Box 1711, Tallahassee, 1982, Chapter V: Pace Family of England, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia, pp. 211-212. Comment by Col. Avant: “The proponents of the Rebecca ‘Poythress’ theory cite the (1711) record as their evidence. An analysis by this writer seems to indicate the opposite. Richard and Rebecca Pace had been married more than 20 years when the above deed was written and had children of adult age. If the 300 acres described had belonged to Rebecca, wife of Richard Pace, it would have belonged to Richard Pace, in right of his wife, and he would have been cited as the owner of the 300 acres, not Rebecca Poythress. Anne Poythress [sic] is clearly described as wife of Burrell Green but Rebecca is never cited as the wife of Richard Pace nor as ‘Rebecca Pace.’” “It is particularly noted that in the year 1721 (date of the deed) the 300 acres is still described as belonging to ‘the said Rebecca [Poythress],’ not Rebecca, wife of Richard Pace (who) would have been the legal owner if Rebecca Poythress had been his wife.” (2) Howard, Bruce, Colonial Ancestors 1609 to 1799, Specialty Publishing & Printing, Box 414, Quitman, MS, 1998, p 321 & p. 325. “There have been so many attempts by others to try and marry Richard Pace to Rebecca Poythress, the daughter of Rebecca Poythress of Charles City County. This reasoning was, of course, based on the usual guesswork without consulting the proper record sources or doing an in-depth search into all possibilities before making the assumption that would stick in everyone’s mind. What you are about to discover is that Richard did not marry Rebecca Poythress, pure and simple...It should be clear to you by this point (re: the 1711 deed) that Rebecca the daughter of Major Francis & Rebecca Poythress, now the step-daughter of Charles Bartholomew, her uncle, was a single young woman.”

    36 (1) Bertie Pct., NC, Will of Richard Pace, 13 Mar 1736, Feb 1738, Pace Society of America website: http://web.archive.org/web/20081002000325/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry. com/~pace/richpacewill.htm. (2) Letter of Barnabas Pace letter, written 1844-1850, in Freda Reid Turner, History of the Pace Family from Manuscripts of Miss Annie Jones (1873-1951), Barnabas Pace (1789-). Maud McClure Kelly (1887-1973) (n. p. 1995) p. 163.

    37 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 8, 1689-1695, p. 241, Va. patent to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress, 29 Apr 1693; (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 509, record of marriage of Charles Bartholomew to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress.

    38 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 32.

    39 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 30.

    40 Ancient Planters were early emigrants to the Va. Colony who stayed at least three years before the “coming away” of Sir Thomas Dale in 1616. Colonists who paid their own passage received 100 acres for their own personal adventure to the colony. Richard Pace and his wife, Isabel Smyth, both received 100 acres for their personal adventure to the colony.

    41 Corporation of James City, Pat. Bk. 1, pp. 64-65, grant to George Pace, 1 Sept 1628.

    42 Pace, David Edmund, The Man Who Foiled A Jamestown Massacre, Paragon Publishing, 2016.

    43 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 764-768.

    44 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 501-502.

    45 A “headright” system was devised to populate the colony. Every shareholder, in the Virginia company, who transported an emigrant or “headright” to the Colony acquired a claim to 50 acres if the person remained in Va. for three years. The headright was to be furnished with the necessities of life plus a small tract of land at the end of his contract. Once the indentured servant or headright became free, he could acquire his own land. The shareholder gained 50 acres for every passage he paid, a very lucrative prospect.

    46 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 3, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, p. 216.

    47 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 764-765, pp. 815-817.

    48 Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, pp. 31-32.

    49 (1)  “Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 1704,” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 07/01/1920. (2) R. Bolling  Batte papers, index cards at Library of Virginia, 1977. (3) Smith, Jr., Claiborne T., “Poythress of Prince George County, Virginia,” Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie, Vol. IV, 1968, p. 33 All of Major Francis and Rebecca Poythress’ sons were of age by 1704. Batte and Smith listed John Poythress as the youngest child and Rebecca as the second oldest child.

    50 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 509.

    51 Kukla, Jon, “Speakers and clerks of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1643-1776,” 1981.

    52 Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 20, p. 28.

    53 Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 33, p. 180.

    54 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 7, p. 176, Va. Patent to George Peas [sic] & Nicholas Whitmore, 22 Sept 1682. George Pace patented his first land in 1682 when he was 21 years old.

    55 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Order Bk. 1676-1679, p. 196, Capt. Arthur Allen vs. James Mumford, et al.

    56 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 766-767.

    57 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Court Orders, 1658-1661, p. 249, Richard Pace to William Wilkins, 1 Feb 1659/60, 16 Nov 1660.

    58 R. Bolling Batte papers, Library of Virginia, Chart of Poythress Family in America, Section A of Two Sections, 1977.

    59 Chas. City. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 7, p. 124, Va. Patent to Wm. Edmonds & John Williams, 20 Apr 1680.

    60 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Court Orders, 1687-1695, p. 409, Acct. of Hugh Kirkland vs. Nicholas Whitmore and Mary, his wife.

    61 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 8, p. 78, 21 Apr 1690, grant to Adam Tapley & William Harrison.

