Later records spell his surname WINTERS (SV-404 pg 48)
Floyd County History says “... is of German descent and the tradition in the family follows: ‘Paulus Winter was born in Germany about the year 1757 and, being very anxious to get to America, came across the Atlantic as a stowaway (an indentured servant) and was sold (or indentured) to defray the cost of his transportation across the ocean. He was a skilled mechanic, having served fourteen years apprenticeship in Germany, seven years as a stonemason and seven as a journeyman. He was purchased by, or indentured to a man who wanted a house built and in its construction badly needed a stonemason.” (SV-1682.3)
His name may also be spelled Paulis Winture (SV-205)
He was originally from Shenandoah Co., VA (SV-309)
He never married in Shenandoah Co., VA 1772-1850. (SV-822)
Dolores Rutherford (dcr555@softcom.net) says that in the 1760s there was a Winter (German Wintermeyer) family in York Co., PA. Is it related to Powlis’ family ?? (SV-351)
“Paulus Winter later built a dam across the James River, some distance above the present site of Lynchburg, Virginia, which stood for many years.” (SV-1682)
Steve Zuraff says he has seen Winter marriages in Rockbridge Co., VA around 1820. (SV-309)
1787-1791 Not Listed on Rockbridge Co., VA Personal Property Tax List. (SV-1419)
1790 he is listed on the Augusta Co., VA tax list. (SV-851)
1792 He purchased 200 acres on the Middle River of the Shenandoah in Augusta Co., VA from Hugh McDowell & Sarah, his wife for several hundred pounds sterling. (SV-351 & SV-495)
Aug. 1795 He and Elizabeth deeded this 200 acres to John Rab and Sampson Eagan (which Powlas purchased in 1792. (SV-351 & SV-495)
1797 Deed Book C, pg 505: Powlas Winters of Rockbridge Co., VA bought from Wm Telford of Scot co., KY 200 acres on the James River for 121 pounds. It adjoins land owned by James Hayes. (SV-515)
1810 Rockbridge Deed Book G, pg 129: Joseph Porter & Catharine, his wife, and devise of Wm Porter, deceased, sold to Paulis Winters of Rockbridge co., VA 38 acres (which was granted to Wm Porter by patent in 1770) for $80. (SV-515)
1810 VA census: Living in Rockbridge Co. (SV-616)
1813 Rockbridge Deed Book H, pg 479: Samuel Clarke sold to Paulus Winters of Rockbridge co., VA 300 acres for $750. It adjoins property of Frederick Snider; John McCowns; and Jane McCampbell. It was witnessed by Susannah Winters (by her mark); John Sink and Tobias Lambert. (SV-515)
1814 VA Land Grant: 260 ac. in Rockbridge Co. adjoining land of James McCampbell, Daniel Strickler and Wm Caruthers. (SV-1301)
Apr 1820 George Cress (misspelled Chris) & wife (Christena) place their property in the hands of their son-in-law, Paulus Winters. They agree to make Paulus Winters a lawful heir with the rest of their children. (Does this mean that Paulus’ wife is now dead?) (SV-404 pg 48 & SV-515) However - by George Cress’ will of 1823 (SV-287) he did not give anything to Paulus Winters. Why?? Apparently this is because abt 1821 Catherine Cress Winters died and soon after Paulus married Sarah Little so he would have not had any reason to care for George Cress.
