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501-5324
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/OM
MEMORIAL
Thomas Potts, Junior
WHO SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA;
HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS DESCENDANTS
TO THE EIGHTH GENERATION.
Mrs. THOMAS POTTS JAMES,
C A M I) R I 1>G I-.
PRIVATELY PRINTED.
.874.
5014824
Coventry House.
u
MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN
6Djjts HJcmortal
OF THEIR ANCESTORS
X
IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIHK1)
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE
'EVEN years ago I began to collect and transcribe,
for the information of my children, the materials
for a family ' history, without any intention of
preparing them for the press ; as the work pro-
gressed, it became known to some of the descend-
ants of Thomas Potts, who, finding that I had
gathered up valuable information about the older members of the
family, urged me to arrange it as a memorial and print it by sub-
scription, that it might be preserved in a permanent form. To this
repeated request I unwillingly consented, — unwillingly, because I
foresaw it would involve a great expenditure of time, care, and
critical research to connect interesting facts, and put them in a
narrative form ; but I consented because the manuscript prepared
from widely scattered papers could not be replaced if accidentally
destroyed, unless copies of it were multiplied by printing.
With what labor the following pages have been put together
only those engaged in similar works can judge; and yet, to quote
the words of Dugdale, " I must expect no less than the censure of
some, who would have it thought that they know much, if they do
hit upon anything that I have not seen, and perhaps tax me with
my negligence, or worse, for omitting it." The genealogist in
Pennsylvania meets with peculiar obstacles : town records, like those
of New England, are unknown ; Friends' records, especially in the last
vi Preface.
century, are imperfect, and the address of clerks of the meetings
difficult to obtain, yet it is due to these officers to say that they
have always examined and transcribed entries at my request will-
ingly and without remuneration. The objection of Quakers and
their descendants to the erection of gravestones cuts off another
source of authentic information, and the small number of genealogi-
cal books of Pennsvlvanians yet printed obliges those engaged in
the subject to search official records for dates and facts, even of
historical families.
Although I have made every effort to obtain copies of family
records, I regret to say that in some instances repeated attempts
have been unavailing, and therefore a few branches of the family
are incomplete.
Many genealogical books are encumbered with figures that con-
fuse the reader instead of aiding him ; but the simplicity of the
arrangement of this volume must be at once seen. With all the
care I have taken, errors and misprints appear, and attention is
particularly directed to the Errata. To those who have loaned me
valuable papers, and copied records and documents, I am under
great obligations; my arduous task has been made easier by the
kind aid and encouragement of many members of the family, and
especially of Joseph-Potts Smith, Isaac W. Potts, and Thomas-
Potts James. My thanks are also due to Lloyd P. Smith, of the
Philadelphia Library, for his courtesy in allowing me to examine
manuscripts and rare books ; to J. L. Sibley, Librarian of Harvard
University; James Shrigley, of the Historical Society of Pennsyl-
vania; and to the American Philosophical Society.
ISABELLA JAMES.
94 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass.,
Nov. S, 1873.
SUBSCRIBERS
TO THE FIFTEEN-DOLLAR EDITION. ONLY FIFTY COPIES PRINTED.
George H. Potts .
Henry Potts, Jr.
Joseph Potts, Jr. .
Joseph D. Potts
Robert S. Potts .
James L. Bailey
Mrs. Henry J. Biddle .
Clarence G. James .
Frances B. James .
Mary-Isabella James
Montgomery James
Thomas-Potts James
Edward S. Davies
Joseph M. P. Price .
Clement M. Rutter
John O. Rutter
Joseph-Potts Smith
William A. Smith
Marshall P. Wilder .
Martha-Potts Williams
Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa.
Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa.
Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa.
1 129 Girard St., Philadelphia .
Martic Forge, Lancaster Co., Pa
Pine Iron-Works, Pa.
Philadelphia
Cambridge, Mass. .
Cambridge, Mass.
Cambridge, Mass.
Cambridge, Mass.
Cambridge, Mass. .
Pottstown, Pa.
Camden, N. J.
15 Wall St., New York
Chicago, Illinois
1723 Filbert St., Philadelphia
40 Wall St., New York .
Boston, Mass.
123 South Eighteenth St., Philadelphia
Copie
Vlll
Subscribers.
SUBSCRIBERS
TO THE FIVE-DOLLAR EDITION. FOUR HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED.
Andrew-Ross Potts .
Anna-May Potts
Austin Potts .
Charles Potts
George H. Potts
Henry Potts, Jr. .
Isaac W. Potts
John Potts .
John Potts* .
John-Graff Potts
Joseph Potts .
Joseph Potts, Jr. .
Joseph D. Potts
Samuel J. Potts .
Thomas H. Potts
Virginia Potts
William Potts . . . .
William N. Potts
American Iron and Steel Ass.
George W. Bacon-
Mrs. Lvdia M. Baird*
Spencer-Fullerton Baird .
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Bicknei.l .
Thomas S. Blair .
A. A. Brooke ....
John R. Brooke
Rebecca-Potts Byeri.y
Capt. S. P. Carter
James H. Carr ....
Washington, D. C. .
Warwick Furnace ....
192 1 Wallace St., Philadelphia
Galena, Illinois ....
Pottstown, Pa. ....
Pottstown, Pa. ....
192 1 Wallace St., Philadelphia
Norristown, Pa. ....
War Department, Washington .
Galena, Illinois ....
Near Harrisburg, Pa.
Pottstown, Pa. ....
1 1 29 Girard St., Philadelphia .
Reading, Pa. ....
1101 Arch St., Philadelphia
192 1 Wallace St., Philadelphia
86 State St., Brooklyn, N. Y. .
192 1 Wallace St., Philadelphia
522 Walnut St., Philadelphia .
Philadelphia ....
Carlisle, Pa. .....
Smithsonian Institution
New Albany, Ind. ....
Pittsburg, Pa. ....
Washington, D. C. .
Pottstown, Pa. ....
Orange, N. J
United States Navy .
107 South Thirteenth St., Philadelphia
The persons whose names .ire thus marked have died since subscribing to this volume.
Subscribers.
IX
George W. Childs
Samuel Adams Drake
Benjamin Duffield
Mrs. Charles \V. Dunlap
Dr. James M. Eagleton
Mrs. Emily Ewing
CAPT. T. J. FlLLEBROWN
Dr. W. Kent Gilbert
Eliza P. Gurney .
John-Potts Hobart .
John-Henry Hobart
Nathaniel- Potts Hobart, Jr
Sally-Potts Hobart* .
Anna-Potts James
Dr. David James*
John F. James*
Martha-Haskins James
Samuel-Nutt James .
Thomas-Potts James
William H. James
John Jordan, Jr. .
Frederic Kidder
Mrs. Laurence Lewis .
Margaretta Lewis .
Robert M. Lewis .
William Lindlev
William Parsons Lunt
Sarah W. Marshall
John C. Martin .
Addison May
Mrs. Anna M. McIntosh
Dr. John Neill
Mrs. Ogden .
Mrs. Mary-Potts Paxon
Mrs. Mary May Peirce
Thomas-May Peirce
Twenty-second and Walnut Sts., Phila.
Boston, Mass. ....
Navy Yard, Philadelphia
Springfield, Ohio ....
1 20 North Eleventh St., Philadelphia .
Philadelphia .....
United States Navy . . . .
Ninth and Pine Sts., Philadelphia .
Burlington, N. J
Pottsville, Pa. ....
Pottstown, Pa
Pottstown, Pa. ....
Pottstown, Pa. . . . .
Bustleton, Pa. ....
10 13 Green St., Philadelphia
Philadelphia . ' .
Bustleton, Pa
Bustleton, Pa. ....
Cambridge, Mass. . . . .
Franklin, Venango Co., Pa.
Hist. Soc. of Pa., S20 Spruce St.
Boston, Mass. ....
1419 Spruce St., Philadelphia
1006 Walnut St., Philadelphia .
1732 Pine St., Philadelphia
Duncannon, Perry Co., Pa.
Boston, Mass. . . . . .
1528 Summer St., Philadelphia
248 South Eighth St., Philadelphia -
West Chester, Pa. . . ...
Philadelphia . . . . .
25S South Eighteenth St., Philadelphia
Valley Forge
121 North Eleventh St., Philadelphia
Concordville, Chester Co.
( Miin St , Philadelphia .
X
Subscribers.
Philadelphia Library .
Mrs. Elizabeth-Potts Rea
Thomas H. Richards*
Mrs. M. E. Rothrock
Clement M. Rutter
John O. Rutter
Henry-Potts Rutter .
John-Potts Rutter .
Samuel-Potts Rutter .
William-Ives Rutter
John W. Ryers
Albert Smith .
Corrin Smith
Edmund Smith .
William A. Smith
Anna P. Stevenson .
Mrs. Anna R. Thompson
James Usher
Margaret H. Walrer .
Mrs. Mary P. Warder
Thompson Westcott
Ann Williams .
Mrs. Alan Wood .
Mary Yorke
Fifth St., Philadelphia
Reading, Pa
Batsto, N. J
Wilkesbarre, Pa. . . . . .
15 Wall St., New York
Chicago, 111. ......
4044 Chestnut St., Philadelphia .
42 Pine St., New York . . . .
Farm, and Mech. Nat. Bank, Philadelphia
Pottstown, Pa. .....
Pottstown, Pa. .
Chicago, 111. .....
San Francisco, Cal. . . . .
Office of Pennsylvania Railroad .
40 Wall St., New York . . . .
1022 Clinton St., Philadelphia
1013 Green St., Philadelphia .
New York ......
3612 Chestnut St., West Philadelphia
Springfield, Ohio .....
Philadelphia ......
123 South Eighteenth St., Philadelphia
1525 Arch St., Philadelphia
1 2 12 Spruce St., Philadelphia
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
i. Coat of Arms of the Potts Family Titis-page.
2. * Coventry, Side View Frontispiece.
3. * Coventry, Front View j0
4. * Warwick ........... ^4
5- *Pine 64
6. * POPODICKON So
7. * Marriage Certificate of John and Ruth Potts .... 92
8. Pottsgrove . IOo
9. Residence of Samuel Potts -150
10. Portrait of John Potts, Jr. . 154
1 1. * Stove :6o
12. Facsimile of a Letter from Dr. Franklin . . . . 174
13. Fac-simile of a Letter from Dr. Potts 20S
14. Portrait of Anna P.'Tts . . . . . . . . 212
15. House of Isaac Putts at Valley Forge 216
16. * Portrait of Charles Potts ........ 266
17. * Portrait of Henry Potts . 294
iS. * Portrait of William Alexander Smith 322
19. * Portrait of Edmund Smith ■ . . . . . . 324
20. Coat of Arms of the Nutt Family ...... 372
21. Coat of Arms of the Grace Family 375
* These plates were printed by the Alberttype Company, 22 Treniont Street. Boston. Mj=3
EXPLANATIONS.
The figures placed at the left-hand side of each name denote the number of that indi-
vidual, and whenever it occurs again enables the reader to turn to the place where that
person is first mentioned.
The figures placed after the name in parenthesis show where that person's eldest child
may be found in the next generation. The figures placed in brackets before a name refer
back to the parentage of the individual.
ABBREVIATIONS.
b., born ; 1. c, in the place already cited ; w., wife or widow ; ch , child or children ;
dau., daughter ; m., married ; d.. died ; d. unm., died unmarried ; d. s. p., died without
issue ; and the usual abbreviations for the different States ; when no State is designated,
the reader will understand that Pennsylvania is intended.
CHAPTER I
'■ The history of every family is a romance ; to those who search its pages, a poem."
Lamar iixk.
^Xji^^jJ^ HE family of Potts is of German origin, but the
4, V-JDaZ branch of which this volume is a memorial
^l/;-''-?' ' }J sPrang from a stock that had flourished in Eng-
^r^ hind for more than a hundred years before a
5K tx^K scion was transplanted to the New World.
uk\.yS*Y * g^ -({v jn t]ie sixteenth century the champions of the
Pope devastated with fire and sword many parts of Germany, while
striving to drive that protesting country back into the fold of
Rome; it was probably some wave of the religious persecution
of those days that exiled the ancestor of this family to Great
Britain.
Sir William Pot was made baronet, and had a grant of arms,
in 1583. The coat was " azure two bars or, over all a band of the
last, crest on a mount vert, an Ounce eijant ppr. collared and
chained." Two mottoes were adopted by the family, " In Yinculis
etiam Auclax," and " Vinctus scd non Victus," both crest and
mottoes bearing some allusion to bravery while imprisoned or
chained. From Cheshire, the first settlement of the Pottses,
where they are still a family of wealth and importance, a branch
2 Initial Chapter.
went, says Burke, to -Ireland, and to Maryland, U. S."* John Pot,
a grandson of Sir William, was made a baronet in 1641, and settled
in Norfolk, Eng., where, a century after, his branch became extinct.
The ancestor of the Irish family was a staunch supporter of King
William. Following him to Ireland as an officer in the army, he
fought at the battle of Boyne water, and settled not far from where
the decisive victory was gained over James II., near Athlone.
This branch, though few in number, is an influential family ; and
has a tradition that a brother of their ancestor emigrated to
America.!
Very soon after George Fox began his public ministry, he
gained many followers in the county of Chester. These people,
called Quakers, became amenable to the laws of the land, as they
refused to pay tithes, to take the oath of allegiance, or to uncover
their heads before magistrates ; they held meetings frequently
in such near neighborhood to the parish churches as to disturb
the regular services. Under these circumstances it is not sur-
prising that in every town and county they should have been
persecuted by the authorities ; and in the ancient city of Chester
they were fined, imprisoned, and even tortured, % at an early date.
Among these sufferers we find one Thomas Potts frequently men-
tioned by Besse. §
* Burke's Baronetage ar.d Landed Gentry ; Watford's County Families. When this
was printed in England, several of the Pottstown branch of the family were living in Alex-
andria, Va., and the ncighb rhood. Virginia and Maryland being adjoining States, the
locality is not very inaccurate.
t Letter of William I'otls. Esq., of New Court, near Athlone, to the author.
\ There was in Chester o:.e of those dreadful relies of the dark ages, a dungeon cut in
the rock, too small for a fu'.'.-grown person, and fitted unh appliances for making it -till
smaller. It was derisively .: .'.led Little Ease, and into its terrible embrace many a contu-
macious Quaker was barbur . -K thrust.
§ A Collection of the Si -.rings of the People called Quakers for the Testimony "I" a
Good Conscience. B\ Jose;':: Besse. London, 1753.
Initial Chapter. 3
In 1653, the first }"eai" of persecution in Cheshire, lie was fined,
and with five others suffered distress of goods "to the value of
£l 1 10 s. for going but two miles from their habitations to a meet-
ing." According to the form of a warrant given by Besse, persons
over sixteen years were subject to imprisonment for unlawfully
assembling together, on pretence of joining in religious worship to
God. In 1665 eighteen persons were taken at a meeting at the
house of Edward Alcock of Mobberly, and were committed to the
House of Correction at Middlewick for two months. Here they
suffered so greatly, in the depth of winter, that one of their number
died; at the end of two months the seventeen were released, but
four of them, namely. Thomas Janney, Thomas Pott, Jefferv Bur-
gess, and Edward Alcock. were soon after taken again at a meet-
ing, and recommitted for four months.
Potts could have been released but a short time, when we find
him in 1666 committed to the common jail at Chester with four
others, having been convicted of attending a meeting at the house
of Thomas Janney at Pownal-Eee.
In 1 67 1, Thomas Potts, for 20 s. tithes claimed by Peter Ledsham,
priest of Wilmstow, had goods taken of much greater value. In
1673, Thomas Janney,* Thomas Pott, and Robert Pearson,! for
tithes claimed of them worth £2 14 s., had property seized to the
value of £ 10 19*. The last mention of this person by Besse is
under date of 1684: -Thomas Potts, of Wilmstow, for a meet-
ing at his house, was fined /"20; but he being very poor, the officers
who broke open his doors and rifled his house could find no more
* Thomas Janney, probab'y the- same here mentioned, became one of Penn's Council
in Philadelphia.
I ll was in complimcnl ; hi- ?un, Thomas Pearson, that William IVim changed the
Swedish nam, „( I pland. 1 place where In- lirsl landed, in 16.S2, IoUk.-sU.-i ; hc'scUlcd
in thai eoiinis. ami became '.: . -landlalliei ui liciijaiiiin West, the artist.
Initial Chapter
goods than amounted to £3 6</., which they took, and the poor
man and his family were obliged to seek for lodgings at their
neighbors' houses."
The Shield, in which a Thomas Potts, with his wife and chil-
dren, were passengers, had arrived at Burlington in 1678, six years
before the event mentioned in the last paragraph took place, and
the person of that name who came in it could not therefore have
been the persecuted Quaker of Wilmstow. lint there is little
doubt that, stripped ot all his property by fines and imprisonments
during thirty-one years, he or his family, soon after 16S4, emigrated
to William Perm's colony, and that his children became the ances-
tors of the numerous families of the same name in Pennsylvania
and New Jersey.
" .Anno 1677, on the iSth of the month called July," says Hesse,
"the priest of Trcseylwys and the priest of Llanidles in Montgom-
eryshire, Wales, gave information of a meeting at the house of John
Jarman,* in that borough town on the Severn, upon which the
mayor and constables came thither and arrested seven of the assem-
bly and committed them to prison, and fined several others, who
had their cattle seized for their fines"; fife of these last are men-
tioned, and at the head of the list is "John Potts. One cow and
-ix young beasts worth £ 1 2 10 s." From this fact he appears to
have been the most important man at the meeting, and living near
the town of Llanidles, or Llanydloes, on the Severn in North Wales.
not far from Montgomery. This part of the Principality is so near
and convenient of access to Chester, that the inhabitants consider
that ancient Roman town as their metropolis. The writer has
* John J. urn. in is mentioned m the History of Delaware. Comity, by Dr. Ccor-c
Smith, as havine, settled in Radnor. I'eiinsylvaiiia, before 16S4, .is at llt.it chile lie was :i
ininislei ot thesocictv ,,( Kuends there. 1 le had a Sim of the same name celebrated as a
'!< illiem.ili, 1. in. I I, ml ll.e i< one . ■)' ■ ol those Johns, in 1750, si-ncd .is .1 witness i,, die
receipt ol .1 Ic-ao, .umniy tin. I'.unil* papers in niv possession.
Initial Chapter. 5
been unable to make any personal investigations in England con-
cerning the family, but there is no doubt that the different branches
of the same name in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are descended
from these two persecuted Quakers. The tradition current in the
Colebrook Dale family, that their ancestor came from Wales, where
he was interested in iron-works, finds some corroboration in the fol-
lowing facts, and points strongly towards John of Llanidles, who,
according to Besse's account, lived at that borough town on the
Severn, which is not far from Colebrook Dale, one of the most im-
portant iron-works at that early day in Great Britain.
Thomas Potts, who wa? married at Germantown in 1699, became
engaged in developing the iron-mines of Pennsylvania in 1723; and
though these had been worked several years on the Manatawnv,
Schuylkill, and French Creek, no furnace bore the name of that on
the borders of Wales until he called his own mines Colebrook
Dale, which became the name of the township, and the designation
by which he is still distinguished in the family. The part of the
county containing Pottstown, when it was separated from Phila-
delphia, received the name of Montgomery.
That John of Llanidles and Thomas of Wilmstow were allied
in the old country there is every reason to believe ; but what the
relationship was, I have no means of ascertaining here. Wilmstow
appears to be a name of German origin, as a town in Bavaria is
called Wilmstoven ; it may have been the place in Cheshire where
the German ancestor of the family settled. It is worthy of re-
mark, in this connection, that one of the first houses built by the
Colebrook Dale family is called Stowe, though there is no village
or town of that name. It is still standing about two miles from
Pottstown, and is a handsome building oi line dressed sandstone,
one end having a Mansard roof. The plantation mi which it
stands comprised two hundred and fifty acres ; it has been the
6 Initial Chapter.
birthplace and the home of several generations of different branches
of the family. It was confiscated during the Revolution as the
property of the Tory, Judge John Potts, and was purchased of gov-
ernment by his patriotic brother, Dr. Jonathan Potts, merely to
keep it in the family, as he sold it, a few weeks after, to his brother
David, who had already a very large landed estate.
Some of the descendants of the various persons named Thomas
Potts have been sorely puzzled to account for the number in Penn-
sylvania and Jersev who bore that name as early as 1698. It is
now certain that there were several of the name who came over
from England before 1700. The writer purposes only to trace the
descendants of Thomas of Colebrook Dale in this volume ; al-
though her extensive researches among the records of Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersev have given her valuable information concern-
ing the contemporary ancestors of the other families, it would
increase the size of this book too much to insert it here.
CHAPTER II
GERMAXTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.
" That brother band,
The sorrowing exiles from their Fatherland,
Leaving their homes in Kricshcim's bowers of vine,
And the blue beauty of their glorious Rhine,
To seek amidst our solemn depths of wood
Freedom for man and holy peace with God,
Who first o\ all their testimonial gave
Against the oppressor, for the outcast slave."
Whittier.
^.{'HE records of the early Friends of Germantown
■>L are at Abington, which was once included within
':^3 the limits of that settlement, and until 1701 called
"Pf the Mill Township. From these I extract the
M» following: —
" At a monthly meeting, held the 20th of 8th
mo., 1699, whereas Thomas Putts and Martha Courlih,* having
declared their intention of marriage with each other before two
monthly meetings, inquiry being made by persons appointed and
found clear from all others on account of marriage, did accomplish
>//.< seems
lave been the German orthography-
8 Germantown, Pa.
their marriage in the unity of Friends, as is signified by their mar-
riage certificate."
Martha was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Keurlis, and
had come from Germany with her parents, in company with Pasto-
rius, sixteen years before. An allotment of land was made to
Peter Keurlis in the laying out of Germantown, and his name
appears frequently in the early records as one of the original
householders. Like most of these German names, it is variously
spelled in different documents, and seems finally to have been an-
glicized into Kerlin.
So little has been printed which is accessible to the general
reader regarding this first German colony in the United States,
that the author believes that a few of the facts she has gathered
from the German letters of Pastorius and other sources will not
be uninteresting to the descendants of Martha Keurlis.
Proud, a Quaker historian, says, " The first German emigrant
Quakers were from Greisheim in the Palatinate " ; but Eberling, a
German, in his " History of Pennsylvania," after quoting this from
Proud, when speaking of the English settlement of Pennsylvania,
says, " About this time a German society was formed at Frankfort
on the Main, Duisberg, Bremen, Lubeck, and other places, who
undertook in concert to send emigrants to Pennsylvania, and to
open a trade with that country. This took place under the guid-
ance of the Licentiate Pastorius from the free city of Windsheim,
who carried over a number of Germans, who established them-
selves at Germantown, and brought that place into great repute."
Francis Daniel Pastorius was the son of Melchior Adam Pasto-
rius, Mayor of Windsheim in Franconia, judge of the highest
court, and a person of much dignity and importance. Francis
Daniel, alter graduating at the University of Altorf continued his
studio in the law at Strasburg, Basle, Jena, and Ratisbon, and
Gcrmantozuii, Pa. 9
received the degree of Doctor Utri usque Juris at Nuremberg in
1676. He spent the next two years at Windsheim, and then went
to Frankfort on the Main to practise law, where he also deliv-
ered lectures on the subject to some young patricians. Here he
became acquainted with Dr. Spener, the head of the Pietists, who
recommended him to a young nobleman who was about to make
the tour of Europe, and with whom he spent two years in visiting
Great Britain and the must important capitals of the Continent.
From his own account he appears to have led a gay life, and, finding
all vanity and vexation of spirit, was always seeking for true Chris-
tians in every great city, but found them only in Cambridge,* Eng.,
and in the town of Client, who taught him many things and con-
firmed his good resolutions; so that when he returned to Frankfort
in 1680 he was quite ready to embrace the idea of emigrating to
America, which was proposed to him by a few gentlemen who
had become interested in Penn's colony, and had formed a com-
pany to purchase lands in the New World. Though some sort
of contract was made in Germany, Pastorius, having been ap-
pointed by the company, went over to London, after Penn had
sailed for America, and bought of his agent Ford twenty thousand
acres,! for which he received a certificate, and the promise that
fifteen thousand should be located together on a navigable stream ;
also three hundred acres in the city liberties. The following
extracts are translated from the original German, a collection of the
letters of Pastorius to his father and friends, printed at Frank-
fort and Leipzig, i 700 - 4 : —
"After I went from London to Deal, I hired four men-servants
and two maids to come over with me, and started with a company
of eighty persons ; the ship drew thirty feet of water. Our allow-
These wc-
e the
I'uritnn 1
i vines
of the Ui
Ia a later
letter
ic says 1
iirt\ t
housand ;
io Germanhnvn, Pa.
ance of food and drink was very bad ; for ten persons' supply three
pounds of butter were given, and daily four quarts of beer and one
quart of water; for dinner every noon we had two dishes of pease ;
four times a week we had meat, and three times salt-fish, which we
had to dress ourselves with the butter distributed to us. \\ hat
was left from the dinner we had to save for supper. This food be-
ing very inadequate, every one must provide himself, before entering
the ship, with provisions.
" I undertook this journey and voyage across the great ocean
under God's holy guidance; and with nine persons related tome,
we sailed from Deal, |une 7, 1683.
"On the 1 6th of August, 1683, we came in sight of America,
but it was the iSth of the same month when we came to the Dela-
ware River. On the 20th we sailed past Newcastle and Upland,
and arrived towards evening happily at Philadelphia, where I was
received by the Governor, William Penn, with love and friendship."
This was Pastorius's first acquaintance with the founder of Penn-
sylvania, although the ship in which he and his colony came
brought also some Quakers to Philadelphia.
The name of the vessel was the America, Captain Wasey ; and
for the accommodations recited above, the forty-one Germans who
came in her paid six pounds sterling, or thirty -six thalers, passage-
money each.
There is some account in these letters of the trouble concern-
ing the location of the lands bought in London, and much inter-
change of sentiment took place in the Latin and French tongue
between Penn and Pastorius; but when the final arrangement was
made, the Germans Ilk aggrieved that their town did not extend to
the Schuylkill, the navigable water promised.
1 here is no reason to suppose that Pastorius or his eleven fam-
ilies were Quakers when the)' arrived here. In his letters home he
Germ a n town , Pa.
i 1
calls the Friends of Philadelphia " Tremulendos,"* and he disclaims
for himself the name of Pietist. He had, it is true, a longing for a
more spiritual worship than was in fashion among the " mouth Chris-
tians " of his day, but he was willing to welcome to his colony any
one from the Fatherland who loved God and his neighbor; but in
his writings he insists strongly on the doctrine of the Trinity t as
of saving importance. He gives two reasons for coming to this
country, — and surely he was the best judge of his own motive for
emigration, — first, to provide a Pelke, or refuge from the judgments
soon to overwhelm the Old World for its sins; and, secondlv, to civ-
ilize and Christianize the " naked-going savages." With these last
he always maintained most friendly relations, and instructed them
as well as he could, with his slight knowledge of their language,
in the Christian religion and " the Holy Trinity."
While the location of the land bought by the Germans was
undecided, they lived in Philadelphia, in the caves on the river-
bank, which Perm's company were then vacating for their newly
built houses. Some, no doubt, following the example of their leader,
built small cabins ; but neither he nor his German colony had any
intention of remaining there, for the plan, from the first, was to
found a German province, where they could speak their own lan-
guage and continue the customs of the Fatherland. Pastorius,
in a letter home, after alluding to the city of Philadelphia, which
he describes at this date as consisting of a few rude huts, says : —
" On the 24th of October, 16S3, I, Fr Daniell Pastorius, laid out,
with the consent of our Governor, another new city named German-
town or Germanopolis. two hours % away from Philadelphia, where
* " Although William I'cnn belongs to the sect of Quakers, or Trannhmdos, lie does not
force .in> one'-, failli, but allows freedom of belief to each nation." I'astokius'.s Letters.
I 'I his ilui trine William IViin was accused of denying.
; In German an liour and a mile are ec|ui\alenl, and are eimal to three Llnglish miles.
i 2 Gcrmantown, Pa.
there is good, black, fertile soil and healthful springs of water,
main oaks, walnut and chestnut trees, and good pasturage for cat-
tle. The beginning consisted of only twelve families of forty-one
persons, mostly High Germans, many of them mechanics and
weavers, because I perceived we could not do without linen cloth.
The principal streets are sixty feet wide, and the cross streets forty.
The spaiii/iii, or square, allowed for each building, is three acres, but
for my dwelling double as much. I had at first, in Philadelphia, a
little house built, thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide; the windows,
on account of the want of glass, were of paper washed with oil. Over
the house door I had written ' Parva domus sed arnica bonis procul
este prophani'; at which our Governor, when he visited me, broke
out into a laugh, and encouraged me to build on further. I have
managed to obtain for my High German society fifteen thousand
acres of land together in one piece, with the condition that in a
year's time I shall really settle thirty households on it ; also that we
1 ligh Germans shall receive a separate little province, and can keep
ourselves so much the more secure from oppression. It would be
also very well if the European societies would send over several of
the best of the company ; for the Governor said to me, only day be-
fore yesterday, that the zeal of the Germans in building pleases him
well, and he commends them for it more than the English, and
intends to give them certain privileges."
The ground plan of Gcrmantown as originally laid out is still in
existence; and several years ago Peter Keyser, a descendant of one
of the early settlers, had the maps copied by a surveyor (B. Leh-
man) under his own direction, and arranged with extracts from
original documents relating to them, into a large and elegant
volume of great value to the antiquarian as well as to the owners
of real estate in that neighborhood. Through the kindness of his
son. Dr. Keyser, 1 examined this book, and was assisted by him in
Gcrmantown, Pa. 13
making the following abstract : Gcrmantown was surveyed and
laid out by the surveyor-general, 2d of February, 1684, and it
is probable that at this period the three acres were distributed to
the twelve original householders, as described in Pastorius's letters.
It was resurveyed in 16S7; and on the 3d of April, 1689, a patent
was issued by William Markham, for Penn, of 5,700 acres.
1,375 acres of this was distributed in amounts of 50 acres each to
the fifty-five settlers there, and was drawn by lot April 4 of
that year. The limits of the original Germanopolis were, on the
southern side, towards Philadelphia, Danenhower's Mill Road ; on
the north, Keyser's Lane, which was a road leading from Roxborough
to Abington, and now called Washington Street ; on the western side
were included bowman's, now Indian Queen Lane, Bensell's Lane,
Rittenhousen Mill Road, and Johnson's Lane; on the east, Pickes's
or Bristol Lane, Kunnerd Weaver's Mill Road, and Danenhower's
Mill Road. This land was divided into twenty-seven and a half lots
on either side of the main street, giving a width of forty-eight feet
in front, and extending back fourteen perches; thus forming a long
and narrow section of land, and bringing the houses near enough
together to make a compact street. This fact is mentioned in a peti-
tion of the Corporation of Germantown to their dear Governor,
William Penn : " That seventeen years before they had laid out the
township in lots and more compact settlements than had been
done elsewhere." Forty-nine persons took up these lots numbered
fifty-five, but some contained one and a half and some two and two
and a half of the amount of perches and feet given above ; those
taking more land in the town received less in the side lots, which were
laid out both above and below the town. For instance, Peter Keurlis
drew lot No. 1 ; his land was the first lot in the town, King nearest
to Philadelphia, and doubtless the most desirable lor that reason;
it contained fifteen acres. It was situated a square or two above
14 Gcrmantown, Pa.
the lower burying-ground, near Fisher's Lane ; his side lot was
also the first lot from the city, now Naglce's Hill, which was after-
wards bought by Mr. Logan.
The twelve * original householders who came with Pastorius, in-
cluding himself, are as follows, the three Op den Graeffs counting
but one household : Dirck, Herman, and Abraham Op den Graeff,
Leonard Arets, Tunis Kunders,t Reinert Tison, William Streepers,
fan Lansen, Peter Kcurlis, Jan Simens, Johannes Bleickers, Abra-
ham Tunes, and Jan Lucken.f
How the services of Pastorius's church were conducted, he does
not tell us; but there is not the least hint in all his religious dis-
quisitions— and they are numerous in his letters — that it was ac-
cording to the rule of Friends ; indeed, there is very good authority
for saying that it was not, as will appear further on. The privi-
leges promised by William Penn to Gcrmantown were granted
by charter in 16S9, which received the royal sanction in 1691 ; at that
time a city corporation was chosen consisting of a bailiff, § three
burgesses, a recorder, clerk, and sheriff; the seal adopted was a
trefoil, exhibiting upon its leaves a grape, a flax-flower, and a spool ;
with the legend, " Vinum, Linum, et Textrinum." The first Court
of Records was held at that date in the public meeting-house ; and
Pastorius writes to his father: " The Governor, William Penn, has
appointed me first burgomaster and justice of the peace in this
town, so that we now hold our sessions for Common Council and
our own courts, but all after the English laws."
Near the limits of Gcrmantown some German and English
Quakers held meetings at Abington, then called Milltown, and the
* They nrc sometimes called twelve, and at other dates thirteen.
I \<m Conrad.
I Now I nkens.
< 1'he Cernuin tilli uf ilu i<nr,..ii>ul oiVicer of a small luwn.
Germantown, Pa. 15
first mention in those records of a meeting at Germantown is
1st mo., 1687; a meeting was ordered to be held at Germantown,
alternating with three other places, " the last fourth day of the
month next ensuing." This was a week-day meeting, and may
have been held, as Watson says, at the house of Tunis Kunders;
but the date he gives — 1683 — is wrong, for the German colony
only arrived in Philadelphia late in that year. Jacob Schuma-
cher,* who was not one of the original thirteen householders, was
a German Quaker, and it seems to have been through his instru-
mentality that a meeting was really organized there, as the following
proves: " At a Court of Record, held at Germantown, 20th day of
.November, 1693, Jacob Schumacher delivered to the people called
Quakers a deed containing three perches square for a meeting-
house." t Where these three perches of land were situated, the
record does not state ; but it may have been on Schumacher's own
ground, for Watson savs Quaker meetings were held at his house,
which was standing until a recent time.
The second Friends' meeting-house (allowing that one was built
on the three perches of land) was in Germantown proper, on land
bought of Heivert Papen for £to. It stood in the present grave-
yard on the street. The German subscription list is as follows.
Only five are the original twelve or thirteen householders. A ret
Klinken, £\o 4s. ; fohn Lucken, £ 10 $s. ; William Streepers,
£9 4s.; Tunis Kunders, £10 us.; Leonard Arets, £6 is.; Peter
* Jacob Schumacher was not a householder, because he was one of the sen ants of Pas-
torius. See MS. book in l'a. H'.st. Soc. Lib.
t In a letter received from Dr. Keyser, he writes : " Mr. Seidcnstickcr says (in an ac-
count printed in the Penn Monthly, January and February, 1S72) that the first meet-
ing-house was built in 16S6. How can this be, when the lots were not divided until
1689? My impression is that they continued to meet in Kunder's house until alter the
drawing of the lots, and then arranged to build ; for they bought Heivert l'apen's lot, or .1
lot from him, for ,£60."
1 6 Gcnnantown, Pa.
Schumacher, £\; James Delaplaine, £ 5 ; Paul Wulf, £6 ; F. D.
Pastorius, £4 ; Abraham Tunes, £5. Several paid their subscrip-
tion part in work and part in materials.
In Dr. Keyser's MS. book is a petition (in 1691) of sixty-four
inhabitants of Germantown, who, being foreigners, and not freemen
according to the laws of England, requested to be made freemen,
for the better securing of their estate, both real and personal.
" Those marked q are Quakers."* Twenty-four only out of the sixty-
four have this letter appended, showing that a fraction over one
third of the taxables only were Friends. Of the original house-
holders, the following are thus marked: L. Arets, T. Kunders, R.
Tysen, William Streepers, Peter Keurlis, A. Tunes, and Jan
Lucken. Counting the fourteen men who came with Pastorius,
six had not, in 1691. become Quakers.
A community which kept the 28th of December, as the records
prove, because on that day " Herod slew the Innocents," could not
have been followers of Fox, who protested against all holy and
saints' days as idolatrous practices, against which Friends were
called on to bear testimony. The church of 1686 was built for the
colony, and was used for all public purposes. Had it been a
Quaker meeting-house, it was unnecessary for Schumacher to give
land or for them to buy a new lot of Papen, for this church must
have been centrally situated ; and even if the building had fallen
into decay, which is not probable, the ground set apart for sacred
purposes must still have remained.
I have been thus particular in this resume to endeavor to correct
the error which has crept into history, that the protest of these Ger-
mans against slavery was the protest of Friends, while the facts
* This official paper of naturalization is recorded in the Rolls Office in Philadelphia,
Dook A, p. 275. Dr. Keyser writes that he believes the copy in his book is accurate,
and th.it the </ is in the original document.
Germantown, Pa. i 7
of the case are that the paper was addressed to the Quakers, pro-
testing against their practice of holding men in slavery, and
endeavoring to show them the heinousness of the oftence in a
religious and moral point of view. For the last fifteen years so
much has been said and written about this Quaker protest, that
it is quite time the Germans should have the honor due them
for the noble stand they took against this sin, instead of the very
sinners themselves being held up for our admiration. I have
therefore printed the protest in the Appendix, and the action, or
want of action, taken upon it at the Monthly, Quarterly, and
Yearly Meetings to which it was sent.
In the above account the writer has been actuated only by a
desire to make known the truth, in which wish she is confident
Friends themselves will be the first to unite with her; for while
that Society cannot claim so early a record "against the traffic of
men-body," as the German-English quaintly expresses it, yet this
very protest may have been the seed* which more than half a cen-
tury afterwards blossomed into the rule forbidding members of
meeting to hold their fellow-beings in bondage.
The real-estate records [Grund und Lagcrbucli) of Germantown
are now in the recorder's office at Philadelphia. In the beginning
of the large folio volume containing them, Pastorius inscribed the
following Latin apostrophe; as it is addressed to generations then
unborn, it seems appropriate to insert it here for the benefit of a
family, the larger part of whom claim descent from one of those
who accompanied him into this voluntary exile: —
* Since the above was written, Whittier's fine poem, "The Pennsylvania Pilgrim," lias
appeared, where the same idea is more fully illustrated by the blossoming of the century
plant, and the true ground taken that the protest against slavery was not pleasing to the
1 Makers of that day.
1 8 Germantown, Pa.
SALVE POSTERITAS.
Posteritas Germanopolitana !
et ex argumcnto inscqucntis paginie
primitus observa
Parentes ac Majores Tuos
Alcmanniam
dulce solum, quod eos genuerat alueratque diu
voluntario cxilio descruisse.
1 : oh ! Patrios focos ! : ||
ut in silvosa hac Pennsylvania
descrta solitudine
minus soliciti
residuum ^<Etatis
Germane h. e. instar fratrum
transigcrent.
Porro etiam addiscas,
Quanta? molis crat
exantlato jam mari Atlantico
in Septentrionali isthoc America; tractu
Germanium-
condere gentem
Tuque
Seres dilccta Ncpotum !
ubi fuimus exemplar honcsti,
nostrum imitare exemplum.
Sin autem a semita tarn difticili aberravimus
Ouod pcenitenter agnoscitur,
Ignosce
Et sic te faciant aliena pcricula cautum.
Vale Posteritas!
Vale Germanitas !
.1 .tcniuni vale !
Gcrmantown, Pa. 19
I copy from Whittier's charming poem, "The Pennsylvania Pil-
grim," his translation of Pastorius's Latin inscription: —
" Hail to posterity !
Hail, future men of Germanopolis !
Let the young generations yet to be
Look kindly upon this.
Think how your fathers left their native land, —
Dear German-land ! O sacred hearths and homes ! -
And. where the wild beast roams,
In patience planned
New forest-homes beyond the mighty sea.
There undisturbed and free
To live as brothers of one family.
What pains and cares befell,
What trials and what fears,
Remember, and wherein we have done well
Follow our footsteps, men of coming years !
Where we have failed to do
Aright, or wisely live.
Be warned by us, the better way pursue,
And, knowing we were human, even as you,
Pity us and forgive !
Farewell, Posterity !
Farewell, dear Germany !
Forevermore farewell ! "
For the better understanding of the following pages it is here
necessary to give some account of Thomas Rutter, whose descend-
ants for six generations, and during a period of one hundred and
forty years, have intermarried with those of Thomas Potts.
Several persons bearing the name of Rutter are mentioned by
Bessc as persecuted for their faith in England, but I have not at-
tempted to trace the connection of the early emigrant to Pennsyl-
20 Gcnnantozvn, Pa.
vania with any of them. Family records assert that Thomas Flut-
ter arrived in the Province the same year as William Penn (16S2),
and I have found reason to believe that he was a passenger in the
Amity, one of the two ships that sailed with the Welcome. On
Holmes's map, printed in Penn's time, giving the names and loca-
tions of the original purchasers under his charter, Thomas Rutter
is put down as the owner of a tract of land bordering on German-
town opposite Cresheim Creek, and adjoining that of Thomas
Masters, which is of the same extent. This place was called
Bristol township, and is not far from Milltown, now Abington.
Thomas Rutter was a young unmarried man when he arrived in
this country, and became a member of the Philadelphia meeting,
for in the records of that society is the following, under date 5'"' of
8th mo. 16S5: "According to Thomas Rutter's former request, this
meeting hath given him a certificate to Friends of the Falls meet-
ing, concerning his clearness with relation to marriage, and to be
signed in behalf of the meeting by Christopher Taylor."
In the minute book of the Falls meeting dated 8'1' day of 8 mo.
16S5. is the following record: "Thomas Rutter and Rebecca Staples
have this day, being the second time, proposed their intention of
taking each other in marriage, and it appears by certificate and
enquiry that the said Thomas Rutter is clear from all other persons,
on that account this meeting doth leave ym at liberty to proceed
according to truth's order.'' Thomas Rutter and Rebecca Staples
were accordingly married at Pennsbury the io,h of 1 Ith mo. 16S5.
The newly married pair appear to have at once settled on their
land in Bristol township, for they became members of Abington
meeting the same year. Rutter was a Public Friend, as the min-
isters in that society are called, and an active member there until
the schism among the Quakers led by George Keith in 1691.
At that date he subscribed his name, with sixty-nine others, to the
Germantowni Pa. 21
paper issued at Burlington in defence of Keith. Th> I
does not seem to be generally known. Proud makes no m
of it in his history, and ; et he professes : _i . : an impartial state-
ment ot this division among Friends, and for that purpose prints
three papers against Keith which are mere rep::::: as "
other, and neglects to give this important one on the oppos:: -
Having found a loose copy of this Defence, printed on a
sheet at the time. I give it in the Appendix to rescue it :":
livion. and to show that there were Quakers of rank ar. '. ::::
who believed that the judgment of the "•meetings" agai it
was harsh and erronec -
Rutter was baptized in 1691 by the Rev. Thomas Killingworth,
and as he was already a preacher he now set forth Keitl -
trines. of Christ the external Word, and the vis - raments He
commanded as of 1 igher value than ""the inward ligl t
after his conversion Rutter baptized Rev. Evan Morgan ai
John Hart, both of whom became eminent preachers among the
Baptists. He also baptized Henry Bernard Koster I as Peart,
and seven others whose names are not recorded.* " These nine
persons united in communion [in Philadelphia] June 12. 169$
ing Thomas Rutter to their minister, they increased and cont
together nine years, but some removing to the country and the
unbaptized Keithians falling off the society in a manner br
in 1707. and then the few that remained invited the reg Bap-
tists to join them and were incorporated with them." I
followed Keith si ther formed Christ C idelphia,
and the Thomas Peart above named was ne : ther
in 17^4. shortlv before his death, made a eo:: i z prem-
ises where the Ba tist C irch stood, in Sc I St ar Arch, to
* Re : " 1
22
Germantown, Pa.
the Church of England, the vestry of Christ Church demanded pos-
session, and a lawsuit ensued which was finally compromised by
the payment of ^"50.
Thomas Rutter organized another society of Keithian Baptists
in 1697 in Lower Dublin, at the house of Abraham Pratt, but soon
those who preferred the seventh day for the Sabbath separated,
"and in 1702 built a place of worship in Oxford township, on a lot
given them by Thomas Graves ; but they neglecting to take a con-
veyance in due time, the Episcopalians have got both the lot and
the house ; on the lot they have built Oxford Church and turned
the Baptist meeting-house into a stable while it stood, but now it
is no more." Edwards says their ministers, William Davis and
Thomas Rutter, quitted them ; but it is probable that John Swift,
whom Rutter had baptized, was carried over still farther to the old
forms and ceremonies, and the majority becoming Episcopalians,
they formed this church. About two miles from it are the grave-
stones of some of these early seventh-day Baptists, the curious in-
scriptions on which are given in Watson's Annals. They have been
removed from their original position, and are now half standing-
near the spring-house, on the estate of the late James N. Dickson.
They should be placed in the beautiful rural graveyard of Oxford
Church, of which those whose memory they commemorate were
the earliest projectors.*
In the records of Germantown, Thomas Rutter's name occurs
frecmently, as his residence was near enough to the village to allow
him to take an active interest in its affairs.
In 1692 a road is mentioned as leading from "the Mill Street to
Thomas Rutter's,"' and at various times the community seem to have
* The first four Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania, Christ Church, Philadelphia, St.
Paul's, Chester, St. David's, Radnor, and this Oxford Church, all owe their existence to the
Rev. George Keith.
Gcrmantown, Pa. 23
been much exercised concerning its location. On the old plan of
Germantown, " Rutter's or Rubicum's Road," probably the same one,
is laid down.
When, in 1705-6, Pastorius resigned the office of head magis-
trate of his German community, Thomas Rutter succeeded him,
and, according to the record, "on the nth day of 12 mo., 1706-7,'
the Court was opened before Thomas Rutter, Bailiff."
About 1 719 a religious company of German mystics settled on
the Wissahicon, near if not in Bristol township, and over them
Rutter seems to have had great influence, for he persuaded their
leader, Conrad Beissel, that the command to keep the seventh day
as the Sabbath had never been abrogated by the Christian dispen-
sation; and finally, after much excitement, and the publication of a
book on the cpiestion by Beissel, the whole community adopted this
tenet, and settling at Ephrata they were called Seiben-Tagen on
account of it.
Although Rutter appears always to have retained an interest in
his property near Germantown, and in the affairs of that settle-
ment, yet in 171 7 he removed forty miles up the Schuylkill to the
very frontiers of civilization, in order to work the iron-mines of the
Manatawny region. This project had often been urged by William
Penn and his governors as of very great importance to the infant
colony ; and though a company had been formed some years pre-
vious with this object in view, no practical results had ensued, from
their inability to find any person willing or competent to carry it
on. Rutter was over fifty years of age when he entered upon this
arduous and hazardous undertaking.
In an historical point of view it seems to me proper to throw to-
gether in one chapter the facts I have been able to collect concern-
ing these first iron-works in the Province of Pennsylvania. The
limits ot this volume will only allow me to glean from the great
24
Germantown, Pa.
mass of family papers some few that cannot fail to be interesting to
the antiquarian. As far as possible I quote original documents,
but am often obliged to abridge and condense, retaining wherever
I can the words and form of expression used.
In my narrative, when I assert facts without giving any author-
ity, the reader may be assured of their accuracy, for they have
often been gathered piece by piece from various sources, and put
together after the manner of a Chinese puzzle, each part fitting ex-
actly when the corresponding one is found.
I at first intended to print the following chapter at the end of
the book, but it now seems to me that, by placing it before the his-
tory of individuals of the family, the reader will be better able to
obtain a right knowledge of the location of the estates of the chil-
dren and grandchildren of Thomas Rutter and Thomas Potts, and
understand more easily the intricate relationships and intermar-
riages between the two families. On account of the constant repe-
tition of the same Christian name and surname, the custom has
grown up of adding the name of the forge or furnace owned or car-
ried on as a distinguishing mark of different branches of this fam-
ily; the account, therefore, of these early establishments, will show
the present generation how and when they originated.
CHAPTER III
MANATAWNY.
" Fossores varias hie invenere fodinas
Unde metallu patent quae latuere diu."
Marin's Account of Pennsylvania in 1728.
"The Indian ....
Wrought for wages at the white man's side, —
Giving to kindness what his native pride
And lazy freedom to all else denied."
Whittier.
?<*\£v^ {'ie letters °f William Penn to James Logan, men-
Jji-y tion is frequently made of the iron-mine in the neigh-
^\i> borhood of Schuylkill, and the wish is often expressed
^iy. that some one could be found willing to undertake
the working of it.
Under date of 1702, Logan
writes, " I have spoke to the chief of those concerned
in the iron-mines, but they seem careless, never having had a
meeting since thy departure; their answer is that they have not
yet found any considerable vein." September 24, 171 7,* Mr.
Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, afterwards Sir William Keith,
wrote to the Board of Trade in London, that he had found great
* See Catalogue of papers relating to Pennsylvania and Delaware, in the State Paper
Office, London, published in Penn. Hist. Coll., Vol. IV.
26 Manatawny.
plenty of iron ore in Pennsylvania. They answer, the same year,
that they have not had any proposals about the iron ore.
The first iron furnace in the Province is thus mentioned in one
of Jonathan Dickenson's letters (in the Logan MSS.), written in
1717: —
" This last summer one Thomas Rutter, a smith, who lived not far
from Germantown, hath removed farther up in the country, and of
his own strength has set up on making iron. Such it proves to be, as
is highly set by all the smiths here, who say that the best of Swede's
iron doth not exceed it; and we have heard of others * that are
going on with the iron-works. It is supposed there is stone [ore]
sufficient for ages to come, and in all likelihood hemp and iron may
be improved and transported home, and, if not discouraged, certainly
a few years may supply this place for its domestic services, as may
be readily supposed."
American iron was sent to England in 171 7, and so much jeal-
ousy was excited by it in the mother-country, that in 1719 a bill
was introduced into Parliament to prevent the erection of rolling
and slitting mills here ; it was then rejected, but in 1750 such an
act was finally passed, but allowing the exportation of pig metal to
England free of duties.
The Delaware tribe of Indians had at this period withdrawn
from the immediate neighborhood of Philadelphia to the fine hunt-
ing and fishing grounds on the banks of Schuylkill and Manatawny,
and were seated there under the rule of their king, Sassoonan, or
Allumonapecs.
Part of the Manatawny tract had been included in Pastorius's
grant from Penn of 22.377 acres lying together, while Germantown
consisted of 5,350 acres. Yet Logan writes in 1 704, " Johnny's t
* Probably Samuel Nutt.
I This was John I'enn, then in his fifth year, the eldest son of the 1'ropiictor by his
second wife.
Manatawny. 2 7
lands arc 1,200 acres at Mahanatawny." I have already mentioned
the difficulties that occurred, soon after the arrival of the Germans,
about the location of their lands purchased in England, and that
Penn and Pastorius had many interviews and much discussion upon
the subject. It seems probable that the discrepancy in the number
of acres mentioned at different times arose, not only from the loose
surveys, but from a change in the land granted, when the emi-
grants complained that the navigable river had not been included
in Germantown.
About 1709, two brothers, John Henry and Ludwig Christian
Sproegel, whom it is said William Penn had invited here, came over
from Amsterdam, Holland, and laid claim to Pastorius's patent;
Henry Sproegel insisting that he had bought the land in Germany,
and that the deed of sale had been lost in a vessel captured bv the
French. He even succeeded so far as to have a writ of ejectment
served, and Pastorius believed he was the victim of a conspiracy,
as his opponent had engaged the services of the four lawyers in
Philadelphia to prosecute this claim, and he was too poor to go to
New York for an attorney. In this emergency he appealed to the
Governor and Council ; and James Logan, who sifted the matter,
has placed on record that David Lloyd was the principal agent in this
heinous attempt, and confirmed the Germans in their possessions.
That John Henry Sproegel afterwards settled on part of the Mana-
tawny land is a fact, and that twenty-two thousand acres of it was
known as Sproegel's manor. His wife and son are buried in a
graveyard east of Pott-town, and a creek falling into the -Schuvlkill
near the place bears his name. He went to England in 1 720, where
he died. His brother was an organ-builder in Philadelphia, and
both made generous gins to Christ Church in that city.
Eight or nine years after this attempt of Sproegel's, the Indians
claimed that William Penn had not bought these lands of them,
28 Manatawny.
and Logan then had a deed prepared by which they released their
claims to the Proprietor for a stipulated sum.
This contested territory was a tract rich in minerals, finely
watered, and pleasantly situated. In 1706, Thomas Rutter, suc-
ceeding Pastorius as chief magistrate of Germantown, must have
been familiar with its value, as the subject was much discussed there ;
and in 1716-17 he removed thither for the purpose of developing
its mineral wealth. He purchased a large tract which has since
been named Colebrookdale, Amity, Douglassville, and Boyertown,
and erected both furnaces and forges for the making of iron. His
eldest daughter had married Samuel Savage, and he accompanied
his father-in-law to this region.
In the minutes of the City Council, April 9, 1 705, " Samuel Savage
is this day admitted a freeman, and paid for the same £ 1 2 s. 6d."
This process was necessary to entitle tradesmen to carry on busi-
ness for themselves. In June, 1718, in the minutes of the Common
Council we find that in consequence of a petition from several
tradesmen and manufactors complaining that, notwithstanding they
had taken out their freedoms, many strangers daily came in and
settled, who were not entitled to carry on business, the Council
therefore permitted such trades as desired it to be incorporated.
The establishment ot an " iron-work," as it was then called, required
not only ability but an amount of capital not usual among the colo-
nists of that day. The attempt of Rutter, Savage, and Nutt to
do this unaided, proves that they were men of property. The fur-
naces set up in Virginia about this time were helped by capitalists
in England, but I cannot find any proof that these three pioneers
in the iron business of Pennsylvania were thus aided. At a later
date two or three gentlemen of Philadelphia formed a company at
Colebrookdale, of which Thomas Potts was the agent. The expense
of building a furnace then was estimated at about ^"500. while the
M ana tawny. 29
wages of the men employed amounted to a large sum annually ;
the cost of horses, oxen, and wagons, to transport the wood and
iron, added another large item.
It was calculated that an area of woodland two miles square was
sufficient to feed the furnace ; but this had to be cut and made into
charcoal. The only one of the old furnaces I shall mention, now
standing in Pennsylvania, is Warwick, and the cost of the large
bellows, there turned by an immense water-wheel, was nearly ^"200.
Such a furnace, when in blast, made about twenty-five tons of iron
per week ; in 1734 pig-iron sold for about £6, and bar-iron from
£10 to ^"16 per ton; and when this was exported to England, the
freight, commissions, and other charges there, amounted to between
£1 and £2 per ton.
Samuel Savage did not long survive to assist Thomas Rutter in
developing the mineral riches of the Manatawny region ; for
we find his will, dated 25th of September, 17 19, was proved in
Philadelphia the 19th of July, 1720. He is styled of Mahanata-
nia in said county. He names his wife Anna sole executrix but
she is to " take the advice and consent of my brother John Savage,
and my father-in-law Thomas Rutter," and mentions his four sons,
Thomas, Samuel,* Joseph, John,t and two daughters, Ruth and
Rebeccah. Ruth married John Potts, and Rebeccah Samuel Nutt,
Jr., while their mother married for her second husband Samuel
* The two sons, Samuel and Joseph, had married and were dead before 1760, as their
mother thus mentions them in her will ; they left no sons, as some time previously she had
entailed upon their heirs male a property near Coventry, called Cold Spring. - In 1797 -9S,
the entail was broken by the two eldest grandsons of Samuel Savage, Jr., appearing in
court for that purpose ; they were the children of Martha (Savage) Walker, who died before
1770, and Ruth (Savage) Hockley, who died in 1797.
t John, the youngest son, was a lad when, playing one day at the spring near Coventry
House, he was bitten by a rattlesnake and died in a few hours. Those bearing the name
of Savage descending from this family must therefore claim Thomas as their ancestor, as
1 think he left sons.
^o Manatawny.
Nutt, Sen. ; thus they were the grand-daughters, daughters, and
wives of the first pioneers in the iron business of the Province,
and their descendants for one hundred and fifty-five years have
been largely interested in it also.
About if not at the same time as Rutter, Samuel Nutt also
went up to the region on the opposite side of the Schuylkill. He
may have had some connection with Rutter even before he married
his widowed daughter. Anna Savage. The west side of the river
was richer in mineral wealth than the Manatawny district, and the
beautiful region of French Creek abounded in deposits of the ores
of copper, lead, and iron. " Asbestos, magnesites, amethyst, jas-
per, garnet, schorl, chalcedony, agate, sapphire, and beryl " * are
also found there.
For a part of this region Samuel Nutt received the following
order from the Proprietor's trustees : —
'•TO JACOB TAYLOR SURV. GEN'L.
" By the commissioners of Property. Pensilvania ss.
" At the request of Samuel Nutt now of Chester County that we would
Grant him to take up near the Branches of the ftrench Creek the quantity of
Eight hundred acres of Land for which he agrees to pay to the use of the
Trustees Eighty pounds money of Pensilvania for the whole, and the yearly
quit rent of one Shilling Sterling for each hundred acres. These are to
authorize and require thee to Survey or cause to be Survey'd unto the said
Samuel Nutt at or near the place aforesaid according to the method of yc
Townships appointed, the said quantity of Eight hundred acres of Land,
that has not been already survey'd nor appropriated nor is Seated by the
Indians, and make returns thereof unto the Secretary's office, which Survey
in case the said Samuel fulfil the above agreement within months after
the Date hereof shall be valid, otherwise the same to be void as if it had
never been made, or this Warrant ever Granted. Given under our hands
* Sketch-Rook of Pennsylvania.
Manatawny. 3 1
and Seal of the Province of Philadelphia y 2'1 day of Octob". Anno D'ni
1 71S.
" RICHARD HILL.
ISAAC NORRIS.
JAMES LOG AX."
This place he called Coventry, probably because he came from
the neighborhood of that ancient town in England. Family tradi-
tion asserts that he was the younger son of a baronet; and the coat
of arms he brought with him from England, a copy of which is
inserted in this volume, bears a crescent, the mark of a second son.
He afterwards received another grant of a thousand acres, and by
deeds appears to have bought out some few settlers who had
purchased small tracts near him.
On the French Creek he built both furnaces and forges. Day's
"Pennsylvania Historical Collections " thus notices this: " A set-
tler by the name of Nutt early built a forge called Coventry
within the limits of this township, and made other extensive
improvements. It went into operation about the year 1720, and
made the first iron manufactured in America." In Bishop's
"History of American Manufacture" is the following: "In 171S
fonathan Dickenson mentions in a letter, that the expectations
"from the iron-works, forty miles up the Schuylkill, are very great.
The reference here was probably to the Coventry forge on French
Creek, in Coventry township, Chester County. This bloomery was
built by a person named Nutt, who made other large improve-
ments at the place. It is said to have gone into operation and
to have made the first iron manufactured in Pennsylvania." This
account, although it may seem to conflict with that given by
Dickenson, may be reconciled by the fact that Samuel Nutt was
probably at first connected with Rutter, whose daughter, soon after
1720, he married. Mr. Nutt brought over skilled workmen from
Germain-, and made at French Creek the first steel in America;
3 2 Manatawny.
he also laid out, and it is believed made at his own expense, the first
road of any extent in the Province, from his estate of Coventry to
Philadelphia, a distance of nearly forty miles. It is still called by
aged people in the neighborhood the Nutt or Great Road ; it passes
through Valley Forge, crossing the creek of that name near Wash-
ington's head-quarters. These first iron-works being carried on
thus early by different members of the same family, I pass from
one to the other over eight or ten miles of hilly * country, and even
now very rough road, and mention facts according to the dates of
their occurrence.
When Thomas Rutte-r, Samuel Savage, and Nutt settled on
Manatawny and French Creek, they were in the very midst of the
Delaware Indians. The true name of this tribe was Lenni Le-
nape, meaning " the original people," and they seem to have been
a much less warlike t race than the Iroquois. Pastorius had made
some attempts at Christianizing the Indians in his neighborhood,
and had a great deal of friendly intercourse with them, which he
says in all the time he lived there had never been broken by any
attempt on the part of the savages to injure the white men, though
they often had great opportunities for doing so. Rutter, knowing
them in Germantown. was also on friendly terms with the savages,
and it is said emploved them as laborers in clearing and building.
From an account in Colonial Records, Sassoonan, the king of the
Delawares, seems to have considered the presence of Thomas Rut-
ter a protection to him when he appeared at the Council in Phila-
* One of these long hills his been called by the family " Feather-bed Hill," and we may
say that the feather-bed is supported by more than the proper number of bolsters and
pillows.
t On one occasion Sassoonan told the Council in Philadelphia, that the Five Xations
called his tribe women, and told them to plant corn, while they would attend to affairs
of peace anil war. To this peaceful disposition of the Delawares is to be attributed in
great part the freedom from Indian atrocities enjoyed by I'enn's colony.
Manatawny. 3 3
delphia in 1728. The attack; upon the iron-works at Manatawny,
in May of that year, was made by some foreign Indians called
Twechtwese, of the Miami tribe, instigated probably by the French,
who at that time were endeavoring to stir up the Five Nations
against the English. Fearful reports of the number of men killed
and wounded in tire attack were noised abroad, and it is even now
set down in some accounts that " the Indians were repulsed with
great slaughter."
As this seems to have been the only instance, at that early date,
when the Pennsylvania colonists were molested by the savages, it
is not out of place here to give an account of it as described in
the 'records of the period ; and from the numerous pages devoted
to the subject I have selected and abridged the following con-
nected narrative : At a meeting of the Governor and Council,
May 10, 1728, the Hon. Patrick Gordon told the board "that he
was seting out for Mahanatawny, upon advice brought him this
morning by express, that a party of foreign Indians were fallen in
amongst our inhabitants in these parts, and had committed several
acts of hostility, particularly that they had fired upon some of our
people, who to the number of twenty had advanced towards them,
to know what they wanted, and had wounded several slightly, and
one man mortally ; that our people thereupon had returned their
fire, and as it is believed killed their captain, who appeared to be a
Spanish Indian, and that it was dreaded some further mischief
would ensue." On the 15th the Governor acquainted the board
that last night he returned from Mahanatawny, where he found the
country in very great disorder, occasioned by the noise of the skir-
mish that happened between some of the people and a small party
of Indians ; that manv of the back inhabitants had quitted their
houses, and seemed under great apprehensions of numbers of In-
dians comina; to attack them ; that several Palatine families were
34 Manatawny.
gathered together at a mill near New Hanover township, in order
to defend themselves, and that there he saw the man who was said
to have been killed by the Indians, but he appeared to be only
slightly wounded in the belly ; that having examined several per-
sons there and at Colebrookdale, touching the said Indians, he
understood that they were eleven in number, and had been in that
neighborhood for some days ; that they were all armed and had a
Spanish Indian for their captain ; and that having been rude in
several houses where they forced the people to supply them with
victuals and drink, some of our inhabitants to the number of twenty,
a few of whom were armed with guns and swords, went in search
of the said Indians, and coming up with them they sent two of
their number to treat with the captain, who, instead of receiving
them civilly, brandished his sword and commanded his men to fire,
which they did, and wounded two of ours, who thereupon returned
their fire, upon which they saw the said captain fall, but he after-
wards got up and ran into the woods after his party, having left his
gun and matchcoat behind him, and that since that time they had
been no more seen. " The Governor said that though he had this
account from one of those who were then present, he could not
help thinking that our people had given some provocation." He
had used every method to quiet the country, and to induce the peo-
ple to return to their habitations, and he was preparing to come
home when he received the melancholy news by express from
Samuel Nutt, Esq., as follows: —
Mai. anton,* May n, 172S.
May it please the Goverxour: —
Just now I R'ved the Disagreeable news that one Walter Winter and
* Malanton, the place from which this letter of Samuel Nutt was written, is a misprint
for Morlatton, near Colebrookdale ; part of it is now called Douglassville. It is forty-four
miles from Philadelphia, on the Reading Railroad. It was settled early by the Swedes,
and the name is supposed to be derived from a district in Sweden. An old Swedish
church still stands there, caller: St. Gabriel's.
Manatawny. 3 5
John Winter have Murdered one Indian Man and Two Indian Women
without any cause given bv the sd Indians ; and the sd Winters have
brought two girls (one of which is Cripled) to George Boon's to receive
some Reward. I desire the Governour may see after it before he goes Down,
for most certainly such actions will create the greatest antipathy between
the Several Nations of Indians and the Christians. The Bearer John Petty
has heard the full relation ol this matter, to whom I shall refer the Gover-
nour for a more full account and remain the Governour's
most hearty friend and Serv't to Command
SAMZZ NUTT.
Immediately upon the receipt of this letter, the Governor issued
a proclamation, commanding the people, in his Majesty's name,
" to levy Hue and Cry with Horse and with Foot within the Prov-
ince of Pennsylvania " for the apprehension of these murderers.
The unfortunate men soon gave themselves up, and said in justifi-
cation of their act, that from the " Reports in the Countrey of the
Indians having Killed some white men, they thought they might
lawfully kill any Indian they could find." But they were "ordered
to prison and a sure guard." And then the coroner was despatched
to make an inquisition of the dead bodies and to bury them wrapt
in linen, and was further directed, if any of their relations should
be there, he should present them with strowds* to cover the dead
bodies, and give two strowds to the Indian girls, and to employ
some person to cure their wounds, and further to assure their
friends that the offenders should not go unpunished. After
returning to Philadelphia, the Governor issued a proclamation in
regard to the Indian treaties and the present alarm and murder,
in which he says : " The said natives have not to this time been
guilty of any failure or breach on their part of the said treaties."
June 3, the Governor, hearing that the king of the Delawares
* Strowdwater blankets, so called from the place in England where they were made.
36 Manatawny.
would meet him at Morlatton, sent word for him and the other chiefs
to come to Philadelphia and hold a council, or treaty, and it was
ordered that presents should be prepared for them, and that they
should be hospitably entertained during their stay.
The following dav Sassoonan appeared with ten other Shaca-
mackons with unpronounceable names, and many of the Delaware
nation, accompanied by an Indian of the Five Nations and another
of the Shawenees tribe ; two interpreters, the Governor and Coun-
cil, with main- other geiwWwwBWBBfhabitant.s of Philadelphia,
being present. The Governor made a speech, beginning with the
first treaty of their great father, William Penn, and going over
the links of the chain made between him and the Indians, and to
confirm the league and chain he presented them with many blan-
kets, shirts, powder, lead, knives, scissors, etc. After this the Gov-
ernor related, in more extended and high-flown language than I
have done on the preceding pages, the attack at Manatawny and
the murder, and finished by giving to the relations of the deceased
Indians " these six handkerchiefs to wipe away their tears."
The Governor then appointed to meet them again the next morn-
ing. It would seem that the excitement was so great the next day
that the court-house was too small for the occasion, and the meeting
was held in the great meeting-house, " and a vast audience filled the
house and all its galleries." Allumanapees, or Sassoonan, spoke
through an interpreter, in the name of all the Indians present; but
what he said was little to the purpose, and he ended by saying he
would return in two months and speak more fully. He was then
told that, if the Indians had anything on their minds, now was the
time to speak it. " He therefore called on Thomas Rutter, Sen., to
come and sitt near him, and proceeded to say that he is glad of the
Friendship and .Agreement that subsists between the Indians and
the Christians, he will always endeavor to strengthen and increase
Manatawny. 3 7
it ... . lie will make the path between this Town and the Place
where he lives as iar as the Mingoes open and plain, lie will always
keep it wide and root and cutt up every Bush and Grub that may
stand in the Way." (The record explains that this language is
metaphorical.) He then alluded to the accident, and says he will
cover it over with earth. Addressing James Logan, Penn's deputy.
Sassoonan said he was " grown old, and was troubled to see the
Christians settle on lands that the Indians had never been paid for;
they had settled on his lands, for which he had never received any-
thing. That he is now an old man and must soon die; that Ids
children may wonder to see all their father's lands gone from them
without his receiving anything for them ; that the Christians now
make their settlements very near them, and they shall have no place
left of their own to live in." To this plaintive speech Mr. Logan
replied by saying that there were "people among us who stirred up
the Indians to make these complaints"; and he then produced deeds
signed by Sassoonan and Opekasset that all this land had been
paid for about ten years ago, when the Indian chiefs came to
Philadelphia, having a notion that they had not been fully satisfied
for their lands.
The chiefs examined the deeds and their marks, and acknowl-
edged them, but thought these only included lands to Oley, and
that the Tulpyhocken lands beyond had not been bought. This
the interpreter confirmed. The lands alluded to were being settled
by the Palatines, which the " great goodness and royal bounty of
Queen Anne, relieved from the hardships that they then suffered in
Europe, had transported to the Colony of New York," where they
were dissatisfied and came to Pennsylvania. Logan was particu-
larly severe upon Sir William Keith,* who had allowed this.
* He had acted as deputy-governor under William Penn.
3 8 Manatawny.
Mr. Hamilton then wished to speak, and said he had accompanied
the Governor to Manatawny "and had heard some things very
positively advanced among the inhabitants concerning this injustice
to the Indians, and, as there were some now present who had been
very free in talking to that purpose, he thought they should declare
openly to this audience what they had to say."
" Thomas Rutter, Sen., who had been call'd on by Sassoonan,
stood up and denied that he had ever uttered any such thing as
that the Indians had not been satisfied for their lands, Sec."*
As the recorder bv the " &c." clearly shows that Thomas Rut-
ter's speech is not reported in full, we may hope that he did say
something favorable for his friend the king of the Delawares ; but
it must have required a good deal of assurance in the midst of that
array of Governor and Council, Secretary and ex-Governor, who
held the title-deeds of the lands, and with whom a controversy was
hopeless, to assert what it is pretty evident was Thomas Rutter's
opinion.
Sassoonan's speech of love and friendship was evidently directed
to Thomas Rutter, and for him he would root and cut up every
bush and grub, and make the way wide to Philadelphia.
On May 20th the board received a verbal message from Kakow-
watchv, the chief of the Shawenees, giving his account of the attack
at Manatawny.
" That he having heard that the Flatheads were come into this
Province with a design to make war upon our Indians, he had sent
eleven of his men armed to inquire into the truth of the report;
.... and their provisions failing them, they were obliged to get
from our inhabitant:-, the wherewithal to subsist ; but they ottered
* In a pamphlet printed in London in 1701, against Penn's government, the writer
says minutes are made with ••&<:.,"' and adds that it is impossible to obtain justice against
Quakers.
Manatawny. 3 9
no rudeness till our people used them ill, and fired upon them ;
that he is very sorry for what has happened, and that he has great
love for us all as his brethren, but that one of their number is
wounded and lost his gun, which he desires may be sent. The
Governor sent answer, that they must be more cautious in future
of their behavior, and care should be taken to inquire for the
gun ! and that three matchcoats be sent to Kakow-watchy as a pres-
ent, together with the matchcoat belt and hatchet which were left
by their Indians."
It seems a little singular that the Governor was so ready to take
the part of the Indians, to restore the gun and belt captured in a
fight which they began ; but he was evidently determined to find
the Manatawny people in the wrong from the first, although it
subsequently appeared, at a meeting of the Governor and Coun-
cil in September, that he had been warned in April by James
Letort, an Indian trader, that Manawkyhicon, whose relative had
been executed for crime in Jersey the last year, was endeavoring
to stir up the Twechtwese, called the French Miamies; and also
the Five Nations, against the Christians; and the Governor and
Council began to believe it when none of these Indians came down
in the fall according to promise, and they were then a good deal
disturbed, and sent messages of inquiry and orders very generally
among them. It appears from reading these detached records,
that the back inhabitants were really at this period very much ex-
posed to a fearful massacre. The families of our friends at the iron-
works seem to have dwelt in security under the patronage of Sas-
soonan, the king of the Delaware's, and I do not find anything to
prove that they shared the terror of the rest of the inhabitants.
Samuel Nutt, Rutter's son-in-law, did what he could to arrest the
Winters, who were afterwards tried, convicted, and hung; but the
person who was arrested as their accomplice was acquitted, as it
40 Manatawny.
seems it was only his misfortune to have witnessed the murder,
without taking any active part in it.
During a recent visit to Pottstown I endeavored to identify the
spot where this attack of the Indians was made. A local * anti-
quary informed me that, according to the best information he had
been able to obtain, it was at a place called Pool Forge, which he
believed was the first " iron-work " erected upon the Manatawny.
This place is now so little known, that one of the family who had
been born near it, and travelled all his life over the road which runs
within a few rods of the stream, had never even heard of it, and
expressed his surprise that a forge had once stood there. I visited
the spot, which is about three miles from Pottstown and not far
above Glasgow Forge, and could see some remains of the dam, and
an excavation in the bank where buildings once stood ; my guide,!
whose memory reached back to the commencement of this century,
said he had never seen any other evidence of the old iron-works
than are now visible. Pool Forge is put down on a map printed
in London in 1775, which was collated from still older surveys. %
Bishop's "Historv of Iron Manufactures" has the following: "A
forge is mentioned in March, 1719-20, at Manatawny, then in
Philadelphia, but now in Berks or Montgomery County. It was
attacked by the Indians in 1728, but they were repulsed with great
loss by the workmen."
I think there is every reason to believe that Pool Forge was the
scene of the Indian fight. To-day it is more lonely and desolate than
it was a hundred and forty-four years ago; no house is visible,
* The Editor of the Montgomery County Ledger.
t Squire Thompson.
+ A map ot Pennsylvania, exhibiting not only the improved parts of that Province, but
also its extensive frontiers. 1 tid down from actual surveys, and chiefly from the Lite map of
VV. Scull, published 1770, humbly inscribed to Thomas and Rich Perm.
Manatawny. 4 1
but imagination peoples the waving woods and the banks of the
beautiful stream with living beings long since passed away, — the
painted savages in all their horrid accessories of war; the work-
men issuing irom their faery labors at the sound of the Indian war-
whoop, their black and grimy faces blanched with fear, yet each
strong arm wielding gun, pick, or hammer, whatever was nearest at
hand ; the screaming women and children flying along the path by
the water-side to reach a place of safety ; while, roused by the news,
the venerable Thomas Rutter rides rapidly down from Popodickon,
and Thomas Potts from Pine Forge, with his son John in the
strength of manhood and youth, armed with rifle and sabre, go
forth to stop the fight. Farther on, riding, in the King's name,
from his home on the other side of the Schuylkill, comes Samuel
Xutt, a fine English gentleman with no sign of the Quaker garb
and plainness ; the careful appointments of his magnificent horsei
his laced ruffles and cocked hat, all show that he was a man having
authority. But the scene vanishes. I hear no words of query or
answer; the summer woods wave as green as on that May day so
long ago, and the bright rippling Manatawny flows on in peace,
though to my listening ear it repeats the story this 30th of May,
in the year of grace 1S72, that it heard on that memorable May
day in 172S.
Another Pool Forge is known to have existed four miles farther
up the stream, but it was probably built after this one was aban-
doned, as it seems to have been a custom at that time to continue
the name even in a new place. Another point where it is known
that iron-works stood in the olden time, is on the banks ot the
Schuylkill, near the Pott-town Bridge. I am inclined to think that
the first furnace was established here by Thomas Rutter; its neigh-
borhood to the river would enable him with more ease to transport
the ore from the mines above by water, than through the unbroken
42 M ana tawny.
forest ; some slight remains, I was told, could be, or had been, dis-
covered here by an experienced eye.
The grist-mill near this point shows it to have been an early
settlement, and it is doubtless the one spoken of by Governor Gor-
don, where he found the people gathered together for defence near
New Hanover township. It is mentioned in John Potts's will
(1768), and is an old stone building still standing, not far from
High Street in Pottstown, the line of New Hanover running near it.
The number of forges and furnaces on the Manatawny and its
branches, of which I find mention in family records, deeds, wills,
plans, etc., before the Revolutionary period, are Mount Pleasant Fur-
nace and Forge, Spring Forge, Colebrookdale Furnace and Forge,
Amity Forge, Rutter's Forge, Pool Forge 1 and 2* Pine Forge,
Little Pine Forge, McCall's Forge ; all these were owned and car-
ried on by the united families of Rutter and Potts. I have been
unable to trace the exact date at which Thomas Potts left German-
town and followed the fortunes of Thomas Rutter to the Mana-
tawny. About 1725 he was there, acting for Anthony Morris, who
who was a relative of his, and for George McCall, who was part
owner of the forge that bears his name.
From the " Pennsvlvania Gazette," published in Philadelphia,
dated "March 5 to March 13, 1729-30," I extract the following
obituary: —
''March 13. On Sunday night last died here Thomas Rutter,
Sen., of a short illness. He was the first that erected an iron-work
in Pennsylvania."
Here we have contemporaneous evidence that he was the
pioneer in the iron business of this State. His will, made in
1728, was proved in 1730; in it are named his sons, sons-in-law,
* Perhaps one of these may have been a furnace. Manatawrn Furnace and Forge are
also mentioned, but these m.i\ have been the same as Colebrookdale.
Manatawny. 43
and daughters, and two grandchildren. A large part of his
"lands, mines, forges, and furnaces in Mahanawtania " he gave to
his sons Thomas* and John; to Thomas and Samuel Savage, the
sons of his daughter Anna, his stone quarries near Howell's Mill,
Germantown ; and, among other bequests, he left to his children,
grandchildren, and their heirs forever, his burial-ground of half an
acre, situate in Bristol township. After the death of Thomas Rut-
ter, his heirs, with Thomas Potts, Sen., became the owners of a
large tract of mineral land, and the furnaces and forges erected to
develop it. Thomas and John Rutter died in less than six years
after their father, each leaving a daughter Rebecca, who inherited
a large share of this property ; these two cousins marrying David
and Thomas Potts, Jr., and their aunt's daughter, Ruth Savage, the
elder brother, John Potts, a great part of the iron-works of the
Province were thus centred in one family.
In the next generation the marriage of John Potts's eldest son
with his first-cousin, Anna Nutt, the heiress of both the Messrs.
Xutt, added the large establishments on French Creek to the fam-
ilv possessions; and that of his eldest daughter to the only son of
the second Thomas Rutter kept that family still under the same
influence.
I have been unable to find any memoranda of the erection of
the first forges and furnaces on the Manatawny by Thomas Rutter,
Sen., but soon after his death some of these iron-works belonged
to a company of which I can give the following authentic account,
copied from the original papers.
In 1731 Colebrookdale Furnace and Pool Forge were owned bv
* This Thomas Rutter, Jr., was a member of Assembly from Philadelphia County in
172S. and was one of the eight members who retired from the House because the Speaker
would not issue a writ for the election of a representative to till the place of Sir William
Keith, who had gone to England.
44
Manataivny.
the persons whose names are here given, in the proportion of shares
annexed to each name : —
Pool Forge.
Anthony Morris \
Alex. Wooddrop \
Sam' Preston -j1^
William Attwood ,V
J no Leacock Tlff
Nath1 ffrench Jff
Geo. Mifflin ^
Tho. I'otts and G. Boon . . . . Jj
The other | belonged to the Ruiters.
Colebrookdale Furnace.
Nath' ffrench ,\
Alex Wooddrop j35
Sam1 Preston -^
Wm Attwood jV
Anth0 Morris Tj
Jno Leacock -fe
Geo. Mifflin ^
T. Potts and G. Boon ^
It would appear that at the above date this company was formed
to rebuild and carry on (through Thomas Potts) Colebrookdale
Furnace ; for in the paper from which this is copied is the amount
of subscription paid by George Mifflin and others to Thomas Potts,
and the document is indorsed No. i. The whole amount sub-
scribed was £ 550.
The cost of rebuilding this furnace I copy verbatim, as it is the
oldest record I have been able to discover. It is written very hand-
somely on a folio sheet of paper, and is Thomas Potts's account
with the company: —
Dr. Tlie ffurnacc.
1733 £ s. d.
Xber 19th To a logg hailed to the Saw-pitt and Squar'd long l6i fo' broad 2
foot deep 2 foot 4 inches 10
To paid helping the Sawyers to fitt the Logg 9
20 To my 2 Negro Men getting in wall Stones Each 9 days at the
Rate ol 35 1' month 1 1
22 To paid Expense? When the Company mett at yc Scales .... 5 6
To paid ditto when the Company mett at Jno Roberts's .... 2
To paid Thomas Day for 9 days getting In Wall Stones at the rate
of 35 V mo 10 6
24
'733
I any
To paid Wm. Bi
2 9 1' day
for Cutting Wood for the Limekiln 6 days at
Manatawny. 45
- 1
1733 £
Jany 3 To paid for 3,b Steel and Sharpning tools
5 To paid Dan1 Wbmmeldorfe for Steeling 4 Stone axes at both Ends
17 To 10 Bushells Lime at 13
18 To paid Thomas Gilkam for haulling 6 Tonus 2 cut 1 q 14 lbs of
Inn Wall Stones from Schuylkill to the ffurnace at iq'6 ... 3
20 To 10 bushells lime at 13 12 6
21 To paid Jonas Yocum for haulling 330" of Inn wall Stones from
Schuylkill to the ffurnace at 10 I* tonn 166
Feb" 1 To paid Rich ' Dur.ckley for haulling 34. X. 1. 24 of Inn Wall Stones
from the Quarr; to Schuylkill at 2 9 I* Tonn 4 14 S
To paid Oliver Dunckley loading Ditto at the Quarrey 1 10
6 To \ Gallon of Rum given to the Workmen at the Limekiln ... 3
9 To 8 Bushells Lime at 1 3 10
I I To 5 ditto at I 3 63
13 To paid Win. Jones his bill of labouring Work viz.
23 days pulling down the ffurnace at 2/9 . . . . £3-3-3
1 day at the limekiln 2. 9 3 6
15 To 8 Iron Hoops for the Girders w" So11' at 8d 2 13 4
26 To A Gallon of Rum Given to the Workmen helping up with the
Girders 3
March 12 To paid Adam Widenner for 500 bricks at 2/6 V 12 6
To an Iron plate for the Charge 4 2 20 at 106 l* 1 73
13 To paid Thomas H:il for labouring Work pulling down the ffurnace
Serving his Masons and Getting Sand and Stones in all 23)7
days at 3 ? 3106
To paid Ditto for getting the i part of Lime Stone for one Kiln V
agreement 15
1 734 , c,„ qr ,b
April 5,h To paid Joseph Miller for Canoeing over Schuylkill 34. 8. 1. 24 of
Inn Wall Stones at 1 V 1 14 j.\
To paid ditto for Sharpning Mason Tooles 9
To paid Timothy Miller for dyett and the Customary allowance of
Rum to the Workmen when Getting Inn Wall Stones over
Schuylkill I S
To paid Sundrys for haulling Inn Wall Stones viz.
To George Hollobaugh for a Tonn 10
To Daniel Shir.ar for ditto 10
To Jn" Dunck'.vy for ditto 10
To ffrancis Epley for ditto 10
To Thomas Smith for 33cwt ditto 16.6
46
Manatawny.
£
To my Teams haulling Inn Wall Stones from Schuylkill to the
ffurnace in all 21 Tonns at 10' ¥ 10
To paid Samuel Osborne 133 days attending ye Masons at 2 9
Vday '
To paid Emanuel Goulding for i8i days Carpenters work making
a Mould for the In walls, &c. at 3/6 V 2
To paid Ditto for making 4 pair Girders I* agreement 2
To paid Derick Cleaver for -J of 315 Bushells of Lime at 6'' I* . . 3
To paid Ditto for 50 Bushells Ditto at 6d <f" I
To my Servants and Xegroe's helping to pull down yc Stack get-
ting Stones -V attending the Masons &c. in all 207 days at
29 I* day 2S
To my Teams haulling Stones lime and Sand in all 51 days at
10 P day 25
To paid Jonathan Chapman for Cutting the Inwall Stones ... 5
To paid Ditto for Building the Stack and Inwalls V agreement . 70
To paid Ditto for 5 days Work at the Charge and lime kiln at
6 I* day I
To his Dyett and a Mason he had sometime to assist him in all 17
Weeks at 5 ^ 5
To my Smith for Sharpning Mason Tools 3
15
9
14
9
10
18
9
No dates are given in the latter part of this account ; but by the
item of the diet of a mason for seventeen weeks, and half the ac-
count, covering a period of five months, we may conclude that the
greater part of a year was occupied in constructing the furnace.
To give some idea of the way in which this partnership was con-
ducted, I copy the following from an original paper with autograph
signatures.
" To the Persons in this minitt named, viz. : Alexd Woodrupps, Wm. Att-
wood, Wm. Pywell tor Thos. Rutter, Anth. Morris, George Mifflin & Tho's
Potts, Being a Majority of the Proprietor's of Colbrook ffurnace Mett This
16 day of 61110. 1736.
" And on a Complaint v: some of the Own" of sd ffurnace were deficient
in finding their proportion of Wood for Coal for the Carrying on the Blast
Manatawny. 47
of sd ffurnace According to articles of Agreement wth Thomas Potts,
Therefore made Inquiry Thereunto And find that there is a deficiency
Chargable upon the Persons utider-named And it is now Agreed & Con-
cluded that they & every of them Immediately find & Provide the Quan-
tity of woodland annexed to their Names and y1 ye possess Thos. Potts with
the wood thereon Standing for the use of the sd. Colbrook furnace the next
ensuing Blast. On failure whereof 'tis Concluded & Agreed y1 the sd.
Thomas Potts reserve & Sell so much of their part & Share of the Pigg
Iron Cast or to be runn & Cast as shall or may fully purchase or pay lor
their full Proportion of wood according to the undr Estimate made the day
& date above, viz — -
"Thomas Rutter* deceased, to make good 55 acres woodland
John Rutter * deceas11, & Thos Potts 75 Ditto
Samuel Preston 75 Ditto
Edwd ffreani 75 Do
Nath1 ffrench 75 Do
Jno. Leycock 75 Do
Geo. Boon 37^ Do
4173
Capt Attwood
"Taken from the Minutes oi sd Compy And signed by us,
"ANTHo MORRIS
ALEXANDER WOODDROP
WILLIAM PVEWELL
GEORGE MIFFLIN
WM. ATTWOOD
THOMAS POTTS."
The amount of wood consumed by these charcoal furnaces was
enormous. Warwick when in blast used from five to six thousand
cords of wood annually, the product of about two hundred and
forty acres of woodland.
Soon after Colebrookdale was rebuilt, Mount Pleasant Furnace
* These were the two sons of Thomas, Sen. Thomas, Jr., died in 1735, and John in
'734-
48 Manatawny.
must have been erected, as I find a paper giving the first six blasts
between the years 17 38 and 1740. This furnace was situated on
Perkiomen Creek, thirteen miles above Pottstown; no remains of
it are now visible. Iron-works bearing the same name were after-
wards built near the old site, of which some walls are still stand-
ing. Mount Pleasant was carried on by Thomas Potts and his
sons; in 174S, David received a deed of one sixth of it from his
father. The following paper proves that it was in active operation
in 1738: —
Account Pig Metal & other Castings made att Mount Pleasant Ffurnace
During the Folloiving Blasts Via
T cwt qr lb
First Blast, Commencing October 12th. 1738. Hove off Decr. n'h
Made the said Blast Pigs 85
Country Castings ...61 22
Fforge Ditto 736
91 9 1 8
Second Blast, Commencing March 14"': 17389. Hove off July 12"': 1739
Made the said Blast Pigs 173 14 ^
Fforge Castings .... 10 2
174 5 I
Third Blast. Commencing October 22'1. 1739. Plowed out Dec: 14"'. 1739
Made the said Plast Pigs 92 6 1 24
Country Castings .... 514 23!