083123

Land Patents, Family, Friends and Neighbors Prove Relationships, Part II

Neighbors Married Neighbors

    Elizabeth Tye Wicket, the half-sister of Rebecca Coggin was born to Captain Richard Tye,(62) a court justice, and his wife, Joyce [-----]. Richard and Joyce Tye had daughters, Elizabeth and Frances. Sometime after Richard Baker’s death in 1665,(63) Elizabeth Tye and her first husband, John Jane, gained possession of 300 acres of Richard Baker’s land  adjoining her step-father, Dr. Coggin’s land,(64)  and Richard Pace, Sr.’s land.(65) Elizabeth and John Jane sold the 300 acres to William Wilkins on January 10, 1673. On April 14, 1711, Elizabeth and her second husband, John Wicket, signed a quit claim to the same property.

“I, John Wicket and Eliza, my wife, of Westover Parish, Prince George Co., Planter, for 1000 lbs. Tobacco, paid by John Wilkins of the same county, 300 acres on the south side of the Great Swamp, bounded by Mr. Cogan, land of Capt. Tye, line of Richard Pace, given to him by Richard Baker; said land being a part of the land that belonged to Richard Baker, and conveyed to John Jane and wife Eliza (now wife of said John Wicket) to William Wilkins, dec’d, on 10 Jan. 1673. John (x) Wicket, Eliza (x) Wicket. Wit: William Harrison, Jr., Anne (x) Brewer.” 14 Apr 1711. Recorded 8 May 1711.(66)

   Richard Tye died between August and December of 1658.(67) His widow, Mrs. Joyce Tye, married her third husband, Dr. John Coggin, a practicing physician and surgeon. They married between December of 1658 and June of 1659.(68) Based upon the time frame of their marriage, their daughter, Rebecca Coggin, was probably born in the latter part of 1659 or early 1660.

    Elizabeth’s sisters, Frances Tye and Rebecca Coggin, lived on adjoining property with their parents, Dr. John and Joyce Coggin. In 1673, Elizabeth was married to John Jane and was about 23 years old.(69)  Her half-sister, Rebecca Coggin, was living at home and was 13 or 14 years old.(70) Frances Tye, sister of Elizabeth Tye and half-sister to Rebecca Coggin, was about 19 years old and was either living at home or was married to Charles Bartholomew.(71) George and Richard Pace, Jr., sons of Richard Pace, Sr., were toddlers when the family moved onto the adjoining farm by 1664/5. Richard Pace, Jr., was 8 to 10 years old when Elizabeth and John Jane sold their land to William Wilkins.

    Rebecca Coggin and Francis Poythress lived in close proximity to each other. Francis Poythress’ father, Captain Poythress, provided for Thomas Boyce,(72) the half-brother of Rebecca Coggin, Frances Tye and Elizabeth Tye after the death of Thomas’ father. Thomas was the son of Joyce [-----] and her first husband, Cheney Boyce, who died in 1647. Thomas Boyce and Francis Poythress were approximately the same age.(73)

    Neighbors married neighbors in the 1660s in rural Virginia. Rebecca Coggin’s brother, Thomas Boyce, married neighbor Richard Craven’s granddaughter, Emelia Craven.(74) Rebecca Coggin married her neighbor, Major Francis Poythress. John Poythress, Major Poythress’ brother, married Christian Peebles who lived on the east bank of Powell’s creek across from Dr. John Coggin who lived on the west bank of Powell’s creek.(75) Rebecca Poythress’ brother, Francis Poythress, married a granddaughter of William Worsham who lived on Captain Poythress’ land in 1658.(76)

    In 1673, Robert Wynne and his wife, Mrs. Mary Poythress, widow of Captain Poythress, lived on Captain Poythress’ land adjacent to the fifty acres that Colonel Edward Hill gave to John Poythress.(77)

    To get to the Coggin farm from the Poythress farm, one had to travel southeast a little over two miles and cross James Warrendine’s property. Rebecca was married to Francis for about 10 years when he died about 1688. She was 28 or 29 years old and had four young children. As Mrs. Rebecca Coggin Poythress, she qualified as administratrix of her husband’s estate and guardian of her own children.(78)

    Colonel Edward Hill acquired James Warrendine’s property in 1683 on the same day that Major Francis Poythress was granted 1,250 acres on Hill’s western boundary.(79) From Major Poythress’ new property, it was over a mile ESE to Rebecca’s parent’s property.(80) Richard Pace, Sr., would have known the Poythress, Wynne, Coggin and Tye family members that lived adjacent to or in very close proximity to his farm. Richard Pace, Sr.’s land was adjacent to Dr. Coggin’s land, Elizabeth Tye Jane’s land and Thomas Boyce’s land.(81) To get to Captain Poythress’ land from Richard’s land, one had to cross John Coggin’s land and James Warrendine’s land. It is not conjecture to say that Richard Pace, Sr., and his son, Richard, Jr., knew Rebecca Coggin, her mother, Joyce; her father, Dr. Coggin; her half-sister, Elizabeth Tye Jane; her half-sister, Frances Tye; her half-brother, Thomas Boyce; and, of course, Rebecca Poythress. Richard Pace, Sr., and his family also appeared in the records with other Poythress family members.

Maiden Names used for Identification

    Very few things in genealogical research are straightforward. “Son-in-law” in the old vernacular actually meant “step-son.” “Uncle” or “Aunt” was sometimes used by a younger cousin to respectfully address an older cousin. A “brother-in-law” was addressed in records as “brother.” A cousin might actually be a niece or nephew. The appendage, Senior and Junior, did not necessarily mean that one man was the father of the other. In county records, Senior and Junior were used to differentiate two individuals with the same name. The older man became Senior and the younger man became Junior in county and church records. Men with the appendage, Senior or Junior, could have been cousins, uncle and nephew, or actually father and son. One needs to recognize the language, equity laws, common law and the customs of the time.

