George Poingdestre/Poindexter
1627 - 1690
George Poingdestre was the youngest son born to the elder brother of scholar Jean Poingdestre. But as his esteemed uncle had done, George had to look beyond his limitations for a brighter future. The upheavals of the English Civil War, together with the family's Royalist sympathies, may have been the root of George's decision to immigrate to the New World. He was no boy when he made that first Atlantic crossing, being a man of thirty years with a wife and young children. One must suppose that pressing considerations led to such a hazardous endeavor, and of note is fact that he did not chose Parliamentary-ruled England as his place of betterment.
George Poindexter first appears in the Colony of Virginia in 1657, when he and another man purchased 350 acres in Gloucester County. It is possible that George made one or more trips back to Jersey, particularly after the return of Crown rule in 1659, and especially as George may not have brought his family with him. Ten years later in 1667, George and another partner, Otto Thorpe, bought 850 acres of land at Middle Plantation, what is now Williamsburg, in early 1673, apparently George's wife made the crossing and joined him in Virginia. With her probably came the last of their children, now grown or nearly so.
Although one assumes his beginnings may have been rather humble, one must keep in mind that the Poindexters were a family of some standing. Perhaps letters of introduction or other favorable words ensured that he met the "right" people, but certainly his own industry and enterprise made his place, in the new land. Within the first ten or fifteen years, George established himself as a merchant and planter, and is said to have been a joint owner of several ships with Nathaniel Bacon.
It was upon the land Poindexter and Thorpe held that Bacon led his 1676 uprising of Virginia farmers against colonial authorities. Bacon and his followers accused Virginia governor Sir William Berkele, of failure to protect them from Indian raids, on what was then truly wild frontier. They formed their own army and dealt their own justice to raiding tribes. Nathaniel Bacon and his motley army next occupied Virginia’s capital city, Jamestown where they demanded governmental reforms. Indian fighting drew them away again for a time, but then Bacon captured Jamestown once more. Apparently failing to get the desired government response to the farmers' demands, he and his army then burned the city. They retreated to Gloucester, but once there, illness suddenly claimed Bacon’s life. With his death the rebellion collapsed. George Poindexter's own part in all this, beyond the use of his land, remains unknown.
Upon the founding of Bruton Parish at Williamsburg, George Poindexter was elected to the first vestry in 1679. A memorial plaque to his contributions remains upon the wall of the present-day Bruton Parish Church. His name appears frequently in the records of Bruton Parish, proving he was quite active in his church. In those days, church work included such varied things as distributions to the poor, care of orphans or unwed mothers, and the construction of houses, roads, or hospitals. True to his family heritage, George Poindexter was an active and integral member of his community.
About 1685, he moved with his family to an area between the Pamunky and Chickahominy rivers, in present New Kent County. There he built a handsome home in which his children and grandchildren, and their children in turn would grow to adulthood. Later additions to the home lent it the shape of a cross, giving it the name "Christs Cross," or "Criss Cross." Built entirely of Flemish brick on a timber frame, the, elegant and sturdy structure today stands as an encapsulation of Virginia architecture over at least a century’s time, although the grand old home itself has advanced well beyond its second century of existence. Criss Cross passed from Poindexter hands about 1870, and today is a private residence, but the aura of quiet timelessness still clings, and one can imagine the footsteps of history echoing softly amongst the shadowed halls.
In New Kent County, George again appears among the founders of another parish, that of St. Peters. He was a member of the first vestry, which met at his home until the completion of St. Peter's Church in 1701. George continues to appear as churchwarden, vestryman, and processioner, until he declined the vestry in 1690. He died shortly thereafter, but left a legacy which would help shape the progress of a new nation. The footsteps of his sons and daughters would be found upon the scene, of America’s every endeavor and conflict and their names would grace places of high achievement, even to the present. From a single man sprang what could, with only a slight blush be called a remarkable dynasty
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Charlemagne
Jean
Poingdestre 1609-1691
Governor George Littleton Poindexter 1779-1853
Reverend
James Preston Poindexter 1819- 1907
Wars Against England
Colonel John A. Poindexter 1825-1869
Captain
James E. Poindexter 1839-1911
Congressman Meredith Poindexter Gentry 1809-1866
Governor Joseph Boyd Poindexter 1869-1951
Ambassador/Senator Miles Poindexter 1868-1946
Admiral John Marlan Poindexter, USN, Retired
Astronaut Alan G. Poindexter, USN
Captain John B. Poindexter, USA,
George Poindexter first appears in the Colony of Virginia in 1657, when he and another man purchased 350 acres in Gloucester County. It is possible that George made one or more trips back to Jersey, particularly after the return of Crown rule in 1659, and especially as George may not have brought his family with him. Ten years later in 1667, George and another partner, Otto Thorpe, bought 850 acres of land at Middle Plantation, what is now Williamsburg, in early 1673, apparently George's wife made the crossing and joined him in Virginia. With her probably came the last of their children, now grown or nearly so.