1823 Rockbridge Deed Book N, pg 454: John G. Young (Paulis’ son-in-law) sold to Paul Winters of Rockbridge co., VA misc. property for $101. (SV-515)
1824 Rockbridge Deed Book O, pg 73: Paulus Winters and Sarah, his wife, of Rockbridge co., VA sold to Stuart Taylor 140 acres on the North River (a branch of James River) for $750. The land adjoins land owned by: Frederick Snider; John Walsh & Paulus Winters. (SV-515)
1823 Rockbridge Deed Book O, pg 76: Paulus Winters & Sarah, his wife, of Rockbridge co., VA sold to Thomas Mayburry and Wm Weaver 3 tracts of land totalling 404 acres for $500. These tracts on the North Branch of the James River were devised to Sarah and her sister, Rebecca byt he last will and testament of David Little, deceased, dated 25 Nov. 1813 (recorded in Botetourt co. Courthouse). (SV-515)
1824 Rockbridge Deed Book O, pg 335: Paulus Winters bought for $6 from Mary Magdalene Lambert (widow of Tobias Lambert); John Linkswiler & Rebeckah, his wife (daughter of Tobia Lambert); Polly Lambert; Betty Lambert; Joseph Lambert & Sarah Lambert, all of Rockbridge co., VA. The tract is in Rockbridge co. on the North Branch of James River consists of 27 square pole and is intended for an abuttment for a dam owned by Paulus Winters. (SV-515)
1824 Rockbridge Deed Book O, pg 342: Paulus Winters & Sarah, his wife, sold to John Whitmore for $4,326 a tract of 16 acres in Rockbridge Co., VA including a mill & cooper shop with provision that Winters can use the mill pond for watering.
1825 He obtained a tract of land in Miami Co., OH and later sold it to Henry Weaver. (SV-1427)
1825 Rockbridge Deed Book O, pg 507: Paulus Winters & wife, Sarah, of Botetourt Co., VA sold to John Buchanan for $1,840 for 184 acres on the North River in Rockbridge co., VA. It is the remainder of his plantation. The land borders land owned by John McCurdy; John McClelland; James McDowell. (SV-515)
1827 He is living in Montgomery Co., VA and bought 232 acres on Terry’s Creek (future Floyd Co. 6-7 mi. NE of county seat) from Joseph Howard for $800. (SV-541 & SV-1682)
1828 Rockbride Deed Book Q, pg 64: Paulus Winters & Sarah, his wife, of Montgomery Co., VA sold to John Mouler of Rockbridge co. for $800 a tract in Rockbridge Co. known as the Mtn Place containing 450 acres. It borders land owned by Daniel Strettler; Jacob Horn; Moses McCown; Frederick Snyder; James McCampbell & Stuart Taylor. (SV-515)
1830 VA census: Living in Montgomery Co., VA aged 60-70 yrs with: Female aged 40-50 yrs (probably wife, Elizabeth); Males: one less than 5 yrs (George); one 5-10 yrs (David) and another 40-50 years - who is this ?? He is probably Robert Little who is living with George Winter (Paulus’ son) in 1850. (SV-522)
1830 He paid $1,000 for about 800 acres in Montgomery Co., VA on Little River which he bought from John G. Eason and heirs. (SV-541)
1834 VA Land Grant: 1,370 ac. in Floyd Co. on Little River (a branch of the New River). (SV-1301)
1835 Powlis sold his tract of land in Miami Co., OH to son-in-law, Henry Weaver. (SV-1427)
1836 Paulus and Sarah, his wife, (the deed says “formerly Sarah Little, one of the children and heirs of David Little, dec’d of Floyd Co.”) sold 30 acres on Catawba Creek in Montgomery co., VA to John Hamm and Timothy Sakes for $35. (SV-541)
1839 His will (proved Dec. 1839) named: wife, Sarah, children: Barbary, Susannah, Mary, Nancy, David & George and heirs of deceased daughter, Elizabeth. (SV-521)
Will Details (SV-1427.2)
Resident of Floyd Co., VA
To wife, Sarah Winter: tract of land I now reside containing 1,370 ac. plus 400 ac. tract and all stock; household and kitchen furniture.
To daughter, Barbary, one dollar.
To daughter, Susannah, $250.
To daughter, Mary, $1.
To heirs of daughter, Elizabeth, deceased, $500 to be divided equally.
To my daughter, Nancy, or her heirs $1
To sons: George and David when they reach 21 yrs the remainder.
To son, David, 770 ac. plus 1/2 of personal property after death of wife, Sarah.
To son, George, 600 ac. plus 1/2 of personal property after death of wife, Sarah.
Wife, Sarah, was named Executrix.
1840 VA Land Grant: 14.5 ac. in Floyd Co. on waters of Terry’s Creek. (SV-1301)