    Studies of women’s maiden names present unique challenges due to inconsistent usage in old court records. The examples below involve the use of a maiden name rather than a married name:

William Bradford (c. 1663-), gave a quit claim in 1724/5 to Andrew Steward and Robert Watson for 500  Acres in Accomack County “near the head of Occohannock Creek...it being the land given to my mother Alice Smith by my grandfather Richard Smith and sold by my father Nathaniel Bradford unto John Fawsett and Dorman Sullivant...”(82)

    The following is another use of a maiden surname in a land transaction involving a married woman:

At a Court held at Merchants Hope, Chas. Citty County, April 25, 1659. Know all men by these presents, and witnesse that I Rich’d Pace sonne and heire apparent of Mr. Geo. Pace of the Com: of Charles Citty att Mount March in Virginia, and sonn and heire as the first issue of my mother Mrs. Sara Maycocke wife unto my aforesd father (being both dec’d) do hereby by these presents ffor my selfe my heires ex’ors adm’rs and assn’s for ever absolutely confirme and allow of the sale of eight or nine hundred acres of land being neere unto Pierces hundred, als fflowrday hundred, sold by my dec’d father Mr. George Pace unto Mr. Thomas Drewes as per bill of sale bareing date the 12th day of October Ao 1650 as may more large’l appe’e...dated 25 February 1658/9. Richard Pace. Wit: Anthony Wyatt, Thomas Stegge, Hoel Pryse Cl. Recorded 19 May 1659.(83)

    In the previous deed, Sara Pace was addressed as Mrs. Sara Maycocke. George Pace married Sarah Maycock and subsequently patented the Samuel Maycock holdings. This conclusion has been accepted, supported and confirmed through documentation by John Frederick Dorman in his “Adventurers of Purse and Person."(84)

    Associate Judge of Isle of Wight Co., Va., Jeremiah Exum, did not name his daughters by their married names in his 1712 will that was proved in 1720.(85) His daughter, Mary Exum, had been married three times beginning with her first marriage in 1699. Her third and last marriage was to Barnaby McKinnie whom she married in 1719. Judge Exum mentioned his “Daughters Elizabeth, Christian, Mourning, Sarah, Mary and Jane, granddaughter Catherine Scott, and cousin Jane Exum.”

    Instances where a husband’s surname were paramount and consequential included cases of administration of an estate, testimony in court and guardianship. There are many examples of this:

A Court Held for Orphans at Westover 15 September 1692. Capt. Peter Perry and Mr. Richard Bland to

administer oath to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress, relict and Adm’x. with will annexed of Francis Poythress, late dec’d. to make inventory.(86)

Court held at Westover. Deposition of John Jane that he knew Frances, late wife of Charles Bartholomew, and knows Rebecca, relict of Francis Poythress, and says the two were sisters, being daughters of the same mother. John Bishop swears the same. Joshua Wynn says he knew both women from childhood and they were always taken as sisters by one mother. Because of absence of Mr. George Robinson, Clerk, who joined them in marriage, case is referred to next ct.(87)

    It is noteworthy that an associate Judge would know how to write a legal will. His daughters, Sarah, Jane and Mary Ann, were all married when he wrote his will in 1712. The effect of not identifying women by their married surnames in documents conveys that practices did vary from always mentioning the husband’s name. This example and others make this a useful point of reference. This is evidence that a parent could file a document without mention of the head of the household.

Mrs. Rebecca Poythress and her Thousand Acre Grant

    An examination of the original land grant that Mrs. Rebecca Poythress received and later gifted to her daughters, and the subsequent sale of this land reveals who possible neighbors were and where the land was located that her daughters and Littlebury Epes possessed. Littlebury Epes acquired 500 of the 1,000 acres.(88) Anne Bartholomew’s sale of land can be found in the records but no clue has been found regarding the disposition of Rebecca Poythress’ land.(89)

To all etc. Whereas etc. Now know you that I the said Fra. Nicholson Esq. etc. Their Majesties Lt. Governor etc. give and grant unto Mrs. Rebecca Poythres, one thousand acres of land situate lying & being in the County of Charles Citty according (to) long most ancient and rightful bounds thereof be the quantity either more or less than is herein expressed she to land being late in the tenure of Edw. Ardington deceased by virtue of his own right & fee therein, & was lately found to escheat to their most sacred Majesty from the said Edw. Ardington of the said County of Charles Citty as by an Inquisition recorded in the secretarys office under the hands and seales of Peter Perry Deputy of the honorable Christopher Wormeley Esq. Escheator of the said County & a jury sworn before him for this purpose dated the 19th day of November Anno 1690 may appear, & is since granted unto the Mrs. Rebeccah Poythres who hath made her composition according to law. To have & to hold etc. To be held etc. yielding & paying etc. dated the 29th day of April Anno 1692.(90)

    At the time of his death, Edward Ardington owned land on Bailey’s creek adjoining land patented August 5, 1648, by Captain Poythress. John Burge proved the will of Edward Ardington in November of 1677. According to the grant to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress, the land “was lately found to escheat.” A jury was empaneled on November 19, 1690, to hear the case and on April 29, 1692, the land was granted to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress. John Burge’s son, Thomas, was a neighbor of John Poythress. John Burge was deceased by April 13, 1693. Charles Bartholomew attended the estate sale of John Burge conducted by Richard Bland. John Burge was the grandfather of Sarah Burge who married John Pace (c. 1725-1780) about 1753, the son of Richard Pace and Sarah Woodlief.