Fforge Ditto 1 10 1 19
A short Blast. From August :3th. To Sept': 7"'. 1739, Included in y° above.
99 1 1 ioJ
fourth Plast. Commencing March 3'1: 1739 40, Plowed out May 26th 1740
Made the said Plast Pigs 153 10
Country Castings. ... 8 3 2 7
fforge Ditto i 5 1 14
id: iS } 21
Manatawny. 4 9
F itth Blast Commencing August 2S: : 1740. Blowcd out Nov. 16"'
Made the said Blast Pigs 86 10
Country Castings . . . 12 3 3)1
Fforgc Ditto 13 3
99 6 3 3?
Sixth Blast Commencing May iS:h 1741. Blowcd out July 20l1'
Made the said Blast Pigs 60
Country Castings ... 2 4 15
Fforgc Ditto 1 2 2 1
63 6 2 16
Following the order of time, we must now cross the Schuylkill
and look in at the French Creek Iron-Works. Those in operation
there about 1734 were, as far as I can learn, Redding* Furnace,
Coventry Forge, and the Vincent Steel-Works; though the place
once occupied by the last two has been pointed out to me, I was
unable to trace any remains of the buildings that once stood there.
The mines which supplied these works are situated a few miles
above, and consist of surface deposits of brown and other hemitite
ores ; they are worked in an open quarry over several acres, and by
a shaft one hundred and eighty feet deep. This rich mineral de-
posit was partly included in the grant of eight hundred acres to
Samuel Nutt in 171S, and of one thousand more in 1733.
That copper as well as iron was extensively mined at French
Creek is proved by a letter from Richard Peters, Secretary to the
Board of War, August 19. 1777, wherein he asks that a load of
copper, which had been sent to Philadelphia from that place, and
is said to belong to the State, may be appropriated to the use of a
furnace which had been casting cannon and was standing still for
want of that metal. He also mentions that the affairs of French
Creek Furnace, etc., are unsettled.
* The name is so spelled on old plans and maps. Two furnaces were erected bearing
that name, about a mile bom £ . :h other ; one after the other was abandoned.
5<d Manatawny.
Mr. Nutt, who had no children to inherit his name and property,
appears to have been particularly attached to his wife's daughter,
Rebecca Savage. Having a nephew and namesake in England of
a proper age, he sent for him to come over and marry her, arran-
ging the matter according to the English fashion of those days ;
both parties, as far as we can learn, were quite willing to enter into
the engagement made for them by their elders.
Samuel, Jr., probably arrived here in 1733, and they were married
either in that or very early the following year, as Rebecca's name
and that of her husband are signed to the marriage certificate of
her sister Ruth and John Potts, April 11, 1734. At this date she
could not have been sixteen years of age. Tradition asserts that
she was a very beautiful girl, and that her rich dowry was far
outweighed by her personal and mental charms. Her wedding
dress of very elegant brocade, with high-heeled buckled shoes to
match, were imported from England (as well as the bridegroom),
and are still in the possession of the family of the writer. The
first house built by Samuel Nutt at Coventry, and where proba-
bly both Rebecca and Ruth Savage were married, has long since
been taken down, but it was described to me* as similar to the
ancient houses in the old English town of Coventry. The frame
was of immense hewn logs, between which were cemented stones ;
it was built beyond the present mansion house, and higher up
the hill, and was standing until after the Revolution ; for during
that time Mrs. Grace (formerly Mrs. Nutt, Jr.) entertained there
the officers of the army of Valley Forge. It is still spoken of as
Coventry Hall. The house, of which a picture is given in this vol-
ume, was built, it is .supposed, by Robert Grace, for Thomas Potts,
on his marriage with Anna Nutt. We know that their daughter
* By an elderly lady still living, whose husband, much older than herselt, lived in the
neighborhood and remembered it well.
o
o
<
i
Manatawny. 5 1
Henrietta was born and married there, and that, sixty years after
that last event, her husband, still living at the advanced age of
ninety-six, stood upon the same spot in the parlor where more than
half a century before he had received the marriage benediction.
Samuel Nutt was a member of Assembly from Chester County
from 1723 to 1726, and when a new commission of peace was
issued, on Patrick Gordon becoming governor of Pennsylvania, Nutt
was appointed one of his Majesty's justices. In 1728 he was chosen
by the Governor and Council to run the division line to separate
Lancaster Count)' from the old Chester County. He is the second
person named with eleven others as fit and well qualified for this
work ; but he does not appear to have acted, for doubtless his own
extensive private affairs were quite enough for him to attend to.
The 15th day of March, 1736, Samuel Nutt and William Bron-
son entered into an agreement with John Potts to carry on their
furnace called Redding, recently built near Coventry, and of which
they are styled "joint owners." He was "to cast the quantity of
twenty-eight hundred weight of Cart-Boxes, Sash Weights or any
other Particular small Castings every Month during the Continu-
ance of the said Blast And they also covenant that they ye
said Owners or their Clerks or Agents for the Time being, shall
deliver no Quantity of Rum to any of the People Belonging to the
Furnace or therein concerned, without a Note or Token from the
said John Potts or his Agents or Assistants."
The following advertisement for a runaway servant is copied
from the " Pennsylvania Gazette" of July, 1737, and is given as an
interesting relic of the times: —
"French Creek iron works Chester County
July y< 1737.
" Run away from the iron works aforesaid, a servantman David Mc'Ouatty ;
by trade a Hammerer & Refiner, but has formerly followed shaloping up
5 2 Manatazvny.
6 down the Bay from Egg Harbor. He is a Scotchman but speaks pretty
good English, middle siz'd about 28 years of age of a thin visage & a little
pockpetten, with a Roman nose & a few spots of gunpowder under his
right eye.
" He is a talkertive man, given to liquor, & then very quarrelsome. He
has such a trembling in the nerves that he can hold nothing in his hands
steadily, he has a very small mouth & thin lips. He had on when he went
away, a new drugget coat & jacket of a kind of yellowish or snuff color — a
good new fine shirt — a new castor hat — a darkish silk handkerchief — a
cotton cap — a pair of new linen drawers or a pair of Osenbrigs* trowsers,
& a pair of large carved brass buckles in his shoes.
" Whoever secures the said servant so that his master may have him
again, shall have £3 if taken up in this Province, or ^5 if taken up in any
other Province & all reasonable charges paid bv
"SAMUEL NUTT."
This man no doubt was a Redemptioner or Redemptionist as
they were indiscriminately called; these servants were a sort of
white slaves allowed in Pennsylvania, who were brought over from
Great Britain and Germany by contractors and sea-captains, and
on their arrival here were sold for a term of years to repay their
passage-money. Lord Altham, the heir to the earldom of Annes-
ley, was sold by his cruel uncle and brought to Pennsylvania,
where he served several years as a Redemptioner, on a farm be-
tween Philadelphia and Lancaster, until discovered by some men
from his Irish home. His case, tried in England, was very noto-
rious, and served as the foundation for the celebrated novel of
" Roderick Random." by Fielding, and the character of Harry Ber-
tram in "Guv Mannering."
Samuel Nutt, Sen., died in 1737. His will was made on the
25th of September in that year. He gave one half of his estate to
* A coarse kind 0!" cloth made of hemp tow, and bold in colonial times for one shilling
sixpence per yard.
M ana tawny. 5 3
his son-in-law, Samuel Xutt, and Rebecca his wife, and the other
half, after the payment of some legacies, to his own wife Anna;
and he particularly directs that she is to have 120 acres of land on
the north side of the south branch of French Creek, one hundred
and thirty perches in length upon the stream on which to build a
furnace, and leave to cut as much timber upon the lands adjacent
as would suffice to erect the same. His idea seemed to have been
that she and her sons might carry on this establishment, while her
son-in-law managed Coventry.
This furnace was commenced the same year, and is still in pos-
session of one branch of the Potts family, and known as Warwick.
The following description of it is taken from Bishop's " History of
American Manufactures": "The Warwick charcoal blast furnace
on the south branch of French Creek was built in 1736. It was
somewhat larger than the ordinary size of such furnaces at the
present day, and having been reduced from nine to seven and one
half feet in the boshes, and consequently in its make of iron, is
still running, in other respects unchanged. It produced in 1857
from ore of the Warwick and the neighboring mines seven hun-
dred and fifty-nine tons of boiler plate iron. In 1776 this furnace
was engaged in casting iron for the State. It was blown by long
wooden bellows propelled by water-wheels, and when in blast made
twenty-five or thirty tons of iron per week." Before this furnace
was finished, and not a vear after his uncle's death, Samuel Nutt,
Jr., died, and Rebecca was left a widow with one child when only
twenty years old. On the 30th of April, 1740, she executed two
deeds after the old English manner, a lease and a release to her
mother, wherein it is stated that these two, the widow of Samuel
Nutt the elder, and of Samuel Nutt the younger, had built a fur-
nace (Warwick) for the seething of iron ore, etc., and she conveyed
to her mother, Anna, one half part of two tracts of land, one of six
54 Manatawny.
hundred and fifty acres, the other of seven hundred and five acres,
upon part of which were the Warwick mansion and furnace.
The estate left bv Samuel Nutt, Sen., appears by these deeds to
have remained undivided for two years after his death, and these
papers were no doubt executed to have the property satisfactorily
arranged before the marriage of Mrs. Nutt, Jr., with Robert Grace,
which took place soon after this date. About the time of the
death of Samuel Nutt, Jr., Mr. Grace returned from his three years'
travels in Europe ; he was a friend and, I think, a relative of
Thomas Potts of Colebrookdale, and he probably went up to that
region soon after his arrival in Philadelphia, as we know he had
been particularly interested in the study of metallurgy while abroad,
as the following extract from a letter of Peter Collinson to John
Bartram, the botanist, proves: "London, 1737. I hope thou have
mine (i. e. letters) and the things by our friend Robert Grace, who
has taken some pains to make himself master of fluxing metals.
He will be able to give our friend Wolley some satisfaction as to
the richness and quality of his ores."
The sister-in-law of John Potts was a young and lovely widow,
mistress of a large estate on French Creek, and it would appear
that Robert Grace soon paid court to her with success.
Franklin, in his Autobiography, relates the following: "In order
of time I should have mentioned before, that, having in 1742 in-
vented an open fireplace for the better warming of rooms and at
the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed
in entering, I made a present of the model to Robert Grace, one
of my early friends, who having an iron furnace, found the casting
of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were grow-
ing in demand." During a visit to Warwick in the summer of
1 868, the writer saw at Coventry one of these original stoves. In an
inventory, made in 1796, of the personal estate of Colonel Thomas
p. 3
o
Manatawny. 5 5
Potts's widow, the step-daughter of Robert Grace, one room in her
house was designated as the "Stove-room." I had hoped to find
this parlor with the Franklin stove surrounded by the ancient tiles
remembered by her children, but they had all been taken away
when the house was refitted and one part rebuilt, in 1 803 ; but I
was able to trace the ^tove to a house about half a mile distant,
where I saw it. The pattern was of more antiquated design than
that given by Lossing * as probably an original, and so clumsy and
massive in structure that no doubt remained in my mind that the
great Philosopher had sat beside its hearth admiring his new in-
vention. The words " Warwick Furnace " were cast on the front
in letters two inches long, but I searched in vain for any date.
On my return to Warwick, I inquired of Mr. Nathaniel Potts
(the present owner) for the old models; but he told me that they
had all been destroyed long ago, and added that he remembered
two of the old stoves in the Warwick mansion which were taken
out more than fifty years since and melted up, giving place to
more modern improvements. As the same fate seems to have
overtaken all the other old Franklin stoves in the neighborhood, I
endeavored to persuade the owner of this one to give it to the
Pennsylvania Historical Society as a relic, but did not succeed.
Franklin often visited his friend Robert Grace at Coventry, and
it is quite probable that he superintended the setting of this one
himself. Having traced its history so clearly as an original Frank-
lin stove, I hope it may be carefully preserved.
After 1740, Grace appears to have carried on the French Creek
Iron-works in behalf of his wife, step-daughter, and mother-in-
law with John Potts, part of whose interest was derived from his
wife, as one of the heirs of Mrs. Nutt, Sen. As these furnaces and
* Field-r.ook of the Revolution, Vol. I. p. 328.
5 6 Manatawny.
forges were built by private enterprise, when the owner died the
heirs often worked them in undivided shares for the benefit of the
family.
The following letter and proposals in the singularly beautiful
writing of Robert Grace are in the authors possession, and are
here copied to show how Warwick was managed in i744: —
" Mr. John Potts
"These are Proposal* which I hope you will find calculated for the mutual
advantage of all Party*.
"If you have any reasonable objection against any Clause or any Part of
it, please to let me know it in writing. I shall readily agree to any Altera-
tion that shall be judged equitable. The Circumstances of our affairs require
that we should come to a Speedy Resolution.
"ROBERT CRACE.
" Philad* 22'' October 17+4.
"The Proposals of Robert Grace for the better ordering & carrying on the
Works at Warwick Furnace for the next Blast.
"1. That a Manager be appointed, whose Business shall be to provide all
the necessary Materials for carrying on the Blasts and keeping the Furnace
in Repair. He is to hire & agree with Workmen for such Purposes, & gen-
erally to oversee & direct the Works, & take care that all Persons employed
therein perform their Duty respectively. And when any Agreement with
Workmen or for the furnishing Materials for the Works shall be made by
the Manager, he shall forthwith cause such Agreement to be entered by the
Company's Clerk in the Company's Books.
"2. That a Clerk be appointed, whose Business shall be to receive & dis-
pose of, to the best Advantage, the Goods & Merchandizes that shall be
sent to the Furnace for the Use of the Company. He shall pay the Work-
men & all persons employed in & about the Works of the Furnace according
to the Agreement made with them by the Manager. He shall once in ever)'
three Months render a :rue Account of the Sales of the said Goods & also
furnish true Copies to each, of the Owners, of all the Transactions entered in
the Company's Books, which shall lye open at all times to the Inspection &
Examination of each of the Owners. He shall also keep a just Account of
Manatawny. 5 7
the Pigs & all Kinds of Castings made at the Furnace & in what Manner, &
for whose Use the same shall from Time to Time be disposed of.
"3. That all the Goods & Merchandizes that shall be disposed of at the
Furnace, shall be sold on the Account of the Company in general, & not on
the Account of any of the Owners in Particular ; it being the Intention ol
the Owners that none of them shall sell or dispose of any dry Goods at the
Furnace without the Consent of all the Company.
"4. Erased.
" 5. That an agent be appointed to purchase at Philadelphia with the
Produce of the Furnace such Goods as shall be necessary to supply the
Workmen employed in & about the Works belonging to the Furnace in
such Quantities & of such sorts as the Manager in Writing shall direct.
"6. That at all Times when any Goods shall be sent up by the Agent to
the Furnace, he shall send at the Same time a true Account of their Cost,
of whom bought, & of the Time allowed for Payment.
" 7. That the Manager & in Default of him the Clerk, shall send down
such Quantities of Piggs, Barr Iron or Castings to the agent as shall enable
him to discharge at the Time agreed upon the Debts so to be contracted on
account of the Furnace in manner aforesd .
"8. That the Clerk once in every three months shall make a Calculation
of the Disburstments & Expences made for the Furnace, & of what each
Party shall have furnished towards such Disburstments & Expenses. And if
on such Calculations any of the Owners shall be found to be in Arrear, Then,
if after Thirty days notice thereof, he or She doe not make good or Dis-
charge such arrearage, the Manager & in Default of him the Clerk, shall have
Power, & shall also be obliged at the request of any of the Partys, to dispose
of the Piggs or Castings of Such owner in arrear, at a ready money price in
order to make good the said arrearage. But when any of the Partys be not
in Arrear, Then the Manager or Clerk shall at any Time deliver the Piggs
& Castings belonging to such Party to his or her order & not otherwise.
"9. That all bad Debts made on the Sale of the Goods or Merchandizes
to be sold at the Furnace be born by the Company each of them in propor-
tion to his or her share in the Furnace.
" 10. That the Agent & Clerk shall before they enter on their respective
Employments promise & engage under their hands to conform themselves
5 8 Manatawny.
agreeable to the Intention of these Articles, & for that Purpose each of them
shall be furnished with a copy of the same Articles.
" 1 1. That the Manager shall be allowed by the Company a yearly salary
of Pounds & and the Clerk a salary of Pounds.
"12. & Lastly To the Intent that any Differences which may hereafter ar-
rise on the Construction of these Articles, or any part thereof or on any
other Matter relating to the Partnership, may be always accomodated in an
Amicable manner, It is hereby agreed, that when any such Differences shall
happen, the Same shall be submitted, at the Request of any of the Partys, to
four Arbitrators, the Determination of whom (Delivered in Writing under
their Hands or under the Hands of any three of them) shall be final & con-
clusive, Their Award being given within Thirty Days after such submission
and appointment."
Early in the Revolution, Samuel Potts and Thomas Rutter en-
tered into an agreement with the Council of Safety to cast cannon
and shot for the government. I copy from an old account found
among the family papers the amount manufactured there during
six* months. The reader may be surprised to find the peaceful
item of clock-weights entered with the shot, but it must be remem-
bered that an order had been issued and persons appointed to take
from every house in Philadelphia all the lead which could be found
excepting clock-weights, as the iron substitutes, says the record,
were not yet read}'. A large number of cannon were also cast at
this furnace, and the powder on the following account was fur-
nished by government to prove them. Several cannon which did
not stand the test are still to be seen half sunk in the banks of
French Creek, where they have remained for nearly a century, as
the cost of raising them from the marshy ground would be more
than the worth of the iron.
* Tins agreement was made March 30, 1776.
1776
Manatawny.
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To
The Council of Safety in A&
Dr.
T c
151 Shot of 321" Each \Yd 2 3
573 Ditto of 24lb D°
1260 Ditto of 22lb D°
6247 Ditto of iSlb D°
1420 Ditto of i2lb D°
1522 Shot of
3153 Ditto of
1472 Ditto of
3006 Ditto of
Clock Weights
9"> E;
S'b D'
6lb D<
4"> D«
\Vd
\Yd
\V
\V
:h \Vd
\Yd
\Yd
wd
w*
With Rutter & Potts.
16
4
26
16
6 @ £20
6<» £22
24 @ £23
22 @ /24
12 @ £25
® D°
7584 Halfpound Shot \Vd 3792Ib @ 8d .
932lb Grape Shot ® D° .
Cash pd Wm Hutchison for haul8 Powder
203 Shot of 22lb Each \Vd
2S2 Ditto of 4Ib D» \Vd
374 Ditto of 6lb D° \Vd
747 Ditto of 3lb D° \Vd
19 2 l8@^20
10 o 8 ©2 25
00 4@/24
o o 1 @ ,£26
Certified 26th October 1776
ROBT TOWERS
Ballance on Cannon Ace'
Cr.
I3lb Powder
Cash Paid
!576
379
59
1579
1 1
0
'34
to
10
259
1 1
8
94
14
7
134
4
3
"3
'5
=3 '5
16
4
126
8
3i
1 1
8
2956
1500 o
During the early years of the Revolution, Warwick was in con-
stant operation for government, as the following from Colonial
Records proves : —
"Five days after the battle of Brandywine (1777) the two armies were to
engage, but were prevented by a tremendous rain-storm which lasted a day
60 Manatawny.
and night. The American army retired to Warwick Furnace, where they
found their ammunition was all ruined by the rain ; here they procured a
fresh supply."
In the act of Assembly* passed by Massachusetts in 1727 regu-
lating the prices of merchantable articles, the rate of bar-iron is put
down at 48 .'. Cast-iron pots and kettles, 48/ a hundred.
In 1777 another act passed by the same State places "good re-
fined iron at 50 per cwt, and Bloomery iron at 30 per cwt. at the
place of manufactory." I have been at some trouble to look out
from the original papers the prices of iron at the Potts furnaces
and forges at about the same date.
In 1731 pig-iron was sold at Colebrookdale Furnace in large quantities at £ 5 ios.t per ton.
In 1765 pig-iron brought £7 per ton.
In 1767 " " /8 10s. per ton.
In 1774 " " £7 5s. " this was a quantity of 725 tons.
In 1775 " " " " "
In 1776 " " " " "
In 178I " " / 10 " " for 100 tons, hard money to be paid for it.
In 1784 " " £ 1 1 1 os. "
In 1762 bar-iron brought £3+ "
In 1 78 1 25 tons bar-iron well drawn for slitting purposes, .£35 per ton in hard money.
For castings, which seem to have been divided into two kinds,
namely, forge castings and country castings, the last including all
articles of domestic use: —
In 1774 anvil and forge plate castings 14' per hundred weight.
In 1774 a Dutch oven 15.
In 1774 two large Moravian stoves £9 apiece.
In 1779 a ton of pots £7<x>-
In 1779 5 tons of stoves at £ 400 per ton.
In 1785 Franklin stoves sold at retail £ 5 10s. apiece.
In 1 7S5 ten-plate stoves _ _£ 10 "
In 1785 large six-plate stoves £ 7 "
In 1785 small six-plate stoves _/j5 10s. "
* Felt's Massachusetts Currency.
+ Pennsylvania currency, a pound being equal to $ 2.66.
Manatawny. 6 1
The following, copied from the accounts of David Potts, Jr.,
who then owned and carried on Pine Forge, will give an idea of
the business of one of these forges just before the Revolution, and
the amount of pig-iron used in it. He bought of Warwick Fur-
nace : —
In 1774, June 27, 50J tons pig-iron at 7 5
In 1774, Nov. 8, 100
In 1774, Doc. 13, 50
In 1775, Feb. 7, 15
In 1775, Dec 1, 79
In 1776, July 9, 120
7?5
" 362
" 108
" 567
7 840
In January, 1781, the said David Potts paid for 100 cords of
wood at the rate of 4 9 per cord in specie, and engaged several
hundred cords more at the same price. The rate then of Conti-
nental currency is stated as 75 to 1.
From the fact that David purchased this iron from Warwick,
twelve miles distant from his own forge, and paid 15/ per ton for
"haulling" it, I infer that Colebrookdale Furnace, only four miles
above Pine Forge, was at that time given up. His father, Thomas,
who had succeeded his grandfather, Thomas Potts, in the owner-
ship of this old furnace, had died in 1762, and it is probable that
soon after that date it was discontinued.
The old mines at Colebrookdale which Rutter opened in 171 7,
and the Potts family worked so successfully for a series of years,
are rich in veins of magnetic iron and copper. Towards the close
of the last century, on account of the difficulty and expense of rais-
ing the ore, they were abandoned; but within the last five years the
improvements in mining, with the aid of steam and coal, have
caused them to be again worked to the great advantage of the
owners. Two years ago a branch railroad was built from Potts-
town, which takes the coal up and brings the ore down to the
62 Manatawny.
Reading Railroad; and Colebrookdale, now called Boyertown, is
again a scene of busy industry.
The original patent of William Penn to Thomas Rutter, of three
hundred acres in Manatawny, issued in 1 714-15, is still in the pos-
session of his great-great-great-grandson.
From this document it appears that Thomas Rutter's purchases
of land in that region, began several years earlier than the date
given by Dickinson of the first iron made there ; before this grant
Rutter had received a deed of the land from the Surveyor-General,
and the patent was issued to confirm the same. This tract was on
the borders of "Manahatawny Creek," and no doubt it is the three
hundred acres whereon Poole and Pine Forge were built; for more
than half a century that was the amount of land comprised in the
Pine Forge estate. I copy the patent verbatim, as it will be inter-
esting to the descendants of the pioneer iron-master, and show the
present generation on what terms the grants in Penn's Province
were held : —
"William Penn True and absolute Proprietor and Governour in chief of
the Province of Pensilvania and Territories thereunto belonging To all unto
whom these presents shall come send Greeting Whereas there is a certain
Tract of Land situate on Manahatawny Creek in ye County of Philada Be-
ginning at a Spanish Oak by the sd Creek in a line of ye Land laid out to
Andrew Wiedman therein by ye same and other Land * * * * North twenty
degrees East * * * Three Hundred & twenty perches to a corner White Oak
mean South seventy degrees East by a line of Marked Trees One Hun-
dred seventy four perches to a corner post then South Twenty degrees West
by a line of Trees two hundred and thirteen perches to an Ash Tree by the
sd creek then up ye same on ye several courses thereof to ye place of begin-
ning containing Three Hundred acres being part of One thousand acres
granted to David Powel at my departure from ye sd Province yc last day of
ye Eight month in the year one thousand seven hundred and one and or-
dered to be laid out together with ffive hundred acres more in one Warrant
Manatawny. 6
j
for Eight hundred acres by a Warrant from my present Commissioners of
Property bearing date ye twenty eight day of the sixth month last and ve sd
Three Hundred acres being surveyed and Returned into the Surveyor Genr1
Office was by the sd David Powel by deed dated ye ffourteenth day of Janu-
ary last past Granted and conveyed to Thomas Rutter of ye sd county and
his heirs — who Requesting a confirmation thereof Know Ye that as well
in consideration of a competent sum of Money to Me paid and satisfyed the
sd David Powel in ye business of Resurveys and of his aforesd Grant as of ye
Quit-rents hereinafter reserved I have Given Granted Released and con-
firmed, and by these presents for me my heirs and successors Doe Give
Grant Release and confirm unto ye sd Thomas Rutter and his heirs all
those yc sd Three hundred acres of Land as the same is now sett forth —
Rounded and Limited as aforesaid with all Mines Minerals Quarries Mead-
ows Marshes Savannahs Swamps Cripples Woods Underwoods Timber
and Trees Wayes Waters Watercourses Liberties Proffits commodities
Advantages Herediterments and Appurtenances whatsoever to ye Sd Three
hundred acres of Land belonging or in any wise appertaining and lying
within ye Hounds and Limits aforesaid (three full and clear ffifth parts of all
Royal Mines free from all deductions and Reprisals for digging & Refining
the same only Excepted and hereby reserved) And also free leave Right and
Liberty to and for the said Thomas Rutter his heirs assigns to Hawk Hunt
ffish and ffowle in and upon ye hereby granted Lands & premises or upon
any part thereof To Have and to Hold, the sd Three hundred acres of
Land and premises herebv Granted (except before excepted) with their ap-
purtenances to ye sd Thomas Rutter his heirs assigns To ye only use and
behoof of ye sd Thomas Rutter his heirs and assigns forever To be holden
of me my heirs and successors Proprietarys of Pensilvania as of our Manor
or Reputed Manor of Springetsbury in ye county of Philad1 in free and com-
mon Soccage by ffealty only in lieu of all other services Yielding and Paying
therefore Yearly to Me my Heirs and Successors at Philadelphia or upon the
first day of March in every Year from ye first survey thereof One English
Silver Shilling for Every hundred acres or value thereof in coin current To
such person or persons as shall from time to time be appointed to receive
the same. Ix Witness whereof I have by vertue of my commission to my
Proprietary Deputies hereinafter named bearing date yc ninth day of Xovem-
64 Manatawny.
ber in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Eleven caused
my Great Seal to be hereunto affixed By and with the consent and approba-
tion of Henry Goldney and others ye Trustees for raising a certain Sum of
money out of ye said Province witnessed by their Power to my sd Deputies
bearing date ye tenth day of ye sd November. Witness Richard Hili Isaac
Norris and James Logan my sd Deputies at Philadelphia ye twelfth day of
twelfth month ffebruary in yc year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
& fourteen fifteen and ye first year of ye Reign of King George over Great
Britain &c
RICHARD HILL ISAAC NORRIS JAMES LOGAN.
Pine Forge, which is still standing, is, no doubt, the oldest iron-
works in Pennsylvania. It is situated on the main branch of the
Manatawny, five miles above Pottstown, and more than four miles
below Colebrookdale Furnace.
It is believed to have been one of the forges established by
Thomas Rutter, Sen., and it is interesting to his descendants and
to those of Thomas Potts to note the different members of the
family into whose hands it passed and by whom it has been car-
ried on until a recent period.
Thomas Rutter's will, executed in 1728, does not specify the
names of his "forges and furnaces in Mahanatawnie," but we infer
that one of them was called Pine Forge, because in connection
with the line above quoted he mentions "my 200 acres of land
leased to ye company," which appears by the following clause in
the will of Thomas Potts, Sen., written in 1747, to be part of that
property.
To "my son John one third of Pine fforge, with the one third of
the hundred acres of land on which the same stands, and the one
third of two hundred acres of land adjoining, commonly called Y
Company's land, at two hundred and twenty five pounds."
It is probable that Thomas Rutter and his son-in-law Samuel
a?
o
"€)
o
Alanatawny. 65
Savage built and occupied, at their first coming to Manatawny, the
stone house at Pine Forge, part of which is still standing. That
Thomas Potts, Sen., lived there and carried on the works, as well
as his son John, by whom it was greatly enlarged, there can be no
question.
By the following clause in the will of John Potts, executed in
1767, it will be seen how he had increased the size of the estate: —
"Item: whereas I stand seized in fee simple of a forge in the county of
Berks, by the name of Pine Forge, with the following tract of land thereunto
belonging, viz. 300 acres which I purchased from Mary Rees,* 150 acres
which I bought from Seeny Savage, f 200 acres which I bought from John
Jones, 150 which I bought from Marcus Hidings Jr., 125 acres which I
bought from Thomas Coombe, 225 acres which I bought from the Trustees
of the Loan Office, and 100 acres whereon the said house now stands, con-
taining in the whole 1280 acres of land."
By the following advertisement, this large estate appears to have
been divided after the death of John Potts, and offered for sale
separately: —
From the Pennsylvania Gazette, March 2d, 1769.
"To be sold on Friday, 10th March, 1769, at Thomas Dewees's in Potts-
grove, Philadelphia County, the following plantations situated in Amity and
Douglas townships, Berks County, being part of the estate of John Potts,
late of Pottsgrove, deceased, viz. : Four valuable plantations containing about
200 acres each, with plentv of good meadow on each plantation, good part
cleared, the upland extraordinary good, and the whole well timbered ; also
one other plantation containing about 350 acres, 25 of meadow, and about So
upland cleared ; there is on this place a forge for making iron called /^/w
Forge, a saw-mill, etc. ; also a good stone dwelling-house, workmen's houses,
* Daughter of Thorn. 15 Rutter. Sen., and so called in her father's will.
t This was Zanes Savage, a son of George, and probably a grandson of the John men-
tioned in Samuel Savage's will as his brother.
9
66 Manatawny.
barn, stable, etc. ; the unimproved land well timbered ; also one other tract,
containing 150 acres, with about 10 acres meadow cleared, the remainder
extremely good land and well timbered. The purchaser paying part of the
money down, may have a considerable time for payment of the remainder by
"SAMUEL POTTS,
"Executor.1'
At this time the forge, with the three hundred and fifty acres
of land above mentioned, was purchased for two thousand pounds
by David Potts, Jr. (the son and grandson of Thomas Potts, Jr., and
Sen.), who in 1768 had married his uncle John's daughter Anna,
and the newly wedded pair appear to have settled there and im-
proved the estate until their death ; when, leaving only two voting
daughters, the property was again offered for sale. The following
is copied from the original handbill, which is handsomely printed
in English and German: —
Manatawny. 67
TO BE SOLD,
By PUBLIC SALE,
On the firfl day of OCTOBER next, on the Premifes,
THAT noted and well fituated Forge, com-
monly known by the Name of Pine Forge, in Berks County, with 359
Acres of Land, one Half whereof is cleared and well improved, 15
Acres being watered Meadow of a fuperior Quality, and an excellent Orchard.
There are on the Premifes, a good Stone Dwelling-Houfe, Barn, Blackfmiths
Shop, Coal-Houfe and Saw-Mill, with convenient and neceflary Out-Buildings
for the Accommodation of the Workmen. The Forge hath been lately re-
paired completely, and is now in the beft Order. There will be fold with the
above Premifes, about 60 Acres of Woodland, within three Miles of laid Forge,
and alfo two good Teams of Horfes with Waggons, and a confiderable Quantity
of Wood and Coal prepared, which the Purchafer of the above Premifes may have
at firfr. Coft, alfo all neceflary Utenfils for carrying on the faid Works ; Houfe-
hold-Furniture, Milch Cows, Hogs, Sheep, &c. The aforementioned Articles
are fold, purfuant to the lalt Will and Teftament of David Potts, jun. deceased.
The Terms will be made known on the Day of Sale, by
SAMUEL POTTS, Executor.
Any Perfon, who may wifli to purchafe the above Premifes, is requefted to
attend early, as they will firft be difpofed of, that the Purchafer may have an
Opportunity of accommodating himfelf with the Articles neceflary for carrvinir
on the Works.
The Sale will begin at Eleven o'Clock precifely.
Auguit -, 1783.
Printed by M e l c h i o r S t e i n e r, in Race-itreet, near Third-ftreet.
68 Manatawny.
€s ivtirti i'crftcigcrt tocrkn,
Ten ('rftcn nadjflen October, nuf ocm Spiatjc.
^r\ic bcrfibmte lint roof/fiidcgcnc Sifciifcbmefg, vocfdjc gcmctniglic^ uutcr bem Stamen
*^ t>cr spcin Eifcufcbmcf? bcr'aiiut i|t, in Serf's ffaunti;, ncb|t 359 2(tfcr ianb, rpotocn
tie cine Jpalftc geffart mi? vcor/( berbefjert i|t, 15 2(<fcr fine gcroaflTcrtc %II?icfcii vcu
atiffcrotbcntlicfjcr ©tire, nut cm Dortrrjfttcfecr fBaumgartru. ®^ tcfin^f^ flfb a»f t'd"
sp(a£, nil gut |tcincru £aus, ©ebcttev, ©cbmicl>rn>crt|iatt, Ko^fcnljauS 11116 ©agmur/lr,
nebfc 6cu n&tr/ignt 2lu|]*eiigrrauDcii fur tic 2trtcit6fcutc. Sic (Sifntfrbinrtyc ill (cinljiu
gaitjfkb auegcbfflrvt tsorben, tino bcfiuPct fid) nun im bc|lcn ©tanfe. SOiit obigem
spiaf? fellcn audi 60 2tcfcr JroljlanC, crcn 5Dici(cii ueii befagter Sifcufcbmcfhr bcr|teigcrt
roci-tcn, tc(;c\(cid)cu jroct; ante (Srfpauii spfercc mit TOBiiant, uno ciuc bctidcbtfictje
Ouantitac J^olj unto jubcrcitctcr &or/(cn, ircdhc £>cr Saufcr £>ct' obigen sptafces urn t>cn
2lnfauf Ijiibcii fan, vcic audi alle nJtfyige ^Ccrfjciigt befagrcs 3£crr' aujutrcitcu ;
£an6ratr/, SDiiMjfuljr, ©itrrciuc, ©cbaafc, 11. ?. g. Obfii gemelfiete llrtif'cl rocrPcu
jufolgc ret? IcRtcu \H3illcii? DcS vciftorbcucu Safcib spotty, t>c£ 3ungmi, v-crfauft.
2>tc SSfBiitgimgcii roerben am £agc t>cr 9Ser|teigcnnig bcr'aniit gemadjt wevbrn, von
©a nine I spotte, Creditor.
Siuigc spcrfon, fo iu|l hit obigc spidgc ju faiifcn, roirb crfucbt, frutye jugegen ju
|"ci)ii, ticrociicii folcbc juevfr (osgefebfagen rrcr&cu follcu, Bamif t>cr Kdtifer ©elcgcilljfit
tjaben mege, fid) nut t>cn nrrbjgen 2(rtir'ct jit vcrfctjcn, uui oas IBcrf aujutieibeii.
T>ic 35cir|tcigevuug voirf rrca£ urn (Elf Uljr iljicu tfnftuig uermien.
I'lctruift 6cs 2JIcI*i:r Steincr, in bev 9£ce#«(rfaffc, nabc 6ei) bcr Written llraffc
Manatawny. 69
Pine Forge was then bought by David Rutter (the great-grand-
son of both Thomas Rutter and Thomas Potts), who married about
this time his cousin, a daughter of John Potts, Jr., the Loyalist.
David repaired and partially rebuilt the house, and carried on
the works until his death in 1815, when his son, John Potts Rutter,
took it. He also married a cousin, Emily, the daughter of Joseph
and Sarah (Potts) Potts, of Glasgow, who was the great-grand-
daughter of John Potts, Sen., through two of his sons, namely,
Samuel and David. The children of this marriage were therefore
lineally descended from the first Thomas Rutter through his chil-
dren Anna and Thomas, and from John Potts, Sen., through his four
children, Martha, Samuel,* David, and John, Jr. It is very seldom
in this country that the same business is carried on for seven gen-
erations by the descendants of the original founders, or that one
house has sheltered within its walls, like that at Pine Forge, those
who can claim a lineal descent through six different lines from the
first occupants; yet Warwick Furnace and the house belonging to
it presents a similar record, for the land granted in 1718 to Samuel
Nutt, Sen., on which they stand, has never been out of the family,
and the establishment is now owned by Nathaniel Potts (an elderly
single gentleman) and his brothers and sisters. They are grand-
children on their father's side of Samuel Potts, and on their moth-
er's of David of Pine Forge, and Anna, daughter of John. David,
the eldest brother of this family, who so long and so successfully
carried on Warwick (dving in 1863), married his cousin Anna Nutt
May, the great-great-granddaughter of Mrs. Samuel Nutt, Sen., and
great-granddaughter of Mrs. Nutt, Jr., and granddaughter of Colonel
* To give sonic idea of the extent of the iron business of the family one hundred and
ten years ago, I quote from Samuel's books of 1762 the amount of bar-iron made and sold
for him alone during that year: [07 tons, 6 cwt., 3 qr., 17 lbs. ; this at ,£34 per ton is put
down at the sum of ^3,052 5 j. id.
jo Manatawny.
Thomas Potts, the first owners of Warwick; while another brother
married a daughter of Colonel Thomas Potts's son Thomas, and
the children and grandchildren of the last-named are the sixth and
seventh generation from Anna (Rutter Savage) Nutt, by whom
both the house and furnace were built.
Bishop, in the " History of American Manufactures," says, "There
are few reliable statistics either of the number or product of iron-
works in any of the States in the last century." The following list,
found among the family papers, is therefore a valuable one, as it
purports to give, not only the names of the furnaces and forges in
Pennsylvania, but the amount of iron made, the grain consumed,
and the number of people employed in the manufacture of this
important article. Unfortunately the paper is without date, but
there is internal evidence that it was prepared before 1793. It is
in the handwriting of Samuel Potts, and I have little doubt but that
it was compiled by him for the use of the Congress which enacted
the tariff in 1789, whereby the iron interest of the country was
protected.
Under the list of furnaces, but not included in the numbering,
are some of the old ones which we know were not in working or-
der in 1788; while Joanna in Union township, Berks County, which
was named for Mrs. Samuel Potts, and owned by her husband, son,
and other relatives, and is mentioned in Samuel's will in 1793 as
in operation at that time, is not included in the number given. It
will also be noticed that some forges alluded to in the previous
pages as Poole, Vincent, Mount Joy, and Rutter's Forge are not
down, showing that these old and first-established ones had then
been abandoned.
I cannot close this chapter upon the early iron-works of Penn-
sylvania more appropriately than by giving a copy of the docu-
ment, which is neatly written upon a large folio sheet of thick wire-
wove paper.
Manatawny. 7 1
List of Furnaces in Pennsylvania.
viz 1. Warwick 1,200*
2. Hopewell 700
Maryan. 3. Durham 400
Codorus. 4. German 300
Martick. 5. Oley 200
Reading. 6. Mount Pleasant 50
Colebrookdale. 7. Rebecca 400
Herryford. S. Berkshire 500
9. Elizabeth 500
10. Cornwell 500
1 1. Mount Hope 500
12. Carlisle 400
13. Pine Grove 200
14. Chalmbers 300
14) 6150 (439
Forges.
Salford, Glasgow, Windsor,
Green Lane, Pine, T. Olds,
Valley, Spring, Martick,
36,000 bar. Pennel, Oley, Speedwell,
Sarum, Millgrove, Hopewell,
1000 tons casting. Twaddles, Mount Pleasant, C. Grubb's,
Doe-run, Fosh's, Cadorus,
Brandewine, Birdsburrough, Spring,t
More's, Gibralter, Carlisle,
Yanleers. Mosealom, Mountain,
Coventry. Charming, Chalmbers.
Young's, ^
34 r orges.
Persons employed in making iron in Pennsylvania, between ten and twelve thousand^
supposed to consume 132,000 bushels of grain.
Grain consumed by horses, S0.000 bushels.
£ 63,000 expended in grain.
£ 100,500 produce of iron.
3,000 Tons of pig-iron.
* Probably the number of tons of iron made at each the year previous.
t Probably in York County, not the one named in the preceding column.
7 2 Manatawny.
By the above account it appears that Pennsylvania produced in
the year 1 788 five thousand tons of pig-iron, thirty-six thousand
tons of bar-iron, and one thousand tons of castings, at a valuation
of one hundred thousand five hundred pounds, and employed be-
tween ten and twelve thousand men, who, with the horses used in
the work, consumed two hundred and twelve thousand bushels of
grain.
The engraving of the mansion house at Pine Forge in this book
is from a photograph taken October, 1872, and represents the old-
est part of the building. There remains on the premises a relic
of the olden times in the shape of a pig of iron bearing the mark
T P 1740.
CHAPTER IV.
Sen., settled
if the imme-
and adjoined
^fOf? that of John Moore and Samuel Richardson, and
~£5^>.>:< ■•;^XM3 described in a former chapter. It is probable
that his brother, the father of Thomas Potts, Jun., had died in
England, as there is no record of his having lived in this country,
and that the uncle brought over his nephew and namesake with
some others of the same family. Thomas Potts, Sen., is men-
tioned in the early records of Germantown in 1692; in 1695 ne
is recorded as serving on a jury there. He built two grist-mills
on a branch of Frankfort Creek, between Germantown and Phila-
delphia, which were long known by his name ; these, with the
houses, improvements, and one hundred acres of land, he sold in
1 702 to George Grav for " £ 400 pounds lawful silver money
of the said Province." From this time he appears for several
years to have given up all worldly business, and devoted himself
to the duties of a Public Friend, as the ministers of that society
are termed. In the Abington* records his name occurs fre-
* I have been informed by the clerk of Abington meeting, to whom I am indebted for
important information, that the early records in his possession are very imperfect. They
74 Chapter IV.
quently. He received from that meeting certificates at different
dates to visit, " in the service of truth," Friends in New Eng-
land, New York, the West Indies, Ireland, and Great Britain.
From contemporary writers I find that he accomplished all these
journeys. In Hazard's Register it is stated, " About this time
(1705), or in the last year, Thomas Potts, of Pennsylvania, went to
pay a religious visit to Friends in England and Ireland." In 1705,
William Penn, writing from England, mentions Thomas Potts as
about to return to Pennsylvania, and the same year his name
appears as one of the trustees of the Quaker meeting-house to be
built in Germantown. In 1707 he is named in Thomas Chalkley's
Journal * as the companion of himself and Anthony Morris on a
visit to Friends in the West Indies; from thence he sailed again
for England. In 171 1 he accompanied Thomas Chalkley to New
England, and among the Friends of Flushing, Long Island, he
met Judith Smith, to whom he was united in marriage during the
following year. In 1715 he removed to Talbot County, Maryland,
but returned to his old home in Bristol Township in 1717, where he
resided until his death, which took place two years afterwards.
His will, recorded at Philadelphia, was drawn by Pastorius in 17 19,
w^v^w — ,„~ ,„„,„,^ and is a handsomely written
^--j fV /O \ document. It is witnessed
J'i<ai^)*rice6 s^Th^z-U^-X by the "Pennsylvania Pil-
,,„^^,^^^^,^.^,„,^„^^,^„,^^< crrim " t and his son Samuel. X
appear, lie says, to have been at first written on loose slips of paper, and afterwards copied
into a book. Few deaths and births are registered, but marriages, requiring the consent of
the meeting, are recorded with more certainty.
* Thomas Chalkley was an eminent Quaker preacher, and his Journal, a volume of
several hundred p.">ges, was published many years ago.
t Whittier's poem having made Pastorius widely known, it is believed that his autograph
will interest many readers, and a fac-simile of the signature on the above-named will is here
introduced.
1 Pastorius. in a letter to his father, dated Germantown, June 6, 1692. writes. " My wife
Chapter IV.
75
Thomas Potts's only child, a young son named Thomas, was left to
the care of his mother Judith; and her brothers-in-law, Samuel
Bowne of Flushing, L. I., and Joseph Latham of New York, were
appointed with her joint executors of the will.
The widow, Judith Potts, married Mr. Sharp, and many years
after her son joined her in a transfer of property, the deed of which
is recorded in Philadelphia.
I have given this slight sketch of Thomas Potts, Sen., before en-
tering upon the history of his nephew and namesake, who until the
death of his uncle was called junior.
bore to me, March 30, 1690, a little son called Johan-Samuel, and April, 1692, she gave me a
second son, whom we have named Henry in holy baptism." This last proves Pastorius
was not a Quaker, as that sect denies the sacrament of baptism.
FIRST GENERATION.
(5Zf%# /72<Z$ P&^f \
Thomas Potts, Jun., was
born in 16S0, according to
family tradition in Wales; as
he came to Pennsylvania at a
tender age, he could have re-
tained only a faint remem-
brance of his home in the Old
World. Brought up among the Germans, who had transplanted
a bit of the father-land to Germantown, their language was to him
like his native tongue ; and his marriage, at the age of nineteen, to
Martha Keurlis, a member of one of the twelve families who accom-
panied Pastorius to America, allied him still closer to their interests.
He was educated as a Quaker, and from the record of his marriage
it would appear that both he and Martha Keurlis were members of
meeting. We know that Thomas Potts, Sen., was an active Friend,
and that Peter Keurlis was nominally one, and that these young
people conformed to the custom of Friends regarding marriage;
they passed, as it is called, two meetings, and at a monthly meeting
held at Abington the 20th of 8th mo., 1699, were formally married
" in the unity of Friends." I have been unable, after diligent
search, to find the original certificate of this marriage with its list
of signers, and it does not appear to have been recorded in full, as
Fii'st Genera Hon. yj
was customary at some of the early meetings in Pennsylvania.
From the time of this marriage, Thomas Potts, Jun., though under
age, became interested in buying and selling land in Germantown
and on the Schuylkill, and there is on record a deed dated 1707,
confirming a sale he made in 1700, when a minor.
He is mentioned in the Germantown records, 28th 4th mo., 1 701 ,
as releasing a person from the custody of the sheriff; but the
offence could not have been a very great one in the eyes of the
good people of Germantown, for the following year he was himself
made sheriff, and "in the 1 6th day 12th mo., 1702-3, Thomas
Potts, Jun., Sheriff, with others of the Corporation were attested to
serve in their respective places and offices."
As there are those who may think he was very young at this
date to hold this office, I would refer to the condition of German-
town as described in a letter from Pastorius dated 1698. After
alluding to the laws of Philadelphia, he says, " Those in German-
town established by me are different, for, according to the privileges
William Penn has given to this town, we have our own courts of
justice, mayor, town council, and other officials." And in another
letter he says, " The laws are administered in German, but after the
English forms." German was the language universally spoken in
the town, and yet English Quakers had settled within the limits of
Pastorius's jurisdiction ; it was therefore important that an office of
this kind should be held by a person familiar with both languages.
Thomas Potts, Jun., was an enterprising young man of English
ancestry and Quaker principles, and by his marriage into one of
the original German families he held an influential position with
both parties. He lived in Germantown or the neighborhood until
the death of his wife, which took place about 1716.
It was probably while his family was broken up by this affliction
that he was induced b\ Thomas Rutter to emisrate to the Mana-
78 First Generation.
tawny region ; although I am unable to find evidence of the date
of his removal thither, there are facts which lead me to believe it
was previous to 1720. One of these is his second marriage with
Magdelen, daughter of Israel Robeson. Andrew, the father of Israel,
is mentioned in Colonial Records as living in West Jersey in 1685 ;
but he is not named among the early English settlers in Smith's
History of New Jersey. Yet in that work he appears as an owner
of land there in 16S7, and is mentioned as the surveyor-general
of the Province. The same year he was chosen by the Proprietors
as one of the eleven commissioners and trustees of West Jersey " to
transact and agitate their publick affairs." I had been led to suppose
that the family was of Scotch origin ; but my researches into origi-
nal records prove it to have been Swedish.* In the list of Swedes
sent to Charles XL, in 1693, headed, "An accurate list of all the
men, women, and children now found living in New-Sweden, at
present Pennsylvania, on the river Delaware," Anders Robertson is
put down as the head of a family of three persons. In the records
of Gloria Dei, the Swedes' church at Wicaco, now Philadelphia,
the name is often spelt Robisson, as it is still always pronounced
in Pennsylvania, though one of the descendants of Andrew, who
settled some time ago in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is, with his
family, called Robeson, according to the orthographv, changing the
name from three syllables to two.
It is probable that Andrew Robeson left Wicaco with some of
he English who arrived there to colonize New Jersey under the
Duke of York's patent, not unlikely as an interpreter and sur-
veyor; but he returned to Philadelphia, where he became one of
Penn's councillors in 1693, as appears by the following minute in
* The Swedish colony on the Delaware was inaugurated by an edict of Gustavus Adol-
phus in 1626, and the first settlers came to America, according to Acrelius, in 1636, under
Queen Christina.
hirst Generation. 79
the records of Council at the above date : " Andrew Robeson and
Robert Turner* did subscribe the Test, the declaration of fidelitie
and the profession of the Christian faith, and afterwards did prom-
ise to perform the substance contained in the oath of a Councillor
as in the presence of God, and by his Excellency's appointment
took their places at the Councill board." He was also appointed
the same year one of the five Provincial judges. He received large
grants of land, among which was a tract at the mouth of Wissa-
hicon, where he erected mills and made many improvements. A
township opposite Amity, on the west side of the Schuylkill,
bears his name; and there we find, in 1720, his second son, Israel,
was settled. In March of that year the upper inhabitants of the
west side of Schuylkill petition that they may not be set off into
Chester County, and the document is signed by Israel Robeson,
Francis Hughes, Henry Bull, John Sinclair, and forty others. In
answer I find that the minutes of the Executive Council in 1721
contain the following: " The Secretary represented that he found
that most of the petitioners past over Schuylkill from the settle-
ments on the eastern side of it, which were considerable before
there were any of note on the western side so high up the river;
they were accordingly taxed in the township formerly called Maha-
natawny, but now Amity Township, there being no practicable road
between those parts and Chester." Thus we see that before 1720
Israel Robeson was living near Manatawny, and, as the first signer
of the petition, the most important inhabitant on the west side. I
have reason to believe that Thomas Potts's second marriage took
place there about 171S. though the attempts I have made to find
the record of it have been unavailing.
Rutter appears to have held the lands purchased by him in the
* Robert Turner is one of :he twenty-four proprietors of West Jersey mentioned in
Smith's Historv in 1AS2.
8o First Generation.
Manatawny district to the end of his life ; but immediately after his
death, in 1 728-29, I find certificates of various rights of land bought
by Thomas Potts, and in 1730 the son of Thomas Rutter conveyed
to him two hundred and fifty acres, being half of the Colebrookdale
estate, on which the mansion-house was situated. The house, of
which an engraving is here given, is supposed to have been erected
about this time ; an older one known to have been occupied by
Thomas Rutter is now no longer standing. This mansion was the
birthplace of many of the descendants of Thomas Potts, and is
called in family records Popodickon ; for several years I endeavored
to determine the locality by questioning the aged members of the
family and consulting old maps, but only recently, when making
the inquiry of a gentleman in Pottstown whose mind is stored
with memories of the past, I learned that long ago an Indian king,
named Popodick, was buried under a magnificent chestnut-tree,
about five hundred yards from the house. This tree is still standing
and bearing nuts, though evidently of great age; at three feet from
the ground it is twenty -seven feet in circumference, and it must have
attained some size when the chieftain was laid under its shade.
Many years ago a man ploughing near it sank with his horse sev-
eral feet into the ground, and the older inhabitants who remem-
bered the tradition believed that it was the grave of Popodick
which had been thus unwittingly entered ; but the earth was filled
in without examining the cavity, which might have disclosed some
ancient relics of the aborigines. The name of this sachem is not
among those of whom Penn purchased the land of his province,
and the inference is that he was dead before the coming of the
Quakers to this country. The tradition that he was a renowned
Indian king finds confirmation in the fact that the large branch of
the Manatawny which flows near his grave was called by his
name. The discoverers of iron in its vicinity named it Ironstone
-€
n
-
First Generation. 81
Creek, by which it is called in all the early maps,* and even the
antiquary above mentioned did not know it by any other name;
yet in the old deed of the Colebrookdale property is a plan where
this stream is put down as the " Popodiceon," and the family appear
to have retained the name for their own residence.
After the death of Rutter, Thomas Potts became the principal
owner and manager of the iron-works in the Manatawny, carrying
them on with ability and success. Living on the very frontiers of
civilization, for the " Oley Hills," the boundary of Penn's purchase
from the savages, ran directly back of Colebrookdale, we must not
suppose that either he or his family were therefore cut off from
all intercourse with the world ; though the means of locomo-
tion were at that day limited, and carriages and carriage-roads
unknown, yet we know that the Schuylkill was a highway upon
which boats passed easily, and that saddle-horses for both men and
women were always at command, so that the forty-five miles of
forest which lay between them and Philadelphia was easily trav-
elled in a day. The interchange of hospitality with many influen-
tial families of the city, to whom they were allied by the ties of
blood and friendship, no doubt prevented their forest home from
being a lonely one.
When, in 1732, Franklin established the Philadelphia Library
Company, Thomas Potts was one of the earliest subscribers to the
project. The number was limited to fifty; in 1734 there were per-
sons living in town who wished to have the use of the library, and
only two subscribers were found who would assign their shares;
one of these, says the manuscript minutes, was " Thomas Potts,
who, living very remote, finds it impossible to comply with the time
* The library of Harvard University possesses many old maps, some of them in manu-
script, collected by Ebeling, the German historian of Pennsylvania ; I have carefully ex-
amined all those relating to the settlements on the Schuylkill and its tributaries.
82 First Generation.
of returning books.'' Our only wonder is that, with the high fines
imposed for delay, he should ever have attempted to avail himself
of the privilege ; but I mention this fact to show the communica-
tion that was kept up even at that early day between the capital
and this remote residence.
In this frontier settlement, where Thomas Potts had come as a
pioneer, in the prime of life, he dwelt for thirty years ; he saw all
his sons and daughters married and settled around him, and in-
terested in the iron business, which he had assisted in establish-
ing. Surrounded by children and grandchildren, he reached the.
ripe age of seventy-two years, and died at Colebrookdale early in
January, 1752. His will, dated September 8, 1747, was proven and
registered at Philadelphia, January 10, 1752; it is also recorded at
Reading, Berks County having been that year set off from Phila-
delphia County. It is here printed entire.
The signature at the head of this chapter is copied from a paper
dated 1731. Another is photographed on the marriage certificate
of his son. I have been unable to find any autograph of Martha,
the first wife of Thomas Potts.
WILL OF THOMAS POTTS.
In the Name of God, Amen, I Thomas Potts of Colebrook Dale in the County of Phila-
delphia, Iron Master, being of sound and perfect Mind and Memory thanks be given unto
God therefore Do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following
(That is to say)
Imprimis. It is my will that all my Debts and funeral Charges be first paid.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Dear wife Magdalene in lieu of her Dower all ray
Household Goods, her Riding Horse and Saddle and a Couple of Cows such as she
shall Choose out of m . Stock of Cows, and during her Natural Life my nigroe Girl
Elizabeth, Daughter of my Nigroe Tobias, my Mullato Fellow Jo, the sum of thirty
Pounds a year to be paid her yearly, the best lower Room in my now Dwelling House
with the Room above i: to live in, and two Acres of meadow near \< ffurnace to keep
her Cows.
Item. It's my Will that my said wife Magdalene at her decease give the Mullatoe and
Fh'st Generation. 83
Nigroe Girl above bequeathed to her during her natural Life unto such of my Children
or Grand Children as she thinks proper.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Sarah Potts, Daughter of Thomas
Potts Junr., my son. my Riding mare and a Side Saddle.
Item. It's my will that my Executors hereinafter named or a majority of them do and I
hereby empower them or a majority of them to Sell all my Lands, Messuages, Tene-
ments and Real Estate whatsoever (a tract of Land situate in the County of Philadelphia
aforesaid, which I lately purchased of Jonathan Robeson Esqr., containing two hun-
dred and fifty acres or thereabouts, excepted) and to convey yc same or any part there-
of to the Purchaser or Purchasers thereof his, her or their Heirs and assigns forever
Provided always that the persons hereafter named (if they incline) shall be admitted
purchasers of these parts of my Real Estate hereafter mentioned at the Prices hereafter
mentioned (That is to Sa> My Son Thomas Potts of my two thirds of Colebrook Dale
ffurnace and Iron Mines and of the one hundred acres of Land on which the same
are and all other my Interest of in or to yc same ffurnace and Mines and Land on
which yc same are and also of the one hundred Acres of Land adjoyning ye said ffurnace
with the Appurtenances at Eight hundred Pounds. My Son David of the Plantation
situate at Colebrook Dale aforesaid, on which I formerly lived containing two hundred
and fifty Acres be the same more or less with the Appurtenances at five hundred
Pounds. My Son John of One Third of Pine fforge, with the one third of the one
hundred acres of Land on which the same stands and the one third of two hun-
dred acres of Land thereto adjoyning commonly called yc Company's Land at two
hundred and twenty-five pounds, Provided, Also that if my said Son Thomas, Son
David and Son John don; purchase the aforesaid parts of my Real Estate at the Rates
aforesaid according to the Privilege herein Given within ye term of Six Months next
after my Decease, then i: 's my will that my said Exectrs or a majority of them sell
yc same part of my s'1 Real Estate to any person or persons that will purchase y°
same and Convey the same or any part thereof to the Purchaser or Purchasers his, her
or their Heirs and assigns forever.
Item. It 's my will that of the money arising from my said Real and personal Estate or
either of them my s'1 Executors hereinafter named put out to Interest upon Land
Security, the Sum of five hundred Pounds and annually receive the Interest thereof
and therewith annually defray the Annuity herein before bequeathed to my said wife.
I/em. I give and Devise all my Estate Real and Personal and the money thereby arising
over and above the payment of my just Debts and funeral Charges, the Annuity and
Legacy herein bequeathed to my said wife the Legacy bequeathed herein to my Grand
Daughter Sarah, Daughter of my Son Thomas, and the sum of five hundred Pounds
hereby directed to be pu: out to Interest unto Elizabeth Walker, Mary Clever, John
Potts, Thomas Potts, and David Potts my Children and Stephen Yorke and Edward
Vorke my Grandsons in manner following (That is to say) unto each of my said
Children one Sixth part thereof, to Hold unto them & their respective heirs Exc5
84 First Generation.
or Adms forever and unto my said Grandsons the other one Sixth part thereof. To
Hold unto them & their Exc3 or AdirT forever as Tcnnants in Common to be eaqually
divided between them.
Item. After my said wife's Decease I give and Bequeath the five hundred Pounds herein
before directed to be put out to Interest unto my said children Elizabeth Walker.
Mary Clever, John Potts, Thomas Totts and David Potts and my said Grandsons
Stephen Yorke and Edward Yorke in manner following (That is to say) unto my said
Children each one Sixth part thereof and unto my said Grandsons Stephen and
Edward Yorke the other Sixth part thereof to be eaqually divided between them.
Item. It's my will as the two hundred and fifty one acres of Land situate in the County
of Philadelphia afd which I lately purchased of Jonathan Robeson Esq' is not yet
quite paid for nor yet Conveyed that if I should dye before the same is Conveyed
that my Executors pay what remains unpaid therefor out of my Estate with all Con-
venient Speed and that ye same be Conveyed with the apps unto my said Grandsons
Stephen Yorke and Edward Yorke their Heirs and Assigns forever in Confirmation
of ye Devise thereof to them herein made by the following clause.
Item. It's my will that my said Grandsons Stephen and Edward Yorke have at two
hundred and fifty Pounds the tract of Land which I lately purchased of Jonathan
Robeson containing two hundred and fifty one acres be the same more or less with
the appurtenances, towards their one Sixth part of my Real and Personal Estate above
bequeathed and Devised them To Hold unto them their heirs & assigns forever as
Tennants in Common.
Lastly. I hereby Constitute make and ordain my said wife Magdalene Executrix and my
Sons John Potts and Thomas Potts and my Son-in-law Thomas Yorke Executors of
this my Last Will and Testament, And I do hereby utterly Disallow, Revoke and Dis-
annul all and every other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies and Executors by me in
anywise before this time named willed and bequeathed, Ratifying this and no other to
be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my Hand
and Seal this twenty fifth Day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand
Seaven hundred and forty Seaven.
THOMAS POTTS. [seal.]
Signed, Sealed. Published. Pronounced, and Declared
(ye words [at, herein] being first interlined) and yc words
[and] twice writ in Characters, thus [&] by the said Thomas
Potts as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of
us, Edward West, Jacob Barnard, Isaac Barnard.
1 the within Named Thomas Potts, Iron Master, being well pleased with my within
written Will and Testament and it appearing to me that there's no Opportunity given to
any dissatisfied person or persons to Defeat the Same nor for Cavilling thereat unless they
should for Squabbling sake catch at the Interlineations therein or the word [and] being
First Generation. 85
twice therein written in Character thus & the said Character being enclosed in a Crotchet
or parenthesis in the place where the Witness signed tho' not in the Body of my said within
written Will, Therefore to prevent disputes Knowing the words [at, herein] were interlined
in my said within written Will and the word [and] there writ twice in Characters thus &
before my Signing Sealing and Publishing of the same Will, I do hereby allow the same In-
terlineations and Characters as part of the Words of my said within written Will and Tes-
tament. In Witness whereof 1 have hereto put my Hand and Seal the twenty eighth day of
September in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and forty seven.
THOMAS POTTS. [m-:ai..]
Signed and Sealed in the
presence of us Henry Swttzer
Oarbv Sullivan
Edward West.
I the within named Thomas Potts Iron Master hereby declare it to be my Will that if
rpy Son Thomas Potts inclines to purchase my two Thirds of Colebrook Dale ffurnace and
Iron Mines and the two thirds of the one hundred acres of Land on which the same are,
with my Interest of in or to the same ffurnace and Mines and the one hundred acres of
Land on which the same are by virtue of a Lease and the one hundred acres of
Land adjoyning the sd ffurnace at Eight hundred Pounds according to the Priviledge given
him by the within written Will, he shall have Eighteen Months time to pay the said Eight
hundred pounds without paying any Interest for the same anything in the within written
Will contained to the Contrary in any Wise notwithstanding. In Witness whereof I have
hereunto put my hand and Seal the twenty Eighth day of September in the year of our
Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Fourty Seven.
THOMAS POTTS. (seal, j
Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced
and Declared by the said Thomas Potts
as part of his Last Will and Testament
in the presence of us HENRY SwiTZER
Darby Sullivan
Edward West.
Will & Codicils proved January 10, 1752.
86
First Generation.
A Schedule and Appraisement of the Goods and Chatties of Thomas Potts Senior late
of Colebrooke Dale deceased taken this 16th January 1752.
Cash
In the Chamber Viz.
Bed and furniture
1 doz. chairs . . . .
2 Tables .....
A Chest of Drawers
A Small looking Glass
A Parcell of China
3 Trunks .....
Fire Shovell Tongs and Doggs .
In the Parlor, Viz.
1 Eight day Clock and Case
1 Writing Desk
1 Small Spice Box
1 Chest of Drawers .
1 Tea Table )
1 Oval Table )
2 Tea Kettles ....
1 Warming Pan ....
8 Chairs and 2 Arm Chairs
1 Looking Glass ....
Earthen China Delft and Glass-
ware ......
Pewter plates and dishes in y"
parlour Closset
Doggs fire Shovel and Tongs .
Bed and furniture
Table Linen and Bed Linen .
Some Small Implements about
the house
2 Bibles
1 Cupboard .....
I Oval Table ....
I Small ordinary Table /
1 Arm chair and 6 Small chairs *
2 Pepper Mill Box Iron & : Can-
dlesticks .....
£
IS
s. d.
A pair Doogs fire Shovel Tongs
& Grid Iron ....
£
15
is
1 Pair Stilyards 2 pair Scales &
3
1
some weights ....
Up one pair of Stairs in the Old
1
S
s
House, Viz-
3 Beds Bed Clothes and Bed
10
5
1
10
2 Spinning Wheels .
hi
10
1 Brass Kettle ....
>s
10
4
2
10
In the Kitchen, Viz.
10
6 Iron Kettles ....
3
3
5 Iron Potts ....
1
S
1
5
2 Bake Stones .
1 Table
"Negroes Bed Clothes and Bed-
6
1
12
ding
1
10
2
4
" Frying pann and Grid Iron
3
2
1 Iron Mortar and 1 Trivitt
Wooden Ware ....
1
10
10
2
1 Copper Saucepan .
1 Tinn Lanthorn ....
3
4
10
3 Ladles and 1 Skimmer .
In the Kitchin Loft, Viz.
3
'5
4 Negro Beds and Bedding .
4
10
A Cheess press
'5
5
A wash Kettle )
A pott )
1
10
3
A Mare and Woman's Side Saddle
20
1
10
Mulatto Jo & Negro Elizabeth
6
70
10
Violet a Negro Woman 50 years
or upwards ....
Beck a Negro Woman 50 years
:< >
10
20
First Generation.
87
Negro Man about
Tom a
years ..... 60
Princis a Negro Man 40 years . 35
Tobey a Boy about 13 years . 40
Ishmeal a Boy about 13 years . 40
Rachel a Negro Woman about 22
years and her Mulatto Child )o:
about 2| years Old . . . 50
Judith a Mulatto Girl about 4
years old . . . . .20
10 Milch Cows .... 26
3 Heiffers (
1 Bull ) 4
16 Sheep 4
2 Horses 13 years each £ 5 apiece 10
2 Horses 8 years each £ 8 apiece 16
3 Horses 9 years Each
1 Horse 1 5 years ... 5
1 Horse 17 years .
4 Colts 2 years old Coming
I Little Bay Mare
1 Sorrell Mare .
2 Horses 7 years Old each
2 Ditto about 10 years Each . 24
1 Roan paceing Mare 7
Old .
1 yearling paceing Colt from the
Ball face'd Mare
1 Sow 6 piggs and 4 Piggs in the
Stye .
1 1 pair Cow chain
12 pair Geers
Quoilers for 4 Horses
Smith's Shop, Bellows and other
Tools .....
2 ploughs with their Irons and 1
harrow Cleviss and Swingle
trees ......
I dutch waggon 2 pair Swingle
trees & breast Chain
1 Old Coal Cart body & 1 old
English Waggon w"' bolts,
etc
1 Coal waggon & wheels w"' 1 pr.
Swingle trees & breast Chain .
1 Coal Cart and wheels .
1 little Mine Cart & 1 pair hind
Waggon wheels . . ,
2 New fore Wheels and Tongue
and breast Chain and 1 new
hind Waggon Wheel
Upon the Bank Viz.
8 Ton Pigg Iron . . . .
6 Stoves and Some Odd plates
4 Good Hammers
2 Good Anvills .
7 Hammers and pss of Hammers
Bad
2 pss of Anvills
Some Odd piggs Rings & Scrapps
Supposed A Ton
1 Fullers plate not well cast
1 1 axes at 2/ L
2 Setts Maull Rings and 2
Wedges
7 Brass Horss Bells .
1 1 Horse Bells ....
3 pair Iron Hopples.
1 hand Screw Iron, old Jack 2
Cleavises and Sundry othe
old Iron .
10 Sickels ....
I pair Shoemakers pincers .
iS Sheets Fullers paper .
17 Quire Writing paper
S£ yards Kersey at 3 V yard .
9 felt Hatts ....
1 1 Worsted Capps .
7 Red and spotted silk Handker
chiefs ....
88
First Generation.
6 Red and Spotted Ditto .
1
10
34 Kettles at 6olb cwt r |b
3 Cotton handkerchiefs
3
6
weight is . . 18 0 24
1 1<| yards Fine Holland .
5
IS
21 large potts 45lb
74 yards Broad Cloth at 12 (V
w" apss . . . 8 1 2 1
yard
4
10
1 1 small Do. 30
4 Pair mens Shoes and I pair Wo-
w" apss . . . 2 3 22
mens Shoes ....
1
1 1
5 Smaller Do. 20
S pewter porringers .
12
w" apss . . . 0 3 16
6 pair Mens worsted stockings .
1
4
17 Smaller Do. 17
2 doz. Buck-Horn knives.
18
I paper containing I I Buckhorn
33 0 8 at 1 5 f
24
16
8
3
13 Small Mortars
1
6
22 pair Brass Buckles
1
•3
2 Skillets
5
3 papers Ink powder .
3
2 Small Kettles ....
5
2 doz. 9 Gimblets
4
6
2 Bake plates ....
S
7 packets pinns ....
3
6
Cart Boxes weight about 3' "' 0 0
J lb. Thread No. 12 .
6
at 1 5/ W
2
5
II doz. Striped Thread Buttons .
2
9
74 Pound weight Tobacco at 3d t*
18 6
15 Thread Laces
1
6| pound weight of Harness leath-
4 Small Tooth Combs .
2
69
1 old Razor and a Small parcell
1 Cutting knife and steel 3 dung
odd Buttons ....
1
Forks and 1 pitch Fork .
12
2 Leather Aprons
3
4 Sides of leather Some old leath-
4 Small leather pocket Books
4
er and Scrapps
2
10
1 Rifle and old Musket
3
2 Bridles and 2 Saddles .
3
1 Sattin Jacket and Searsucker
William Bostich an Indented Ser-
5
vant Man .....
15
1 Tonn Bar Iron
20
George Silkspinner a Dutch Ser-
6 Hides. Weight 277 pound at
2
17
si
£9
1 :
2-i'1 1*
55
iS gh
1 Calf Skinn weight 7lb
2
4
Debts upon Book or otherwise unascertained.
Appraised by us
GEO. MOORE,
JAMES BOONE,
DANIEL WOMELS DORF.
SECOND GENERATION.
Children of (i) Thomas and Martha {Kairlis) Potts.
Elizabeth (10), b. in Germantown ; m. Joseph Walker.
Mary (13), b. in Germantown ; m. Derrick Clever.
John (17), b. in Germantown, 1710; m. Ruth Savage at Coventry, Ches-
ter County, Pa., April 11, 1734 ; d. at Pottsgrove, June 6, 1768. His w.
d. at the same place, January 7, 1786.
Martha, d. an infant, iSth of 6 mo., 1714.
Martha, second of the name, d. an infant, 29th 5 mo., 1715.
Children of his second Wife, Magdelen Robeson.
Martha, third of the name (30), b. 1718 ; m. Thomas Yorke, 1734; she
d. 1741. Her husband survived until January 24, 1764.
Thomas (32), b. 1720 ; m., first, Rebecca Rutter ; second, Deborah Pye-
well. He d. at Colebrookdale, 1762.
David, b. 1722; m. Rebecca Rutter, cousin of the above, and d. s. p. at
Colebrookdale, April 10, 1752.
90 Second Generation.
2. Elizabeth (10), b. in Germantown ; m. Joseph Walker.
On an old map I find the estate of Joseph Walker marked, in the
Manatawny region, not far from Colebrookdale. Excepting this fact, I
have been unable to learn anything of him. Elizabeth is mentioned in
her father's will, and one sixth of his estate is devised to her. She
received an annuity from her brother John at his death, and it is prob-
able at that date she was a widow. Her name is signed to the mar-
riage certificate of her brother in 1734.
3. Mary (13), was born in Germantown, and married Derrick Clever.
He was a son of Pieter Clever, one of the early settlers in German-
town, of whom Dr. Keyser has given me the following account : —
" It is a singular fact that in all the papers and writings of the settle-
ment and drawing of the lots of land in Germantown, no mention is
made of a Pieter Clever, who must have been one of the settlers or pur-
chasers. For in a deed that I have, of date September 12, 1689, from
Herman op de Graaf, attorney for Dirck Sipman, to Dirck Keyser, it
describes the land as bounded on the southeast by land of Claus Rit-
tinghhuysen (Rittenhouse), on the northwest by a half-lot of Dirck
Keyser, which he bought of Cornelus Cieuwers (Siverts), and from that
or there running over on the northwest side to Pieter Clever, and fur-
ther six acres in the woods next to Claus Rittinghhuysen and Pieter
Clever."
He is also mentioned as serving on a jury at Germantown, October 8,
1695.
Derrick Clever and his wife settled in the Manatawny region, where
they remained during their respective lives. They lived in the neigh-
borhood of Pine Forge, in which establishment he had some interest.
Mary is mentioned in her father's will, and one sixth of his estate was
devised to her. Her name is appended to the marriage certificate of
her brother, and spelled as here printed.
Second Generation. 91
Germany, an ac- \ /f\ /y ju \
:ent in this coun- \ UtCt^Tv- lfc£tf \
4. John (17), the founder of Pottstovvn, was
born in Germantown in 1710. His
mother was the daughter of Peter and
Elizabeth Keurlis,* who had emigrated
with Pastorius from
count of whose settlement in this coun
try is given in a preceding chapter. }&?*+++**++****+*+++****+*++''%,
Letters of administration upon the estate of Peter Kerlin were
granted to his widow Elizabeth, August 16, 1726; and in 1746 John
Potts made a deed of land to Bernard Reser, part of the estate of
his grandparents, with his sisters " Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Walker,
and Mary, wife of Derrick Cleaver, as heirs-at-law of their mother,
Martha Potts, one of the children of Peter Keurling of Germantown."
For legal proof that John was the son of the before-named Thomas, I
quote from a deed on record made by Thomas and Magdalen Potts, in
1 72 1, which nearly forty -seven years after, in 1768, was proven by the
testimony of John Potts of Pottsgrove, " he being the son of the said
Thomas." The early years of John were passed in Germantown, which
was at that time a village of Germany transplanted to the New World.
The quaint houses were modelled after those in the fatherland, and Ger-
man customs were reproduced on this side of the Atlantic. High
Dutch, as the language was then termed, was universally spoken ; and
it is said that the first English preaching in the town was when Wash-
ington made it his head-quarters during the Revolution. Even as late
as 1793, the year of the yellow fever in Philadelphia, it retained its
German speech, and little else was heard either in street or market.
After that date the influx of Philadelphians produced a decided change,
and now Germantown retains few relics of its un-English origin.
* I follow the orthography of this name as it appears in the different documents alluded
to ; like those of other German settlers it has undergone many changes.
92 Second Geiteration.
John Potts was a mere child when he accompanied his father to
the Manatawny region, of which he was destined to become an
active pioneer and proprietor during a period of almost half a cen-
tury. He early became engaged in the iron-works established by
his father, and carried them on with increased success.
Though by birth a Quaker, he was not brought up strictly
according to Friends' principles, on account of his father's second
marriage into a Swedish family, whose religion was Lutheran
Episcopal ; and by his own marriage he * forfeited his birthright.
This event was celebrated April 11, 1734, at Coventry,! Chester
County, where he was united to Ruth Savage. She was the daugh-
ter of Samuel and Anna (Rutter) Savage, and granddaughter of
Thomas and Rebeccah (Staples) Rutter. The following copy of
their marriage certificate is made from the original, now in the pos-
session of one of their great-great-grandsons, which I have had
photo-lithographed for this volume : —
Whereas John Potts of Coalbrook Dale in the County of Philadelphia & Province of
Pennsylvania, Founder, & Ruth Savage in the township of Coventry & County of Chester,
in the said Province ; having with consent of parents & relations concerned, declared their
intention of taking each other in marriage, by a paper fixed on the publick meeting house
of Uwchlan & Coalbrook Dale where they usually meet to worship, signed by Joseph Brin-
ton Esq. one of his majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Chester, as the law of
this Province in that case directs.
Now these are to certify all whom it may concern, that in order to accomplish these
said intentions of marriage, they the said parties, being at the house of Samuel Nutt, in the
township ot Coventry, & County of Chester aforesaid, & in presence of the aforesaid Justice
& many others, met there together for that end & purpose, the u"' day of April, in the
year of our Lord 1734, he the said John Potts standing up, & in a solemn manner taking
the said Ruth Savage by the hand did thereby declare as followeth, I John Potts take this
my friend Ruth Savage to be my wife & promise by the Lord's assistance to be unto her a
* According to the rule of Friends, when a member of the Society marries one not a
Quaker he loses his birthright, and his children are not members of Meeting.
t Coventry is on the west side of the Schuylkill, about six miles from Pottsgrove.
/yl.
u,' /.«
—•&;*
/?, ^Zi.^V/., '.■«/' J~"±
{&/&•
yjtjlvni*''
•/»
Ituif
©
JiiuY&ge Certificate of Join] Fottg
Second Generation.
93
faithful & loving husband, till death part us, & I desire you that are here present to be
witnesses of the same.
And then & there the said Ruth Savage did in like manner declare as folloueth, I Ruth
Savage, take this my friend John Potts, to be my husband, & promise through the Lord's
assistance to be unto him a faithful and loving wife, till Death part us.
And as further confirmation of the same, the said parties to these presents set their
hands (the woman according to the custom of marriage assuming the name of her husband)
& we whose names are hereunto subscribed being present at the solemnization of their said
marriage & subscription in manner aforesaid, as witnesses thereunto have also to these
presents, subscribed our names the day & year above written.
JOHN POTTS* Groom.
RUTH POTTS. Bride.
JOS. Brinton. Justice. He was the grandson and son of William Brinton. Sr. and Jr.,
who came from Staffordshire, England, in 1684, and settled in Birming-
ham, Chester County. Joseph was a man of more than ordinary ability,
and was frequently employed in public trusts. He was a Justice of the
courts of Chester County from 1730 to the time of his death in 1751, and
also frequently represented the county in the Provincial Assembly.
Thomas Pons. Father of the groom.
Magdalen Potts. Step-mother of the groom.
SAM"- Nutt. Step-father of the bride.
Anna Nutt. Mother of the bride.
REBECCAH Rutter. Grandmother of the bride, and widow of the first Thomas Rutter.
Thomas Savage. \
Samuel Savage, f „ , . , , . ,
V Brothers ot the bride.
Joseph Savage. (
Jxo. Savage. J
Samuel NUTT, Jun. Brother-in-law of the bride.
Rebeccah Nutt. His wife, sister of the bride.
Catherine Savage. Sister-in-law of the bride.
Elizabeth Walker. Married sister of the groom.
Mary CLEVER. Married sister of the groom.
Martha Pons. Step-sister of the groom, soon after married to Thomas Yorke.
Thomas Pons. ) Cl . . , ,
., ,, / Step-brothers of the groom.
David Potts. )
[no. Rutter. Uncle of the bride.
* To the signatures of this marriage certificate I append the different relationships of the
parties, and what 1 have been able to learn about the other signers who were present at the
ceremonv.
94 Second Generation.
Mary Rutter. His wife.
Thomas Yotswater.
Thomas Rutter. Uncle of the bride. He was a member of the Assembly* from Phil-
adelphia County in 1728, and was one of the eight who retired from
the House because the Speaker would not issue a writ for the elec-
tion of a representative to supply the place of Sir William Keith,
who had gone to England.
Henry Hockley. Husband of the bride's aunt, and member of the Assembly from
Chester County in 1749, 1750, and 1751.
Esther Hockley. Aunt of the bride.
REBECKAH RUTTER. Cousin of the bride, and afterwards the wife of one of the brothers
of the groom.
Jonathan Price. I have been unable to determine the relationship between the Rutters
and the Prices ; but as Elizabeth Price and her two sons were buried
in the graveyard of the elder Rutter in Bristol Township (the stones
in memory of them are the only ones now to be found), it is probable
she was his sister. This may have been her husband or son.
Thomas Roberts.
Rhine Tyson. If this is not the Reine Tysen who came with Pastorius, it must have been
his son, and probably a cousin of John Potts.
James Jefferis. A relative of the bride.
John Roberts.
Elizabeth Jefferis. A relative of the bride.
John Tyson. Cousin of the groom.
Anna Hockley. Cousin of the bride.
Edward Key.
Hannah IKERLIN. As this very remarkable name is the same as that of the Prior of
Ephrata, she was probably his sister.
Mary Price.
Rebecca Parker.
Mary BRINTON. Probably a sister of Edward Brinton, as he had one thus named. This
name was formerly pronounced Bratlton.
Samuel Halloway.
Engrl Urrfiarlc.
Joseph PHIPPS. A member of the Provincial Assembly from Chester County in 16S3.
GEORGE AshtoN. Sometimes spelled Ascheton. He was a member of Assembly from
Chester County in 1723, and a Justice of the Peace in 1726; two
years after, Governor Gordon reported to the Council that he had
" acted too much," and removed his name from the list. What his
offence was does not appear.
* Colonial Records, Vol. II. p. 201.
Second Generation. 05
Robert Parker.
Jacob LayloR. ,.\n eminent mathematician and Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania. He
at one tune kept a school at Abington, and was probably the early in-
structor of John Potts, and perhaps even of his father Thomas. At tins
date he must have been quite old, as Smith, in his " History of Dela-
ware County," says that he was living in 1728, but very infirm, and that
the date of his death is unknown. That he lived six years after that
time is proved by comparing his autograph with one in the above his-
tory. Jacob Taylor is frequently mentioned in Logan's letters. He
calculated the aspect of the planets when Philadelphia was founded,
and expressed the result in the following lines in 1723 : —
" Full forty years have now their changes made,
Since the foundation of this town was laid ;
When Jove and Saturn were in Leo joined,
-They saw the survey of the place designed :
Swift were these planets, and the world will own
Swift \\as the progress of the rising town.
The Lion is an active regal sign ;
And Sol beheld the two superiors join.
A city built with such propitious rays
Will stand to see old walls and happy days.
But kingdoms, cities, men in every state,
Are subject to vicissitudes of fate.
An envious cloud may shade the smiling morn,
Though fates ordain the beaming sun's return."
1 homas MAYBURY. He married into the Rutter family, and was interested in forges and
furnaces in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
James Dornf.y.
Cf.orge Rogers.
Francis Edwards.
James Male.
John Webb.
Thomas Menson.
It was m 1752 that John began to lay out a town at the conflu-
ence of the Manatawny and Schuylkill. A large tract of land in
this region was already owned by the different members of his
family, and it is believed that here they had early erected a forge or
furnace, some remains of which a local antiquary informed me he
96
Second Generation.
had seen near the river. The grist-mill mentioned by Governor
Patrick Gordon, in 1728, as the building in which the " back inhab-
itants " were gathered to defend themselves from the Indians, was
owned by John Potts, and is mentioned in his will. It is still
standing, near the principal street, on the outskirts of the town.
A grant of land on part of which Pottsgrove township is
situated was once known as Sproegel's manor, and afterwards as
Douglass's manor. Though the Potts and Rutter family had long
held hundreds of acres in this vicinity, yet the actual site of Potts-
town was purchased in 1752, according to the following abstract
from a deed : —
"On the 8th of September, 1752, John Potts of Manahawtawny, Esquire,
purchased from Samuel Mc'Call, Jr., and Ann, his wife, two tracts of land sit-
uate in Manahatawny Creek and Schuylkill River, containing together nine
hundred and ninety-five acres, being part of a certain tract of 14,000 acres
granted by the Hon. John Penn, one of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania,* by
deed June 20, 1735, unto George Mc'Call, father of the said Samuel."
Pottsgrove was laid out, after the manner of Germantown, in one
long street, a hundred feet wide, called, after the English custom,
High Street. The lots were sixty feet front, extending back three
hundred feet. At the end nearest the . iver was the mansion of the
founder, looking down upon the town. The houses erected by
himself and his sons are large solid stone buildings, evidently
intended for succeeding generations as well as their own.
The following unfilled printed lease, found among the family
papers, is copied to imitate the original, as it will be a curiosity to
the present generation of the founder's descendants, and probably
even to the occupants of the lots.
* From this it would appear th.it the contending rights of the Frankfort Company and the
Sproegels were in some wa\ resumed or bought off by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania.
Second Generatioii. 97
THESE are to certify that I JOHN POTTS
of the City of Philadelphia Merchant, have Letten on Ground Rent
forever, unto a Lot of Ground marked and numbered
in the Plan of the Town of Potts-Grove, No to hold to him the laid
his Heirs and Afligns forever, under the following Conditions,
That is to fay, he the (aid his Heirs and Affigns, yielding and
paving yearly and every "i ear, on the Firft Days of March and September, in
equal Payments, the Rent or Sum of Spanijh Pieces of Eight* or
Value thereof, in lawful Money of Pennsylvania, unto the faid JOHN POTTS,
his Heirs and Afligns forever, to be bought of at any Time whatever, at the
common Rate of Twenty Years Purchafe; and alfo building or caufing to be
built on the faid Lot, one Dwelling-Houfe at lead Twenty Feet fquare of
Brick, Stone, framed or fquare Loggs, within the Space of Two Years, from
the Firft Day of March next enfuing the Date hereof, at which Time the yearly
Rent aforefaid, is to commence : But if Default fhall be made in building the
Dwelling-Houfe aforefaid, on the faid Lot within the Space of Two Years afore-
faid, then it is the true Intent and Meaning hereof, and it is hereby declared,
that the laid Agreement and every Thing thereto relating, fhall be Void and of
none EfFeft, and that the laid Lot fhall revert to the faid JOHN POTTS,
his Heirs and AfTigns, as his and their own proper Eftate, to all Intents and
Purpofes, as if the faid Agreement had never beer, made; and that at the Ex-
piration of the faid Two Years, or at any Time fooner, when the faid Buildings
fhall be erected, he the faid JOHN POTTS fhall and will make over and
convey the faid Lot of Ground unto the faid his Heirs and Afligns,
according to the true Intent and Meaning of thofe Prefents. Witness my
Hand and Seal, this Day of in the Year of our Lord, 1762."
* A Spanish piece of eight was the Spanish silver dollar.
98 Second Generation.
Some of these rents were bought oft" by the lessees according to
the expressed agreement, while others remained, and were collected
by the grandchildren of John Potts until about fifty years ago, when
the growing feeling that quitrents need not be paid increased so
much that the heirs did not even attempt to collect them, or to
exact in any way the fulfilment of these old leases, which have
therefore in reality become a dead letter.
The original ground plan of the town was lost about seventy
years ago, and, a search for it proving fruitless, early in the present
century the site was resurveyed, and a new plan made, which was
legalized and adopted by an act of the State Legislature.
On the western side of Manatawny Creek, near where its waters
join the Schuylkill, the founder of the town built a residence for
himself, an engraving of which, from a photograph, is given in this
volume. During a hundred and twenty years the house has been
only slightly altered. — by taking down a wing on the east end and
erecting a piazza in its place.