Although one assumes his beginnings may have been rather humble, one must keep in mind that the Poindexters were a family of some standing. Perhaps letters of introduction or other favorable words ensured that he met the "right" people, but certainly his own industry and enterprise made his place, in the new land. Within the first ten or fifteen years, George established himself as a merchant and planter, and is said to have been a joint owner of several ships with Nathaniel Bacon.
It was upon the land Poindexter and Thorpe held that Bacon led his 1676 uprising of Virginia farmers against colonial authorities. Bacon and his followers accused Virginia governor Sir William Berkele, of failure to protect them from Indian raids, on what was then truly wild frontier. They formed their own army and dealt their own justice to raiding tribes. Nathaniel Bacon and his motley army next occupied Virginia’s capital city, Jamestown where they demanded governmental reforms. Indian fighting drew them away again for a time, but then Bacon captured Jamestown once more. Apparently failing to get the desired government response to the farmers' demands, he and his army then burned the city. They retreated to Gloucester, but once there, illness suddenly claimed Bacon’s life. With his death the rebellion collapsed. George Poindexter's own part in all this, beyond the use of his land, remains unknown.
Upon the founding of Bruton Parish at Williamsburg, George Poindexter was elected to the first vestry in 1679. A memorial plaque to his contributions remains upon the wall of the present-day Bruton Parish Church. His name appears frequently in the records of Bruton Parish, proving he was quite active in his church. In those days, church work included such varied things as distributions to the poor, care of orphans or unwed mothers, and the construction of houses, roads, or hospitals. True to his family heritage, George Poindexter was an active and integral member of his community.
About 1685, he moved with his family to an area between the Pamunky and Chickahominy rivers, in present New Kent County. There he built a handsome home in which his children and grandchildren, and their children in turn would grow to adulthood. Later additions to the home lent it the shape of a cross, giving it the name "Christs Cross," or "Criss Cross." Built entirely of Flemish brick on a timber frame, the, elegant and sturdy structure today stands as an encapsulation of Virginia architecture over at least a century’s time, although the grand old home itself has advanced well beyond its second century of existence. Criss Cross passed from Poindexter hands about 1870, and today is a private residence, but the aura of quiet timelessness still clings, and one can imagine the footsteps of history echoing softly amongst the shadowed halls.
In New Kent County, George again appears among the founders of another parish, that of St. Peters. He was a member of the first vestry, which met at his home until the completion of St. Peter's Church in 1701. George continues to appear as churchwarden, vestryman, and processioner, until he declined the vestry in 1690. He died shortly thereafter, but left a legacy which would help shape the progress of a new nation. The footsteps of his sons and daughters would be found upon the scene, of America’s every endeavor and conflict and their names would grace places of high achievement, even to the present. From a single man sprang what could, with only a slight blush be called a remarkable dynasty
Return To The Homepage
Charlemagne
Jean Poingdestre 1609-1691
Governor George Littleton Poindexter 1779-1853
Reverend James Preston Poindexter 1819- 1907
Wars Against England
Colonel John A. Poindexter 1825-1869
Captain James E. Poindexter 1839-1911
Congressman Meredith Poindexter Gentry 1809-1866
Governor Joseph Boyd Poindexter 1869-1951
Ambassador/Senator Miles Poindexter 1868-1946
Admiral John Marlan Poindexter, USN, Retired
Astronaut Alan G. Poindexter, USN
Captain John B. Poindexter, USA,
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