    Widower, Charles Bartholomew, married the widow Poythress, on February 2, 1693,(91) in Charles City Co., about a year and nine months after the above land was granted to her. Their daughter, Anne, was not a Poythress. Anne was addressed as Anne Bartholomew when she received her deed of gift in 1711 and as Anne Green in her deed of sale in 1721.

    When Rebecca Bartholomew gave land on Easterly Run to her daughter Anne, Anne was about 17 years old and appears to have been married to Burrell Green at the time. “(To) Anne Bartholomew her heirs & assigns forever...with all houses edifices, plantation...to have hold use occupy possess & enjoy to her, & their own Proper use & behoof forever..”(92) Anne Bartholomew’s land was bounded by her half-sister, Rebecca’s land and the “other side the courses of said patent and deed of sale from Batts to Ardington.” In 1694, Col. Littlebury Epes bought 500 of the 1,000 acres “bounded by innermost sides” of the patent and paid taxes on 833½ acres in 1704 in Prince George Co. that included the 500 acres.

    Lewis Green and his son-in-law, Ephraim Parham, husband of Frances Green, owned a mill on a tributary of Bailey’s creek called Easterly Run.(93) Lewis Green’s son, Burrell Green, married Anne Bartholomew. Possible nephews or cousins of Lewis Green, John and William Green, who were brothers, married Richard and Rebecca Pace’s daughters, Amy and Frances.

    Daniel Meadows knew Burrell Green. He brought a suit against Burrell on February 10, 1718, in Prince George Co. court.(94) The land where Meadows lived was originally patented to Henry Batte and James Thweatt in Charles City Co. on April 20, 1682.(95) The land of Batte and Thweatt was bordered on the north by Edward Ardington’s land. On June 3, 1693, Batte and Thweatt sold Robert Birchett land that was in the occupation of Birchett in Westover parish on Bland’s swamp crossing Blackwater road.(96) Birchett’s purchase was on the southern border of Batte’s and Thweatt’s land that was adjacent to the land “Batts sold Ardington” on its northern border. Mrs. Rebecca Coggin Poythress’ 1,000 acres was on its western border.

    On June 7, 1717, Robert Birchett sold land to Douglas Irby adjacent to Daniel Meadows, Mathew Smart, Jr., William Mattock and Littlebury Epes.(97) On October 7, 1717, Meadows bought land, adjacent to his land, from James Lundy, land that Lundy had purchased from Peter Fairfax.(98) At some point prior to 1717, Daniel Meadows bought some or all of Batte’s and Thweatt’s land adjacent to Anne Green’s and Rebecca Poythress’ 500 acres.

    Rebecca Poythress’ 300 acres possessed a “road or path from Jordans to Blackwater...with all houses, edifices, gardens, orchards, plantations,” etc. Rebecca, who was a grown woman over 31 years old,  may have been married with children. In 1711, Richard and Rebecca Pace had been married abut 14 years and most of their children were born by then. Richard Pace, Jr., married Rebecca, about 1697. Their first born child, Richard Pace, was born about 1698.(99) Rebecca Poythress would have been about 19 years old at the birth of Richard and Rebecca’s son.

    Rebecca Coggin married Major Poythress when she was about 18 years old based upon the year of her birth, 1659 or 1660, and the approximate date of her marriage about 1677 or 1678. Her daughter, Rebecca, was probably born within a couple of years of her marriage. Rebecca’s fourth and last child was born by 1683 in order to be 21 years old by the time of the 1704 Prince George Co. Quit Rent Roll. If Rebecca Poythress was born about 1679, she would have been approximately 18 years old by 1697, the same age as her mother when she married.

    Though Rebecca Bartholomew gave the gift to her daughter, Rebecca, Rebecca Poythress’ land would have been a joint tenancy between herself and her husband if there was no prenuptial. Her husband could have sold the land if he wanted with Rebecca’s consent but he could not leave it to anyone in his will. At her husband’s death, the land would have reverted back to Rebecca.(100) At her death, her land would have gone to her heirs. A record of the sale of Rebecca Poythress’ 300 acres remains lost and cannot be used to verify her husband’s name or her married name.

    Prior to 1720, Rebecca and Charles Bartholomew lived adjacent to Rebecca Bartholomew’s son, John Poythress.(101) All three of Rebecca’s sons, John, Francis and Thomas, lived adjacent to Deep Bottom.(102) The land that Rebecca Bartholomew gave her daughters was located on the western boundary of the land “Batts sold Ardington” that was adjacent on its eastern boundary to her deceased husband, Major Poythress’ 1,250 acres that he acquired in 1683. The Richard Pace, Sr., homestead was about two miles east of Rebecca Poythress’ land. No record has been located wherein any of Rebecca Poythress’ brothers or anyone else gained possession of her land. By September 15, 1717, Anne and Burrell Green(103) were living in Surry Co. as was Richard and Rebecca Pace who were living in Surry Co. by 1718.

    There was no reason to cause any confusion at the sale of Anne Bartholomew’s 200 acres in 1721 by changing “Rebecca Poythress” to Rebecca’s married name or her husband’s name on the deed of sale. Rebecca Poythress’ maiden name would never change. If anything, Rebecca Poythress’ name aided with identification purposes. Additionally, Rebecca Poythress’ brother, Francis Poythress, was there to affirm the process and ensure a full and free title to the property as he would have been his sister’s heir as she had no children.(104) He would have been able to confirm that Anne Bartholomew was Anne Green, that Rebecca Poythress was Anne’s half-sister and his full sister. He would have been able to confirm that Mrs. Rebecca Poythress and Rebecca Bartholomew were the same person and the mother of Anne, Rebecca and himself and that Anne and Burrell Green were the rightful owners of the land. Francis would have been well known at the courthouse. There were three witnesses to this deed who would be able to confirm in future court proceedings what had occurred during the sale of this land and be able to confirm the identities of those involved. Notice that Burrell Green did not sell the land with Anne acknowledging release of her dower in the land. She was the owner of the land in joint tenancy with her husband, Burrell Green.