The subjoined description was written for this book by Mr. Davis,
the editor of the " Montgomery Ledger," a newspaper published at
Pottstown : —
" The mansion of John Potts, the ancestor of the Potts family of Pottstown
(formerly Pottsgrove), afrer whom that now flourishing borough was named,
is one oi the oldest, best constructed, and best preserved buildings, not only
in its own locality, but in the whole valley of the Schuylkill between Phila-
delphia and Pottsville. It is situate in Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery
County, and occupies a commanding position along the Perkiomen and
Reading Turnpike, overlooking the winding Manatawny and the silvery
Schuylkill and the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad ; and its walls, not-
withstanding they are verging towards a century and a quarter old. are as
solid and substantial, apparently, as ever they were, and look as if they
might resist the decaying touch of Time for another century or more. We
Second Generation. 99
search in vain about the venerable building for the date of its erection ; there
is nothing to enlighten us. nor any records that we know of to determine the
exact age of the structure. It is known, however, that John Potts laid out
Pottstown (Pottsgrove) in 1752, about which time he removed here from
Colebrookdale Township. Berks County, being then engaged in operating
several furnaces and forges in this part of the country, which were either
owned by him or owed their existence or successful management to his
means, energy, and enterprise. It is probable he commenced the erection oi
his mansion about 1752 or 1753, and the work, no doubt, occupied a couple
of years before completion ; for in those days the population was sparse
and workmen scarce, especially builders who could execute work of a char-
acter so elegant and substantial as is found in this structure. The edifice is
built of sandstone, the front in range courses. The walls are two feet thick,
and the partition walls eighteen inches thick ; the wainscoting and wood-
work inside being very heavy and strong. The first story is eleven and a
half (11 .',) feet high ; the second, ten (10) feet high, and from the square to
the apex of the roof the height is eighteen (18) feet. The hall is ten <io)
feet wide. The cellar is divided into five apartments, with strong walls and
arched doorways. The roof is pierced with three large dormer-windows,
and is surmounted its entire length with a balustrade observatory, from which
a splendid view can be had of a portion of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery
Counties, laved by the Schuylkill River. The whole building measures
about 46 feet by 28 feet. There was formerly a large doorway in the back
part of the house, into which it was customary to drive a cart loaded with
wood to supply the kitchen fire, but this has been removed. The whole
edifice tells plainly of the desire of its founder to comoine in this mansion, in
which he expected to spend the remainder of his days, comfort, elegance,
and durability. It is probable, too, that the Indian troubles of those times
had something to do with the massiveness of the walls and the strength and
substantial character of the building. It is true that at that date the prin-
cipal tribes of the red men had retired farther into their native and unex-
plored forests ; but many of them still lingered about their favorite haunts
in this part of the countrv, and not unfrequently hunting or scouting parties
came this way, and even encamped beneath the tall shade trees of Pottsgrove,
ioo Second Generation.
or visited the burial-grounds of their ancestors on the banks of the river in
the precincts of our own borough. Frequent difficulties, we are told, took
place between these parties and the settlers, resulting in appeals to the
deadly rifle and to the use of the scalping-knife ; and it may be that the
Potts Mansion was made thus strong as a protection against incursions and
dangers of this kind. The grounds around the building and fronting towards
the river were tastefullv laid out, and planted with trees, which soon grew
and cast umbrageous shade over the walks and drives. These fine grounds,
however, were circumscribed considerably by the construction of the turn-
pike in 1S1 1. When the mansion was completed there were few, it anv, such
residences, as regards size and elegance, in Pennsylvania outside of Phila-
delphia ; and even the citv, at that date, could not boast of many superior to
it. The settlers looked upon it with wonder and astonishment, and people
came from the surrounding country, a distance of thirty or forty miles, to
see Potts's big house. Tradition says that during the Revolutionary War,
when the American army lay not far off, Washington made this mansion
his stopping-place. It was then owned and occupied by a son* of John Potts,
he having died here in i 768.
"The dwelling, with the mill and the large farm, has long since passed out
of the Potts family, and is now owned by the brothers H. and J. Gabel."
Day's " Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania " gives
the following account of the place : —
" Pottstown, formerly known as Pottsgrove, derives its name from John
Potts, who had a large grant of land in this region. He owned. a part of
Sproegel's manor and the lands adjoining it to the north. West of the town,
beyond the Manatawny. is a stately but antique mansion (of stone) overlook-
ing the town, erected by him long before the Revolution ; it was then the
marvel of the whole country, and people came from forty miles round merely
to see it.
" Mr. Potts was an enterprising speculator in iron-works in Chester and
Berks Counties. He was a descendant f of old Thomas Potts, who settled at
* His eldest son, Thomns.
t This statement is incorrect, but it has been so often printed, tli.it many of the descend-
w
n
>
o
T
.•-
r>
■•
~i
••
u.
:■
H
P-
c-
Second Generation. 101
Burlington in William Penn's time, and was the father of Isaac Potts, who
settled at Valley Forge. This was one of his iron-works.
" His son Samuel was once the owner of lands where Pottsville now is,
and it came afterwards into the hands of one Pott,* a German, from whom
Pottsville is named."
Bishop's " History of American Manufactures " thus notices this
town : —
" Pottstown, at the junction of the Manatawny with the Schuylkill, de-
rives its name from John Potts, a large land-owner at that place, and an
enterprising proprietor of iron-works in Chester and Berks Counties. He
was a descendant of one of the early settlers of Burlington in the days of
William Penn."
The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt,t who visited this coun-
try immediately after the French Revolution, and passed through
Pottsgrove in 1795, thus describes it: —
" The country about Pottsgrove is still more pleasant. The plain in which
this small market town is situate is more extensive than any we have hitherto
seen, and at the same time is in the highest degree of cultivation.
ants of Thomas of Colebrookdale have believed he was a son of the emigrant of the
same name mentioned in Smith's " History of New Jersey " as one of the company of Qua-
kers who arrived at Burlington in the ship Shield, A. D. 1678. But though this Thomas
removed to Philadelphia about 1699, and died there in 1726, his only son, Thomas, remained
near Burlington, and his grandson, the third Thomas, was living in Mansfield, an adjoin-
ing town, August 14, 1728. These three Thomas Pottses are the ancestors of the Jersey
family of the name. The elder Thomas became a Baptist in 1686, and was three times
married, twice in his old age. As in the three consecutive years 1714, 1715, and 1716, he
had a wife of a different name, he has been taken for three individuals, and very much
mystified those genealogists who have attempted to unravel the early history of the family.
His wife Ann, probably the one who came with him in the Shield, was baptized at Burling-
ton in 1686, and died in Philadelphia, 1714 ; his second wife, Grace Farmer, also a Baptist,
lived only a short time after her marriage ; while his third wife, Alice Pusser, of the same
sect, survived him.
* This family was named Putt, but anglicized to Pott. The ancestor, Wilhelm Put, came
to Pennsylvania in 1734.
t Travels of the Duke de Liancouit, published in London, 1799, pp- 19, 20.
102 Second Generation.
" The forest mountains* which are in sight on the left and in the front form
beautiful borders to this landscape. In the neighborhood of Pottsgrove we
again discovered the Schuylkill, which we had left near Norristown ; along
its whole course its banks are delightful, and all the land through which it
passes is good. I do not know a finer river in point of water and views.
" Pottsgrove is a market town, originally laid out by a Quaker family of
the name of Pott. About forty years ago they purchased land of the State
at a very low price, and sold it afterwards at a considerable profit, according
as it was more or less sought after. It is now worth thirty dollars in the
town, and from thirty to thirty-seven in the adjacent country.
" The family of Pott have established considerable iron forges, and by
means of these much increased the fortune which they acquired by the sale
of the lands. They are generally supposed to be very rich. Pottsgrove
consists at present of about thirty well-built houses, and belongs to the dis-
trict of Douglass, which forms a part of the county of Montgomery."
John Potts was commissioned Justice of the Peace in 1745, 1749,
and 1752. In the latter year, that part of Philadelphia County where
he lived was set off" into Berks, and his removal eight or ten miles
lower down the river brought him again into Philadelphia County ;
we therefore find in the minutes of Council, March, 1756, that "the
Council recommending Mr. John Potts of Manatawny for a proper
person for a magistrate of the county of Philadelphia, he is ordered
to be put into the next General Commission," and he was so
appointed in 1757. At this period the office was one of much
greater importance than at present, for a justice of the peace was
also a judge of the county courts, namely, Common Pleas, Quar-
ter Sessions, and Orphans' Courts, and he was . obliged to decide
many important legal questions. In practice it was probably found
that this office was often lodged in incompetent t persons, and,
* Alluding to the name of Pennsylvania, — a wooded headland. There are some inac-
curacies in the above statement, but I insert it to show the condition of the town at the
latter part of the last century.
t In the letters of that day the fact is frequently mentioned.
Secoiid Generation. 103
September, 1759, the Assembly passed an act entitled " A Supple-
ment to an Act for establishing Courts of Judicature in this Prov-
ince," by which it is supposed (for the act is not given except by
title in the printed laws) that power was conferred upon the Gover-
nor to select certain of the justices to act as judges of the Common
Pleas. The following month Governor Denny appointed five
judges, of which number John Potts was one. This law was not
approved in England, and news of the fact was received in Phila-
delphia in January, 1761.
At the Council held there 28th February, 1761, after appointing
justices of the peace for Philadelphia County, "five writs of super-
sedeas * were signed to forbid Thomas Yorke, Rowland Evans, John
Potts, Samuel Wharton, and John Hughes, late judges of the Court
of Common Pleas, exercising any of the powers granted them by
* " George ye third by ye grace of God of Great Britian France & Ireland King, defender
of yc faith & so forth to John Potts of the county of Philadelphia in the Province of
Pennsylvania Gentleman Greeting— Whereas by a Commission bearing date the twen-
tieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty-nine,
under the great seal of the said Province, you the said John Potts now assigned & appointed
by our late Royal Grandfather George the second King of Great Britain &c. to be one of
the Judges of the County Court of Common Pleas for the said county of Philadelphia, as,
in. & by the same commission (reference thereto being had) more fully & at large appears.
Nevertheless know ye, that for certain Causes, specially moving us, it is our pleasure that
you the said John Potts shall no longer hold exercise or enjoy the said office of one of the
Judges of the said County Court of Common Pleas for the Co. of Phil. And we do hereby
strictly command you the said John Potts that from further acting in the said office or
executing or intermeddling in any of the Powers or authority granted or expressed in
the said Commission or incident or appertaining to the said Office you entirely super-
sede, desist & forbear, as you will answer the contrary at your Peril, the said Commission
or anything therein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we
have caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness James
Hamilton Esq. by virtue of a Commission from Thomas Penn & Richard Penn Esquires
Head & absolute Proprietaries of the said Province & Counties of Newcastle Kent & Sus-
sex, upon Delaware & with our Royal approbation Lieut. Gov. & Commander in Chief of
the Province & County aforesaid at Philadelphia the 27th Feb. the year of our Lord 1761 &
in the first year of our reign. J AMES Hamilton."— Col. R?c, Vol. VIII. p- 575.
104 Second Generation.
their respective commissions under the late Governor Denny, which
was during good behavior, together with a warrant to affix the
great seal to each of them."
That there was nothing personally against Potts in this writ of
supersedeas is proved by the fact that at the same meeting of the
Council he was again commissioned Justice of the Peace for Phila-
delphia County, which office he probably filled until his death.
For many years he continued the largest and most successful
iron-master in the American Colonies, carrying on forges and fur-
naces, not only in Pennsylvania, but Virginia. His comprehensive
business mind was devoted to all the improvements of the time, and
the severity of the laws and restrictions against the American Colo-
nies by the Lords of Trade and by acts of Parliament appear to
have made him a patriot of the Franklin stamp. With the great
philosopher he was on terms of intimate friendship, as Mrs. Frank-
lin, in a letter to her husband, calls him "our Mr. Potts."
His landed estate, consisting of nearly four thousand acres in dif-
ferent parts of Pennsylvania, was probably more highly improved
than any other in the thirteen Colonies, with mines, forges, furnaces,
grist-mills, saw-mills, farms, and tenants of town lots, besides several
houses in Philadelphia, one of which, with stores and wharves, was
valued at £ 2,000. He lived in great dignity at his stately house
called Pottsgrove, surrounded by his large family of sons and
daughters, and connected by birth and marriage with many of the
oldest and most important families in Philadelphia.
Though thirty-six miles from the city by the road, very constant
intercourse with it seems to have been kept up, both in a social and
business way, several of the sons having their winter residences in
town, and passing the summer near their father. The beautiful
country seat of Stowe, two miles from Pottstown, was built as the
summer home of some of the family ; and before the Revolution it
Second Generation. 105
was owned by John, Jr., the Tory, and was confiscated as the property
of a loyalist.
John Potts died June 6, and the following obituary appeared in
the "Pennsylvania Gazette,"* published in Philadelphia, June 16,
1768 : —
" After a long and tedious illness, died on the 6th instant, at his house at
Pottsgrove, John Potts, Esq., a gentleman of unblemished honor and integ-
rity, known, beloved, lamented.
' Such this man was who now from earth remov'd
At length enjoys the liberty he lov'd.' "
His body was interred in the family graveyard, and thirteen
children followed it to its final resting-place.
A handsome flat marble slab marks the spot, and is inscribed as
follows : —
" Here lieth the body of
John Potts
who departed this life
the 6th day of June 1768."
A place is left upon it to insert the name of his wife, who sur-
vived him many years ; and although there is no doubt that she rests
beside him, no record of her burial has been placed upon it.
She died at Pottsgrove on Saturday, January 7, 1 786.
The following notice appeared in the " Pennsylvania Journal and
Weekly Advertiser " of Wednesday, January 1 1, 1786, published in
Philadelphia: —
" On Saturday morning last departed this life, aged seventy years, after a
short but severe illness, which she sustained with true resignation, Mrs. Ruth
Potts, relict of John Potts, Esq., of Pottsgrove. If the tenderest performance
* In the last century it was not customary to announce deaths or marriages in the Phila-
delphia newspapers, except those of persons of importance.
U
106 Second Generation.
of maternal duties, the most generous exercise of benevolence and charity to
her fellow-creatures, and the purest piety to her God, deserve to be lamented,
then is the circle of her mourners numerous indeed."
As there are a great number of the descendants of John Potts
living, who, it is believed, will be interested in reading his will, it is
here printed entire, with the inventory, which affords a curious record
of the prices of many articles at that period.
WILL OF JOHN POTTS.
In the Name of God Amen.
1 John Potts of Pottsgrove in the County of Philadelphia &* Province of Pennsylvania
Gentleman being of sound mind memory & understanding & considering the uncertainty of
this life do make & publish this my last will & testament in manner & form following (that
is to say) —
Imprimis. I order & direct that my Executor hereinafter named do pay my just debts <fc
legacies within a reasonable time after my decease.
Item. The plantation whereon I live containing about 495 acres of land on the west side
of Manatawny creek with the building & all the appurtenances thereunto belonging I do
value & appraise at the sum of six thousand pounds T & I do order & empower my Ex-
ecutor herein after nominated to convey the same in fee simple unto such Child as shall
be willing & desirous of taking the same at that valuation my eldest son to have the
first offer & choice & in case of his refusal my other children to have the right of
preemption according to priority of Birth.
Item. ■ All that tract of land beginning at the Fording place on the East side of Manataw-
ny Creek & running from thence by a straight line on the West side of the road lead-
ing to Schuylkill <fc Manatawny Creek, & from thence to Schuylkill is to be deemed
conveyed as part of the afsd plantation.
Item. As to my Lands, Buildings &c. on the East side of the sd Manatawny Creek con-
taining about 640 acres I order & direct as follows, viz. :
The Grist Mill & Saw Mill with six acres of meadow now rented with the mills &
piece of land to extend from the meadow at the mill race & from thence to the street
(in the town of Pottsgrove) back of a certain John Horn's garden fence, thence along
the said street to the Brew-House lot, thence down the west side of said lot to the ex-
tent thereof & from thence east sixty feet to the main cross Street (in the sd town of
Pottsgrove) leading to the Ferry on Schuylkill & from thence up the several courses
thereof to the place of beginning, & I do hereby order & empower my Executor
* And is here printed in character for brevity.
t This house and the appurtenances, with 225 acres, was sold in May, 1868, for S 53,000.
Second Generation. 107
herein after appointed to convey in fee simple the said Mills, (which I do value &
appraise at the sum of 1,750 pounds) Meadow & piece of Land above described unto
any of my children who shall incline to hold the same at the above valuation, my eldest
son to have the first offer <t choice & in case of his refusal my other children to have
the right of preemption according to seniority.
Item. It is my will <fc I order ct empower my Executor hereinafter appointed to grant by
deed unto the purchaser of the afsd Mills & his heirs & assigns free liberty & use of the
water as the same is now used it enjoyed &, also liberty to enter & cleanse the race &
mend the dam as occasion my require.
Item. It is my will & I do order <fc direct that at all times when the water in Manatawny
Creek is low, the Saw mill on the plantation whereon I live shall not work so as to take
the water from the Grist Mill, on the east side of Manatawny Creek. And it is my
will also & I do order & direct that the Grist Mill on the plantation where I now live
shall not work when the water is low, so as to prevent the Grist Mill on the east side
of Manatawny Creek from working. But the said Grist mills shall in such cases have
an equal use of the water alternately.
Item. I order & direct that within a convenient time after my decease my Executor here-
inafter named shall sell & dispose of the residue of my said tract of 640 acres of land on
the east side of Manatawny Creek with all the houses, buildings, lots, rents heredita-
ments and appurtenances whatsoever. But if any of my children shall desire to pur-
chase the same or part thereof, It is my will & I order & direct that in such case my
Executor shall with the assistance of two judicious freeholders reasonably value &
appraise the same & grant the same to such child or children in fee simple for such
reasonable price as my said Executor & the two freeholders shall determine upon.
Item. Whereas I stand seized in fee simple of a Forge in the county of Berks by the name
of Pine Forge with the following tract of land thereunto belonging Viz. 300 acres which
I purchased from Mary Rees, 1 50 acres which I bought from Seeny Savage, 200 acres
which I bought from John Jones, 150 acres which I bought from Marcus Hulings Jr.
125 acres which I bought from Thomas Coombe, 255 acres which I bought from the
Trustees of the Loan Office, & 100 acres whereon the said house now stands ; contain-
ing in the whole 1280 acres of land.
It is my will & I order & direct my Executor within a convenient time after my
decease to make sale of the said Forge and lands with the buildings, hereditaments &
appurtenances unto the same belonging & I do empower & authorize my Executor
hereinafter named to make <fc execute good and sufficient deed or deeds to the pur-
chaser or purchasers thereof in fee simple.
Item. I give & devise unto my Son-in-law Thomas Rutter & unto his heirs & assigns for-
ever my corner lot of ground in the town of Reading fronting on Penn St & bounded
westerly by Callowhill Street A: eastward by a lot of ground now in the tenure of James
Whitehead.
Item. It is my will & I do hereby direct & empower my Executor hereinafter named to
make sale of all my lands near the said town of Reading which I hold in company
with Benjamin Lightfoot.
108 Second Generation.
Item. It is my will & I order & direct my executor hereafter named to make sale of my
two tracts of land, the one containing 194 acres & the other containing about 100
acres situate & being in the County of Berks adjoining lands of George Adam VVeidner
& commonly known by the name of the Flat.
Item. Whereas I am seized- of about 105 acres of patented land & about 250 acres not
patented adjoining lands of Mathias Swetser & Christian Behry in Chester County
which I purchased from Jonas Seeley, it is my will & I do order & direct that the
same land shall be granted & conveyed by my Executor hereinafter named unto such
of my children as shall take my Plantation whereon 1 dwell at the valuation hereinbe-
fore mentioned in fee simple he paying unto my said Executor such a reasonable price
for the same as my said. Executor & two judicious Freeholders whom he shall call to
his assistance shall adjudge & determine the same to be worth. But if any of my chil-
dren shall purchase from my said Executor my plantation it lands on the east side of
Manatawny Creek then <t in such case it is my will <fc I do order & direct that my
Executor shall convey & grant unto such child so purchasing an equal & proportion-
able part of the said two tracts of land in manner & form afsd to the intent that each
of my said plantations may be supplied with timber.
Item. Whereas I am seized of about 200 acres of land in Chester County afsd lying between
where William Butler lives & the great Road leading to French Creek. It is my will
& I do order & direct that my Executor hereinafter named grant <fc convey the same in
the same manner & for the same purposes as is above directed concerning the above
lands I bought from Jonas Seely.
Item. Whereas I stand seized of a certain Grist Mill in the County of Philadelphia known
by the name of the Valley Mill & of a small piece of ground thereunto belonging
bounded & described as follows, Viz. beginning at the Valley Creek where the Great
road crosses it, thence along the same road towards Philadelphia by the Gardens to
the fence of the field on the North side of the said road fence along the said fence to
the barn-yard, thence along the fence between the garden & said barn-yard to the road
leading to Schuylkill thence along the same road to the other side of the barn-yard
next Schuylkill & thence up the barn-yard fence through the field to the middle of the
old orchard in the Hollow, thence by a straight line to Schuylkill thence up Schuylkill
to the mouth of the Valley Creek to the place of beginning. And whereas I have also
a tract of land supposed to contain about 40 acres situate & lying between the Great
Road leading from the Valley Creek to Philadelphia & a road leading to the plantations
of a certain David Stephen & whereas I have also reserved & am entitled unto for me
my heirs & assigns forever the free use & benefit of the water running to the said
mill with full liberty of cleansing & repairing the Race & amending <fc keeping in repair
the dam at all times when necessary, It is my will & I do hereby order & direct my
Executor hereafter named within a convenient time after my decease to make sale of
the said Mill ct Lands with the privileges above mentioned & all <fc singular other the
Hereditaments & appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging.
Second Generation. 109
Item. It is my will it I do hereby order & direct my Executor hereinafter named to make
sale of my plantation & tract of about 96 acres of land which I bought from George
Palmer situate near the Falls of Schuylkill a convenient time after my decease.
Item. I give <fc devise unto my son David & unto his heirs and assigns forever my house &
lot in Water St. in the city of Philadelphia wherein my son David now lives (which I pur-
chased from James Child) with the wharf & stores thereunto belonging he paying unto
my Executor the sum of two thousand pounds. & in case neither my son David (or on
his refusal) none of my other children will take the said premises at that valuation it is
my will & I order & direct my Executor to make sale thereof for the best price that can
be got for the same.
Item. It is my will <fc I order it direct my Executor hereinafter named to make sale of a
certain house & lot of ground which I bought from Thomas Rutter situate on Second
St. in the city of Philadelphia <t adjoining Church Alley together with all the buildings
& appurtenances thereunto belonging. And if any of my children shall choose to
purchase the same, I order & direct my Executor hereinafter named to convey it to such
Child for a reasonable price to be ascertained & fixed by my said Executor & two
judicious Freeholders as is hereinbefore mentioned.
Item. It is my will & I do order & direct my Executor hereinafter named to sell my two small
tracts of land adjoining Schinkel in Chester County containing about 47 acres.
Item. Whereas I have a tract of 212 acres of Land in York County for the sale of which
I entered into covenants with a certain Samuel Harris & at the same time promised
the said Harris to wait for the purchase money three or four years upon his paying
annually the interest thereof.
It is my will & I do hereby order & empower my Executor hereinafter named to con-
vey the said tract of land in fee simple unto the said Samuel Harris upon his perform-
ance of the covenants on his part contained in the articles of agreement between us,
but if the said Harris shall not comply with his agreement & pay off the purchase
money I empower & direct my Executor to make sale of the said tract of land here-
ditaments <t appurten5 thereunto belonging.
Item. Whereas I purchased from William Allen Esq. an old right for 100 acres of land
which was to be located upon a bank of iron ore at the Path Valley in the Co. of Cum-
berland for myself John Hughes & John Armstrong in company, & whereas a large
quantity of land was surveyed near the same place for the use of the said company,
it is my will & I order it direct my Executor to secure «t manage the same for the
general benefit of my estate or make the sale thereof as he shall judge most proper &
advantageous.
Item. As to my estate in the Colony of Virginia which I hold in company with John Lesher
j& Lewis Stephen <fc which is now under the management of the said Lesher, it is my
will k I do order k direct that the Iron works now erecting on the said Estate by
Sd company be carried on by my Executor hereinafter named for the general benefit
& advantage of all my children until my youngest Son shall attain the age of 21
I IO
Second Generation.
years. But if at any time hereafter during the minority of my said youngest Son a
majority of my sons of full age shall agree & determine it to be for the advantage of
my children that the same shall be sold in such case I hereby order & empower my
Executor to make sale of all my said lands & other Estate whatsoever in the said
Colony of Virginia. And I do hereby in that case give full power & authority unto my
Executor hereinafter named by good & sufficient Deed or Deeds well & truly to grant
& convey the same unto such person or persons as shall purchase the same or any part
thereof in fee simple. And in case any of my children shall incline to purchase the
same I order & direct my Executor to grant the same lands & premises unto such child
for such price as my said Executor & two judicious freeholders shall deem the same to
be worth but not until after a majority of my sons of full age shall adjudge it best to
sell the same.
Whereas I have agreed & bargained with my sons Samuel & John for the sale of
all my estate interest & title of in & to Warwick furnace & the lands ores hereditaments
& appurtenances thereunto belonging in the County of Chester <fc of all my estate in-
terest & title of in & to the Valley Forge with the lands hereditaments & appurtenances
thereto belonging (the Valley Mill & the lands & privileges hereinbefore mentioned only
excepted) in the Counties of Philadelphia & Chester for the sum of four thousand five
hundred pounds which said sum of money should have been paid to me the 1st day of
April A. D. 1765 with interest from that time : It is my will & I do give & devise for the
consideration afsd unto my Sons Samuel & John & unto their heirs <fc assigns forever all
my estate title interest property claim & demand whatsoever of into & out of the said
Furnace forge land hereditaments & appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging
(except as before excepted) they paying the residue of the said four thousand five hun-
dred pounds with the interest as afsd .
Item. I give <fc devise unto my beloved wife Ruth the yearly sum of two hundred pounds
during her natural life to be paid to her by my Executor hereafter named by Quarterly
payments. I also give <fc devise unto my said wife during her natural life my house &
lots in Pottsgrove wherein my son Samuel lately dwelt with the buildings thereunto
belonging I also give unto my said wife during her natural life any two of my three
negro girls Margaret Nancy & Flora, together with such & so much household furni-
ture as she shall want with two cows & a horse to be chosen out of my stock. And it is
my will that the same legacies so given to my said wife shall be & I do declare the
same to be in full lieu <fc satisfaction of all dower or right of Thirds.
Item. 1 give & devise unto my sister Elizabeth Walker the sum of ten pounds yearly <fc
every year during her natural life to be paid to her by my Executor hereinafter named.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my son Thomas seven hundred & fifty pounds to be paid to
him over Si above his distributive share of my estate.
Item. I give Si bequeath to my son David the like sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds
over & above his distributive share of my estate.
Item. I give & bequeath unto each of my sons Samuel, Joseph. Isaac, James & Jesse
the sum of two hundred & fifty pounds to be paid to them respectively over & above
their respective share of my estate.
Second Generation. 1 1 1
My reasons for giving my sons Thomas & David more than either of my other
children is in consideration of the heavy loss which my son Thomas sustained by
Thomas Yorke's failing in trade, & in consideration of a hurt which my son David
received by a stroke of a mare. And the reasons why I have given my sons John &
Jonathan less than my other sons is on account of the extraordinary expense I have
been put to for their education, & I have given my sons more than my daughters
being of opinion that as sons they are justly entitled to more.
Item. 1 give unto Son Thomas my gold watch, being the child of my youth.
Item. It is my will & I order that my negroes shall not be sold at public sale but appraised
& divided among ray children or to such of them as shall agree & choose them.
Item. I order that whoever of my sons shall take my plantation whereon I live shall pay
to his brothers & sisters their respective shares of the six thousand pounds at which
I have valued it within six years after my decease without interest & by equal annual
payments.
Item. I order in case of my son David (or on his refusal any of my other children) who shall
take the house wharf & stores hereinbefore valued at two thousand pounds shall pay
to his brothers & sisters their respective share of the said Two thousand pounds within
four years after my decease without interest by equal annual payments.
Item. Whereas I have already advanced & given unto my son Thomas the sum of one
thousand & twelve pounds, unto my son Samuel the sum of one thousand & twelve
pounds, unto my son John the sum of one thousand & twelve pounds, unto my son
David the sum of one thousand one hundred pounds, unto my son Joseph the sum
of twelve hundred &, thirty pounds, unto my daughter Martha Rutter the sum of nine
hundred & fifty pounds, and unto my son Jonathan the sum of five hundred pounds.
It is my will &, I do order & direct that the said sums of money so advanced by me
to them respectively shall be deemed & taken as part of their several & respective
shares of my estate & that they be charged respectively therewith.
Item. It is my will & I do order & direct that all my estate real & personal be equally divided
share & share alike by & between all my children except the legacies herein before par-
ticularly bequeathed.
Item. It is my will & I do order & direct that if any of my children die in his or her
minority the share of such child so dying shall be equally divided by and between his
or her surviving brothers and sisters.
Item. It is my will & I do order <fc direct that as soon as may be after my decease all sums
of money which shall be collected by my Executor from the sale of my lands or other-
wise shall be divided <fe the shares of my children of full age be paid to them respec-
tively & the shares of my minor children put out to interest on good security.
Item. It is my will & I order £ direct that my minor children be brought up & educated
out of my general estate until a dividend be made without any deduction to be made
from the share of such minor children, <fc from & after such dividend then my minor
children shall be maintained & educated out of the interest money arising from the
share of such dividend.
1 1 2 Second Generation.
Item. I do by these presents constitute nominate & appoint my son Samuel to be my sole
Executor of this my last will & testament, & I do give by these -presents unto my said
Executor full & ample power & authority to grant bargain & sell all & singular the
premises hereinbefore mentioned in manner hereinbefore directed <fe deed or deeds for
the same or every part thereof in fee simple to give & grant & execute hereby ratifying
& confirming this as my last will & testament & utterly revoking all other will or wills
by me heretofore made.
Item. Whereas my said Son Samuel whom I have made & constituted Executor of this
my last will & testament is considerably indebted to me it is my will & I do hereby de-
clare that my appointing him my Executor shall not be taken or deemed as an extin-
guishment or gift of the said debt but it is my will that he shall pay <fc account for
the same together with the rest of my estate.
To remove any suspicions or uneasiness which any of my children may entertain
from my appointing my son Samuel my Executor in preference to the rest I here mention
my reasons, because he is more particularly acquainted with the state of my affairs <k
being so near me & not being so deeply engaged in business as my other children he
will be more at liberty to attend to the affairs of my estate & bring them to a more
speedy settlement.
In testimony of this being my last will & testament I have hereunto set my hand &
seal this 24th day of April 1767.
JOHN POTTS. f l. s. ]
Signed sealed published >fc declared by the said
John Potts as in & for his last will & testament
in the presence of us (the words "during the minor-
ity of my said youngest son " in the 7th page &
the words "at public sale" & "without interest"
on the loth page <fc the words " or her " on the 1 Ith
page having been first interlined.) Wm Dewees Jus1.
Thomas Dewees Jus.
David Potts Jus.
Philadelphia June 1 6th 1768. Personally appeared Thomas Dewees & David Potts two
of the witnesses to the foregoing will and on oath did declare that they saw and heard John
Potts the testator therein named sign seal publish & declare the same will for and as his
last will and testament, and that at the doing thereof he was of sound and disposing
mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief
Coram
Benjamin Chew
Exr Aff d June 16"' 176S Reg' Gen1
1767
Copy of the will of John Potts of Pottsgrove decd
Recorded at Philadelphia Book O. Page 245
Executed April 23rd 1767
Proved June 16"' 176$
Second Generation.
ii3
Philadelphia ss. Personally came before me Enoch Davis Esq. one of H.s Majesty s
Justices &c. for the said County, Henry Pawl.ng Esq. & George Douglass Esq', who being
duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist & Mr. Thomas Hockley on his solemn affirmaUon that
they will make a true & concianable appraisement & inventory of all & singular the per-
sonal estate of John Potts Esq. late of Douglass township in the County aforesaid deceased
to the best of their skill & knowledge.
Subscribed before me the 2o:tl of June 17*
Enoch Davis
Inventory taken as follows, Viz'
Henry Pawling
George Douglass
Thos Hockley
1 Bed Bedstead & Bedding • 9
1 pair of handirons shovel <fc
tongues '
I Looking-Glass 2
I Chamber table . •
8 Blankets 2 Coverlids & quilt . 10
3 Trunks ' 2
1 Couch '
1 Bed Bedstead & Bedding . 7
I small ditto & ditto . . I 10
1 Carpet 2 IO
2 pair hand irons shovel & tongs 1 5
1 small chest of drawers & look-
ing glass 4 IO
1 Bed Bedstead & Bedding . 10
1 Case of drawers chest upon
chest IO
1 Mahogany chamber table ■ 2
I Pair of Looking glasses . . 10
1 Bed Bedstead & Bedding . 14
1 Looking Glass 3
2 Beds Bedsteads Bedding & Fur-
niture . . • • -3°
1 Chamber table ... ' lo
1 Looking glass . . ■ . 2 10
1 Case of drawers chest upon
chest 6
I pair of handirons shovel & tongs I 5
1 Large Dining table . . .210
1 small ditto .... 1
1 pair handirons shovel & tongs . 3
Plate furniture — silver & china
ware ..-••• 2°°
1 Tea table . 3
1 Eight day clock . • .12
I Dining table .... ' '°
1 Looking glass . • • • 2 5
1 Pair of handirons Shovel & tongs 3
1 Walnut tea table ... I
1 Table stand ... 10
6 Walnut Leather-bottom chairs 3 10
6 ditto Compass bottom chairs . 8
10 ditto Damask bottom ditto 12 10
6 Windsor chairs 3
6 Rush bottom chairs . • 25
Kitchen furniture . • -3°
I set of Bed & window curtains 10
1 Desk, Book case & books . 8
1 Easy Chair .... 2
2 Negro girls Margaret & Nancy 75
1 Large Horse dark bay saddle &
bridle 45
2 Milch cows . 8
A Jack, iron pot, & Coffee Mill . 3 «°
2 Feather beds <fc Bedsteads . 10
1 ditto ditto . • 3 IO
I Case of Drawers & 1 arm chair 1
37jlbs yarn . . • 2/ 2 15 6
j 1 Bushel Clover seed • • 2
I 3 Pictures & 2 old maps . • 2
1 14
Second Generation.
A Couch k, Mattrass
5
68^ lbs wool
3
8
3 old blankets .
>S
2 Riddles ....
4 6
Powder & Slwtt
1
i Old Poplar Desk
2
9 yds cloth
3/
1
7
I Walnut table .
2
Negroes Bedding
3
5
Two colts two years old
25
Two colts one year old
20
One bay & one brown horse
30
One old brown horse
3
One sorrel horse .
7
One bay horse & two sets gears
20
IS
One bayball faced horse .
22
10
One horse waggon & gears .
22
10
48 steers & cows . . 5
2 6
246
1 1 cows ....
60/
33
Hay in the Barn & Barrack
-7
Hay in the Meadow .
10
1 Milch cow
4
3 ditto ....
9
■5
45 sheep ....
6/
13
10
1 Phaeton & harness
y>
1 Old waggon
2
[O
i new ditto
19
One old waggon & broad wheel'd
Cart
1 1
3 Ploughs 3 harrows & Swingle
6
10
2 Working Oxen
10
1 Sow & 8 Pigs .
3
5
5 Shovels 5 weeding hoes
& 3
falling axes
1
10
2 Fowling pieces
5
2 old cross cut saws, scythe &
cradle ....
2
A parcel of old iron
>5
1 Walnut table .
I
5
8 Buck-skins
4
10
16 pairs of shoes .
4
8
Iron spikes
I
10
Part of a barrel of sugar
I
2
6
20 lbs neat's leather .
I
15
21 cutting knives .
"4
Coal in the coal house
4
10
Smith's tools, old iron, chains, &c.
in the Smith's shop .
3
New iron tools .
3
Carpenter's tools .
1
15
Middlings in the chest
15
891 lbs of beef .
5''
18
11
3
740 lbs of bacon
52-
16
19
2
Salt shad &c
7
A parcel of empty hogsheads in
2
10
1 Windmill, 2 Cutting boxes
4
1 Gold watch & Seal .
40
Negroes viz.
Andrew — Arch — Guinea
5°
Ceasar £ 20 Ishmael £ 70 Mulat-
to Peter £ 70 .
160
Cato £ 50 Cudgo £ 20 Black
Peter £ 70 Adam £ 10 .
150
Flora a wench .
2 5
In the mill.
13^ bushels of wheat .
6/
4
1
1 28 bushels of rye
4/6
28
16
19 bushels buckwheat .
2/
1
18
30 bushels of Indian Corn
3 3
4
17
6
The following bonds viz'.
A Bond dated Nov. 14,
1767 for . . ,£3400
Interest to this day 122
3 3522
8
a ditto dated Jan 1768
for . . . . £ 350
Interest on ditto 9
4 4
359
4
4
Second Generation.
US
£ s. d.
a ditto dated Nov. 7
1762 for . . £ 1 10
Interest on ditto 36 113 6
a ditto dated Feb. IIth
176S ... 48 15
Interest on ditto 1 o S 49 15 8
a ditto Dec. iS'h 1751 Principal
& interest . . . . 43 o 10
a ditto March 6th 1753 ditto ditto 53 5 3
a ditto dated Oct. 29, 1765 ditto
ditto 1269
a ditto dated March 16th 1768
Principal . . . . . 27 12 1 1
a ditto dated March Ist
1763 . . ,£300
Interest on ditto 95 10 395 10
a ditto dated Aug. 12th
1748 . . . .20
Interest on ditto 22 16 42 16
a ditto dated April 29<>>
1571 ... 20
Interest on ditto 20 10 40 10
a ditto dated Jan. 8th 1768 pay-
able Nov. 27, 1770 . . -155
a ditto dated Jan. 16, 1765 Prin-
cipal & interest . . .28
a ditto dated Dec. io'b 1751 ditto
it ditto 19 13 9
a ditto dated Aug. 26th 1763 ditto
<fc ditto 35 17 10
a ditto dated Feb. 19 1768 ditto . 14 10 74
a ditto dated Feb. 3rd ^68 due
July 176S 23 18 3
a ditto dated Feb. 19th 1768 due
29th Nov. 176S . . . 14 10 74
a ditto dated May 17^ 1 76S due
27 Nov. 176S . . . -53
a ditto dated Jan. Ist 176S . 10
The following notes &c.
One for the sum of . . ;
One for the sum of
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto
ditto ditto
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto . ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto .
ditto ditto
ditto ditto
Ditto payable in June 1769
Ditto for the sum of
Ditto payable May 1769 for the
sum of
Cash in the desk . 527 3 6
Received in Phil, for
Thomas May's order on
Win. Pearson . . 50 o o
One boat ....
1550 Staves
12 Bags
23 lb Linen yarn . . . .
9 pair Men's shoes .
1 Bull
i a Seine
£ ditto at Bombay Hook
18 5
4 7
50
95 10
I I<;
3
2 IO
George Douglass
Tho's Hockley
Henry Pawling
Valuation of Personal estate John
Potts decd 1768 . . 75S6 14 4
n6
Second Generation.
The following is a copy of a paper found among those of Samuel, the executor of his father's
will, which is worth preserving to show at what prices part of the real estate was sold : —
Sales of the real Estate of yohn Potts Esqr Deceased.
WlV;n i To whom sold,
sold, j
Houses.
■J
Acres of
Land.
Where Situate.
When Payable.
Amount.
1768.
£
s
d
July lf Thomas Potts,
One half of Potts-
In five yearly Payments say £ 700 t> year.
35°°
grove Plantn,
[num,
John Potts,
One half ditto,
In five yearly Payments say £300 \? an-
1500
Joseph Potts,
96
Falls of Schuylkill,
Cash received,
912
10
Nov. 2, Jacob Appele,
212
Susquehanna,
In 3 Payments 316 13 4 in 6 months, do.
in 6 mos., do. in 12 months after.
950
David Potts, junr,
3-5
Pine Forge,
.£500 in hand and the remainder in five
yearly Payments,
2000
David Potts, Senr,
Mill,
Potts Town,
The first day of May 1769,
1750
lacob Rhoads,
150
Pine Lands,
£200 the 27th May 1769 remainder in 5
annual Payments,
637
10
John Head,
1
Philadelphia,
Cash received,
1050
Edward Biddle,
1
Reading,
The 10th February 1770,
250
Jacob Wanger,
200
Pine Lands,
£200 27th Novr 1769 remainder in 5
annua] Payments from 27th Mav 1769,
690
George & Henry Ku-
ser,
A right to Land in Berks County called
the Flat. £20 27 Nov. 1769 remain-
der in 5 annual Payments,
120
Martin Markworth,
12
Pine Land,
To be paid 27th May 1770,
36
Peter Yocum,
150
Pine Land,
,£50. May 27. 1770 ,£50 May 27. 1771.
remr at £ 100 t* year trom that time,
4S7
10
Peter Bunn,
U4
Pine Land,
;£iio 8/. May 27 1770 remr £50 annu-
ally till paid,
410
8
Peter Bunn,
50
162
10
Jacob Leavergood,
105
315
Henry Shinkle,
'3
3
11
6 i
PeterMock,
38
=4
14
Freder'k Clackner, )
160
& Geo. Roadamel, j
20
John Shultz,
45
and Dwelling,
1000
John Shultz,
20
100
j
John Shiner,
60
240
John Baker,
a Right,
10
"Christopher Shiner,
loo
44?
10
Jeremiah Jordan,
150
600
'774,
George Foose,
200
Soo
April 4, John Shultz,
No 1 a Lot in Pottstown,
3°
Thomas Cullen,
No 2 " " Ditto,
65
John Paul and )
George Gilbert. (
165
William Devvees,
73
75
10
Conrad Specht,
Isaac Potts,
103
David Potts,
100
Isaac Potts,
47
3°
Isaac Potts,
6
Frederick Cleckner,
29
5
4
ul
Samuel Rhoads,
George Gilbert,
29
1 19
9
Christopher Shiner,
No. 2. 3. 4- 5
ii3i
Joseph Potts,
225'
19272
7
9l|
Second Generation. 1 1 7
7. Martha Potts (30) was born about 1 720, #■ — ~~" *w^*w***w ^
and when only sixteen years of age $ tfiarCJia, ^ott^ \
she was married to Thomas Yorke. ^ \
He had come from Yorkshire, Eng- \
land, when a young man, and went \ £ y/y%/f/'J
up to the iron-works on the Mana-
tawny to act as a clerk to her father.
"This eminent family," says Burke, vs.********************'
" has been for many generations seated in the county of York, and ever
maintained a leading position amongst its great landed proprietors.
Bewerly Hall, near Ripon, was the family seat." Sir John Yorke, Knt,
was Lord Mayor of London, and was one of the trustees named in the
will of Richard Whittington (so well known in nursery story) to manage
his hospital. He had ten sons, two of whom, Edward and Edmund,
became vice-admirals in the English Navy, and received the honor of
knighthood. There is little doubt that Thomas was descended from
one of the sons above named. He seems to have been interested in
the vessels owned by the Province, as I find in 1761 he is empowered
to sell the Province ship, and hold a sort of admiralty court. His
eldest son was named Edward, and was wounded in a naval engage-
ment early in the Revolution. He was connected with Lord Gambier,
one of the Lords of the Admiralty in England. All the above facts
point towards this descent.
Thomas Yorke was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1745. In 1759
he was selected by Governor Denny as one of the judges of the Court of
Common Pleas, and, like his brother-in-law, John Potts, was superseded
by the writ issued in 1761. In 1747 he was lieutenant-colonel of a regi-
ment raised for the defence of the Province in the French and Indian war.
In 1757 and 175S he represented Berks County in the Provincial As-
sembly ; he afterwards removed to Philadelphia.
Martha died about 1741, leaving two sons, and her husband married
for his second wife her cousin Margaret Robeson, who dying, he con-
tracted a marriage with Mary Robeson,* the niece of the second.
* Her sister married Lord Gambier of the British Navy. General Reidesel mentions in
his letters that when the vessels with the Hessian troops lay off Spithead, he dined with
1 1 8 Second Generation.
Thomas Yorke died June 24, 1764, and is buried among the Robeson
family in Perkiomen churchyard. The following is the inscription on
his tombstone: —
" In memory of
Thomas Yorke, Esq'r
Who departed this life June
the 23rd 1764 aged 56 years."
I am informed by the Rector of this church (St. James) that the old
parish register is lost, and I am unable to say whether the grave at his
right hand, without a stone, is that of Martha or his second or third
wife. He had issue by each wife, and left nine children. I give the
descent only of the children of Martha, the first wife.
8. Thomas Potts (32) born about 1721. He was brought up at Colebrookdale,
and early interested in the iron-works there. By his marriage in 1742 with
Rebeccah, daughter of Thomas and Mary Catherine Rutter, he became
part owner of that place, with his father. By the early death of Thomas
Rutter, Jr., his daughter and young son of the same name inherited a
large property there. In his will, dated 1734, and proved the same year,
she is mentioned as under sixteen years of age, and is appointed execu-
trix, from which we must infer that she possessed some business ability.
He left her "all those 500 acres of land lying between the river Schuyl-
kill and Manatawny."
Rebeccah's mother was of Huguenot descent, if not actually born in
France ; her maiden name I have been unable to learn.
Thomas Potts, at the death of his father, in 1752, complied with the
terms of his will, and purchased the two thirds of Colebrookdale Furnace,
and part of the land and mines, at £ 800. He continued to reside there
and carry on those works until his death.
Rebeccah dying soon after 1750, he married for a second wife, Deborah,
daughter of William Pyewell,* a distinguished merchant of Philadelphia.
Lord de Gambier, Commissary of the Docks of the city of Portsmouth. This must have
been James Gambier of the Board of Admiralty, and the husband of Miss Robeson, whose
title was one of courtesy. He was uncle to Lord Gambier, who was elevated to the peerage
in 1807.
* William Pyewell was an active member of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and for a long
Second Generation. 1 1 9
She was a step-sister of his first wife, for Mr. Pyewell had married Mary
Catherine, the widow of Thomas Rutter, before March, 1738, as at that
date he, with his wife, filed the account of the estate of the deceased.
Thomas Potts's name is signed to the marriage certificate of his
brother John, and he appears to have also written that of his younger
brother David. In legal documents he is called junior, as his father had
been. He died at Colebrookdale, April 21, 1762. His widow married,
for a second husband, Caleb Hughes.
WILL OF [S] THOMAS POTTS.
Be it remembered that I Thomas Potts of Colebrookdale do make this my last Will &
Testament in manner following that is to say first I order my part of Spring Forge with
lands thereunto belonging & my part of Mount Pleasant Lands with my Plantation & Lands
between Schuylkill & Manatawny to be sold & the money arising therefrom after my just
debts are paid to be divided among my seven children, reserving fifty pounds more for
each of my sons than my daughters. And it is my will that my house in Philadelphia be
sold &. divided amongst my first wife's children after my Daughter Magdalena arrives at
the age of 18 years, & I order my part of the Furnace* with lands together with the house
& lands I now live on to be rented out till my son David arrives at the age of 21 years, &
then if he inclines to rent to have the refusal, & it is my will that my Mother be paid out
of the rent of my Furnace 30 pounds a year, it being the money ordered by my Father's
will, which money I undertook to pay during her life, and I further order that my Mother
have privilege to cut fire-wood off my land adjoining the furnace during her life.
series of years one of its wardens. He is buried with his wife and mother in the grave-
yard of that church. The partly defaced inscription on his tombstone is as follows : —
" In memory of
Mary Katherine Pyewell
wife of William Pyewell
the 24 176-
Mrs. Catherine Py
1765
William Pyewell
who departed this life
March the 24"" 1769
Aged 84 years."
The record of the church states that William Pyewell's wife was buried 24th September,
1762.
* Meaning Colebrookdale.
i 20 Second Generation.
It is my will that my beloved wife Deborah Potts receive the rent of my furnace for
bringing up my children till the youngest arrives at the age of 14 years at which time I
order my Executors hereafter named to sell the same if they think it will be most to the
advantage of my wife & children, and I do constitute & appoint my beloved friends Wil-
liam Dewees sr. (of Whitemarsh) esq. & Thomas Rutter to be my Executors to this my
last will & testament.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this 20th day of April 1762.
THOMAS POTTS.
witnesses
Derrick Cleaver
Lewis Walker Proved at Reading Berks Co.
John Cleaver 26th day of April, A. D. 1762.
9. David Potts, born about 1722, was brought up at Colebrookdale. In
1743 his father gave him possession of one full and undivided sixth part
" in a certain furnace and forge commonly called Mount Pleasant, and of
and in several tracts of land thereunto belonging." This place was on
Perkiomen Creek, about thirteen miles above Pottstown, and is now
the terminus of the branch railroad from that borough through Cole-
brookdale and Boyertown. No remains of this old furnace and forge
are now visible ; but from the time David was of age until his death, he
probably carried on this establishment, which was advantageously situ-
ated. Spring Forge, which he also owned, lay between Mount Pleasant
and Colebrookdale. He also received by his father's will "a planta-
tion situate at Colebrookdale on which I formerly lived, containing 250
acres be the same more or less with the appurtenances at .£500."
David married Rebeccah, daughter of John and Mary Rutter, and
granddaughter of the first Thomas Rutter. Her father died in 1735, and
this daughter and his son Thomas are mentioned in his will ; also "my
iron-works called Colebrookdale and forge called Rutter's Forge." David
died very soon after his father, April 18, 1752. Letters of administra-
tion to his estate were granted to his widow Rebeccah, and the inven-
tory filed describes his interest in Mount Pleasant Furnace and Spring
Forge. He died without issue.
It will be seen by the preceding account that the three sons of
Thomas Potts married the daughters of three different children of the
first Thomas Rutter.
THIRD GENERATION.
Children of Joseph and [2] Elizabeth (Potts) Walker.
10. Lewis (39), m. Catherine, dau. of Dr. Walker of Baltimore, Md.
11. Thomas (40), m. Anna* dau. of James and Ruth (Savage) Hockley.
Both are buried in the family graveyard at Coventry, but without
tombstones.
11 A. Joseph, d. unm.
12. Anna (45), m. George Leonard.
Children of Derrick and [3] Mary (Potts) Claier.
13. Jonathan, m. Elizabeth Boyer.
14. Peter, m. Elizabeth Whanger, d. s. p.
13. Isaac, m. Sarah .
1G. John, m. a sister of his brother Peter's wife.
Of the descendants of these three brothers I have been unable to
obtain any information.
* She was a descendant of the first Thomas Rutter, whose daughter Esther, born 13 of
4 mo. 1703-4, married Henry Hockley. Thomas Hockley, believed to have been the son
of Henry and father of James, was a member of the Provincial Convention of Commis-
sioners from Chester County, which appointed delegates to the Congress that voted in favor
of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a colonel in the Revolutionary war.
16
122 Third Generation.
Children of [4] Joint and Rittli (Savage) Potts.
17. Thomas (50), b. at Colebrookdale, May 29, 1735 ; m. Anna Nutt at
Coventry, 1757 ; d. in Philadelphia, 22 March, 17S5. His w. survived
until 2 April, 1796.
18. Samuel (60), b. November 13, 1736 ; m. Joannah Holland ; d. at Potts-
grove, 3 July, 1793. His w. survived until 16 March, 181S.
19. John (66), b. 15 October, 1738; m. Margaret Carmick.
2;). Martha (69), b. at Popodickon, 31 March, 1739-40; m. Thomas Rut-
ter at Pottsgrove, 20 February, 1759. He d. there 17 May, 1795 ; his
w. survived until 11 October, 1804.
21. David (75), b. 4 April, 1741 ; m. Mary Aris ; d. at .Valley Forge, 1798.
22. Joseph (80), b. at Popodickon, 12 March, 1742 ; m., first, Mary Morris,
16 August, 1764, who d. 18 December, 1765 ; second, Sarah Powell,
21 January, 1768, who d. 7 January, 1773 ; third, Ann Mitchell, 13
October, 1774, who d. 14 September, 1778; fourth, Mary Kirkbride,
5 May, 17S0. He died near Frankfort, Pa., 4 February, 1804.
23. Jonathan (91), b. at Popodickon, 1 April, 1745 ; m. 5 May, 1767, Grace
Richardson; d. at Reading, October, 1781.
24. Anna (99), b. at Popodickon, 7 July, 1747 ; m. at Pottsgrove, 22 Decem-
ber, 1768, [32] David Potts. Both d. 17S2.
25. Isaac (101), b. at Popodickon, 20 May, 1750; m., first, Martha Bolton,
6 December, 1770; she d. at Cheltenham, 20 April, 1798; second,
Sarah Evans, 1S03. He died at Cheltenham, 15 June, 1803.
2G. James (113), b. at Pottsgrove, 1752; m. Anna Stocker, 1778; d. in
Philadelphia, 10 November, 1788. His widow survived him until 24
May, 1 82 1.
27. Rebeccah (117), b. at Pottsgrove, 1755 ; m. Dr. Benjamin Duffield, of
Philadelphia, and d. there 4 February, 1797. He d. December, 1799.
28. Jesse (122), b. about 1757 ; m. Sarah Lewis.
2D. Ruth, b. about 1759; m. Peter Lohra, of Philadelphia, 9 Jul}', 1S03 ;
d. s. p. 29 May, 1S11. He d. 13 July, 1827.
Third Generation. 123
Eleven of these thirteen children founded families, and their pos-
terity is traced in this volume. The fact that all the male descendants
of the first Thomas were in the third and fourth generation merged
by intermarriages into these eleven branches, makes all now bearing
the name, who are descended from him, also the descendants of John.
The strong feeling of relationship still existing between those whose
great-great-grandparents formed one household twenty years previous
to the Revolution cannot, I think, be paralleled by any other family
in this country.
This clannish feeling may be both the cause and effect of the fre-
quent intermarriages between the various branches ; and the large
landed estate divided among them, which though much impaired by
the war and the depression of business subsequent to it, prevented
that emigration to the West which has widely scattered many fami-
lies ; for though some individuals sought a new home in the South
and West, yet a great proportion of John's posterity remain in his
native State.
17. Thomas (50) was born at Colebrookdale, May 29, about* half an hour
after one in the afternoon, A. D. 1735. v.
He early became interested in the iron
business, and established himsell in Phila-
delphia for the sale of that material, in
connection with his uncle, Thomas Yorke.
In 1757 he married Anna, the only child
of his mother's sister, Rebecca Savage,
and Samuel Nutt, Jr.f By the death of
her father in 1739, $ before she was two years old, she had become at
* The dates of the birth of the elder children of John Potts are copied from a document
in his handwriting in the possession of the Hobart family. After his removal to Pottsgrove
in 1752, where the four younger children were born, it is probable that their names were
recorded in some Bible or book that has been lost by his descendants. I am therefore
unable to give the exact dates of their birth.
t For a further account of the families of Nutt and Grace, see the chapter preceding the
Appendix.
X Letters of administration upon his estate were issued to his widow, Rcbeccah, 6 June,
'739-
124 Third Generation.
a tender age the heiress to a large improved landed estate. By this
union a share of the forges and furnaces established by the two
Samuel Nutts on French Creek came into the hands of Thomas
Potts, and he finally bought from his wife's mother, and her second
husband, Robert Grace, all their rights in Coventry. The indenture,
dated March i, 1765, was between "Robert Grace Gentleman &
Rebecca his wife, formerly Rebecca Nutt, on the one part, &
Thomas Potts of the city of Phil. Merchant on the other, & conveys
the Messuages, Plantations, Lands, Mines, Minerals,. Forges, Fur-
naces, Rents, Tenement, Hereditaments & Real-Estate of sd. Robert
Grace & wife or either of them, situate in any part of sd. Province
of Penn'a (excepting his estate in Phil, leased to Benjamin Frank-
lin, & his accounts against the said Benjamin Franklin, & his
accounts against John Potts jr. Samuel Potts & Thomas Potts) &
also all & singular the Negroes, Goods, Effects, Chattels, Movables,
&c. &c." Thomas Potts and his heirs agreeing to pay to Robert
Grace and his wife or the survivor quarterly an annuity of one hun-
dred and thirty pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania.
To this deed is appended a long inventory of personal property,
which passed with the estate. The negroes are thus enumerated :
" One negro man named Caesar, one mulatto man named Bill Bonnet,
one mulatto boy named Jim, one mulatto boy named Dick, one negro
boy named Ben, one negro girl named Sail, one mulatto woman named
Betty, and her youngest child named Stephen."
From the time of his marriage to Anna Nutt, Thomas Potts
appears to have carried on the iron-works at Coventry in the in-
terest of his wife ; and Robert Grace, advancing in years and with
failing health, was glad to relinquish his rights in the estate to a
young and active man. Thomas had an establishment in Phila-
delphia, where his iron was sold ; and in the winter his residence
was in Front Street, then a fashionable quarter of the city. He
was interested in the philosophic and scientific topics of the day,
as is proved by the fact that he was one of the original members
Third Generation. 125
of the American Philosophical Society, established in 1758, of
which Franklin was the first president. This association, the first
of the kind organized in this country, has always held the highest
position among kindred societies.
It is not out of place here to make the following extract from a
letter of Thomas Potts to Franklin, in 1774, proving that the con-
temporaries of the great philosopher did not consider him the
compound of selfishness and worldly wisdom that later generations
have endeavored to prove him : —
" Good Mr. Philip Syng has retired into the country about ten miles
from the city, where I frequently see him ; during our twenty years' ac-
quaintance, of later vears very intimate, he has told me much concerning
his acquaintance with you in your younger years when you were in Phila-
delphia. He was saying the other day that we came upon this stage to do
"all the good we can. I asked him whether in the decline of life nothing was
due to self. He smiled and said, ' I wish Dr. Franklin had more of what
I term self-love.' "
In 176S, according to a wish expressed in his father's will,
Thomas took the house at Pottsgrove, and the plantation on which
it stood, at ,£6,000, where he probably established himself soon
after that date. He was living there with his family in 1774, and,
during the years of the Revolution, Washington was often his
guest. The house has sometimes been called his head-quarters,
and some official letters of the General-in-Chief are dated from this
residence. Not many vears ago, persons were still living in- Potts-
town who remembered to have seen, in the stately rooms of this old
mansion, Washington, surrounded by his staff, in earnest consulta-
tion over maps of the Province, with Baron Steuben, General
Knox, Lord Sterling, General Greene, General Mcintosh, and La-
fayette. It was here, doubtless, that Washington formed the plan to
winter his army at Valley Forge on the property of Thomas's broth-
126 Third Generation.
ers and cousins, who seem to have willingly relinquished their
houses to accommodate the officers. Valley Forge is situated on
the Schuylkill, sixteen miles below Pottsgrove, and during the dark
and gloomy winter of 1777 Washington and his wife were often
the guests of the different members of this family. Indeed, the
companionship of the wives and daughters of the Messrs. Potts
seems to have been the only society of her own sex that Mrs.
Washington had during that terrible winter; and many pleasant
reminiscences of this friendship are still preserved by the great-
grandchildren of the recipients, who treasure with reverential care
personal mementos received by their ancestors from the hands of
the General and his wife. And here I wish to express an opinion,
which I have had some opportunity of forming from facts, that no
man ever lived who was placed during his lifetime and by his own
contemporaries on such a pinnacle of fame as General Washing-
ton; a lock of his hair was sought as a great gift by his intimate
friends, carefully treasured, and handed down to posterity ; his
words and actions were stored up in the hearts of all who came
into his presence, even when he was the unsuccessful leader of a
poor forlorn hope ; his life before it was glorified by death im-
pressed his own generation very differently from any other person
whose name is written on the scroll of fame ; the very universality
of this reverential feeling raised up some jealous and envious spirits,
who assailed him with false accusations, but they were so utterly
disbelieved by the mass of his countrymen that Washington's
friends prevailed upon him to strike out all allusion to these calum-
nies in his Farewell Address.
At the commencement of the troubles with the mother-country,
Thomas Potts espoused the patriotic side, and was elected a mem-
ber of the Assembly from Philadelphia County in 1775; during
that critical period he was active in . the cause of liberty, and a
Third Generation. 127
member of many important committees. He was chairman of the
committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Council of
Safety* respecting the engagement of the armed galleys and the
kings ships in the river Delaware. He was also chairman of an-
other important committee, in the spring of 1776, to examine the
works erected for the defence of the Colony, and to report what
other fortifications were necessary; they were to "request the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the forces, and other general officers and engineers
in the city, to afford them advice and assistance in this important
matter." 'One of the first subjects that came before this Assembly,
in 1775, was a letter from John Hancock, President of Congress,
asking the members to use their utmost endeavor to raise several
new battalions, and promising that Congress would issue commis-
sions to the persons they determined on for officers. In February,
1776, Thomas Potts was appointed by Congress one of the three
captains of a regiment of riflemen, which appears to have been a
Continental, and not a State corps. In the great need of soldiers at-
this period, he showed his zeal for the public good by raising a
battalion, of which he was commissioned colonel by Congress, ex-
pending liberally his large means, and using his personal influence
in Chester and Berks County to fill up his companies, and even,
it is said, arming and equipping them at his own expense ; family
tradition to this effect seems to be borne out by public documents,
* The Committee or Council of Safety, often alluded to in this volume, was appointed
bv the Provincial Assembly in i775 I the early commissions to the officers of the Associa-
tors of the counties were issued bv them, and their seal during the first year was printed on
the official paper; it was an inch and a half in diameter, having the word "seal" in large
letters within a horizontal border, and a bundle of lictors' faces behind it, and around the
ed-e the words « Liberty, Safety, and Peace." In 1 776 they had obtained a very elegant seal
for a wax impression two inches in diameter; the device was a liberty-cap on a staff, each
half an inch long, encircled by the legend, " This is my right, and I will defend it, and
upon the outer edge, "Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 1776-"
128 Third Generation.
and is corroborated by the following minute in Colonial records :
" Mr. Redman was directed to pay Peter Lovvre £7$ ll s- f°r arms
taken from non-associators to be charged to Colonel Thomas Potts
and Captain Shifler."
In- the Journal of the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, under date August
23, 1776, is the following: "This morning at eight o'clock two
companies of Colonel Potts's* battalion halted at the Providence t
church. I was requested to say a word of exhortation to them in
English and German, as they were departing to camp in Jersey,
and were members of the Episcopal and Protestant churches.
English on 1st Sam. 17. German on the Twenty-seventh Psalm."
No more appropriate chapters could have been selected from sacred
writ. Our little force, without skill and poorly equipped, going out
to meet the disciplined regiments of the British army, might well
be compared to the shepherd David, with sling and stone, going
forth to try his arms with the champion of the Philistines. To
•those Germans from the mines and iron-works of the Manatawny
region, who could not understand the English of the good old
German pastor, the soul-stirring words in their native tongue,
" Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not
fear," strengthened many a fainting spirit. After the arrival of the
battalion in Philadelphia, the provincial government provided food
for them, as appears by the following record : —
" Council of Safety, Aug. 27, 1776. Col. Thomas Potts 'battalion £2. iS. 6,
to be charged to Congress.' ' Sept. 6, 1776, Mr. Nesbitt was directed to
pay diet for five companies of Col. Potts' battalion, viz. : Capt. Pretzman,
* Congress had ordered that a battalion should consist of eight companies, of sixty-eight
privates each, and a company of light infantry.
t This was a Lutheran church on the way between Pottsgrove and Philadelphia; it is
often called the Trappe, from a Swedish word, signifying steps or stairs. It was in the
charge of Dr. Muhlenberg, a clergyman from the University of Halle, whose son became
distinguished as a general in the Revolution. Both lie buried in this churchyard.
Third Generatio7t. 129
Capt. Derringer, Capt. Bishop, Capt. Potts,* Capt. Richards, to be charged to
Congress."
Colonel Potts was a member of the Convention assembled at the
State House in Philadelphia, 9 July, 1776, for the purpose of form-
ing a new government, or as the Provincial conference which met
in May to arrange rules for the election of this body expressed it,
" For suppressing all authority in this Province derived from the
Crown of Great Britain, and for establishing a government upon
the authority of the people only."
This Convention was ordered to consist of eight members from
each county and eight from the city. Colonel Potts was elected
from Philadelphia County. His devotion to the cause of Colonial
independence greatly impaired his fortune, and he did not live to
enjoy any substantial benefit from the change of government.
His children lost greatly by the depreciation in money and real
estate, as well as from other causes ; and none of his descendants,
as far as I can learn, have ever based any claim upon government
for office, emolument, or education upon the patriotism of their
ancestor. The letters addressed to Colonel Potts by Franklin and
Washington I have been unable to find, but have heard of one
from the latter in an autograph collection.
The following account of the discovery of Schuylkill coal I began
to prepare several years ago, for the purpose of putting it on record
in the books of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In con-
versing with the members of that society upon the subject, I have
not found one able to give me any information about the lottery
to render the Schuylkill navigable, or who even remember to have
heard of it. Two eminent Philadelphia antiquarians, who took the
trouble to look for an account of it in Colonial records, stated to
* Nathaniel, a nephew of Colonel Thomas Potts.
>7
130 Third Generation.
me afterwards, both verbally and in writing, that it had nothing to
do with coal. I shall prove in these pages that it had, and give
the credit of the discovery of this important mineral, where it right-
fully belongs, to Colonel Thomas Potts. The principal facts here
recorded I received more than twenty years ago from his grand-
children, my husband's mother being his last surviving child. The
papers which I shall cite were hers, and are now in my possession.
To corroborate family tradition, I sought with success in the
printed volumes of the Proceedings and Reports of the Legisla-
ture, and the acts and laws of that body. I not only found there
coal mentioned as the first important product to be brought to
market on the river, to which no allusion had been made in any
previous acts, but the extreme point for which commissioners were
appointed is printed in full at the " Coal mines on Schuylkill at
Basler Saw-mill." I found there greater proofs than I had expected
of the details of the scheme of which so many reminiscences still
linger in the minds of the grandchildren of its projector.
Anthracite coal is limited in extent, and almost confined to the
State of Pennsylvania. It is estimated to embrace an area of four
hundred and thirty-seven square miles, and is divided into three
fields, the largest of which is the Southern, or Schuylkill, contain-
ing an area of one hundred and sixty-four square miles of work-
able- coal. The discovery of the great coal basin of Schuylkill
County has been attributed to various individuals, but no printed
account has placed it as far back as the year 1783. I purpose in
this chapter to put on record for future historians facts that are
well known to many members of the Potts family through records
and tradition ; the latter I shall verify by reference to legal docu-
ments and acts of Assembly. But first I will make extracts from
what has been printed and received as the early history of this
discoverv : —
Third Generation. 1 3 1
" Norwegian township * is bounded on the north by Broad Mountain,
northeast by Schuylkill township, south by Manheim, southwest by Branch
and Barry, and west by Mahantango township.
"This township, though covered with mountains and hills, and containing
little arable land of good quality, is one of the most important ones in Schuyl-
kill County, if not in the State, and has been the scene of wondrous im-
provements Before 1790 there were, comparatively speaking, few
settlers north of the Blue or Kittatinny Mountains, within the limits of
Schuylkill County. About the years 1795 or 96, two individuals, Lewis
Reese and Isaac Thomas, settled on the north side of the well-known
Schneid Berg, i.e. Sharp f Mountain in Schuylkill Gap, having purchased
a tract of land and erected a small furnace, carrying it on for some time.
They sold it to John Pott of District township, Berks County."
The author in a note adds that this John Pott's father, Wilhelm
Pott,t came to America in 1734, with eighty-nine Palatines from
Rotterdam ; and goes on to say that, according to the statement
of Abraham Pott, the son of John, the first coal was discovered
here in 1807, when digging the foundation of a furnace.
In an account of the " early history and development of coal in
Schuylkill County," § the authors of which were residents of Potts-
ville, is the following : " The first traditional account we have of
the discovery of coal in the Schuylkill region is about 1790, when
Nicho Allen, a noted hunter and somewhat notorious character,
who lived on the Broad Mountain at the ' Black Cabin,' or Big
Spring, discovered stone coal at the foot of Broad Mountain. No
written account of his discovery has ever come to our notice,
though we have often heard the traditional account." The next
mention of the early history of coal in Schuylkill is in the " Trans-
* History of Schuylkill County, p. 271.
t Another name was Gobble Barrack.
X This name, it is said, was at first spelt Putt, and some of the children of John spell it
so still.
§ By Daddow and Brannon, p- 150.
132 Third Generation.
actions of the Coal-mining Association" of that county, where it is
stated that a blacksmith by the name of Whetstone used it in his
smithy about 1 795 ; and his success induced several to dig for coal,
and, when found, to attempt to burn it, but the difficulty was so great
they gave up in disgust. In the same article mention is made of
" a Mr. William Morris, who owned a large tract of land near Port
Carbon, who took a wagon-load of coal to Philadelphia, but was
unable to bring it into notice, or induce the honest Quakers to buy
his rocks. He returned, sold his lands, abandoned his plans, and re-
tired from the business in disgust. In 181 2, Colonel George Shoe-
maker of Pottsville loaded nine wagons of coal from his mines at
Centreville, and with these proceeded to Philadelphia, hoping to
find a market; but the experience of Philadelphians with anthracite
or stone coal was very unfavorable, and the persistent attempt to
impose rocks on them roused their indignation, and Colonel Shoe-
maker was denounced as a knave and a scoundrel ; he sold two
loads, and gave the rest away, and some of the purchasers obtained
a writ from the authorities of the city for his arrest as an impostor
and a swindler."
The report of S. J. Packer to the State Senate, in 1834, on the
coal regions, does not place the knowledge of the existence of coal
earlier than 1 790, and gives substantially the same account as the
preceding ones. Watson's "Annals of Philadelphia" says: "Messrs.*
Potts explored various places along the old Sunbury Road for coal,
but without success. A Mr. William Morris afterwards became the
proprietor of most of the coal lands at the head of our canal. He
found coal, and took some quantity to Philadelphia about the year
1800 ; but all his efforts to bring it into use failed, and he abandoned
the project, and sold his lands to their late proprietor, Mr. Potts."
* This indefinite record may refer to the explorations of Thomas and Samuel Potts.
Third Generation. 1 3 3
It is often said that the discoveries most beneficial to mankind
are made by ignorant men, while scientists are the last to render
such service to the world. In the case of the discovery of Schuyl-
kill anthracite the facts are decidedly in favor of science.
Colonel Thomas Potts, of Pottstown and Coventry, had from his
earliest years been instructed in metallurgy; his father and both his
grandfathers and his great-grandfather had been engaged in devel-
oping the iron interests of the Province from the discovery of ore
in its bosom, and there was not in the Thirteen Colonies any one
more skilled in the knowledge of metals and mining than he. Like
most country gentlemen, the pleasure of the chase was a recreation
often indulged in ; and tradition reports him " a mighty hunter."
That he was a good marksman is confirmed by the fact of his com-
mission as captain in a rifle regiment. At the close of the
Revolutionary war, in which we have seen that Colonel Potts had
taken an active part, he went, as was his occasional custom, with
his servants and Indian guides, to hunt in the wilderness of the
Tuscarora Mountains. This region was full of the wild animals of
the country, — deer, bears, panthers, and smaller game not having
yet retreated before the step of advancing civilization ; and near
the present site of Pottsville was a favorite Indian camping-ground.
Here Colonel Potts established himself to pursue his sylvan
sport ; one day as he stooped to drink at the west branch of the
Norwegian Creek, he noticed in the stream some black stones,
which with the instinct of a geologist he at once picked up and
examined; his knowledge of ores assured him that this was coal,
though unlike the English coal then in use; when he returned
home he carried with him a package of the new mineral, and tried
its combustible qualities in one of his own forges. By experiments
he was satisfied that he had found what was of great value in his
business, for no doubt even then fears were entertained that the
134 Third Generation.
forests* in the neighborhood of the iron mines would soon fail.
Well assured of the value of his new mineral, Colonel Potts at
once began to secure its possession. He took up to the Tuscaroras
men from his iron mine skilled in boring for ores, who made, under
his direction, such discoveries of the situation of the coal-beds, that
he entered into negotiations with the owners of the land for its
purchase.
This consisted of ten tracts, comprising twenty-eight hundred
acres, and had been surveyed to various persons, the first warrant
in 1765; in 1775 and 1776 they had come into the possession of
Thomas, Simon, and Henry Basler and two other Germans. It
would appear that the Baslers erected a saw-mill, and in 1782 had
conveyed it and the land whereon it stood to Baltzer Gehr and
Charles Shoemaker. Colonel Potts associated with him in the
purchase his brother Samuel and nephew Nathaniel Potts, and his
cousin Samuel Baird ; Colonel Francis Nichols,! and his son Wil-
liam, General Arthur St. Clair.t and Sharp Delany ; § the latter were
* The immense amount of wood consumed at Warwick, five or six thousand cords an-
nually, was well known to him from his own interest there. The estimate given to Colonel
Byrd in his "Progress to the Iron Mines" of Virginia, of two square miles of forest for
a large furnace, is greatly underrated, as any one can calculate, allowing twenty-five cords
to the acre, and the same number of years to elapse before chestnut wood, the favorite tree
for this work, would grow up again.
t Colonel Francis Nichols was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and was ap-
pointed by Washington the first marshal of the district of Pennsylvania. He was also a
member of Congress.
X General Arthur St. Clair"s military career is too well known to require a note. He lived
several years in Pottstown, and has been described to me by an aged resident, who remem-
bers his appearance, as looking more like a beggar than a military chieftain, his worn-
out habiliments, and his sorry beast with ragged bridle and saddle, made him an object of
interest to all the children of the neighborhood whenever he rode abroad, and no doubt im-
pressed on their youthful minds the copy-book lesson that republics are ungrateful. He
was a member of Congress from 1785 to 17S7.
§ Sharp Delany was a native of Ireland. He was a druggist in Philadelphia before the
Third Generation. 135
intimate friends of long standing, who could be trusted with the
secret, and all had done good service to their country. On the 25th
of March, 1784, a deed was issued to these eight gentlemen by
Baltzer Gehr and Charles Shoemaker, both of the county of Berks,
for the " Norwegian tract," " in consideration of the sum of two
thousand pounds gold and silver money of Pennsylvania to them in
hand paid."
This land was, the deed recites, in " ten tracts or parcels of land
over the Blue Mountain," — one on the east branch of Schuylkill,
containing two hundred and nineteen acres and ninety-two perches ;
the second situate between the Tuscarora Ridges on the forks of
the west branch of Schuylkill, containing three hundred and thir-
teen acres and three quarters; the third adjoining the first above-
mentioned tract, containing three hundred and twenty-eight acres
and one hundred and twenty-three perches; the fourth situate on
Mill Creek, containing two hundred and ten acres; the fifth situate
between the Tuscarora Ridges, containing two hundred and eighty-
three acres ; the sixth situate on Schuylkill in Berks County, con-
taining two hundred and twenty acres ; the seventh situate on a
branch entering the west side of Schuylkill between the Tuscarora
Mountain, containing two hundred acres ; the seventh on Nor-
wegian Creek over the Blue Mountains, containing three hundred
and thirty-seven acres and one hundred and thirty-one perches ; the
eighth situate on Mill Creek, adjoining two of the above-mentioned
tracts, containing three hundred and twenty-one acres and eight
perches; the ninth situate on the east and west side of Schuylkill
main branch, containing two hundred acres ; the tenth a tract ad-
Revolution, and an active member of the committee of merchants, prior to the establish-
ment of the Federal Constitution, in preparing the measures for the regulation of com-
merce. He subscribed £500 to supply the army in 1780, and enjoyed the friendship and
confidence of all the public men of the day. Washington appointed Sharp Delany col-
lector of the port of Philadelphia, which office he held until his death.
136 Third Generation.
joining the saw-mill land, of two hundred and twenty acres, of
which a resurvey gave fifty more : all of them described more
particularly in the deed ; and with the usual allowance for roads
and highways, the only improvement on these ten tracts was a
" certain messuage or tenement, and water saw-mill." To show
how very secret had been the proceedings of the discovery of the
coal, no mention is made in the deed of any minerals, but the
conveyance reads, " together with all and singular the houses,
buildings, and improvements, mills, milldams, tackle and furniture,
woods, ways, waters, water-courses, rights, liberties, privileges, im-
munities, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the
same belonging." *
Although the ten tracts had been surveyed by Ellis Hughes and
William Scull, and sold to various parties, and the sum of £ 2,000
in gold and silver paid in 1 784 to the owners of it, according to
the before-named deed, yet a patent was issued by the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania, the 1 4th of February, 1 788, for each of
these ten tracts. One of them, in possession of the writer of this
volume, is as follows : —
" The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
To all to whom these presents shall Come. Greeting.
" Know ye that in Consideration of the Sum of Sixty-four pounds lawful
money paid by Arthur St. Clair Esq. William Morris Luke Morris &
Samuel Potts into the Receiver General's office of this Commonwealth there
is granted by the said Commonwealth to the said Arthur St. Clair William
Morris Luke Morris & Samuel Potts a certain tract of land called " Nor-
way " situate on the back side of the Tuscarora Mountain in Brunswick
township Berks Co. beginning at a corner Hickorey in the line of Ellis
Hughes' land thence by the same land of William Scull & vacant land
* This deed is recorded in Book A, Vol. II. page 229, etc., at Reading, in Berks
County.
Third Generation. 137
North twenty degrees West one hundred & thirty-nine perches to a Pine
tree thence by vacant land north seventy degrees east three hundred &
thirty-seven perches to a Spruce tree thence by the same land of William
Scull & other vacant land south twenty degrees East one hundred & ninety-
one perches to a Dogwood thence by land of Ellis Hughes south seventy
degrees west two hundred & one perches to a post in the line of Michael
Brights land thence by the same north twenty degrees west fifty-two
perches to a Pine tree & south seventy degrees West one hundred &
thirty-six Perches to the place of Beginning containing three hundred &
thirty-seven acres & one hundred & thirty-one perches & allowance of six per
cent for Roads &c. with the Appurtenances. Which said Tract was sur-
veyed in pursuance of an application No. 1516 entered the 21st of May
1766 by Ellis Hughes whose right by virtue of diverse Conveyances became
vested in Arthur St. Clair William Morris Luke Morris & Samuel Potts
Thomas Potts & Nathaniel Potts in the proportions hereinafter mentioned
& the said Thomas Potts & Nathaniel Potts are since deceased & the said
Samuel Potts is appointed their Administrator. To have & to hold five full
equal & undivided eighth parts the whole into eight equal parts to be divided
of & in the said Tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the
said Arthur St. Clair William Morris & Luke Morris & their heirs to & for
the uses following. As for & concerning one of the said eighth parts to the
uses of the said Arthur St. Clair his Heirs & Assigns & as for & concerning
four of the said eighth parts to the use of the said William Morris & Luke
Morris their Heirs & assigns forever as Tenants in Common & not as Joint
Tenants & to have & to hold & other three full equal & undivided eighth part of
& in the same land & premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Samuel
Potts & his heirs to & for the uses following as for & concerning one of the
said eighth part to the use of the said Samuel Potts his heirs & assigns
forever as for & concerning one other eighth part thereof in Trust to & for
the use of the heirs of the said Thomas Potts deceased & as for & concern-
ing the other eighth part thereof in Trust to & for the use of the heirs of
the said Nathaniel Potts deceased & for no other uses whatever free & clear
of all Restrictions & Reservations as to Mines Royalties Quit Rents or
otherwise excepting & reserving only the fifth part of all Gold & Silver ore
for the use of this Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pit's mouth clear of
138 Third Generatiojz.
all Charges in witness whereof the Hon'ble Peter Muhlenberg Esq. Vice
President of the Supreme Executive Council hath hereto set his hand &
caused the' State seal to be hereto affixed in council the 14th day of February
in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty-eight & of
the Commonwealth the Twelfth.
" Attest Charles Piddle Jun. Enrolled in the Rolls office of the State
of Penn'a in Patent book No. 12 page 216. Witness my hand & seal of
office the 22d March 17S8.
Nath Irwin, M. R."
This patent is handsomely engrossed on parchment, and is
sealed with three seals. The largest appears to be the present
arms of Pennsylvania, but on the reverse is the figure of Liberty,
with sword and cap, trampling upon a prostrate lion, with the
legend, " Both can't thrive."
The nine remaining patents are in the keeping of the Secretary
of the Land Office, and the record of the ten surveys can be found
in the Surveyor-General's office.
The exceeding care taken to secure the right to the land, first
by purchase with gold and silver money, then bearing a high ad-
vance, and afterwards by patent from government, the association
of active men of Philadelphia of high social position and political
interest, evidently bound together for some special object, all point,
even without corroborating circumstances, to an undertaking more
extensive than the mere acquisition of a tract of wild land in the
then remote part of Pennsylvania. The land having been paid
for in March, 17S4, would lead to the supposition that Colonel
Potts's discovery was made early the previous winter. Hostilities
with the mother-country ceased in April, 1783; and doubtless he
went in December of that year to his favorite hunting-grounds.
During the war such an excursion would have been hazardous,
on account of hostile Indians.
The next step, after the purchase of the land where the coal lay
Third Generation. 139
embedded, was to provide some way of bringing it to market, and
to the forges and furnaces near the Schuylkill.
The subject of the navigation of this river had several times
been brought before the Assembly during the Colonial period.
The Act of 1 761 describes it as a shallow mountain stream, ob-
structed " by rocks and bars of sand and gravel in diverse parts of
the same," and " navigable for rafts, boats, and other small craft in
time of high freshes only," and states that if it were made naviga-
ble, it would be "advantageous to the poor, conducive to the pro-
motion of industry, and beneficial to the inhabitants residing near
said river to bring the produce of the country to the market of the
city of Philadelphia, and thereby increase the trade and commerce
of the Province " ; and " as diverse of the inhabitants had subscribed
large sums of money for the purpose, and for preserving the fish,"
the Assembly proceeded to name commissioners to carry out the
act, and John Potts was one thus appointed. To show that he
accepted the trust and was active in the work, I copy the following
from the accounts of the Treasurer of Pennsylvania in 1 769, under
the head of " Accounts of the Commissioners for clearing and
making navigable the Schuylkill " : —
Expenses of the Commissioners and others at their different meetings paid
by John Potts, Esq. deceased, as per his account, £A2- '• °
Rum for the workmen pd. by ditto, 18. 13. ioi
Powder for blowing up the rocks pd. by ditto, 162. 13. 6
Also the following receipt found among his papers, indorsed
" A subscription for clearing the Schuylkill " : —
Peter Reeves, 500
Reese Meredith, 500
David Dcshler, 500
William Henry, 2140
Aquilla Jones 2 19 o
John Biddle, 2 10 o
140 Third Generation.
John Rulcy Estate, \
Reed of John Ord, i
Joseph Saunders, .
Daniel Williams,
^3°
Received Feby 4th 1766 of John Potts Sen Thirty Pounds four Shillings the Above Sub-
script5 for Clearing the River Schuylkill.
DAVID DAVIS.
£30 4 o
In 1773 the subject was again brought before the Assembly, and
it was stated that several of the commissioners had died in the
twelve years since the passage of the previous act (among whom
was John Potts), and new ones were appointed to take their places.
At this date John's eldest son, Thomas, was made a commis-
sioner, and in 1781, when another act was passed, he was still con-
tinued in office.
The subject of the navigation of the Schuylkill forms a singular
episode in Colonial history, which the limits of this volume only
allow me to allude to. About 1 769 it seems to have been a perfect
battle-cry, and the files of newspapers at that date are full of notices
and descriptions of contending interests.
Column after column of the small sheets of that period are filled
with communications from " Candidus," "Justus," and other Latin
110ms dc plume, while one constant correspondent writes over the
satirical signature of " Schuylkillus Ironicus." One of the par-
ticular points in question appears to have been, whether Charles
Norris's dam should be removed or allowed to stand, and in the
proceedings of the Legislature of that date is a petition from his
widow about it. Parties ran high upon this local project, and
more prominence is given to it in the newspapers than to the
oppressive acts of Parliament which were scon to sever the Colo-
nies from the mother-country.
Third Generation. 141
•All the above acts, and the interest occasioned by them, were
for the preservation of the fish and removing obstructions in the
river, and none had contemplated clearing it above Reading, for
beyond that point lay the primeval forest and the mountains forty
miles above ; but the act passed in March, 1784* was made for a
different purpose, as the preamble states, " improving the naviga-
tion of the Schuylkill .... will furnish the country adjoining the
same and the city of Philadelphia with coal, masts, spars, boards,
etc. etc., and that diverse of the inhabitants ask that some effectual
steps may be taken, the laws previously enacted being inadequate
for want of funds."
To meet this want, the act authorized a lottery of $42,000,! half
of which was to be appropriated to improving the public roads
leading from Philadelphia, and half to the navigation of the
Schuylkill. Another act was passed the same month, appointing
commissioners consisting of twenty-two persons, of which David
Rittenhouse, the philosopher, was chairman, and Samuel Potts
treasurer. The river was parcelled out to two or three of these
gentlemen for each fifteen miles or so. The extreme end towards
the mountains reads: " From the mouth of Tamaquay Creek to the
Coal Mines on Schuylkill, at Basler Saw-mills." One of these last
three was Samuel Baird, a cousin of Thomas Potts, and probably a
person appointed by him to superintend the coal mines, or to attend
to laying out the lines, as he was by profession a surveyor. It will
be observed that in the preceding pages I have stated that, from
the certified copy of the deed in my possession, a large part of the
ten tracts and the saw-mill belonged to Thomas, Simon, and
Henry Basler, and that Gehr and Shoemaker had only owned the
tract for two years.
* Laws of Pennsylvania, republished by A. J. Dallas, 1793, Vol. II. pp. 17S- 1S2.
t Recorded in Law Book I I I . p. 70. Obsolete.
142 Third Generation.
The commission appointed by the act of 1 784 was ordered to
meet at the inn* of Jacob Witz, in Pottstown, Philadelphia County,!
at ten o'clock on the first Tuesday of May, June, July, August,
September, and October next, and " those commissioners who
neglect to attend shall pay a fine of five pounds." Samuel Potts
was to give bonds to the President and Council for £ 5,000 for the
faithful performance of his trust, and was empowered to draw out
of the Bank of North America all such sums of money as were
deposited in the same, for improving the navigation of said river,
by the managers of the public lottery of the State. For paying
the drafts of money expended by the commissioners, he was to
be allowed ten shillings on every hundred pounds. " And that
each of the commissioners, whilst on the business aforesaid, receive
for his services seven shillings and sixpence per diem."
November 30, 1784,+ another act was passed to provide means
for accelerating the sale of tickets, and to make further regula-
tions for drawing the lottery ; and another in February, 1786.
I have thus proved from printed State documents that coal
mines were known to exist on the Schuylkill early in 1784, and that
Colonel Potts and his associates had actually, previous to that time,
bought and paid for them.
It is well remembered in his family, that, when these deeds were
executed, he remarked that this would be a fortune for his children,
if he did not live to see it.
If he had not died during the next year, there is little doubt that
anthracite coal would have been brought into use thirty or forty
years earlier than it was, for he had interested the two great phi-
* This was situated at the corner of High and Yorke Streets, and I find it fs now called
Dover's old tavern.
+ The following year this part of Philadelphia County was set off into a new county,
called Montgomery.
1 Dallas's Laws, p. 231.
Third Generation. 143
losophers of the day, Franklin and Rittenhouse, in the project, who
would soon have popularized a method for burning it. Though
the death of Thomas was a great blow to the company, yet Samuel
never lost his faith in the ultimate value of the coal. The Nich-
olses, Delany, and Samuel Baird appear to have been discouraged,
and before the patents were issued, in 1788, had sold out their
rights to William and Luke Morris.
