"William Payne married Elizabeth Poindexter before 12 Feb 1721/2. That is the date on which he sold 100 acres of land to Francis Awbrey. The following year, his wife Elizabeth appointed William Sturman and John Awbrey as her attorneys in fact to appear in court in Westmoreland County and relinquish her right of dower in the land sold to Francis Awbrey. Elizabeth would have had no dower right in that land unless William owned it during their marriage, therefore they were husband and wife prior to the sale on 12 Feb 1721/2."