    Rebecca Bartholomew’s deeds to her daughter were witnessed by John Woodlief. John Woodlief (1643-c. 1716), was the husband of Mary Wynne (1665-aft. 1707), the daughter of Robert Wynne and Mrs. Mary Poythress.(105) John and Mary were the brother- and sister-in-law of Rebecca Bartholomew.

    The second witness, Richard Walpole, was the son of Caesar Walpole. Caesar Walpole bought land adjacent to Elizabeth Tye Jane and Dr. John Coggin in 1664.(106) Caesar Walpole also had a daughter, Sarah, who married William Epes. In his will, Caesar left his land to his daughter and son. His daughter, Sarah, and her husband, William Epes, sold her inheritance of 100 acres to James Pace, the brother of Richard Pace, Jr. When James Pace bought the Epes’ farm in 1715, he had to cross Elizabeth Jane’s old farm to get to the Richard Pace, Sr., homestead to visit his mother, Mary Whitmore.

    The third witness, John Denton, appeared with Richard Pace, Jr., and most of Richard’s family at the estate sale for John Barlow in 1738 in Surry County.(107)

    When comparing the two deeds, Anne Bartholomew and Rebecca Poythress both received land “with all houses, edifices, gardens, orchards, plantations,” etc. Their mother prefaced her deeds by writing that “in consideration of the natural love and affection we bear to our daughter(s)...and...“for & towards the bettering & advancing” of their “fortune(s) in the world, do give grant enfeoff & confirm & by these presents have given granted enfeoffed & confirmed unto the said” daughters and their “heirs & assigns forever...” Anne appears to have been a newlywed in 1711 and would have been approximately the same age as her mother when her mother married.  Her sister, Rebecca, was 32 years old in 1711 and 42 years old in 1721. Rebecca would not have received a gift of land from her mother if she had been mentally challenged and there was no mention in the 1721 deed description that Rebecca was deceased.

    Rebecca Bartholomew gifted the land to her daughters on Monday, September 10, 1711, perhaps as a result of the increasing tension with the Indians and the possibility of inevitable hostilities. When colonial Governor Alexander Spotswood was sworn into office in June of 1710, he discovered the colony was anticipating an Indian war. On or about September 10th or 11th, 1711, Tuscarora Indians captured John Lawson, Baron Christopher de Graffenreidt and two servants while they were on the Neuse river in North Carolina.(108) A few days later, Lawson and one servant were killed and de Graffenreidt and the second servant were kept as prisoners. By September 21, the Tuscarora were scouting and making preparations to attack homesteads and settlements along the Roanoke, Neuse and Trent rivers and the City of Bath. At dawn on September 22, Chief Hancock and his band of Tuscaroras and their allies made their attack. They continued the massacre for three days, butchering, impaling and scalping their victims, men, women and infants and took a number of prisoners. In Bath, more than 130 people were killed.

    “After the Tuscarora and other border Indians massacred the white settlers in eastern North Carolina, Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood sent some of the militia out to prevent the Virginia Indians from joining them. He made arrangements to meet with the heads of the Tuscarora Indians who had not been involved in the war. He and 1,600 militiamen from Prince George, Surry and Isle of Wight counties, 900 foot soldiers and 700 cavalrymen, went to Nottaway Town.”(109)

    From William Byrd’s diary for October 8, 1711: “...After dinner we sat in council concerning the Indians and some of the Tributaries came before us who promised to be very faithful to us. It was agreed to send Peter Poythress to the Tuscaroras to treat (with) them and to demand the Baron Graffenriedt who was a prisoner among the Indians. It was also resolved that the militia of Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight should rendezvous at Nottaway town on Wednesday next and the Governor [Spotswood] be there with them to show some part of our strength to the Indians. In the evening came several gentlemen and Mr. Bland among them with letters from the Governor of Carolina which told him how backward the people of that country were to (advantage) themselves...”(110)

    From Byrd’s diary for October 9, 1711: “...About 3 o’clock the Tuscarora Indians came with their guard and Mr. Poythress was with them. He told the Governor that the Baron was alive but that Mr. Lawson was killed because he had been so foolish as to threaten the Indian who had taken him...[The Indians were ‘treated with’ and dispersed].”(111)

    The call to arms for the militia required all able-bodied men, citizens of the three counties, from 16 to 60 years of age to respond and would have included Rebecca Bartholomew’s sons; Captain John Poythress, Francis Poythress and Thomas Poythress; Charles Bartholomew’s son, John Bartholomew; Jane Tye Wicket’s son, Philip Jane; Lewis Green’s sons, including Burrell Green; and many of the Pace family members, Richard, Jr., James, John and Richard, Jr.’s nephew, Richard Pace. Charles Bartholomew was exempted from the call due to his age. He and others of advanced age remained at home on alert as a home guard. It was not until 1713 that the settlers regained control of their lives and not until February 11, 1715, that the Tuscarora signed a treaty that formally ended the war.