For four years the affair must have been prosecuted with vigor,
for the lottery was drawn in 1788, and by act of Assembly in March
of that year the proceeds were appropriated, one moiety to improve
the Lancaster Road, the other to the navigation of the Schuylkill.
The following extract from Franklin's will, made in 1788, proves,
that he had been interested in the scheme : " Out of the salary that
remains due to me as President of the State, I give the sum of
.,£2,000 to my executors, to be by them paid to such persons as the
Legislature of the State shall appoint by an act of Assembly to
receive the same, in trust, to be employed in making the Schuyl-
kill navigable." But in a codicil added in 1 789 he revokes the
bequest in these words : " In July last I bequeathed £ 2,000 to the
State for making the Schuylkill navigable; but understanding since
that such a sum will do but little towards the accomplishing such
a work, and that the project is not likely to be undertaken for
many years to come, and having entertained another idea which I
hope may be found more extensively useful, I do hereby revoke,"
etc., etc. The above shows, I think, that the coal project was
abandoned in 1788, and principally on account of the death of its
projector, Thomas Potts. In 1792, at the suit of Samuel,* the
* This sale and purchase by Samuel led to an estrangement between the families of the
two brothers during many years ; for the widow and children of Thomas, knowing the value
he had attached to this property, believed they were deprived of what would eventually
prove a great fortune.
A similar case occurred between the two brothers Luke and William Morris, the latter
having obtained all the benefit of the ownership of the Morris share of the coal lands.
144 Third Generation.
share of the Norwegian tract held by the heirs of his brother Thomas,
for whom he was trustee, was seized for debt and taxes, and offered
at public sale, when he became the purchaser for the sum of one
hundred and thirty-five pounds in gold and silver, less than half its
original cost, for in 1 784 " hard money " bore an extravagant pre-
mium. By this means, he and the two brothers Morris became
owners of the whole tract. Samuel never lost his belief in the
value of the mines, and in 1792, when Isaac Thomas and Lewis
Reese bought of him the land and the wood upon it for the pur-
pose of converting the forest into lumber in the saw-mill on the
premises, he reserved in the deeds the right to all minerals and
coal, which the purchasers, considering worthless, were perfectly
willing to allow. It appears from a legal paper in my possession,
that Rees and Thomas reconveyed to Samuel Potts all the coal,
with the privilege of digging, making roads, etc.
It was this right which in 1826 was known in the courts as the
" Potts reserve claim." At that date, Thomas, the discoverer, had
been dead over forty years, and Samuel more than a quarter of a
century ; the right * reserved by the latter had descended to his
children, and Nathaniel-Potts Hobart, a son of his only daughter
Sarah, bought out the other heirs and prosecuted the claim.
John Potts, a grandson of Samuel, wrote to me a year ago as
follows : " I recollect perfectly well when my brother David was
called upon to sign the deed conveying my father's interest in the
coal mines to N. P. Hobart for the small sum of one thousand
or eleven hundred dollars" (this was a fifth of one half of the origi-
nal purchase). " He said he did it with extreme reluctance, and
looked upon the sale as giving the property away just as it was
about to become valuable."
The claim was tried in the courts, the judge deciding that no
* It is not mentioned in his will, of which I have a copy.
Third Generation. 145
lapse of time could bar the right. Mr. Hobart then received from
persons working the mines what was at the time considered a
large sum. I have heard it variously estimated at one and two
hundred thousand dollars ; as it was paid by different individuals
and companies at various times, it is impossible to name the amount
with any accuracy, but it may be set down, according to those best
acquainted with the affair, as over one hundred thousand dollars,
which is small when compared with the hundreds of millions re-
ceived for the coal by those who have since worked the Norwegian
tract.
It is a little singular that this case, so well known to the inhab-
itants of Pottsville and the neighborhood, has not led some in-
quirer into the early history of the coal in Schuylkill County to
investigate the subject, and print a true statement of at least the
purchase of the land in 1783-84 for the purpose of mining the
coal it contained.
A very general impression prevails in the family that Colonel
Potts was elected a member of Congress soon after the close. of
the war. I have some reason to think that his nomination may
have been intended by the Assembly, and that General St. Clair, an
active associate in this coal business, was elected instead, and served
from 1785 -1787. The fact that Colonel Potts represented Ches-
ter County in the Legislature of Pennsylvania at the time of his
death, in 1785, does not seem sufficient basis for the above tradi-
tion, because he had held that office as early as 1775, and from
1720 some member of the family had represented Philadelphia,
Berks, or Chester Counties. As the tradition comes down, the fact
is stated that death prevented him from taking his seat. I have no
means of knowing the truth of this, and merely mention it in con-
nection with General St. Clair's election and his interest in the
coal mines.
19
146 Third Generation.
About the year 1800 John Put, son of the before-named Wilhelm,
from Rotterdam, purchased a portion of the Norwegian tract, and
established a forge; and in 1816, when the coal began to attract
attention, he laid out the town of Pottsville, which is said to have
been named for him. It is a singular coincidence that the name
should thus commemorate the first discoverer of the coal. Two
neighboring villages are called St. Clair and Morrisville, in memory
of persons who were associated with Thomas and Samuel Potts
in the purchase of the land.
No relationship is known to exist between the family of Put and
the subjects of this memorial. One of the grandsons of Wilhelm
was living a few years ago in the neighborhood of Pottstown, who
still spelt his name Put. A survival of Norway and the Nor-
wegian tract appears in Norwegian Street, Pottsville. In 181 2,
when Shoemaker took several loads of coal to Philadelphia, a son
of Colonel Potts, then living there, who knew his father's belief in
its value, had some of it carried to a smith named Goodman, at
the corner of Crown and Callowhill Streets, who was engaged in
casting cannon for government, and after much persuasion induced
him to try it ; but from want of proper knowledge and means for
burning it, Goodman declared it worthless, saying he could heat it
as he could a stone, but that it would not burn.
One of the slaves of Colonel Potts who assisted the French Creek
miners to bore for coal, and carried the chain for the surveyor who
laid off the land, lived to an advanced age, and is still remembered
by several of the grandchildren of his former owner. His name
was Peter Sebastian. His master gave him the trade of a shoe-
maker, and freed him. His talk about the coal mines on Schuyl-
kill, a knowledge of which he must have gained as an eye-witness
(for the subject was one then unknown to most of his white coun-
trymen), is still recollected by the older descendants of Colonel
Potts.
Third Generation. 147
Colonel Potts's career was suddenly terminated at Philadelphia,
March 22, 1785, while attending the session of the Legislature, of
which he was a member. In the Journal of that body his vote is
recorded on Saturday, March 19. He went home to Coventry to
spend Sunday with his family, and riding down on horseback the
following day through the muddy roads of that inclement season,
his riding-boots became very much splashed, and he dismounted at
a pump in High Street to have them washed before entering the
House. The effect of the sudden shock to his feet threw the gout
to his head, and he expired before morning. The following obitu-
ary appeared in Bradford's " Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly
Advertiser," March 30, 1 785 : —
" On Tuesday, the 22d instant, departed this life in this city Thomas
Potts, Esq., a Representative for Chester County in the present General As-
sembly, in the fifty-first year of his age. His remains were removed to
Coventry, the place of his family residence, and there interred on Friday
last. His funeral was attended by a numerous concourse of relatives, friends,
and neighbors, sincerely lamenting the loss of a person held in universal
esteem by all who had acquaintance with him. Of this gentleman it may
with truth be affirmed, that in the different relationships of husband, father,
brother, master, neighbor, or friend he was excelled by few. The true inter-
ests of his country engaged his close attention, his assiduity in the duties of
the station he filled imperilled the care of his health. Anxious to execute
the trust reposed in him by his constituents, he flattered himself that he
might safely venture abroad to take his seat in the Assembly as soon as a
severe fit of gout in his feet had abated. In this he was deceived by a sud-
den return of that disorder to his head, which in about six hours put a period
to his existence. His religious sentiment and irreproachable deportment are
a firm basis upon which his friends may build a reasonable hope that he has
exchanged a life of pain for eternal bliss."
The descendants of Colonel Potts are still known as the Coven-
try branch of the family, although that estate has long since passed
148 Third Generation.
into other hands. It is a singular coincidence that Thomas, Earl
of Coventry, who died in 171 1, left a widow, who married Thomas
Savage, of Elmley Castle, Worcestershire ; and it is not impossible
that Samuel Savage was his younger brother, and that the eldest
son of the latter was named for him, and this place called in
honor of the Countess of Coventry.
The view of the house given in this volume is from a photo-
graph taken October, 1872. The large trees on the right of the
picture are the pecan, not a common tree as far north as Pennsyl-
vania, and said to have been planted there by Colonel Potts's son,
who brought the nuts or the young plants from New Orleans.
Mrs. Anna (Nutt) Potts survived her husband until 21st April,
1796. She was buried by his side in the family graveyard at
Coventry, where three generations of her ancestors and many
relatives were already interred, and where some of her descendants
in the third and fourth generation now repose. Two white marble
slabs, with the following inscriptions mark the spot : —
" In memory of " In memory of
Thomas Potts Anna Potts
who departed this Life who departed this life
March 22d 17S5 April 21st 1796
Aged 49 years." ' Aged 59 years."
Mrs. Robert Grace bought back part of the Coventry estate,
and the children of Colonel Potts were many of them married and
buried at this beautiful spot.
A married granddaughter, whose life had been spent there, writ-
ing to her aunt in 1S21, thus feelingly mentions the projected sale
of the property, and expresses the wish that her aunt's husband
would buy it : " The place has never belonged to any other than
our family since it was settled,* and I cannot bear the thought of
* Samuel Nutt received a warrant to have the land surveyed in 1718.
Third Generation. 149
its going into the hands of strangers ; to see some rough, insensi-
ble being placed in the room of those that were so dear to me ; to
leave the dear remains of my ancestors exposed to the mercy of
some rough Dutchman. O, my dear aunt, the reflection is painful
in the extreme! I wish I were able to buy it, but that is impossi-
ble ; my property is an undivided share in the Joannah lands, and
cannot at present be sold."
18. Samuel (60), was born 13 November, about three of the clock in the
afternoon, A. D. 1736.
His youth was passed at Cole-
brookdale, and when he was sixteen
his father removed to Pottstown,
where he lived during the remainder
of his life.
He married Joanna, daughter of
Thomas Holland,* a successful mer-
chant in Philadelphia.
Like the rest of his family, Samuel early engaged in the iron
business, and in 1764, in connection with his brother John, he was
carrying on Mount Joy Forge, and their father had given up to
them his own share in Warwick Furnace.!
In 1769 he built the house of which an engraving is given in this
volume, and until the present year, 1872, it was owned and occu-
pied by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The
date is cut on a brick in the gable, immediately under the comb of
the roof. It was the first brick house erected in the town, but the
* Thomas Holland's will was proved September, 1755. In it he names six children.
His three daughters, Mary, wife of John Bankson ; Sarah, wife of Thomas May ; and
Joanna, wife of Samuel Potts.
+ The will of Anna Nutt, widow, and relict of Samuel Nutt, proved August 15, 1760:
" My son-in-law John Potts to be <ole Ex. & to have my part of Warwick furnace my part
of yc forge & iron mine."
150 Third Generation.
back extension is of stone. In a previous chapter I have given
some account of the extent of the iron business of Samuel while
he was yet a young man. During the Revolution he embraced the
patriotic side, and was engaged in casting heavy cannon at War-
wick for government. The following is extracted from Force's
" Archives " : —
"In Committee of Safety, March 30, 1776. Messrs. Samuel Potts and
Thomas Rutter having engaged with this board to cast a number of cannons
for the use of the Province, and requiring a sum of money as an advance for
putting their works in proper order, by order of the board an order was
drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in their favor, for One thousand pounds."
Samuel was a member of the Assembly from Philadelphia
County in 1767, 1768, and 1769. He afterwards became an Asso-
ciate Judge, and the following letter to him from the Council shows
some of the political movements of the day : —
Lancaster, June 11, 177S.
Sir, —
Your brother, the Doctor, undertaking to forward this, affords me the
first opportunity of giving you the doctrine of surety in cases of treason, as
it seems at present to be understood. Justices of the peace cannot take
bail, but must commit to the common jail of the county. Whilst the Su-
preme Court is sitting, judges may take bail ; at other times any one of
them has that power. Where the evidence is full, it is to be used with great
caution ; but where the charge is doubtful, it is held to be his duty to take
bail. Should the enemy leave the city, it is probable that one of the judges
will immediately go into it. From these circumstances, you will see what
measures are most proper in the case you have under consideration. Al-
though there is little reason to doubt of the Doctor's care in sending you
this, I wish you to give me notice by a line of your having received this.
From your friend and humble serv't.
To Samuel Potts, Esq., Pottsgrove.
Third Generation. 1 5 1
The case under consideration was doubtless that of his own
brother John, whose pecuniary affairs were very much mixed up
with his own, and who had been discovered not long before this
date on a visit to Pottsgrove, and sought for there as a Tory.
Samuel was a member of the Convention that framed the Con-
stitution of the State of Pennsylvania. His name is not appended
among the printed signatures to that document ; he was probably
absent at the time it was adopted, but in the Journal of the Con-
vention his vote is frequently recorded.
The General Assembly* of Pennsylvania passed an act on the
13th of June, 1777, requiring every male white inhabitant of the
State to give assurance of allegiance to the same ; and those above
the age of sixteen, who should travel out of the county or city in
which he usually resides, without a certificate of having taken the
oath or affirmation of allegiance aforesaid, may be suspected of being
a spy, or holding principles inimical to the United States, and shall
be apprehended, and if he refuse to subscribe to it when taken
before a justice, he shall be committed to the common jail.
The following is copied from one of the original certificates, and
imitates it as accurately as new type can copy the old. It is printed
on fine parchment, so as to stand the wear of constant use. The
part in italics are those filled up in writing. The line of New
Hanover township was run through Pottsgrove, and Samuel's resi-
dence was then at the lower end of the town, near that line.
* Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. V. p. 479. This act was so little regarded that another
was passed December 5, 1778. I have in my possession three of these original " tests of
allegiance " (as one is indorsed), taken by different members of the family. Though all are
printed by John Uunlap, yet each is of a different issue ; two are on paper. The oath
taken under the second act is printed without the word " affirmation," and is marked in
pencil " 75c," probably the amount of the fee paid to the justice.
152 Third Generation.
I
D O hereby CERTIFY, That %
S Samuel Potts of New Hanover Townfliip Philadelphia County Gen- §j
© tleman. hath voluntarily taken and fubfcribed the Oath or Affirma- ffi
ffi ©
0 tion of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an Acl: of General 0
® Affembly of Pennfylvania, paffed the 13th day of June, A. D. 1777 §<
© Witnefs my hand and feal, the Firjl day of ynne A. D. 1778. ©
© ffi
© / \ ©
0 (l. s.) Jn" Richards A* 849. ©
© v_^' ©
© ffi
PRINTED BY JOHN DUNLAP.
In a previous section I have given an account of Samuel's con-
nections with the coal lands, and his unfaltering prevision of their
importance and value.
His executorship of the large estate of his father, his extensive
iron business, and the various public trusts which he filled, made
his life an active, busy, and useful one.
As the shad fisheries of the Schuylkill are a thing of the past, it
is interesting to learn how many were taken at Pottstown, on the
family right, as late as 1 784. From a paper of Samuel Potts, who
owned one eighth of the privilege, it appears that 2,792 were
caught that year, the first on April 14. In 1785, 3,701, the first
April 13.
Samuel died July 3, 1793, and was buried in the family grave-
yard at Pottstown.* His widow died March 16, 181 8, aged eighty-
three years.
The following obituary is copied from Dunlap's " American
Daily Advertiser," Friday, July 5, 1793: —
* See inscriptions.
Third Generation. 153
" On Wednesday morning died, at his seat at Pottsgrove, Samuel Potts,
Esq. It is enough to say of him that a numerous and respectable family
lose their friend and guide ; that the large circle of his acquaintance has lost
a citizen whose heart was warm for their interest, and whose manners were
without guile ; that his servants have lost a master, his wife a husband, and
his children a companion, a_ friend, and a father. Not a tear will be shed
on his grave but what will be from the bottom of the heart."
His will was executed 5th March, 1793 ; in it he mentions his four
sons and one daughter. He gave to his wife his undivided fourth
part of Warwick Furnace, supposed to contain in all about nine
thousand acres, only reserving to his son Thomas the right of
taking so much ore from the mines there as would supply one
fifth part of a furnace now erected by him in company with
Thomas Rutter, the heirs of Thomas May and Thomas Bull, called
Joanna Furnace, for which right "he is to account to my estate
£ 300." He also gives, for a certain consideration, the same right
to the other three partners. He mentions that he had also allowed
a right to supply ore from Jones's mines, for a furnace called
Rebecca, to Jacob Vinance, Thomas Rutter, and Sarah May; and
he leaves his one eighth part of this furnace in Chester County to
his daughter, Sarah Hobart. He reserved to his children the cop-
per ore in Jones's mine, and the right to erect a furnace there for
working it.
19. John (66), born 15 October, about
half an hour after three of the
clock in the afternoon, A. D.
1738. This son, though engaged,
like the rest of his family, in
the iron business, had received a
superior education in Philadel-
phia, and was then sent to Eng-
land to perfect his studies in the
154 Third Generation.
law, at the Temple, London. How long he remained there I r
no means of ascertaining, but in 1764 he was practising law in PI
delphia, and a partner with his brother Samuel in the Mount
Forge. He married Margaret,* daughter of Stephen and A
Carmick.f and resided in the city, though he occupied Stowe ;
country residence, and built a substantial stone house on the p
cipal street in Pottstown. John became a judge in the Cour
Common Pleas, and on the breaking out of hostilities it is kn
that he inclined to the side of the king. His residence in Engl
and a knowledge of her power led him to view the American c;
as hopeless ; but it is stated in a Loyalist $ tract, published in 1
that " he was loyal until the evacuation of Philadelphia, when
offered half his property to the Whigs if they would restore the ol
moiety, which they refused to do."
This confused account is certainly erroneous, for during the oc
pation of Philadelphia by the British army he obtained a pass
leave the city, and went to Pottstown to look after his affairs, a
was for a short time in his own house there, which was afterwai
confiscated. That he was known then to be a Tory by the Coi
nental Congress is proved by the fact that a detachment of soldi'
was sent up from Valley Forge to capture him, but just before tr
reached the house, which is a large building of dressed stone, s
standing, at the corner of High and Hanover Streets, he escaf
by a back window, and was probably secreted by some of his friei
* She was aunt to Mrs. Joseph Reed, Mrs. Watmough, and Mrs. John Sergeant,
t They are buried in Christ Churchyard, Philadelphia, under a stone bearing the
lowing inscription : —
" Here lies the body of And of
Stephen Carmick Anna his wife,
who died who departed this life
June 26th 1774 September 2nd 1795
aged 55 years. Aged 63 years."
X See Sabine's History of the Loyalists.
£ 0>
Third Generation. 155
until he could return in disguise through the American lines to the
city. December 21, 1782, the house above mentioned was sold
to General Arthur St. Clair, as the following, extracted from the
Minutes of Council in Colonial Records, shows : —
" A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the President, to
Major-General Arthur Sinclair, conveying a lot of ground, containing in
front sixty feet and in depth three hundred feet, situate in Pottstovvn, in the
township of Douglass and county of Philadelphia, seized and sold agreeable
to law as the forfeited estate' of John Potts, an attainted traitor, for the sum
of ,£6,700* Continental money, which sum Arthur Sinclair hath paid to the
agents of forfeited estates in the said county."
It may be interesting, to prove the different value of property, to
state that about thirty years ago this house and lot was sold at
sheriff's sale for $2,300, which was thought at the time very low.
A person well acquainted with the present (1872) value of real
estate there informed me it would now bring from $15,000 to
$20,000. No alteration appears to have been made in the exterior
of the house, but it is now occupied as a store by Evans & Keim.
When the Continental army entered Philadelphia, the families
of those who had espoused the British cause were ordered to leave
the city, and Mrs. Potts, with her children, found a home in the
house of her husband's brother, Samuel, at Pottstown. She re-
mained there several months, until General Washington, who was
in constant intercourse with the patriotic portion of the family, gave
her an escort of dragoons to join her husband in New York,
whither he had gone in the train of Lord Howe and his friend
Joseph Galloway. That he was very intimate with the latter the
following letter proves : —
* This was at a period of great depreciation in Continental currency ; but as it was paid
to government, it was probably taken at a higher value than by private individuals.
156 Third Generation.
New York, November 25, 1778.
Dear Sir :
Mr. Crowder carried with him two letters for you from England, one of
which arrived here on the morning you sailed from the Hook ; and as I was
ignorant of that, I procured a boat to carry the letters to you, but it was too
late, and on the return I took the liberty to read them, agreeable to your
orders, and enclose them lor you. Enclosed is also a letter from Mrs. Gal-
loway, who has almost too deep a sense of popular ingratitude. You may
rest assured that if she is desirous to rent her own estate, and if it is prac-
ticable, it will be accomplished by my brother Samuel, to whom I have wrote
on the subject, and who will advise Mrs. G. on the proper measure. The
unfortunate J. Roberts and A. Carlisle were executed on the 4th instant.
A few of what are called men members met and endeavored to make a House,
with a-declared intention of saving them, but could not, and, from what we
hear, it is rather probable that they will not easily be permitted to sit as
representatives. S. Garrigues and J. Stevens were on their trials when the
last messenger left Philadelphia. The papers, which I cannot procure, are
replete with abuse and contemptuous treatment of the commission and the
agents under it, and never was shown a greater confidence than appears in
the whole conduct of the Congress and their agents. D'Estaing has sailed
from Boston, having taken advantage of a severe gale of wind, which had
dispersed Byron's fleet and drove one of them on shore on Cape Cod, the
Somerset, of sixty-four guns, where she is totally lost, and four hundred of
her men made prisoners by the rebels. He sailed the day after the division
of the army under Grant left the Hook, but, from what appears, Byron is in
pursuit of him. This Ano : is brought by a flag of truce from Boston, which
brought fifty-seven masters of vessels taken by the rebels and carried into
New England in the space of two months. There does not appear to be
any great division of parties in any Colony but Pennsylvania, and I am fully
persuaded that in the present circumstances no consequences will attend
that division favorable to government. It appears to me that the spirit of
our countrymen is too much broken to attempt to relieve themselves from
a burden grievous and disagreeable to them in the highest degree. I take
the liberty to open Mrs. Galloway's letter, with an intention of performing
Third Generation. 157
anything that might have been desired, if in my power, which I hope you
will excuse. It is very evident that unless government can disengage itself
from an European war and employ a greater force and more vigor in the
prosecution of this, the game is certainly up, and America lost. You may
rely on hearing from me if anything favorable or consequential happens.
Since Mrs. G.'s letter, I received one from Mrs. Potts, who mentions Mrs.
Galloway being in good health and uncommon spirits. Pray give my
respectful compliments to Miss Galloway, who has, I suppose, forgot there is
such a creature, from the multiplicity of engagements in the beau monde.
Believe me to be, with the sincerest gratitude,
Your affectionate friend and humble servant,
JOHN POTTS.
To Joseph Galloway, Esq. To the care of Mr. Alex'r Gordan
and Messrs. Drummonds, London.
In another letter to Galloway, Judge Potts again mentions Rob-
erts and Carlisle, and says that " Governor Livingston went to
Philadelphia and urged his endeavors to prevail on the banditti in
power to save them, .... not from any principle of honor and
conscience, — you know him too well, — but from motives, as he
thought, of policy."
These two men were Quakers, who had been employed by Gal-
loway and his party as secret agents in detecting foes to the royal
government. " They acted as guides when Lieutenant-Colonel
Abercrombie fell on a party of militia near Frankfort." They were
captured and tried, and according to all the rules of war and of
state policy their execution was necessary, and the effect was salutary.
Among the papers of Colonel Potts I found a petition, written
apparently in the fair hand of Joseph Galloway, for the pardon of
Roberts. No doubt, Judge Potts, who in the letters above quoted
appears to have been peculiarly interested in these traitors, found
means to send it to his brother, through whose influence it was to
be circulated among Roberts's neighbors and friends in Chester
158 Third Generation.
County, in hopes of obtaining his pardon. No signatures are
attached to the document,, and from the clean condition of the
paper it appears never to have been circulated. I give a copy of
it, as it is to the credit of the Loyalists that they tried every means
in their power to save the lives of the tools they had led into this
dangerous business.
" To the Honorable the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsyl-
vania.
" The Underwritten Citizens and Subjects of this State beg leave to repre-
sent,
"That they have been informed that John Roberts late of Merion in the
County of Philadelphia Millar hath been lately tried and Convicted, and is
now under Sentence of Death for High Treason.
" That your Memorialists have a just Abhorrence of that Crime, yet when
they consider that the Conduct which has involved him in his present Diffi-
culties admits of much palliation, That an Apprehension of Danger to his
person had he Continued with his Family ; and at the worst, that his mis-
taken Attachment to former Prejudices, rather than any evil Disposition he
had imbibed against the Interest of his Country, or the Persons of its Rulers
led him into the dangerous path he pursued. When they reflect too upon
the Solemn Renunciation he hath made of these Prejudices, and withall
upon the various good Qualities he possesses, they think it a Duty they owe
to Society in general, to his sorrowful Family, Relatives and Friends, and
indeed to humanity itself to recommend him in all humility to your Honors
as one of the most proper Objects of Mercy that ever presented itself to the
supreme power of any State.
" And those of your Memorialists, to whom either as near Neighbors, by
particular Intimacy, or general report of his Character, and conduct, are
more intimately known, beg leave least your Honors, should not be ac-
quainted with his Circumstances, & his Merits to represent more partic-
ularly ;
" That the unfortunate Prisoner is now near Sixty years of Age, hath a
distress'd Wife, nine children & other Connections numerous & respectable,
Third Generation. 159
that he hath from his youth up lived not only irreproachably, but spent his
whole Life in performing the duties of a tender parent, a faithful friend, kind
Neighbor & useful Citizen.
" To the poor, the Stranger & the Orphan, his hospitable house was ever
open, his liberal hand most cheerfully extended. These not less than his
own Family would feel and mourn his Loss. From these Considerations
& others they might state to your Honors they have not a Doubt but that
showing Mercy unto him would be affording Consolation to an Afflicted and
reputable Train of Relatives & Friends, & a beneficial Act to Society, in
general by giving back to Life & Freedom, one whom your Memorialists are
persuaded, & have every Reason to assure your Honors, would be a humane
Virtuous and useful Subject of this State.
" Impressed with these Sentiments, they cannot forbear intreating your
Honors would suspend the Execution of the Sentence pronounced against
him, untill the Meeting of the Legislative Body of this State, and that your
Honors would then be pleased to lay this Memorial before that honorable
Body — And will your Honors permit them to hope it will be accompanied
with your Recommendation of the unhappy one as a proper Object for their
Clemency.
" And the Underwritten do also sincerely and humbly, but fervently hope
and pray that the Honorable the Representatives of the Freemen of this
State will thereupon, taking the Premises into their wise and serious Con-
sideration, extend unto the said John Roberts the Benefit of a full, free &
general Pardon for that Offence for which he is now under the Awful &
Solemn Sentence of Death.
"And Your Petitioners."
The estate of John Potts was confiscated in 1779* and by this
act he lost a large and valuable property, which appears never to
have been made up to him by the British government.
The fine house and plantation called Stowe, two miles from
Pottstown, " were seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate
late of John Potts, an attainted traitor, to the said Jonathan Potts,
* Under act of Attainder, ist Rawle, p. 54°
160 Third Generation.
Esq., for ,£20,000 Continental money." Another of his houses, in
Pottstown, has been already mentioned as bought by General St.
Clair. Sabine, in the " History of the Loyalists," mentions him as
jone of the "fifty-five petitioners, in July, 1783, from the city of
New York, who asked that the same number of acres might be
granted them in Nova Scotia as were given to field officers in the
army. They represented that their position in society had been
very respectable, and that previous to the Revolution they had pos-
sessed much influence." This petition, addressed to Sir Guy Carle-
ton,* created much excitement in St. John, N. B., when published
there, as its signers asked to have their land exempted from quit-
rents and taxes.
The " agents for the Loyalists wrote from Annapolis Royal, on
the 14th January, 1783, to their friends in New York. They de-
scribe the country from Annapolis to St. Mary's Bay as very good
soil and favorable to fisheries ; praise Annapolis Basin and St.
Mary's Bay." f In a recent visit to the maritime provinces of the
New Dominion, I made every exertion to trace the locality of the
grant of land to John Potts, and at length, in the Crown Land
Office at Halifax, I found the record of the patent issued to
Anthony Stewart % and seventeen others, of whom John Potts was
one, of 18,000 acres of land in Annapolis County. The following
abstract from the patent, showing on what terms Potts held his
thousand acres, will be interesting to his descendants : —
"April 1st 1785 Nova Scotia George the III by the Grace of God Great
Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the faith & so forth to all to
whom these presents shall come greeting, Know ye that We of our Special
grace certain knowledge & mere motion have given & granted & by these
* Sir Guy Carleton was raised to the peerage, under the title of Lord Dorchester, in 1786.
t History of Nova Scotia, by B. Murdock.
+ He is mentioned in Sabine as one of the fifty-five petitioners.
c
c
©■
rd
VI
Third Generation. 161
presents for us our heirs & successors do give & grant unto Anthony
Stewart [here follow the seventeen other names, and the boundaries of the
18,000 acres are defined], together with all woods underwoods timber & tim-
ber trees, lakes, ponds, fisheries, water, water-courses, profits, commodities
appurtenances & hereditaments whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any-
wise appertaining ; together also with the privilege of hunting, hawking &
fishing in and upon the same, & mines and minerals saving & reserving
nevertheless to our heirs & successors all white pine trees if any shall be
found growing thereon, & also saving and reserving unto us our heirs &
successors all mines of gold & silver, copper, lead, & coals to have & to
hold, &c. . . . yielding & paying therefor unto us our heirs & successors or
to our Receiver Gen. for the time being, yearly at the Feast of St. Michael
in every year at the rate of two shillings for every hundred acres, & so in
proportion according to the quantity of acres hereby granted, the same to
commence to be payable from the said Feast of St. Michael which shall first
happen after the expiration of ten years from the date hereof provided
always & this present grant is upon condition that said several & respective
grantees & their several & respective heirs & assigns shall & do within three
years after the date hereof for every fifty acres of plantable land hereby
granted, clean and work three acres at least in that part thereof as respec-
tively, He or they shall judge most convenient and advantageous or else to
clean and drain 3 acres of swampy or sunken ground or drain three acres of
marsh if any such contained therein. And shall do within the time afore-
said put & keep upon 50 acres thereof accounted barren 3 neat cattle and
continue the same thereon until 3 acres for -every 50 acres are fully cleared
and improved, and if there shall be no part of the said tract fit for present
cultivation without manuring & improving the same respectively, He or they
within the time aforesaid shall be obliged to erect on some part & continue
the same thereon until 3 acres for every 50 acres be fully cleared & im-
proved & if then within the time aforesaid shall be obliged to erect on some
part thereof their respective land one good dwelling house to be at least 20
feet in length and 16 feet in breadth & to put on their said respective land
the like number of neat cattle for every 50 acres.
"His Ex. RICHARD BULKLEY,
" Governor.'"
1 62 Third Generation.
I was informed at the Crown Land Office, by the polite officials,
that persons frequently come to look up these old grants, and that
twenty-five years' residence out of the province prevented any claim
from being legal according to their laws. After many inquiries, I
was able to find where this land was located, and visited the town.
The 18,000 acres are now included in the township of Clements.
It is most delightfully situated, on Annapolis Basin, and adjoins
the town of Annapolis Royal, once the capital of Nova Scotia and
the site of the old French fort which has experienced so many
vicissitudes since the time of Henry of Navarre, and is now dis-
mantled and used as a cow-pasture.
Haliburton, in his " History of Nova Scotia," mentions that Clem-
ents was settled by the Loyalists in 1784, and that near Moose
River, which runs through the township, iron ore is found. This
iron mine, which was early discovered, may have been the reason
for John Potts selecting his one thousand acres in this place. He
at first settled in Shelburne, a port on the Atlantic side of Nova
Scotia, and I am inclined to think that most of the time he lived in
the province was spent there. At that point the refugees laid out
a handsome town, after the plan of Philadelphia, and at one time
the population numbered over twelve thousand ; it is now a village
of less than a quarter of that number. Here the higher class of
the Loyalists lived in as much state and elegance as their reduced
means would allow, and obtained the sobriquet of the dancing
beggars of Shelburne. From a paper in my possession, dated at
this place, November, 1783, and carried on to March 4, 1785, it
would appear that Colonel Thomas and John Potts had established
a partnership for the sale of stoves there, and that a clerk from
Pottstown had gone down to attend to the business. Five different
kinds of stoves are enumerated. Colonel Beverly Robinson took
five to St. John without paying for them, and John Potts, Esq.,
Third Generation. 163
took nine to Halifax in the same way, probably for the purpose of
introducing them at those places.
The following extract from a letter of John to his brother Sam-
uel, dated Shelburne, 1784, gives some confirmation to the tradi-
tion current among his descendants that he was offered the gov-
ernorship of Nova Scotia.
"Had not my attachment to our country carried me rather too far, I am
fully convinced Sir William Howe would have procured me some lucrative
office in this Government. It may not yet, perhaps, be too late. It is
worth trying. He is a cordial friend, and was really unwilling I should
relinquish the object ; I am sincerely averse to office, but my children and
family must influence me in these matters."
If this position was offered to him he declined it ; and after living
a few years in Nova Scotia he returned to his native State, but
finally went West, where he died. The portrait of him in this
volume is from a picture in the possession of his great-grandson,
John Potts Rutter.
20. Martha (69) was born at Popodickon, 31 3K***wwvw*ww«w**w«\****i*»>.
March, about five of the clock in the } /rff Jo
afternoon, A. D. 1740. When not yet $ >S/V fillC&&r~J
twenty years old, she married, 20 Feb- *
ruary, 1759, Thomas Rutter, her moth- \ (—y^/-)
er's first cousin, and the son of Thomas \ IS. /C^'tC/r€^y^
and Mary Katherine Rutter.* He was $ i_^/
born in 173 1, and was only three years "$£*'+**+***+**+++++*+"*+"
old at his father's death, whose will, proved in 1734, gives to soi
Thomas "all my lands at Colebrookdale, with the mines, ores, furnace,
and appurtenances." His sister, the executrix of this will, had, soon
after her father's death, married (8) Thomas Potts, and no doubt with
her husband managed the share of her minor brother in the establish-
* Afterwards the wife of William Pyewell.
164 Third Generation.
ment. Thomas and Martha Rutter resided in Pottstown, where they
built a handsome house called Laurel Lodge, which is still standing,
though in a dilapidated condition, and now occupied by some of the
employes of the Reading Railroad. Mr. Rutter was an active citizen,
and held for many years the office of Justice of the Peace under the
Crown. But he joined the patriotic side in the Revolution, and was
engaged in casting cannon for government with his brother-in-law,
Samuel Potts. He had an interest in several of the iron-works of
the family, and was the third of the name in lineal descent who had
carried them on.
In his will, dated March 5, 1795, and proved in June of the same
year, he leaves to his " beloved wife Martha," besides a certain share
of property in his copper mine at Colebrookdale, an annuity of five
hundred pounds, secured on his part of Warwick Furnace, and six
hundred pounds cash, to be paid her within two years of his death.
Also, his riding-carriage, horses and harness, sleigh, and three cows ;
his house, household goods, and plate, "of which I desire an inven-
tory may not be taken." To his half-brother, John Pyewell, he left a
small annuity, also one to " my dearly beloved cousin and sister-in-
law, Anna Potts, widow of Thomas Potts, late of Coventry."
Thomas Rutter, the third of the name, already mentioned in this
volume, died at Pottstown, 7th May, 1 795, and was buried in the
family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
His wife survived him until 1st October, 1804, when she was laid
by his side.
The following obituaries appeared in the Philadelphia papers of
the day: —
Front Claypoolc's American Daily Advertiser, May 28, 1795.
" On Sunday, the 10th of this month, were deposited in the family burial-
ground at Pottstown the remains of Thomas Rutter, Esq., attended by the
largest concourse of lamenting friends and acquaintance ever known there
on such an occasion. This gentleman had for some years sustained an
afflicting illness with that resigned fortitude which nothing but a firm confi-
Third Generation. 165
dence in the sacred truths of the Christian religion can inspire. In his pub-
lic life, in the various stations which he filled, dignity and a regard to the
laws of his country were happily blended with the most gentle humanity.
In the circle of social life, his friends will long, long regret his departure, and
to those who needed his assistance the loss of his unbounded but secret
charity is not to be repaired. As a husband, indulgent, affectionate, and
beneficent ; as a parent, — here I must pause, for I can say with feeling jus-
tice, that the loss of his eldest son precipitated his shortest step to the bosom
of his Creator."
From Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, Saturday, October 13, 1804.
"Died, on the 1st instant, in the sixty-fifth year of her age, Mrs. Martha
Rutter, relict of the late Thomas Rutter, Esq., and her remains were interred in
the family burying-ground at Pottsgrove, attended by a numerous concourse
of mourning relatives, friends, and acquaintances. The deceased was for a
number of years past afflicted with a severe and painful indisposition, which
she sustained with uncommon fortitude and Christian resignation ; it can with
great truth and sincerity be said that she possessed and practised in an emi-
nent degree every virtue requisite to adorn the female character."
21. David (75) was born 4th April, about three ■&■***++*++**+++*+**+++**+***&
of the clock in the morning, A. D. 1741. \ fn/) /^^ \
He became a successful merchant in ^ c/yet6T£y£J ertw \
Philadelphia, and in 1768 was estab-
lished in Water Street. He married
Mary Aris. In accordance with his
father's will, he took the house and lot
where he lived, and the wharf and stores
thereunto belonging, for the sum of one
thousand pounds. In 1769 he took the tract of land on the east side
of Manatawny, and the grist-mill, valued at £ 1,750, after the three
elder brothers had declined it. During the Revolution he bought the
confiscated estate of Stowe, which had belonged to his brother John ;
Dr. Potts conveying it "to David Potts, merchant, of Philadelphia,"
2 1 st December, 17S0. He had also an interest in the Valley Forge
1 66 Third Generatio7i.
property, and his family resided there, during the summer, in the large
house situated on the Great Road, above Washington's head-quarters.
When the army occupied Valley Forge, this stone house was taken for
the officers' rendezvous and a bakery. I have never seen any engrav-
ing of this building, which is now much disfigured by fanciful iroh bal-
conies and railings painted yellow, but an antique wall of dressed stone
still surrounds it, enclosing many fine old trees. It was probably the
first mansion erected on the estate, as in the will of John Potts, 1767,
the property not conveyed to his sons Samuel and John is alluded to
as bounded by the gardens, barnyard, an old orchard, the Schuylkill,
Valley Creek, and Great Road, which limits would include this place,
as well as the house known as the residence of General Washington.
During the winter of 1777, David and his family were in Philadelphia,
and he was able to keep on such good terms with both sides that he
was frequently allowed to pass and repass between the two places.
John Potts had influence with Sir William Howe to obtain passes
that his brother might see after his interests at Valley Forge ; while
Thomas, Samuel, and Dr. Potts were working so zealously for the pa-
triotic side, that Washington could not well refuse to allow a member
of so influential a family, whose land his army was occupying, to visit
the camp for the purpose of looking after property in which they, too,
had some share.
David was suspected of being a Tory because he chose to remain in
the city occupied by the British army. The laws of Pennsylvania, with
more justice than those of her sister States, cited suspected persons
to appear and be tried on the charge. Sabine says, " David Potts
surrendered, and was discharged" ; by which it would appear that the
accusation against him was not proved.
The large ovens for baking the army bread were built in the cellar
of the house, and were taken out only a few years ago.
David died at Valley Forge, 1798, and was buried there in the
grounds belonging to Friends' Meeting. His widow survived him
twenty-five years. During the latter part of her life she resided at
Pottstown, where she died in 1823, and was buried in the family
graveyard at that place, but without any memorial stone.
Third Generation. 167
22. Joseph (80) was born at Popodickon, 12th V&f+**+++*»'++*+*f+^+**+++9k
March, about three of the clock in \ ^* r^\ \
the morning, A. D. 1742. He was $ y . s Cls \
sometimes called in the family Jose- | * — '^ y*y<&^S&~//^ \
phus. He established himself in \ , ~^£-l<^~~~^\ *
Philadelphia as a merchant, and his \ J^* -^ \
father, a week or two before his own ■?s**'*+++**"*+***+++*''^?++**?k
death, gave him a deed of the dwelling-house on the east side of Wa-
ter Street, between High and Mulberry, with wharf and lot attached.
Here he carried on his business, which seems to have been an exten-
sive one. He early became an earnest member of the Society of
Friends, and a public minister among them.
Joseph was four times married : first, to Mary, daughter of John
Morris,* at Plymouth meeting, 16th August, 1764. She died 18th
December, 1765, in the twenty-eighth year of her age. Margaretta
Morris, in her diary,t alludes to this event as follows : " On Decem-
ber 1 1, 1765, my dear sister-in-law, M. Potts, was delivered of a son,
and on the 19th of the same month the Lord in his unsearchable
wisdom saw meet to remove her from this to a better life. O, who
shall say to the Lord, What doest thou ? or why is it thus that a
fond husband and indulgent parents are left to mourn the loss of a
beloved wife and child ? " He contributed largely to the Penn-
sylvania Hospital in 1768, giving one hundred pounds.
In 1769 he bought the Mount Joy Forge and saw-mill of his
brother John ; and the same year John Morris, his father-in-law,
conveyed to him the Spring Mills, and three tracts of land in
Whitemarsh, near Frankford, at which last-named place he resided
part of the year. He married for his second wife Sarah, daughter
of Samuel and Mary Powell, January 20, 1 768. Of this marriage
* He was the son of Anthony Morris (the second of that name), mentioned in a pre-
vious chapter as interested in the Colebrookdale iron-works.
+ History of the Hill Family, p. 352.
1 68 Third Generation.
Mrs. Franklin,* writing to her husband, January 21, 1768, says:
" Yesterday our Mr. Potts's son Joseph was married to Sammy Pow-
ell's sister. His first wife was John Morris's daughter. She died in
childbed. He and the lady were own cousins. They could not
pass meeting, so they signified their intentions at the State House
door, and were married by a magistrate."
The Quakers did not allow the marriage of first cousins, but at
this period their rules must have been very stringent to refuse to
sanction a marriage with a deceased wife's cousin. Mrs. Franklin's
statement is an error ; for though Joseph Potts and Mary Morris
were distantly related, she and his second wife were own cousins.
A public Friend marrying without the approval of the meeting
created quite a stir at that time, as it would now, but I do not find
that this breach of discipline altered Joseph's position ; his irreg-
ular union with a youthful heiress seems to have been quickly for-
given.
Sarah died 7 January, 1773, leaving, like her predecessor, one
young child. The following obituary is copied from a Philadelphia
paper of January 16, 1773: —
" On the 7th instant departed this life, much regretted, in the twenty-sixth
year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Potts, wife of Mr. Joseph Potts of this city ; a lady
in whom the virtues of an affectionate wife, a tender mother, and sincere
friend were characteristically distinguished. Her foibles were unknown,
her benevolence unconfined, her charity universal ; in fine, her character was
such from which even malevolence could not detract.
' Why should sad mortals drop the tear and sigh
When angels joy to welcome her on high ?
Shall virtue leave in grief the earth below
When yon bright heaven rejoices at the blow ? '
" On Sunday last her remains were interred in Friends' burying-ground,
attended by a great number of the most respectable inhabitants of this
place."
* Letters to Benjamin Franklin from his family and friends, private!}' printed.
Third Generation. 169
After a little less than two years of mourning, Joseph was mar-
ried to Ann, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Mitchel, of Philadel-
phia. As if to make amends for his former delinquency, this event
was celebrated "at a public meeting of the people called Quakers,
on High Street, ioth of 10 mo., 1774." The marriage certificate
is signed by a large number of the most influential Friends of the
period, by Joseph's mother, and ten of his brothers and sisters, also
their respective wives and the husband of the only married sister.
Ann (Mitchel) Potts died 14th September, 1778, in the forty-first
year of her age, having had two children, both of whom died young.
Joseph was again a widower while still a man in the prime of life,
and we must not be surprised that he sought a fourth wife in Mary,
daughter of Stacey Kirkbride,* of the Falls, Bucks County, who
survived him. She had six children, and all save one died without
issue, so that, notwithstanding Joseph's numerous wives, his branch
is perpetuated in the descendants of only one son.
Joseph died at his residence near Frankford, 4th February, 1804.
His will was proved in Philadelphia County March 7 of the same
year. His brother-in-law, Joseph Kirkbride,t was one of the execu-
tors. He left a considerable estate, and mentions in his will " both
my salt-works." His widow survived until 17 9 mo., 181 7.
From Poulsoris American Daily Advertiser, Tuesday, Februaty 7, 1804.
" On Saturday evening last (February 4), suddenly, Mr. Joseph Potts, of
the vicinity of Frankford.
" This gentleman, through the whole course of life, evinced a firmness and
amiableness of disposition equalled by few. In early life lie embraced the
principles of the Society of Friends, among whom he lived and died an es-
* He was a son of Joseph and Sarah (Stacey) Kirkbride. The latter was the daughter
of Mahlon Stacey, who came to Burlington in the Shield in 1678, and settled in Bucks
County, Pa., where he established the first mills on the Delaware in Pennsylvania.
t His daughter married the eminent Quaker, John Joseph Guerney.
I 70
Third Generation.
teemed member and approved minister. His peculiar soft and endearing
manners gained him the affection of all who knew him. Blessed within the
circle of a numerous family, his principal care was for their happiness. In
the death of Mr. Potts the public has lost a valuable citizen, and numbers a
worthy friend who will long deplore him."
From the •'Memoirs of David Rittenhouse" I copy the following
account of a curious clock that was made for Joseph Potts: —
" Our artist had previously made some extremely curious and beautiful
timepieces, to each of which was attached the mechanism of a musical clock,
in addition to a limited planetarium in miniature. These were in the hands
of gentlemen of respectability and taste. One of these valuable clocks, which
is of a large size, with an accurate little planetarium attached to its face, and
placed above the dial-plate, was made for the late Mr. Joseph Potts, of Phila-
delphia County, who paid for it, the writer is informed, $640. In the spring
of the year 1774 it was purchased by the late Mr. Thomas Prior, of Phila-
delphia, to whom it is said General Sir William Howe made an offer of 120
guineas for it shortly before the evacuation of that city in 1778. It is also
said that Don Joseph de Jourdenes, late minister of Spain to the United
States, offered Mr. Prior $ 800 for this clock, with a view of presenting it to
his sovereign. Mr. Prior, however, retained it until his death, in 1801."
23. Jonathan (91) was born at Popodickon, Berks County, April 11, about
five o'clock in the afternoon, A. D. 1745. When he was about seven
years old, his father removed
to the elegant stone mansion
he had erected at the conflu-
ence of the Manatawny and
Schuylkill. Here Jonathan's
earliest years were passed.
Having obtained as good an
education as the Colonies
then afforded at Ephrata and
Philadelphia, he determined
to fit himself for the profes-
at Edinburg, then considered the seat
sion of medicine by studying
Third Generation. i 7 1
of that science. In company with his friend and relative, Benjamin
Rush, subsequently distinguished as one of the signers of the Declara-
tion of Independence, he sailed from Philadelphia, August 31, 1766,
and after a very stormy passage of fifty days arrived at last safely at Liv-
erpool, having been several times rescued from the very jaws of death.
The events of this voyage appear to have made a strong impression
upon Jonathan's mind, and the tenets of Quakerism, which some of
his family had embraced, were then adopted by him.
It is not out of place to remark here, that although Jonathan's
father, John Potts, had a birthright in the Society of Friends, he had
not been strictly educated in that faith, for his step-mother, Magda-
len Robeson, belonging, like all that family, to the Swedish Church,
had influenced her children towards the Episcopal forms, and John,
by his marriage with Ruth Savage, who was not a Friend, must
have then forfeited his birthright, if he had not done so long before.
Letter from Jonathan Potts to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, copied from the Frank-
lin Manuscripts in the Collection of the American Philosophical Society.
Worthy Sir : —
You will receive by this post several letters in my favour, from gentlemen
of your acquaintance in Phil., & by the first vessel from Penn'a you will re-
ceive letters in favour of my good friend & relation Mr. Rush from your son
the Governor of the Jerseys, who has honored me with a letter to Dr. Alex.
Dick of Edinburg, & also from my father.*
Should you think proper to write to any gentlemen in Edinburg in favour
of both Mr. Rush & myself it shall be acknowledged as a particular favour
conferred upon
Sir your most obedient & very humble servant
JONATHAN POTTS.
P. S. Please enclose any letters in our favor, to me in Edinburg.
Liverpool, Oct. 22nd, 1766.
To Benjamin Franklin, Esq., Craven St., London.
* The letter here mentioned from John Potts is not in the manuscript collection, perhaps
it never reached p'ranklin.
i 7 2 Third Generation.
Edinburg, Pec. 10, 1766
I wrote to you upon my arrival in Liverpool as did my friend and relation
Benjamin Rush ; we also sent you some letters from our friends in Philadel-
phia in our favour, the design of which letters was that you would be so kind
as to write to any of your friends in this place in our behalf; as I am some-
what apprehensive you have not received these letters, I have taken the lib-
erty to repeat my request, as I find since my arrival here that letters from
you in our favour would be of infinite service to us.
I am with the utmost respect
Your most obedient and very humble servant
JONATHAN POTTS.
P. S.* Just after sealing this, news of the packet arrived this morning, I
got yours of Nov. nth. I shall answer it by packet which I suppose will
sail in a few days. J. P.
London, Nov. nth, 1766.
Gentlemen : —
With this I send you letters for several of my friends at Edinburg.
It will be a pleasure to me if they prove of use to you.
But you will be your best friend if you apply diligently to your studies, re-
fraining from all idle, useless amusements, that are apt to lessen or withdraw
the attention from your main business.
This, from the character you bear in the letters you brought me, I am per-
suaded you will do. Letters of recommendation may serve a stranger for
a day or two, but where he is to reside for years, he must depend on his
own conduct, which will increase or totally destroy the effect of such letters.
I take the freedom, therefore, of counseling you to be circumspect in your
behavior at Edinburg (where people are very shrewd & observing), that you
may bring from thence as good a character as you carry thither, & in that
respect not be inferior to any American that has been there before you.
You have great advantages in going there to study at this time, where there
happens to be collected a set of as truly great men, professors of the several
branches of knowledge, as have ever appeared in any age or country.
I recommend one thing particularly to you, that, besides the study of medi-
* This was written on a separate slip of paper and enclosed.
Third Generation. 1 7
D
cine, you endeavor to attain a thorough knowledge of natural philosophy in
general. You will from thence draw great aids in judging well both of dis-
eases & remedies, & avoid many errors. I mention this because I have
observed that a number of physicians here, as well as in America, are mis-
erably deficient in it.
I wish you all happiness & success in your undertaking & remain your
friend & humble servant,
B. FRANKLIN.
The following are copied from the original draughts of the let-
ters of introduction sent by Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Potts.
The paper is headed, Mr. Potts and Mr. Rush. The first one is
not addressed to the person to whom it is written, but probably it
was to the Provost or Dean of the University.
Rev. & Dear Sir: —
The young gentlemen who will have the honor of presenting you this let-
ter, are drawn to Edinburg by the fame of y° medical school has justly ac-
quired, intending there to accomplish themselves in the study of physic.
They are recommended to me in the fullest & strongest manner by a number
of my acquaintances in Philadelphia, and are, besides, sons of my particular
friends. I beg leave, therefore, to recommend them to your countenance &
protection, & I request that you would be so kind as to favor them with your
good advice & wise Counsels, which must be a great service to them & will
highly oblige
Dear sir, your most.
Sir Alex. Dick*
Dear Sir, — I am heartily glad that the information provided from my son
affords any satisfaction to your friend Mr. Swinton. I beg leave to recom-
* Sir Alexander Dick is principally known to the present generation by his introduction
of the rhubarb-root into Great Britain. But in his day he was one of the most important
inhabitants of Edinburg. He attained eminence as a physician under the name of Cun-
ningham, having as a younger son taken that name ; but on the death of his two elder broth-
ers he succeeded to the baronetcy and the family estate of Prestonfield, which was situated
about a mile out of Edinburg. At this date, 1746, he relinquished his practice, but main-
174 Third Generation.
mend to your countenance & protection the bearers of this letter, Mr. Rusl
& Mr. Potts, sons of my friends in Philadelphia, who have come to study ii
your Medical school. They are strongly recommended to me by many of m
acquaintances as young gentlemen of ingenuity & application & excellen
morals, & I trust will do honor to their instructors.
Your advice as to the manner of prosecuting their studies & sage council
as to their conduct in other respects must be of great service to them if yo
favor them therewith, & will highly oblige
Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servant,
B. F.
Please to make my respectful compliments acceptable to Lady Dick & th
rest of your amiable family.
Dr. Cullen.*
Sir, — I beg leave to recommend to your favorable notice two young gen
tlemen the bearers of this letter, Messrs. Rush & Potts, sons of my friend:
in Philadelphia. They are drawn to Edinburg to improve themselves in th<
study of Physic, & from the character they bear of ingenuity, industry, &
good morals, I am persuaded they will improve greatly under your learnec
lectures & do honor to your Medical school.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
15. FRANKLIN.
Mr. Swinton. f
Sir, — I am extremely glad that the intelligence procured by my Son re-
lating to your lands in New Jersey affords you any degree of satisfaction.
tained a friendly and intimate correspondence with the physicians of that city ; and whet
the Royal College, which he was instrumental in founding, was established, he became it
first president. He was a zealous member of the Philosophical Society, and promote
every work of importance in Scotland.
* Dr. William Cullen was one of the most distinguished physicians in Scotland. H
filled first the chair of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, and afterwards that c
medicine.
t Several old Scotch families were interested in New Jersey ; for James, Earl of Pertl
John Drummond, Robert Barclay, and Robert Gordon were among the twelve proprietor
of East Jersey, under a grant from the Duke of York in 16S2.
Perth Amboy received its name from the title of the Drummond family.
tt
0'
^ *
SH^h
Third Generation. 1 7 5
You may rely on his doing you any farther service in his power.
The bearers, Messrs. Potts & Rush, are sons of two of my friends in Penn-
sylvania. They are at Edinburg to improve themselves in the study of
Physic, & bring with them to me excellent characters with respect both to
their ingenuity & morals. May I take the liberty of recommending them
to your friendly offices, as they must for some time be strangers in your city.
Every civility you are so good as to shew them, I shall esteem & acknowl-
edge as shewn to me.
Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
B. F.
The following letter, addressed to Joseph Potts, a Public Friend,
and an esteemed preacher in the Society, gives some insight into
Jonathan's life at the Scottish capital. As he had left home an
agreeable, lively young man, visiting in the gayest circles of Phila-
delphia society, the change here mentioned must have been read
with great interest by this elder brother.
John and Ruth Potts were neither of them Quakers, and of
course their children had no birthright in the Society. Those of
their family who embraced the tenets of Friends did so from " con-
vincement." Before leaving home, Jonathan had become engaged
to Grace Richardson.* Though born of Quaker parents, she and
her sister were belles in Philadelphia, and her brother Frank t be-
came afterwards a colonel in the King's Life-Guards.
* A granddaughter of George Fitzwater, an eminent preacher among Friends in William
Penn's time. His death is mentioned in Proud's History of Pennsylvania.
t Frank Richardson, from associating with the English officers quartered in Philadelphia,
became so enamored with the profession of arms that he obtained a commission, and for
saving, as it was supposed, the life of George III, was promoted to a colonelcy in the
Guards. He is thus referred to in a letter from Washington to General Reed, dated Janu-
ary, 1776: "Mr. L. Sayre has been committed to the Tower upon the information of a
certain Lieutenant or Adjutant Richardson (formerly of your city), for treasonable prac-
tices,— an intention of seizing his Majesty & possessing himself of the Tower, it is said, in
this crisis." In an account of the King's Guards given by Sargent in " Braddock's Expe-
dition," it is stated that in 1766 a lieutenant-colonelcy in that elite corps cost about £9,000
sterling, and a commission in their ranks could not be esteemed a light favor.
1 76 Third Generation.
Edinburg, January 20, 1767.
My Dear Brother : —
This is the third or fourth time I have wrote you & most of my relations
since my arrival in this place & I have not yet received one line except from
Davy dated about three weeks after I left Philad'a. I hope this neglect .of
writing does not proceed from want of Love & esteem for me now absent from
you, as I always experienced while with you the strongest marks of regard &
Brotherly Love, let me therefore entreat you & all my Friends often to write
me, for depend upon it I never will neglect one opportunity of letting you know
how I am & what I am about. Since I last wrote you, via London, I have been
constantly employed in attending the College, where I daily receive new im-
provement in Medical knowledge, & hope to return to my native Land an-
swering the expectations of all my Friends, with the character of a good
Physician, & what I prefer to everything, the character of a good Man.
Perhaps my dear Brother may be surprised when I tell him that I once
more know what it is to experience the answer of a good Conscience, in which
to have true peace is preferable to all the knowledge & riches of this world.
How can I look back upon the wonderful Deliverances I experienced during
my long & dangerous voyage without blessing that Omnipotent hand that so
signally delivered me ? may my heart never forget them, & I hope my future
conduct will manifest that I have a just sense of the goodness of Him who
is able & willing to deliver His people & Children in every needful time of
trouble. It is to Him alone I look for succour to enable me to resist every
appearance of Evil, & bless'd be His great Name, He has hitherto pre-
served me.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to find in this City a few valuable
Friends, with whom I spend my leisure, & from whose good example & Coun-
cil I hope to profit. Perhaps it will not be disagreeable to my Dr. Brother if
I acquaint him with the state of the Meeting of Friends here. The Meeting
is composed of eight or ten Men besides myself, & as many Women. The
principal of the Men is William Miller, to whom I had a letter from Thomas
Fisher, he treats me like his son, & I dine with him every First day, & drink
tea with him as often as I can spare time, he is an acquaintance of Hugh
Forbes & remembers his love to him. The other chief Friend of the Men is
James Mc'Pherson brother to Capt. Mc'Pherson of Philad'a; he is a very
Third Generation. 177
worthy & good man & sometimes comes & spends an Evening with me at
my Rooms. The other men Friends are some of the Tradesmen of the
City.
The chief of the Women is Mollison Strettle, Mother in law to Wm. Miller
& cousin to Amos Strettle of Philad'a as also to David Barclay* of Lon-
don, she is just such a person as Aunt Morris your Mamma, constantly going
about among the poor, to find poor sick objects to whom she can stretch
forth her liberal hand, she employs me to visit & prescribe for them & she
pays me for the medicines. I call her Mamma & she treats me as her son.
The next chief Woman Friend is a Grand Daughter of King Charles the
Second, who is as Pious as she is Noble ; the evening meeting is held at her
house. The other Women are wives of the Tradesmen before mentioned.
The meetings for discipline are held every 5 or 6 weeks. I was at the last,
to which I was sent for by Wm. Miller, & altho' I brought no certificate f
from Phil, yet they esteem me as one of their number.
Now altho' these Friends are very diligent in attending Meetings both on
Week Days & First Days yet they never have any preaching except when
some travelling Friend happens to pass thro' this place as there is no Publick
Friend lives here ; & I have constantly attended Meetings for these 2 months
without ever hearing a word externally, but it has been quite otherwise inward-
ly, where the never failing Teacher is ready & willing to teach all those who
diligently & faithfully attend to his word, & I now know from experience the
truth of that saying of our Blessed Saviour, Where two or three are gathered
together in my Name there am I in the midst of them, & I really believe that
there is more Life & heartfelt Religion in the silent Meetings at Edinburg
than in the Meetings of the highly-favored people of Phil, who have line
upon line, & precept upon precept, & who perhaps overlook that indwelling
Word which is not only able to direct Men to the path of Life, but will en-
able them to walk in it, & this I hope is the happy lot of my D'r Brother &
will be my most happy lot also, still continue to persevere in the knowledge
* David Barclay of Ury, an officer in the army of GusUvus Adolphus, was the father
of Robert Barclay, who wrote the " Apology." The latter married, in 1670, Christiana
Mollison, the daughter of an Aberdeen merchant.
t After this it appears that his brother sent a certificste to him. It was probably
granted bv the Meeting on the strength of this letter.
178 Third Generation.
& wisdom of God, & may you be an example of piety & virtue to all around
you. I shall make no apology for thus opening my mind to my Dear
Brother, for my Heart overflows with love to Him who has preserved
me in six troubles, & if I walk in his fear & council will preserve me in
the seventh.
Altho' I am convinced it is unnecessary, yet I cannot help once more de-
siring my D'r Brother will not forget often to visit my dear Gracey ; no one
knows but myself the many painful & anxious hours I spend on her acc'nt &
which nothing will contribute more to alleviate than to hear that my friends
do everything in their power to oblige & serve her, she will be to me what
my dear sister Polly was to you, the partner of all my pleasures as well as
sorrows ; please to deliver the enclosed to her as soon as received with my
kindest love & to her father & mother, brothers & sisters, tell her my love &
affection for her is stronger than ever, & that I never knew the value of her
good company until I was deprived of it. I have received several letters of
recommendation from Dr. Franklin to some of the principal Gentlemen of
this place, & also a letter full of good advice, a copy of which I have sent to
Papa ; these gentlemen to oblige me have sent me frequently tickets to the
Plays, Concerts, & Publick Dances, but I constantly refused & will always re-
fuse to attend such places, altho' my refusal has offended one or two gentle-
men, & lest I should affront them all I was not ashamed to own I was a Qua-
ker, & that I was principled against such entertainments, & that my dress
might correspond with my actions, I have taken off my ruffles & untied my
hair, & am not ashamed to use the plain language to the greatest Man in
Edinburg, not but that it is a great cross to me.
But I shall here conclude after once more intreating my Dr. Brother often
to write to me, & begging my dear Gracey to write to me also agreeable to
her promise. I have wrote to Papa & Davy twice since Messrs. Neave &
Co. protested my bills from John Baynton ; I beg I may have both sent me
by first opportunity, in the mean time I shall borrow what Money I want
from my esteemed friend Benny Rush. Please give my duty to Papa &
Mamma & love to all Brothers & Sisters & also to Uncle & Aunt Morris,
Aunt Debby, Sally Morris, Sally "Powel, Polley Jones, Emlen's family, Uriah
Woolman, David Stanton, in particular B. Dorsey & wife, Sarah Zanes, Isaac
Zanes if at home, John Pemberton & wife, the three Parishes, Anth. Morris,
Third Generation. 1 79
Brewer, Owen Jones Sen'r, Sam'l Pleasants & wife, Thos. Yorke & wife & to
every acquaintance & friend whose names I may have omitted.
With prayers for your prosperity & welfare I subscribe myself
Your much obliged & affectionate Brother,
JONATHAN POTTS.
The studies of our young Friend were interrupted towards the
close of the winter by news from home that his " dearest Grace "
was ill and longed to see him. He left for London immediately,
and arrived in Philadelphia during the month of April, and they
were married in Ma)-, 1767. After this he pursued his studies in
the College of Philadelphia, and was one of the ten graduates of
the Medical School at its first Commencement in 1 768.
In the minutes of the Board of Trustees relating the events of
that day (June 21) is the following entry: "6. An elegant valedic-
tory oration was spoken by Mr. Potts on the advantage derived in
the study of physic from a previous liberal education in the other
sciences." It was the early custom of this college for a physician
to take two degrees; but as those made Bachelor of Physic very
frequently thought that answered every purpose, the plan was
abandoned.
In June, 1 77 1, Dr. Potts, who had received his primary degree
of Bachelor of Medicine three years before, had now the second
degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred upon him ; on this occa-
sion his thesis, written in the Latin language, was entitled " De
Febribus Intermittentibus potentissimum Tertianis."
I have in my possession a very finely printed copy of this thesis
on tinted paper, containing forty pages, of which the title-page is
copied here : —
180 Third Generation.
DISSERTATIO MEDIC A
INAUGURALIS,
D E
FEBRIB'US
INTERMITTENTIBUS,
POTENTISSIMUM TERTIANIS;
Q U A M ,
SUB MODERAMINE VIRI ADMODUM REVERENDI,
GULIELMI SMITH, S. S. T. P.
Collegii et Academic Pennsylvaniensis Pr^efecti;
Ex CURATORUM PERILLUSTRIUM auBoritate,
NEC N O N
AmpliJJimae COLLEGII ET ACADEMIC FACULTATIS decreto;
DEO MAXIMO ANNU E-N T E,
Pro GRADU DOCTORATUS,
SUMMISQUE IN MEDICINA HONORIBUS ET PRIVILEGIIS
RITE ET LEGITIME CONSEQU EN DIS ;
ERUDITORUM EXAMINI SUBJECTAM SUSTINUIT
JONATHAN POTTS, M. B.
Pennsylvaniensis.
Ad Diem 28 Junii, hora locoque solitis,
Hi mollis atque haec certamina tanta,
Pulveris exiguijaclu comprejja quiefcunt.
VlRG. GEORG.
PHILADELPHIA:
Typis JOHANNIS DUNLAP.
M. DCC. LXXI.
Third Generation. 181
I have copied the diploma of Dr. Jonathan Potts, as it was one
of the four first medical diplomas conferred in America, and is
therefore interesting.
"Omnibus ad quos prczsentcs Literm pervcniunt Salutan.
" Nos, Praefectus, Vice Praefectus, & Professores Collegii et Academiae
Philadelphiensis testamur virum ornatum ac iogenuum Jonathan Potts apud
nos praelectionibus in Medicina omnium Professorum assiduo interfuisse,
operamque sedulo navasse ut scientia Medica imbutus atque eruditus, dis-
cederet ; at postquam Curriculi sui Spatio peracto, in aula nostra, coram
curatoribus multisque aliis Civibus dignissimis ad tamen revocatus, se in
omnibus hisce Studiis satis versatum comprobasset ex Curatorum Mandatis
in publicis Comitiis vigesimo primo die Junii anno 1768 celebratus Baccalau-
reatus in Medicina Gradum omniaque Privilegia et Honores ad hunc Gradum
pertinentia consecutum fuisse. In cujus rei Testimonium his Literis majori
Collegii et Academiae Sigillis munitis Die Annoque praedictis Nomina Sub-
scripsimus.
"Johannes Morgan M. D. Prae. Med. Professor.
Adam Kuhn Mat. Med. & Bot. Prof.
Gul. Smith S. T. P. Collegius & Acad. Prefectus.
Gul. Shippen M. D. Anat. Prof.
Fra. Alison S. T. P. Coll. Vice Praefectus et Acad. Rector.
Paul Fooks Prof. Forg'n Lang's.
Eben. Kinnersly Ling. Anglic. & Orat. Prof.
T. B. Davidson Ling. Graec. & Lat. Prof.
"Fidum facio virum ornatum Jonathan Potts praelectionibus Clinicis et
Praxin in Nosocomio Philadelphiensi interfuisse et fructum diligentia sua
uberrimum consecutum fuisse.
" Th. Bond, Collegii et Acad. Curat. & Proel. Clin."
Dr. Morgan, in delivering these diplomas, made an address to the
152
Third Generation.
four graduates, of which the following abstract was printed in the
" Pennsylvania Gazette,"* July n, 1 771 : —
" He entered into a particular Account of those Branches of Study which
the medical Gentlemen ought still to prosecute with unremitted Diligence, if
they wished to be eminent in their Profession ; laying down some useful
Rules for an honorable Practice in the Discharge of it. He observed that
'the Oath which was presented by Hippocrates to his Disciples, had been
generally administered in Universities and Schools of Physic on the like Oc-
casions ; but that, laying aside the Form of Oaths, this College, which is of
a free spirit, wished only to bind its sons and Graduates by the Ties of Honor
and Gratitude, and that therefore he begged Leave to impress it upon those
who had received the distinguished Degree of Doctors ; that as they were
among the foremost Sons of the Institution, and the Birth-Day of Medical
Honors in this new World had arose upon them with auspicious Lustre, they
would in all their Practice consult the safety of their Patients, the Good of
the Community, and the Dignity of their Profession ; so as that the Semi-
nary from which they derived their Titles in Physic, might never have cause
to be ashamed of them.' "
Dr. Potts began the practice of medicine in Reading, Pa., which
is only eighteen miles from Pottsgrove. Here he became quite
noted as a practitioner. The only medical treatise which I have
been able to find among his papers is the translation or first
draught in English of an article upon the small-pox, printed in a
German paper. The subject is an interesting one at this time,
proving the difficulties which those who introduced inoculation
had to contend with at that day. I have little doubt that it was
written about 1771 : —
* From the same newspaper: "Messieurs Jonathan Elmer, of New Jersey, Jonathan
Potts, of Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, James Tilton, of Dover, and Nicholas Way, of Wil-
mington, then presented themselves, agreeable to the Rules of the College, to defend in
Latin the Dissertations printed for their Degree of Doctor in Physic?
Third Generation. 183
[Without date, but evidently written from Reading.]
" Mk. Miller : * —
" Be pleased to insert the few following lines in your useful paper & oblige
a constant customer.
" To the Germans in general & particularly of Berks Co. Friends &
Countrymen : —
" I am a German by birth & education & inhabitant of this town, I am
greatly surprised to hear vour complaints against the useful practice of Inoc-
ulation for the Small Pox which is about to take place among us. This ex-
cellent method of communicating that loathsome disease has been followed
for many hundred years among the Eastern nations, a people celebrated for
their wisdom & good policy, & from them it was brought into England about
f years ago by a lady acknowledged by every one to be a person of solid
good sense, & has constantly since been practised in Great Britain with the
most desirable success.
" It is a well known fact that of one hundred persons born in this part of
the world there are at least ninety who have the small pox in some part of
their lives, of these twenty are known to die in the most favorable times &
twenty more wear very disagreeable marks of this cruel disorder the remain-
der of their Days, one loses an eye, another perhaps both eyes, & others are
so reduced & weakened that they never after enjoy a good state of health.
" Now among the vast numbers inoculated in Great Britain & this coun-
try scarce one in a hundred die, no one is horribly disfigured & no one is
ever infected a second time, if the inoculation is perfect, & there is not one
tenth part of the trouble in attending the patient through the disorder.
" I have no occasion to seek far for an instance of the usefulness of this prac-
tice, you all well remember that the last time this town % was visited with the
Small pox there died, in this town only, 106 children, an amazing number in-
deed, more than one in three of those who had the disease, now of those who
were inoculated there only died one child, & that Child was in an unsound
state at the time of its being inoculated.
* Henry Miller printed a German paper in Philadelphia from 1762 to 1779,. called the
Pennsylvania Staatsbote.
t Referring to Lady Montague, who introduced inoculation into England in 1721. Dr.
Potts probably had not the date at hand, and intended to fill it up afterwards.
X Reading.
1 84
Third Generation.
" Why then my countrymen should we be the last in adopting this most
happy method ? have not we the same regard & tenderness for our children
that other people have ? or do we set a less value on our lives, or are our
German Women less anxious about the preservation of their beauty ?
" I have heard some say it is not right, it is presumption to inflict a disease
upon our children before it please God to do it. I would ask such is it not
equally presumptuous to send for a Doctor in any Disease ? why not rely
upon Providence wholly, without making use of any natural means whatever?
" Let us rather adore His Goodness for discovering to his creatures this
method by which we are enabled to escape so dreadful a calamity.
" But I fear the true reason is kept back (for I will not affront you so much
as to think you are not convinced of the benefits of inoculation) I mean the
Doctor's charge, for shame my Countrymen ! which of you is there so far de-
prived of Fatherly love as not to give with cheerfulness 27 shillings to have
your child brought safely over this dangerous & troublesome disease, in
my opinion the charge is very reasonable, in Philadelphia they seldom charge
less than three pounds, & I will venture to say if you employ a Doctor to at-
tend a Child who has the disease in the natural way his charge will exceed
the price of Inoculation among us.
" Suppose there is an Island into which by far the greater part of Mankind
are unavoidably forced to enter some time of their life & in their passage to
this Island they must pass through a deep & dangerous river in getting over
which one in five perish or are drowned.
" But of late there is a convenient Ferry boat built which is always ready &
at call, by which they can at any time be rapidly ferried over to the Island
& not one in a hundred fall overboard or are drowned, & even should any
meet with this accident it is owing to their own mismanagement or careless-
ness & not to any fault in the boat. Now is there any one whom prejudice
has not totally deprived of thinking who would not prefer the passage by the
Boat to that of plunging for many days thro' the River struggling for their
lives, & into which they are forced without their consent or the least warning,
& should they be fortunate enough to get over they come out horribly scarred
& disfigured, & perhaps lose one if not both of their eyes."
It is not sufficiently known by the present generation how much
Third Generation. 185
our country is indebted to Philadelphia for those early measures
which led eventually to resistance and national independence. The
acts of opposition begun in 1774 at Boston to the Port Bill was al-
together dependent for its success to the countenance it might re-
ceive from the Middle Colonies, of which Pennsylvania was the
chief. Philadelphia was so much under Quaker influence, that it
was feared she would not warmly espouse the patriotic cause. A
few leading men entered into a concerted scheme to produce a great
political change ; they took the expedient of calling a convention
of the committees of self-created county meetings ; by this they
could raise a power to overawe and rule the Assembly, which was
in effect still too loyal for their purpose.
On the 2d of July, 1774, a meeting was held at Reading, and
various resolutions were passed "upon the critical situation of
American affairs." The sixth is as follows : " That as the people
of Boston are now suffering in the grand and common cause of
American liberty, Resolved, That it is the duty of all the inhabi-
tants to contribute to the support of said sufferers, and that the
committee hereafter named do open subscriptions for their relief,"
to purchase flour and other provisions; seven gentlemen were
placed on this committee, of which Jonathan Potts was one. ^
He was a delegate from Berks County to the Provincial meeting
of Deputies held in Philadelphia, 15th July, 1774, and a member of
the Provincial Congress held in the same city, 23d January, 1775.
He was very active in raising men and organizing the forces in
Berks, and in 1776 a petition was presented to the Assembly in be-
half of the several battalions in that county, signed by Jonathan
Potts, Mark Bird, Daniel Broadhead, and Baltzer Gehr, Esquires,
field officers thereof.
After thus early showing his zeal in the public cause, we are not
surprised to find Dr. Potts petitioning Congress, April 29, 1776, to
24
1 86 Third Generation.
be appointed Director* of the hospitals in Canada, which he learns
" it will soon be needful to establish there." Early in the following
June he was appointed physician surgeon in the army for Canada
and Lake George, and proceeded at once to New York, and we
hear of him on the 25th at head-quarters in that city.
Letter from Joseph Reed to the Hon. John Sullivan, Brigadier-General of the
Army of the United Colonies of Canada.
Sir : —
The bearer of this, Dr. Jonathan Potts, has been appointed to the direc-
tion of the Hospital in Canada. He is a gentleman of character in every
respect & most indisputable zeal in the public cause. As such I beg leave
to introduce him to your notice & acquaintance.
Wishing you all honor & success,
I am, Sir, your most obedient & humble servant,
JOS. REED.
New York, June 25, 1776.
The next day, in company with General Gates, he started for the
North. On arriving at Crown Point he discovered that the opera-
tions in Canada were impeded, and he became subject to the orders
of Dr. Stringer, who placed him in charge of the hospital at Fort
George.
Dr. Potts to General Gates.
Fort George, August 24, 1776.
Honoured Sir : —
Your Honour's favor of the 23 inst, by Mr. Watson, I received this morn-
* The commissions issued by Congress are still in the possession of one of Jonathan's
descendants: the first, dated June 6, 1776, appointing -him physician surgeon in the
army ; the second, dated Baltimore, January 1, 1777, appointing him Director of the General
Hospital of the Northern Department; and the third at Philadelphia, April 11, 1777, ap-
pointing him Deputy Director-General of the Hospital in the Northern Department. He
was afterwards appointed to the Middle Department, when the scene of war changed to
Pennsylvania and Jersey. General Washington, writing to the President of Congress from
New York, June 9, 1776. says: "When Dr. Potts arrives, 1 shall order him to Canada or
Lake George ; it is certainly necessary that he or Dr. Stringer should go up to the former."
Third Generation. 187
ing, I assure your Honour I have spared him from our huckster shop every
article in my power. What keeps Mr. Henry with the medicine I am at a
loss to know. I sent one of my Mates three days since to Albany to expe-
dite his coming and to purchase, if possible, some articles we are wholly out
of. I have also wrote to the Committee of Albany and Salisbury to send
me as soon as possible all the old linen or rags they can procure, as well as to
recommend to the farmers and others to cure a quantity of herbs for the use
of the Hospital. It pains me much to think of our destitute condition, for
should your Honour be attacked we have not bandages or lint to dress fifty
men. I can with confidence assure your Honour that nothing shall be left
undone in my power to procure every necessary for the good of the Army in
my line of duty. I heartily thank your Honour for your orders respecting
the return of the Regimental Surgeons, as well as your approving of my sen-
timents in regard to Dr. Mc'Crea. I was greatly surprised at having some
patients sent here in the small-pox from among the new levies. I have
shortly examined them. I cannot as yet find they have been inoculated,
should I discover such a thing shall be careful to transmit to you every
matter relative to it, as well as effectually secure the patients. One thing
I should recommend to your Honour's notice which I hope you will not
think foreign to my duty, as the Army is greatly exposed to intermittant
and billious complaints from their situation, I am humbly of opinion it
would conduce to their health if every man was allowed half a gill of bit-
ter rum per day. It can be made, four pounds of Gentian root and two
pounds of Orange peel to a Hogshead. If these articles cannot be had, the
Regimental Surgeons can readily procure some Snake root certainly, or
Dogwood bark, which will answer nearly as well. Enclosed have sent your
Honour the returns of the Hospital, on which I here only observe that we
have a greater number than appears from the return, owing to the names
being struck out of the Hospital book, but I still detain them under the
name of Convalescents who will be sent forward in a day or two. I have
taken the liberty to send your Honour a tolerably good wether and a cask
with some beans, squashes, cucumbers and a few small melons. The mo-
ment I can procure any good vinegar it shall be forwarded to you. I am
your Honour's most obedient and very humble servant,
JON'A POTTS.
1 88 Third Generation.
Letter to Dr. Joint Morgan, Director-Genera/ of the Medical Department of
the United States.
Fort George, August io, 1776.
Dear Sir : —
I expected long ere this to have had Dr. Mc'Henry at the fort with the
medicines (which) I mentioned to you were to come from Philadelphia, but I
am greatly disappointed at his not arriving & what has prevented him I
know not. In a letter this day received from him he informs me that he
was then to set out for Philadelphia in order to procure those medicines &
some Mates, & mentions your kind intention of assisting him both with ad-
vice & a supply of the cortex. The distressed situation of the sick here is
not to be described. Without clothing, without bedding, or a shelter suffi-
cient to screen them from the weather, I am sure your known humanity will
be affected when I tell you we have at present upwards of one thousand sick
& wounded in the sheds, & laboring under the various disorders of dysen-
teries, bilious, putrid fevers, & the effects of confluent small-pox. To attend
this large number, we have four Seniors & four Mates, exclusive of myself, &
our little shop doth not afford a grain of jalap, ipecac, bark, salts, opium, &
sundry other capital articles, & nothing of the kind to be had in this quarter.
In this dilemma our inventions are exhausted for succedaneums, but we
shall go on doing the best we can in the hopes of a speedy supply.
Dr. Stringer left this some few days since, in order to lay the situation of
the hospital before his excellency General Washington, & endeavor to procure
redress. You may remember, Sir, when I left New York I mentioned to
you, though the resolve of Congress did not expressly say I was to be Di-
rector General of this department, yet I apprehend it was the intention of
that honorable body, agreeably to my petition previous to my appointment,
that I should act as such in Canada, but on this side that province I was not
to supersede Dr. Stringer. As I have since had the pleasure of Dr. Strin-
ger's acquaintance, & have been made acquainted with the Resolves of Con-
gress in his favor, I find he has power to act as Director General of the
Northern Department, which I knew not before ; yet I shall continue to act
as director under him until the matter is otherwise settled. I can assure you
Dr. Stringer's conduct here, & the regard I have conceived for him from my
short acquaintance, influences me to wish he maybe continued as at present,
Third Generation. 189
& more especially as I hope our arms will be blessed with success, & we
shall once more regain Canada, when it will most undoubtedly be neces-
sary to have two hospitals in this wide extended country. I hope ere this
reaches you the line by which the different departments are to act will be
fixed.
Dr. Stringer & myself had some conversation respecting the expediency
of acting under a Director General of the whole continent. This the Doctor
was averse (to), & I mentioned some reasons which had weight with me. As
you will see the Doctor I need not take up your time by mentioning them ;
for my own part I am resolved to be governed by such regulations as our
wise Congress shall think proper, wishing nothing more than to contribute
my mite towards the relief of our once distressed country, but now the glo-
rious, independent States of America. Pray present my respectful compli-
ments to his excellency General Washington, & General Mifflin, & believe me
to be, dear sir,
Your affectionate & most humble servant,
JONA. POTTS.
General Gates wrote to Congress : —
Tye, July 16, 1776.
" I went with Gen. Schuyler & Arnold to Crown Point where we found the
wretched remains of what was once a very respectable body of troops — that
pestilential disease the small-pox has taken such deep root that the Camp has
more the appearance of a General Hospital than an army."
In this terrible condition of the hospitals and of the army, the
humane reader will be glad to learn that Congress, urged by the
application of the Commander-in-Chief, issued the orders necessary
to establish a different state of things, which Dr. Potts carried out
with zeal and efficiency.
After Gates joined Washington in Philadelphia, Dr. Potts was
for a time on duty there, as the following from the general orders
of Putnam, dated December 12, 1776, shows : —
" Officers who have the charge of any sick soldiers in or near the city, &
who are included in the foregoing order, are directed to make returns to Dr.
Jonathan Potts at Mr. John Biddle's in Market St. of the numbers & places
ot residence of their sick, that proper care may be taken of them."
190 Third Generation.
An Order of Congress in Dr. Potts' s Handwriting:
" That the Med. Com. provide a suitable assortment of medicines & send
them to the Hospital in the Northern Dept. with all possible dispatch, to-
gether with other necessaries for the sick, & that the list mentioned by Dr.
Stringer in a paper not enclosed in Gen. Schuyler's letter be committed to
them. That Dr. Potts be directed to repair to Ticonderoga without delay.
"Resolved that Dr. Stringer* be directed to deliver to Dr. Potts such
medicine & other medical stores belonging to the Continental army."
To Gen. Gates : —
Honored Sir, — The return of the sick remaining in the General Hospital
which you were pleased to be ordered to be made weekly on every Friday
will be delivered you by Capt. Craig. I hope you will not attribute its late
appearance at this time to any neglect on my part, as I can with confidence
assure your Honor nothing is left undone in my power to reduce every
matter relative to the Hospital into order.
The number of the sick being great & their complaints so urgent that they
employ the whole time of us all, & having but one clerk who is to enter the
Name of every person admitted, discharged, died or deserted, as well as to
superintend the issuing of provisions, makes it almost impossible to comply
with your order at present so particularly as I could wish. I flatter myself
hereafter we shall be able to make the return agreeable to your desire.
I am your most obed't & very humble servant,
j. P.
Soon after this Dr. Potts reports the following officers of the
General Hospital, Northern Department, as his staff of subordi-
nates : —
Genera/ Officers. — Dr. Thomas Tillotson, Asst. Dept. Director. Dr. Malichi •
Treat, Physician-General. Dr. James Brown, Surgeon-General. Dr.
Bartlett, Pliysician and Surgeon-General of Army. Andrew Craigie,
Apothecary- General.
* By this order Dr. Potts superseded Dr. Stringer, who had had some disagreement with
the Continental Congress, and left the service in 1777, retiring to Albany, where he died
in 1817, aged eighty-three.
Third Generation. 191
Senior Surgeons. — Dr. Robert Johnson, Dr. Stephen McCrea, Dr. David
Townsend, Dr. Sam. McKenzie, Dr. Fran. Hagan, Dr. James
Young.
Second Surgeons. — Dr. Alex. Steward, Dr. Bedf. Williams, Dr. T. Vickers,
Dr. Mich. Scull, Dr. Matt. Mans, Dr. Nich. Schuyler.
Surgeons' Mates. — Mr. Dav. Stoddard, Mr. James Thatcher, Mr. Samuel
Woodruff, Mr. Wm. P. Smith, Mr. James Prescott, Mr. Willis Brown.
Commissar}', Mr. Dow ; Assistant Commissary, Mr. Henry Marselis ; John
Wittman, Clerk; J no. Steward, Assistant Clerk ; Steward, John
Brown.
Several of the above-named became eminent in the war.
Dr. Bartlett, as Surgeon-General of the Northern Department.
He died in Charlestown, Mass., in 1820.
Dr. Tillotson became Secretary of State in New York, and
married a daughter of Chancellor Livingstone, and sister of Mrs.
General Montgomery.
Mr. James Thatcher was the author of a " military journal."
Andrew Craigie made a fortune by buying and selling medicines
to the army, and afterwards purchased and enlarged Washington's
head-quarters at Cambridge, where he lived in a good deal of style.
The house is now occupied by the poet Longfellow.
Letter indorsed " Copy of a letter to the Medical Committee."
March 9th, 1777.
Gentlemen : —
Upon the first notice of my appointment to the Directorship of the Mili-
tary Hospital in the Northern District I applied myself Diligently to procure
such Articles as were to be had & I Thought necessary for the use of the
General Hospital. I am well aware that a few well chosen Medicines &
Stores are only Necessary for a Military Hospital & shall be careful to con-
duct myself accordingly. I should have been happy to have had your In-
structions before I left Philad'a & Intreat you to forward (them) to me whenever
your other more Important Business will give Leisure. The Surgeons whom
192 Third Generation.
I have engaged beg me to solicit your interest to have their pay Increased,
the Dearness of Every Necessary of life & the Difficulty of procuring Gen-
tlemen of Ability to Engage in the Service Induce me to beg your atten-
tion to this matter. As soon as possible after my arrival in the Department
I shall make a return of every Article belonging to the General Hospital
with an account of what may be farther Necessary. I am Clearly of opinion
It will Enduce much to the good of the Service to have a Sub-Director ap-
pointed. Should your Hon'ble House approve of this Measure, Give me
leave to recommend Doctor Warren,* whose good Sense, long Services &
Zeal in the Cause entitle him to the Notice of his Country. I have the high-
est Sense of the Honor conferred on me by the very Hon'l Congress & shall
Exert Every nerve to merit their notice
I have the Honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most Obedient Humble Serv't,
JON'N POTTS.
P. S. I have sent on most of the Articles I could Procure, & follow My-
self with the Remainder Tomorrow.
Reading, March gth, 1777.
Hon'le Medical Committee in Congress.