Rebecca Coggin Poythress Bartholomew

    Any real property that Rebecca Coggin Poythress brought to her marriage to Charles Bartholomew automatically became her husband’s property unless a prenuptial agreement was signed before the marriage took place.(112) By law, while Rebecca was a widow, she could act as an executrix or administratrix for her late husband’s estate - which she did; be officially designated as the guardian of her children - which she did as she had the means; and, buy and sell land - which she did when she was granted a thousand acres and subsequently split the tract and sold half to her brother-in-law, Joshua Wynne, who later sold the land to Littlebury Epes.

    Unless Rebecca made legal arrangements in advance of her marriage to Charles, he gained a life interest in her land - a joint tenancy. Without the prenuptial, Charles could have sold her land if he wanted but it would have required Rebecca’s consent. Charles could not devise Rebecca’s land in a will. If Charles died first, the land reverted back to Rebecca because the title never transferred. If Rebecca died first, her land went to her heirs.

    When Rebecca gave her gifts in 1711, she expressly stated that the gifts were for her daughters, Anne and Rebecca. Rebecca had already administered her husband’s estate and her sons, Francis, Thomas and John Poythress, had already received their inheritances. Daughter, Rebecca, would have received whatever personal property that her father bequeathed to her, and wife, Rebecca, would have received her dower interest. By 1704, Francis was paying taxes on 1,283 acres, John on 916 acres and Thomas on 616 acres.(113) Rebecca’s husband, Charles, paid taxes on 600 acres including Rebecca’s 500 acres.

    The gift to daughter, Rebecca Poythress, would not necessarily have had her daughter’s husband’s name as the owner of the 300 acres. Rebecca Bartholomew specifically gave the land to her daughter, not her son-in-law. It is noteworthy that in Anne’s deed, it read, “enjoy to her, & their own proper use,” but in Rebecca Poythress’ deed, it read, “enjoy the lands & premises hereby given and granted.” Rebecca Poythress’ husband, if she was married, would have automatically acquired a life interest in the land. At her husband’s death, the land would have reverted back to Rebecca. It did not matter whether Rebecca Poythress acquired the land before her marriage or during her marriage. As a widow, Rebecca would have owned her own property. The deed to daughter, Anne, functioned as a will as a married woman did not have the right to make a will.

    62 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 506, step-sisters 3 Aug 1694. (2) Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 55, C-11, p. 259, Elizabeth Tye, daughter of Richard Tye, 7 July 1659.

    63 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, death of Richard Baker, 26 June 1665.

    64 (1) Fleet, Beverly, Va. Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 37, C-11, p. 185, John Coggin married Mrs. Joyce Tye, 3 June 1659. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, deed of partition dated 4 Feb 1664/5, 7 Feb 1664/5. (3) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1664-1696, p. 592, 3 Oct 1665.

    65 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., p. 530, Richard Baker to Richard Pace, 3 Feb 1664/5, 7 Feb 1664/5.

    66 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1710-1713, p. 51, John Wicket and wife, Eliza to John Wilkins, 14 Apr 1711, 8 May 1711.

    67 (1) Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 7, C-11, p. 145, Capt. Richard Tye present as judge, 3 June 1658. (2) Fleet, Beverly, Va. Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 23, C-11, p. 164, LW&T of Capt. Richard Tye, 3 Dec 1658.

    68 (1) Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Col. Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 23, C-11, p. 164, probate granted Mrs. Joyce Tye, 3 Dec 1658. (2) Fleet, Beverly, Va. Col. Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 37, C-11, p. 185, Mr. John Cogan married relict of Capt. Richard Tye, 3 June1659.

    69 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 2, pp. 233-234, grant to Richard Tye, 26 Oct 1649. (2) Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 55, C-11, p. 259, 7 July 1659, Richard Tye and Mrs. Joyce Cheney married about 1649. Elizabeth Tye was their oldest daughter. (3) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1664-1696, p. 443, James Ward released as security with John Cogan for estate of Capt. Rich’d. Tye’s orphans.

    70 Fleet, Beverly, Va. Col. Abstracts, Ct. Orders, Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 37, C-11, p. 185, 3 June 1659, Dr. John Coggin and Mrs. Joyce Tye married in 1659, Rebecca Coggin was their daughter.

     71 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 2, pp. 233-234, grant to Richard Tye, 26 Oct 1649. (2) Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, Vol. 1, 1658-1661, p. 55, C-11, p. 259, 7 July 1659, Richard Tye and Mrs. Joyce Cheney married about 1649. Frances Tye was younger than her sister Elizabeth Tye.

    72 Fleet, Beverly, Va. Col. Abstracts, Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Vol. 1, p. 687, Frances Poythress bound to Thomas Boyce, 30 June 1648, 9 Nov 1657.

    73 Petition of Jno. Cogan, who having paid Thos. Boyce, asking for discharge acknowledged in Court by Boyce. Boyce asks “full satisfaction of all his estate and person from Capt. Richd Tye dec’d.” [Fleet, Beverly Virginia Col. Abstracts Chas. Ct. Volume 1, 1658-61, p. 84, C-11, p. 239, December 3, 1660.]

    74 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. 5, p. 511, Emelia, wife of Thomas Boyce, 12 Oct 1665.

    75 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., pat. 2, p. 297, grant to David Peebles, 5 Aug 1650. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 180, John Poythress married Christian Peebles, 18 Dec 1688.

    76 (1) Dotson, Flora B., “Analysis of Cheney Boyce, Richard Tye, and John Coggan and Poythress,” Jan 1987, pp. 5-6, Henric Co., Va. (2) Will of John Worsham, dated 9 June 1729, proved 1 Oct 1729. Colonial Wills of Henrico Co., Va., Part One 1677-1737. Abstracted by Benjamin Weisiger III. Henrico Wills & Deeds, 1725-1737, p. 248.