Letter indorsed " Copy of my letter to Gen. Gates, Albany, April 3d, 1 777-"
My Dear General : —
I arrived in this City this day ; before General Schuyler left it, on his way
to Philadelphia, he has ordered me to Establish the General Hospital at
Fort George Instead of Mount Independence. As the army are to be inoc-
ulated, I am of opinion it will Contribute to the Public Service to keep the
Disease out of the Camp, which we may do by receiving at a time only such
a number as the Hospital will Conveniently accommodate, by which means
the Garrison will not be greatly weakened & the Soldiers still have an Oppor-
* Dr. John Warren was the brother of Dr. Joseph Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill. He
was also the founder of the medical department of Harvard University, and the father and
grandfather of the late Drs. John C. Warren, Senior and Junior. From letters in the Potts'
correspondence, it appears that Dr. Warren was very much disappointed at not receiving
this appointment, and complains of being passed over by Congress. He and Dr. Potts
were warm friends.
Third ' Generation. 1 9 3
tunity of going thro' the Disease. But I intend to have a Hospital on Mount
Independence for the reception of the Sick of the Garrison, so that between
both places I shall be fully employed, but I am determined to do my duty
at Every Risk. I am well pleased that I brought Medicine with me from
Philadel'a, tho' I have found more here than I at first expected. It is some-
what Strange to me that I have never had a Line from the Medical Com-
mittee, as the Surgeons & other officers of the Hospitals were in expectation
of having their pay encreased. I am happy to inform you however that the
Gentlemen have all agreed to stay except one, in full Confidence of being
under your Commands, who they are well convinced will do them ample
Justice.
I shall go on with pleasure in Daily expectation of paying you my re-
spects in this Department.
My Compliments to your Lady & Son.
I have the Honour to be your most Obedient & very humble Servant,
JON'N POTTS.
Albany, April 3rd, 1777.
Hon'ble Major Genl. Gates.
Indorsed "A Copy of a Letter to the Medical Committee, Albany, April 3, 1777."
Gentlemen : —
I have the Honour to enclose you a Return of the Medicines & Stores be-
longing to the General Hospital in this Department which I have received
from Doctor Samuel Stringer, these with what I brought with me from Phila.
& some few I expect from Boston will be quite sufficient for this Campaign.
I am directed by Gen. Schuyler to establish the General Hospital at Lake
George in order to receive such of the army as choose to be Inoculated. I
also intend to erect a Hospital at Mount Independence for the reception of
the sick of the Garrison purposing to keep- the Small Pox out of the Gar-
rison.
To accomplish this I have engaged a Number of Gentlemen who Served
in this Quarter last Campaign, a return of whose Names I will make to you
by the earliest Conveyance from Lake George. I promised myself the pleas-
ure of a line from you, but I have as yet received none. I entreat you ex-
cuse me for again mentioning the Wages of the officers belonging to the
194 Third Generation.
Hospital, it will be difficult to retain Gentlemen of their Ability at their pres-
ent pay.
I brought up with me some Garden seeds, but not a Sufficiency for the
large Garden I propose to have, & there are none to be had here. If you
think proper I should be glad to have a further supply. I can with confi-
dence assure you that no steps shall be left untaken by me to procure the
Health of the Troops & do my duty to the Sick, of the number of whom I
shall from time to time make you a proper return.
I have the Honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient & very Humb. Servant,
JON'N POTTS.
Albany, April 3rd, 1777.
Shall remove to Lake George in a few days, the Roads being at present
impassable.
onbl Medical Committee in Congress.
Letter indorsed "Med. Com., Ap. 12, 1777."
Sir : —
Your letter directed to the Med. Com. in Congress with the enclosed
returns of Medicines, stores & such in the Hospitals at Albany & Tyecon-
deroga came safe to hand this day.
We are highly pleased with your having the prospect of a sufficient sup-
ply of medicines in your department for the ensuing Campaign, & approve of
the returns you have made us.
Your proposal of keeping the Small pox out of the Garrison at Tyecon-
deroga we think extremely proper, & hope you will carefully attend to its
execution.
Congress have just finished a new plan & arrangement of the medical
department in the Army. It is -ordered to be published immediately. As
you will soon be possessed of the whole plan, we shall only inform you at
present that your appointment of Director of the .northern department is
renewed, the pay 5 dols. & 6 rations per diem.
Senior Surgeons 4 dols. & 5 rations a day, Regimental surgeons 2 dols. &
4 rations a day, & the pay of every other rank in proportion.
As handsome salaries are now allowed we expect none but persons of the
Thii'd Generation. 195
best abilities will be employed or suffered to remain in your service as Hos-
pital or Regimental surgeon, & that you will strictly superintend every
branch of the Med. Dept. under your charge.
We greatly approve of your scheme of a Garden for supplying the troops
with vegetables, which we judge will contribute much towards preserving their
health. Should forward you some seeds, but think you can procure them
nearer hand.
We hope to hear from you by every convenient opportunity.
By order of the Med. Com. I have the honour to be, Sir, your very Hum-
ble serv't,
M. THORNTON.
Doctor Potts, Director of the Military Hospitals in the North Dept.
Phii.., 12th April, 1777.
Indorsed "Copy of a Letter to Dr. Shippen, April 29, 1777."
Dear Sir : —
Your favor of the 18th inst., which had enclosed the Resolution of Con-
gress respecting the arrangement of the Hospitals in the different depart-
ments of the United States came to my hands on Wednesday last. I am
happy to find that a line of conduct is pointed out to each officer belonging
to a General Hospital. The returns you request shall be sent agreeable to
your orders, at present it is out of my power. I make no doubt but the
Medical Committee have put into your hands the return I made them of the
Medicines, Stores &c. I found here. I flatter myself that with them & those
I brought up with me from Philadelphia & what I have ordered from Boston
will safely carry me through this Campaign. A return of all which shall be
made you as soon as possible. The General Hospital is to be established at
Mount Independence, for the reception of the Sick of the Army at the post.
One other Hospital at Fort George for the reception of such as may happen
to be taken with the Small Pox or any other putrid or infectious disease, also
a Hospital in this City for such as fall sick on their March to or from the
advanced post Tyeconderoga, one prevention is worth two cures, upon this
principle I shall excite every nerve to preserve cleanliness, give particular
attention to the Diet & method of dressing the provisions delivered to the
Troops, & above all have the Gardens well taken care of.
196
Third Generation.
With regard to the small pox I have sent two of my Surgeons into New
England to enquire into the state of the Troops coming to Tye', by their re-
port that disease is not on the line of March at all, in consequence of which
the Commander in Chief here, Gen. Gates, has ordered me to prevent if pos-
sible the disease coming into Camp. God knows we want men & the pres-
ent movements of the enemy demand every assistance. The gentlemen ap-
pointed by Congress as Physicians, Surgeons & Surgeon General of the
Northern Army are by Genl Gates express orders required to attend to their
duty without delay. No excuse will be taken.
I long to take Dr. Treat by the hand, the other gentlemen I know not, but
am sure must be men of ability from the appointment given them. You
request me, dear Doctor, to let you know my wants, & rest assured I shall
do it. Tye' is most undoubtedly an unhealthy situation, owing to the stag-
nant water & fogs, & to avoid the effects of which we should moisten our
clay now & then with some cordials or salubrious medicine.
Should opportunity offer, I hope you will not forget me. One other re-
quest I pray you not to omit — pray send me the papers, & when your other
more important business will admit let me hear something of what is going
on amongst you. As to news we have nothing from Canada that can be re-
lied on, Some boats which came up Lake Champlain to Gillillam Creek have
returned. The Copperheads are quiet at present, but I fear they will be
troublesome, having moved with their families from these parts.
I am with respect your most obe't & humble servant,
JON'N POTTS.
Albany, April 29, 1777.
Letter directed to Honorable Committee of Schenectady. It follows a letter
from those gentlemen asking for the appointment of Dirk Van Ingen as
Surgeon to the sick and wounded soldiers of that town, he having lived
there nineteen years.
Gentlemen : —
In consequence of your recommendation I have appointed Dirk Van
Ingen to take care of all such Officers & Soldiers in Continental Service
as may be taken sick in or near your Town. I make no doubt but you
will give him every assistance in your power to procure Necessaries for them.
Third Generation. 197
I shall send him an assortment of Medicines by the earliest opportunity as it
is my determined intention that every care & precaution shall be taken re-
specting our Sick, I make no doubt but the Dr. will carefully perform his
duty.
I am, gentlemen, with respect, your most obedient humble Serv't,
JON'N POTTS.
Albany, May 6, 1777.
Committee of Schenectady.
The following Order in the Handwriting of Dr. Potts.
The Hospitals in the Northern Department are established at the follow-
ing places. At Mount Independence, Fort George & the City of Albany.
All Officers, Regimental Surgeons & others are therefore requested to take
Notice that such of the Continental Troops under their care, who may hap-
pen to fall Sick at or near these places will be received into the Hospitals &
proper care taken of them. The Regimental Surgeons appointed to the Regi-
ments ordered to this Department are desired to join their respective Corps
immediately, no excuse will be taken, such as neglect this Notice may expect
to be superseded without distinction.
JON'N POTTS,
D: Director-General.
Albany, May 7, 1777.
A list of fruit-trees ordered by Dr. Potts for his gardens' at Albany, 1777. /
insert it, as it will interest Nomologists to knoiv what fruits tvere then in
good repute, and prove the date when some of them were introduced into
Northern New York.
50 Newtown Pippins &
4 Green Gage.
Spitzenbergs.
4 Yellow egg plumb.
3 Newark.
4 Elfrey's plumb.
50 Vanderveers.
6 Bleeding Hearts.
12 Early apples from George Young.
6 May Dukes.
13 Russet.
6 White Hearts.
25 Priestly.
6 Ox Hearts.
25 House apple.
6 Carnations.
198 Third Generation.
4 Apricots. 6 Early juicy pear.
4 Green Chissel pear. 6 Bergamot.
6 Catherine pear. 12 Different winter pears.
6 Lawrence pear.
Mr. Walters : —
You will deliver the above at Dr. Bond's to-morrow evening, & be careful
to mark each bundle.
JON'N POTTS.
The three following letters were written by Dr. Potts to his brother
Samuel, and describe in familiar and graphic terms the situation
of the Northern army at a very critical period.
My Dear Brother : —
I have sent Bill express to hear from home, you will now have no excuse,
do not spare paper.
I returned from Tye' yesterday, that garrison is daily getting strength. I
left 3,400 effective men & 1,500 on their march within 16 miles ; the works
go on well & the troops are in good spirits. By a prisoner taken down the
Lake we are informed that the Regulars were not in motion on 14th inst.
still cantoned in small parties, provisions very high, a general cry for want of
clothing, quarrel between the Canadians & them, only 4 vessels at St. Johns,
exclusive of two taken from us & a new gun ship building, a fleet I confess
which will fully command the Lake, however I believe in a short time we may
esteem ourselves safe. Pray what is Gen. How doing ? he seems to be at a
loss, when will he open the campaign ?
We have in this City 300 Indians Six nations, & others who promise
friendship, & more if wanted.
I attend a Council with them this morning. Gen. Carleton* has ex-
* General Carleton sent out Captain McKay, with twenty-five Indians from Canada, in
February, to learn something of General Howe's movements. This detachment made
their way through the forest on the western shores of Lake Champlain, and surprised and
captured, between Fort Carrillon (Tye.) and Fort William Henry (Mount Independence), a
party of the enemy, numbering an officer and twenty-three men. They reached Montreal
in April ; from these prisoners Carleton first learned the fate of the Hessians at Trenton
the Christmas previous-
Third Generation. 199
pressly forbid scalping, & refused pay or reward to the Indians, for their
marking down on this account.
We fed & clothed the prisoners taken by us at Sabbath Day point, & treat
them humanely.
As to my department I have medicine & stores plenty, you will see by the
papers where I have established the. Hospitals.
I have but 20 sick at present all together never were troops more healthy.
My gardens go on well.
I have 25 acres in different spots, & a set of negroes to attend them.
In short I trust to have a happy campaign of it. My love to all friends
without exception.
Send me the papers, or any late publication.
I am, dear Sammy, your affect. Brother & servant,
JON'N POTTS.
Albany, May 26, 1777.
Hurry Bill * back as early as possible.
Fort Edward, June 16th, 1777,
14 miles this side Lake George.
Dear Brother : —
By two prisoners taken by our scouts, we have the intelligence contained
in the enclosed this moment received.
To-morrow I cross the Lake with Gen. Schuyler to Tye' — should it really
be earnest it will be a glorious sight, the consequences I fear
Be cautious, Dr. Sammy, of shewing the enclosed, I know I may safely
trust you, especially keep it from Gracey f & my dear Mother, you shall hear
from me in a day or two by express.
For my part I really believe it only a feint with their fleet to amuse us —
at any rate it gives us trouble — I have ordered every surgeon to attend me,
& trust me I will do my duty.
We have but 5,400 men yet all included, I mean artificers &c. &c. &c. tho'
the Col. mentions only 3,000. Gen. Schuyler thinks it serious & . . . .
* Probablv his slave and body-servant. The journey from Ticonderoga to Pottstown
must have been at that date long and wearisome ; there was no other way of communica-
tion but by sending express, and Dr. Potts therefore sent his servant to obtain news from
home
* His wife.
200 Third Generation.
Having many things to do, have only to add that with my kindest love to
all friends
I am yr. affect. Brother & Serv't,
JON'N POTTS.
Once more let me entreat you not to repeat this to any one.
Dear Brother : —
Tho' I sent an express but a few days since, yet well knowing how anxious
you will be to hear our situation I have sent Capt. Wittman with this — since
my last we evacuated Fort Edward & retired about 5 miles down the river
to a place called Moses' creek : this was most undoubtedly a prudent step :
at this post we are dailv getting supplies, God only knows whether sufficient
or not. Fort George, as well as Fort Edward, are entirely demolished ; being
now in the interior parts of the country, in the woods & on heights far from
their shipping, we may be quite an equal match.
The Damn'd Copper heads are troublesome, not a day but a scalp or two
taken near our very encampment, we have also now & then skirmishing
with the scouting parties.
We are informed by some Deserters that a few days since the German
troops & British had a fight among themselves at Skeensburgh, in which the
former lost 18 & the latter 80 men.
I am positive great jealousies reign among them. The enemy have ad-
vanced into the Grants* a large body of men promising protection & secur-
ity to the inhabitants, some credulous fools believe them, & taking example
from plundered Jersey they are at Castleton, & Col. Warner is in the neigh-
borhood with a body of 3,000 militia, it is said to watch their motions.
My hospital is now here, where I have all the wounded & sick, amounting
in the whole only to 153 — Let me again beg you not to condemn rashly our
late retreat from Fort Tye' many reasons may be given — Why don't you
write by my expresses — Nothing from the Westward — upon the whole I think
we shall have warm work in this quarter, but if properly supported I make
no doubt shall yet come off more than Conquerors — Gracious God in whom
I put my trust, suffer not our Righteous cause to perish because Sinners de-
fend it.
* Part of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Third Generation. 201
This moment a letter from Ward's quarters informs me that the enemy ad-
vanced with 1,000 men* to Fort Edward, attacked our Picquet & killed 5
men & a young ladyf sister of one of my Surgeons, all of whom they
scalped & most barbarously butchered, now for Lex Talionis, by heavens !
no officer or soldier shall have mercy from my hands. God bless & preserve
you all — my love to our Mother & every relation. I go to camp immedi-
ately with my Surgeons.
I am as usual your affect Brother & Serv't,
JON'N POTTS.
Ai.dany, July 28th, 1777.
At the battle of Bennington a considerable number of wounded
fell into the hands of the Americans. They were the Brunswick
troops under Von Baum, and General Riedesel says he sent for their
relief by Dr. Wood (who took with him instruments and medicines)
one hundred guineas.
This surgeon of Burgoyne's staff visited General Gates with a let-
ter from his general, who complained that the wounded then taken
prisoners were badly treated.
No doubt this report was untrue, and Dr. Potts writes to Dr.
Wood the following polite letter of dismissal : —
Sik : —
I have it in command from the Honorable Major Gates that you attend
Dr. Thos. Tillotson, Phy. & Surg. Gen. of the Northern army, to Stillwater,
* Burgoyne writes to Riedesel, Skeensborough, July 23d, 1777 : —
" The enemy are in considerable force at Fort Edward & appear to await us there. I very much
doubt it, still it will be necessary to advance against this position with sufficient force."
It was this news which induced Burgoyne to send out the detachment mentioned in Dr.
Potts's letter of July 28, .which resulted in the massacre of Miss McCrea, July 26.
t The incident mentioned in the latter part of this letter refers to Jenny McCrea, who
was murdered by the Indians, and whose tragical death has found a place in every history.
Her brother, Dr. Stephen McCrea, was one of the senior surgeons of Dr. Potts's staff.
26
202 Third Generation.
from whence His Honour intends you shall have a safe guard to join his
Excellency General Burgoyne.
I am your most obed't & very humble Serv't,
JON'N POTTS,
Director Geiil of the Hospitals Northern Dept.
September 16, 1777.
■ After this engagement, Wilkinson writes to the chairman of the
Committee at Albany, by order of General Gates : —
Stillwater. September 20, 1777.
The General is sensible that the Committee will afford the Director Gen-
eral Dr. Potts every assistance in their power, whose care & attention to
those unfortunate brave men deserves the highest credit.
After the engagement of October 7, Burgoyne,* in his retreat,
had to leave his hospitals to the mercy of the Americans. Riede-
sel says in his Memoirs : t —
" It was impossible, with the lack of transportation, to take along the hos-
pital numbering over Soo sick and wounded ; and it being equally difficult to
defend so long a line of march, these unfortunates had to be left to the
magnanimity of the enemy. Dr. Hess J remained with them, and a letter of
recommendation was given him to General Gates."
\\ ilkinson, in his Memoirs, thus describes his meeting with Dr.
Hayes : —
" I observed an individual approaching me on horseback at full gallop, with
a white flag raised in his hand, and as he advanced he held out a letter
The bearer appeared in much trepidation, and announced to me the facetious,
amiable Hibernian, John Macnamara Hayes, informing me at the same time
that he had been left in charge of many sick and wounded officers and men,
* Burgoyne's hospital njs the barrack near Schuyler's house, north side of the road to
Saratoga Springs, where now stand the red barns of Mr. Welsh of Schuylerville.
t Vol. 1. pp. 166, 167.
+ Dr. afterwards Sir John Macnamara Hayes, an eminent practitioner in London.
Third Generation. 203
whom he entreated me to visit as they were in great alarm for their personal
safety against our Indians and riflemen."
The following letter was among Dr. Potts's correspondence, in the
writing of one of General Gates's aids, and it is fair to conclude it
to be an exact copy of the one sent by Gates to Burgoyne. In the
Memoirs of General Riedesel, by W. L. Stone, the letter is printed
in a note with this remark : " It redounds so much to the honor,
spirit, and highmindedness of the writer, that it is here given entire.
The letter itself is not, we believe, generally known." After speak-
ing of it as printed entire, the last line consists of stars, and one
can see by comparing it with the following that all about the ex-
change of prisoners is omitted, while many verbal alterations have
been made.
Saratoga, Oct. nth, 1777.
Sir : —
I had the honor to receive your Excellency's letter by Lady Ackland,
the respect due to her Ladyship's rank, the tenderness due to her per-
son & sex, were alone sufficient recommendations to entitle her to my pro-
tection. Considering my preceeding Conduct with Respect to those of your
army whom the fortune of war has placed in my hands I am surprised that
your Excellency should think that I could consider the greatest attention to
Lady Ackland in the light of an obligation.
The cruelties which mark the retreat of your Army in burning the Gen-
tlemen's & Farmers' houses as they pass along, is almost among civilized
Nations without a Precedent, they should not endeavor to ruin those they
have not the prowess to conquer, this conduct betrays more of the vindic-
tive malice of a Monk than the generosity of a Soldier.
Your friend Sir Francis Clarke by the information of Dr Potts M. D. G.
of my Hospitals languishes under a very dangerous wound ; every sort of
tenderness & attention is paid to him, as well as to all the wounded who have
fallen into my hands, & the Hospital which you were necessitated to leave to
my Mercy.
204 Third Generation.
At the solicitation of Major Williams * I am prevailed upon to offer him &
Major Maiborn f in exchange for Col. Ethan Allen. Your Excellency's
objections to my last proposal for the exchange of Col. E. Allen, I must
consider as trifling, as I cannot but suppose that the Generals of the Royal
armies act in equal concert with those of the Generals of the armies of the
United States. The bearer delivers a number of letters from the officers of
your army taken prisoner in the action of the 7th.
To Gen. Burgoyne.
This exchange of prisoners was not effected, because Colonel
Ethan Allen had been sent to England.
Extract from a Letter of Horatio Gates to his Excellency John Hancock.
I cannot close my letter without requesting your Excellency to inform
Congress of the good care & attention with which Dr. Potts & ye gentlemen
of the General Hospital have conducted the business of their department.
I must beg that some honorary mark of the favor of Congress may be
shown to Dr. Potts & his subordinate associates.
I am, sir, your Excellency's most obedient servant,
HORATIO GATES.
His Excellency John Hancock.
October 20, 1777.
Extract from the Minutes.
In Congress, Nov. 6, 1777.
Resolved, That the unremitted attention shown by Dr. Potts and the officers
of the General Hospital in the Northern Department as represented in Gen-
eral Gates's letter to Congress of the 20th of October, to the sick and wounded
* Major Williams was in command of Burgoyne's artillery, which in the action of the
7th had all the horses and most of the men killed, and was therefore left to the enemy. —
SteadmaiC s History of the North American War.
f Major Just. Christoph. Von Maiborn belonged to Baum's regiment of dragoons, and
was captured near Bennington, August 16. He was the first German officer exchanged,
September 24, 1778, more than a year after this attempt. While serving under Riedesel at
Brooklyn, in April, 1781, he was taken out of his bed and carried off by the Americans ; his
general applied to Washington to have him released, and he was sent to New York on
parole. He died February 17, J804, as a pensioned major, at Wolfenbuthel.
Third Generation. 205
under their charge, is a proof, not only of their humanity, but of their zeal for
the service of the United States, so deeply interested in the preservation of
the lives and health of the gallant assertors of their country's cause ; and
that Congress therefore cannot but entertain a high sense of the services
which they have rendered during this campaign by a diligent discharge of
their respective functions.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sedy.
Dr. Jonathan Potts, Director-General of the Hospitals of the Northern
Department, having with the greatest care and attention performed the duties
of his station and put the hospitals in such a condition as renders his imme-
diate attention unnecessary, has my permission to visit his family in Berks
County, State of Pennsylvania, and is to remain there so long as the duties
of his office will admit.
Given at Albany this 16th day of November, 1777.
HORATIO GATES.
He took with him on this furlough Cornet Grafe, who had been
captured with the Hessians, and who appears to have spent the
winter with him in Reading. Whether they had traced some rela-
tionship, or that Dr. Potts was particularly interested in this pris-
oner, we cannot tell ; but I have in my possession, in the handsome
autograph of General Gates, the following : —
The Bearer Cornet Graaff of The German Troop in the service of the
King of Great Britain, being a prisoner of war upon his parole, has my per-
mission to go with Dr. Potts, Director of the General Hospital, to Reading
in ye pensilvania to remain there under the care of Doctor potts or until he
is regularly exchanged.
Given this at Head Quarters in Albany this 17th November, 1777.
HORATIO GATES.
Of this officer * Graydon, in his Memoirs, makes the following
mention : —
* Augustus Ludwig Lucas Grafe returned to Germany in 1783. He was afterwards
appointed Governor of Mecklenburg Strelitz, which office he held at the time of his death.
206 Third Generation.
" But of all the prisoners one Graff, a Brunswick officer, was admitted to the
greatest privileges. Under the patronage of Dr. Potts, who had been princi-
pal surgeon in the Northern Department, he had been introduced to our
dancing parties, and being always afterwards invited, he never failed to attend.
He was a young man of mild and pleasing manners, with urbanity enough to
witness the little triumphs of party without being incited to ill-humor by
them. Overhearing a dance called for one evening which we had named
Bnrgoynes Surrender, he observed to his partner that it was a very pretty
dance, notwithstanding the name, and that General Burgoyne himself would
be happy to dance it in such good company."
While Dr. Potts was at home, he was appointed by Congress
Director-General of the Hospitals in the Middle Department ; and
the army being then in winter quarters at Valley Forge, and a large
hospital of those wounded at the battle of Brandywine established
at Ephrata, he found much to do in his own neighborhood.
Through the long winter when the Continental army was en-
camped at Valley Forge his labor must have been great, as at one
time no less than eleven hospitals were established there for the
sick and suffering soldiers, their insufficient food and clothing ren-
dering them the prey of every disease.
Addressed to the Honorable the Board of Treasury.
Gentlemen : —
Agreeable to your Resolve I now lay before you a general account of the
expenditure of the Monies received by me for the use of the Gen. Hospt.
from March ist to the 1st inst. You will observe by the return of Stores,
lately made by me, that all the Medicines & a great part of the Stores
ordered to be procured by the Med. Com. of Congress are already purchased
& much of them used, still the quantity.on hand is sufficient for the supply
of the Hospitals for some time, this of course will lessen the amazing ex-
pense, we have hitherto been at, especially as the number of sick is daily
decreasing here.
Third Generation. 207
As I am under the necessity of purchasing the greatest part of the pro-
visions & at the present enormous prices I require large supplies for that
purpose, otherwise the sick & Convalescent particularly would suffer.
I can boldly affirm no pains are spared to save every unnecessary delay
by collecting the Hospitals together & discharging the supernumerary offi-
cers immediately under me.
The pay for milk, light diet, & nursing, only at several of the Hospitals of
late have amounted to ,£500 per month each.
You will please to reflect this account of expenditure falls far short of the
estimate laid before you some time since.
The expeditions to the Westward & Northward are also supplied with
necessaries & cash for their Sick. The Surgeons & Officers of our Dept. drew
but one Ration. I consequently pay the rationed ones in Cash as no subsist-
ence money is yet allotted for us, this I thought proper to mention now to
prevent it in future if improper. I also herewith give you, as correct, a list
of the Officers of the Dept. by which you see their pay & Rations amount to
433 dollars per diem. I owe yet some cash for stores, if possible I will pay
every officer in full to the 1st of Oct. & therefore think a grant of 200,000
Dollars made in such Payments as the Treasury can afford will carry me on
to the 1st of December next, this if granted will give me great satisfaction,
as it will certainly contribute to the advantage of our poor Sick as I am con-
scious our Hospitals at this time are in the neatest order & as comfortably
supplied as any Hospt. can be, yet it is necessary to make some further pro-
visions against the Winter season by fitting up some places for the reception
of the Chronic & other Patients, & laying in a stock of wood. I cannot
forbear mentioning His Excellency Gen. Washington having visited some of
our largest Hospitals before he left this State & was highly satisfied with
thern. I further learn that Baron Steuben & several other gentlemen of
humanity & distinction have visited our Hospitals in Jersey & speak very
favorably of them. From motives of Humanity I am induced to execute
my Business with Fidelity & Industry & therefore after giving you this
State of my affairs I must intreat you to support me in such a manner as
will tend to my Credit & be conducive to the publick good. I have the
honor to be gentlemen
Your ob't humble Serv't,
JON'N POTTS.
2o8 Third Generation.
Philad'a, August 2Sth, 1778
Before I left Albany I gave all the account of the expenditures of Monies
received by me from the Hospital into the hands of Mr. Wells, one of the
Commissioners, since which large sums have been laid out by Dr. Johnson
the Ass. D. Director, who has just wrote to me to procure 30,000 dollars to
enable him to close all the Accounts, as you have ordered them to be laid be-
fore the board of Claims I trust you will Order that sum for him as the per-
son he sent down is waiting. I have, &c,
Indorsed as follows, but without residence (probably Reading,
Pa.) : —
Hon. Mr. Thornton, Chairman of the Med. Com. Philad'a. By Dr. Johnson.
April nth, 1780.
Sir, — The bearer, Dr. Robert Johnson, the assistant Purveyor in the
Northern department, now on his return to Albany, will have the honor to
present you this. The situation of the sick in that quarter he will inform
you of fully. As his accounts are settled up till the 1st of Jan. last past
since which a large Debt is made, he cannot return so as to do his Duty
without a supply of Money & requests an order from the Hon'ble Congress
on the Treasury in Albany for one hundred thousand dollars at least, which
he says will answer at present. I trust Dr. Wilson has delivered you my
letters with the return of stores & Medicines on hand in Phila. & also the
estimate of articles necessary for the use of the Gen. Hospt. for the ensuing
campaign, agreeably to your orders. The necessity of laying in these Maga-
zines you are the best Judges of, as well as how, when & where they are
to be procured, but most assuredly without these supplies your sick &
wounded must suffer. As to myself, Sir, I ever have & always shall be
happy to execute your orders, as far as lays in my power, but at present my
indisposition of Body contracted in your Service prevents me from giving that
assistance in the execution of my office I could wish. I have therefore agree-
ably to your permission returned to this place, to restore my much impaired
health, at the same time I beg leave to assure your Hon'ble Com. that I shall
at all times be ready (if I can but crawl) to contribute my mite towards the
full & final Establishment of our Glorious Independence.
I have the honor to be your most obedient humble servant, v-
lOX'N POTTS.
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Third Generation. 209
Dr. Potts's zeal in the public service had been so unremitting dur-
ing four years, that he was at length prostrated by illness, from
which he never recovered, and in October, 1781, he died, at the
early age of thirty-six, at his home in Reading, before the inde-
pendence of his country, which he so ardently longed for, was
achieved.
He was buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown, but without
a stone to mark the grave, the Society of Friends disapproving of
any monumental marbles. About twenty-five years ago his grand-
son, William B. Potts, placed over his remains a small oblong slab,
upon which the date of Dr. Potts's birth is incorrectly stated, and
only the year of his death given. An aged man named Drinkhouse,
who had been present at the funeral, pointed out the spot where he
was interred. After the death of Dr. Potts, his widow removed to
Wilmington, Delaware, and survived him many years. His papers
were left in the house of his brother and executor, Samuel, where
they remained for more than half a century securely hidden away,
until claimed by his grandson, who selected that portion relating
particularly to public affairs and presented the manuscripts to the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where they are bound in two
large folio volumes, forming a collection of interesting letters from
eminent persons in the last century, and a mass of returns, etc.,
relating to the Continental hospitals. About ten years since, Dr.
John Neill, finding that this ill-arranged body of papers contained
historical matter of which there was no other record extant, proposed
to edit them if government would appropriate a sum for copying ;
but as this was not granted, the plan was abandoned. In 1S63, his
brother, the Rev. Edward D. Neill, made some extracts from these
unpublished letters and printed them in the New England Histori-
cal and Genealogical Register under the title of A Biographical
Sketch of Dr. Jonathan Potts; but as only three of the twenty-
2 i o Third Generation.
three letters there given were written by Dr. Potts, the Sketch
affords little insight into his character, while the genealogy which
precedes the letters is radically wrong, as the grandfather and great-
grandfather provided for Dr. Potts were not father and son or the
ancestors of the doctor, nor, as far as we now know, even near col-
lateral relatives.
A portrait of Dr. Potts, which was in the possession of his grand-
son, who died in 1855, cannot now be found, and I have been unable
to obtain access to the private papers selected by him and stored
away by his widow. Some of the letters in the preceding pages
were loaned to me by Robert E. Hobart, and a few papers which 1
have made use of here were given to me by the same person. To
the extreme reluctance of the family to furnish any data for publica-
tion must be attributed the fact that the services of Dr. Potts and the
high position he held in the Continental army are so little known,
while persons who did much less towards achieving the indepen-
dence of their country have had their names blazoned on the roll
of fame.
Dr. Potts was elected surgeon of the Philadelphia City Troop,
May 17, 1779, and his place was not filled until 1786. He was pres-
ent at the house of his friend, James Wilson (signer of the Declara-
tion), corner of Third and Walnut Streets, when that building was
attacked by the mob in 1779, and assisted in defending it. John
Potts, Jr., and Nathaniel Potts, who were also there, were the sons
of his brother Samuel.
While many who entered the army from interested motives re-
tired with fortunes, Dr. Potts died a poorer man than he was at the
opening of the Revolution. At that period he was living at Read-
ing, having inherited a good estate from his father, while his
agreeable manners and fine medical education made him deservedly
popular as a physician but he conscientiously sacrificed all the ease
Third Generation.
21 I
and comfort of private life to relieve the sufferings of those fighting
for their country. His will, made October n, 1780, mentions his
five children, and orders that his three sons shall receive the best
education they are capable of. He gives all his household goods,
plate, furniture, phaeton, harness and the horses belonging to it, to
his wife Grace, and orders that ,£3,000 in specie be put at interest,
and the money arising therefrom paid her quarterly. " My negroes,
Pompey and Hester, I give to my wife for the term of five years,
provided they serve her dutifully and obediently during that time ;
otherwise she may keep them years longer, and then to be free
and receive £\o each To my beloved friend Thomas Dun-
das, 100 guineas and my sword and pistols as a small testimony of
my great regard and esteem, and in consideration of his many acts
of kindness and friendship." Mr. Dundas renounced the legacy, and
appeared at the time the will was proved as one of the witnesses
with James Biddle. Thomas Mifflin and Samuel Potts were ex-
ecutors. Dr. Potts's wife was a daughter of Francis and Mary
(Fitzwater) Richardson, and with her cousin, George Clymer,
signer of the Declaration, were devisees under the will of their
grandfather, George Fitzwater, 1748.
24. Anna (99) was born July 1, about ?s«wav//w/w«/«<.««««^
nine of the clock at night, A. D.
1747. She was married to her
cousin (32) David, son of (8)
Thomas and Rebecca (Rutter)
Potts, at Pottsgrove, 22d Decem-
ber, 176s, by the Rev. William
Currie,* " according to the can-
ons and constitution of the
Church of England."
* Reverend William Currie was a clergyman sent out to this country about 1740 by the
212
Third Generation.
The miniature from which the portrait in this volume is en-
graved was probably taken previous to her marriage, and repre-
sents her with clear, delicate complexion, rosy cheeks, and fair hair.
The signature is copied from her marriage settlements.
The home of David and Anna Potts was at Pine, from which he
received the sobriquet of " Little Pine Davey," to distinguish him
from his cousin and brother-in-law of the same name. This house
had been the residence of their mutual grandfather, Thomas Potts,
and probably of their great-grandfather, Thomas Rutter.
They lived there fourteen years, and both died in the prime of
life; David, November 9, 1782, and Anna only a short time before.
She made a will 27th of March, 1775, bequeathing to her "well-
beloved husband, David Potts, the sum of 750 pounds lawful
money of Pennsylvania, it being the whole of my jointure which
was settled on me shortly before my marriage."
This will was proved at Reading, October 4, 1782, a little more
than a month before her husband's death.
The following memorandum for the will of David Potts appears
to have been admitted to probate November 14, 1782 : —
"Will of David Potts jun'r. Douglass Township Berks Co. Iron-Master,
directs his Estate both real & personal to be sold, except the Forge & Plan-
tation on which the Forge stands ; & that also to be sold as soon as an
agreement with Thomas Walker shall expire ; the money arising from sales
Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to take charge of St. David's,
Radnor, and St. James's, Perkiomen. The latter place is variously spelt in old records,
as Perquihoma, Perquayomen. and Perquihanna. In 1765 he wrote to the society that
he intended repairing the glebe house there, which had fallen into ruins, and living in it
instead of at Radnor, as his congregation at the former place was the largest. See " Per-
ry's History of the Church."
The original marriage certificate, written by Rev. William Currie, from which the above
is quoted, is now in my possession. The parish register of this church is lost, which 1
regret very much, as it is evident that some of the Potts family worshipped there, and
considered themselves members of that parish.
-
^^yia, V&tff
Third Generation. 2 1 3
to be put at interest for the use of his two daughters Ruth & Martha Potts
to be equally divided between them when they attain the age of iS. He
gives to Rebecca Baird wife of Sam1 Baird one ton bar iron, & makes some
other provision for her, also for Rebecca Dewees the daughter of Thomas
Dewees : he appoints Samuel Potts executor; will dated Oct 5th 1782.
" He added to his will shortly before his death 50 ;£ to Jesse Dewees son of
Thos. Dewees, & 50 £ to Martha Hughes above her wages for her care &
attention, & to his brother William Potts his horse Saddle & Bridle & watch.
"And if his children should die under age & without issue his Estate to be
divided between his sister Beckey Baird, & his niece Beckey Dewees, & his
brother William Potts equally.
" The above memorandum was made on the second day of Nov. & the Tes-
tator died on the 9th of the same month 1782 between the said spaces of time
his situation made him incapable of any business.
" witness , \ T. RUTTER
Thomas Walker g ( SAM'L POTTS"
Wm. Taylor
Sam'l Robeson
The above, it seems, was not carried out as he wished.
25. Isaac (101) was born May 20th, about ?&+++"*+++*+*+**+"*-*+**'***&
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, A. D. \ /") /Jy Zfft JS \
1750. Before he had reached the \{J^S<J OZZC (1/6Z& \
age of eighteen his father died, and $ ^* \
it is probable that soon after that 3g*<««w^****<»«w**.w»'.w<v<w&
event he took some portion of the ■
Valley Forge property. A large part of this estate had been trans-
ferred to his elder brothers Samuel and John ; but the very portion
which Isaac's house occupied, with the Valley Mills and the large
mansion-house, is all within the reserved tract, the limits and boun-
daries of which are given in the will of John (3). Before Isaac was
twenty-one he married at Plymouth meeting, 6th December, 1770,
Martha,* daughter of Samuel and Mary (Livezey) Bolton, who was
born 5th mo. 28, 17^0.
* Martha was the grand-daughter of Robert and Susannah Heath, who came to this
country in 1701 with five daughters and one son. Her sister Mary married Jacob Paul.
2 1 4 Third Generation.
Isaac was a man of " infinite jest and humor," and his social
qualities well fitted him for the gay society which he enjoyed, until
by a sudden conversion he became a Quaker preacher. The fol-
lowing account of this event was given me by an elderly Friend, a
descendant of the Moores of Moore Hall, near Valley Forge.
One of Isaac's slaves having died,, he was to be buried in the
graveyard of the race on the opposite side of the Schuylkill, and
his master joined the funeral procession in his own boat, intending
to return when the other skiffs reached the shore ; but as the sable
cortege disembarked, he was inwardly constrained to go on with
the mourners ; and when he approached the grave, the Spirit
moved him to speak words of exhortation and warning, to the no
small surprise of his hearers. One of the colored girls present,
a slave of Mrs. Dewees, told her mistress, when she reached
home, that " Massa Isaac had preached a most splendid sermon at
the funeral"; but the statement was so incredible that Mrs. De-
wees reprimanded her severely for telling such a falsehood, espe-
cially-about one of the family; and when she continued to reiterate
it, saying it was nothing but truth, her mistress threatened her
with punishment, but wisely concluded, before inflicting it, to as-
certain the facts from her cousin himself. The next day, when she
saw him approaching the house, she went to the door to question
him, expecting to hear from him an indignant denial of the slave's
statement ; but, to her surprise, he advanced with a subdued air,
and, seating himself upon the door-step, said that only the humblest
and lowest place was suitable for a sinner like himself. From this
time forth he became an acceptable Quaker preacher or Public
Friend.
In Day's " Historical Collections of Pennsylvania " is the follow-
ing:—
" On the west side of the Schuylkill, about twenty-two miles from Phila-
Third Generation. 215
delphia, and six miles above Norristown, is a deep, rugged hollow at the
mouth of Valley Creek. An ancient forge established by one of the Potts
family, of Pottsgrove, had given the place the name of Valley Forge.
Upon the mountainous flanks of this valley, which overlook all the adjacent
country, Washington finally concluded to establish his army for the winter
of 1777-78. The army reached the valley about the 18th of December.
They might have been tracked by the blood of their feet in marching bare-
footed over the hard frozen ground between White Marsh and Valley Forge.
They remained at this place until the following summer, when the British
evacuated Philadelphia. Mrs. Washington also came to Valley Forge to
share with her husband the trials of the winter. The General's head-quarters
were at the stone house belonging to Isaac Potts, the proprietor of the
forge."
As Valley Forge has become historic ground, I have endeavored
to glean from family documents all the facts concerning it, and am
able to give from original papers the following account : March 1 2,
'757' "John Potts of the manor of Douglass esq." purchased from
the executors of Stephen Evans, deceased, a forge, saw-mill, and
three tracts of land situate in the county of Philadelphia, part of
the manor of Mount Joy. This name, tradition asserts, was be-
stowed on the bluif near the Schuylkill by William Penn, who,
while exploring the place, lost his way on a hill south of Valley
Creek, which he named Mount Misery; but found out where he
was when he reached the top of the opposite eminence (from
whence he saw the river), and named it Mount Joy, to commemo-
rate the incident. This manor he granted to his daughter Letitia,
and until the Revolution some part of it was held by the Penns.
The hills still bear the name thus bestowed upon them ; and it
was upon Mount Joy (most inappropriate name ! ) that the Ameri-
can army was encamped in 1777. It rises back of Isaac Potts's
house, after two fields are crossed, and terminates abruptly in a
river bluff, which was the extreme point where intrenchments were
thrown up.
2 1 6 Third. Generation.
It is probable that John Potts improved and enlarged the iron-
works he bought in 1757, which from that time appear to have
been called Valley Forge, though retaining in most legal docu-
ments the name of Mount Joy.
In 1765 he granted them to his sons Samuel and John, and this
fact is mentioned in his will, where the property is called Valley
Forge. In an inventory made by them, when it came into their
possession, the personal property, not including the real estate, was
valued at ,£1,214 6 J. gd. In 1768 John sold it to his brother
Joseph, who the following year executed, in conjunction with Sarah
his wife, a mortgage . on it, describing the same lands and forge.
From 1767 — when, no doubt, John made the agreement with his
brother for the sale — it appears to have been carried on by Joseph
and his brother David and cousin Thomas Hockley, under the
name of Potts, Hockley, and Potts. The following inventory,
taken by them, is copied from the original. It will show to those
who have supposed Valley Forge to be only a blacksmith's shop
something of the extent of the works, though it does not include
the landed estate, or the numerous buildings and houses upon it.
Amount of the Inventory
taken
at
Mountjoy Forge June 1 2th 1 767 by
Potts
Hockley & Potts.
£
s.
d.
I
s. d.
3 Teams Waggons &c.
■ 175
0
0
5. Old Hammers & 3 Anvils .
7
O O
Grain in the Ground
20
0
0
4 Dozen Coal Baskets 2 Husks .
6
IO O
4 Cows & Hoggs
17
10
0
Old Plates & old Iron in the
6 Sheep
2
5
0
Smith Shop ....
1 1
O O
Smith Shop tools
• '5
0
0
Wheat in the Mill .
29
19 IO
Sundry House furniture
24
• 45
0
0
0
0
Balances due in the Books &
429
13 5
Goods in the Store
34
8
1
Notes in hand
272
12 10
Plow & Harrow & Grindstone
3
0
i)
Am,s of Cordwood
121
4 6
Sundries in the Cellar Beef
&
Lightfoot & Mitchell's Ball
32
0 0
• 39
0
6
Wm Pearson's Ballance
216
'5 9
Third Generation. 2 1 7
\\'m Clifton's ditto . . .102
\V"' Pearson 25 Cts Iron to be
yet sent 30
£ 1 204 6 6
Mm of Acco's to be settled in
Potts Hockley &> Potts Books.
Jn° Potts Sen' .
Thos Potts.
Steel Furnace Comy.
David Potts.
Thos Potts & Comy.
Jon" Humphreys.
Sam' & Jn° Potts's
I nventoi y
in the Year 1765 .
. 12
14
16 9j-
The site of this old forge, which was burned by the British
more than two months before the American army encamped there,
is now covered by water, and is at the foot of Mount Joy, and more
than half a mile above the Valley Mill. The new dam, which was
built lower down the creek after the Revolution, and which, it will
be seen, had been long contemplated, raised the water-level, and
covered the foundation. The new works, erected soon after the
close of the war, were built near where the present factory stands.
The iron used at Valley Forge was made at Warwick Furnace, and
" haulled " there by teams. I have a paper, written in the copper-
plate hand of Robert Grace, giving the " Amount of Pigg Iron
haull'd to Mt. Joy Forge by Robert Grace's team" from 1762 to
1765, and the name of the driver of each load,- — in 1762, eighteen
tons; 1763, twenty-six tons ; 1 764, fifty-one tons ; 1765, six tons.
The prevailing idea that Isaac Potts owned and carried on Val-
ley Forge before the Revolution has no foundation in fact. I can-
not find that he had any connection with the iron-works until after
the close of the war. Probably on that event he began with his
brother David to build a new dam, partly for the benefit of his
flour-mills, and erected another forge, which bore the old name. In
1 786 it was carried on under the name of Isaac Potts & Co. The
company was David Potts and his son James, who had an es-
tablishment in Philadelphia where the bar-iron made here was sold.
In one account, in 1786, eighty-five tons of pig-iron are put down
as received from Warwick, and it appears to have been made en-
28
2l8
Third Generation.
tirely into bar-iron, which was sold at prices ranging from £ 24 to
£ 30 per ton. This iron was formed into " anconies," which are a
kind of half wrought iron in the shape of bars in the middle, but
rude and unwrought at the ends.
At all the iron-works owned by John Potts he thought it impor-
tant to have a good grist-mill for grinding the large quantity of
grain consumed by both man and beast. On the Mount Joy
property, as soon as it came into his possession, we find him erect-
ing a mill on the Valley Creek, a short distance below the forge, as
the following proves. The original* is neatly written on a folio
sheet of wire-wove paper with the water-mark of a crown and the
initials G. R : —
Dr.
Samuel Bond in account with John Potts.
Cr.
To Sundries in Mount Joy books ,£52
To do in Potts-Groves do 184
including a pair Mill Stones £%
To Balance .
Dr.
To Sundries
Balance due
.£262 17 10
'759
Jany 2.
By Valley Mill work £96
By cash paid for Scant-
ling .... 2
By 3 C. Iron twice charged 4
By work at pine Forge 72
By d° at the old Millt 2
By d° at the New d°
By \ days work done
by himself
7 3
4
7
2 3
64 15
262 17
Mankin James in acco* wh John Potts. Cr.
By 54 days work 5/ £ 13 10
not Cr. I By I38 days d° 5/ 34 10 o
£21 .7
28 6
50 3 9
By I2|d° Philip James
2 3 9
5° 3 9
From the above it would appear that the work alone at the Val-
* On the back is written. " May 22 Hailed for Jno Potts with two teams 1 150 bricks."
t The mills here mentioned were at Pine Forge.
Third Generation. 2 1 9
ley Mill amounted to nearly £ ioo, and probably occupied the
greater part of a year. I am inclined to think that the building of
the house, afterwards Washington's head-quarters, is included in
this account, and that both were erected at the same time. The
distance between them was only a few rods.
When I visited Valley Forge in 1868, Mrs. Ogden, the present
owner and occupant of the premises, was much interested in ob-
taining information concerning the Potts family, and some time
afterwards I transcribed the above and sent it to her, and in return
received a letter, from which I make the following extract : —
" The old mill, which belonged to my father at the time, was burned down
by a spark from a locomotive in the spring of 1843. It stood near the rail-
road, and was much larger than the mill my father built higher up the race the
next year, and which is now used as a paper-mill. The old mill had very mas-
sive timbers used in its building, which were unharmed by time, and I heard
say the burrs were the best in the country ; they were all destroyed by the
fire. The miller who rented it at the time was Abraham Bond, and doubtless
a descendant of Samuel Bond, who helped build it ; they are an old family in
the neighborhood.
"An old Jonathan James, a Revolutionary pensioner, died in Valley Forge
about 1830 or 1831, near ninety years of age, who told me he had seen the
General and wife at this house, and turned wooden bowls for her which she
took to Mount Vernon. He had a son Philip, who died, quite aged, a few
years ago. I presume this Jonathan was a son of the Philip mentioned in
the building account. There is no posterity of the name now.
" If the house is as old as the mill, it has stood the storms of over a cen-
tury well. There are the same doors and window-shutters (as well as sash)
as when the house was built, and it may last another generation if some pro-
gressive owner don't get it and despise its antiquity."
it was these grist or flour mills that Isaac owned and carried on
from the time of his father's death until nearly the close of the
century.
2 20 Third Generation.
The following agreement, copied from the original in my posses-
sion, shows that in 1773 Joseph owned the forge and Isaac the
mills : —
" Articles of an agreement made & concluded in the twentyseventh Day
of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred &
seventythree Between Joseph* Potts of the City of Philadelphia Gentleman
of the one Part & Isaac Potts of Tredyffen Township in the County of
Chester Yeoman of the other Part. Witnesseth that whereas the said Isaac
Potts is Possessed of Certain Mills on the Valley Creek near Mount Joy
Forge which for a Considerable Time after the Forge Stops working hath
not a Sufficient Supply of Water Therefore the said Joseph Potts for
diverse Considerations doth hereby grant & Covenant that the said Isaac
Potts shall have the Priviledge of Drawing the Water out of the Forge Race
after the Forge Stops working on seventh Day until 12 "Clock at Night Pro-
vided he Shuts or Causeth the Gates to be Shut at that Time, which if he
should omit or neglect to do that this Priviledge is fully to cease or otherwise
if there is not water enough in the Creek to fill the Forge Dam against 12
oclock First Day Night, or if the Owner or Owners of said Forge should
Build a Dam at the Head of the Present Forge Dam in that Case also this
Privilege to cease which is hereby granted only to the said Isaac Potts while
he holds or Possesses said Mills
"Witness my Hand & Seal the Day & Year abovesaid
"JOSEPH POTTS.
"Witness present
"David Potts Jue Jn'j Ellis."
In a recent history of Phcenixville, by Dr. Pennypacker, it is
stated that, after the Revolution, Isaac Potts and William Dewees
carried on a nail-factory in an old armory built by government
for the manufacture of muskets. This is an error, as members of
both families have assured me that the factory at Valley Forge for
making gun-barrels for the United States government was estab-
lished about the year i82i,by Brooke Evans, of Sheffield, England,
Third Generation. 2 2 1
when both Potts and Dewees had been many years in their graves.
It is not improbable that they took some building erected by gov-
ernment in part payment for their losses, and converted it into a
forge. I have had in my possession many of the business books
and papers of Isaac Potts, and in none of them is there any men-
tion of nails manufactured by him, though there are constant rec-
ords of bar-iron and anconies. That, after the peace, Isaac Potts
was largely engaged in the iron business, there is abundant evi-
dence. Soon after 1790 he built a furnace in Burlington County,
New Jersey, which he named Martha, in honor of his wife. In the"
first page of a book in my possession, containing records of Martha
Furnace, the entry is as follows : " 9 mo. 29. 10 o'clock a. m. Mar-
tha Furnace went in Blast made the first Casting 30th at 3 o'clock
in the morning 1 793." Then follow the different blasts until May,
1797. At the same year and date commences the record of the
sale of pigs and castings. The latter consisted of hollow ware,
stoves, " cambooses," kitchen-hearths, fire-backs, and jambs. Isaac
Potts removed to Philadelphia, and lived in Arch, between Sixth
and Seventh Streets, while engaged in carrying on Martha Fur-
nace. Part of the time he resided in the neighborhood of the
city.
The accounts of Isaac Potts discovering Washington at prayer
always represent him as an old man, and I have seen one, at least,
where he is' called a blacksmith. How incorrect such statements
are, the readers of this volume will readily see. In 1777 he was
only twenty-six years of age, and, like most of the Quakers, was
decidedly opposed to the war; but he remained at Valley Forge
during its occupation by the American forces, and no doubt super-
intended the grinding of the grain which Washington ordered the
neighboring farmers to bring in to his suffering army. These mills
were large, and in good repute for the quality as well as the quan-
222 Third Generation.
tity of flour manufactured there; and it was not in human nature,
or Quaker nature either, for Isaac to be very much pleased to run
his mills according to military requisitions, to see his peaceful
valley invaded by men at arms, or to give up his own quiet home
to the commander-in-chief of a defeated army, who, in his opinion,
was waging a wicked and hopeless war. That he changed his mind
when he overheard Washington's devotions is evident. The fol-
lowing account of the incident I copied from a paper in the posses-
sion of one of his grand-daughters. It is in the handwriting of and
signed by his daughter Ruth Anna, who died in 181 1. There is no
note to show from what it was taken ; but as she copied and thus
preserved it, we may infer it to be a tolerably correct version of
facts. The story differs in some particulars from that in Weems's
" Life of Washington," and also from the account given by Watson
and Lossing.
"In 1777, while the American army lay at Valley Forge,* a good old
Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to pass through a thick wood
near head-quarters. As he traversed the dark brown forest, he heard, at a
distance before him, a voice which as he advanced became more fervid and
interested. Approaching with slowness and circumspection, whom should he
behold in a dark bower apparently formed for the purpose, but the Comman-
der-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies on his knees in the act of
devotion to the Ruler of the universe ! At the moment when Friend Potts,
concealed by the trees, came up, Washington was interceding for his beloved
country. With tones of gratitude that labored for adequate expression, he
adored that exuberant goodness which, from the depth of obscurity, had ex-
alted him to the head of a great nation, and that nation fighting at fearful
odds for all the world holds dear.
"He utterly disclaimed all ability of his own for this arduous conflict; he
wept at the thought of that irretrievable ruin which his mistakes might
* Some further account of Valley Forge appears under the name of (33) Sarah (Potts)
Dewees.
Third Generation. 223
bring on his country, and with the patriot's pathos spreading the interests of
unborn millions before the eye of Eternal Mercy, he implored the aid of that
arm which guides the starry host. Soon as the General had finished his de-
votions and had retired, Friend Potts returned to his house and threw him-
self into a chair by the side of his wife.
" ' Hegh ! Isaac,' said she with tenderness, ' thee seems agitated ; what 's
the matter ? ' ' Indeed, my dear,' quoth he, ' if I appear agitated 't is no more
than what I am. I have seen this day what I shall never forget. Till now I
have thought that a Christian and a soldier were characters incompatible ;
but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken, and still
more shall I be disappointed if God do not through him perform some great
thing for this country.' "
The following is extracted from a letter received by the author
from a grandson and namesake of Isaac Potts : " I have been en-
deavoring to obtain a copy of a Funeral Sermon delivered at
Friends' Meeting-house, corner of Second and Market Streets
(Philadelphia) by my grandfather upon the death of General Wash-
ington, but thus far have been unsuccessful. I was informed by
my wife's uncle (now deceased), who heard it, that a certain Friend
had taken it down, but upon inquiry among the present generation
have been unable to find any traces of it. It was said he only re-
ceived the sad tidings upon reaching the meeting that day, and that
as he passed up the aisle to his accustomed seat he repeated these
words as a text, ' That great occidental star has set forever,' and then
proceeded to pronounce a splendid eulogy upon Washington. Soon
after a member of Congress who was present, when asked by an-
other to go to hear General Lee of Virginia give a funeral oration
upon the same subject, said, ' I heard a much better one than he
will deliver from an old Quaker.' "
Martha, the wife of Isaac Potts, died at Cheltenham Farm,
Montgomery County (the property of Colonel Samuel Miles), 4th
224 Third Generation.
mo. 30th, 1798. Isaac married, 2d, Sarah, daughter of Joseph and
Elizabeth (Mather) Evans, at Abington meeting, 3d mo. 10th, 1803.
Many anecdotes are related that show Isaac to have been a per-
son of great originality of mind, as well as independence of char-
acter, which often led him beyond the acknowledged rules of drab
coat and broad brim.
He resided at Twickenham Farm, Cheltenham, towards the latter
part of his life, and married a second wife only a few months before
his death. His liberal tendency of thought is expressed in the last
clause of his will : —
" Life is uncertain, I am in a poor state of health & am to set out on a
journey tomorrow, which consideration must apologize to my friends & the
Public for this unmethodical will : but I feel easiest to leave it as it is, with
a mind cloathed (I think) with the spring & glow of universal love to my
fellow creatures not doubting but the true members the world over of the
one true Church Militant will meet again in the Church Triumphant. Amen.
Farewell."
Three weeks after this was written, Isaac, while attending meet-
ing at Germantown, was taken ill and carried from the meeting-
house to Dr. Bensill's, where he died 6th mo. 15th, 1803, aged
fifty-two years.
From a Philadelphia Newspaper of June, 1803.
"Died, at Germantown, on 4th day evening, 15th instant, Isaac Potts, of
Cheltenham, Montgomery County, aged fifty-two years. An irreparable loss
to his family, a loss to society in general ; but those persons who were more
nearly allied to him by affinity and friendship have abundant reason, indeed,
to lament their misfortune in parting with so valuable a friend and benefac-
tor. He was a man who possessed in an eminent degree those virtues which
adorn the human character.
" For more than twenty-five years he was a minister of the gospel among
the people called Quakers, and his labors were highly beneficial in quicken-
Third Generation. 225
ing and establishing many serious Christians, and in promoting many others
to a serious attention to the things which belong to their eternal peace. He
was eminent in point of natural and intellectual abilities. He was eminent
in point of knowledge both human and divine.
"And with all these endowments he was eminently qualified for the sacred
office which he sustained, and the several departments in which he had been
called to serve. He was a servant whom our common Master and Lord had
been pleased to intrust with many talents, and to the useful occupation of
these talents he was divinely called in very early life. His unreserved can-
dor rendered him obnoxious to many unjust censures, which have been too
frequently pronounced against him with undeserved acrimony.
"Yet being fully sensible of his integrity when improperly aspersed, he
was enabled to bear the keenest shafts of active and malicious envy with
great calmness and magnanimity. When reviled he reviled not again, when
cursed he blessed, when persecuted he suffered it 'even unto death.' He
was an Israelite, indeed, in whom there was no guile. He was often, prompted
by sensible and sympathetic affection, in the houses of mourning and in
the chamber of sickness and approaching mortality. And here with equal
pleasure we may add, that his sedulity and zeal was not 'as the cloud, as the
dew of the morning which soon passeth away.' Instead of diminishing, it
apparently increased with the progress of time and circumstances.
" With him it was a constant maxim, frequently expressed and uniformly
acted upon, that there was but one Christian Church in the world, and that
the true Christians of every denomination should unite and harmonize in the
great principle of religion whenever they came together. And such was the
liberality of his principles and the goodness of his heart, that he was always
opposed to that blind zeal and uncharitable rigidity which would proscribe
indiscriminately all people who thought differently (either in things indiffer-
ent or in themselves innocent) from those tenets embraced by the society of
Friends.
" Who, indeed, that has heard of the death of Isaac Potts knoweth not
that 'a great man hath fallen in Israel'; and who, indeed, that hath pos-
sessed his friendship will not with deep regret say they have lost a truly
great and valuable friend ? Such was the man whom we have lately seen
active, vigorous, and promoting by his constant efforts the good of mankind.
29
226 Third Generation.
" Isaac Potts is now no more ! yet reason bids us hope that he will yet live.
And revelation enables us to say with confidence that he shall again live.
He lived for our benefit. It remains only that we improve the event of his
death in such a manner that he may die for our benefit likewise."
As the present generation is probably little aware of the ex-
pense of a beaver hat, I copy the following bill, dated 1786: —
Bouglit by Isaac Potts of Isaac Parrish, Phil.
One beaver Hat £3 7 8
" boys " . . . . . . . ■ 1 10 o
" Castor " ....... 25
The following receipt in printed form, for carriage taxes, found
among Isaac's papers, shows the amount assessed in Pennsylvania
for different vehicles in 1 799 and the three following years. The
words printed in italics are those filled up in writing: —
Received the 28/// day of November 1801 of Isaac Potts twe?ity seven dol-
lars duly on 4 wheel Carriages, called a Coachce refting on Steel Springs, to
be drawn by two horfe^ for the Conveyance of more than one perfon for the
years- to end on the 30th day of September, 1800, 1801 and 1802.
D. ST. CLAIR
Collertor 3d Divifton \Jl Survey Penn/ylvania.
Received the 28th day of Novr. 1801 of Isaac Potts three dollars, duly
on 2 wheel Carriages called a Chair refting on wooden Springs with Top, to
be drawn by one horfe, for the Conveyance of more than one perfon for one
year, to end on the 30th day of September, 1802.
D. ST. CLAIR
Colleclor 3d Divifion I/? Survey Penn/ylvania.
Third Generation. 227
26. James (113), born 1752.
He studied law in Philadel-
phia, and had been admit-
ted to practice in that
city before the commence-
ment of the Revolution.
At the beginning of hos-
tilities he embraced with
great zeal and ardor the
patriotic side. The following letter from him to his brother, Dr.
Potts, eight days after the fight at Lexington, gives a graphic ac-
count of affairs in Philadelphia at that date.
"Dear Doctor: —
" I am extremely concerned at our friend's indisposition. Doctor, take care
of him & prevent exertions above his strength. We may want his services
erelong.
" The papers sent herewith will give you most of the account relative to
the rout at Lexington * which we have received. A gentleman told me last
night he had seen a letter from New York which positively mentioned the
regulars to have lost 800 men, & that only 12 officers of the first brigade had
returned to Boston. Tomorrow we expect an exact account from Boston.
Most certainly [they] have had a bitter pill.
" Batt writes to his wife, ' The regulars & provincials have had a brush.
The king's troops were hellishly peppered but returned the compliment.'
" I received last night by express a letter from Mr. Wm Livingston one of
the Congress for New Jersey. He informs me that the people of Connecticut
broke open the last mail from Boston & intercepted several letters from Gen.
Gage by which the New Yorkers had discovered a hellish plot. He does
* The news of this battle, which took place April 19, reached Philadelphia on the
afternoon of the 24th. It was carried by express-riders, the local committee of each town it
passed through being required, if needed, to furnish a fresh horse and rider. The original
paper, with the time the news reached each important town, and the name of the committee
at every stage indorsed upon it, with additional particulars, is now in the possession of the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
228 Third Generation.
not say what. We suppose here it must be a plan to seize the Congress.
Hold yourselves & neighbors in readiness to assist us.
" The New Yorkers have shut their port, seized the keys of the custom-
house, & armed themselves. Connecticut has sent 10,000 men to take post
at King's Bridge, near New York, where it is said the troops intended to
erect a fortress to cut off all communication between the N & S Colonies. I
have sent for a letter from the York Committee. If I obtain it — shall be
sent therewith. We have warmed our people almost to a military phrenzy.
Yesterday we had a meeting of Associates ; 9,000 were present.* T. M.
harangued them with success. We divide into wards & choose our officers
tomorrow. 3 troops of light horse, 2 companies of artillery, 2 companies of
light infantry, 2 companies of riflemen, are forming. The artillery & light
horse form tomorrow. The horses are training. I have sent two. We have
here a stable for 30. The town is filled with companies exercising. I have
attended during the last week six hours every day & have gained some
knowledge in that way. Our artillery & powder are guarded every night by
detachments from the companies already formed.
" The Virginians have lost their powder at Williamsburgh. It was taken
by order of the government, by a detachment of Marines, from a ship of
war in the night time. The people are so irritated they are marching to
Williamsburgh from all the neighboring counties & by this time have secured
the Governor as a hostage, whom they are determined to keep in close
custody until the powder is returned.
" Fleeson is so pressed by our people that I fear that you will get neither
drum nor colours for some days. I called on him last Friday ; nothing done
except the drum hooped. I have now sent to him. The York letter you
will have with a letter from our Committee. Hold yourself ready to march
at an hour's warning. / believe the Cofigrcss will meet at Reading.
" If you want two small iron carriage guns to exercise Johnny Miers with,
send for them. They are three-pounders. The brass we shall keep. The
device for your drum & colors I have not had time to complete. Tomorrow
Fleeson shall have them."
* The meeting of the Associates was April 26, and Thomas .Mifflin, subsequently
general and governor, was one of the speakers.
Third Generation. 229
The preceding letter shows the war spirit in Philadelphia, and
that James was already drilling for service. He joined Cadwalader's
musket battalion, which, from the high social position of its mem-
bers, was derisively called the "silk-stocking company." In March,
1776, he was appointed by Congress a major in this battalion, and
soon after, by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, commissioned to out-
rank all other majors in the service of the State. It appears from
the records that Cadwalader was not satisfied with his own official
rank, and there was much debate about it, which ended in his res-
ignation. It was probably on account of this trouble that in July
James Potts requested leave of Congress to resign the commis-
sion with which they had honored him.
He was chosen a member of the Provincial Conference that as-
sembled in Philadelphia, June 18, 1776, of which Colonel Thomas
McKean was president. It met for the purpose of framing rules
for the election of members of a convention which should take
charge of the government of the Province when Congress, then
sitting in Philadelphia, should declare the Colonies independent of
the English crown.
The Provincial Conference required every member elected to
the Convention, before taking his seat, to sign the following oath
or affirmation : —
" I do declare that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to
George the III King of Great Britain &c. & that I will steadily & firmly at
all times promote the most effectual means according to the best of my skill
& knowledge to oppose the tyrannical proceedings of the King & Parlia-
ment of G. B. against the Am. Colonies & to establish & support a govern-
ment in this province on the authority of the people only &c. That I will
oppose any measure that shall or may in the least interfere with or obstruct
the religious principles or practices of any of the good people of this province
as heretofore enjoyed.". Also, " I do profess faith in God the Father
230 Third Generation.
& in Jesus Christ his eternal Son the true God & in the Holy Spirit one
God blessed forevermore ; and do acknowledge the Holy scriptures of the
Old & New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration."
On July 2, two weeks after this Conference was organized, the
Honorable Continental Congress declared the United Colonies free
and independent States.
In 1778 James married Anna, daughter of Anthony and Marga-
ret Stocker,* of Philadelphia. By a marriage settlement he con-
veyed to her, April 7 of that year, after stating that " a marriage
is intended to be shortly had and solemnized between the aforesaid,
a certain messuage and lot of ground situate in Pottstown on the
south side of King Street, being lot No. 18 in the plan of said town."
He died at Philadelphia, November 16, 1788, and the following
obituary of him appeared in the Philadelphia " Independent Gazet-
teer," Thursday, November 20, \ 788 : —
" On Tuesday afternoon last the remains of James Potts, Esq., counsellor
at law, of Pottsgrove, Pa., were interred in the Friends' burial-ground, at-
tended by many respectable inhabitants and brother practitioners of the law.
The many social virtues and good qualities of this worthy gentleman render
his loss very affecting to his surviving relatives and friends. It may be justly
said of Mr. Potts what was once asserted on a similar occasion in faithful
remembrance of a predecessor in the practice of the law in England : —
' God works wonders now and then ;
Here lies a lawyer and an honest man.' "
* This inscription is on her tombstone in Christ Churchyard : —
" In memory of
Margaret Stocker
relict of
Anthony Stocker
Departed this life
Oct 3 1821
aged 83 years 1 1 months & 28 days."
Third Generation. 231
His wife survived him until May 24, 1821, when she died, in
Philadelphia.
This obituary is copied from Poulson's " American Daily Adver-
tiser," May 28, 1 82 1 : —
" Died, on the 24th instant, Mrs. Anna Potts, relict of Mr. James Potts.
Endowed by her Creator with sterling and noble feelings and great energy
of character, the deceased, in the several stations of daughter, parent, and
friend, made an exemplary use of the talents committed to her.
"Her charities were active and judicious, and her resignation and confi-
dence in the last earthly trial, it is humbly hoped, were harbingers of her
entrance into that rest which remaineth for the people of God.
" By Nature's law what may be, may be now.
There 's no prerogative in human hours.
In human hearts what bolder thoughts can rise
Than man's presumption on to-morrow's dawn.
Where is to-morrow ? In another world ;
For numbers this is certain. The reverse
Is sure to none."
The following is the inscription on her tombstone in Christ
Churchyard, Philadelphia: —
"In memory of
Anna Potts
daughter of
Anthony & Margaret Stocker
and widow of James Potts of Pottsgrove
who having lived 65 years in
the faithful discharge of the various duties of
Child Wife Parent Friend & Christian
was called on the 24th day of May
A. D. 1821
to receive the rich reward prepared for the righteous
from the foundation of the world
Gentle Spirit the Lord shall preserve thee from all evil,
Yea, it is even He that shall keep thy soul in glory everlasting."
232
Third Generation.
27. Rebeccah Grace (117), born at Pottsgrove, 1755. Married Benjamin
Duffield, M. D. * who
was born November
3, 1753. He was a
graduate of the Col-
lege of Philadelphia
in 1 77 1, and deliv-
ered at the Com-
mencement exer-
cises of that year a
poem on Science.
He afterwards went to the Medical School in Edinburgh, where he
passed several years. Soon after his return home he was married,
and began the practice of his profession in Philadelphia. During the
prevalence of the yellow-fever in that city (1793), a committee was
appointed to alleviate the sufferings of those afflicted. From the
published minutes of their proceedings I copy the following : " Dr.
Benjamin Duffield offered his services to assist at the hospital at
Bush Hill, which are accepted. Agreed, that the thanks of the com-
mittee be presented to him ; that he be furnished with a chair or
other carriage to aid him in his benevolent undertaking."
This seems to be the proper place to record the acts of benevo-
lence of the Potts family to the pestilence-stricken city. A com-
mittee to alleviate the sufferers was organized in Pottsgrove, and
October 10, 1793, a letter was received from them informing the
Philadelphia Committee that they had forwarded fourteen sheep to
Peter Robeson's mill for the use of the sick, and requesting to
know how they may render themselves most useful. Another let-
* The ancestors of Dr. Duffield came to Philadelphia soon after that city was laid out
by Penn. Edward, the father of Benjamin, was a warden of Christ Church, and a friend
of Franklin, and executor of his will. He died at the family place in the manor of
Moreland, and his tombstone, with those of many of his descendants, are in All-Saints:
Churchyard, near Holmesburg.
Third -Generation. 233
ter was received soon after with one hundred and six fowls. Octo-
ber 16, a letter from Joseph Potts with a copy of the resolutions
of the meeting of the inhabitants of Montgomery Count}', held at
Norristown, October 22, 1793. One from John Clements Stocker,*
Secretary of the Pottsgrove Committee, covering $ 150, for the use
of the poor. October 24, 1793, a letter from Joseph Potts, of
Pottsgrove, to the committee, informing them that he had for-
warded two hundred and twelve fowls from the inhabitants of
Douglass Township for the use of the poor. The committee ac-
knowledge receiving through J. C. Stocker $ 135.18, two turkeys,
and a barrel of centaury. The total number of interments in the
burial-grounds of the city, — Northern Liberties and Southwark, —
from the 1st of August to November 9, was 4,044. During the
prevalence of this terrible scourge all the inhabitants who were
able to do so fled to the country, and, on their return to their
former habitations, a general clearing out from garret to cellar and
a universal purification took place, to the great loss and eternal
regret of antiquarians.
From a Philadelphia paper of February 8, 1797, I extract the
following : —
" Died, on Saturday last, in the forty-third year of her age, of a short but
excruciating illness, Mrs. Rebecca Duffield, wife of Dr. B. Duffield of this
city."
Dr. Duffield is said to have been the first physician in America
who gave public lectures on obstetrics.
* Mr. Stocker had left the city with his family, and taken refuge with his wife's brother
at Pine. In a letter from that place Mrs. Stocker says that their part of Philadelphia (near
St. Peter's Church) was more infected than the upper part, and mentions that A " looks
upon their situation in Sausom Street above Sixth as quite secure and healthy," and does
not intend leaving. So we see what was considered as the upper part of Philadelphia in
■793-
30
234 Third Generation.
He survived his wife until December, 1 799, and died, aged forty-
six years.
28. Jesse (122) was born at Pottsgrove about 1757. Married Sarah Lewis,
^/«///«^«////^//////-^ and died young. His widow survived
him many years, but his two daughters
died in girlhood.
J?J&
\4^
^T
29. Ruth, the thirteenth child of John and Ruth Potts, was born at Potts-
!'-^„„„,"^""~v- grove about 1758.
She was an attractive woman, much
admired in Philadelphia society, and it
%f+*~+~~*~~+*M is remembered that she had danced with
General Washington. Her musical talents were highly cultivated
for that day, and her voice, tradition says, was remarkably fine.
Ruth corresponded with General Mifflin and many of the distin-
guished men of the times. Her letters are sprightly, and show her
to have been a well-educated and cultivated woman. Notwithstand-
ing her many admirers, she refused all offers of marriage, and when
remonstrated with by her friends, declared that she would not
marry until too old to bear children. When over forty-five she was
united to Peter Lohra, a well-known notary-public and ship-broker,
located at the southeast corner of Walnut and Dock Streets, Phila-
delphia. The following is copied from Poulson's " American Ad-
vertiser," July 13, 1803: —
" On Saturday evening last (July 9th), by the Rev. James Abercrombie *
Peter Lohra, Esq., of this city, to Miss Potts, of Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania."
* Rector of St. Peter's Church. In one of the family letters there is an interesting ac-
count of Mr. Abercrombie's determination to take orders. He appears to have been then
a particular friend and correspondent.
Third Generation. 235
Her married life was in a few years cut short by death, as ap-
pears by this extract from Relf's "Philadelphia Gazette," June i,
1811 : —
" Died, on Wednesday last (May 29th), much and deservedly respected and
sincerely lamented, Mrs. Ruth Lohra, wife of Peter Lohra, Esq., of this city.
The deceased was the youngest and only survivor of thirteen sons and
daughters of John Potts, Esq., of Pottsgrove, in Pennsylvania, and the
original founder of that place."
Children of Thomas and [7] Martha (Potts) Yorke.
30. Stephen, b. in Berks Co., 1735 ; d. unm. 1771 .
He is mentioned in his grandfather's will as a devisee with his
brother of their mother's share of the estate. There was, besides,
bequeathed to them a property purchased of Jonathan Robeson, Esq.,
which probably comprised part of that of their ancestor Robeson.
On page 78 I have stated that the mother of Martha Yorke was
a daughter of Israel Robeson, which is probably an error ; for after
many unavailing attempts to find the will of said Israel I obtained
a copy, and he does not mention a daughter Magdelen ; but a very
extensive search among legal documents concerning this family
reveals the fact that Andrew Robeson himself, the judge and coun-
cillor in Penn's time, settled afterwards in Manatawny. To him,
doubtless, St. Gabriel's Church, Morlatton, owes its existence, as he
is buried in its churchyard with the following inscription on his
tombstone : —
"Andrew Robeson
died Feb'y 19. 1719-20
aged 66 years."
The Swedish annalist, Rev. F. C. Clay, states that in 1720 Rev.
Samuel Hesselius went to Manating, which place he believes to be
" Morlatton, four miles above Pottstown, Rev. Jonas Rudman re-
236 Third Generation.
linquishing to him as much of his salary at Wicaco as was furnished
by that part of his congregation."
The word " Manatawny," as the reader will observe, is very differ-
ently spelled in this book. It is an Indian name, signifying, ac-
cording to Heckewelder, " where we drank," and the orthography
he gives is more like that printed in Clay than the present style.
Andrew Robeson's will, made 171 9, is recorded at Philadelphia,
and names seven sons and three daughters. To the third son,
Jonathan, he left the " 1,000 acres whereon I now live." This was
in Amity, and in 1718 he had conveyed to Hans Hoff half of
another one thousand acres near Manatawny, east of the Schuyl-
kill. To his son Samuel " that Foundment and the house where
John Owen now lives." It has been supposed that this is an ob-
solete word for foundry, and I have no doubt that Andrew Robe-
son went up to the Manatawny region, and became interested in
the early iron-works there. The first Andrew the Swede died in
Philadelphia in 1694, leaving to his son Andrew two hundred and
fifty acres on Raccoon Creek, New Jersey. I have already stated
that Andrew, Jr., became in 1787 one of the twelve proprietaries
of that State and Surveyor-General ; but removed to Philadelphia
the year of his father's death, where he became a judge and coun-
cillor. Robert Turner, often mentioned in the Penn and Logan
papers, appears to have left New Jersey for Philadelphia at the
same time, and was executor of the elder Robeson's will.
In Mickle's " History of Gloucester, New Jersey," is the copy of
a map laid out by Thomas Sharp, 1689, whereon is marked, "An-
drew Robeson one whole propriety ye 12 8 mo. 1689."
Andrew Robeson, who inherited the Wessahicon property, was
the eldest son of Andrew, whose tombstone is in St. Gabriel's
Churchyard, near Pottstown. Magdalen Robeson, the second wife
of the first Thomas Potts, probably died in June, 1 764, as I have
Third Generation. 237
recently received from the recorder's office at Reading the abstract
of her will, wherein she gives to her grandchildren Sarah Dewees,
Hanna Dewees, Magdalen Potts, and Thomas Potts, all children
of her son Thomas Potts, deceased, her property, share and share
alike. Her slaves, Jo, Rachel, and Jude, to be free when they arrive
at the age of thirty-one years.
The will was written and read to her the ioth of June, 1764, but
not signed by her. It is signed, June 27, 1764, by John Potts, her
son-in-law,* and Elizabeth Walker, who were present at the read-
ing of the will, and heard her statements. From this it would ap-
pear that she was too ill to sign it, and died between the ioth and
27th of June.
31. Edward (124), b. in Berks Co., Pa., 1740; m. Sarah.f dau. of Peter Stille.
He early espoused the patriotic cause, and was an officer under
Commodore Hazlewood. He was wounded at the engagement be-
tween the American galleys and the " Augusta " in the Delaware
River, October 23, 1777, the day after the battle at Red Bank.
The " Augusta," a British ship of sixty-four guns, took fire and
blew up, and her consort, the " Merlin," ran aground in escaping
from the Americans, and was burned by her crew. The wrecks of
both vessels still lie in the Delaware, below Philadelphia, near the
mouth of Mantua Creek.
Edward's half-brother, Thomas Yorke, was a loyalist, and went to
England in the train of Sir William Howe, where he settled in
Hull, of which town he became mayor.
* Meaning step-son.
t Sarah Stille was descended from one of the old Swedish families who settled on the
Delaware. The name appears often in their records. John Stille's signature is appended
to the petition of the Swedes to the General Association of Pennsylvania in 1709, setting
forth their difficulty with William Penn and his agents in regard to their patents and grants
of land.
238 Third Generation.
Edward died in Philadelphia, April 12, 1791, and was buried
among his Swedish ancestors in the graveyard of Gloria Dei
Church. His wife married, for her second husband, Thomas Van-
derpool, and died in Philadelphia, May 5, 1825, in the eighty-
seventh year of her age. She was buried in Christ Churchyard,
and a long epitaph commemorates her virtues.
Children of [8] Thomas and Rebecca (Rutter) Potts.
32. David (99), b. at Colebrookdale.
He purchased Pine Forge when it was sold after the death of
his uncle John, in 1768, for £ 2,000, and established himself there,
for some reason preferring it to Colebrookdale Furnace, which, ac-
cording to his father's will, he had the option of taking when he
came of age. He married his cousin (24) Anna Potts, December
22, 1768, and they resided there and carried on that establishment
until their death in 1782. A more extended account of David -ap-
pears under the notice of his wife Anna.
33. Sarah (132), b. at Colebrookdale. She is mentioned in her grandfather's
will. She m. William, son of William and Rachel (Farmer) Dewees,*
and d. before the Revolution.
* This family is believed to be identical with the D'Ewees of French history, and
is of Huguenot descent. In 1742 William, Sen., owned and carried on one of the paper-
mills in the neighborhood of Germantown. He built a large stone mansion at Whitemarsh,
which is still standing, and on the gable-end can be seen the initials w & R- T^e
Farmer family were of Irish descent, "Their ancestor," says Dr. Hodge, "enjoying much
wealth, part of which was invested in the purchase of immense tracts of land in this coun-
try." Rachel was probably the grand-daughter of Major Jasper Farmer, whose name often
occurs in colonial records, and who is put down on Holmes's map as the owner of a large
tract of land next above Germantown, reaching from the Schuylkill beyond Whitepain's
Creek. He died in 16S3. Rachel's father, Edward, died at Whitemarsh, 1745. On part of
his wife's estate William Dewees built this house in 1764, as the date on the end beneath
the initials is plainly cut.
Third Generation. 239
William Dewees, Jr., was sheriff of Philadelphia County, and a
colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment in the Revolution. I find the
following letter from the Board of War to President Wharton,
August 30, 1777: —
"Sir, — There is a large quantity of Flour spoiling for Want of baking.
It lies at Valley Forge ; I am directed to request of you that you with the
Council will be pleased to order Furloughs to be given to six Bakers out of
the Militia for the purpose of baking the Flour into hard biscuit. Col. Dewees
will receive your order & endeavor to find out the Bakers.
"RICH. PETERS,
" See."
It was doubtless at this time — more than three months previous
to the army going into winter quarters at Valley Forge — that
Colonel Dewees built the large ovens in the cellar of his cousin's
house. David Potts had probably removed from his summer home
to the city for security, and the house was taken at that time for a
bakery, and used as such for the greater part of a year. In 1773
Joseph Potts, of Philadelphia, had conveyed to William Dewees an
undivided moiety of Mount Joy Forge; and as early as 1771 he ap-
pears to have resided at the mansion-house belonging to these iron-
works, and to have carried them on in conjunction with David
Potts, who, for nearly half a century, had sold in Philadelphia the
bar-iron made there.
When Washington intrenched the army at Valley. Forge, Colonel
Dewees's family were residing there, and many incidents have come
to my notice of the intercourse of this family with the General and
his wife during the terrible winter of 1777. The Valley Forge was
burned by the British in September of that year. This fact does
not appear to be generally known ; but in Buck's " History of
Montgomery County" is the following: —
240 Third Generation.
"A detachment of the British army arrived at Valley Forge (whilst Wash-
ington was trying to bring on an engagement with them previous to their
marching into Philadelphia) and burned the mansion-house * of Colonel
Dewees and the iron-works, leaving the grist-mill uninjured."
In the Orderly Book of General Irvine, April 29, 1778, is the
following : —
" Complaint having been made by Mr. Dewees, proprietor of the Valley
Forge, that the soldiers pull down the houses and break up the timbers of
the buildings which is called Valley Forge, the Commander-in-Chief strictly
forbids all persons from damaging the said buildings and works, which he
hopes will be particularly attended to, especially when they consider the
great loss that Mr. Dewees has already suffered, and the great waste our
army has been under the necessity of committing upon the wood and other
improvements."
Many years after the war, the family of Colonel Dewees, through
his son William,! a lawyer in Washington, D. C, presented a claim
to Congress for indemnity. About the year 1820, government
allowed them a sum not even equivalent to, the interest on the
amount of loss.
The mansion-house of the iron-works is on the Chester County
side of Valley Creek, and stands about five hundred paces beyond
the bridge. It is a fine, large house, and shows unmistakable signs
of age, and it is certain that Colonel Dewees's family resided in it
while the army was encamped at Valley Forge. On account of
* A grand-daughter of Colonel Dewees says that the mansion-house was not burned,
but that the British destroyed all they could. She still has a bed made from the feathers
which the soldiers turned out of the tick, but did not injure. She has often heard it re-
lated that her grandmother gathered many valuables into one of the rooms, and told the
enemy that they should only enter it over her dead body. A Tory woman named Brown
led the British to the place.
t A son of his second marriage with Sarah Waters. By this last wife Colonel Dewees
had issue, Waters, Thomas W., George, William, and Anne.
Third Generation. 241
the losses he met with during the Revolution, he failed in business;
and after the peace, David and Isaac Potts appear to have rebuilt
the works near the present cotton-factory, and to have carried them
on together until the death of the former in 1 798. Soon after that
event took place, his daughter Harriet married Reese Brooke, whose
father purchased from David's widow her rights in the property,
and Reese Brooke lived there and operated them until his death,
while James sold the iron, as his father had done, in Philadelphia,
and in 181 2 married a daughter of Colonel Dewees, and his second
wife, Sarah Waters. I have not traced the part belonging to Isaac,
nor do I know to whom it was sold. But in 1824 the works were
discontinued, and nothing now remains but an immortal name. In
1826 the widows of Reese Brooke and James Potts occupied the
mansion-house, which had been the home of many members of
their family for three quarters of a century; but Mrs. Potts about
that time sold her share and removed to the West.
I have been thus particular in giving the above account, drawn
from contemporaneous letters, private documents, and from the tes-
timony of living descendants, because so many inaccuracies have
appeared in every history of Valley Forge.
34. Hanna (134), m. Thomas Dewees, brother of William. In March, 1777,
he appears to have had charge of the prison in Philadelphia; for in a
letter to President Wharton, in Pennsylvania archives, he asks to
have it repaired. He returned to Pottstown, where he died.
35. Thomas. He is mentioned in the will of his grandmother Magdalen as
a legatee of one fourth of her property, and he also signed a deed with
his sisters, Mrs. Dewees and Mrs. Ellis, in 1770, releasing land to his
brother David. He is there styled a watchmaker, and there is some
reason for supposing that he was connected in this business with David
Rittenhouse ; further than this I cannot trace him. He probably died
unmarried, as he is not even mentioned in the record of his nephew,
William B. Potts.
31
242 Third Generation.
36. Magdalen (140). She is alluded to by name in her father's will, and is
the only one of his seven children, except the eldest, David, who is
particularly designated ; it is said she was sometimes called Margaret.
She became a preacher among Friends, and m. John Ellis, who was
by profession a surveyor.
36i. Mary. This child must have died young ; for she could not have been
one of the seven children mentioned in her father's will, the number
being complete without her.
Children of Second Wife, -Deborah (Pyewelt) Potts.
37. Rebeccah (144), b. June, 1753 ; m., about 1782, Samuel, son of Thomas
and Mary (Douglass) Baird. He was by profession a surveyor, and
was interested in the coal mines on Schuylkill in 1784. Rebeccah's
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lydia (Biddle) Baird, writing to me a few years
ago, said : " I remember perfectly hearing her speak of sitting with
Mrs. Washington, who taught her to sew, and, when she left Valley
Forge, gave her a variety of little articles, among others a silver net-
ting-needle and thimble, pincushion and needle-book, which my
daughters now have in their possession." Samuel d. June 26, 1820.
His w. survived him until June 16, 1830, and both are buried in the
family graveyard. (See inscriptions.) It is said by some of her de-
scendants that the date on her tombstone makes her five years older
than she was. If so, she was born in 1758, and her brother William
in 1760.
38. William (153), b. 1755 ; m. [91] Mary Frances, dau. of [23] Dr. Jonathan
and Grace (Richardson) Potts, at Wilmington, Delaware, September,
1798. He lived at Valley Forge, and had some connection with the
works there. After his marriage, I infer from family letters that he
removed to the neighborhood of Pottstown.
Third Generation. 243
Extracts from the Journal of Friends * who were exiled to Virginia by the
Provincial Council of Pennsylvania in 1777.
"gth month, 12th, 1777. — We stopped about sunset at William Lloyd's
tavern, about 30 miles from Philadelphia, but as we could not be accom-
modated there, we went on to Pottsgrove, which we reached between 7 and
8 o'clock, 37 miles from Philadelphia Several of our kind friends came to
the tavern and invited us to their houses. As soon as we arranged, we went
with them and lodged at the houses of Widow Potts, Samuel Potts, John
Potts, David Potts, and Thomas Rutter, agreeing to meet our guards at the
tavern at about 8 o'clock the next morning.
" gth month, 12,'th. — Part of the baggage being left behind, the escort agreed
we should remain at Pottsgrove until to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock.
"gth month, 14th. — A writ of Habeas Corpus allowed by Chief Justice
McKean was served at Pottsgrove upon the officers of the Guard, but they
refused to obey it.
" At 9 o'clock we took leave of our kind friends at Pottsgrove, who had
treated us with an extraordinary degree of hospitality, and expressed much
sympathy for us, and a high approbation of our conduct."
These prisoners left Philadelphia the day after the battle of
Brandywine, and Dr. Muhlenburg states in his journal that they
expected to be rescued by a party of British Light Horse, and that
at Pottsgrove they refused to proceed farther, until a body of militia
was sent from Reading, " and conveyed the defenceless lambs "
there.
As several of the persons here named were connections of the
Potts family, the " approbation " expressed was probably that of
friendly sympathy in their afflictions, and a belief that, with their
principles, they could not have acted otherwise. Those who think
* Their names were James, Israel, and John Pemberton ; Thomas, Samuel, and Miers
Fisher; Thomas Wharton, Sr., Samuel Pleasants, Elijah Brown, John Hunt, Charles
Jervis, Charles Eddy, Thomas Pike, Owen Jones, Jr., Edward Pennington, William D.
Smith, William Smith, Thomas Gilpin, Thomas Affleck, Dr. Phinehas Bond, and Rev.
Thomas Coombe, rector of Christ Church. <
244 Third Generation.
the Council were tyrannical in exiling inoffensive Quakers should
read the broadside * from the London Yearly Meeting, which was
circulated in Philadelphia while the country was in a state of war,
and the paper issued by their own Meeting, entitled the " Ancient
Testimony and Principles of the People called Quakers renewed
with Respect to the King and Government, and touching the Com-
motions now prevailing in these and other Parts of America ad-
dressed to the People in General. 20 of 1 mo. 1776." Signed,
" John Pemberton, Clerk."
The Rev. Thomas Coombe, a clergyman of the Church of Eng-
land, the companion in exile of the Quakers, was a cousin to all
the Potts family here mentioned, and own nephew of Thomas
Rutter, his mother being Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Mary
Katherine Rutter, who was baptized at Christ Church when ten
years old, November 17, 1734, and married, about 1744, to Thomas
Coombe, who held an office in the customs at Philadelphia. Their
son, Thomas, Jr., was recommended for orders to the Bishop of
London, in 1768, and went over to England, where he was or-
dained the same year. From that period until his exile to Virginia
he officiated at Christ Church as assistant minister. When Con-
gress allowed the return of these banished Tories, in July, 1778,
he had a pass granted him to go to New York, to sail for Europe,
where he became chaplain to the Earl of Carlisle, and afterwards
obtained the high preferment of Prebendary of Canterbury, and
was made one of the chaplains of the king. He published several
poems, one of which, " Edwin," a continuation of the " Deserted
Village," was dedicated to Oliver Goldsmith, and was written
to discourage emigration to this country, by a terrible picture of
its inhabitants and its prospects.
* The length of these papers, of which I have the original printed copies, prevents me
from giving them in the Appendix.
Third Generation.
245
In the Collections of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, where
some account is given of the poetry of Rev. Thomas Coombe,
it is stated that he did not go to Virginia, bujt sailed for England.
According to Colonial Records this is incorrect ; for in answer to
the petition of Rev. Dr. Duchee and the wardens and vestry of
Christ Church and St. Peter's, the council returned answer, on
September 9 (three days only before the exiles reached Potts-
grove), that they had "determined to send away Mr. Coombe and
the rest of the prisoners." September 10 he was released from
imprisonment on parole; and the following June, when several of
the returned exiles were discharged from their parole, the Rev.
Thomas Coombe was excepted, and the next month, still refusing
to take the oath of allegiance, he was allowed a pass to go to New
York, and sail for England with other refugees. " A beloved in-
fant " of Rev. Thomas Coombe was buried, in 1776, among his
relatives in the family graveyard at Pottstown. See inscriptions.
FOURTH GENERATION.
Child of [10] Lewis and Catherine ( Walker) Walker.
39. Catherine, m. Aquila Pumphery.
Children of [i i] Thomas and Ann {Hockley) Walker.
40. Sarah-Hubley, d. unm. at Farm Ridge, La Salle Co., 111., June 4, 1863.
41. Lewis (153), m. at Laurel Lodge, Pottstown, by Rev. Levi Bull, to Sarah
Yeates, dau. of Jacob and Margaret * (Burd) Hubley ; he d. at Spring
Forge, York Co., and was buried in St. John's Churchyard, York. He
was at one time engaged in the iron-works at Pine Forge. Mrs.
Walker survived her husband,' and died in German town, and was
buried in St. Luke's Churchyard at that place.
42. Rebecca (156), m. John Yocum. She d. in Chester Co. about 1834, and
was buried with her infant child in the family graveyard at Coventry ;
but no stone marks her grave. Her husband removed with his family
to La Salle Co., 111., in 1850.
43. Anna, d. unm.
44. Elizabeth, d. unm. June 16, 185 1.
Children of George and [12] Anna {Walker) Leonard.
45. Thomas (159), m.
46. Elizabeth (160), m. George Leaf.
* She was a dau. of Col. James Burd, whose name is familiar in the account of Braddock's
Ex., and who built the road to Fort Du Quesne, and erected Fort Burd, near Easton, Pa.
Her mother was the dau. of Edward Shippen, Sen. In the manuscript collection of the
Historical Society of Pa. are several volumes of letters from Col. and Sarah (Shippen)
Burd, and from her father and brother Edward Shippen.
Fourth Generation. 247
47. Nancy, d. unm.
48. Anne, d. unm.
49. George H., died at Batavia, island of Java.
»«N«=*=*e«=
Children of [ij\ Thomas and Anna (Nutt) Potts.
50. Ruth, b. at Coventry, May 16, 1758 ; d. aged three days.
51. Rebeccah-Grace(i7o), b. I.e.* July 5, 1760; m. at Coventry, Feb. 16, 1786,
Robert, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brooke f) May. He owned
and carried on the iron-works at the Head of Elk, Maryland, where
he resided until some time after Rebeccah's death, which took place
there July 30, 1789. She was buried in the graveyard four miles
from Elk Forge, Cecil Co. The following inscription on her tomb-
stone was written by Mrs. Nath. Potts : —
"In memory of Rebecca G. May
wife of Robert May
who departed this life the
30th of July A. D. 1789
Aged 29 years.
" While o'er this Tomb connubial sorrows flow
And love maternal, melts in deep-felt woe,
The happy Spirit freed from Bonds of clay
Mounts to the confines of eternal day.
"The charities which soothed woe's weary head,
And wiped in love the tears affection shed,
The patient sweetness, which endearing strove
To bless in offices of kindred love,
"The faith, which taught her hopes to rest on high
In the bright view of immortality,
These, rise memorials, of the path she trod,
And gain the applauding fiat of her God."
* Loc. at., I. c, — place already mentioned.
t She was the dau. of James Brooke, of Maryland; b. Dec. 3, 1703; "married with
Robert May the 17th of May, 1724." He d. Dec. 26, 1749. Their son Robert was b.
Feb. 4, 1749-50, just forty days after his father's death.
248
Fourth Generation.
52. Nutt, b. /. c, May 28, 1762 ; d. 19 Dec. of the same year.
53. Martha (179), b. /. c, Jan. 25, 1764; m. at Coventry, Aug. 25, 1785, Thomas,
son of Joseph* and Sarah (Ennalls) Haskins, of the eastern shore of
Maryland. He was a graduate of William and Mary Coll., Va., and
studied law with his cousin, Gov. Basset.f at Dover, Del. Like him,
he became a convert to Methodism, and he thought it his duty,
though much against the wishes of his family, to give up the law for
the gospel, of which he soon after became a preacher.
After his marriage he entered into business in Phil., and Martha
died there, July 20, 1797, and was buried in the graveyard of St.
George's Ch., of which her grandmother Grace had been one of the
earliest benefactors. The following is the inscription on her tomb-
stone : —
" In memory of
Mrs. Martha Haskins
who departed this life July 20, 1797,
in the 34th year of her age.
" Here lies the faithful follower of her Lord,
Who with an humble heart her God adored,
Of meekness, patience, gentleness posses't —
Of Wives, of Daughters & of Friends the best.
Sic Vivam, Sic Moriar."
Mr. Haskins m. for his second w. Elizabeth, dau. of William and
Mary (Patrick) Richards, of Batsto, N. J. He d. in Phil, June 29,
1 8 16, and was buried in the yard of the Union M. E. Ch. The fol-
lowing is the inscription on his tombstone : —
* Joseph came from the neighborhood of Bristol, Eng., and settled in Md. about 1750.
Sarah was the dau. of Thomas and Ann (Skinner) Ennalls, who was son of Henry and
Mary (Hooper) Ennalls, the son of Bartholomew and Ann (Hayward) Ennalls. Maj.
Henry Ennalls and Capt. Henry Hooper were important citizens in Dorchester Co. in 1723,
and are so mentioned by Ed. D. Neill in " Terra Marias."
t Richard Basset was of Huguenot descent. He was a Senator in Congress, and member
of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States. Through the influ-
ence of Bishops Asbury and Coke he became a Methodist preacher, and built a chapel on
his estate of Bohemia Manor
Fourth Generation. 249
" Sacred to the Memory
of the
Rev. Thomas Haskins
In the days of his youth he remembered his Creator
and was a faithful servant of God
and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
until he departed this life in a certain hope of a better
on the 29th day of June 1816 in the 50th year of his age
' The memory of the just is blessed.' "
About 1 86 1 the two city churchyards here mentioned having become
surrounded by a dense population, the only surviving child of Martha
and Thomas Haskins (Mrs. Sarah E. Richards) had their remains and
memorial-stones removed to the graveyard of her husband's family at
Batsto, N. J.
54. Elizabeth (182), b. I.e., June 24, 1766; m. Benjamin Jacobs. They
resided at Coventry for many years, but removed to Whitelands,
where he d. July, 1S07. She became a member of the Society of
Friends.
55. Ruth * (172), b. /. c, Sept. 6, 1768 ; m., at Coventry, Robert May, her de-
ceased sister's husband, March 28, 1792. . He removed there after the
death of his first wife, and carried on the forge at that place, and be-
came an extensive iron-master in Chester and Berks Counties, owning
Gibraltar and Dale Forge, and part of Joanna Furnace. He was ac-
cidentally killed by a fall from his horse, Nov. 21, 18 12.
His wife survived him until Jan. 17, 1820. Both are buried in the
family graveyard at Coventry, where marble tombstones are erected
to their memory.
56. Samuel-Nutt (184), b. /. c, Oct. 13, 1770; m. Mary Camac Welsh,
and d. at Phil., and was buried in the yard of the Union M. E. Ch.,
Fourth and Arch. His w. survived him until 1836.
57. Julianna, b. /. c, Feb. 23, 1773 ; d. unm. at Coventry, Aug. 2, 1795, and
was buried there in the family graveyard.
* According to chronological order, Ruth's children should come after those of her elder
sisters, Martha and Elizabeth ; but as she married her brother-in-law, I have carried the
descendants of Rebeccah and Ruth down together, to avoid separating the family.
32
250 Fourth Generation.
58. Thomas (193), b. /. c, May 13, 1777; m. Ann-Maclanahan, dau. of
Assheton * and Frances Humphreys. He d. at Coventry, Sept. 7,
1814, and was buried there in the family graveyard. His w. survived
him until Nov. 5, 1843.
* He was the son of James and Susannah Humphreys ; the latter was the dau. of
Ralph and Susannah (Redman) Assheton, a cousin of William Penn, whom he had invited
to this country to occupy an important post in his government. Robert or Ralph Asshe-
ton, Esq., Recorder, etc., d. in 1727, and was buried with much pomp by torchlight in
Christ Ch.
This tombstone is laid in the brick pavement of the ch., which is now covered with a
wooden floor, in the aisle running north and south, in front of the chancel, eleven feet from
the north wall, and bears the following inscription : —
" M. S. Fanra
Assheton .... iensis
de Salford juxta Manchester
Lancastriensis
Stephanus Watts Francisca Rudolphi
Susanna Assheton
Anno Salutis A. D. 1768."
The following inscription is from the graveyard belonging to Christ Ch. at Fifth and
Arch Streets : —
"Beneath this stone
are deposited
the relicts of Father, Mother
Sister Wife & children
Resting
In the affectionate Remembrance
of a Son Brother Husband
and a Father
In short
Here are deposited the remains of
James Humphreys Esq. & Susanna
his wife Susanna Jeffries
their daughter Frances Humphreys
wife of Asheton Humphreys Esq.
and several children
Reader
Weep not for the dead but for the living."
Fourth Generation.
2^1
59. Henrietta (196), b. /. c, May 30, 1780. She was m. at Coventry, March
26, 1801, in the same house where she was b., to Isaac, son of
Griffith * and Mary (Gyger) James, of Radnor, then in Chester Co.
* He was the son of Evan James, who, tradition says, was b. on the passage from Wales,
and of Margaret, dau. of Griffith Jones. Their marriage certificate is printed in the Ap-
pendix. David, the father of Evan, had suffered persecution in Wales, and is several
times mentioned by Besse in his " Sufferings." In Dec, 1662, he was imprisoned three
weeks for refusing to take the oath of allegiance. In a more extended account of the same
event, it appears he suffered with twenty-two others. "Anno 1663. About the month
called Jan. this year, David James [here follow the names of the rest] were committed to
prison in Radnorshire until they should take the oath of allegiance, which yet had not been
tendered them before their commitment.'' In 1674 David James attended a meeting at a
house called Cloddian Cochion, within the corporation of Poole, where a small number of
Friends were met together in silence. Thomas Lloyd, of Dalobran (afterwards well known
in Pa. as Penn's first deputy-governor), being present when fifteen armed men came to
arrest those attending this meeting. He requested them to remain awhile, and preached to
them, for which offence he was fined, and most of those present. That the David James
here mentioned is the ancestor of this family is proved by papers in their possession. He
appears to have been one of those who purchased a right of land in Pa. before leaving
Wales ; for his name is signed as a witness to two indentures of land from Richard Davies,
gentleman, of Welshpoole, who had bought five thousand acres in Penn's new province.
In the first indenture the land is granted on a peppercorn rent when lawfully demanded,
two pounds per hundred acres being paid for it, reserving to Penn the annual quit-rent of a
silver shilling as lord of the soil. These old deeds are in the writer's possession. That
from Penn bears his seal, which is appended to the parchment by a blue ribbon, and
covered with a tin box four inches and a half in diameter, and an inch deep.
David James arrived in Pa. in Aug., 1682, with Margaret, his wife, and probably went at
once to Radnor, and settled on the land he had bought before coming over. They lived in
a cave while building a log-house. This dwelling is remembered by the husband of the
writer as standing in his boyhood, though much decayed by time.
The cave was excavated in the slope of the hill, and near a spring of fine water, cele-
brated before the coming of the white men as a favorite resting-place of the Indians on the
direct path westward. The immigrant David built a good stone house, on one end of which
are the initials of D j M and the date ; but these have now been plastered over, and his de-
scendants cannot remember the exact year, but know that it was early in 1700. For a copy
of the certificate sent over from the Friends' Meeting, in Wales, in 1683, vide Appendix.
There is a tradition in the family that David James came in the same vessel with Wil-
liam Penn ; but the writer has reason to believe that he came with Thomas Lloyd in the
America, Captain Wasey, at the same time as Pastorius, an account of whose voyage
appears in Chapter III. Lloyd was the head of the Welsh colony, as Pastorius was of the
German one ; and it is evident, from records now extant, that these two celebrated pioneers
expected to found a colony, each distinct from Penn's English one at Phil.
25 2 Fourth Generation.
He resided on the land, a right to part of which his great-grand-
father David had .purchased in Wales ; but he sold the greater part of
this estate about 1820, and removed with his family to Trenton. He
studied medicine and attended lectures in Un. of Pa. and New York,
and received his degree of M. D. from Columbia Coll. After practis-
ing his profession in Trenton and Phil., he returned to Radnor, and
resided on a portion of his plantation which he had reserved from the
previous sale. Here his w. d. April 18, 1832, and, a few years after,
the remnant of his real estate in the old Welsh colony was sold, and
he removed to Bucks Co, where he m., for a second w., Huldah
Wetherill.
Isaac was b. at Radnor, and is still living, in his ninety-seventh
year. The following is copied from the " Evening Telegraph," Phil.,
Oct. 1870: —
'"The Methodist' says: 'Rev. I. James, M. D., of Bustleton, Pa., has
the honor of being the oldest Methodist in the world. He is in his ninety-
fourth year, being born January 28, 1777. He joined the Methodist society
in 1790, — eighty years ago. He was licensed to exhort in 1798, to preach
in 1800. Was ordained deacon by Bishop Asbury in 1806, and elder by
Bishop Morris in 1849.'"
-»«<j6s*-iC--ii-
Children ^[18] Samuel and Joanna {Holland) Potts.
60. David (205), b. at Pottsgrove ; m. [99] Martha, dau. of [32] David and
[24] Anna (Potts) Potts, of Pine Forge. They resided, during the
first years of their marriage, in Pottstown, where David built the
large mansion near his father's, known as the Hill, and now used as
a boys' boarding-school. He did not finish the house, and it remained
uninhabited for many years, a terror to the villagers, who believed it
haunted, and called it " Potts's Felly." It was said he discontinued
building because no water could be had there. In 1795, David removed
to Warwick, on French Creek, eight miles across the Schuylkill, for
Fourth Generation. 253
the purpose of carrying on the furnace there, which had been built by
his great-grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Nutt. Samuel Potts, by his will
in 1793, left his own share of Warwick, after the death of his widow
Joanna, to his son David, if he chose to take it, in fee simple, at a
certain valuation, giving as a reason, "that I expect he will conduct
the business of said furnace for his mother during her life." This
branch of the family has ever since been designated by the name of
Warwick. He d. there, Sept. 15, 1834. His w. d. at the same place,
Oct. 3, 1 8 13. Both were buried in the family graveyard at Coventry,
which was originally part of the same estate.
This seems to be an appropriate place to insert an account of the
celebration of Washington's funeral at Pottsgrove, as David and
his brother Thomas were two of the pall-bearers, while the other
four were descended from John Potts or allied by marriage to the
family. It is copied from the " Norristown Gazette" of Jan. 24, 1800,
a small quarto sheet somewhat larger than this page. The occasion
seems to have been one which brought together the inhabitants of
the neighboring towns, as the following, cut from the Phil. " Ledger"
of Jan., 1873, proves: "Mrs. Mary Miller, who rode from Exeter to
Pottstown, Pa., on horseback, to attend the funeral observance of
George Washington in that borough, on the 12th of Jan., 1800, is still
living at Mount Airy, Berks Co., aged ninety-two ; but looks, and acts,
and talks like a young thing of sixty or thereabouts."
254
Fourth Generation.
COLUMBIA'S URN.
POTTSGROVE, J Si. 13///.
Yeflerday the Inhabitants of this village
and its vicinity affembled, to add their trib-
ute of love and veneration for the great and
good Gen. Wajhington, to that fo univer-
fally paid by other parts of his admiring
country. — The morning was ufhered in by
firing fixteen guns, and the gun was after-
wards fired every half hour during the day.
About noon a military and mafonic pro-
ceffion was formed, which proceeded in the
following order to the Church, the mufic
playing a folemn dirge — the bell being
muffled, and minute guns firing during the
whole ceremony.
A Detachment of Dragoons from
Capt. Beitenman's Troop,
Capt. Roberts's company of Infantry,
Capt. Townfhends do.
Mufic.
Capt. M'Clenturch's company of Infantry.
Capt. Beitenman's Troop of Dragoons
difmounted.
Militia Officers.
General Nichols and fuite.
Mafonic Brethren of different Lodges.
Clergv.
BIER.
With the Hat and Sword.
David Potts, efq.
W. Maybury, efq.
Tho. Potts, efq.
R. Hobart, efq.
Win. Potts, efq. ^V Robt. May, efq.
carried by four Serjeants.
Singers.
Citizens.
Forming the moft numerous proceffion
ever affembled in this town. The Military
marched with reverfed arms, their drums
muffled, and ftandards and mufic in mourn
ing. On arriving at the church, they opened
their ranks to the right and left, the whole
facing inward, and reflingon reverfed arms ;
forming an avenue through which the Bier
and remainder of the Proceffion paffed into
the church, where a fuitable difcourfe was
delivered by the Rev. Mr. Armftrong,* from
2 Sam. iii. 38 — " Know ye not that there is
a Prince and a great Man fallen this day in
Ifrael." The Bier was then taken from the
church, and the ceremonies concluded by-
firing three vollies over it — After which
the troops were formed, and marched off
their drums unmuffled and colors difplayed ;
the mufic played Waflting ton's march, to
the place of parade, and were difmiffed
Capt. M'Clentuch acted as officer of the
day.
It would be injuftice to the Military and
to the Citizens not to obferve, that the great
efl order prevailed during the whole of the
ceremonies. The folemnity of the occafion
impreffed every mind, and the conduct of
each individual difplayed the fincere forro
felt for the lofs of the illuflrious Man to
whofe memory they were paying the mer
ited honors.
* Rev. John Armstrong is frequently mentioned in family letters as the Episcopal clergyman ;
Pine Forge and St. Gabriel's Ch. near Pottsgrove.
Fourth Generation. 255
61. Nathaniel (216), b. at Coventry, 1759. He was educated as a lawyer.
Early in the Revolution, when only eighteen years of age, he was cap-
tain of a company in the battalion raised by his uncle Thomas. He
m. at Phil., 1782, Rebeccah, dau. of Enoch* and Hannah (Pratt)
Hobart, and sister of the Rt. Rev. J. H. Hobart, D. D., Bishop of
New York.
At the close of the war he returned to Pottsgrove, where he d.
April 26, 1784, and was buried in the family graveyard. (See in-
scriptions.)
The following obituary is copied from one of the newspapers of the day : —
"In the spring of 1784, Mr. Nathaniel Potts moved to Pottsgrove with
his wife, intending to make that place his permanent residence. But im-
mediately on his arrival there he was seized with a violent fever, which in
a few weeks terminated his mortal existence, in the bloom of youth and
promise. He had studied law in Phil, with William Lewis, and had been
admitted to practice in that city, under the most flattering auspices. He
was greatly endeared, by amiable qualities, to his relatives and friends."
The young widow of Nathaniel m., for her second husband, Robert, son of
William and Elizabeth (Corrin) Smith, July 6, 1791. He was b. in N. Y.,
Nov. 20, 1752, the son of this union marrying the niece of Nathaniel Potts.
Rebecca became the ancestress of a branch of the family, though both of the
children of her first husband d. young.
Mrs. Potts inherited the literary ability of her ancestors, and was the
author of many elegant verses, which were collected into a manuscript
■* " He was a son of John, and grandson of Capt. Joshua Hobart," who came from
Hingham, England, and settled in Hingham, Mass., 1633, and great-grandson of Peter,
the first minister of Hingham. The words within quotation-marks I received from John
Henry Hobart, of Pottsville ; but from an account of the Hobart family of New England,
published some years ago, it seems that two generations more should be interpolated, viz.,
Joshua's second son Enoch, who m. Hannah, dau. of Thomas Harris, Aug. 7, 1678, and
their only son, Thomas, b. March 31, 1683. As the name of Enoch has been handed down
in this branch of the family to the present time, there is little doubt that he was their
ancestor. Capt. Joshua Hobart was distinguished in the early annals of Mass. as a mem-
ber of the House of Assembly for twenty-five years, and Speaker in 1674.
256 Fourth Generation.
volume by her son. During her widowhood, which was soon rendered child-
less by death, her pen seems to have been the solace of many lonely
hours. The inscription on her husband's tombstone, and that on his cousin's,
Mrs. R. G. May, were written by her, and are printed in this volume. Robert
Smith was of Scotch descent. His ancestors had settled in New York, and
he entered the army from that city, and served as a major in the Revolution-
ary War. He was wounded at White Plains, and fought in the terrible battle
of Monmouth. At the conclusion of hostilities, he established himself in
business in Phil., which he continued for more than forty years. He was an
officer in the First City Troop when that company was called out to suppress
the insurrections of 1794 and 1798. For nearly half a century he was an
elder' of the Presbyterian Church. On the establishment of the United
States Bank, he was elected a director, and served as such throughout the
period of its existence, and then as a trustee, — in all forty-eight years. He
filled with honor many public offices in his adopted city, and was liberal of
his means for the benefit of others, and foremost in all the charities of the
day. After a life of usefulness he passed away in a green old age, April,
1838.
Mrs. Smith d. July 7. 1802, and was buried in Christ Churchyard, from
which her remains were removed to Laurel Hill in 1867.
The following obituary notice, from the pen of Dr. Benjamin Rush, was
one of those inserted in the newspapers of Philadelphia a few days after her
departure : —
" Died, universally and justly lamented, on Wednesday morning, near
Frankford, in the forty-second year of her age, Mrs. Rebecca Smith, wife of
Robert Smith, merchant, of this city. A mind elevated by nature, education,
and religion rendered this excellent woman an object of uncommon respect
and esteem to all who knew her. She lived to a numerous family as if she
owed no obligations to society, and she lived to society as if she had no family.
Such was the private and modest use she made of the talents and virtues with
which Heaven had endowed her, that their benevolent application was seldom
known, except by accident, to her most intimate friends.
" During the tedious and distressing illness there was no departure, in
impatience or complaint, from the natural propriety and dignity of her
character.
Fourth Ge7ieration. 257
" With every comfort and tie to life that could make it desirable, she met
the approach of death with composure, and resigned her breath with a full
reliance upon the merits of her Redeemer for her future happiness."
A more extended obituary was printed in the papers of the day, written
by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, D. D.*
62. John (218), b. /. c, Oct. 20, 1760. He was educated in Phil, as a law-
yer ; but, when twenty-five years old, he was induced to go to Alex-
andria, Va., to become the secretary of the Potomac Company, of
which Gen. Washington was president.
At the close of the Revolution the subject of internal improvements by the
means of canals was much discussed, and several routes to connect the
Atlantic States with the West were projected. The position of the Potomac
pointed it out as one of the most eligible highways ; for its head-waters and
those of the Ohio were only separated by a road forty miles long. The two
States of Maryland and Virginia chose conferees to meet at Annapolis, Dec.
22, 1784, to act upon this project, and Washington, who entered into the
plan with enthusiasm, proceeded to the meeting with Gen. Lafayette, who
was received there with great honor. The conferees decided that to render
the Potomac navigable was a work worthy of two States, and the Potomac
Company was chartered, each State taking fifty shares of stock, and direct-
ing that a survey be made at their joint expense. Gen. Washington was
chosen the first president ; and so great was the interest he took in this de-
sign, that he assisted in the survey of the river in person. It was then sup-
posed that the Potomac could be rendered navigable by locks, dams, and
short canals, and the works for this purpose were soon undertaken ; but
experience proved the fallacy of the idea.
Thomas and Samuel Potts were at the same time making plans to render
the Schuylkill navigable, and the son of Samuel was induced, probably by
Gen. Washington, to become the secretary of the Potomac Company. He
went to Alexandria, and, though the plan was unsuccessful, he remained
* Previous to Rebecca Hobarrs marriage to Nath. Potts she was engaged to Major
Scull, a British officer attached to Sir Wm. Howe's staff, who was drowned in the Dela-
ware in 1777. She was buried in the Pres. graveyard Arch above 5th Street, not Ch. Ch.,
as stated on page 256.
33
258 Fourth Generation.
there until his death. The following advertisement, which I found in a
newspaper of the day, is curious, as it shows the price of labor and the
food allowed to slaves ; also proving the date at which the works were un-
dertaken : —
" One hundred negroes are wanted on hire for the use of the Potomac
Company, for each of whom there will be an allowance of twenty pounds,
Virginia currency, per annum, also clothe them, pay their levies, and furnish
them with rations, viz., one pound of salt pork, one pound and a quarter of
salt beef, or one pound and a half of fresh beef or mutton, and a sufficiency
of bread each day, and also a reasonable quantity of spirits when necessary.
It is expected the negroes will be good and able working hands, and that
they will come well clothed, or to be supplied with what may be deficient,
which is to be stopped out of the next year's clothing. Application is to be
made to Mr. William Hartshorne, in Alexandria, or to Mr. James Rumsey,
the principal superintendent of the work, who are authorized to contract for
them.
"By order of the Board of President and Directors,
"JOHN POTTS, JR.,
" Secretary.
"Alexandria, November 1, 17S5."
When the Potomac Company was subsequently merged in the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, these works, planned partly hy Washington, were aban-
doned, and a more comprehensive arrangement w j.s adopted.
Gen. Washington was on terms of intimacy with John Potts and his
family, and made his house one of his stopping-places in Alexandria, where
the business of the Potomac Company must often have taken him. Several
anecdotes of the general's visits are related by John's grandchildren, who
have preserved with pious care numerous relics of the Father of his Country.
John m., at Alexandria, Eliza, fourth dau. of Patrick* and Elizabeth
* He was the son of Andrew Ramsay, Lord Provost of Glasgow, Scotland, 1734-35,
and he had settled in Petersburg prior to 1760. On Nov. 20 of that year he m. in Bristol
Parish, Prince George's Co.. Ya., Elizabeth Poythress. It is believed that he returned to
his native country with his family at the commencement of the Revolution, as his youngest
child was b. in Glasgow in 1776. After Mr. Ramsay's death, his children remained in
Great Britain for their education; but in 1791-92 returned with their mother to Alexan-
Fourth Generation. 259
(Poythress) Ramsay. She was b. at Petersburg, Va., March 19, 1768, and
survived her husband many years.
This is the John Potts, Jr., who is mentioned in the accounts of the attack
of James Wilson's house, in 1779, as among those who defended it. He was
inside with his brother Nathaniel and uncle, Dr. Potts. It is evident that
some writers have thought he was John the Loyalist ; but the last-named is
not designated as junior after 1768. The attack on Fort Wilson, as it is
sometimes called, was partly because that lawyer and signer of the Declara-
tion had defended Roberts and Carlisle on their trial for treason. Of the
former I have given some account on pages 156— 159.
After the Potomac Company was abandoned, John entered into business
in Alexandria, and lost a great part of his patrimony. But he continued to
reside there, and most of his descendants are now living in Washington and
Virginia. While on a visit to his mother, in Pottstown, he was seized with
a sudden illness, and d. there, Oct. 17, 1809, and is buried in the family
graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
03. Thomas (223). He was brought up as a merchant, and, in 1787, was in
partnership with his brother Joseph in Phil. He m. Abigail, dau. of
Col. Samuel Miles.* Her sister m. Gen. arid Gov. Joseph B. McKean,
son of Gov. Thomas McKean. Thomas was made recorder of deeds
and register of wills in Montgomery Co. by Gov. McKean, and re-
sided in Norristown. He d. at Pottstown, Sept. 9, 1823. His w.
dria, where her twin sons entered into the European trade. A grandson of Patrick Ramsay
says in a letter, after giving the above account : " We have no record of the family of Eliza-
beth Poythress, but she belonged to one of the ancient families of the ' Old Dominion,'
and was connected with the Randolphs and Eppes, and was a woman of superior char-
acter and attractions. I find in Meade's History of 'Old Churches and Families in Vir-
ginia' that Thomas Rolph, the only child of Pocahontas, m. a Miss Poythress, and that
Richard, son of Theodoric Bland, who d. in 1776, m. another of the name. The family-
was one of importance in Bristol Parish, now included in Petersburg, and William and
F. Poythress were among the vestrymen of old Blandford Ch."
* Col. Miles says, in his autobiography, printed in Lossing's " Record," that his grand-
father came from Radnorshire, Wales, he thinks, in the same vessel with William Penn, 16S2.
This is probably an error, as I believe he came in the " America," with David James, as the
name of Samuel Miles is signed as a witness of the deed before mentioned in Wales, and
he appears to have been one who bought land with him there.
260 Fotcrth Generation.
survived him only two weeks, and both were buried in the family
graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
64. Joseph (232), b. June 2, 1766; m., by Rev. Slater Clay, to [78] Sarah,
dau. of [21] David and Mary (Aris) Potts, Feb. 9, 1792. Before he
was of age he entered into business, with his elder brother Thomas,
in Phil. ; but returned to his native place, and owned and carried on
Glasgow Forge, two miles from Pottstown. His branch of the family
is usually designated by that name. He removed to the town during
the latter part of his life, and d. there Sept. 27, 1824. His w. d. Feb.,
185 1, and both are buried in the family graveyard. .(See inscriptions.)
She was a member of the Society of Friends, and the last surviving
grandchild of John Potts. The following obituary is copied from
a Phil, paper : —
" Died, on the morning of the 27th ultimo, at Pottstown, Montgomery Co.,
Pa., in the fifty-ninth year of his age, Mr. Joseph Potts, one of the most
respectable inhabitants of that borough.
" The deceased was deservedly esteemed for soundness of judgment, cor-
rectness, and integrity in all his transactions. To a numerous family, over
whose welfare he watched with unceasing solicitude, he was greatly endeared.
Their consolation under their bereavement must be sought in Him who gave
and who has taken away their greatest earthly blessing."
65. Sarah-May (244), b. Jan. 18, 1770. Jan. 14, 1790, she was m. at Potts-
grove, by the Rev. Slater Clay, to Robert Enoch,* son of Enoch and
Hannah (Pratt) Hobart, of Phil., where he was b. April 25, 1768. He
was educated as a lawyer, and practised in that city. He built, about
the beginning of this century, the picturesque house still standing at
the northwest corner of 9th and Spruce Sts., PhiL, which was then
thought quite out of town, and the streets and sidewalks in the neigh-
borhood were unpaved. One of his daughters told me that when she
first began to attend school a few squares distant, the colored man-
servant was in the habit of carrying her in his arms, that she might
* Eight years before, her brother had m. his sister. For an account of the Hobart de-
scent, see page 255.
Fourth Generation. 261
not muddy her shoes. This family were earnest members of Christ
Ch., Phil., where several of them were buried.
Mr. Hobart, towards the latter part of his life, removed to Pottstown, and
finished the house on the hill commenced by his brother-in-law, David Potts.
In 1825 he became one of the incorporators and the senior warden of Christ
Ch. in that borough. The first building stood at the coiner of Hanover St.
and the railroad, and was erected on the foundation walls of the old brew-
house, which is mentioned in the will of John Potts, 1767. This church was
afterward rebuilt on High St., and was taken down in 1872, and a new and
churchly edifice, erected on the same site, in which is a large memorial win-
dow of fine workmanship, to the memory of Robert E. Hobart. He was a
member of the Legislature, and, while serving in that capacity, d. at Harris-
burg, March 17, 1826. His w. had d. a few months previous, Jan. 2, 1826,
and both are buried in the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
-*=Hs3eM-s—
Children of [19] jFohn and Margaret (Carmiek) Potts.
66. Mary-Ann (256), b. in Phil., 1768; m. Dec. 10, 1789 (72), David, son of
Thomas and [20] Martha (Potts) Rutter.
She resided from the time of her m. at Pine, and d. Sept. 22, 1824, and
was buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown. (See inscriptions.)
67. Stephen (267). He went with his father to Nova Scotia, and obtained a
commission in the British navy, and was wounded in the service.
He received a pension from the crown. After some years he returned
to this country, and became a clerk at the iron-works at Pine Grove,
Schuylkill Co. ; but removed to Pottsville, where he d. He m.
Eunice Dennis.
In 1785 Stephen received a grant of land, for his services in a Loyalist
regiment, of two hundred and fifty acres on the Kennebecassis River, near
St. John, New Brunswick. I am unable to say whether he ever settled upon
it. But in 1795 he appears to have returned to Pa., as he is mentioned in
a letter of his brother Samuel as living at Sussex, Del., probably engaged
in the iron-works there. Anxiety is expressed at not hearing from him, and
262 Fourth Generation.
Samuel informs his sister that, though it will cost him several dollars, he shall
send a man down to learn tidings of him.
68. Samuel (274). Like his father and brother, he received a pension from
Great Britain ; but I do not find he had a grant of land in the Prov-
inces. He returned to this country, and was living at Rebecca
Furnace in 1795. He m., first, Mary, dau. of his great-aunt, Deborah
(Pyewell) Potts and her second husband, Caleb Hughes. His second
wife was Ann (Dewees) Potts, widow of [75] James. He removed to
Ohio, and lived near Wheeling. He became a member of the Society
of Friends,* and a preacher among them. At the time he joined the
society, he relinquished his pension as a British officer. He d. in the
West, Jan., 1850.
Children of Thomas and [20] Martha {Potts) Rutter.
69. John, b. at Pottsgrove, May 30, 1760; d. unm., Nov. 5, 1794. He is
buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown. (See inscriptions.)
70. Mary-Katherine (281), b. at Popodickon, May 23, 1762; m. in 1782,
John Clements, son of Anthony and Margaret Stocker, of Phil. He
was b. Feb. 18, 1760, and d. Oct 12, 18 13. His w. survived him only
a few weeks, dying Nov. 28, 1813.
He was a successful merchant in Phil., and resided near St. Peter's Ch.
The country place of the family is now the spot in the southern part of the
city where the mission of St. Peter's Ch. has been recently established by
one of their descendants.
The following obituary notices are copied from the papers of the day : —
From Poulsoris American Daily Advertiser, Thursday, Oct. 14, 18 13.
" Departed this life on the 12th instant, in the fifty-third year of his age,
John Clement Stocker, Esq., whose death is sincerely deplored by his rela-
* I have a file of Samuel's letters, written in Pa. between 1795 and 1804, which prove his
versatile temperament, and the trials he underwent in becoming a Friend.
Fourth Generation. 263
tives and friends, and will doubtless be justly and deeply lamented by the
community ; for in every relation of social life he was exemplarily affection-
ate and attentive, in every public appointment he was eminently faithful and
useful. He discharged with unrivalled fidelity and attention the duties
attached to an alderman of the city, a director of the Pennsylvania Bank
and Pennsylvania Insurance Company, and a vestryman of the Episcopal
churches of Saint Peter's, Christ Ch., and St. James.
"The high degree of merit attached to the character of the deceased ren-
ders his death a severe public as well as domestic loss ; for his liberal and
extensive patronage to the poor, his firmness, zealous and undeviating patri-
otism, his unimpeached and incorruptible integrity, his courteous, cheerful,
and mild deportment, rendered him as amiable and exemplary in private as
he was correct and beneficent in public life.
"The friend who offers this record of his virtues has long been intimately
acquainted with his character, and as long experienced his kindness. 'When
such friends part, 't is the survivor dies.' "
From Ponlsoiis American Daily Advertiser, Nov. 30, 1813.
"Died, suddenly, by apoplexy, on Sunday last, Nov. 28, in the fifty-first
year of her age, Mrs. Mary {Catherine Stocker, relict of the late John Clement
Stocker, Esq., whose decease we announced on the 13th ultimo. Thus are
the surviving children bereaved of both their parents within the short period
of a few weeks. Such afflictive dispensations of Divine Providence call loudly
upon all who are informed of them to 'consider their ways,' the uncertainty
of life, and the high responsibility of man. Of Mrs. Stocker it may be truly
said, that her unselfish and exalted purity, her amiable and affectionate
disposition, her kind and courteous deportment, rendered her inestimably
valuable to her relatives and friends, arid endeared her to all who had the
privilege of her acquaintance. Such was the blameless tenor of her life, and
such her habitual meditation on the inevitable approach of death, that his
coming to terminate her state of probation, though executed without warn-
ing, did not find her unprepared ; for her spiritual lamp was always burning
with a bright and steady flame."
71. Samuel (287), b. Jan. 14, 1764; m., about 1795, Sarah, dau. of Owen
Jones, and sister of Jonathan-Potts Jones, the husband of [81] Mary
(Powell) Potts.
264
Fourth Generation.
72. David (256), b. Feb. 10, 1766; m., Dec. 10, 1789, [66] Mary-Ann, dau.
of [19] John and Margaret (Carmick) Potts.
He resided at Pine Forge, which he carried on. He partially rebuilt and
added to the old mansion-house, where he lived until his death, April 5,
18 1 7.* His children are carried down in the order of his wife's genealogy.
73. Ruth-Anna (292), b. Jan. 3, 1768.
She was educated as an Episcopalian, but became a Friend from con-
vincement ; and in her twenty-second year she was an acceptable minister of
that society. She left an account in manuscript of her early religious life,
which was printed a few years ago in the " Friends' Intelligencer." 26th
6 mo., 1800, she m, Jacob Lindley, a public Friend living in New Garden,
Chester Co., who had lost his wife by the yellow-fever two years before.
The following is the concluding paragraph of a printed account of Ruth-
Anna : —
" She removed to that place, where she continued to reside during the
remainder of her days, respected and beloved by those who knew her and
were capable of appreciating her worth While her strength was equal
to the exertion, she continued to attend the Meeting to which she belonged,
when her voice was not unfrequently sweetly though feebly raised in advo-
cacy of the cause to which she had devoted the morning of her days."
She d. 10th of 9 mo., 18 10.
Jacob Lindley survived his w. four years, when he was killed by being
overturned in a carriage, 6 mo. 12, 18 14. He was a distinguished Friend,
and early interested in the abolition of slavery. Living near the Maryland
and Delaware lines he had great opportunity of aiding the blacks, and much
to contend with on account of his neighborhood to slaveholders. He was a
cousin of Mary Lindley, who m. Mr. Murray, and became the mother of
the grammarian, Lindley Murray.
74. Clement, b. March 31, 1770; d. April 9, 1771, aged one year.
^s^saSSeM"*- — ■
* On p. 69 his death is incorrectly stated to have occurred in 181 5 ; also that Pine Forge
was purchased by him in 17S3. It is believed'^o have been bought by his father.
Fourth Generation. 265
Children of [21] David* and Mary (Aris) Potts.
75. James (296), m. at Valley Forge, about 181 1, Anne, dau. of William
Dewees, and his second w. Sarah Waters. He was interested in the
Valley Forge works, and resided in Phil., where he sold the bar-iron
manufactured there. He d. about 1820. After his death his w. went
to Terre Haute, Ind., having inherited the estate of her brother
George, who resided there. She afterwards removed to Springfield,
where she m. [68] Samuel Potts, then an old man.
76. Charles (298), m., 1796, Margaret Tallman, and the day after he sailed
for China in command of the merchant ship " Adventure." In 1798
he was captain of the " Alexander Hamilton." The following from
his log-book shows the peril of the sea in those days : " March,
Martinico. Weighed anchor, and sailed in company with the '.Alfred,'
seventy-four, and several frigates as convoy ; also a number of Amer-
ican vessels. — Sunday, 14th. Came to St. Kitts, and lay there until
Wednesday, the 16th ; then weighed anchor and sailed with the con-
voy and two hundred and fifty sail of merchantmen. The 24th,
saluted the commodore with five guns, and left the fleet." On his
return from this voyage, in the latter part of 1798, he settled in Potts-
town, where he d., and was buried in the family graveyard there. His
widow removed to Phil., and m. his brother Benezet.
The portrait of Capt. Charles Potts in this volume is copied from a large
oil painting, now in the possession of his grand-daughter Mrs. Rae. It was
taken in France. The artist's name, Salazar, and the date, 1798, are both
plainly legible on the original.
77. Benezet (299), m. the widow of his brother Charles. She d. in Phil, in
1818, and was buried in Friends' graveyard at Fourth and Arch Sts.
78. Sarah (232), b. at Phil., Dec. 27, 1774 ; m. Feb. 9, 1792, [64] Joseph, son
of [18] Samuel and Joanna (Holland) Potts. They resided at Glas-
* In the account of David, in a previous page, I have neglected to state that he was one
of the merchants of Phil, who signed the important non-importation resolutions in 1765,
which was the entering wedge of the Revolution. He was m. by Rev. Dr. Duchde, Rector
of Christ Ch., Phil., Jan. 10, 1767. In that register his wife's name is spelled Ayries.
266 Fourth Generation.
gow Forge, a few miles above Pottstown. She became a strict Friend,
and was the oldest member of the family at the time of her death,
which took place Feb. u, 1851. Her children are carried down in
the line of their father's descent. The following obituary is taken
from a Pottstown paper, Feb., 1851 : —
"Died, in Pottstown, on the nth February, 1851, in the seventy-seventh
year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Potts, relict of the late Mr. Joseph Potts.
"The respect and regard in which this venerable lady was held was
attested by the large train of friends and acquaintances which accompanied
her mortal remains to the ' house appointed for all living.' In her the com-
munity have lost a valuable and exemplary member, the poor a kind friend,
and the circle of her numerous descendants a long-loved and honored head,
whose departure has severed the link that bound them to the last generation.
May the" memory of her Christian virtues and example, which long exercised
a salutary influence on those around her, still shed a sweet odor on survivors,
and lead them to follow her in that ' straight and narrow way ' which leadeth
unto life eternal ! ' The memory of the just is blessed.' "
79. Harriet (301), m., in 1799, Reese, son of Bowyer Brooke* who lived in
Brooke Court, Phil. At this time Harriet's father was dead, and Mr.
Brooke, Sen., purchased for his son the widow's right in Valley Forge.
The newly married pair were established there, and Reese Brooke
carried on the works until his death in 1824, after which they were
discontinued. Harriet became a public Friend, and during the latter
part of her life she resided at Pottstown, but d. in Phil., whither she
had gone for her health, on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1846. Her
remains were taken to Pottstown, and buried in the family graveyard.
'' I 1 "ipr 1 \
* He was a son of Roger Brooke, of Brooke Place, on the Patuxent River, Md., about
twenty miles from its mouth. Roger's father also bore the same name, and was the son of
Robert and Mary (Mainwaring) Brooke. She was the dau. of Roger Mainwaring, Bishop
of St. David, and was the second w. Robert Brooke m. in England. He arrived on the
Patuxent River, June 29 or 30, 1650, where he settled with the colony that he brought over
with him at his own expense. The late Chief-Justice Roger Brooke Taney was one of his
descendants.
- —
FourtJi Generation. 267
Child of [22] Joseph and Mary {Morris) Potts.
80. John-Morris, b Dec. n, 1765 ; d. unm. March 12, 1786. He was very
desirous to reach the age of twenty-one, to dispose of his property by
will, but died nine months before attaining his majority. His grand-
father Morris* devised to him, in 1781, all his mother's share of the
Morris property ; and among other things are enumerated " all the
plate that was his mother's, packed up in a red leather trunk, which
said plate was purchased of his father, and paid for by my dear wife ;
and all the china-ware that was his mother's. I also give him eight
mahogany chairs, the seats of which were worked by his mother."
The funeral of this young man is mentioned in a letterf of Margaret
Morris (widow of his uncle) to her sister : " It was a disappointment
to me that I did not see some of thy family at Plymouth, when I
went to the funeral of my poor afflicted nephew, John Potts. His
removal was very unexpected to me, and I think it was a time of
deep humiliation to my mind as I ever experienced, and I have much
desired it might be the same to my children, upon whose mind I have
endeavored to impress that the bounties of Providence (which by
their poor cousin's death will fall into their hands) are by no means
the reward of their merits." It is evident that by his early death a
goodly estate passed into the possession of John Morris's other grand-
children.
Children of his second wife, Sarah (Powell) Potts.
81. Mary-Powell, b. Jan. 1, 1769; m. Jonathan-Potts, son of Owen Jones,
and died in childbed, March 17, 1787, aged eighteen years. Her in-
fant survived only a few hours.
82. Joseph, b. Oct. 10, 1770; d. Jan. 12, 1774.
* " Sister Deborah Morris to have the custody of the estate and effects left to grandson
John Morris Potts, and to exercise care over him until he arrive at the age of twenty-one
years." Vol. I. p. 47 of "Watson's Annals " there is a long account of this Deborah Mor-
ris, who was the grand-daughter of the first Anthony Morris.
t " Memoirs of the Hill Family.'' p. 422.
268 Fourth Generation.
Children of his third wife, Ann (Mitchel) Potts.
83. Sarah, b. Sept. 23, 1775 ; d. Oct. 24, 1777.
84. Joseph, b. Oct. 17, 1776 ; d. Sept. 4, 1779.
Children of his fourth luife, Maiy (Kirkbridc) Potts.
85. Anna, b. at Springmill, March 7, 1781 ; d. unm., Aug. 19, 1839.
86. Phineas, b. at Plymouth, Dec. 20, 1784; m. Eliza Horn, d. s. p. Jan. 24,
1823.
87. Joseph-Kirkbride (307), b. /. c, April 20, 1789; m. at Frankford meet-
ing, Jan. r, 1822, Sidney, dau. of Isaac and Mercy Bonsall. (She was
b. at Uvvchlan, 28th of 9 mo., 1799.)
It is only by the children of this son that [22] Joseph is represented, and
the number of his descendants are few.
88. Frances, b. /. c., May 21, 1783 ; d. unm., March 15, 1833.
89. Hepsibah, b. /. c, Feb. 2, 1787 ; d. unm., Dec. 21, 1850.
90. Mary, b. /. c, July 26, 1797 ; d. in infancy.
Children of [23] Jonathan and Grace {Richardson) Potts.
91. Mary-Frances (153), b. April 4, 1767; m. [38] William, son of [8]
Thomas and Deborah (Pyewell) Potts. She d. 1809. Her husband
survived until Feb. 21, 1819, and both were buried in the family
graveyard at Pottstown.
92. Benjamin-Rush, b. May 19, 1768. He emigrated to the West, and in
1822 was living in Ohio, seventy miles from Wheeling. It is believed
that he married there ; but if he left descendants, they are unknown
to the rest of his family.
93. Clement, d. in infancy.
94. Grace, b. Oct. 30, 1769 ; d. Nov. 3, aged four days.
95. Deborah-Claypoole (315), b. Dec. 15, 1770. In a petition to the Or-
phans' Court, 1786, she is described as a minor, above the age of
fourteen, and entitled to a valuable property by the will of her father,
Fourth Generation. 269
Jonathan Potts, and of her aunt, Deborah Claypoole.* She appeared
in open court, and chose for her guardians her mother, Grace Potts,
now of Wilmington, Del., widow, and Joseph Mifflin, merchant, who
were appointed by the court. She m., at Wilmington, Del., Thomas
Shallcross, 10 mo., 17S9, and d. June 10, 1798, and was buried in the
family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
96. Francis-Richardson (318), b. Aug. 15, 1772. He was educated as a
physician, and practised medicine in Pottstown. He m. Lydia, dau.
of Thomas f and Rebecca Maybury. She m., for her second husband,
Dr. Rex, of Chestnut Hill. Died July 21, 1858, and was buried in
the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
97. Horatio-Gates, b. Oct. 16, 1778 ; d. in infancy.
98. Edward, b. 1780; d. at Phil, of yellow fever, 16th of 8 mo., 1790, and
was interred in Friends' burying-ground in that city.
Children of [32] David and [24] Anna (Potts) Potts.
99. Martha (205), m. [60] David, son of [18] Samuel and Joanna (Holland)
Potts. She d. at Warwick, Oct. 3, 18 19. Her children are carried
down in her husband's line.
* A note in the " Logan Correspondence " .gives the following account of this lady :
" Abraham Hardiman d. 1699. His dau., Deborah Claypoole, lived to a great age. I have
seen and conversed with her in my early youth She was upwards of ninety when
she d." Watson says she buried her husband and five children, in the course of a few weeks,
of the very mortal small-pox of 1730. Dr. Franklin said she had one child who survived ;
but that also d., and she was left a lone widow ; and Watson goes on to say that he knew
her grand-daughter. Now this is an error ; she left no descendants, as her will, made in
1776, proves. Mrs. Dr. Potts, Mrs. Fairlamb, and Mrs. Mifflin were her nieces, and received a
large share of her property. Mrs. Claypoole's husband was believed to be a descendant of
Mrs. Claypoole, dau. of Oliver Cromwell, who d. 1658; but I do not know on what au-
thority.
t Thomas Maybury was interested in iron-works. He m. a descendant of the first
Thomas Rutter. During the Revolution he owned a forge at Mount Holly, N. J., where
he manufactured boiler-plates, from which the camp-kettles of the Continental army were
made.
270 Fourth Generation.
100. Ruth-Anna (319), m. Edmund Key.* He was of a distinguished family
in Md., where he became a judge. These two sisters, by the early
death of their parents, were left orphans, and they resided, until their
marriage, with their aunt, Mrs. Martha Rutter.
Children of [25] Isaac and Martha {Bolton) Potts.
101. Mary (323), b. 11 mo. 12, 1771 ; m. at Northern District meeting, Phil,
5 mo. 12, 1795, John, son of John and Mary (Bolton) Paul. He m.,
for a second wife, Hannah Lewis, and d. in Phil., 7 mo. 28, 1844.
102. Rebeccah, b. 1 mo. 3, 1773 ; d. 9 mo. 10, 1777.
103. Joseph-Paul, b. 7 mo. 3, 1774. The following notice of his death is
copied from a record written by his father : " Joseph Paul Potts, son of
Isaac and Martha Potts, departed this life at Pottstown, 8th mo. 25,
1790, of yellow-fever, supposed to have been taken while attending his
cousin, Edward B. Potts, whom his humanity led him to attend, and
with whom he stayed till his interment in Friends' burying-ground,
Philadelphia, the evening week previous to his own departure, which
was First day morning about sunrise. O my soul, many have been
thy trials this year ! Gracious God, grant patience and resignation ! "
104. Anna, b. 8 mo. 7, 1776; d. July 20, 1779.
105. Edward-Burroughs (325), b. 12 mo. 18, 1778; m. Sarah, dau. of Isaac
and Phebe Williams, of Whitemarsh, Montgomery Co.
106. Samuel (326), b. — mo. 19, 1779; m. at Abington meeting, 11 mo. 20,
1806, Sarah, dau. of Thomas and Hannah Fletcher. She was b.
3 mo. 26, 1786. He d. in Phil., 3 mo. 15, 1815. His w. d. in Ger-
mantown, 8 mo. 18, 1854.
107. Joanna (328), b. 12 mo. 24, 1781 ; m. at Abington meeting, 2 mo. 17,
1809, Daniel, son of Thomas and Hannah Fletcher. He was b. 5
mo. 8, 1 78 1, and d. in Phil. 12 mo. 13, i860.
* His ancestor, Philip Key, settled in St. Mary's, and was the son of Richard and Mary
Key, of St. Paul's Parish, London, England, where he was b. March 20, 1696, and d. in
Md., Aug. 20, 1764. Francis S. Key, the author of the "Star-Spangled Banner,'' was a
descendant of Philip.
Fourth Generation. 271
108. Martha, b. 3 mo. 1, 1783 ; m. at Abington meeting, 3 mo. 9, 1804, Row-
land, son of John Jones, of Montgomery Co. She d. s. p. 7 mo. 20,
1826. He survived until 1867, dying at the age of eighty-nine.
109. Ruth-Anna (330), b. 2 mo. 18, 1785 ; m. at Phil. 6 mo. 5, 1805, Joseph-
M., son of John and Mary Paul. He was b. June 11, 1779. Ruth-
Anna d. in 181 1, and the following obituary appeared in the Phil.
" United States Gazette " : —
"D'ed, on the 26th of April, Ruth Anna Paul, wife of Joseph M. Paul, of
this city, in the twenty-sixth year of her age. The exit of this amiable woman,
whose peculiarly affable and pleasing manners, joined to an excellent under-
standing, had endeared her to all her acquaintances, has made a blank that
will long be felt and mourned by a large circle of attached relatives and
friends. We could speak much of her virtues, but wish not to panegyrize
the dead, but exalt that power which enabled this lovely woman, when sur-
rounded by all that makes life desirable, with composure and resignation
' To meet the shaft of death, nor chide its hasty wing.' "
Joseph M. Paul survived his wife until Oct. 25, 1829.
110. Rebeccah (333), b. 8 mo. 9, 1786; m. in Phil. 1 mo. 12, 1812, William,
son of Jacob and Elizabeth Wayne; b. 8 mo. 29, 1785. She d. in
Phil., 2 mo. 4, 1816. Her husband survived until 12 mo. 6, 1857.
111. Anthony-Benezet, b. 7 mo. 4, 1788 ; d. 6 mo. 4, 1789.
112. Deborah (336), b. 2 mo. 12, 1789; m. at Mulbury St. meeting, 5 mo.
4, 1815, Isaac, son of Isaac and Phebe Williams, of Whitemarsh. He
was b. 3 mo. 17, 1788. She d. at Whitemarsh, Montgomery Co.,
7 mo.*22, 1825. Her husband survived her only a few weeks, dying
8 mo. 31, 1825.
-a }> g^&#-^
Children of [26] James and Anna (Stoeirr) Potts.
113. Anthony-Stocker, b. Feb. 22, 1779; d. May 2, 17S5, and is buried
in the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
111. Maria (342), m. George Poe, Jr., at Phil., Dec, 1807. He d. at Pitts-
burg, 1825.
272 Fourth Gejieration.
115. Clement-Stocker, b. Nov. 1781 ; d. unm.
116. Andrew, d. unmarried at St. Thomas, W. I., of yellow-fever.
Children of Benjamin and [27] Rcbeccah-G. (Potts) Duffield.
117. Martha-Rutter (248), b. Aug. 9, 1780; m. Dr. Henry Neill* of Snow
Hill, Md. He received the degree of M. D. from the University of
Pa., 1807. The subject of his essay was " Bubunocele." He prac-
tised his profession in Phil., and became vice-president of the College
of Physicians, and d. 1845.
118. John-Potts (358), b. Nov. 2, 1784 ; m. Sally Handy, of Snow Hill, Md. ;
second, Miss Bishop. Died there, 1830.
119. Rebeccah-Grace (364), b. Sept. 7, 1786; m. Dr. John S. Martin, of
Worcester Co., Md. He d. Nov. 21, 1843.
120. Edward (376), b. 1783 ; m. Mary Howland ; d. Jan. 16, 1825, in the
forty-third year of his age.
121. Catherine, b. April 9, 1787; m. Dr. John Church. He received his
degree of M. D. from the University of Pa. in 1795. The subject of
his essay was "Camphor." It is said that Dr. Church was the first
physician in Phil, to give a full course of lectures upon obstetrics f
and the diseases of women and children. Mrs. Church d. s. p. Feb.
9, 1804.
Obituary Notice from Poulson's Pliiladclpliia American Daily Advertiser,
Friday, Fed. 10, 1804.
" On Thursday afternoon, 9th instant, in the twenty-fifth year of her age,
Mrs. Catherine Church, wife of Dr. John Church, of this city. By the death
of this truly amiable and good woman, her husband has met with a severe
* The mother of Dr. Neill was a dau. of James Martin, member of the Convention of
1788 for the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. The father of James
was Col. James Martin, frequently mentioned in the records of the early settlement of
Maryland.
t Dr. Hodge states that Dr. Dewees was the first lecturer on these subjects.
Fourth Generation. 273
and heavy affliction, her brothers and sisters have sustained a great and irrep-
arable loss, and her numerous relations, friends, and acquaintances will have
to mourn for one who was deservedly loved and esteemed by them."
Children of [28] Jesse and Sarah (Lewis) Potts.
122. Martha. She was brought up by her aunt Lohra, in Phil., where she
d. of consumption at the age of sixteen years.
123. Sarah. Was burned to death when a child.
Children of [31] Edward and Sarah (Stille) Yorke.
124. Thomas.
125. Eliza (380), m. Dr. Cole, who d. 1813 ; m. for her second husband
George Farquhar.
126. Stephen.
127. Stille.
128. Patty (385), m. Mordecai Wetherill.
129. Gustavus.
130. Peter, m. Mary Harris, and d. 181 5.
131. Samuel (386), b. 1775; m. Mary Lippincott ; he d. in Phil., and is
buried in Christ Churchyard. The following is the inscription on his
tombstone : — -
" Sacred
To the memory of
Samuel Yorke
who departed this life
May 15th 1 816
in the 42nd year of his age
He exported his fortune before him into Heaven,
by his charities ; he has gone thither to enjoy it."
His w. survived him until Nov. 6, 1856, when she d. in Phil.
-H<So-H-
Children of [32] David and [24] Anna Potts
are carried down on p. 269.
35
274 Fourth Generation.
Children of [33] William and Sarah (Potts) Dcwees.
132. Rachel (394), m. Benjamin Bartholomew. He was of Huguenot de-
scent, and took an active interest in the Revolutionary struggle.
He was a member of the Committee of Safety appointed by the
Provincial Assembly in 1775, and a captain in the 58th Pa.
Regiment.
133. Hannah (404), m. Rev. Mr. Boggs, of N. J., a Baptist minister.
Children of Thomas and [34] Hannah (Potts) Deiuccs.
134. Rebeccah, is mentioned in the will of her uncle, David Potts. Married
Mr. Metcalf.
135. Jesse, is mentioned in his uncle's will.
136. John.
137. Sarah (406), m., first, Mr. Hodgkiss ; m. for her second husband, Caleb
Foulke.
138. William-Potts (409), b. at Pottsgrove, May 5, 1768.
"Dr. William P. Dewees* was one of the most distinguished individuals
that have ever graced the annals of our profession in this country." He
early determined to study medicine, and, after passing some time with an
apothecary, he entered the office of Dr. William Smith, in Phil. Here he
attended the lectures in the University of Pa. in 1787-88-89, but did not
take a degree. At twenty-one years of age he began to practise medicine
in Abington, where his talents, united with his affectionate disposition, soon
won the confidence of his patients, notwithstanding his youth. After passing
four years in this village, he removed to Philadelphia. His relative, Dr.
Rush, here threw his commanding influence in his favor, and he soon became
known. He early devoted his attention to a branch of the profession which
had not at that time been reduced to the state of a science, viz., obstetrics,
and was the first who attempted to give a full course of lectures upon the
subject in America. He wrote and published several books upon it, which
became at once authority both here and in Europe. In 1825 he was chosen
professor in the University of Pa., and filled his chair with great satisfaction
* This sketch of the life of Dr. Dewees is abridged from the memoir prepared by Dr.
Hugh L. Hodge at the request of the Medical Society of Fa.
Fourth Generation. 275
to his pupils. He constantly received tokens of the estimation in which his
services were held in this country and in Europe, and was made member
of many scientific societies in both hemispheres. He printed a work upon
the diseases of women and children, which justly entitled him to a high
rank as a physician.
In 1835 Dr. Dewees's health became so impaired that he resigned his pro-
fessorship, and on the 25th of Nov. of that year the students of the University
presented him with a magnificent silver vase with the following inscription :
" Presented to William P. Dewees, M. D., late professor in the University
of Pennsylvania, by the medical class of that institution, as a testimonial of
their respect for his exalted worth and talent. Philadelphia, Nov. 1835. Sempe
honos nomenque laudesque' manebunt." The occasion of the presentation
was a very interesting one, as it took place in the hall where he had lectured,
and in the presence of the officers, students, and professors of the institution.
Dr. Dewees retired from the scene of his labors to seek health in a warmer
climate, and he spent nearly four years in Havanna and Mobile, Ala., and re-
turned to Phil, to die in May, 1840; but such was the strength of his constitu-
tion, that this event did not take place until the 20th of May, 1841. The news
of his decease was heard with great regret by his professional brethren of
the Medical Society of Pa., of which he was vice-president, and Dr. Hugh
L. Hodge was appointed by that body to prepare a memoir of their dis-
tinguished associate. His funeral was attended on May 22d by a large
concourse of physicians and students, anxious to pay the last respect to the
memory of their beloved -friend. He was buried in Ronaldson's Cemetery,
at Ninth and Fitzwater Sts. The ladies of Phil, talked of raising a monument
to his memory ; but it is believed that not even a stone marks the spot
where his ashes repose. A fine portrait of Dr. Dewees adorns the hall of
the University of Pa. He was twice m. ; first to Martha, dau. of Dr. Rogers,
of New England. She d. s. p. in her youth and beauty. He m., secondly,
Mary Lorrain, dau. of a merchant of Phil. She did not long survive her
husband.
Dr. Dewees's first wife is buried in Christ Churchyard, Phil., and the fol-
lowing is the inscription on her tombstone : —
276 Fourth Generation.
" In memory of
Mrs. Martha Dewees
wife of
Dr. William Dewees
who departed this life
Jan. I2'h 1801
in the 25th year of her age."
139. Hannah, b. Oct. 22, 1776; d. July 30, 1777; is buried in Christ
Churchyard, Phil., and the following inscription is on her tomb-
stone : —
"In memory' of
Hannah Dewees
daughter of Thomas &
Hannah Dewees
who departed this life
July 30, 1777
aged 9 months & 9 days."
Children of John and [36] Magdelen (Potts) Ellis.
140. Thomas.
141. Sarah, m. Daniel Thomas.
142. Anna, lived with her grandmother, Deborah (Pyewell) Potts Hughes.
143. Martha.
Children of Samuel and [37] Rebeccah (Potts) Baird.
144. Thomas, b. at Pottstown, April 22, 1783. H"e was by profession a sur-
veyor, and d. unm. at Reading, Oct. 21, 1854. He was buried in the
family graveyard, where all his brothers and sisters lie. (See inscrip-
tions.)
145. William, b. June 24, 1784. He m. Hannah, dau. of Capt. Nathaniel
Beach of Beach Grove, N. J., and d. s. p. at Pottstown, April 29, 1832.
146. John, b. 1785 ; d. 1787, aged two years.
147. Samuel (41 8), b. 17S6. He was educated for the bar, and practised law
in Reading. He m. Lydia M., dau. of William McFunn * and Lydia
* William Biddle came to Phil, in Penn's time. His son William m. Mary, dau. of
Nicholas Scull, surveyor-general of Pa., whose dau. Lydia m. Capt. McFunn, of the British
Fourth Generation. 277
(Spencer) Biddle, and d. there July 27, 1833. Mrs. Baird d. in Carlisle,
June 3, 1871, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. After her death,
her husband's remains were removed to Carlisle, and placed beside hers ;
but the stone to his memory still remains in the family graveyard.
148. Mary-Ann, b. June 7, 1789 ;% d. unm. at Stowe, near Pottstown, Nov.
10, 1825.
149. Deborah, b. Aug. 20, 1791 ; d. unm. March 25, 1829.
150. Harriet, b. 1795 ; d. unm. Jan. 24, 1864.
151. Rebecca, b. 1796; d. unm. Nov. 9, 1857.
152. Martha-Rutter, b. 1797; d. unm. Nov. 17, 1864.
Children of [38] William and [91] Mary F. {Potts) Potts.
153J. Thomas, b. Nov. 25, 1800; d. Sept. 29, 1801.
154£. William-Baird (424), b. at Pottstown, Feb. 22, 1802. He was educated
for the bar, and practised law, first at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., but
removed to Pottsville when the courts were changed to the latter
place. He was interested in collecting family genealogy, and his
manuscript has been extensively copied and circulated. He had,
however, little idea of chronological arrangement ; and it is much to
be regretted that, with his opportunities of obtaining information from
the elder generation living in his day, he noted so few dates of births,
marriages, and deaths, or the parents' names of those marrying into
the family. His errors of omission as well as commission have some-
times led me astray before I gave up depending upon his record. To
those who may think this genealogy is merely a compilation from his
manuscript, I would say, my labor would have been lighter had I
never seen his. About 1850 he presented the valuable collection of
the papers of his maternal grandfather, Dr. Potts, to the Historical So-
ciety of Pa. William m. Jane-Hughes, dau. of Levi Downing, April 8,
1830. She was b. May 22, 1807. He d. Oct. 9, 1855, and was
buried in the family graveyard. His w. still survive*.
155t. Deborah, b. April, 1804, living unm. at Reading.
navy, and governor of Antigua, whose only son, William-Biddle McFunn, took the name
of Biddle in conformity with the wish of his uncle Edward, who left him a large estate.
He m. Lydia Spencer.
FIFTH GENERATION
Children of [41] Lewis and Sarah (Hubley) Walker.
153. Margaret-Hublev, b. at Pine ; resides in West Phil. unm.
154. Thomas-Hubley (430), b. at Windsor Forge. He was admitted to prac-
tise at the bar, 1848 ; elected district attorney of Schuylkill Co., 1856,
and judge of the courts in 1871. He resides at Pottsville, and m.
Susan, dau. of Daniel Shollenberger.
155. Lewis-Leonard, b at Laurel Lodge, Pottstown. He received his de-
gree of M. D. from the University of Pa., 1854. Subject of essay,
" Vitality of Blood."
Children of John and [42] Rebecca ( Walker) Yocum.
156. Elizabeth-Rebecca, m. Charles Smith. They reside near Ottawa, 111.
157. Mary-Anne.
158. Samuel-Hockley (434). His wife d. 1869. He resides near Ottawa, 111.
. • ->.ubljh.
Children of [45] Thomas and Elisabeth (Boon) Leonard.
159. Thomas, m. and has issue.
1591. Anna, m. Mr. Mattson, and has issue ; their names are unknown to me.
Children of George and [46] Elizabeth (Leonard) Leaf. ,
160. Frederick-Smith, d.
161. Thomas-Leonard, d.
162. George D.
Fifth Generation. 279
163. Mary (436), m. Thomas Boyd.
164. Harland (441), was a physician, and d. 1872.
165. Anna-Leonard.
166. William.
167. Edmund, m. Harriet, dau. of Charles and Maria Clay. He is a clergy-
man of the Episcopal ch. and rector of St. Gabriel's, Morlatton
168. Julia, d.
169. Elizabeth (442), m. Beecher. She d. in Pottstovvn about 1843.
•^-oOc-^-^-
Children of Robert and [5 1] Rebeccah-G. {Potts) May.
170. Eliza (443), b. at Head of Elk, Md., March 2, 1787. She lived at Phil,
and Coventry until she was m. at the former place by John Ralston,
Esq., June 2, 1804, to Samuel Stevens,* son of Samuel Stevens, of
Talbot Co., "Md.
Mr. Stevens, Sr., intending his son for a merchant, had sent him to be
fitted for that life in the establishment of Thomas P. Cope, at Phil. ; but the
death of the father recalled the son to his native State to take possession of
his inheritance. The care of his plantations gave him sufficient occupation,
and he turned his attention to improvements in agriculture. It was through
his influence that the Maryland Agricultural Society was founded, of which
he was the first president, continuing in the office for a long series of years. The
land inherited by Samuel Stevens had been in the family from Lord Balti-
more's time. His residence, called Compton, was finely situated near the
Choptank, upon a cove, where Dividing Creek falls into that river. In the
war of 18 12, Admiral Cockburn, with part of his fleet, passed up to this
point, and, from the number of buildings, supposing the plantation to be a
small town, he opened his port-holes to bombard it ; but, being informed by
some runaway slaves on board that it was a private residence, he dropped
clown the river. Mr. Stevens, being apprehensive of an attack, had sent his
* The family of Stevens is mentioned in the early history of Md. In 1668, Col. \Vm.
Stevens was authorized to induce persons to emigrate and settle near Lewes, on Delaware
Bav. ,
280 Fifth Generation.
wife and her young family away to a place of safety before the vessels of war
arrived. During this period, the militia of the county was under his com-
mand, and he went with them into the field. He took a prominent part in
the politics of the day, and was elected to the State Senate. In 1824 he was
chosen governor of Md., and, while serving in that capacity, he resided at
Government House, Annapolis. When Gen. Lafayette visited Maryland,
he was the guest of Gov. Stevens, and the family still have in their posses-
sion several mementoes of that visit.
Mrs. Stevens d. at Compton, Dec. 8, 1834, and was buried at the family
graveyard of Beechwood. The following notice of her death is copied from
the family Bible : " Eliza M., wife of Samuel Stevens, aged 47 years, 9 months,
6 days, an exemplary Christian, an affectionate wife, a tender mother, and
kind mistress ; a friend to all, a slanderer of none, she lived greatly beloved,
and d. lamented by all who knew her." Her husband survived her until
Feb. 6, i860, and was buried beside her. At that date all save one of his
nine children were dead.
171. Rebecca-Grace, b. I.e., July 30, 1789, d. there Oct. 8, 1790.
Children of Robert and [55] Ruth (Potts) May.
172. Thomas- Potts (452), b. at Coventry, March 9, 1793. He graduated at
Jefferson Coll., Cannonsburg, and afterwards studied for the ministry.
He was ordained in 1817, and immediately entered upon his duties
at Norristown as rector of St. John's Ch. He m. at Phil., Feb. 22,
1 8 14, Sarah, dau. of James and Martha (Bull) McClintock, and d. Sept.
20, 1 8 19, of yellow-fever, contracted while visiting, as a clergyman, a
person ill of that disease. His w. m. again, and d. Sept. 3, 1869.
The following obituary is copied from Poulson's " American Advertiser,"
Phil., Oct. 1, 1819 : —
" Died, at Norristown, on Monday, Sept. 20, after a short but severe illness,
the Rev. Thomas P. May, rector of the Episcopal churches of St. John,
Norristown, and St. Thomas, Whitemarsh, in that county.
" The death of this worthy man is greatly lamented, not only by the mem-
bers of his own congregation, but by many others to whom he had endeared
himself by the excellence of his character and the interesting qualities which
Fifth Generation. 281
he discovered in his intercourse with them. Mr. May entered into the
ministry of the Episcopal ch. about two and a half years since, and was
shortly after chosen rector of the above-named churches. Possessed of an
understanding naturally strong and also well cultivated, and having his heart
interested in the sacred duties of the office to which he had devoted himself,
he assiduously devoted his time and talents in disseminating among his flock
and others of the neighborhood a knowledge of the important truths of
Christianity, and his labors have been rewarded by considerable success.
Few men have possessed talent and disposition which qualified them for use-
fulness in the ministerial office superior to those of Mr. May, more especially
in the station to which Providence called him. In his public ministrations
in the church he was solemn, instructive, and impressive, and in his private in-
tercourse amiable, friendly, and interesting, and likewise constantly watching
to seize every opportunity of impressing on the hearts of those with whom he
associated the necessity of attending to those things which relate to their
eternal peace. The most encouraging prospects of increased usefulness were
opening to him ; but Providence, in wisdom, has seen fit to call him hence to
enjoy, as we trust, the reward of his labors. He d. in the twenty-sixth year
of his age, and has left a widow and two young children to lament his sudden
and early decease."
173. Robert (455), b. /. c, Jan 19, 1795. He graduated at Cannonsburg
Coll., and received his degree of M. D. from the University of Pa.,
1822. The subject of his essay was " Ophthalmia." He m. Elizabeth,
dau. of Erasmus and Julian Laver, March 16, 1848 ; and d. Jan. 26,
1 866, and was buried in the family graveyard at Coventry.
171. Anna-Nutt, b. /. c, Oct. 30, 1798 ; and m. March 4, 1819, [206] David,
son of [60] David and [99] Martha (Potts) Potts of Warwick. She
d. s. p. at Coventry, March 17, 1823.
17j. James, b. /. c, Dec. 14, 1S00; d. Nov. 22, 1802, and was buried in the
family graveyard at Coventry.
176. James, the second, so named, b. /. c, Oct. 1, 1805.
After the death of his parents, he went with his two younger brothers to
reside with his sister, Mrs. Stevens, in Md. He graduated at Cannonsburg,
and studied divinity in Phil. He was ordained in 1S26, and at once took
charge of St. Stephen's Ch., Wilkesbarre, where he m. Ellen, dau. of Capt.
36 ,
282
Fifth Generation.
Samuel* and Eleanor (Ledlie) Bowman, and sister of Rt. Rev. Samuel Bow-
man, D. D. He d. s. p. Dec. 18, 1863. A volume of his letters from
Europe has been printed, and his biography was prepared and published
by Rev. Mr. Shiras. A sermon commemorative of his life and labors
was preached by the Rev. J. S. Stone, D. D., in Phil., which was also printed.
Dr. May was a man of intellectual ability, and greatly beloved by his parish-
ioners, and in the theological seminaries, where he was for many years a pro-
fessor. He was buried by the side of his w. in St. Mary's Churchyard, West
Phil., and the following are the inscriptions on their tombstones : —
"'A burning and shining light.'
James May D. D.
Born in Chester Co. Pa.
Oct. I. 1S05
Died at Philadelphia
Dec. iS. 1863
Rector of S;. Stephen's
Church Wilkesbarre
1827- 1S36.
St. Paul's Philad2 1834- 1838
Professor in the
Theological Seminary of
Virginia 1S42 1861.
In Divinity School of Philad*
1861 1S63.
' He was a good man and full
of the Holy Ghost and of faith.'
Acts vi. 24."
177. Newton, b. /. c, Dec. 26, 1807.
Graduated at Cannonsburg Coll., and received his degree of M. D. from
the University of Pa., 1831 ; the subject of his essay, "Idiopathic Hemor-
rhage." He resides at Holmesburg, where he practises medicine. Un-
married.
178. Addison (462), b. /. c, Dec. 18, 181 1.
He graduated at Cannonsburg, studied law, and settled in Norristown,
" Ellen Stuart
wife of
James May D. D.
daughter of
Capt. Samuel & Eleanor
Bowman.
Born in Wilkes Barre, Pa.
October 25, 1805
A gift ' from the Lord ' and
' a crown to her husband '
Having kept the faith
She departed hence
Looking unto Jesus'
January 10, 1861."
* He was an officer in the Revolutionary army, and his name has been widely known
as the captain to whose care Andre- was committed after his arrest.
Fifth Generation. 283
where he practised his profession for several years. Married, June 13, 1839,
by Rev. Levi Bull, D. D., to Elizabeth, dau. of Hon. Samuel and Martha*
(Bull) Shafer. He resides in West Chester.
Children of Thomas E. and [53] Martha (Potts) Haskins.
179. Thomas-Potts, b. at Phil, March 27, 1787; d. there May 14, 1790.
180. Sarah-Ennalls (463), was b. at Coventry at the residence of her great-
grandmother, Mrs. Robert Grace, Dec. 19, 1788. At the age of eight
she lost her mother, and until her father's second m. she was under
the care of his sister, Sarah Ennalls Haskins. She m. Sept. 20, 1810,
at Phil., Jesse, son of William and Mary f (Patrick) Richards, of
Batsto, N. J.
Jesse Richards carried on for many years Batsto Furnace, and, when bog-
iron ore became scarce, he established glass-works there. At his death the
estate comprised over eighty thousand acres. Here Mrs. Richards lived
in the exercise of great hospitality for fifty-nine years. She was a de-
voted member of the Methodist ch., and often related anecdotes of the early
preachers of that denomination, remembering Bishop Asbury well, whom
she greatly revered. Jesse Richards d. at Batsto, June 8, 1854. His w. sur-
vived him until Oct. 14, 1868.
181. Joseph-Ennalls, b. at Phil., March 14, 1791 ; d. Sept. 1, 1791.
Children of Benjamin and [54] Elizabeth (Potts) yacobs.
182. Samuel (470), m. Mary Miller.
183. John. He studied medicine in Phil., and m. Catherine, dau. of Justice
Sheetz, of Norristown.
* Martha, dau. of Thomas Bull, was m. first to James McClintock. Her second hus-
band, Sam'l Shafer, to whom she was m. Oct., 1812, became one of the judges of the
courts of Chester Co.
t She was the dau. of Samuel and Rebecca Patrick. Her father was a kinsman of
Robert Grace, and her mother a grand-daughter of the first Thomas Rutter. Jesse Rich-
ards wpc b. in Whitelands, Dec. 2. 1782.
284 Fifth Generation.
Cliildrcn of [56] Samuel-Nutt and Mary-Camac (Welsh) Potts.
184. Thomas-Welsh, b. in Phil., Jan. 16, 1797 ; m. at Norristovvn, 1822, Han-
nah, dau. of Jacob Rittenhouse. He resided at Norristown, and was
for several years mayor of that borough. He d. s. p. March 14, 1864.
His w. survived him until March 26, 1872.
185. John-Graff (475), b. /. c, Feb. 17, 1800; m. at Phil., Nov. 26, 1S29,
Mary, dau. of William and Rachel Kennedy. She d. May 17, 183 1.
He m. for his second \v. Elizabeth-Graham Hunt, Dec. 2, 1832.
He was engaged in the hardware business in Phil. ; but in 1838 re-
moved with his family to Galena, 111., where he still resides. He is the oldest
justice of the peace in that State, having held the office thirty-three years. He
was three times chosen mayor of the city, and served each term. He is also
at the head of the Order of Odd Fellows in the Northwest, and the oldest
member of that society in the United States. For the purpose of instituting
new lodges, lie travelled many thousands of miles through a wild country
before the establishment of stage-coaches and railroads.
186. Anna-Grace, b. July 21, 1802; unm. ; resides at Reading with her
brother Samuel.
187. Samuel-Jacobs (484), b. Nov. 23, 1805 ; m. Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph
Hulme, of Hulmeville, Sept. 12, 1832.
188. Sarah-Haskins (490), b. July 31, 1808; m. John R. Johnson, of Long-
acoming, N. J., July 20, 1826. She became a widow, and m. for her
second husband, George Smith, in 1849.
189. Charles-Frederick (496), b. April 6, 181 1 ; m. Roxanna-Witt Burnet,
of Springfield, Mass., 1841. She d. at Galena, 111., Feb. 28, 1871, aged
fifty-seven. He m. for his second wife, Elizabeth,' w. of Ebenezer
Shumway, at Galena, May 28, 1872. He was brought up in the hard-
ware business in Phil., but went West in 1837, and the following year
settled in Galena, 111., the centre of the lead-mines of the Northwest.
190. Mary-Ann (501), b. May 4, 1814; m. Peter Crans, Jr., of Phil, Oct.,
1836. She d. there, Oct. 28, 1865.
191. George- Washington, b. 1817. Emigrated to the West, and settled in
Missouri, near St. Louis, where he still resides. Unmarried.
92. Eliza-Stevens, d. unm.
FiftJi Generation. 285
Children of [58] Thomas and Ann-McClanahan (Humphreys) Potts.
193. Julian-Humphreys (504), b. at Phil, Dec. 8, 1804; m. Sept., 1832,
[213] Robert-Hobart, son of [60] David and [99] Martha Potts. She
d. at Warwick, Jan. 29, 1868. Her husband survived until Dec. 12,
1872, and both are buried in the family graveyard at Coventry.
194. Thomas-Assheton (507), b. at Coventry, June 14, 1814; m. at Phil,
Mary-Ann, dau. of Joseph and Isabella Haines, Aug. 12, 1835. She
was b. Feb. 16, 1816.
195. Frances, d. unm.
Children of Isaac and [59] Henrietta (Potts) James.
196. John-Fletcher (520), b. at Radnor, Jan. 16, 1802 ; m. at Compton, Tal-
bot Co., Md., by Rev. Henry M. Maison, Aug. 10, 1837, to [449]
Sarah-Elizabeth, dau. of Samuel and [170] Eliza Stevens. She d. in
Phil. Jan. 30, 1842. He m., for his second wife, her sister [450]
Henrietta-Louisa, at Compton, April 2, 1845. She d. s. p. in Phil.,
Dec. 30, 1867.
He was fitted for Nassau Hall, Princeton ; but circumstances prevented
him from obtaining a collegiate education. He however received the honor-
ary degree of A. M. from Cannonsburg Coll. in 1834. He early developed
a fondness for mathematics, and, when quite a young man, was made actuary
of the Girard Life-insurance Company of Phil. For this institution he cal-
culated a set of tables upon the basis of the average of life in this country,
being at that time the only person except Nathaniel Bowditch, of Boston,
who had attempted this elaborate work. He was a member of the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society for twenty-three years. He d. suddenly in Phil.,
Feb. 5, 1871, and was buried near his two wives in Laurel Hill.
197. Thomas-Potts (52 r), b. /. e., Sept. 1, 1803.
He received his early education in Trenton, N. J., intending to enter
Princeton Coll., but was prevented -by circumstances. He established him-
self in the drug and apothecary business in Phil., which he continued for
forty years. From his youth he devoted his leisure to the study of botany,
and, having acquired a knowledge of phaenogamous plants, he turned his
attention to the cryptogamia, making the musci a speciality. His progress
286 Fifth Generation.
in this branch of science appears in the papers upon the subject he has from
time to time published. He accepted the office of secretary of the Pennsyl-
vania Horticultural Society, and performed its duties for twenty-three years,
and was elected professor of botany by that association after the death of its
first professor, the eminent Dr. Darlington, in 1864, and to that position he
has been re-elected annually. He was for a time one of the trustees of the
College of Pharmacy, in Phil., and the official head of the Drug Exchange.
He has been treasurer of the American Pomological Society (now in its
twenty-fifth year) since its origin, and is, with one exception, the oldest
living manager of the Girard Life-insurance Company. He was chosen
member of the American Philosophical Society in 1857, ninety years after
the election of his maternal grandfather, whose name he bears, and was
chairman of the committee of publication for several years, and filled other
positions in that association. He was m. at Christ Ch., Cambridge, Mass.,
by Rev. N. Hoppin, Dec. 3, 185 1, to Isabella, only surviving dau. of Samuel *
and Maryf (Montgomery) Batchelder. In 1S69 he removed with his family
to Cambridge, Mass., where he now resides.
* He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Woodbury)' Batchelder, who was the son
of Jonathan,* son of Jonathan, son of John,3 son of John Batchelder, who had a grant
of land in Salem, Mass., in 1639.
T Mary Montgomery was the eldest dau. of Gen. John and Elizabeth (Ring) Montgomery,
of Haverhill, N. H. See " History of the Montgomerie."
1 Elizabeth Woodbury was descended from John Woodbury, who came from Somerset-
shire, and established himself with Roger Conant at Cape Ann, 1624. He received a grant
of two hundred acres of land in Bass River, now Beverly, in 1636. He was chosen deputy
to the General Court in 1635 and 1638, and d. in 1641.
2 Married Hepsibah Conant, great-granddaughter of Lot, the eldest son of Roger
Conant, who came to Mass. 1624, and was appointed governor of Cape Ann Colony by the
Dorchester Company, in England, before the coming of Endicott or Winthrop. See
" History of Roger Conant," by J. W. Thornton.
* John m. Mary Herrick in 1673, a grand-daughter of Henry Herrick, who was son of Sir
William Herrick, of Beaumanor Park, Leicestershire, England. Sir William was a man
of great ability, highlv honored by Queen Elizabeth, whose descendants still live at Beau-
manor Park, near Loughborough. Sir William was the uncle and patron of Robert Herrick
the poet. See " Burke's Landed Gentry " and " Biography of Robert Herrick" ; also, L'p-
ham's " History of Salem Witchcraft.'
Fifth Generation. 287
198. David (525), b. /. c, March 14, 1805 ; m. in Byberry, by Rev. George
Sheetz, rector of Oxford Ch., Oct. 10, 1833, to Amanda, dau. of
Benjamin and Ann (Walton) Worthington. He d. in Phil., June 7,
1873. The following obituary appeared in the Phil. "Evening Bul-
letin " of June 9 : —
" David James, M. D., a prominent physician of the homoeopathic school
of medicine, died on Friday last, in this city. He had been in active prac-
tice for forty-five years. For twelve or fourteen years he practised the allo-
pathic system of medicine ; but, becoming convinced of the merits of the
new system from studying and prescribing it for such patients as were willing
to try it, he at length resolved to administer nothing but the homoeopathic
medicines to any of his patients. So great was the confidence in him as a
man and physician, that almost the entire circle of his extensive practice
adopted it at once.
" He was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical Coll., of this city, in 1828,
and, soon after graduating, became associated with Dr. Worthington, residing
in Byberry Township, in the northern part of the then county of Phil, now the
Twenty-third Ward of the city ; but about seventeen years ago he removed
with his family to his late residence, in Green St., where he has since lived
in the enjoyment of a large and remunerative practice.