    77 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., 1655-1665, p. 272, Col. Edward Hill to John Poythress, Apr 1661.

    78 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 188.

    79 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 7, 1679-1689, p. 335, grant to Major Francis Poythress, 20 Nov 1683. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 7, 1679-1689, pp. 338-339, grant to Col. Edward Hill, 20 Nov 1683.

    80 To place 1,250 acres into perspective, 640 acres is one mile squared.

    81 Howard, Bruce, Colonial Ancestors 1609-1799, Specialty Publishing & Printing, Box 414, Quitman, MS, 1998, pp. 72-82. Richard Pace, Sr., moved his family from his plantation about 1667 to live in Surry Co., Va. About 1677, he returned home and bought additional land one mile SW of his homestead. After Richard’s death before Feb 1677/8, his family’s neighbors continued to be the Coggins, Janes, Poythress, Goodrich and Whitmore families. The homestead remained in the family as is evident from records citing the property in 1710 (Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds 1710-1713, p. 51, John & Eliza Wicket to John Wilkins, 14 Apr 1710-8 May 1711), 1711 (Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 92, William Barlow to John Wilkinson, 11 Jan 1711-11Jan 1711), 1713 (Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, 1710-1713, p. 246, Francis Mallory to John Hatch, 14 July 1713-13 Oct 1713), and 1715 (Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 94, William & Sarah Epes to James Pace, 7 Nov 1715). James Pace purchased land near the Pace homestead. 

    82 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 3, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 196 & 198.

    83 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Order Bk., 1655-1665, p. 179, mother, Mrs. Sara Maycocke, 25 Apr 1659, 19 May 1659.

    84 Dorman, John Frederick, (1928-2021), 4th ed., Vol. 2, “Adventurers of Purse and Person,” Virginia, 1607-1624/5, 2005,” publ. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Order of First Families of Virginia, pp. 766. Mr. Dorman cited “Patent Bk. 2, p. 252. For description of ‘Macocks’ see W(1) XIII, p. 89; Massachusetts Historical Society, Collections, 3rd ser., III (Boston, 1810), p. 90.” Sara Maycock was addressed as Mrs. Sara Maycocke in this document and any misunderstanding as to her identity was clarified by Mr. Dorman’s research.

   85 Boddie, John Bennett, Historical Southern Families, Vol. 1, pp. 182, 322-323, Will of Jeremiah Exum, 3 Sept 1712, 28 Mar 1720.

   86 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Court Orders, 1687-1695, Mrs. Rebecca Poythress took oath as administratrix of her late husband’s estate, 15 Sept 1692.

   87 Chas. Cty. Co.,.Va., Court Orders, 1697-1695, p. 506, Court testimony re: Charles Bartholomew and Rebecca Poythress, 3 Aug 1694.

    88 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Order Bk., p. 150, Rebecca Poythress to Joshua Wynne (first part missing), 2 Feb 1692(/3), 3 Feb 1692(/3). (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Order Bk., p. 150, 3 Feb 1692(/3), 3 Feb 1692(/3). Power of attorney from Rebecca Poythress to Charles Bartholomew to convey above land.(3) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Order Bk. 1694-1700, p. 206, Joshua Wynne to Littlebury Epes, 4 June 1694. Joshua Wynne sold Littlebury Epes 500 acres “lying near the head of Bayley’s Creek on the South side of James river in the afforesd County Charles Citty...with all houses orchards pastures fences Woods Waters privileges profitts and emoluments whatsoever.” Joshua’s wife, Mary, relinquished her right of dower. 

    89 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Records, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 4, No. 3, Jan 1897, pp. 272-292. The oldest book in the PG Co. Courthouse is the deeds, wills, inventories and misc. instruments, 9 Feb 1713/14 to 14 May 1728, with a few records back to 1711, 1,116 pages of records. The second oldest book contains minutes of county court Mar term 1737/8 to Apr 1740 and a single court of Sessions and two or three courts of Oyer and Terminer by special writ to local justices, 87 to 400 pages. The third book covers the clerkship of Theodorick Bland with contents similar to book 1, 12 June 1759 to 10 June 1760, fragments of 75 to 196 pages. The fourth book contains instruments of earlier dates, 13 Feb 1787 to 8 Nov 1792. These are the only extant original volumes remaining for PG Co. prior to 1800. If Rebecca sold her 300 acres after 14 May 1728, there would be no record of it. There is possibly no extant record of Rebecca Poythress’ land transferring after her death.

    90 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat. Bk. 8, 1689-1695, p. 241, grant to Mrs. Rebecca Poythress, 29 Apr 1692.

    91 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 70, Charles Bartholomew & Rebecca Bartholomew to Anne Bartholomew, 10 Sept 1711, 13 Sept 1711.

    92 Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Ct. Orders, 1687-1695, p. 509.

    93 Easterly Run is now known as Manchester Creek in present Pr. Geo. Co., Va. Others that lived on or very near Easterly Run included Henry Batte, Robert Birchett, Douglas Irby, Daniel Meadows, Mathew Smart, Sr., William Mattock, James Lundy and Peter Fairfax, but very few records have been located revealing the details of their tracts of land. Littlebury Epes’ 500 acres was on the western boundary of Rebecca Poythress’ land. Adjacent to Epes was William Mattock, Mathew Smart, Sr., and Daniel Meadows.

    94 Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, “Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Ct. Orders & Returns of Executions 1714-1720,” Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 24, #2, May 1986, p. 61.

    95 Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol. II, p. 235.

    96 Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Charles City Co., Va., Records 1737-1774 with Several 17th Century Fragments, p. 68, Fragment of Will & Deed Book 1692-1694, p. 160.

    97 Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Prince George County, Virginia Wills & Deeds 1713-1728, 1973, p. 22. Prince George Co. Records 1713-1728, Part II, p. 171, Robert Burchet to Duglas Irby, 7 June 1717. Birchett Estates presently exists on the south side of Manchester Run (Easterly Run). 

    98 Benjamin B. Weisiger, III, Prince George County, Virginia Wills & Deeds 1713-1728, 1973, p. 24. Prince George Co. Records 1713-1728, Part II, p. 188, James Lundy to Daniel Meadows, 7 Oct 1717.. 

     99 (1) Chowan Co., NC, Deed Bk. 8, pp. 174 & 195, grant to Richard Pace, Jr., 1 Mar 1719/20. Richard Pace, Jr., the son, was 21 when he acquired this land in 1719/20. (2) The Pace Family, 1607-1750, First ed., Vol. 1, compiled by Freda Reid Turner, copyright 1993 by Eleanor Pace Terrell, p. 109.

   100 “What Genealogists should know about 18th Century Virginia Law” by Mr. John P. Alcock, President, Friends of the Virginia State Archives. Presented November 17, 1999, at the Library of VA, sponsored by the Friends of the Virginia State Archives. https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jcat2/genealogy/18centvalaw.html. “Women’s rights: In Colonial Virginia a married woman became ‘one body’ with her husband (Matthew 19, verses 5-6). Together with ‘wives be subject to your husbands’ (Ephesians 5, verses 22-24), these dictums were the basis of English law and continued as American law well into the 19th century. The result was that the rights of a married woman were severely restricted with certain exceptions, she was not allowed to own land in her own right nor to make a will. Any real property that she brought to a marriage automatically became her husbands unless she had insisted on a prenuptial agreement signed before the marriage took place.”

    101 Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Deeds & Wills, 1713-1728, John Roberts & Thomas Winningham to Dorrell Young, Jr., 8 Apr 1718.

   102 (1) Pr. Geo. Co., VA., Deeds & Wills, 1713-1728, Francis Poythress to John Poythress, Jr., 8 Nov 1720. (2) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Pat Bk 9, p. 571, grant to John Poythress, 21 Apr 1703, 23 Oct 1703. John Poythress, Jr., was granted 609 acres on April 21, 1703, on the south side of the Blackwater for paying the transportation of Charles Bartholomew, Elizabeth Smith, Elizabeth Brumfield, Joyce Bibrek, Richard Wilkinson and Robert Lloyd. This land was previously granted to his father, Francis Poythress on September 28, 1681.  

   103 Surry Co., Va., Deeds, Wills, Bk. 7, p. 76, 15, George Pasmore to William Raney, 15 Sept 1717, 18 Sept 1717.

   104 If Anne Bartholomew did not have children, her heir would have been her half-brother Francis Poythress.

   105 Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 33, p. 180.

   106 (1) Chas. Cty. Co., Va., Abstract, Deed, p. 476, James Wallace to Caesar Walpole, 19 May 1664, 10 June 1664. (2) Pr. Geo. Co., Va., Wills & Deeds, p. 94, Wm. Epes & Sarah Walpole to James Pace, 7 Nov 1715.

   107 Surry Co., Va., Deeds, Wills, 1730-1738, p. 881, Acct. of estate of John Barlow, 16 Aug 1738.

   108 La Vere, David, The Tuscarora War, Indians, Settlers, and the Fight for the Carolina Colonies, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 2013.

   109 Brown, Douglas Summers, “Historical and Biographical Sketches of Greensville County, Virginia, 1650-1967, Riparian Woman’s Club, Emporia, Va., 1968, pp. 31-38.

   110 Byrd, William (1674-1744), The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover, 1709-1712, p. 418, 1941, edited by Louis B. Wright & Marion Tinling.

   111 Byrd, William (1674-1744), The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover, 1709-1712, p. 424, 1941, edited by Louis B. Wright & Marion Tinline.

   112 “What Genealogists should know about 18th Century Virginia Law” by Mr. John P. Alcock, President, Friends of the Virginia State Archives. Presented November 17, 1999, at the Library of VA, sponsored by the Friends of the Virginia State Archives. https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jcat2/genealogy/18centvalaw.html. “Women’s rights: In Colonial Virginia a married woman became ‘one body’ with her husband (Matthew 19, verses 5-6). Together with ‘wives be subject to your husbands’ (Ephesians 5, verses 22-24), these dictums were the basis of English law and continued as American law well into the 19th century. The results was that the rights of a married woman were severely restricted with certain exceptions, she was not allowed to own land in her own right nor to make a will. Any real property that she brought to a marriage automatically became her husbands unless she had insisted on a prenuptial agreement signed before the marriage took place. Even after she was widowed and had received a life interest in a specific third of her late husband’s land following a division of the estate made by court-appointed commissioners, she had no say as to whom it would pass after she was gone. She could not sue in a court of law other than by the same “next friend” procedure provided for minors and the mentally incompetent. Only if a woman was an adult and unmarried, either as a widow or never a bride, could she sue in court, act as an executrix or administratrix, be officially designated as the guardian of her children, enter into contracts including indenture of servants, own slaves, sell or buy land, or obtain an ordinary license.”

   113 “Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 1704,” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 07/01/1920.

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