" In 1822, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
has always been since that time a most consistent, active, working member
in the denomination of his choice. He soon became a local preacher, and
a more zealous, deeply pious Christian was not to be found.
" He had a most cheerful, hopeful disposition, was always happy at home
and abroad, and his routine life was truly an exemplary one. His perception
was quick and discerning, his judgment very clear and accurate ; he was
naturally generous and open-hearted, and actuated by high and noble
impulses. His loss will be felt and mourned by a large circle of warm
friends."
199. Anna-Potts, b. /. c, Feb. 21, 1807 ; unm.
200. Mary-Ann, b. /. c, May 6, 1808 ; d. there Nov. 27, 1808.
201. Isaac-Griffith, b. /. c, Nov. 20, 1809 ; d. Trenton, N. J., June 8, 1822.
202. Samuel-Nutt, b. /. c, July 4, 1813 ; unm.
288 Fifth Generation.
203. Henrietta, b. /. c, Feb. 5, 1816; d. there, Jan. 30, 1832.
204. Martha-Haskins, b. /. c, Aug. 19, 1819; unm.
Children of [60] David and [99] Martha (Potts) Potts.
205. Joanna-Holland, b. at Pottstown, Oct. 5, 1793; d. unm. at Warwick,
Oct. 3, 1826, and was buried in the family graveyard at Coventry,
where lie the remains of all her deceased brothers and sisters.
206. David, b. /. c, Nov. 27, 1794; m. at Coventry, March 4, 1819, [174]
Anna-Nutt, dau. of Robert and [55] Ruth (Potts) May. She d. s. p.,
March 17, 1823.
Before the age of eighteen, David had the principal charge of Warwick
Furnace, which he carried on most successfully for half a century. He was
elected to Congress in i83i,andwas ever zealous in serving his country.
During the war of the Rebellion, he gave liberally towards the raising of
regiments, and for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers. Seven of his
nephews entered the army, some of whom were wounded. During the years
of the war, twice every day a- messenger was sent to Pottstown, the nearest
point on the railroad, eight miles over the hills, for news. How eagerly the
little band of brothers and sisters, living in this isolated spot, watched for
tidings of their loved ones in the field, may be only faintly imagined by those
who listened eagerly for every pulsation of the telegraph wires in their city
homes. David d. at Warwick, June 1, 1863, and, after forty years, was laid
by the side of his wife in the family graveyard, with the request that no stone
should be raised to his memory.
The following obituary, written by Rev. James May, D. D., is copied from
the Phil. " Press " : —
" The late Hon. David Potts.
"To the Editor of the ' Pkess.'
"Sir, — The Hon. David Potts died, June rst (instant), at his ancestral
home, Warwick Furnace, Chester Co., Pa., aged sixty-eight years and six
months. No man was more widely known in his native county, nor had
a more honored name, than the deceased. For some years, in early life, he
Fifth Generation. 289
represented that county in the State Legislature, and afterward for four full
terms in the national Congress. The great features of his character were
soundness of judgment, decision, firmness, with extraordinary integrity, in all
affairs, public or private. His high reputation for the most scrupulous hon-
esty and honorableness in all transactions might well be aimed at by any one.
His name seemed to be a synonyme for integrity and honor. His ground of
action was, not policy, nor profitableness, nor popularity, but inherent Tight-
ness. He was, during life, a decided opponent of slavery, on the simple
ground that the essential element of the institution is not only compulsory,
but unrequited labor. He refused offers of free tickets on railroads, because
he looked on them (except in the cases of official servants of the com-
panies) as indirect means of influence against right, and as a species of
wrong to honest stockholders. ,
" His decision and firmness were associated with singular repose of mind.
Strangers might suppose him to be quiet, almost to the degree of indolent
repose, while his mind was grasping and regulating with despatch all the
details of a very large business. His judicious management of his furnace
(one of the very oldest in the State) secured for him an abundant estate, and
enabled him to dispense his income with largeness of heart. He took the
liveliest interest in the great national question of the day, sustained the gov-
ernment with the most deliberate and earnest loyalty, and dispensed his pri-
vate fortune munificently for the encouragement of volunteers in his country's
service. His death is a public loss.
" Philadelphia, June 3, 1S63."
207. Edmund-Key, b. at Warwick, April 16, 1796; d. May 17, 1805.
208. Thomas-May (531), b. I c, Aug. 9, 1797 ; m. Hannah Templin.
209. Nathaniel, b. /. c, Nov. 13, 1798. After the death of his brother David,
he carried on Warwick Furnace, where he still resides with his unm.
sister.
210. Rebecca-Smith, b. /. c, June 29, 1800; d. Oct. 22, 1805.
211. Francis (540), b. /. c, Jan. 14, 1802 ; m. Ann M. Church. She d. there
Sept. 29, 1872, aged fifty-five.
212. Sarah-May (546), b. /. c, Dec. 19, 1803 ; m. Rev. Nathan Stem, June
19, 183 1. He was rector of St. John's Ch., Norristown, for twenty -
37
290 Fifth Generation.
five years, where he d., and is buried in that churchyard. Mrs. Stem
m. for her second husband, [236] David, son of [64] Joseph and [73]
Sarah (Potts) Potts, at Phil., Sept. 16, 1869.
213. Robert-Hobart (504), b./. c, May 6, 1805 ; m. Sept., 1832, [193] Julian-
Humphreys, dau. of [58J Thomas and Ann M. (Humphreys) Potts.
She d. Jan. 29, 1868. Her husband survived her until Dec. 12, 1872.
214. Rebecca, b. /. c, Feb. 28, 1807 ; unni.
215. Martha-Ellen, b. /. c, Aug. 16, 1809; d. untn. at Warwick, May 10,
1852.
Children of [61] Nathaniel and Rebcccah (Hobart) Potts.
216. Emily, d. in infancy.
217. Nathaniel, b. Nov. 30, 1784; d. at Pottstown, Dec. 25, 1788. (See
inscriptions.)
Children of [62] John and Eliza (Ramsay) Potts.
218. Wilhelmina-Douglass (551). She was m.. at Christ Ch., Alexandria,
D. C, Aug. 25, 18 1 8, to Rev. William Hawley, who was rector of St.
John's Ch., Washington, for twenty-eight years, and d. there Jan. 23,
1845. His w. d. in Phil., April 13, 1865. One of her daughters re-
lates that her mother remembered sitting on Gen. Washington's knee
when a child, and drinking wine out of his glass, her father's house
being one of Washington's homes in Alexandria.
219. Samuel (560), m. Mary-Ann Ross.
220. Sophia- Wilson (569), m. near Alexandria, Va., July, 1808, Dr. Thomas
Semmes.* He was b. in Prince George's Co., Md., Aug. 13, 1779,
and received his degree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa. in 1801. His
essay was on " The Effects of Lead." After travelling extensively
in Europe, he returned to Alexandria, where he commenced the
practice of medicine, and resided there until his d. in 1833. His w.
survived him six years. She was a woman of great personal attrac-
* An account of Dr. Semmes may be found in ihe "American Medical Journal,'' 1S33.
Fifth Generation. 291
tions and elevated character. Dr. Semmes and his w. are buried in
Christ Churchyard, Alexandria.
One of Mrs. Semmes's daughters has given me the following anecdote,
which she had heard her mother relate. After Gen. Washington's retirement
to Mount Vernon, lie would sometimes dine at her father's, in Alexandria. On
one of these occasions there were other guests, and Sophia, with their chil-
dren, her young friends, was seated at a side-table. These girls were Molly
Fitzhugh (afterwards Mrs. Custis. the mother of Mrs. Robert E. Lee), Nancy
Jenifer, and some others. Child like, they agreed before dinner to eat of the
same dishes, so every one chose wild duck ; then all took precisely the
same vegetables. This amused Washington greatly, who, turning to them,
said, "Young ladies, will you all take a glass of wine with me?" an invita-
tion which made the climax of the glee of the young party.
221 • Ramsay-Douglass, m. Lucretia.
222. Joanna (575), b. 1789 ; m. [244] Nathaniel-Potts, son of Robert E. and
[65] Sarah M. (Potts) Hobart, and d. at Pottstown, Jan., 1867. (See
inscriptions.)
Children of [63] Thomas and Abigail (Miles) Potts.
223. Joanna, b. at Pottsgrove, Oct. 29, 1786.
224. Rebeccah, b. /. c, 178S ; d. unm. 1843.
225. Catherine-Miles (584), b. /. c, 1789 ; m. Dr. Samuel Gartley. He prac-
tised medicine in Norristown.
226. Samuel-Miles, b. /. c., 1792 ; d. unm. 1823.
227. Thomas (589), b. /. c, 1794 ; m. Harriet Brooke, of Limerick.
228. Juliana, b. /. c, 1796; d. unm. 1867.
229. Joseph-McKean (594), b. /. c, 1798 ; m. [302] Rebecca J.,dau. of Reese
and [74] Harriet (Potts) Brooke, in 1824. He d. Aug. 3, 1832.
230. Sarah-Miles (588), b. /. c, 1800; m. her deceased sister's husband, Dr.
Samuel Gartley.
231. Francis-Richardson (599), b. /. c, May 10, 1802 ; m. Mary-Ann Moore,
of Chester Co. She d. s. p. He m. for his second w. his cousin,
Mary Miles. He went to Ohio, and settled at Putnam, of which town
he is postmaster.
292 Fifth Generation.
Children of [64] Joseph and [73] Sarah (Potts) Potts.
232. Mary (603), b. at Pottsgrove, Dec. 7, 1792 ; was m. at Pottstown, by
Rev. Dr. Clay, Sept. 23, 181 3, to Robert-Hobart, son of Robert and
Rebeccah (Hobart) Smith, the widow of Nathaniel Potts.
Mr.- Smith graduated at the Univ. of Pa., and studied law with Hon.
Jared Ingersoll, and had commenced practice in Phil., when he believed it to
be his duty to devote himself to the ministry. He therefore entered the
Theological Seminary at Princeton, and, after spending the required time
there, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Phil, in 1829. His
health had, however, become too feeble for him to assume a pastoral charge ;
but he occasionally officiated at the various benevolent institutions of the city,
and was for nearly a quarter of a century a ruling elder in the Second Pres-
byterian Ch. of Phil., and treasurer of the General Assembly for many
years. He was a good classical scholar, and, as he grew older, he would
often turn to these favorite studies of his youth as a means of mental recrea-
tion. During the last years of his life he resided at Germantown, where he
d. Aug. 10, 1858, "having occupied an enviable place in the estimation, not
only of those with whom he was connected by the ties of relationship, but of
all with whom he was associated, either in the department of business, or in
the intercourse of society."
233. Samuel (610), b. /. c., March 13, 1794; m. 1817, to [257] Ruth-Anna,
dau. of [72] David and [66] Mary-Ann (Potts) Rutter.
The early years of his life were spent in Pottstown ; but he removed to
Phil, while still a young man, and for thirty-six years he held the office of
chief clerk in the Mutual Assurance Company of Phil. He d. suddenly,
while walking in the street, Nov. I, 1869. The following is extracted from
an obituary notice in the papers of the day : " Honorable in his deportment,
kind and gentlemanly in his manner, punctual and reliable in his business
habits, he won the respect of all who knew him in private, and both secured
and to the last retained the confidence of those with whom he was connected
in business life In mature age, and after due consideration, he became
a member of the Episcopal Ch., and through all his subsequent years con-
tinued to manifest the sincerity of his faith by the consistency of his life.
Thus, in the experience and practice of heartfelt but unobtrusive piety, he
steadily moved onward in the narrow way, until, according to the mysterious
Fifth Generation. 293
will of God, suddenly, and without warning, he fell upon the sideway of the
busy street, and in a few moments surrendered his spirit into tlie hand of
Him who gave it. His remains, brought to this place, were conveyed to the
quiet burial-ground of those who were near of kin to him, and there com-
mitted to the grave, to mingle with kindred dust." Ruth-Anna, his w., d. in
Phil., Oct., 1864, and is buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown. (See
inscriptions.)
Two stained-glass windows have been placed in the new edifice of Christ
Ch., in that town, to the memory of Samuel and Ruth-Anna Potts.
231. Henry, b. /. c, Dec. 7, 1795 ; d. April 28, 1797.
235. Henry (613), the second so named, b. /. c, Aug. 5, 1797 ; m., in 1819, to
Isabella, dau. of Daniel Hitner, of Maple Hall, Montgomery Co., and
d. Aug. 31, 1 861. The following is extracted from an obituary printed
in the Pottstown paper a few days after his death.
"He was born Aug. 5, 1797, at the then family residence in Pottstown.
His parents were the late Joseph and Sarah Potts, each of them a descend-
ant, in the third generation, of John Potts, proprietor of the estate known for
many years as Pottsgrove. The municipal corporation, created at a .much
later day than that of his death, was called Pottstown. Henry Potts, after
being carefully educated, was placed in the counting-room of the late Robert
Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia, where he acquired or developed the habits of
clearness and accuracy which through life distinguished him in the details of
his transactions. In early life he married Isabella, daughter of Daniel Hit-
ner, Esq., of Montgomery Co. Immediately after, was settled at Glasgo"w
Forge for the business of his life, which was the manufacture of iron. There
and at Pottstown, with the exception of about three and a half years at Nor-
ristown, his life was passed. The records of his life from the time of his
marriage would be a diary of affectionate devotion to his family, and of faith-
ful, diligent attention to the duties of his trust.
" His general intelligence may also be remarked on. There is no matter
pertaining to the important questions of the time in morals, in politics, or
trade, on which he had not maturely thought, and formed soberly a distinct
opinion. The soundness and balance of his judgment were especially ob-
servable when he talked of such matters.
" In his latter days he withdrew from direct participation in what had been
294 Fifth Generation.
the business of most of his years, and was content to enjoy the fruits of his
labors. When, a very few years before his death, the Pottstown Bank was
chartered, his known qualifications, not only his judgment and skill in
finance, but his high moral tone, occasioned at once his being selected as
president. This alone drew him in a somewhat public position. It was
when seated in his accustomed place in the bank, and in his energetic dis-
charge of its duties, that he was suddenly seized with paralysis, accompanied
with symptoms of disease of the heart. Six weeks afterwards, in the bosom
of his family, he quietly breathed his last.
" In religious sentiments, a mother's partialities had inclined him to hold
with the Society of Friends, but without distinct fellowship with them in
outward habits of profession.
" The funeral solemnities on Tuesday, 3d of September, gave an illustra-
tion of the regard in which he was held, and of the impression made by his
death upon the community in which he had been known for more than half
a century. The concourse of relatives and citizens was such as seldom if
ever before had come together for a like purpose in the town. By spon-
taneous impulse, the stores were closed while his body was borne to the
family cemetery where his fathers sleep. The unanimous sentiment, not
unfrequently spoken aloud, was, the community has lost its best, most useful,
and most honored citizen, while no one lives to supply his place."
236. David (619), b. Aug. 11, 1799.
He was called Springton David, to distinguish him from his cousins of the
same name. He was chiefly engaged in the iron business. His first im-
portant venture was the purchase of Springton Forge, on East Brandywine
Creek, Chester Co., near Downingtown. This he subsequently sold, and, after
a brief residence in Pottstown, he, in company with his brother Henry and
brother-in-law John P. Rutter, built Isabella Furnace (so named in honor of
Henry's wife) on a branch of the creek above mentioned, and four miles
northwest of Springton. This furnace he took charge of as manager in the
spring of 1836, and continued in that position until April, 1855, when the
enterprise, of which he was then chief owner, succumbed to disaster.
From this time he was variously engaged until Oct., 1865, when he was
chosen secretary and treasurer of the West Branch Lumber Company, which
post he successfully filled till his death. He removed, in March, 1862, to
Williainsport, Lycoming Co., Pa., and thence, in Sept., 1869, to Phil.
Fifth Generation. 295
While at Springton, he was m. Feb. 12, 1829, to Rebecca-Smith, dau. of
Micajah and Phebe S. Speakman, a young Quaker lady of rare excellence
and unusual force of mind and character. She was b. at Concord, Delaware
Co., April 30, 181 1 ; d. at Williamsport, March 29, 1867, and was buried at
Milton. He m. for his second \v., Sept. 16, 1869, his cousin, [212] Sarah
(Potts), the w. of Rev. N. Stem, and dau of [60] David and [99] Martha
(Potts) Potts. He d. in Phil., Nov. 15, 1870, and was buried at Milton,
Northumberland Co.
He was energetic, laborious, sanguine, fond of science, rigidly upright, a
constant biblical student, and a conscientious Christian. He had a lively
sense of humor, and possessed a vast store of family anecdote, in the repeti-
tion of which his enjoyment never flagged.
237. Joseph (621), b. /. c, Feb. 17, 1801. He was m. by Rev. Dr. Bull,
Feb. 20, 1823, to [262] Mary-Katherine, dau. of [72] David and [66]
Mary-Anne (Potts) Rutter ; she d. May 22, 1858, and is buried in the
family graveyard. He m. for his second w. Elizabeth Mitchell of
Phil. He carried on the iron-works at Spring-Grove and Glasgow,
and d. at the latter place May 13, 1866, and is buried by the side of
his first wife. (See inscriptions.)
238. Emily (663), b. at Glasgow, June 7, 1804. She was m. Jan., 1824, by
Rev. Dr. Bull, to [259] John-Potts, son of [72] David and [66] Mary-
Anne (Potts) Rutter; she d. at Pottstown, March 30, 1867.
239. Edward (624), b. /. c„ July 21, 1806. He was m. by Rev. Dr. Bull, in
1829, to Sarah, dau. of John Bechtel ; she d. at Pottstown, 1856 ; he d.
.at the same place, Dec. 29, 1836 ; and both are buried in the family
graveyard.
240. John (628), b. /. c, Sept. 28, 1809; m. 1837 to Mary-Grace, dau. of
Samuel Jamison of Norristown, where she d. Aug. 25, 1867.
He was educated for the bar, and resided many years at Norristown ; in
1872 he removed to the home of his dau. in 111. ; for 22 years he had been
an active and influential member of the school board in Norristown, and
before his departure a public reception was given him, and resolutions
adopted relative to the loss that 'place would sustain of the most efficient
laborer in the cause of popular education.
241. Sarah, b. /. c, Jan. 10, 1S12 ; d. July 5, 1812.
296 Fifth Generation.
242. Robert-Smith (633), b. Dec. 21, 18 13 ; m. in 1S39 to Anne H., dau. of
Rev. Levi Bull, D. D., rector of St. Mary's Ch., Chester Co. ; she d.
July 14, 1847 ; he m. for his second w. Lydia Baldwin, Nov., 1849.
243. Sarah, b. March 19, 1816; d. Feb. 17, 1830.
Children of Robert E. and [65] Sarah M. {Potts) Hobart.
244. Nathaniel-Potts (575), b. in Phil., Oct. 3, 1790; was m. at Alexandria,
Va., by Rev. Wm. Meade (afterwards Bishop of Va.), April 18, 1813,
to [222] Joanna-Holland, dau. of [62] John and Eliza (Ramsay) Potts.
He was by profession a lawyer, and was appointed by Gov. Hitner Audi-
tor-General of Pa. He purchased the right of the other heirs of his grand-
father Samuel to the Potts reserve of coal in Schuylkill Co., of which I have
given an account in a previous chapter. He resided in Pottstown, where he
d. July 3, i860; his w. survived him until Jan., 1867, and both are buried in
the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
245. Joanna-Potts, b. /. c. Sept. 26, 1792; d. unm. at Pottstown, April 10,
1869, and was buried in Edgewood Cemetery.
A large painted window has been placed in the new Christ Ch., Potts-
town, in memory of Joanna and her sister Sarah, representing the figures of
Faith, Hope, and Charity.
246. Robert-Enoch (636), b. at Pottsgrove, June 2, 1796 ; m. Henrietta, dau.
of Gen. Wm. Rudolph Smith, and grand-daughter of Rev. Wm. Smith,
Provost of the Univ. of Pa. in 1756.
He d. at Pottstown, May 20, 1869, and was buried in Edgewood Cemetery.
247. Sarah- Potts, b. /. c. Dec. 18, 1798 ; d. unm. at Pottstown, Feb. 2, 1872,
and was buried in Edgewood Cemetery.
248. Rebecca, b. /. c. Jan. 23, 1800 ; d. in Phil., Aug. 5, 1802 ; buried in Ch.
Churchyard of that city.
249. Rebecca, the second so named, b. near Frankford, May 15, 1803; d.
unm. at Pottstown, Jan. 13, 1837.
250. Mary, b. at Phil., March 29, 1805; d. unm. at Pottstown, July 17, 1845.
251. Elizabeth, b. at Tacony, Aug. 18, 1808; d. Dec. 20, 1809, and was buried
in Ch. Churchyard at the head of her brother and sister.
252. Samuel-Potts, b. at Phil., Oct. 21, 1809; d. Nov. n, 1S09; buried in Ch.
Churchyard.
Fifth Generation. 297
253. John-Henry (643), b. /. c, March 15, 1S10 ; m. Mary Ann, dau. of Wm.
Mintzer. She d. at Pottstown, April 2, 1858, and is buried in the
family graveyard. (See inscriptions.) Gen. Hobart was educated as a
lawyer, and practised his profession at Norristown, and was appointed
district attorney in 1855. He resides in Pottstown.
251. Elizabeth-Potts, the second so named, b. at Pottstown, Aug. n, 181 1 ;
d. Aug. 18, 1824, and was buried in the family graveyard. (See in-
scriptions.)
255. Ellen Goodin, b. /. c, July 4, 1817 ; d. at Pottstown, Aug. 20, 1830.
■■ g $ qgo ( >•
Children of [72] David and [66] Mary- Ann (Potts) Rutter.
256. Margaretta (649), b. at Pine, Oct. 15, 1790; m. Dr. Samuel Heister.
She d. May 2, 1820.
257. Ruth-Anna (610), b. /. c, Aug. 12, 1792 ; m. [233] Samuel, son of [64]
Joseph and [78] Sarah (Potts) Potts, Nov. 15, 18 13.
258. Thomas (651) b. /. c. March 7, 1795 ; m. first Catherine Boyer. He m.
for his second w. Catherine Ovenshine.
259. John- Potts (662), b. /. c, Jan. 30, 1797 ; m. by Rev. Dr. Bull, Jan. 22,
1824, to [238] Emily, dau. of [64] Joseph and [78] Sarah (Potts) Potts.
At this date he owned and occupied Pine, and carried on that forge until
it was sold in 1843, when he removed to Pottstown, where his w. d., March
30, 1867, and he survived her until April 13, 1870. Both are buried in
the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)
From the Montgomery Ledger, Pottstown, Pa., April 19, 1870.
"Died on the 12th instant, in this borough, John P. Rutter, aged seventy-
three years two months and twelve days.
" Released from the body, which because of infirmity had become a bur-
den, our friend now, we trust, enjoys in spirit rest and peace in the Paradise
of God.
" By his removal another link connecting the present with the past has
been broken. It is with a feeling of sadness that we mark how rapidly the
38
298 Fifth Generation.
generation with which he was numbered is disappearing. But while yet
remembrance of him is precious in our thoughts, we deem it not amis.'
recall some features of his life now past. We may then say that he wa
man of strong emotional tendency, and at the same time of decided com
tions. During his earlier years he was at times disturbed by doubts J
fears. But having at length received and professed the faith, he acquire
taste for devotion, and a love for the activities of the Christian life,
labored long and zealously in the cause of Sunday-school instruction, wi-
the school over which he presided was the only one in all this vicini
From the beginning of the temperance reform, he gave it his active aid a
sympathy ; while in a spirit of advanced benevolence he was one of tl
band of little pioneers who, amid obloquy and reproach, proclaimed the rig
of every man to freedom, without distinction of race or color.
"Differing, however, in one important respect, from many of his colaborc
in that cause, he ever advocated human rights on Christian principles, ai
instead of depreciating or denouncing the Church of God, he continued
the last a faithful member of it, through his connection with the Episcop
communion.
"Time, indeed, may have tempered his ardor in the cause of reform, wit!
out changing his views. For time itself justified his convictions, since \
lived to see the free principles to which he was so warmly attached co:
trolling the destinies of the nation.
" But now the course of our friend on earth is ended. By a mysterioi
Providence, in his latter days his powers of mind and body failed under tl
pressure of disease. It is comforting to know that he had not deferred pr
paring for the great change until the shadows of life's evening drew nig
Rather, we may say that he knew on whom he had believed, and therefo
we cherish the confident hope that having lived, served, and suffered, he nc
lives to serve still and forever rejoice."
200. Clement-Stocker (669), b. Jan. 15, 1799. He was m. at Phil, by E
Ezra Stiles, April 20, 1824, to Letitia, dau. of Capt. David and Letit
Brown. She d. April 1, 1837, aged thirty-three. He was m. by Re
John Coleman, Nov. 8, 183S, to his second w. Sarah, dau. of Ca]
John and Mary E. McColIum.
Fifth Generation. 299
261. David (677), b. Dec. 23, 1S00. He received his degree of M. D. from
the Univ. of Pa, 1823. The subject of his essay was "Ardent
Spirits." He removed to Chicago, 111., where he practised medicine
for many years. He m., first, Isabella Crawford, and for his second
w. Esther Ryerson ; and d. in Chicago, April, 1866.
262. Mary-Catherine (621), b. Nov. 29, 1802 ; m. [237] Joseph, son of [64]
Joseph and [78] Sarah (Potts) Potts. She d. May 22, 1858.
263. Martha (687), b. Nov. iS, 1804 ; m. Major William Brooke. He d. at
Pottstown, Oct. 7, 1S72, in the eighty-first year of his age.
264. Lindley C. (690), b. Sept. 3, 1S07. He studied divinity, and became
a Presbyterian minister. He m. Rebecca S. Montgomery, June 22,
1830; he married for his second w. Matilda P. Anderson, June 13,
1833 ; he married for his third w. [300] Louisa M., dau. of [77] Bene-
zet and Margaret (Tallman) Potts, June 27, 1835.
26,5. Charles (702), b. April 24, 18 10 ; m. Mary-Ann, dau. of Jesse and Re-
becca * (Hockley) Ives.
266. Samuel-Potts (710), b. Nov. 15, 1813 ; m. by Rev. Thos. Brainard,
March 2, 1837, to Jane-Kniffen, dau. of Isaac B. and Hester Baxter
of Phil.
-*=-J-*39&-^-*-
Children of [67] Stephen and Eunice (Dennis) Potts.
267. Martha (717) ; m. Dr. Joseph E. Sorber. He practised medicine at
Pottsville, where he d. March 13, 1S50.
268. Margaret, unm.
26ft. Sarah, unm.
270. Mary-Ann, d. unm.
271. John, fate unknown.
272. Rebecca, m. first, Dr. Augustus Kline. He d. from a stab inflicted by
Adolph Hatfield in Bucks Co., who was tried for the deed, and con-
demned to the penitentiary. She m. for her second husband, March,
1848, his brother Rosendale, and d. s. p. 1849.
* She was a descendant of the first Thomas Rutter.
300 Fifth Generation.
" Primus maritus nomen Rosendale fuit : fugit Germania propter claudium
virum est effectum in pugna singularis dum in Collegio ; itaque nomen is
assumpit Kline." "
273. Edward. He removed to Natchez, Miss., and there d. unm.
Children of [68] Samuel and Mary {Hughes) Potts.
274. Ruth-Anna. 278. John.
275. Edward. 279. Harriet.
276. Rebecca. 280. Oliver J. He became a physician.
277. Lindley.
Children of John-Clements and [70] Maiy-K. (Rutter) Stockcr.
281. Anthony, b. at Phil., Dec. 23, 1782 ; m. Elizabeth H. Clark of Ports-
mouth, N. H., Oct. 20, 1815. He d. s. p. at Phil., Feb. 24, 1832, and
was buried in Christ Churchyard. His w. m. for her second husband
Robert Walsh, well known for his literary pursuits, and for his long
service as U. S. Consul in France.
282. John-Clements (721), b. Aug. 30, 1786; m. Caroline, dau. of Gen.
Louis* Tousard, Aug. 30, 1808. He d. July 28, 1833.
283. Thomas-Daniels, b. Jan. 2, 1785 ; d. Jan. 19, 1790.
284. Martha-Rutter (733), b. in Phil., March 11, 1789; m. Robert-Morton
Lewis, Feb. 23, 18 15. She d. in the same city, Jan. 26, 1868.
285. Mary-Katherine, b. /. c., Aug. 6, 1792 ; d. Oct. 22, 1793.
286. Anna-Maria (73S), b. /. c., July 6, 1798 ; m. in Phil., Lawrence Lewis,
Dec. 4, 1 81 7.
* In a letter of Washington to Lafayette, 1778, is the following : " I am sorry for Mon-
sieur Tousard's loss of an arm in the action on Rhode Island ; and offer my thanks to him
through you for his gallant behavior on that day." A note to the text of Sparks's Life of
Washington is as follows : " M. Tousard was a French officer attached to the family of the
Marquis de la Fayette. In the action on Rhode Island he rushed forward very coura-
geously in advance of the troops, when an attempt was made to take a cannon, and found
himself surrounded by the enemy. His horse was killed under him, and he lost his right
arm, but escaped from capture. As a reward for this brave act, Congress granted him the
rank of lieutenant-colonel by brevet, and a pension of $ 30 a month for life."
Fifth Generation. joi
Children of [71] Samuel and Sarah (Jones) Rutter.
!were burned to death when children, and were buried
together in the family graveyard at Pottstown. (See
inscriptions.)
289. Rebecca, d. unm.
290. Martha, m. Howell Hopkins ; and d. s. p., March, 1850.
291. Thomas, d. unm.
Children of '[72] David and [66] Maty-Ann (Potts) Rutter
are on page 297.
Children of Jacob and [73] Ruth- Anna (Rutter) Lindlcy.
292. A dau. d. in infancy.
293. Thomas-Rutter, b. at New Garden, 1 mo. 24, 1803. He was engaged
with his brother in carrying on the Duiicannon Iron-Works, Perry Co.,
and had gone to Harrisburg to transact some business connected with
the establishment, when he d. there unm., 1 mo. 12, 1842.
294. William, b. 6 mo. 3, 1S05. He has been for many years connected
with the iron-works at Duncannon, where he still lives unm.
295. Edward, b. 5 mo. 17, 1806; d. 6 mo. 14, 1808.
Children of [75] James and Ann (Detaees) Potts.
296. David, b. at Valley Forge. Soon after his father's death his mother
removed to Terre Haute, Ind., when he became the heir of his uncle,
George Dewees, and m. his ward. It is believed that he d. s. p.
297. Sarah, m. at Springfield, Ind., Mr. Cole, and d. s. p.
Children of Sj6\ Charles and Margaret ( Tollman) Potts.
298. James-Hartley (744), b. at Valley Forge, Feb. 8, 1797; m. Sarah, dau.
of Thomas Jackson of Robeson Township at Phil., May II, 1821.
302 Fifth Generation.
She d. at Robeson, Oct. 25, 1845, in the forty-fifth year of her age.
He m. for his second wife Edith, dau. of Samuel Jones of Browns-
ville, at Pittsburg, Feb. 1858. She d. s. p. at Jones's Mines, Berks
Co., Aug. i860. James H. d. June 6, 1863.
Children of\jj] Benezct and Margaret (Tallman) Potts.
299. Aris, d. unm.
300. Louisa M. (692) ; m. [264] Rev. Lindley C, son of [72] David and [66]
Mary-Ann (Potts) Rutter, June 27, 1835.
Children of [64] Josepli and [78] Sarah (Potts) Potts
are carried down in their father's line, p. 292.
Children of Reese and [79] Harriet (Potts) Brooke.
301. Mary (750), b. Nov. 30, 1800; m. Charles, son of Timothy and Ruth*
(Johnson) Paxson, June, 1818. He d. in Phil, in 1823, leaving a
young widow who still survives him.
302. Rebecca J. (594), m. [229] Joseph-McKean, son of [58] Thomas and
Abigail (Miles) Potts, 1824.
303. Hannah, d. unm. at Pottstown, Jan. 11, 1846.
304. Bowyer (753), m. Rebecca Parvin.
305. Harriet, d. unm. 1841.
306. Sarah, d. in infancy.
11 )■»»'{
* She was the dau. of Wm. and Ruth (Potts) Johnson ; the latter m. for a second husband
Oliver Paxson, uncle of the above-named Timothy, and was the dau. of Thomas and Sarah
(Beakes) Potts ; this Thomas was the son of Thomas and Mary Potts, of Mansfield, N. J.,
and is the grandson mentioned in the will of Thomas Potts, 1724, who came in the ship
Shield to Burlington, in 1678, and removed to Phil., where he d. 1726, leaving only one
child, Thomas. His descendants, however, reside in New Jersey, and are usually spoken
of as the Jersev Potts, to distinguish them from those of Pa. After an arduous search for
legal proof that Thomas of the Shield was the grandfather of Thomas who m. Sarah
Beakes, I found it in a deed conveying the small lot and house in Gilbert's Alley, devised
in the will of the elder Thomas Potts, which was sold as soon as the devisee came of age.
Fifth Generation. 303
Children of [87] Joseph-Kirkbride and Sidney (Bonsall) Polls.
307. Mary, b. at Phil. 1 mo. 24, 1824.
308. Charles, b. (759) /. c, 12 mo. 9, 1825. He m. at 6th St. Meet., Phil.,
Anna, dau. of Tho. and Sarah G. McCollin, 5 mo. io, 1853.
309. Anna, b. 10 mo. 27, 1S27.
310. Edward (760), b. 12 mo. 19, 1829. He was m. at Newburg, N. J., by
Rev. Wm. J. Paxson, 2 mo. 20, 1867, to Julia, dau. of Edward and
Lucy A. Paxson.
311. Frances (761), b. 7 mo. 28, 1832 ; m. at St. Philip's Ch., Phil., by Rev.
C. D. Cooper, to Waldron J. Cheyney.
312. Joseph (768), b. n mo. 12, 1834; m. at 12th St. Meet., Phil., 5 mo. 25,
1859, Regina S., dau. of Thomas and Joanna S. Kimber. He studied
law, but declined admission to the bar, on account of conscientious
scruples to bind himself to support the Constitution, which then up-
held slavery, and required military service or an equivalent. He is
now an officer of the Penn. Steel-works, near Harrisburg, and an
associate editor of the " Christian Worker," a paper in the interests
of the Society of Friends.
313. William, b. at Phil., 5 of 5 mo. 1838. He studied that branch of law
connected with real estate and conveyancing, and had an office in
Phil, until his removal to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1863, where he became
connected with the banking and life-insurance business. He is also
engaged in literary pursuits, principally in connection with the period-
ical press. William m. in Brooklyn, Feb. 9, 1864, Lucretia-Starbuck,
4th dau. of Edward and Helen M. H. Anthony of that city, formerly
of Providence, R. I. He was a volunteer in an artillery company
from Phil, in the Antietam campaign of 1862.
3U. Elizabeth, b. at Haddington, 25th 6 mo. 1841.
The children of [^8] Wm. and [91] Mary F. (Potts) Potts are inserted on
p. 277, following the line of their father.
3°4 Fifth Generation.
Children of Thomas and [95] Deborah C. (Potts) Shallcross.
315. Thomas, d. young. 316. Sarah. 317; John.
Child of [96] Francis R. and Lydia (Maybuty) Potts.
318. Grace, died in infancy.
-»-4~e&s~l~«-
The children of [60] David and [99] Martha Potts are given on p. 205, fol-
lowing the line of their father.
Children of Edmund and [100] Ruth- Anna (Potts) Key.
319. Anna. 321. Thomas.
320. Martha, m. Mr. McGregor. 322. Jane.
-0— He3$E*4—9-
Children of John and [ior] Ma?y (Potts) Paul.
323. Isaac, b. 8 mo. 1797 ; d. 7 mo. 2, 1798.
324. Mary, d. young.
Children of [105] Edward B. and Sarah (Williams) Potts.
325. Isaac-Williams (770), b. in Montgomery Co., Feb. 16, 1807 ; m. in Phil.,
Nov. 15, 1838, Hannah-Austin, dau. of Nathaniel Newlin, late of
Concord.
Children of '[106] Samuel and Sarah (Fletcher) Potts.
326. Hannah-Fletcher, b. 9 mo. 22, 1808 ; d. unm. July 22, 1872.
327. Martha, b. 2 mo. 1810; d. unm. in Phil., S mo. 25,. 1845.
Children of Daniel and '[107] Joanna (Potts) Fletclier.
328. Mary-Paul, b. 10 mo. 3, 1810; d. 2 mo. 15, 1826.
329. John-Shoemaker, b. 3 mo. 31, 1812 ; d. unm. 4 mo. 19, 1861.
Fifth Generation. 305
Children of Joseph M. and [log] Ruth- Anna (Potts) Paul.
330. Sarah-Ann (775), b. at Phil. March 29, 1806; m. there to Thomas-
Callender Price, 11 mo. I, 1826; m. for her second husband George-
Vaux Bacon, 3 mo. 31, 1841 ; she d. Dec. 13, 1858.
331. Martha, b. Dec. 16, 1S07 ; d. Aug. 21, 1809.
332. John, b. Sept. 11, 1809; d. unm. June 15, 1832.
Children of William and[i\6\ Rebecca (Potts) Wayne.
333. Isaac, b. 10 mo. 31, 181 2 ; d. 3 mo. 27, 18 14.
334. Ruth-Anna (780), b. 2 mo. 15, 1814; m., in Phil., William-Carey, son
of Samuel B. and Grace Betts, 12 mo. 4, 1833.
335. Rebecca-Potts (784), b. 7 mo. 12, 18 15 ; m. Elwood, son of Stephen
and Rebecca Byerly, 7 mo. 25, 1844.
Children of Isaac and [112] Dcborali (Potts) Williams.
336. Ann, b. in Montgomery Co. 2 mo. 13, 1816, now living in Phil.
337. Martha, b. /. c, 10 mo. 15, 1817. Now living in Philadelphia.
338. Isaac (787), b. I.e., 5 mo. 13, 1819; m. at Moorestown, N. J., Mary-
Haines, dau. of Levi and Sarah H. Borton, 10 mo. 21, 1841. He d.
at his residence near the above-named town, 6 mo. 13, 1862.
339. Elizabeth-Paul, b. /. e., 1 mo. 6, 1821 ; d. unm. in Phil., 6 mo. 22, 1843.
340. Joseph-Paul, b. /. c, 12 mo. 9, 1822 ; d. 6 mo. 23, 1823.
341. Deborah-Potts, b. /. c, 7 mo. 15, 1824; d. 11 mo. 7, 1825.
Children of George and [114] Maria (Potts) Poe.
342. George, d. young. 34.5. James, d. young.
343. Anna, m. Mr. McCoy. 346. Richard, d. young.
344. Katherine, m. Mr. Robinson.
347. Maria, m. Dr. William H. Denny of Pittsburg. He received his de-
gree of M. D. from the University of Pa, 1825. Subject of his essay
" Bronchocele of Pittsburg." She d. 1863.
■■ A uasj-<— o
39
306 Fifth Generation.
Children of Henry and [i 17] Martha Rutter {Duffield) Ncill.
318. Benjamin.
319. Elizabeth, m. Dr. J. Rodman Paul. He received his degree of M. D.
from the Univ. of Pa., 1823. Subject of his essay, "Constipation."
350. Anna.
35©?,. Emily, m. Robert Ewing. 351. Henry.
352. John, m. Miss Hollingsworth. He received his degree of M. D. from
the Univ. of Pa., 1S40. The subject of his essay was " Diseases of the
Eye." He practises medicine in Phil. During the late war he was
commissioned surgeon U. S. A., and organized the hospitals of that
city.
353. Edward-Duffield. He is a Presbyterian minister, and the author of
several works on early American history.
354. James P. Wilson, m. Alice Renshaw.
355. Thomas Hewson. He entered the army in 1847; graduated at West
Point; commissioned, in 1869, lieutenant-colonel, Sixth Cavalry.
356. d. young. 357. d. young.
Children of [118] John-Potts and Sally {Handy) Duffield.
358. John. 359. Saunders.
360. Nancy, m. Dr. William Riley, of Snow Hill, Md. He received his
degree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa., 1832. Subject of essay,
"Acute Bronchitis."
Children of his second wife, Miss Bishop.
361. Charles, m. Miss Joynes, of Accomac Co., Va. They reside in Norfolk.
362. Edward, m. Miss Hutchinson. She d., and he m. a second time. He
resides in Hannibal, Mo.
363. Anne, m. Hon. John R. Franklin, of Snow Hill, Md.
Children of John-Sclby and [119] Rcbeccah-Grace {Duffield) Martin.
361. John-Church, b. March II, 1806; m. Caroline-Becker Krumbharr, of
Phil., Oct. 27, 1S35.
365. Rosena-Catherine, b. Dec. 20, 1807; d. May 11, 1808.
Fifth Generation. 307
366. Henry-Neill, b. July 28, 1809; m. Lucy Adams. He d. Oct. 4, 1844.
367. Rebecca-Potts, b. Dec. 4, 181 1 ; d. unm. Nov. 24, 1846.
368. Rosena-Catherine, the second so named, b. Aug. 13, 1S13 ; d. Jan. 21,
1817.
369. George, b. Oct. 21, 1816; m. Margaret W. Dixon of Mississippi, Feb.
14, 1839. He d. Oct. n, 1844.
370. Sarah-Selby, b. April 19, 1819; m. Rev. J. K. Handy, of Maryland.
She d. Oct. 14, 1853.
371. Martha-Duffield, b. March 20, 1821 ; d. May 29, 1823.
372. Edward-Duffield, b. March 25, 1823 ; m. Sarah Richardson.
373. Margaret-Neill, b. Sept. 5, 1825 ; m. William H. Farnell. He d. Aug.
11, 1856.
374. Thomas-Edgar, b. Oct. 8, 1827 ; d. July 28, 1870, in Baltimore.
375. Mary-King, b. March 12, 1831 ; m. Hon. Isaac D. Jones, July 13, 1852.
He was at one time attorney-general of the State of Md.
Children of [120] Edward and Mary {Nowlan) Ditfficld.
376. Benjamin, m. Katherine-Bertha Mahan, May 10, 1851 ; m. second,
Miss Weymas. He is a paymaster in the navy.
377. Edward, d. young. 378. John-Potts, d. young.
379. Mary-Catherine-Church, m. Lewis R. Justice. They resided in Trenton,
N.J.
11 '.nJBLi < .1-
Children of George and ' [125] Eliza (Yorke) Farquhar.
380. Georgianna, b. 1795.
381. George-W., married Amelia Schreoder. He was a lawyer at Pottsville,
and d. in Phil, Feb. 22, 1846.
382. Isabella.
383. Edward-Yorke, m. Virginia Sanderson; d. Feb. 8, 1856.
384. Emma, m. Thomas Donelson, of Tennessee, a nephew of President
Andrew Jackson.
Child of Mordccai and [128] Patty ( Yorke) Wetherill.
38.5. Samuel, m. Jane Yorke.
;o8 Fifth Generation.
Children of [131] Samuel and Mary (Lippincott) Yorkc.
386. Edward, m. Sarah Hanna, of Florence, Ala. ; and d. at Brattleboro',
Vt., where he was buried.
387. William, m. Mary Murphy, of Maysville, Ky. She and their young
child d. at Cincinnati, O., and were buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
388. Peter-Lippincott, d. num. in Phil.
389. Sarah, m. Daniel S. McCauley, lieutenant United States Navy ; after-
wards consul-general at Alexandria, Egypt, where he d. and was
buried. His w. d. in Phil.
390. Mary, unm. Resides in Phil. 392. Joshua, until. Resides in Phil.
391. Samuel, d. unm. at Phil. 353. Joseph, d. in early childhood.
Children of Benjamin and [132] Rachel (Dewees) Bartholomezv.
391. Hannah, m. John Hughes. 396. John, m. Lydia Cleaver.
395. Joseph, m. Hannah Davis. 397. Rachel, m. Thomas Davis.
398. Mary an ne, d. unm.
399. Edward, m. Emily Cleaver, sister of Lydia. He resides in Newcastle
Co., Del.
400. Benjamin, m. Elizabeth Pritner.
401. Austin or Augustine, m. Maryanne-Augustine Philips. He resides in
Phil.
402. Ellen, m. Thomas Maxwell, of Great Valley. She is now living, a
widow, near Peoria, 111.
403. Sarah.
Children of Rcz>. and [133] Hannah (Dewees) Boggs.
404. Sarah. 405. Newton.
Children of and [137] Sarah (Deiuees) Hodgkiss.
406. Sarah, m. Hon. John Norwell.
407. Martha, m. Col. Long, United States Army.
Child of Sarah (Dezvecs) Hodgkiss and her second husband, Caleb Foulke.
405. William- Hughes.
Fifth Generation. 309
Children of [138] William P. and Mary (Lorraui) Dcivees.
409. Theodore, received his degree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa., 1831.
Subject of essay, " Enteritis."
410. William. He was a physician, and d. unm.
411. Oscar. He received his degree of M. D. from the University of
Pa., 1838. The subject of his essay was "Peritonitis." Married
Mary Bryan, of Phil., and has two sons and a daughter ; names un-
known to me.
412. Hardman, m. and resides in New York City.
413. Charles-Dayton (89^), m. Jeanie-Maria, dau. of Richard Rowley, of
Phil., 1846. She d. 1848. He was a physician, and resided at Meri-
den Springs, Miss., and d. 1864
414. Adelaide, m. Dr. Robert-Emmet Robinson, of Va. He received his
degree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa., 1836. Subject of essay,
" Cholera Infantum." They resided at the South, where she d. in
her first confinement.
415. Mary, m. Mr. Ogden, and settled in Alabama.
416. Lorrain, d. in infancy.
417. Emma L., b. in Phil., Sept. 25, 1823; d. May 15, 1827. These last
two are buried in Christ Churchyard, Phil.
-•— v-«c-.»-;— «-
Childrcn of [147] Samuel and Lydia M. (Biddle) Baird.
418. William-McFunn (900), b. at Reading, Aug. 4, 1817; m. Harriet
Holmes, of Cape May Court-House, N. J., Dec. iS, 1847. He prac-
tised law in Reading, and was elected mayor' of that borough in 1854.
He d. there, Oct. 19, 1872.
Samuel, b. /. c, April 23, 1821 ; unm.
419. Spencer-Fullerton (905), b. /. c, Jan., 1823; m. at Carlisle Aug. 8,
1846, Mary-Helen, dau. of Sylvester and Lucy (Hunter) Churchill.*
* Sylvester Churchill entered the United States service from Vermont, and became in-
spector-general of the U. S. Arm>.
3 i o Fifth Generation.
He early became interested in scientific pursuits, and was made Professor
of Natural Sciences in Dickinson Coll., Carlisle, Oct., 1846. In 1850 he was
called thence to become assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
at Washington, with which institution his name has been honorably associ-
ated for nearly twenty-five years. His publications upon ornithology and
other scientific subjects are well known to the public.
420. Rebecca-Potts, b. /. c, 1827.
421. Lydia-Spencer, b. /. c, 1828.
422. Mary-Deborah (906), b. /. c, Dec. 1829 ; m. June 1, 1854, Henry J., son
of Thomas and Christine (Williams) Biddle. He was b. May 16,
1817, and was made assistant adjutant-general Pa. Reserves. During
the Rebellion he was mortally wounded in the battle of New Market
Cross Roads, June 30, 1862, and d. in Richmond, Va., July 20.
423. Thomas (911), b. /. c, Oct. 28, 1831 ; m. Jan. 24, 1872, Mary Bill, of
Carlisle.
-(•"•MsCs^^- *■
Children of [154J] William-Baird and Janc-Huglics {Downing) Potts.
424. Mary-Frances (912), b. at Reading, Aug. 1, 1832 ; m. Martin Edmonds,
Sept. 6, 1855.
425. William-Ramsay, b. /. c, July 26, 1835. He is a lawyer at Pottsville.
426. Edward-Hobart, b. at Pottsville, Nov. 3, 1838 ; d. March 30, 1S4S, and
was buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown.
427. Howard-Downing, b. Dec. 16, 1S40; entered the United States Navy,
1861 ; commissioned second assistant engineer in the Asiatic fleet,
. 1 866.
428. Clement-Downing, b. Jan. 11, 1843.
429. Helen-Jane, b. June 9, 1846; d. Nov. 2, 1848, and is buried at St.
James Ch., Schuvlkill Haven.
SIXTH GENERATION
Children of [154] Thomas-Hubley and Susan {Shollenberger) Walka: '
430. Lewis-Burd, b. at Pottsville ; now a student at Lafayette Coll., Easton.
431. Emma, b. /. c, Oct. 20, 1857 ; d. at Reading, March 23, 1S59.
432. Sally C. 433. Clarence.
-s-^-e^M-
434. John.
Children of [158] Samuel- Hockley Yocum.
435. A dau.
Children of Thomas and [163] Mary {Leaf) Boyd.
436. Copeland. 439. Anna-Leonard.
437. George-Leaf. 440. Alfred-Yarnall.
438. Thomas.
Child of [164] Dr. Harland Leaf.
441. Rose, m. [619] George, son of [235] Henry and Isabella (Hitner) Potts,
June 1 1, 1861.
Children of [169] Elizabeth {Leaf) Beecher.
442. Lyman (1 116), m. [697] Margaretta L, dau. of [264] Lindley C. and
[300] Louisa M. (Potts) Rutter, June 13, 1866.
3 1 2 Sixth Generation.
Children of Samuel and [ 1 70] Elisa {May) Stevens.
443. Rebecca-May, b. Oct. 30, 1805 ; d. unm. at Compton, Md.F Oct. 27,
1854.
444. William-Augustus, b. April 9, 1807. He studied divinity, and was
settled over the Presbyterian Ch. in West Chester. He d. unm. at
Warwick, Oct. 5, 1834.
445. John, b. Oct. 25, 1808 ; d. Jan. 30, 1S10.
446. Anna-Maria, b. March 22, 1S10; m. at Compton, Md., July 19, 1831,
Rev. Cyrus H. Jacobs. He was rector of Grace Ch, Phil. She d.
April 27, 1832, and was buried in the graveyard rear of St. Andrew's
Ch, Eighth St.
447. Julian-Potts, b. Feb. 18, 1812 ; d. July 24, 1813.
448. Robert-May, b. Dec. 26, 181 3. When not eighteen years of age, while
gunning on his father's plantation, he was accidentally killed by the
discharge of his gun, Oct. 22, 1831, and was buried at Beechwood.
449. Sarah-Elizabeth (520), b. Nov. 3, 181 5 ; was m. at Compton by Rev.
Henry M. Maison, to [196J Jolin F, son of Dr. Isaac and [59] Hen-
rietta (Potts) James, Aug. 10, 1S37. She d. in Phil, Jan. 30, 1842, and
was buried at Laurel Hill. She used to relate that, when a child, she
had danced with Gen. Lafayette in her father's house ; as the " Na-
tion's Guest," in 1825, was entertained at Annapolis by Gov. Stevens.
450. Henrietta-Louisa, b. April 26, 1817; was m. at Compton, April 2, 1845,
to John F. James ; d. s. p. at Phil, Dec. 30, 1867, and was buried at
Laurel Hill.
451. Edwin-John (914), b. Jan. 9, 1819; m. Sarah H. Eccleston, Nov. 14,
1844. He d. at Beechwood, near Compton, June 5, 1854, and was
buried in the graveyard of Whitemarsh Ch, Talbot Co, Md.
All the above-named children were b. at Compton.
Children of [172] T/iomas-Potts and Sarah (McClintock) May.
452. Mary (918), b. at Norristown, Jan. 26, 18 16 ; m. in Chester Co, Dec.
10, 1835, Caleb, son of Thomas* and Margaret Peirce, of Thornbury.
453. Ruth-Anna, b. Jan. 29, 1S1 8. 454. Sarah-Thomas, d. an infant.
* His great-grandfather, George Peirce, took up a large tract of land in Chester Co, in
Sixth Generation. 3 1 3
Children of [173] Robert and Elizabeth {Lavcr) May.
455. Anna-Nutt, b. May 24, 1849; d. Feb. 26, 1853.
456. Robert E., b. Aug. 10, 1850.
457. Addison-Newton, b. Aug. 24, 1852.
458. James-Potts, b. Nov. 24, 1853 ; d. Dec. 2, 1854.
459. Anna-Elizabeth, b. May 22, 1857 ; d. Aug. 24, 1S58.
460. Martha-James, b. Oct. 24, 1861 ; d. April 25, 1862, and was buried in
the family graveyard at Coventry, where her brother and two sisters
also repose.
461. James-Bowman, b. June 20, 1863.
Child of [178] Addison and Elizabeth (Shafcr) May.
462. Martha-Ellen (923), b. Coventry, March 22, 1840; m. at West Chester,
by Rev. John Bolton, to Dr. Joseph-Trimble, son of Dr. Abraham
and Phebe (Trimble) Rothrock, of McVeytown, Mifflin Co., May 27,
1869. He received his degree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa., 1868.
Essay, " Medical Notes on the Northwest." He resides in Wilkes-
barre, where he practises his profession. He was captain in a regi-
ment of Pa. cavalry during the late war, and was wounded.
Children of Jesse and [180] Sarah E. [Haskins) Richards.
463. William, b. in Phil., Aug. n, 181 1 ; d. in infancy.
464. Thomas-Haskins, b. /. c, Dec. 12, 1812. He graduated at Princeton
Coll., and d. at Gettysburg, Jan. 28, 1S73.
An Extract from an Obituan1 in the " Gettysburg Compiler" Jan. 30, 1873.
" Died, at the Keystone Hotel, in this place, on Tuesday evening, Hon.
Thomas Haskins Richards, an old and prominent citizen of New Jersey.
" He came to Gettysburg in the latter part of the past summer in failing
health. His generous disposition and varied and solid attainments soon won
William Penn's time, which he named Thornbury, in compliment to his wife, who came
from that place in England. Caleb, his son, in. Annah Cloud, and she lived to see two
hundred and eighteen descendants. For a further account of this family, see Smith's
" History of Delaware County."
40
3 1 4 Sixth Generation.
him many friends, and the magnetism of his character created in those en-
joying his society a degree of respect amounting almost to affection.
" He was superficial in nothing, but practical and well grounded in every-
thing. His knowledge of books was wonderful. In history, the languages,
and the general field of literature, few can be better stored, whilst his knowl-
edge of men and their doings was as clear as it was wide. He knew much,
and he knew it all well.
" Though never a seeker after public station, he was at one time elected to
the Senate of New Jersey, where his clear views and sturdy honesty made
him one of its most useful and respectable members.
"The body was placed upon the noon train, on Wednesday, to be taken to
New Jersey for interment at Batsto, Burlington Co., the old family seat, — a
place celebrated for its extensive manufacture of iron by the Richardses, gen-
eration after generation."
465. Samuel-Patrick (925), b. at Batsto, N. J., Oct. 19, 18 14. He graduated
at Princeton Coll.; m. Oct. 13, 1856, Sarah, dau. of William and
Christiana (Pechin) Lippincott, of Phil.
466. Elizabeth-Haskins (927), b. at Phil., Nov. 13, 1S16; m. at Batsto, May
29, 1840, George A. Bicknell. He practised law in New York. He
removed to the West, and settled at New Albany, Indiana, where he
now resides, and was made a judge in the courts of that State.
467. Anna-Maria, b. at Batsto, Jan. 19, 1819; m. at Batsto, 1853, Lachlan-
Hamilton, son of Gen. Lachlan and Susan-Greene (Wall) Mcintosh,*
of Savannah, Georgia.
468. Sarah-Ennalls-Haskins, b. /. c, Oct. 14, 1 841, and d. there, April 27, 1S73.
469. Jesse-Wurtz, b. /. c, Aug. 3, 1831 ; living unm. at that place.
Children of [1S2] Samuel H. and Mary {Miller) Jacobs.
410. Mary, unm. 471. George.
Children of [1S3] John and Catherine (Sheets) Jacobs.
472. Caroline (947), m. Ames Gleason.
* He was a nephew of Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh of the Revolution, and his wife was a
irrand-niece of Gen. Greene.
Sixth Generation. 3 1 5
473. Elizabeth (952), m. Joseph Snyder.
471. Ann (961), m. Samuel Lapp, of Great Valley.
Child of [185] John G. and Mary {Kennedy) Potts.
473. Samuel-Kennedy, b. at Phil, Nov. 8, 1S30; d. unm. at Milwaukee, Wis.,
Nov. 23, 1870.
Children of his second wife, Elizabeth G. (Hunt) Potts.
476. Joseph-Hunt, b. /. c, Sept. 23, 1S33 ; m. at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 7,
1868, Mary-Florence Webber. They reside in Phil.
477. Elizabeth-Graham, b. /. c, May 25, 1S35 ; d. there Nov. 25, aged 6
months.
478. Chresvvell-Harris, b. /. c, May 28, 1839 ; m. at Galena, 111., Mary-Caro-
lina Marble, April 19, 1867. They reside at Chicago.
479. John-Harris, b. at Galena, May 26, 1843 ! unm-
480. Francis-Henry, b. /. c, Jan. 27, 1845. He is an Episcopal clergyman,
residing at Ouincy, 111. ; unm.
481. Thomas-Welch, b. /. e., Dec. 16, 1849.
452. Mary-Elizabeth-Hunt, b. i.e., Nov. 10, 1850; unm.
483. Sarah-Sayre, b. at Galena, May 26, 1854 ; d. there April 5, 1859.
Children of[iSj] Samuel J. and Elizabeth (Hulme) Potts.
484. Ellen-May (931), b. at Pottsville, July 18, 1833; m. at Reading, Clif-
ford Pomeroy, June 18, 1856.
453. Caroline, b. /. c, Sept. 12, 1835 ; d. March 1, 1837.
486. Albert-Preston, b. Aug. 13, 1837 ; d. in infancy.
487. Howard, b. /. c., Feb. 21, 1839 ; m. Amanda Wagner.
488. Anna-May, b. /. c., 1S41 ; d. in infancy.
489. Joseph-Hulme, b. /. c, Dec, 1S44 ; m. Kate Shanaman.
Children of John R. <?«;/[ iSS] Sarah H. (Potts) Johnson.
490. Edward R. 491. Russel.
492. Anna.
3 1 6 Sixth Generation.
Children of Sarali H. (Potts) and Iter second husband, George Smith.
493. Rufus. 494. George.
495. Thomas F.
Children of [189] Charles F. and Roxanna W. (Burnett) Potts.
496. William-Hollis, born in Galena, 111., April 28, 1845, and d. there Nov.
22, 1846.
497. Catherine-Ann, b. /. c. ; d. an infant, Aug. 9, 1848.
498. Mary-Elizabeth (942), b. /. c, June 16, 1849 ; m. Richard Bostwick, Nov.
28, 1867.
499. James-Franklin, b. /. c, June 28, 1853.
500. Jane-Frances, b. June 28, 1853 ; d. Sept. 6, 1854.
Children of Peter and [190] Mary- Ann (Potts) Crans.
501. Julia. 502. Anna-Grace.
503. Peter (941), m. ; d. Jan., 1870.
Children of [213] Robert-Hobart and [193] Julian H. (Potts) Potts.
504. Anna-May, b. at Warwick, July 4, 1833 ; unm.
505. Nathaniel (944), b. /. e., July 30, 1837 ; m. Susan Smith, 1862 ; he died
near Pughtown, Oct. 23, 1872, and is buried in the family graveyard
at Coventry.
506. Francis-Thomas, b. /. c, June 17, 1840.
Children of [194] Thomas- Asshcton and Mary-Ann (Haines) Potts.
507. William-Morgan (965), b. at Darby, Feb. 24, 1838 ; m. Mary E., dau. of
Joseph French, of Bass River, N. J., Nov. 26, 1863.
508. Nathan-Haines (966), b. at Kingsessing, Nov. 28, 1839; m. Anna,
dau. of Dr. Mordecai Gifford, of Phil., Dec. 17, 1866.
509. Juliana, b. /. c, Nov. 21, 1841 ; d. May 6, 1844.
510. Thomas-Lacey, b. /. e., March 12, 1843 ; d- Dec. 12, 1S43.
511. Marion-Fennimore (96s), b. at Camden, N. ]., Aug. 13, 1844; m.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan Lummis, of Bridgeton, N. J., June 5, 1867.
Sixth Generation. 3 1 7
512. Mary-Ann, b. at Ellisburg, Nov. 26, 1845.
513. Isabella-Haines, b. at Medford, N. J., April 17, 1848.
514. Anna-May, b. /. c, March iS, 1850; m. Alfred, son of Wm. C. Lawson,
of Phil., Jan. 3, 1872.
515. Thomas-Humphrey, b. /. c, April 17, 185 1.
516. David-Gardiner, b. /. r., Feb. 4, 1853.
517. Sarah-Jane, b. /. c, Jan. 12, 1857.
518. Juliana, second of the name, b. /. c, Jan. 1 1, 1859.
519. Rebecca-Smith, b. /. c, June 24, 1861.
Child of [196] Jolin F. and [449] Sarah-Elizabeth (Stevens) James.
520. Henrietta, b. at Phil., 1S39 > d. there 1840.
Children of [197] Thomas-Potts and Isabella (Batehelder) fames.
521. Mary-Isabella, b. at Burlington, N. J., Sept. 19, 1852.
522. Montgomery, b. at Phil., Dec. 20, 1853, now in the Lawrence Scientific
School of Harvard University.
523. Clarence-Gray, b. /. c . June 30, 1856.
524. Frances-Batchelder, b. /. c., Sept. 26, 1859.
Children of [igS] David and Amanda (IVorthington) fames.
525. Anna-Rebecca (970), b. at Byberry (now incorporated in the 23d Ward,
Phil), Aug. 6, 1S34; m. at Phil. Dr. John-Wesley Thompson, Nov.
21, 1861. He received his degree of M. D. from Univ. of Pa., i860,
subject of thesis "Anaesthesia" ; he commenced the practice of medi-
cine in Coatesville, but the call for surgeons in the army induced him
to offer his services to his country, and he was commissioned surgeon
in the 141st Regt. of Pa. Vol., Sept. 12, 1862, and remained in the
service until his death, caused by overwork and exposure, which took
place July 1, 1863.
526. Bushrod-Washington, b. /. e., Aug. 25, 1836. He received his degree of
M. D. from the Homoeopathic Med. Coll. of Phil., 1856, and practises
in Phil. Unm.
3 1 8 Sixth Generation.
527. Mary-Ellen, b. /. c, Sept. 15, 1838 ; d. April 5, 1842.
528. William-Henry (971). b. /. c, Aug. 17, 11-41 '. m. Sarah-Eleanor Levake,
Sept. 19, 1867. He studied law in Phil., and practises at Franklin,
Venango Co.
529. John-Edwin, b. /. c, Jan. 18, 1844. He received his degree of M. D.
from Univ. of Pa., 1866, thesis " Lithothomy " ; m., at Phil., Maria L.
Eveland, Dec. 2, 1S69. She d. there Sept. 12, 187 1. He practises
medicine in Phil.
530. Henrietta-Maria, b. I.e., April 15, 1846; m., at Phil., J. Wilson Moore,
Jan. 27, 1S70.
53(H. Melinda, b. /. c, March 14, 1852 ; d. aged 5 days.
Children <?/[2o8] Thomas-May and Hannah (Templin) Potts.
531. Anna-Templin,b. at Warwick, April 21, 1827; m. Dec. 19, 1850, William
L. Whitney, cashier of the Miners' Bank, Pottsville ; she died there
Sept. 19, 1854, and is buried in the graveyard of the Episcopal Ch.
532. David (975), b. /. e., Jan. 21, 1830 ; m. Kate Lewis, 1S55. He served
one year in the late war. He assisted his uncles in the management
of Warwick Furnace, and died there in 1868.
532i. Rebecca-May, b. /. e., April 30, 1826. 533. Emma G., d. in infancy.
5347 John, b. /. e., Feb. 28, 1841. He served in the late war as captain in
the 53d Pa. Regt., and was wounded.
535. Holman, b. /. e., Feb. 8, 1844 ; he was lieutenant in the 53d Pa. Regt.,
and was wounded ; d. unm. 1S66.
536. Nathaniel, b. /. e., Sept. 29, 1846; d. 1861.
537. Thomas, b. /. e., Feb. 26, 1849.
538. Martha E. (981), b. /. e., Jan. 8, 1833 ; m. Oct. 26, 1S52, Francis M.
Nichols, son of F. B. Nichols.
539. Mary R.
Children of [21 1] Francis and Ann (Church) Potts.
540. Maria-Theresa, m. James S. Ewing.
511. Rebecca. 542. David, m. Kate Liggett.
Sixth Generation. 3 1 9
543. Francis-Thomas. 544. Mary.
545. Sally.
Children of Nathaniel and [212] Sarah-May (Potts) Stem.
546. Francis-Potts, d. in infancy. 547. Emma-Virginia, d. in infancy.
548. William-White, d. in infancy.
549. Martha-Ellen (985), m. Oliver-Christian Bosbyshell. He entered the
army during the Rebellion, and became Major of the 41st Regt. Pa.
Vol.
550. Sarah-Potts.
Children ('/[213] Robert H. and [193] Julian H. (Potts) Potts.
are given on p. 316 [504], following the line of their mother.
Children of William and [218] Wilhelmina (Potts) Hazuley.
551. Elizabeth-Potts.
552. Phcebe-Mary (988) ; m. William Weir, of Phil. He d. there Aug., 1867.
553. Thomas-Semmes, d. March 27, 1S36.
554. Wilhelmina, m. Dr. Wm. Young, 1861. 555. Catherine-Ramsay.
556. Peter W. Radcliffe (990) ; m. Isabella Merritt, 1S56.
557. Fanny-Lear.
558. Anna-Sophia-Semmes, m. in Phil., 1859, John F., son of Joseph Cabot.*
559. William H., entered the army 1S61, com. 1st Lieut. ; m., 186S, Cornelia
Dewey ; she d. the following year.
Children of [21 9] Samuel J. and Mary-Ann (Ross) Potts.
560. John (1002), b. in Alexandria, Va., 1S1S ; m. Louisa Rose.
He was for many years chief clerk in the War Department at Washington.
Secretary Stanton esteemed him highly, and frequently spoke of him as a
* He is a descendant of John Cabot, who came from the island of Jersey and settled in
Salem, Mass.. with a brother George, about 1700. It is claimed that Sebastian Cabot the
navigator was the ancestor of this family.
320 Sixth Generation.
man who could not be corrupted. He d. at Washington, July 24, 1872. The
following notice was issued that day from the War Department : —
"July 24, General Order No. 75.
" It is with regret, made stronger by personal friendship, that the Sec. of
War announces the death, at an early hour this morning, of John Potts, Esq.,
chief clerk of the War Department. His official life, conducted with faith-
fulness and honor, gave evidence of pure integrity, while in constant devotion
to duty he was a model for our imitation. A long career of labor in public
service is closed without a blemish on the record. For thirty-six years he has
been in the Department ; for over thirteen years he was its chief clerk. He
disbursed millions without error, and leaves a clear account. Thousands who
have had official intercourse with him bear witness to the promptness of his
action and to the marked courtesy of his demeanor.
" During the war, in addition to heavy disbursements, he performed delicate
and important public duties, and in mention of these services the late Sec.
Stanton spoke of him to the present Secretary of War as a ' perfectly incor-
ruptible man ' ; there can be no higher eulogy.
" The entrance and interior of his office will be draped in mourning, and
the various Bureaus of this Department will be closed on the day of his
funeral.
"WILLIAM W. BELKNAP,
"Secretary of War.
The following-named gentlemen officiated as pall-bearers at his funeral: —
Sec. Belknap, Surg.-Gen. Barnes, Ass.-Surg.-Gen. Crane, Gen. Park, Gen.
Shriver, Adj.-Gen. Townsend, R. S. Chew, Esq., chief clerk State Dept., and
Wm. B. Lee, Esq., of the War Dept.
561. Andrew-Ross (1007). b. Nov. 9, 1824 ; m., at Phil., Boydanna, dau. of
Dr. David Gilbert, Oct. 3, 1865.
562. Mary-Eliza (1010), m. Capt. T. Scott Fillebrown, U. S. N. He entered
the service in 1S41, commissioned Com. of Beau, of Equipment, 1866.
563. Richard or Rane. d. in the army.
561. Samuel, U. S. N. ; lost at sea.
565. Caroline, m. Capt. S. P. Carter, U. S. N. He entered the service in
[840, now acting as Commandant at the Naval School, Annapolis.
Sixth Generation. 321
566. Roberta, unm. 567. Charles-Ramsay.
56S. Alice-Ramsay.
Children of Thomas and [220] Sophia IV. {Potts) Scmmcs.
Six children died in infancy.
569. Thomas (1014), m. Eliza F. Bernard, of Port Royal, Va. ; he was edu-
cated as a lawyer, and was a man of much intellectual ability. His
early efforts at the bar placed him by the side of old and distinguished
lawyers. He d. at the age of 30.
570. Anna-Sophia (1015), m., 1834, Rev. Philip, son of Capt. Philip Slaugh-
ter,* of Culpeper Co., Va. He was rector of Bristol Parish, Peters-
burg, Va., in 1843, and remained there until failing health obliged him
to resign his charge ; he afterwards became the agent for the Coloni-
zation Soc. of that State. He published an account of the ancient
parish where he was settled, and made some other contributions to
the local history of Va., which are highly commended by Bp. Meade
in his history of old churches and families of Va.
571. Mary-Elizabeth (1017), m. John-Murray Forbes. They reside near
Warrenton, Farquier Co., Va., where he is a lawyer of high reputation
and large practice.
572. Douglass-Ramsay, m. Virginia Flynn, of Suray, Page Co. They reside
in Alexandria.
573. William-Hawley, was educated for a lawyer, and was a young man of
great promise. He emigrated to Minnesota in 1851, but the rigor of
the climate was too great for his delicate constitution, and he d. there
Sept., 1854, aged 28.
574. Sarah- Wilhelmina (1022), m. Rev. William-Meade Nelson, of Clarke
Co., Va., rector of St. Paul's Ch., Ivy Depot, Va. She d. Aug., 1871,
aged 41.
Children of [244] Nathaniel-Potts and [222] Joamia-Holland (Potts) Hobart.
575. John-Potts (1025), m. Anne-Amelia, dau. of Gen. William R. Smith, of
Phil.
* Capt. Slaughter commanded the Culpeper minute men in the Revolution, and took
part in all the great battles of the war.
41
322 Sixth Generation.
576. Sally-Potts.
577. Elizabeth-Ramsay, d. unm. May 28, 1870.
578. Anna-Sophia. 579. Hannah-Pratt, d. in infancy.
580. Robert-Henry.
581. Nathaniel- Potts, m. Susan M., dau. of Capt. John Campbell, of Phil.
582. William-Ramsay-Potts, b. Oct. 27, 1828 ; d. Dec. 3, 1832.
583. Ellen-Goodin, b. April 1, 1831.
11 \ OOP < 11
Children of Samuel and [225] Catherine M. {Potts) Gartley.
584. John (1034), m. Rebecca Hain.
585. Thomas (1041), m. Hannah Lipton.
586. Samuel (1044), m. Elizabeth Reynolds, Sept., 1848.
587. Elizabeth H., d. unm., 1848.
Child of his second wife [230] Sarah M. {Potts) Gartley.
588. William H., m. Harriet Saylor.
Children of [227] Thomas and Haniet {Brooke) Potts,
589. Elizabeth-Brooke, b. at Pottstown ; m. Dr. James H. Carr, of Phil.,
May 6, 1847.
590. Anna-May (1045), b- l- c-> April, 1823 ; m. Abner Evans, Feb., 1849.
591. Julianna (1050), b. /. c., Dec, 1825 ; m. Thomas M. Casselberry, May 12,
1846.
592. Samuel-Miles, b. /. c, Oct., 1827 ; m. Amelia Welsham.
593. Thomas (1053), b. /. c, Feb., 1830; removed to Putnam, O, where he
m. Mary-Frances Nye, Feb. 13, i860.
Children of [229] Joseph-McKean and [302] Rebecca J. {Brooke) Potts.
594. Harriet-Brooke, b. at Pottstown, March 11, 1825.
595. Catherine-Gartley, b. /. c, Sept., 1826; d. unm., May 26, 1847.
Sixth Generation. 323
596. Emily-Rutter, b. /. c, Sept., 1829.
597. Mary-Paxson, b. /. c, May, 1830.
598. Joseph McKean, b. /. c, 1832 ; m. Mary Little.
Children of [231] Francis R. and Mary (Miles) Potts.
599. Joanna, unm. 600. James-Linnard, d. in infancy.
f 601. George-Engles, d. at Gettysburg, July 5, 1S63, U. S. Volun-
. teers.
^ 602. David, unm., clerk in the U. S. Treasury Department at
Washington.
Children of Robert H. and [232] Maty (Potts) Smith.
603. Rebecca, b. at Phil, July 18, 18 14.
604. Robert, b. /. e., July 4, 1S16, unm.
605. Joseph-Potts, b. at Glasgow Forge, June 5, 18 18, unm.
606. William-Alexander (1055), b. at Pottstown, Sept. 9, 1S20. He was
married in 1847 to Clara-Mary, dau. of the Rev. Levi Bull, D. D., of
Chester Co., Pa. She d. in N. Y., in 1857 ; m. for his second w.,
Margaret, dau. of George and Serena Jones, of N. Y., Feb. 3, 1863.
In 1844 he settled in New York, and the following year became junior
partner of the Wall St. house of Coit, Smith, & Co. In 1848 he was made
treasurer of the N. Y. Bible Soc, and held that office until 1S5 1. From 1S61
to 1865 he was treasurer, and from 1866 to 1867 president, of the N. Y. Stock
Exchange. He is now vice-president of the Sheltering Arms, and treasurer
of the Ch. Mission to the Jews, and of the trustees of the Fund for the Relief
of Disabled Clergymen, etc. He is also chairman of the trustees of the Build-
ing Fund of the Midnight Mission, a trustee of the Parochial Fund of the
P. E. Ch. in N. Y., also of the permanent fund of the Orphans' Home
and Asylum of the P. E. Ch. in N. Y., one of the advisory committee of the
same institution, a manager of the Home for Incurables, of St. Luke's Hos-
pital, of the Society for the promotion of Religion and Learning, and of the
P. E. City Mission, and secretary of the trustees of St. Johnland.
324 Sixth Generation.
The many positions of trust to which he has been called bear witness t>
the well-deserved esteem in which he is held by all with whom he has beei
associated. He is still constant in his attendance at the meetings of th
various charitable and other associations with which he is connected, ani
continues to be actively interested in business. He is now senior partner c
the banking-house of William Alexander Smith & Co.
6!)?. Alfred (1059), b. at Phil., Oct. 31, 1S22; m. Mary- Amelia, dau. of Walte
and Maria Butler, of Stuyvesant, N. }., July 10, 185 1. She d. ii
Princeton. Sept. 7, 1859. He m. for his second w., at Chicago, 111
Louisa C. dau. of Rev. John Woodbridge, of Hadley, Mass. Sine
the great fire they have resided in the village of Evanston, twelv
miles from the city. Mr. Smith is engaged in the grain commissioi
business.
608. Sarah-Potts, b. /. c, Sept. 29, 1824, unm.
009. Hobart, b. Oct. 4, 1826; he'd. unm. at Germantown, Nov., 1862, anc
was buried at Laurel Hill.
From a Philadelphia Paper, Oct., 1843.
" The New Orleans ' Picayune,' of the 20th Oct., says : ' An old sailor
who had been drinking until he was somewhat intoxicated, tumbled from one
of the wharves of the first municipality, a few days since, into the Missis-
sippi, and would have been drowned had not a lad near the spot plunged
into the river, and succeeded in bringing him safe ashore. The name of the
young fellow was Hobart Smith, of the bark "Josephine," of Phil., and the
smile upon his sunburnt countenance, as he brought the old tar safe to land,
seemed an ample reward for his heroic action.' "
610. Edmund (1060), b. /. c, April 4, 1829. He was m. in Dec, 185 1, ti
Arabella Barnes, at Blairsville.
He was educated at the Friends' Academy, on Fourth St., and afterward
passed two years in the High School, on leaving which he entered the count
ing-house of a firm on Front St., engaged in the wholesale drug business
where he remained for two years. In June, 1847, he received an appoint
ment in a corps of civil engineers, who were about commencing the surve
and location of the Pa. R. R., and was engaged in that work between Hunt
ington and the summit of the Alleghany Mountains ; also, in the construe
0 (\}\^LI^VV(U^L
I
Sixth Generation. 325
tion of a portion of the line, until the spring of 1850, when he was trans-
ferred to Blairsville, on the western division. In March, 1853, he was
assigned to special duties in the company's service in Phil. In Jan., 1855,
he was elected secretary of the company, which position he continued to hold
until May, 1869, when he was promoted to the position of vice-president.
The responsible position of treasurer of the company having become vacant,
in the early part of the present year (1873), at the earnest and unanimous
request of the board of directors, he resigned the office of vice-president,
and accepted that of treasurer.
In the year 1859, and again in 1862, he visited Europe, to examine into
the railway systems of Great Britain, and those of the Continent.
In 1870 he purchased the Colemanville Iron- Works property, in Lancas-
ter Co., Pa., at the junction of the Pequea Creek and the Susquehanna
River, comprising a forge and rolling-mill, and an estate of twelve hundred
acres of land.
611. Corrin-Frank, b. Sept. 10, 1831 ; m. Nov., 1867, Mary-Elizabeth, dau.
of George H. and Margaret (Hall) Garrett, of Mount Airey, at San
Francisco, where he now resides.
Children of [233] Samuel and [257] Ruth-Anna (Putter) Potts.
612. Mary-Ann, d. young. 612.5. Samuel, b. 1847 ; d.
613. Mary-Ann, second so named (1064) ; m. Dr. James M. Egleton.
Children of [235] Henry and Isabella (Hitnei) Potts.
614. Sarah, b. Aug. 24, 1820; unm.
615. Joseph (1065), b. Dec. 7, 1822 ; m. Annie, dau. of Rev. J. C. Clay, at
Gloria Dei Ch., March 3, 1846.
616. Mary-Hitner (1068), b. Jan. 24, 1825 ; m. at Pottstown, by Rev. Dr.
Bull, Edward S. Davies, Dec. 3, 1846.
6I6i. Elizabeth W., d. an infant, April 7, 1827.
617. Henry (1071), b. Nov. 30, 1832 ; m. at St. Luke's Ch., Phil., Mrs. Rosa-
Virginia Moore, April 22, 1S68.
618. Isabella-Hitner (1072), b. Jan. 5, 1S36; m. by Rev. Dr. May, to George
Rice, June 10, 1863
326 Sixth Generation.
619. George H. (1074), b. March 8, 1838 ; m. by Rev. Edmund Leaf, to (441)
Rose, dau. of Dr. Harlan Leaf, June 11, 1861.
Children 0/" [236] David and Rebecca S. (Spcakman) Potts.
620. Joseph D. (1078), b. at Springton Forge, Dec. 4, 1829; m. Mary, dau. of
Dr. William and Margaret (Pollock) M'Cleery, at Milton, Northumber-
land Co., June 1, 1854, at which place she was b., Sept. 9, 1830. She
was a descendant of the Scotch-Irish Covenanters, who settled that
region of the State.
Joseph entered upon his profession of civil engineer, May, 1852, on the
Sunbury and Erie R. R., and was afterwards engaged on various roads in
Western Pa., and was made vide-president of the Steubenville and Indiana
R. R., superintendent of the western division of the Pa. R. R., and president
of the Western Transportation Co.
In May, 1861, Gov. Curtin appointed him on his active staff as lieut.-col.
and chief of the transportation and telegraph department of the State, which
post he held until Dec, 1 861, at which date the State transferred this labor
to the national government.
From 1862 to 1865 he was general manager of the Phil, and Erie R. R..
for its lessee, the Pa. R. R. Co. In 1862, while serving with the militia,
called out in consequence of Lee's Antietam campaign, he was detailed by
Gen. Haupt as military superintendent of the Franklin R. R.
From 1865 to 1872 he was president of the Empire Transportation Co.,
and also of the Erie and Western Transportation Co., the latter being the
owner of a large fleet of propellers on the chain of great lakes.
621. William-Speakman, b. at Isabella Furnace, May 5, 1838.
He practised the profession of civil engineer, from 1855, for some years,
on the Pittsburg and Connellsville, Lackawanna and Lanesboro' and East
Brandywine Railroads.
In 1 86 1 he enlisted in the three months' service, and afterwards raised a
company, of which he was chosen captain ; resigned because of ill health,
but re-entered the service. Since the war he has been engaged in business
in the British Asiatic possessions.
Sixth Generation. 327
Children of [237] Joseph and [262] Mary C. (Rutter) Potts.
622. John-Rutter, b. March 13, 1825 ; he was drowned in the Delaware
River, Aug. 20, 1834.
623. Mary-Ann, b. Dec. 16, 1S30, now living with her brother ; unm.
624. Clement-Rutter, b. Feb. 23, 1833 ; m. Emma R., dau. of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Connor) Broderick, of Wilkesbarre, Nov. 23, 1866 ; and
resides at Mauch Chunk as cashier of the Lehigh Nav. Co.
Children of [259] John P. and [238] Emily {Potts) Rutter.
See p. 329.
Children of [239] Edward and Sarah (Beehtel) Potts.
62.5. Sarah, d. 626. Emma, d.
627. Eliza R., died at the age of 9. 628. Edward.
Children of [240] John and Ma>y G. (Jamison) Potts.
629. Samuel-Jamison, b. at Norristown, July 17, 1838; m. Mary-Jane
Evans, March 26, 1S63.
630. Helen, b. /. c, Feb. 1, 1840 ; d. June 11, 1844.
631. Mary-Grace, b. /. c, Nov. 21, 1841 ; m. Dr. Theodore Jacobs, Aug. 5,
1867 ; and resides at Coal Valley, Rock Island Co., 111.
632. John, b. /. c., July 31, 1844 ; d. Nov. 6, 1863.
633. William J., b. /. c, April 11, 1846.
Children of [242] Robert S. and Ann (Bull) Potts.
634. Howard.
And of Ids second wife, Lydia Baldwin.
635. Maria.
636. Charles-Sumner, d. at Transfield, Ohio.
v— J~o$Cj— {— v-
Children of [244] Nathaniel- Potts and [222] Joanna H. (Potts) Hobart
are carried down in the line of their mother [575] ; see p. 321.
'(hill.
328 Sixth Generation.
Children of [246] Robert E. and Henrietta {Smith) Hbbi
637. William-Smith, b. April 1836.
638. Sarah-May (1119), b. March, 1838; m. at Pottstown, [703] William-
Ives, son of [265] Charles and Mary-Ann (Ives) Rutter, April 29, 1863.
639. Eliza. 640. Robert, d. unm.
641. John-Henry. 642. Henrietta.
643. Anna, b. Dec. 13, 1850 ; d. Feb. 1, 1851.
Cliildren of [253] John H. and Mary- Ann (Mintzer) Hobart.
644. William-Mintzer, d. in infancy. 645. Robert-Enoch.
646. William-Mintzer (1123), the second so named; m. [704] Elizabeth W.,
dau. of [265] Charles and Mary-Anne (Ives) Rutter, Dec. 18, 1867.
647. John-Henry, d. in infancy. 648. David-Potts._
649. John-Henry, the second so named, b. Dec. 1847.
Cliildren of Dr. Samuel and [256] Margarctta (Rutter) Heister.
650. John-Rutter (1081), m. Mary-Ann Hittel.
651. Mary, m. Desault Beaver.
Children of [233] Samuel and [257] Ruth-Anna (Rutter) Potts
are on p. 325.
Children of [258] Thomas and Catherine (Boycr) Rutter.
652. David, d. young. 653. Sarah, d. young.
Children of his second wife, Catlicrine (Ovenshitic) Rutter.
654. Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1828 ; m. Dr. John Rose and d. s. p., Nov. 1, 1849.
655. Mary-Ann, b. June 11, 1830; d. unm. Feb. 20, 1859.
656. Catherine, b. Aug. 30, 1832; m. Alexander Van Beck, Sept. 19, 1858.
657. Charles, b. April 15, 1835 ; d. in infancy.
658. Charles, second so named, b. Sept. 20, 1837 ; d. in infancy.
659. Charles, third so named, b. Oct. 14, 1839.
660. Henrietta, b. Oct. 19, 1841 ; d. in infancy.
661. Samuel O., b. March 14, 1847. 662. Rebecca.
Sixth Generation. 329
Children of [259] John P. and [238] Emily (Potts) Rutter.
663. William H.
661. Sarah-Potts (10S6), m. John D., son of Levi Taylor, June 20, 1848.
665. Emily, b. July, 1828.
666. Henry-Potts (iogi), b. Aug. 13, 1829; m. Mary-Jolly Maybury, Dec. 3,
185 1 ; she d. Dec. 8, 1859 ; he m. for his second w. Anna F., dau. of
Edward Davies and widow of Coleman J. Bull, April 16, 1863 ; they
reside in Germantown, and he is treas. and sec. of the Midvale Steel
Works in Phil.
667. Clement-Milton (1095^-), b. March 13, 1832 ; m. Jan. 3, 1856, Caroline
Quick.
668. Martha, b. June, 1835 ; d. Aug. 11, 1836.
669. John-Potts, b. March 4, 1839 ; m. Jennie, dau. of Henry Foulke, May
7, 1863.
Children of [260] Clement} S. and Letitia (Brown) Rutter.
670. Mary-Anne (1096), b. at Phil., March 19, 1825 ; was m. to Mason, son
of Samuel Thomson, of N. Y., by Rev. John Coleman, July 16, 1845.
671. David-Brown, b. June 9, 1827 ; d. May 17, 1829.
672. Robert-Lewis (1 102), b. Aug. 31, 1829 ; m., at Phil., by Rev. John Cole-
man, Sept. 1, 1852, to Ellen E., dau. of Robert T. Potts.* He d. at
sea on his passage home from Laguyra, March 22, 1858.
673. Levi-Taylor (1 104), b. Dec. n, 1832 ; m., by Rev. Wm. B. Stevens, D. D.,
to Sally R., dau. of Abraham R. Perkins, at Phil., Nov. 30, 1859. He
d. Oct. 26, 1 87 1.
671. Clement-Stocker (1109), b. Feb. 7, 1835 ; m., by Rev. John Coleman,
Oct. 15, 1856, to Anna-Jackson, dau. of M. B. and J. V. Mahony.
Children of his second wife, Sarah (McColluni) Rutter.
675. Sarah-Josephine (mi), b. Jan. 1, 1840; m., by Rev. Wm. B. Stevens,
D. D., April 3, 1S61, to Edward H., son of Z. and M. Pyle, of West
Chester.
676. A son, b. Feb. 11, 1841 ; d. aged 24 hours.
677. A daughter, b. Aug. 17, 1S43 ; d. the same day.
* No relationship can be traced between this gentleman and the subjects of this memorial.
42
3$o Sixth Generation.
Children of [26 1 ] Dr. David and Isabella (Crawford) Ruttcr*
678. Alexander-Crawford, b. Feb. 27, 1825 ; d. April 15, 1827.
679. Isabella-Crawford, b. July 11, 1826; d. Sept. 4, 1826.
680. John-Rhea-Barton, b. Mar. 28, 1828. He received his degree of M. D.
at Jeff. Coll., Phil., 1847, and settled at Grand de Tour, 111., where he
d. unm., Oct. 19, 1853.
681. Juliet, b. Nov. 10, 1830; d. Aug. 7, 1832.
682. Elizabeth-Stocker, b. July 2, 1833 ; d. Aug. 30, 1834.
Children of his second wife, Esther- Turner (Ryerson) Rutter.
683. Mary-Ryerson (ui2a), b. Oct. 17, 1835 ; m. at Chicago, Oct. 5, 1853,
by Bp. Whitehouse, to Parnassus-Taylor Turnley, U. S. A.
684. Joseph-Ormsby, b. Nov. 2, 1836. He is a banker in Chicago ; unm.
684J. Annie, b. Jan. 9, 1841 ; d. May 21, 1841.
685. Charles-Lindley, b. Aug. 14, 1842; m. by Bp. Whitehouse, May 16,
1871, to Roxella-Duval Robeson. He is a physician.
686. Esther-Elizabeth (1112c), b. Nov. 28, 1844; m. by Rev. Dr. Rylance
and Dr. De Koven, Feb. 10, 1870, to Clarence-Hopkins Dyer.
687. David, b. Oct. 13, 1846 ; m. at Newton, N. J., by Rev. T. S. Byington,
to Mary-Elizabeth McMurtry. Resides in Chicago.
Children of '[237] Joseph and [262] Mary C. (Rutter) Potts
are on p. 327.
Children of William and [263] Martha (Ruttcr) Brooke.
688. John-Rutter, m. Mary Roberts, 1867. He entered the army, and was
an active officer at the battle of Gettysburg, and for gallantry on
that field was brevetted Maj.-Gen. of Volunteers. Gen. Meade said
to a Gettysburg gentleman (my informant) that Pennsylvanians did
* The following account of Dr. Rutter was received too late for insertion on page 299.
He practised his profession in Montgomery Co. for nine years, when he removed to Phil.,
where he obtained an extensive practice. In 1849 he went to Chicago, 111., and in 1859
took a prominent part in organizing the Med. Coll. in that city, where he became Emeritus
Professor of Obstetrics, the chair of which he held until his death.
Sixth Generation. 3 3 1
not know what a debt of gratitude they owed to this youthful and
gallant officer. In July, 1866, he was com. Lieut.-Col. 3d Regt. of
Infantry/ U. S. A.
689. Caroline. 690. Anna-Maria.
Child of [264] Lindley C. and Rebecca S. (Montgomery) Ruttcr.
691. William-Montgomery, d. young.
Child of his second wife, Matilda P. (Anderson) Rutter.
692. William-Anderson, b. April, 18'^; d. March, 1849.
Children of his third wife, [300] Louisa M. (Potts) Rntter.
693. Samuel-Potts, b. May, 1836 ; d. aged 3 years.
694. Henry-Tallman, b. July, 1837; d. aged 2 years.
695. Henrietta- Tallman (1 1 13), b. July 4, 1839 ; m., Feb. 25, 1864, James C.
Wood. Hed. Oct., 1867.
696. Mary-Catherine (n 14), b. 1840; m., Jan. 17, 1867, Jacob Person. He
d. March 16, 1871.
697. Margaretta-Louisa (11 16), b. 1842; m., June 13, 1866, [442] Lyman
Beecher.
698. John-Clement, b. April 17, 1844; m., Nov. 11, 1S72, Ella McMurtrie.
699. Lindley-Charles (1118), b. Feb. 15, 1848; m., Dec. 18, 1870, Rhettie
Clark.
700. Anna E., b. March 10, 1850; d. May, 1857.
701. Laura W., b. 1852.
702. Clarissa-Brooke, b. May 15, 1854.
Children of [265] Charles and Mary-Ann (Ives) Rntter.
703. William-Ives (11 19), b. at Pottstown, July 30, 1836; m. (638) Sarah-May,
dau. of [246] Robert E. and Henrietta (Smith) Hobart, April 29, 1863.
701. Elizabeth-Wills (1123), b. /. c, April 30, 1839 ; m., Dec. 18, 1867, [646]
William-Mintzer, son of [253] John H. and Mary A. (Mintzer) Hobart.
705. Samuel-Hockley, b. I.e., Aug. 24, 1842; m. Laura E. Hopkins, Nov.
23, 1869.
706. Mariella-Ryerson, b. /. c, June 1, 1845.
332 Sixth Generation.
707. Anna-Margaretta, b. /. c, March 17, 1848 ; d. aged 3 years.
708. Charles-Francis, b. 1. c, Jan. 1, 1851 ; d. aged 9 mo.
709. John-Osborne, b. /. c, Oct. 14, 1852.
710. Mary-Hockley, b. /. c, July 12, 1856.
Children of [266] Samuel-Potts and Jane K. {Baxter) Rutter.
711. Letitia, b. /. c, April 16, 1838.
712. Isaac-Baxter, b. /. e., Dec. 28, 1840.
713. David, b. /. c., April 23, 1848 ; d. June 16, 1848.
714. Thomas-Baxter, b. /. c, April 27, 1852.
715. Hester-Kniffen, b. /. c, July 12, 1854.
716. Anna-Potts, b. /. c, Feb. 6, 1857 ; d. April 27, /85s.
717. Samuel-Lindley, b. /. e., Aug. 9, 1861.
Children of Dr. Joseph E. and [267] Martha (Potts) Sorber.
718. Mary. 719. Margaret.
720. Rebecca. 721. Charles.
g=M3^4— «-—
Children of [282] John C. and Caroline (Tonsard) Stocker.
722. John-Clements (1125); m. Louisa Tessaire, 1831.
723. Louis-Tousard, b. Oct. 20, 1S10; d. Sept. 29, 1828.
724. Mary-Katherine.
725. Louisa-Caroline (1126), m. John-Nicholson Elbert, 1838.
726. Anna-Maria.
727. Henry-Hollingsworth, b. May 2, 1817; d. unm. Jan. 14, 1852.
728. Anthony-Eugene (1133), m. Jane Randolph, 1845. He received his de-
gree of M. D. from the Univ. of Pa, 1840. The subject of his essay
was " Osteology."
729. Laurette (1137), m. Alfred Coxe, 1846.
730. Dutilh, b. Sept. 1, 1823 ; d. July 6, 1824
731. Martine-Dutilh (1139), m. Louis-Eugene French, [848.
732. Emily. 733. Louis.
Sixth Generation. 333
Children of Robert M. and [284] Martha R. (Stocker) Lewis.
734. Mary-Stocker, d. 1858.
735. Julia- Wharton (1141), m. [741] Laurence, son of Laurence and [286]
Anna M. (Stocker) Lewis, April, 1850; d. 1851.
736. Margaretta-Stocker; living in Phil., unm.
737. Clement-Stocker, b. May, 1816; d. an infant, Aug. 26.
738. Robert- Wharton, b. June, 18 17 ; d. July 12, aged three weeks.
Children of Laurence and [286] Anna M. {Stocker) Lewis.
739. Mary-Katherine. 740. Stocker.
741. Laurence (1 141), m. [735] Julia W., dau. f>f R. M. and [284] M. R.
Lewis, 1846 ; m. second, Mary T. Wilcox, 1853.
742. William-Mortimer, b. Sept. 22, 1822 ; d. Dec. 9, 1824.
743. Robert-Morton (1 143), m. Anna E., dau. of Capt Richard Shippen, 1856.
744. Francis A. (r 145), m. Anna, dau. of William B. Reed, 1856.
Children ^[298] James H. and Sarah {Jaekson) Potts.
745. Maria, b. April 25, 1822 ; d. Aug. 22, 1822.
746. Margaret, b. Aug. 3, 1823 ; m. at Reading, May 11, 1865, to Edwin,
son of William Morris, of East Nantmeal, Chester Co.
747. Lydia-Jackson, b. April 6, 1825 ; m. at Phil., Jan. 29, 1852, to Joseph,
son of George Peirce, of East Brandywine, Chester Co.
748. Louisa-Coin, b. July 1, 1827 ; d. unm. May 15, 1857.
749. Louis-Coin (1 149), b. Feb. 8, 1830 ; m. at Phil., May 10, 1856, Pattie M.,
dau. of Samuel Torbert, of Chester Valley ; she d. at Coatesville, May
10, 1857, aged 24 years. He m. for his second w. Emelie Locher from
the Rhine, Bavaria.
750. Elizabeth (1151), b. April 7, 1832 ; m. at Coatesville, March 26, 1868,
Samuel-Morris, son of Samuel and Lydia (Morris) Rea, of Robeson,
Berks Co. Mr. Rea is the city engineer of Reading, where he now
resides.
Children of [264] Rev. Lindley C. and[T,oo\ Louisa M. {Potts) R utter
are given on p. 331, following the descent of their father.
334 Sixth Generation.
Children of Charles and [301] Mary {Potts) Paxson.
751. Harriet (11 53), was b. at the residence of her grandmother Brooke, in
Brooke Court, Phil., Feb. 18, 1819. On her 20th birthday, 1839, she
m. William Wilkinson in Phil.
752. Henry, b. 1820; d. aged 16 days.
753. Edward, b. 1821 ; d. in infancy.
Children of [229] "Josepli McKcan and [302] Rcbccea J. {Brooke) Potts
are given on p. 322.
Children of [304] Bowyer and Rebecca {Parviu) Brooke.
754. Jacob-Parvin (1158), m. Mary Stephens, of Norristown, Sept. 20, 1866.
He served through the war of the Rebellion, was made captain in
the Third Div. 9th Corps, and was wounded at Cold Harbor, 1864.
He resides in Louisburg, Pa.
755. Mary-Davis. 756. Sarah-Starr, unm.
757. Rebecca-Potts, unm. 758. Reese, d. unm.
759. Harriet, d. unm.
Child of [308] Charles and Anna {McCollin) Potts.
763. Franklin M., b. near Paoli, Chester Co., 12 of 4 mo., 1855.
Child of [310] Edward and Julia {Paxson) Potts.
761. Lucy, b. at Phil., Dec. 30, 1867.
Children of Waldron J. and\j,\\\ Frances {Potts) Cluyncy.
762. George, b. at Phil., 1 of 9 mo., 1854.
763. Joseph, b. /. c, 17 of 7 mo., 1856.
764. John, b. /. c, 1 of 4 mo., 1858.
765. Edward, b. at Wallingford, Del. Co., 17 of 1 mo., 1S61.
766. Edith, b. at Phil.. 12 of 8 mo., 1863.
767. Samuel, b. /. c, 15 of 7 mo., 1865.
768. Anna-Potts, b. /. c, 9 of 5 mo., 1868.
Sixth Generation. 335
Children of [3 1 2] yoseph and Regina S. (Kimbcr) Potts.
769. Frances-Shober, b. at Phil, 8 of 4 mo., 1863.
770. Reginald S., b. /. c, 20 of 3 mo., 1867 ; d. 1 1 of 8 mo., 1868.
Children of [325] Isaac W. and Hannah A. {ATewlin) Potts.
771. Augusta, b. at Phil., Dec. 9, 1839 ; d. Aug. 30, 1840.
772. William-Newlin, b. Aug. 23, 1841.
773. Austin, b. Oct. 17, 1S44.
774. Virginia, b. April 3, 1S47.
Children of Thomas C and [330] Sarah A. (Paid) Price.
775. Joseph M. Paul (1161), b. at Phil., Nov. 8, 1829; m. Emily-Maxwell,
dau. of William P. and Anna M. (Maxwell) Robeson, at Belvedere,
N. J., Jan. 27, 1857.
776. Richard (1 163), b. /. c, Sept. 20, 1832 ; m. Anna Dunbar, April 27, 1858.
He d. at Minneapolis, Minn., March 2, 1869.
777. Mary-Paul (1 168), b. /. c., Sept. 17, 1834 ; m. William Warder, Nov. 28,
1855.
Children of George- Vaux and Sarah A. (Paul) Price Bacon.
778. George- Warder, b. /. c, April 30, 1843.
779. Frances-Eliza, b. /. c, June 19, 1846; m. May 17, 1871, to Dr. Charles
W., son of Dr. Alexander W. and Maria E. Dunlap, of Springfield, O.
Children of William C and [334] Ruth-Anna ( Wayne) Belts.
780. Sarah-Wayne (1 173), b. 8 mo. 19, 1834; m. at Phil, April 27, 1S54,
Abram, son of James and Mary Marshall. He d. Feb. 23, 1S61.
781. Rebecca-Potts (1 175), b. 4 mo. 12, 1836; m. at Phil., 5 mo. 19,1853,
George, son of James and Elizabeth Sellers, of Delaware Co.
782. Ruth-Anna, b. 8 mo. 15, 1840.
783. Mary-Lacey, b. 10 mo. 15, 1842.
336 Sixth Generation.
Children of Elwood and [335] Rebecca P. {Wayne) Byerly.
784. Rebecca, b. 11 mo. 18, 1847 ; d. aged fourteen hours.
785. William-Elwood, b. 2 mo. 13, 1849.
786. Martha-Gibson, b. 2 mo. 10, 1853.
Children of [338] Isaac and Mary H. (Borton) Williams.
787. Levi-Borton, b. at Whitemarsh, 10 mo. 10, 1842 ; d. 8 mo. 27, 1844.
788. Edward, b. I. c, 7 mo. 6, 1845.
789. Henry- Borton, b. /. c, 12 mo. 21, 1848.
790. Sallie-Borton, b. /. c, 7 mo. 10, 1852.
Child of William and [360J Nancy {Duffield) Riley.
791. William.
Child of "[361] Charles and {Joynes) Duffield.
792. Mary.
Children of John R. and [363] Anne {Duffield) Franklin.
793. Anne, m. Mr. Dougherty, of Princess Anne Co., Md.
794. Emma. 795. Florence.
796. John. 797. Mary.
Child of his second wife, [808] Catherine Martin.
798. Henry, b. Oct. 7, 1869.
Children of [364] John C. and Caroline B. {Krnmbhaar) Martin.
799. Lewis-Krumbhaar, b. at Phil., Dec. 27, 1836; d. Oct. 24, 1838.
890. Rebecca, b. /. c, Sept. 22, 1838.
801. Mary-Krumbhaar, b. /. c, Aug. 31, 1840.
802. Emma-Krumbhaar, b. /. c, Sept. 5, 1842.
803. John-Selby, b. /. c, Nov. 16, 1844.
804. Caroline, b. /. c, July 3, 1848 ; d. Oct. 4, 1850.
805. Henry-George, b. /. c, Feb. 24, 185 1 ; d. Oct. 6, 1852.
Sixth Generation. 337
Children of [366] Henry N. and Lucy {Adams) Martin.
806. Anna. 807. Henry, m. Miss Hebron, of Miss.
Cliildren of [369] George and Margaret W. (Dixon) Martin.
808. Catherine (1179), m. Hon. John R. Franklin, of Md , Dec. 9, 1868.
808^. A son, d. young. 809. Georgianna (1 180), m. Mr. Simrall, of Miss.
Child of y. K. and [370] Sarah S. (Martin) Handy.
810. James.
Children of [372] Edward D. and Sarah (Richardson) Martin.
811. Edvvard-Duffield, d. young. 812. John-Selby.
813. Lucy (1182), m. T. P. Wharton, of Snow Hill, Md., Oct. 10, 1871.
814. William-Richardson. 815. Edward-Duffield.
Children of William H and [373] Margaret N. (Martin) Paniell.
816. Mary-Martin, d. aged 8. 817. Margaret, d. in infancy.
818. Martin, d. young. 819. Rebecca-Martin, d. young.
820. Martha- Potts, d. young. 821. Lizzie-Harwood.
822. Caroline. 823. William.
821. Edward-Duffield. 825. Grace.
Child of Isaac D. and [375] Mary K. (Martiii) yones.
826. Henry, b. May 2, 1853 ; d. July 15, 1854.
Children of Lewis R. and [379] Mary C. C. (Dufficld) Justice.
827. Edward-Duffield, d. in infancy. 828. Benjamin-Duffield.
829. Lewis H. 830. Joseph.
831. Francis H., d. in boyhood, Dec, 1864.
832. Mary.
■<— 3»s^^s4«
Children o_/"[3Si] George IV. and Amelia (Schroeder) Farquhar.
833. Eliza-Yorke, d. June, 1846. 834. Walter.
43
33% Sixth Generation.
835. Francis, b. 1839. 836. Norman H., U. S. N.
837. Guy E. 838. Fergus.
839. Laura J., d. 1861.
Children of [383] Edward Y. and Virginia (Sanderson) Farqnhar.
840. George W. 841. Sophia.
842. Matilda.
843. Edward-Yorke, b. at Pottsville, 1842 ; d. there May 29, 1867.
844. Virginia, d. young. 845. Edward, d. young.
Children of Thomas and [384] Emma (Farqnhar) Donclson.
846. Andrew-Jackson, b 1823 ; d. at Phil., Feb. 10, 1837, and is buried in
Christ Churchyard.
847. Eliza-Farquhar.
848. Emma-Lucinda, b. May, 1837; d. Aug. 17, the same year at Phil, buried
in Christ Churchyard, where stones ?re erected to her memory and
that of her brother.
849. Isabella. 850. Fanny.
851. Sarah P.
Children of [386] Edzuard and Sarah (Hanna) Yorke.
852. Edward.
853. Ellen (1183), m. in Mexico, Jan. 6, 1865, Captain Blanchot, of the Im-
perial Guards of France.
854. Ogden, murdered by brigands between Mexico and Vera Cruz.
855. Mary, resides with her sister in Paris ; unm.
856. Sarah, m. Cornelius, son of A. May and Anna (Phillips) Stevenson, at
Phil., June 30, 1S70.
Children of Daniel S. and [389] Sarah (Yorke) McCauley.
857. Mary (1 186), m. in Alexandria, Egypt, Mr. Moore. He d. in Ireland,
where his w. still resides.
858. Louisa (118S), m. at Alexandria, Egypt, Mr. Longshaw, and they both
d. in England.
Sixth Generation. 339
859. Edward- Yorke (i 189), entered the U. S. N. 1841 ; Com. Com. head of
Dept. and Instructor in French at the Naval Academy, Annapolis,
1866, where he now resides. He m. Josephine, dau. of and
Ellen (Mcllvajne) Berkeley.
Children of John and [394] Hannah (Bartholomew) Hughes.
860. Rachel (1192), m. Jacob Dewees. He received his degree of M. D.
from the Univ. of Pa., 1818. Essay, "Effects of Labor and Exercise."
She d. Aug. 24, 1S62.
861. Isaac (1198). He received his degree of M. D. from Jefferson Coll.,
Phil., 1839, and settled in North Carolina; he still practises his
profession in Newbern. He m. first, Eliza McLinn ; second, Miss
Small wood.
862. Benjamin (1206), m. first, Mary Rambo ; second, Mary. Brooke ; he d.
Aug., 1856.
863. Slater (1214), m. Susan Jarrett.
861. Theodore (1216), m. Caroline Fouville.
865. Nicholas-Collin (121S), Epis. clergyman in N. C. ; m. Adeline Williams.
866. Francis- Wade (1219), is a prominent lawyer at Pottsville ; m. Elizabeth
Silliman.
867. John-Curtis-Clay, m., March 13, 185 1, Emma R., widow of Charles
Heebner, and dau. of Benja. Coombe.
Child of [395] Joseph and Hannah (Davis) Bartholomew.
868. Daniel.
Children of [396] John and Lydia (Cleaver) Bartholomew.
869. Lydia-Ann.
870. Mary-Emily, m. Wallace Henderson.
871. George. 872. John C, d. 1857.
Children of Thomas and [397] Rachel (Bartholomew) Davis.
873. Ann. 874. Rachel.
875. Mary (1223), m. William Martin. 876. Ellen.
877. Margaret (1224), m. Michael Bright.
34-0 Sixth Generation.
Children of [399] Edward and Emily (Cleaver) Bartholomezv.
878. Edward. 879. Eugene.
880. Emily.
Children of [400] Benjamin and Elisabeth (Pritner) Bartholomew
881. Isaac W. 882. Lindley C.
883. Pritner. 884. Benjamin.
885. Rachel. 886. Martha E.
887. Augustus.
Children of [401] Austin and Maiy A. (Philips) BartJiolometv.
888. Edward P. 889. Mary-Ellen.
890. Anna. 891. Abraham P.
*"" Children of Thomas and [402] Ellen (Bartholomew) Maxwell.
892. David. 893. Emily.
894. Thomas. 895. Edward.
896. Sarah.
Child of John and [406] Sarah (Hodgkiss) Norwell.
897. Isabella G., m. Major John H. Miller, U. S. A. She threw herself
over Niagara Falls, in 1849, it was thought on account of mental
derangement caused by losing two infants. Two children survived
their parents, of whom I have no account. Major Miller d. Dec. 17,
1850, near Uniontown, Fayette Co., aged 41 years.
Child of [413] Charles D. and yane M. (Rowley) Dewees.
898. Jeanie-Emma, b. at Meriden Springs, 1846 ; m. 1870.
Children of [41S] William McF. and Harriet (Holmes) Baird.
899. A son, d. shortly after birth. 900. William, d. aged 10.] mos.
Sixth Generation. 341
901. Samuel, b. Jan., 1852; d. 1858.
902. Robert H., b. May, 1S57. 903. Mary L., b. Oct., 1859.
Child of [419] Spencer F. and Mary H. {Churchill) Baird.
904. Lucy-Hunter, b. at Carlisle, Feb. 8, 1848.
Children of Henry J. and [422] Mary D. {Baird) Biddle.
90.5. Jonathan-Williams, b. Aug. 1, 1855.
906. Lydia-McFunn, b. April 9, 1857.
907. Spencer-Fullerton-Baird, b. Jan. 12, 1859.
908. Christine-Williams, b. Aug. 20, i860.
909. Henry-Jonathan, b. May 14, 1862.
Child of [423] Thomas and Mary {Bill) Baird.
910. William M., b. Oct. 28, 1872.
-f=J-<!CS*<-
Children of Martin and [424] Mary F. {Potts) Edmonds.
911. Anna P. Castor, b. Dec. 23, 1S56.
912. Helen.
%w
SEVENTH GENERATION.
Children of [451] Edwin J. and Sarah H. (Ecclcston) Stevens.
913. Eliza-May, b. at Beechwood, near Cambridge, Md.
914. Sarah-Ennalls-Hooper, b. /. c.
915. Samuel-Eccleston, b. /. c, March 13, 1850. He is a civil engineer.
916. Edwin-John, b. /. c., Dec. 31, 1853.
Children of Caleb and [45 2] Mary {May) Peirce.
917. Thomas-May (1226), b. in Chester Co., Dec. 10, 1837 ; m. at Spring-
field, Montgomery Co., Dec. 25, 1861, Emma-Louisa Bisbing. She d.
June 26, 1870. M. second, at Williston, Chester Co., Oct. 14, 1871,
Ruth A. Strong.
918. Margaret, b. /. c., Dec. 28, 1839 > m- at Hammondton, N. J., Dr. Charles
W. Howard.
919. Caleb-Franklin (1231), b. at Phil., April 4, 1845 ; m. Sallie E. Maxwell,
of Moorstown, N. J.
920. George-William, b. /. c., Dec. 29, 1847 ; unm.
921. Samuel-James, b. Sept. 19, 1855 ; d. at Phil., April 10, 1859.
Children of J. Trimble and [462] Martha E. (May) Roihrock.
922. Addison-May, b. at the residence of his grandparents, West Chester,
May 12, 1870.
923. Henry-Abraham, b. at Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Oct. 24, 1872.
Seventh Generation. 343
Children of [465] Samuel P. and Sarah (Lippincott) Richards.
921. Jesse, b. in Phil, July 7, 1858. 925. William, b. /. c, April 15, i860.
Children of George A. and [466] Elizabeth H. (Richards) Bicknell.
926. Martha-Potts-Haskins (1232), b. in N. Y, April 10, 1842 ; m. at New
Albany, Ind., May 26, 1864, William Neille Mahan, of Carlisle, Pa.
927. Emma-Valeria-Pintard, b. /. c, Dec. 18, 1843.
928. George-Augustus, b. at Batsto, N. J., May 15, 1846. He graduated at
the Naval Academy, Annapolis, in 1866, and is now a lieutenant in
the navy.
929. Jesse-Richards, b.at Lexington, Scott Co, Ind, Nov. 13, 1848. Grad-
uated at the University of Bloomington, 1868 ; admitted to the prac-
tice of the law in 1870 ; now studying theology.
Children of Clifford and [484] Ellen-May (Potts) Pomeroy.
930. Bessie, b. at Reading, April 11, 1857.
931. Mary, b. /. c, May 6, i860. 832. J. Randall, b. /. c, May 29, 1S66.
Children of [487] Howard and Amanda (Wagner) Potts.
933. Anna-Grace, b. at Reading, Dec. 6, 1867.
934. Florence, b. I.e., May 29, 1869. 935. Samuel-Jacobs, b. Jan. 19, 1871.
936. Eleanor, b. Dec. 14, 1S72.
Children of [4S9] Joseph-Huhne and Kate (Shanaman) Potts.
937. Laura, b. at Reading, Oct. 4, 1863.
938. Clifford, b. /. c., Sept. 15, 1865. 939. Bessie, b. April 8, 1868.
940. Walter, b. June 21, 1872.
Child of [503] Peter Crans.
911. Edward, b. 1867.
Children of Richard and [498] Mary E. (Potts) Bostwick.
912. Caddie-Roxana, b. Oct. 7, 1S69. 913. Leslie-Hatton, b. Oct. 11, 1871
— ;— >^-s%Sg— -t— <—
344 Seventh Generation.
Children of [505] Nathaniel and Susan (Smith) Potts.
944. Mary-Francis, b. at Warwick, April, 1862.
945. Emma- Virginia, b. /. c., Jan., 1866.
946. Debbie-Smith, b. /. c, Oct., 1869.
-»— V-*Sfe»9£-
Children of Ames and [472] Caroline (Jacobs) Glcason.
947. Joseph, m. Anna Peirce of West Chester.
948. Ann, d. unm.
949. John, m. first, Caroline Lewis ; second, Amanda Baker.
950. Catherine, m. Morris Patterson. 951. Mary, m. Leonard Rickart.
Children of Joseph and [473] Elizabeth (Jacobs) Snyder.
952. Caroline. 953. Hannah.
954. Wesley. 955. Isaac.
956. William. 957. Stephen.
958. Joseph. 959. Benjamin.
960. Mary.
Children of Samuel and [474] Ann (Jacobs) Lapp.
961. Christian, m. Ella Cornog. 962. Sarah, d. young.
963. Emma, d. young. 964. John, d. young.
V"'}<f^Gr~^3'
Child of [507] William M. and Mary E. (French) Potts.
965. Frank-Assheton, b. at Medford, N. J., Jan. 1, 1865.
Children of [508] Nathan-Haines and Anna (Gijford) Potts.
966. Charles-Edward, b. at Phil., Aug. 1, 1867.
967. Orville-Alphonso, b. /. c, Feb. 21, 1870.
Seventh Generation. 345
Children of Jonathan and [511] Marion F {Potts) Lummis.
968. Howard-Assheton, b. at Camden, N. J., Jan. 2, 1869.
969. Mary-Ella, b. /. c, Feb. 28, 1871.
Child of J Wesley and [525] Anna R. (James) Thompson.
970. Landreth, b. at the residence of his grandparents, Phil., Nov. 5, 1862.
Children of[$2S] William II. and Sarah E. (Levake) James.
971. William-Edwin, b. at Franklin, Venango Co., July 28, 186S. He was
drowned there April 11, 1873.
972. Anna-Gertrude, b. /. c, Nov. 9, 1871.
Child of J. Wilson and [530] Henrietta M. {James) Moore.
973. Laura-Amanda, b. in Phil, Jan. 21, 1873.
^-~$— eagca ■{■ j«-
Child of William L. and [531] Anna T. {Potts) Whitney.
974. Martha.
Children of [532] David and Kate {Lewis) Potts.
975. Oscar. 976. Emma.
977. Ellvvood. 978. Elizabeth.
979. Nathaniel. 980. Thomas.
Children of Francis M. and [538] Martha E. {Potts) Nichols.
981. Susan-Keim, b. Nov. 19, 1853. 982. Hanniette-Templin, b. 1S57.
983. Francis B., d. aged ten years. 984. Anna-Maria, b. Dec, 1S62.
Children of Oliver C. and [549] Martha E. {Stem) Bosbyshell.
98.5. Nathaniel-Stem, b. Oct. 25, 1864. 986. Whitney, b. July 14, 1866.
987. Oliver-May, b. March 1, 1868.
346 Seventh Generation.
Children of William and [552] Plicebe M. (Hawley) Weir
988. Martha-Henry. 989. Mary.
Children of [556] Peter W. R. and Isabella (Merritl) Hawley.
990. Jane-Merritt. 991. Wilhelmina-Douglass.
992. William. 993. Alan-Ramsay.
994. Peter-Radcliffe.
Children of fohn F. and [558] Anna S. S. {Hawley) Cabot.
995. Joseph. 996. Wilhelmina.
997. Douglass. 998. Catherine.
999. Elizabeth-Hawley. 1000. Sebastian.
Child of [559] William H. and Cornelia (Dewey) Hazvley.
1001. Cornelius-Bradley.
Children of [560] John and Louisa (Ross) Potts.
1002. Mary-Ross.
1003. Rosa-Fontaine, m. at Paris, Sept. 30, 1872, at the Russian church, by
the Arch-Priest B. Prilejaeff; and afterwards, at the Am. Embassy,
by Rev. J. H. Rogers, to Dr. Michel de Messing, nobleman of Injnis
Novgorod, Russia.
1001. John, d. young. 1005. Louisa, d. young.
1006. Ramsay D., b. in Washington, D. C, 1850. Entered the U. S. N.
1867. Com. 1st. Lieut. 1869.
Children of [561] Andrew R. and Boydanna (Gilbert) Potts.
1007. Harriet-Ross, b. at Washington, D. C, March 6, 1867 ; d. the sami.
year.
1008. Mary-Ross, b. /. c., Aug. 23, 1868.
1009. Rebecca-Cooper, b. /. c, Dec. 15, 1870.
Children of T. Scott and [562] Mary E. (Potts) Fillcbrown.
1010. John-Potts. 1011. Andrew-Ross.
Seventh Generation. 347
Children of Samuel P. and [565] Caroline (Potts) Carter.
1012. Alfred, b. 1849; d. 1869. 1013. Samuel P., b. 1864.
Child of [569] Thomas and Eliza F. (Bernard) Semmes.
1014. Thomas M. (1235), m. Louisa, dau. of Judge Brockenborough, of
Lexington ; and is now Professor of French in the Va. Military
Institute, at Lexington.
Children of Philip and [570] Anna S. (Semmes) Slaughter.
1015. Mary-Elizabeth.
1010. Sophia-Mercer, m. her cousin, Thomas T. Slaughter.
Children of John M. and [571] Mary E. (Semmes) Forbes.
1017. Sarah-Innes (1238), m. Herman Bartels, of Hamburg, Germany.
1018. Sophia-Semmes, m. D. W. Kyle, of Bedford Co., Va. She d. June,
1865, aged 19, leaving a young infant who d. soon afterwards. She
was lovely in person and character, and many tears were shed over
her early grave.
1019. Murray. 1020. Kate-Ramsay.
1021. Thomas-Semmes.
Children of William M. and [574] Sarah- Wilhelmina (Semmes) Nelson.
1022. Mildred-Walker, d. June, 1863, aged 12 years.
1023. Anna-Sophia. 1024. Eliza-Kinlock.
-e-~M=see>-?-«-
Children of [575] John-Potts and Annie A. (Smith) Hobart.
1025. Eliza-Smith (1240), b. March, 1839; m- Dr. John-Warren Hunt, of
Madison, Wisconsin, Ass. Sec. of State. He d. Dec. 14, 1859.
1026. Julia-Biddle, b. March, 1841.
1027. Joanna-Holland, b. 1843; m- at Pottsville, Sept. II, 1873, E. F.
Chambers Davis, of Maryland.
1028. Mary, b. 1845 ; d. at Pottstown, July 4, 1873.
348 Seventh Generation.
1029. Nathaniel-Potts, b. 1847. 1030. John-Potts, b. 185 1 ; d. Oct., 185:
1031. William-Moore, d. in infancy. 1032. Cecil-Willig.
1033. David McKnight. 1033i. Annie-Smith, d. in infancy.
Children of [584] John and Rebecca (Ha in) G art Icy.
1034. Rebecca, m. George Love. 1035. George.
1036. Elizabeth, m. Mr. Smith. 1037. Catherine, m. Calvin Wright.
1038. Samuel. 1039. Elvira.
1040. Thomas.
Children of [585] Thomas and Hannah (Lipton) Gartlcy.
1041. Catherine. 1042. Robert L., m. Frances Virginia.
1043. Mary.
Child of [5 86] Samuel and Elizabeth (Retinoids) Gartlcy.
1044. Elizabeth, b. Sept., 1849.
Children of Abncr and [590] Anna M. (Potts) Evans.
1045. George, b. at Pottstown, March 17, 1850.
1046. Thomas-Potts, b. /. c, June 8, 1852 ; d. Nov. 9, 1855.
1047. Horace, b. /. c, Dec. 19, 1854.
1048. Harriet, ) , , A ., ,Qr 0
in iq t '\h.le., April 29, 1858.
1049. Joanna, )
Children of Thomas M. and [591] Julianna (Potts) Casselberiy.
1050. Cara F., b. April 3, 1847. 1051. Julianna, b. May 21, 1849.
1052. Thomas-Potts.
Children of [593] Thomas ana" Mary-Frances (Nye) Potts.
1053. Ida-Nye, b. Dec. 3, i860. 1054. Arthur, b. May 28, 1S62.
Seventh Generation. 349
Children of [606] William A. and Clara M. (Bull) Smith.
1055. Robert- Hobart, b. Feb. 22, 1848; m. at Christ Ch., Cheltenham, Eng.,
July 3, 1873, Dinah-Watson, dau. of Josiah Dunn, of Airfield Co.,
Dublin, Ireland.
1056. Levi-Bull, b. June io, 1850; d. at Fordham, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1855.
1057. Clara-Hunter, b. at Fordham, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1852.
1058. Mary-Potts, b. March 27, 1855 ; d. at Germantown, April 12, 1856.
Child of his second wife, Margaret (Jones) Smith.
1058^. William-Alexander, b. at New York, July 20, 1873.
Child of [607] Alfred and Louisa C. ( Woodbridge) Smith.
1059. Alfred- Woodbridge, b. July 3, 1870.
Cliildren of [609] Edmund and Arabella (Barnes) Smith.
1060. Robert-Hobart, b. Oct. 29, 1852.
106.1. Helen-Griffitts, b. Oct. 9, 1854; d. July 31, 1869.
1062. Alice-Weldon, b. Dec. 10, 1857. 1063. Mary-Belle, b. April 15, 1866.
Child of James M. and [613] Maty- Ann (Potts) Egletom
1064. Samuel-Potts, b. 1847.
Children of [615] Joseph and Annie (Clay) Potts.
1065. Henry W., b. Jan. 4, 1847. 1066. Emily F., b. June 3, 1849.
1067. William S., d. Feb. 27, i860..
Children of Edward S. and [616] Mary-Hi tner (Potts) Davies.
1068. Henry-Potts, b. at Pottstown, Sept. 5, 1847 ; d. there, April 1, 1869.
1069. Edward, b. /. c., July 2t, 1849; d. Aug. 21, 1851.
1070. Isabella-Potts, b. /. c., June 21, 1853.
Child of [617] Henry and Rosa V. (Moore) Potts.
1071. Rosa C, b. June 25, 1S71.
350 Seventh Generation.
Children of George and [618] Isabella H. {Potts) Rice.
1072. Helen, b. at Pottstown, Aug. 28, 1864.
1073. John, b. /. c, Oct. 10, 1866.
Children of [619] George H. and [441] Rose (Leaf) Potts.
1074. George, b. at Pottstown, July 21, 1862 ; d. Aug. 15, 1863.
1075. Henry, b. /. c., Nov. 24, 1864. 1076. Leonard, b. /. c„ Jan. 21, 1S67.
1077. Charles- Raymond, b. /. c., April 23, 1871.
-e=*H«^Ss=4-i 8-
Children of [620] Joseph D. and Maiy (McCleery) Potts.
1078. Arthur, d. in infancy.
1079. William M., b. at Pittsburg, May 15, 1856.
1080. Francis-Lawrei, b. /. c., Jan. 22, i860.
. Cliildren of [703] William I. and [638] Sarah M. (Hobart) Rntter
are carried down on p. 352.
Children of [646] William M. and [704] Elizabeth W. (Rutter) Hobart
are carried down on p. 352.
Children of [650] John R. and Mary A. (Hittel) Heister.
1081. Caroline, m. William C. Beecher, and has two children.
1082. Samuel P., m. Mary Donahue, and has one child.
1083. Mary-Ann. 1084. Margaretta.
1085. William H.
Children of John D. and [664] Sarah P. (Rntter) Taylor.
1086. Emily-Rutter (1241), b. April 7, 1849; m. Nov. 15, 1870, J. Henry
Loomis.
1087. Levi, b. Dec. 25, 1850. 1088. Charles-Lewis, b. April 3, 1S57.
1089. Mary-Alice, Jan. 17, 1849. 1090. Helen-Stevens, b. Oct. 3, 1862.
Seventh Generation. 3 5 1
Children of [666] Henry P. and Mary J. (Maybiay) Ruttcr.
1091. Anne, b. in Phil., Oct., 1852.
1092. Sallie b. June, 1854 ; d. in Lexington, Ky., June, 1855.
1093. Leonard, b. /. c, March, 1S56; d. in Altoona, July, 1856.
Children of his second wife, A}ine F. (Davies) Ruttcr.
1094. Henry-Potts, b. Dec. 25, 1865. 1095. Edward-Miller, b. Sept., 1868.
Child of [667] Clement M. and Caroline (Quick) Ruttcr.
1095i. Gertrude-Newton, b. in Phil., Oct. 19, 1856.
Children of Mason and [670] Mary-Anne (Ruttcr) Thomson.
1096. Letitia, b. at New York, July 25, 1846 ; d. July 21, 1849.
1097. Clement-Rutter, b. /. c, June 12, 1848.
1098. Mason, b. /. c, Aug. 15, 1850.
1099. Josephine, b. /. c, April ir, 1855 ; d. June 8, i860.
1100. Mary-Taylor, b. /. c, Dec. 20, 1856; d. Aug. 11, i860.
1101. Edith, b. /. c, June 16, i860.
Children of [672] Robert L. and Ellen E. (Potts) Ruttcr.
1102. Elizabeth-Potts, b. Sept. 11, 1853; m. J. Havard, son of Richard
Downing, of Chester Co., Sept. 4, 1872.
1103. Sarah-Erwin, b. Feb. 15, 1856.
Children of [673] Levi T. and Sally R. (Perkins) Ruttcr.
1104. Clement-Stocker, b. in Phil., Nov. 12, i860.
1105. Margaret-Perkins, b. /. c, July 25, 1862.
1106. Mary-Anna, b. /. c, Oct. 3, 1864.
1107. Robert-Lewis, b../. c, Jan. 31, 1867.
1108. Helen-Graham, b. /. c, Nov. 22, 1870.
Children of [674] Clement S. and Anna J. (Mahoney) Ruttcr.
1109. Charles- Alfred, b. Oct. 30, 1857.
1110. Anna-Mahoney, b. Dec. 13, 1858.
352 Seventh Generation.
Children of Edward H. and [675] Sarah- Josephine (Rutter) Pyle.
1111. Lewis-Rutter, b. at Phil., May 30, 1862.
1112. Miriam, b. /. e., Aug. 6, 1866.
Children of P. T. and [683] Mary R. (Rutter) Turnley.
1112". Emma-Gertrude, b. April 21, 1855.
1112b. Mary-Rutter, b. Aug. 7, 1858.
Children of Clarence H. and [686] Esther-Elisabeth (Rutter) Dyer.
1112c. George-Turnley, b. Jan. 8, 1871.
1112d. Thomas, b. July 25, 1872.
Children of James C. and [695] Henrietta T. (Rutter) Wood.
1113. Two children, d. in infancy.
Children of Jacob and [696] Mary C. (Rutter) Person.
1114. Louisa, b. Jan. 25, 1868 ; d. Feb. 4, 1869.
1115. Henrietta, b. Sept. 12, 1869.
Children of [442] Lyman and [697] M. L. (Rutter) Beccher.
1116. Elizabeth-Leaf, b. at Pottstown, Nov. 10, 1867.
1117. Lindley-Rutter, b. /. c, Nov. 2, 1872.
Child of [699] Lindley C. and Rhettie (Clark) Rutter.
1118. Louisa, b. March, 1S72.
Children of [703] William- Eves and [638] Sarah M. (Hobart) Rutter.
1119. Robert-Hobart, b. at Pottstown, Jan. 1, 1864.
1120. Jessie-Ives, b. /. c, Jan. 14, 1866.
1121. Charles-Clement, b. /. c. Nov. 13, 1867; d. aged five months.
1122. William-Ives, b. /. c, Oct. 15, 1871.
Children of [646] William M. and [704] Elizabeth W. (Rutter) Hobart.
1123. Anna-Potts, b. at Pottstown, April n, 1870.
1124. Mary-Ives, b. /. c, May 7, 1872.
Seventh Generation. 353
Child of [722] Jolin-Clemcnts and Louisa (Tessaire) Stockcr.
112.5. John-Clements (1242), m. Catherine Hale.
Children of John N. and [725] Louisa C. (S tocher) Elbert.
1126. Caroline-Stocker. 1127. John-Nicholson.
1128. Catherine-Mary. 1129. Laurette.
1130. Josephine. 1131. Julia-Wharton.
1132. Vincent-Louis.
Children of [728] Anthony-Eugene and Jane (Randolph) Stocker.
1133. Caroline (1245), m. Jones Wister.
1134. John-Clements. 1135. George.
1136. Henry.
Children of Alfred and [729] Laurette (Stocker) Coxe.
1137. Laurette (1247), m. Frederick Prime, of New York.
1138. Caroline.
Children of Louis E. and [731] Martine D. (Stocker) French.
1139. Eugene. 1140. Henry.
Child of [741] Lawrence and [7$$] Julia IV. (Lewis) Lewis.
1141. Julia-Wharton, d. April, 1850.
Child of second wife, Mary T. ( Wilcox) Lczvis.
1142. Julia-Wharton, the second so named.
Children of [743] Robert M. and Anna E. (Shippeii) Lewis.
1143. Lawrence. 1144.- Anna-Shippen.
Children of [744] Francis A. and Anna (Reed) Lewis.
1145. Francis A. 1146. William-Reed.
1147. Anna-Maria-Stocker. 1148. Anna-Watmough.
354 Seventh Generation.
Child of [749] Louis-Coin and Pattie M. (Torberi) Potts.
1149. Charles H.
Child of his second wife, Emelie (Lochcr) Potts.
1150. Maggie K.
Children of Samuel M. and [750] Elisabeth (Potts) Rca.
1151. Morris-Jackson, b. in Reading, Feb. 16, 1870 ; d. June 27, 1870.
1152. Lydia-Lee, b. /. c, July 19, 1S71.
Children of William and[j$i] Harriet (Paxson) Wilkinson.
1153. Mary-Emilie, b. in Phil., 1840.
1154. Charles-Edward (1248), b. /. c, 1843; m. Dec. 23, 1868, Hannah J.
Heidensaul, of Louisburg.
1155. William-Albert, b. /. c, 1847. 1156. George- Ryland, b. /. c, 185 1.
1157. Clara-Edith, b. /. c, 1855.
Children of [754] Jacob P. and Mary (Stephens) Brooke.
1158. Clara L., b. at Louisburg, 1847.
1159. Sarah-Starr. 1160. Rebecca-Potts.
Children of [775] Joseph M. P. and Emily M. (Robeson) Price.
1161. William-Robeson, b. at Phil., Oct. 29, 1857 ; d. there, Dec. 25, 1857.
1162. George-Maxwell-Robeson, b. /. c, June 29, 1859.
Children of [776] Richard and Anna (Dunbar) Price.
1163. Dunbar, b. at Phil., March 13, 1S59.
1164. Richard, b. /. c, Feb. 12, 1S61 ; d. Oct. 6, 1861.
Seventh Generation. 355
1165. Elizabeth-Dunbar, b. /. c, Jan. 9, 1862.
1166. Sallie-Paul, b. at Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 29, 1865 ; d. Feb. 24, 1866.
1167. Richard, the second so named, b. /. c, Jan. 18, 1867; d. Aug. 7, 1867.
Children of William and [777] Mary P. (Price) Warder.
1168. Sallie-Paul, b. at Springfield, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1856.
1169. George-Aston, b. /. c, Nov. 26, 1857.
1170. William, b. /. c, Dec. 10, 1858.
1171. Emily P., b. /. c, Jan. 15, 1862.
1172. Benjamin H., b. /. c, April 25, 1865.
Children of A brain and [780] Sarah W. (Betts) Marshal.
1173. Henry-Cooper, b. 9 mo. 27, 1855.
1174. William-Betts, b. 9 mo. 9, 1857.
Children of George and [781] Rebecca P. (Betts) Sellers.
1175. Elwood-Byerly, b. 6 mo. 12, 1854.
1176. Jessie-Fremont, b. 9 mo. 24, 1856.
1177. Georgianna, b. 3 mo. 4, 1857; d. young.
1178. Rebecca-Jarret, b. 3 mo. 5, 1861.
Child of John R. and [808] Catherine (Martin) Franklin.
1179. Henry, b. Oct. 7, 1869.
Children of and [S09] Georgianna (Martin) Simrall.
1180. Martin, b. Feb. 2, 1867.
1181. Graham-Howard, b. April, 1868.
Child of T. P. and [813] Lucy (Martin) Wharton.
1182. Mary-Pauline, b. July 8, i8f2.
356 Seventh Generation.
Children of Capt. and [853] Ellen {Yorke) Blanchot.
1183. Hermon. 1184. Marguerite.
118,5. Jeanne.
Children of ■ and [857] Mary (McCauley) Moore.
'„ ' \ Two children who reside in Ireland.
Child of and [858] Louisa (McCauley) Longshaw.
1188. A son, who lives with his aunt Moore.
Children of [859] Edward Yorke and Josephine (Berkeley) McCauley.
1189. Berkeley. 1190. Mary.
1191. Helen.
Children of Jacob and [860] Rachel {Hughes) Dewces.
1192. Catherine. 1193. John.
1194. Francis, a lawyer. 1195. Theodore.
1196. William-Henry. 1197. James C.
Children of [861] Isaac and Eliza (McLinu) Hughes.
1198. John (1249). He was educated for the bar, and practised at Pottsville,
but removed to Newbern, N. C, where he now resides ; m., 1854,
Jane, dau. of John Daves, of Newbern, N. C.
1199. Hannah, d. young. 1200. Theodore.
1201. James (1253). He is a physician, practising in Newbern, N. C. Twice
married.
1202. Colin. 1203. Elizabeth, b. Feb., 1850.
Children of his second wife, Miss Smalhvood.
1204. Frank. 1205. Edward.
Children of [862] Benjamin and Maiy (Ranibo) Hughes.
12CC. John. 1207. Isaac, m. Alice Downell.
Seventh Generation. 357
1208. Nathan. 1209. Mary-Ann.
1210. Colin. 1211. Henry.
1212. Hannah. 1213. Catherine.
Children of [863] Slater and Susan (Jarrett) Hughes.
1214. John. 1215. Jane.
Children of [864] Theodore and Caroline (Fouvi/le) Hughes.
1216. John. 1217. Jane.
Child of [865] Nicholas C. and Adeline (Williams) Hughes.
1218. Hannah.
Children of [866] Francis JV. and Elizabeth (Sillimau) Hughes
1219. Thomas-Silliman, d. in Phil., July, 1856.
1220. Frances. 1221. Annie.
1222. Lucy.
Child of William and [875] Mary (Davis) Martin.
1223. Edward.
Children of Michael and [877] Margaret (Davis) Bright.
1224. Sarah. 1225. Edward.
EIGHTH GENERATION
Children of [917] Thomas M. and Emma L. (Bisbing) Peine.
1226. Mary-Bisbing, b. Nov. 23, 1862.
1227. Eda-May, b. Jan. 18, 1864.
1228. Phebe, b. April 8, 1865 ; d. May 2, 1865.
1229. Anna-Margaret, b. July 26, 1866; d. April 1, 1867.
1230. Blanche-Tellie, b. Dec. $ 1868.
Child of [919] Caleb F. and Sallie E. {Maxwell) Peiree.
1231. May, d. in infancy.
Children of William N. and [926] Martha P. H. {Bicknell) Mahan.
1232. Elizabeth-Haskins-Richards-Neill, b. at New Albany, Ind., Sept. 6,
1S67.
1233. Mary-Culbertson, b. /. c, June 15, 1870.
1234. George-Augustus-Bicknell, b. /. c, July 5, 1872 ; d. June 30, 1873.
Children of [1014] Thomas M. and Louisa (Brockenborougli) Sonnies.
1235. 1
1236. '- Three children, names unknown to me.
1237. J
Eighth Generation. 359
Children of Herman and [1017] Sarah I. {Forbes) Bart els.
1238. Murray-Forbes. 1239. Sally-Innes.
Child of John IV. and [1025] Eliza S. (Hobart) Hunt.
1210. Myra- Warren.
Child of J. H and [1086J Emily R. {Taylor) Loomis.
1241. John-Taylor, b. Aug. 7, 1871.
Children of [1 125] John Clements and Catherine {Hale) Stoeker.
1212. Almy. 1243. "Caroline.
1244. Eveline.
Children of Jones and [1133] Caroline {Stacker) Wister.
124.5. Ella-Middleton. 1246. Alice-Logan.
Child of Frederick and [1 137] Laurette {Coxe) Prime.
1247. Laurette-Coxe.
Child of [1154] Charles E. and Hannah J. {Heidensanl) Wilkinson.
1248. William-John, b. Oct. n, 1869.
-t— xg»^
Children of [1 198] John and Jane {Daves) Hughes.
124!). John. 1250. Jane.
12.51. Annie. 12.52. Isaac.
360
Eighth Generation.
Children of [1201] James and Hughes.
1253. James. 1254. Laura.
1255. Carl. 1256. Anita.
INSCRIPTIONS.
Copy of the inscriptions on the monuments, tablets, and tombstones in
the burial-ground of the Potts family, in the order in which they occur,
commencing at the northwest angle of the cemetery, Pottstown, Penn.
In memory of
ANTHONY STOCKER POTTS*
who departed this life
on the 2nd of May 17S5
Aged 6 years 2 months and 10 days
Not lost but gone before.
SALLY POTTS
Died 5* August 1770
Aged 9 months.
OWEN
JONES RUTTER
SUSANNA
JONES RUTTER.
MARY STOCKER
departed this life
Oct. 22, 1793
Aged 4 months and 10 days.
GEORGE,
Son of
GEO. H. AND ROSE L. POTTS
Died Aug. 15 1853
Aged 1 year and 25 days
Though lost to sight to memory dear.
Sacred
to the memory of
JOHN RUTTER POTTS
Son of Joseph & Mary
Catharine Potts born
March i6,h A. D. 1S25
and departed this life
August 2 1834
Aged 9 years 5 months
and 4 days.
Suffer little children and forbid them not
to come unto me for of such is the kingdom
of heaven.
Math : 19"1 chap, and 14 verse.
Child of James and Anna (Stocker) Potts
46
362
Inscriptions.
ELIZABETH IV. POTTS
Daughter of Henry
and Isabella M. Potts
was born April 17 A. D. 1827
and departed this life
September 4 A. D. 1829
Aged 2 years 4 months and 17 days
Sacred to the memory of
MARY CATHARINE
wife of Joseph Potts
and daughter of David & Mary Anna
RUTTER
Born November 20 A. D. 1802
Died May 22 A. D. 1S5S
Be ye therefore ready also,
for the Son of man cometh at an hour
when ye think not.
JOSEPH POTTS
Born Feb'y 17 1801
Died May 13 1866
So he giveth his beloved sleep.
In memory of
JOHN RUTTER
Son of
THOMAS & MARTHA RUTTER
who departed this life 5 Nov. 1794
Aged 35 years
And of THOMAS RUTTER father of
the above John Rutter. who departed
this life 7,h May 1795 aged 64 years
And of MARTHA RUTTER wife of
the above Thomas Rutter who
departed this life the first day
of October 1804 in the
66th year of her Age
Blessed are those servants whom the
Lord when he cometh shall find watching.
St. Luke chapter I2'\ verse 37th.
JONATHAN POTTS
Son of
JOHN AND RUTH POTTS
And Director General of the
Hospitals in the
Army of the Revolution
Born A. D. 1747
Died A. D. 1781.
Here lieth the body of
JOHN POTTS
who departed this life
the 6 Day of June 1768
Aged 58 years.
Beneath this stone are deposited
the remains
of SAMUEL POTTS
and JOANNA HOLLAND his wife
He died on the 3d day of July A. D.
1793 in the 58th year of his age
She died on the 16th day of March
A. D. 1818 in the 84,h year of her age.
In memory of
HENRY POTTS
Born August 5 1797
Died August 31s1 1861
In our beloved father's character
was exemplified the divine injunction
To do justly, love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God."
NATHANIEL POTTS HOBART
Born October 3 1790
Died July 3 i860.
JOANNA HOLLAND
wife of Nathaniel Potts Hobart
Born September 22 17SS
Died January 8 1867.
Inscriptions.
363
To the memory of
NATHANIEL POTTS
who departed this life
April 26 1784
Aged 25 years
In hallowed rest till time itself shall close,
A Son's a Husband's dear remains repose
Cold now the heart in which the spreading
flame
Of love and virtue purified each aim :
And flown the heavenly spark whose plastic
ray
Bade genius, sense, and taste their powers
display
Farewell then best beloved, till heaven's
decree
Unites in Death this unchanged soul to thee;
Till when while love thro' life thy worth
shall tell •
I bid thee thus, Oh best beloved farewell.
Also of NATHANIEL POTTS
son of Nathaniel & Rebecca Potts
who departed this life December 25 1788
Aged 4 years and 20 days.
Dear Babe how perfect for thy blest re-
move :
Thy heart was goodness and thy soul was
love.
The melting tenderness that filled thy breast,
The warmth of filial love so deep impressed.
The searching thought and more than infant
sense,
Graced the fair dawn of future excellence.
With thee soft comfort came to soothe each
moan
With thee each hope of future peace is flown.
Till happy souls reanimate their clay
And meet with rapture in Eternal day.
In memory of
WILLIAM MOORE
Son of
John P. & Anna A. Hobart
Born June 2 1851
Died October 12 1852
aged 16 months & 10 days.
Sacred to the memory of
MARY JONES HOBART
wife of
JOHN HENRY HOBART
Born March 12 1815
Died April 2 1858.
ROBERT ENOCH HOBART*
Born January 20 1839
Died May 5 i860
Mild and amiable in disposition cour-
teous in deportment, a dutiful son and an
affectionate friend, he won the esteem of
all who knew him.
Energetic intelligent and devoted to his
profession he was arrested by the hand of
Death at the commencement of a career
which promised to be one of honor and
usefulness.
Erected
By the officers of the maintainance
of the way department of the
Pennsylvania Railroad,
as a tribute of regard for an
esteemed associate.
In memory of
EDWIN Son of
Samuel and Elizabeth Gartley
Born September 29 185 1
Died July 20 1854.
* Son of John-Henry and Mary Hobart and grandson of Robert-Enoch and Sarah Hobart.
364
Inscriptions.
In memory of
LYDIA P. REX
Daughter of
Thomas & Rebecca Mayberry
Died July 21 1858.
In memory of
DEBORAH CLAYPOOLE SHALLCROSS *
who departed this life
January the 10th 1798
In the 27th year of her age.
In memory of
RUTH ANNA
wife of Samuel Potts
daughter of
David & Mary Ann Rutter
Born Aug 12 1792
Died Oct 9 1864
Christ in you the hope of glory.
SAMUEL POTTS
Born March 13 1794
Died Nov 1 1869.
Sacred to the memory of
DAVID RUTTER
Son of Thomas and Martha Rutter
who was born on the 10th day of
February 1766 and departed this life
on the sth day of April 181 7
in the 52nd year of his age
leaving a large family of children
And a numerous circle of Relations
And friends to lament his irreparable loss
Also MARY ANNA RUTTER
wife of the above mentioned David Rutter
. who departed this life the 22nd day of Sep-
tember A. D. 1824 in the 56 year of her age
Gather my saints together unto me.
EMILY P.
wife of John P. Rutter
daughter of Joseph and Sarah Potts
Born June 3o,h 1804
Died March 30th 1867.
JOHN P. RUTTER
Born Jan 30 1797
Died April 13 1S70.
Beneath this stone
are entombed the infant
children of David and Isabella Rutter
Alexander C. Rutter
was born the 27"' day of
February A. D. 1825
and died the 15"' day of
April A. D. 1827
Isabella C. Rutter
was born 11th day of
July A. D. 1S26
and died the 4th day of
September A. D. 1826.
Sacred
to the memory of
MARGARETTA P. 'HEISTER
wife of Doct. Samuel Heister
who departed this life May the 2nd 1820
in the 30,h year of her age
Leaving a beloved husband
and two children to lament her loss.
Therefore be ye also ready.
Math. 24 chap. 44 verse.
JOHN POTTS
Son of
SAMUEL AND JOANNA POTTS
Born 26lh day October A. D. 1760
Died 17"' day of October A. D. 1S09.
* Daughter of Dr. Jonathan Potts
Inscriptions.
365
Hannah Pratt Hobart
daughter of
Nathaniel P. and Joanna Hobart
Born 30 July A. D. 1822
Died 25 August A. D. 1S25.
WILLIAM RAMSAY HOBART
Son of
Nathaniel P. and Joanna Hobart
Born 27 day of October A. D. 182S
Died 3d day of December A. D. 1832
This stone
A memorial of filial Gratitude and Affection
covers the mortal remains of
JOSEPH POTTS
Who was born June 2d MDCCLXVI.
And died September 27 MDCCCXXIV
at Pottstown in the 59th year of his age
He was uniformly distinguished through life
for a correct moral deportment,
Strict Probity
and engaging kindness of manner.
He was an affectionate husband
and an indulgent father,
A sincere and faithful friend,
and an intelligent useful member of society.
He laboured assiduously
To instill into his numerous children
In the domestic school
Those principles of integrity and self
Command which he considered far more
valuable than wealth.
Dear relative farewell !
Thy account is rendered
May we who survive
Prepare to give up ours without Dismay
Through the merits and atonement of the
Saviour, who has taken from Death his
Sting and from the grave its victory.
DIED
February u,h A. D. 185 1
SARAH POTTS
In the 77th year of her age
Her children have reared on this stone
their grateful tribute of cherished love to
the memory of a venerated Mother and
thus hope that the light of her example,
her Christian piety, and the many prayers
offered for them in the Saviour's name
may lead all to follow her in that strait
and narrow way by which they may be
reunited to her for ever in heaven.
Mary Anna Potts
daughter of
Samuel & Ruth Anna Potts
Born May 7th A. D. 1825
Departed this life
Oct 27 A. D. 1828
Aged 3 years 5 months & 20 days.
ELIZABETH POTTS HOBART
daughter of Robert E. and Sarah Hobart
born 11th day of August A. D. 181 1
died 18th day of August A. D. 1824.
ELLEN GOODIN HOBART
daughter of Robert E. and Sarah Hobart
born 4th day of July A. 1). 1817
died 20th day of August A. D. 1830.
ROBERT ENOCH HOBART
son of
Enoch and Hannah Hobart
Born 25,h day of April A. D. 1768
Died 17"' day of March A. D. 1826
SARAH his wife daughter of
Samuel and Joanna Potts
Born iS'1' day of January A. D. 1770
Died 2nd day of January A. D. 1826
365
Inscriptions.
In
Memory of
SARAH POTTS
daughter of Joseph
and Sarah Potts was
born March 19 A. D. 1816
and departed this life
February I7,h A. D. 1S30
aged 13 years
iojnonths and 28 days
Be ye also ready.
Sacred
To the Memory of
EDWARD POTTS
son of Joseph & Sarah Potts
born July 21st 1S06 and
departed this life on the
29th day of December A. D.
1S36 in 31st year of his age.
Also
ELIZA READ
daughter of Edward and
Sarah M. Potts, born
November 24th 1833
died September 12th 1845
in the 12th year of her age.
REBECCA HOBART
daughter of Robert Enoch and
Sarah May Hobart
born the 15th day of May A. D. 1803
died the 18th day of January A. D. 1837
MARY HER SISTER
born the 29^ day of March A. D. 1S05
died the 17th day of July A. D. 1845.
Sacred to the memory of
HARRIET POTTS BROOKE
daughter of Reese & Harriet Brooke
born April 24'" A. D. 181 1
and departed this life April 24th A. D. 1841
Aged 30 years.
Parted friends again may meet,
From the toils of nature free ;
Crowned with mercy Oh ! how sweet
Will eternal friendship be.
In memory of
ELIZABETH HUTTON GARTLEY
who departed this life 25,h
day of November Anno Domini 1848.
In memory of
SAMUEL BAIRD
son of Thomas and
Mary Baird who died on
the 26th of June A. D. 1820
aged 62 years.
And of his wife
REBECCA BAIRD
daughter of Thomas and
Deborah Potts, who died on
the 16th of June A. D. 1830
Aged 77 years.
In memory of
DEBORAH BAIRD
daughter of Samuel and
Rebecca Baird who was born
on the 20th August A. D.
179: and died on the
25th of March A. D. 1829
in the 38th year of her age.
In memory of
MARY ANNA BAIRD
daughter of Samuel and
Rebecca Baird who was born
on the 7th June A. D.
1789 and died on the
io,h of November A. D. 1828
in the 40th year of her age.
Inscriptions.
367
In
Memory of
WILLIAM BAIRD
Son of Samuel and
Rebecca Baird who was born
on the 24th of June, A. D.
1784 and died on the
29th of April A. D. 1832
in the 48th year of his age.
In
Memory of
SAMUEL BAIRD
Counsellor at Law
and an Elder in the Presbyterian
church of Reading Penna
He died July 27,h A. D. 1833
in the 47th year of his age
exhibiting the excellence of
religion in his life,
Its triumphs in his death.
The object and Ground of his hope
may be read in his dying expressions,
" In Christ is my hope
Lord I believe help thou mine unbelief."
Blessed are the dead which die in the
Lord for they rest from their labors
and their works do follow them.
THOMAS BAIRD
Born April 22 1783
Died Oct 21 1854
Thomas Baird
was the son
of Samuel & Rebecca Baird.
REBECCA P. BAIRD
Daughter of
Samuel & Rebecca Baird
Died Nov. 9, 1857
In the 62nd year of her at;e.
HARRIET BAIRD
Daughter of
Samuel & Rebecca Baird
Died Jan 29 1864
In the 70th year of her age.
MARTHA R.' BAIRD
Daughter of
Samuel & Rebecca Baird
Died Nov. 17 1864
In the 67th year of her age.
In memory of
SARAH HOCKLEY
Born April 15, 1760
Died Sept 13, 1822.
MARTHA HOCKLEY
Born March 1 1, 1766
Died Dec 6, 1856
Departed in the hope of a happy
re-union in the world of bliss.
SACRED
To the memory of
SAMUEL HOCKLEY
Born the 28,h day of April A. D. 1770
Died the 13th day of March A. D. 1845.
SACRED
to the memory of
ELIZABETH BURD
departed this life January 1818
In the 49 year of her age.
Sacred to the memory of
Margaret Burd Hubley
Daughter of Jacob and Margaret Hubley
Born March I7,h 1801
Died April 29lh 1824
Aged 23 years.
:68
Inscriptions.
In memory of
HENRY COOMBE
son of The
Rev. Thos Coombe & Sarh Coombe
A beloved Infant
who died Oct. 3, 1776
Aged one year & 5 days
I shall go to him but he
shall not return. 11 Sam', 12, 25.
ANNA MARGARETTA
and
CHARLES FRANCIS RUTTER.
WILLIAM CHRISTIAN SCHROETER
Died the 14th December 1805
Aged 49 years & 6 months
His infant daughter
WlLHELMINA SCHROETER
The 12th January 1806
Aged 25 months.
Sacred
to the memory of
JOHN READ
who was born
in the state of Maryland
and departed this life
February 14 A. D. 1808
Aged 72 years
His memory will live while moral worth
is respected.
RUTTER.
The autographs of Thomas
and Rebeckah (Staples) Rutter
prove that they were both per-
sons of good education, as the
writing is superior for that date.
It is believed that Mr. Rutter
was a man of learning as well
as intelligence, from the influ-
^""''""'"'"""'"'''''""""""""'"'"^ ence he exercised over the Ger-
man mystics in his neighborhood, some of whom, like Heinrich Bernard
Koster, were fresh from the celebrated universities of Europe, and skilled in
all the wisdom of the day.
The Marriage Certificate of Thomas Rutter, copied from the Record of
Falls Meeting.
Whereas Thomas Rutter of the County of Philadelphia and Rebeckah Staples of the
County of Bucks* and Province of Pennsylvania, having intentions of taking each other in
* " The first and most considerable settlement in Pennsylvania proper is said to have
been near the Falls of the Delaware, in Bucks County, where the Quakers had a regular
and established meeting for religious worship before the country bore the name of Pennsyl-
vania; some of the inhabitants there having been settled by virtue of patents from Sir Ed-
mund Andross, governor of New York. Among the names of the inhabitants here at this
time or soon after appear William Vardley, James Harrison, and William Biles, an eminent
preacher." — Proud's History of Pennsylvania.
" In the year 1683, Thomas lanney, a noted preacher among the Quakers, settled near
the Falls (Bucks County) with his family and others who at that lime arrived from Cheshire
47
3 jo Rutter.
marriage did publish their said intentions according to the law of the said Province, as also
did declare their said intentions before several publique meetings of the people of God
called Quakers, according to the good order used amongst them ; whose proceeding therein
after deliberate consideration thereof, and consent of parties concerned, being approved by
the said meeting.
These are therefore to certify whom it may concern that for the full determination of
their said intentions the II* day of the 10th month 1685, they the said Thomas Rutter and
Rebeckah Staples appeared in a publique assembly of the aforesaid People met together at
Pennsbury * for that end and purpose, according to the example of the holy men of God
recorded in the scriptures of truth, where they the said Thomas Rutter and Rebeckah Sta-
ples took one anothe'r as Husband and Wife, promising so to live faithfully together until
death did separate them. And the said Thomas Rutter and Rebeckah Staples as a further
confirmation thereof, did then and there to these presents set their hands.
And we whose names are hereunto subscribed were II THOMAS RUTTER
present to the said solemnization and subscription. II REBECKAH RUTTER.
Thomas Holmes William Wood Joseph Howard
James Harrison t John Baldwin Phinehas PEMBERTONt
Arthur Cook John Cook Ann Harrison
Frugal Holmes Edward Stanton Phebe Pemberton
Samuel Bennet Jacob Turner Abigal Pemberton
William Biles John Smith Mary Haywood
James Craft Job Bunting Ruth Buckman
Alice Dickenson.
The following record, written by Thomas Rutter, is copied from a large
black-letter Concordance, with metal clasps, now in the possession of his de-
scendants in the seventh generation : —
The Children of Thomas and Rebeccah Rutter.
Anna Rutter was born 25th of the 8th mo., 1686 ; d. Aug., 1760.
Rebeckah Rutter was born the 9th of the 9th mo., 1687.
Thomas Rutter was born the 25th of the 8th mo., 1690.
in England. After twelve years' residence here, he returned to England, and died there, —
a man of good reputation, character, and example."— Day's Historical Collections.
Thomas Janney was a member of the Council from Bucks County in 1684.
* Pennsbury, or Penn's Manor, which contained the country-seat of William Penn, was
located on the banks of the Delaware, five miles above the present town of Bristol.
t Phinehas Pemberton and his father-in-law, James Harrison, settled at the Falls of the
Delaware, in November, 1682. The latter had charge of Penn's estate there for many
years.
Rutter. 3 7 1
Ruth Rutter was born the nth of the 7th mo., 1694.
Mary Rutter was born the 22d of the 2d mo., 1696.
Martha Rutter was born the 29th of the nth mo., 1698.
John Rutter was born the 15th of July, 1700.
Joseph Rutter was born the 4th of the 4th mo., 1702.
Esther Rutter was born the 13th of the 4th mo., 1703-4.
Joseph Rutter was born the 21st of the nth mo., 1705.
Ruth Rutter departed this life 28th of 5th mo., 171 1.
I am able to add the following to the above record : —
1. Anna m. Samuel Savage ; second, Samuel Nutt ; and d. Aug. 1760.
Her children are given on p. 29.
2. Rebeckah m. Joseph Hall ; their children are given on page 399. She
was the grandmother of Dr. Benjamin Rush.
3. Thomas m. Mary Katherine , and d. in 1734. Had issue, Re-
becca, Sarah, and Thomas.
4. Ruth d. unm.
5. Mary m. Edward Rees.
6. Martha m. Mr. Doughty.
7. John m. Mary ; d. 1735. Had issue, Thomas and Rebecca.
8. Joseph d. young.
9. Esther m. Henry Hockley.
10. Joseph m. Mary ; d. 1 73 1. Had issue, Thomas, who resided
at Coventry and was buried in the family graveyard at that place, — a stone,
with initials T. R. 1808, marks the spot His children were Sarah, Grace,
Joseph, Edward, John, Rebecca, and Mary. Sarah and Grace d. unm. Re-
becca was the first wife of Col. Caleb North, and Mary m. Mr. Griffith.
372
Samuel Nutt.
SAMUEL NUTT.
The arms of Nutt are, Per fesse azure and ermine ; a pale countercharged,
three pheons argent. Crest on a chapeau gules turned up ermine. A pheon
or, between two wings expanded.
The above woodcut was made many years ago from a large coat of arms
in colors of azure and argent, which was brought over from England by
Samuel Nutt. The engraver should have made the lines horizontal to repre-
sent blue. He added the crest ; but the coat of arms, border, and motto are
copied from the original.
WILL OF SAMUEL NUTT.
In the name of God Amen. I Samuel Nutt of Coventry in the County of Chester and
Province of Pennsylvania being in a disposing Mind and Memory Praised be God, there-
for, and calling to Mind the uncertainty of this Mortal Life and it is Appointed for all men
once to die, Do make and ordaine this my Last Will and Testament, Revoaking and Disa-
nuling all former Wills by me made.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Dear & Loving Wife Anna Nutt after all my Debts
and Furnerall Charges paid, One halfe of all my Right to the Furnace and Forgge to-
geather with all Buildings thereunto belonging, Secondly the halfe of all my Right to
the Lands whereon they Stand or are Appropriate thereunto. Viz': The halfe my
Samuel Nutt. 3 73
Shear of a Hundred Acres whereon the fforgge standeth and the halfe of the Land or
Tract whereon the Furnace standeth and to her Heirs for Ever.
Item. I likewise Give unto her all my Land that Leyeth on the Northern Side of a Line
Run West and by North from the South West Corner of Henry Hockley's Field on the
North Side of the Mine Road to another Line drawn from the Line Run on the East
side of Thomas Savage's Field and where it Crosses a Runn on the same Side a little
above his house, and from thence to the South East corner of the Mine Tract, and to
her Heirs ffor Ever.
Item. I likewise give unto her One hundred & twenty acres of Land on the North side of
the South Branch of the French Creek in Such a place as she shall think proper to
Build a Furnace on, Provided it be not above one hundred and thirty Perches in
Length upon the said Creek and to her Heirs, with Liberty to Cut as much Timber of
the adjacent Land as Build the same.
Item. I likewise Give unto her and her Heirs ffor Ever that house that Samuel Nutt Jun :
bought at Lancastor with the Lott where on it is Built, and a ffive Acre Lott also some
distance from the said House.
Item. I likewise Give unto her one halfe of all my Bonds Bills and Book Debts &ca .
Item. I likewise Give unto her halfe my Stock of Pigg Iron, Barr Iron, Coals and harde-
wood &ca .
Item. I likewise Give unto her halfe my Parssonall Estate of what Sort kind or Quallity
soever.
Item. ' I likewise Give unto her halfe my Emproved or Clear'd Land.
Item. I likewise Give and Bequeath unto her One hundred and Fifty Acres of Land that
lyeth next to Phillip Roger, in the form of an Oblong and to her Heirs ffor Ever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my Son in Law Samuel Savage all my Wearing Apparrell
of any kind whatever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Friend John Blaufoy of Eversham in
Worcester Sheer in Great Brittain One hundred and fifty Pounds Current Money of
Pensilvania, to be paid one halfe in one Year after my Deceased and the other halfe in
two years in full of all Acc'ts betwixt us.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto the Heirs of Thomas Crook of Hay Park in York Shire
Great Brittaine Fifty Pounds Current Money of Pensilvania to be paid in two pay-
ments as above to be Left in the Care of William Hudson * of Philadelphia.
Item. All the rest of my Estate both Real and Parsonall I Give and Bequeath unto my
Son in Law Samuel Nutt and Rebeca his Wife and to their Heirs ffor Ever.
And I do hereby Constitute and Appoint my trusty and well beloved Friends Jonathan
Robeson Esq' and f to assist my Execrs to perform this my Last Will and Testament,
* Mayor of Philadelphia.
t Although this will of Samuel Nutt is taken from a copy certified by Henry Hale Gra-
ham in 1759, which I found among the family papers, the place for the other "beloved
friend" is left blank.
374 Samuel Nutt.
and desire that Each of them would accept of halfe a Tonn Barr Iron, which I hearby
Give them. Lastly I do hereby Constitute and Appoint my well beloved Wife Anna Nutt
and my Son in Law Samuel Nutt to be my Executors to this my Last Will and Testament.
Signed Seal'd and Decleard and Published to be my last Will and Testament the Twenty
fifth day of September in the Eleventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George
the Second, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven.
r , „ SAMLL NUTT. [seal.]
In the Presence of us
NB the Erazement in the twenty first
Line being made before the Signing
and Sealing hereof.
Jo. Phipps
Nathan Phipps
John Phipps.
The will of Anna Nutt, widow and relict of Samuel Nutt, late of Coven-
try, m the county of Chester, iron-master, deceased, was proved August 15,
1760. She directs a certain legacy to be paid to her daughter, Rebecca
Grace, at the expiration of five years ; " but in case she die before that time,
then the same is to be paid to Anna Nutt, daughter of said Rebeccah Grace,
when she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years ; but if she shall die
before that period, without issue, then the same is to be paid to the children
of my sons Samuel and Joseph Savage, deceased My son-in-law, John
Potts, to be sole executor, and to have my part of Warwick Furnace, my
part of the forge and iron mine, and all my real estate whatsoever, and
wheresoever the same may be situate."
Robert Grace.
375
ROBERT GRACE.
Robert Grace's grandmother, made 1725,
himself, then not quite seventeen years old,
family their war-song, or slogan, is printed in
into Latin, Greek, German, French, Italian,
stanza their arms are thus mentioned : —
The arms of Grace are, Gules,
a lion rampant, per fesse argent.
Crest a demi-lion, ramp. ar.
Mottoes, En Grace Affie, and
Concordant Nomine Facta. The
four balls in the engraving
show that the family was baro-
nial ; the title, which was for-
feited in the time of James II.,
was Baron of Courtstown. The
above coat of arms was copied
from the seal on the will of
and written by Robert Grace
In the Memoirs of the Grace
the original Erse, and translated
and English. In the following
" O, Courtstown ne'er mayst thou demand foreign aid,
When aloft thy red standard is proudly displayed,
And its rampant 'white lion threats slaughter and woe,
As thy sons raise the slogan of Grasagh aboeT *
Robert Grace left no children to carry his name down to posterity ; but
the descendants of his step-daughter, Anna Nutt (to whom he gave a father's
care), should not suffer it to pass into oblivion. It is therefore not inappro-
priate, in a volume devoted to a family with which he was closely allied by
* Pronounced Grasah, meaning " the cause of the Graces.'''
3 7& Robert Grace.
fnendship and marriage, to give a few pages to his memory, particularly his
early connection with Franklin, as the founder of the Philadelphia Library
and the Junto.
Robert Grace belonged to the family of the Baron of Courtstown and
Lords of Grace's country, one of the earliest Anglo-Norman settlers in Ire-
land. Raymond FitzWalter, surnamed Le Gros,* accompanied the Earl
of Pembroke f in his invasion of the island. In 1 176 he became its viceroy,
and, marrying the Earl's sister, acquired extensive lands in Kilkenny County,
where the family flourished for more than five centuries, but, adhering to
the cause of the Stuarts, lost their estates in the great Rebellion.
Some of the Graces followed the exiled king to the French court ; some
became soldiers of fortune on the Continent ; the father of our Robert went
to the West Indies and from thence to Philadelphia, and we find him as early
as 1707 petitioning the governor that the sentence of his slave, convicted of
burglary, may be remitted. %
Robert, his son, was born April 25, 1709, and at an early age was deprived
* Changed to Grace. t Burke's Peerage.
X Fro?n the Colonial Records 0/ Pennsylvania, Vol. II. p. 403.
"At a Council held at Philadelphia, the 25th of Feb. 1707, a petition from William Righton
and Robert Grace, directed to the Gov'r alone, being presented to him, the Gov'r thought
fit to lay it before the Council, & desire their advice therein.
"The matter of which petition was, that Tony a N'egroe Slave of the said Righton, and
Quashy, a like Slave of the said Grace's, were lately at a special Court held for that pur-
pose in this Town, condemned to Death for Burglary proved against them ; But for as
much as it will be of very great Damage to the Petitioners, should their said slaves' lives
be taken, since there is no provision in this Government, as is usual in other places, for a
Competent restitution to the Owners who lose their Slaves by the hand of Public Justices.
" Therefore, they humbly pray, that in Mercy to the said Owners the lives of their Slaves
may be spared, & that they may be suffered to transport them, & instead of Death, that
they may have the Liberty to inflict on ym such Corporal Punishment as may be requisite,
for a Terror of others of their Color, which the said Owners will take care to have duly
executed upon ym. All which being taken into Consideration, the Board thought fitt to
give it as their Opinion, that the Death of these Slaves would be greater Loss to their
Owners than they could well bear, & therefore seeing there is no Provision made for
restitution for the Loss, by the Publick, it may be as convenient to make the Slaves Exam-
ples of Terror to others of their Complexion, by a most severe Coporal Punishment, &
that the Petitioners may have Liberty to transport them as requested.
Robert Grace. 377
of both his parents ; he was brought up by his grandmother Constance, who
had contracted a second marriage with Hugh Lowden,* a merchant of Phila-
delphia, in whose house his early life was passed.
This building, afterwards celebrated as the cradle of the Philadelphia
Library and the Junto, was situated on the north side of High Street, one
hundred feet below Second ; it was at that date in the most eligible part of
the city. The Town House, or Guild Hall, stood in the centre of the street,
nearly opposite ; here the royal and colonial proclamations were read to the
assembled people ; here the Governor and Council, the Proprietaries and their
agents, and the Assembly held their three-sided contests. Penn's house, in
Letitia Court, was in the same square, on the other side of High Street.
On the death of Hugh Lowden, in 1723, this estate was left in trust to
"And it is hereupon Resolved, that the Owners may have Liberty to punish their Slaves,
notwithstanding the Sentence of Death passed upon them which in case they will perform
in the following manner ; the said Sentence shall be taken off, & their Owners shall trans-
port them to their own benefit & advantage.
"That the punishment shall be as follows: they shall be led from the Market Place,1
up ye Second, & down through the front street to ye Bridge,2 with their arms extended &
tied to a pole across their necks, a Cart going before them, & that they shall be severely
whipt, all the way as they pass, upon the bare back & shoulders : this punishment shall
be repeated 3 market days successively: in the mean time they shall lie in Irons, in the
Prison, at the Owners charge, untill they have such an Opportunity as shall best please
them for transportation ; All which being duly perform'd the sentence of Death shall be
intirely remitted."
* Hugh Lowden, merchant, of Philadelphia, bought of Samuel Richardson and Herbert
Corrie, March 25, 1710, a lot, 17 feet wide on High Street, extending back to Jones's Alley,
102 feet. *
Nov. 23, 1709, another lot, 20 feet wide on Jones's Alley, and 60 deep, which Herbert
Corrie had bought of Griffith Jones and David Lloyd. The house was on the first-named lot.
"1716, Charles Gookin, Esq.. Gov., accused Richard Hill, Speaker of the House of
Ass., & James Logan, Esq., Sec, of being friendly to the Pretender, <fe that they were inim-
icable to the Government of Great Britain.
"Sept. Hugh Lowden armed with pistols attacked the Speaker of the House, &
bloodshed being fortunately prevented was committed to prison & a bill of indictment
found, but the Governor ordered a Noli Prosequi to be entered to the great dissatisfaction
of the Assembly." — Minutes of Assembly.
1 The market was just below the crossing of Second and High Streets
a This was probably at Front and Walnut.
4S
378 Robert Grace.
"his trusty friends, Hugh Graham,* practitioner of Physick in Phil., &
Charles Read.f mere'1 of Phil., afrsd, & Charles Brockden.t to hold for
the use of his dear & loving wife Constance & her Grandson Robert
Grace," namely, "all that messuage or tenement, with lot, stores, buildings,
& appurtenances, situate in High St., Phil., in which I now dwell," & after
the death of Constance Lowden the trustees were to settle and convey
the same that it may be held and enjoyed by Robert Grace and by such wife
as said Robert should happen to marry. If he had lawful issue, then the
estate was to be conveyed in fee simple ; but if not, after the death of Rob-
ert and "such wife as he should happen to marry," it was to go to Thomas
Gamble, the son of the testator's sister, Helen. Two years after, Robert
Grace's grandmother died, leaving him her sole heir and executor at the age
of seventeen. Her will is written in his fine penmanship and sealed with
his family seal, bearing the Grace coat of arms, a lion rampant ; it is of
red wax, and after the lapse of one hundred and forty-three years is in good
condition, the finely cut stone of a seal ring apparently having made a highly
raised impression. From this seal the woodcut of the Grace coat of arms
in this volume is copied.
Robert Grace, under the care of his trustees and guardians, continued to
live in the house in High Street, and Franklin, a poor printer's boy from
Boston, whom fate had driven to seek his fortune in a strange city, here made
his acquaintance. This descendant of earls and barons § could " smile at
* Hugh Graham bequeathed the sum of £ ioo towards carrying on the building of Christ
Church. See Historical Account of Christ Church, p. 66.
+ Charles Read was a distinguished merchant of Philadelphia, a member of the Assem-
bly, 1722, of the first City Council, 1735, and Mayor in 1737.
X Charles Brockden is mentioned in Franklin's Memoirs (p. 50) as "one of the principal
attorneys of the town," and "our great scrivener, Brockden." Grace's fine penmanship
was probably owing to the instruction of this guardian.
§ Memoir of the Family of Grace, by Sheffield Grace. London, 1S23. Fifty copies pri-
vately printed. A copy of this rare book in two quarto volumes, profusely illustrated with
original drawings, can be found in the Boston Public Library. It is evidently the interleaved
copy belonging to the author. As Sheffield Grace's widow, a daughter of Lieut.-General Sir
John Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn, is still living near London, there is reason to suppose
that these elegant volumes were brought to this country without leave of the owner. 1 hey
were purchased by the library of Mr. Burnham, of the antiquarian bookstore, who does
not remember from whom they were obtained. In these volumes the same coat of arms is
given in many different engravings and in endless variety of shields and quartering:;.
Robert Grace. 379
the claims of long descent," and Grace seems early to have recognized the
philosopher under the tattered garments of the runaway apprentice, and a
friendship was formed that even death had not power to terminate ; as Frank-
lin, who survived his patron nearly a quarter of a century, speaks of him in
his will* in most loving words of gratitude and affection.
It was through Grace's position and influence that Franklin so soon be-
came known as a rising young man. Grace, though so young, was master
of his own house, which was always open to receive the ardent youths of the
Province, already tinctured with the democracy which developed itself soon
after against the Proprietaries. Even then the Penns thought and com-
plained that the Junto f was aiding the administration of Sir William Keith
against them. The description of Robert Grace at the age of twenty-one,
given by Franklin in his Autobiography, characterizes him as "a young man
of some fortune, generous, lively, and witty, a lover of punning and of his
friends " ; or as the first English edition, which was translated from the
French, expresses it : " Robert Grace, a young man of fortune, generous,
lively, and witty, fond of epigrams, but more fond of his friends." Family
* In Franklin's Autobiography he gives the following account of his financial troubles,
and how he was helped out. of them. Franklin and Meredith, his partner, had been sued
for £ 100. "In this distress two friends, whose kindness I have never forgotten nor ever
shall forget while I can remember anything, came to me separately, unknown to each other,
and, without any application from me, offered each of them to advance me all the money
that should be necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself, if that
should be practicable ; but they did "not like my continuing the partnership with Meredith,
who, as they said, was often seen drunk in the street, playing at low games in alehouses,
much to our discredit. These two friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace."
Franklin finally made arrangements with Meredith to separate, and adds : —
"As soon as he. was gone, I recurred to my two friends ; and because I would not give
an unkind preference to either, I took half of what each had offered (and I wanted) of one
and half of the other, paid off the company's debts, and went on with the business in my
own name, advertising that the partnership was dissolved. I think this was in or about
the year 1729." (Page47.) Franklin mentions in the codicil to his will his reason for leav-
ing £--/xx> sterling to the cities of Boston and Philadelphia for the purpose of setting up
young married artificers in business was, because " I was afterwards assisted to set up my
business in Philadelphia by kind loans of money from two friends there, which was the foun-
dation of my fortune and of all the utility in life that may be ascribed to me." (Page 194.)
t Watson's Annals.
380 Robert Grace.
tradition corroborates all this, and adds that his personal appearance was re-
markably fine. The writer has no means of knowing what property he in-
herited from his father, who, it is believed, died in Barbadoes, where he had
an estate ; but from the trustees of Hugh Lowden's will he received nearly
two thousand pounds in money and bonds, besides the buildings on High
Street and the furniture.
The style of living in colonial times in Philadelphia, as shown by the follow-
ing inventory made by Joseph Antrobus, John Cadwalader, Edward Roberts,
and Joshua Maddox, will be interesting to antiquarians, especially as in
the well-appointed rooms of this house the Junto was held and the first
public library in America organized and maintained for ten years. It is
pleasant to catch a glimpse of the surroundings of the embryo philosophers,
and to know that, while their minds were engrossed in intellectual pursuits,
their bodies were comfortably cared for.
In the front Garret. Two small feather beds Sz furniture.
In the back upper Chamber. Two feather beds & furniture. Chest of drawers, Table,
looking glass, & 2 stands. One pr. Andirons, 2 Fenders, 3 pr. tongs, 2 shovels, 7 Chairs,
Skreen, Old iron bound chest, 5 baskets, A parcel of earthen & glass ware.
/;/ the Front ufr Chamber. One feather bed & furniture, Chest of drawers, tea table,
& looking glass, 6 chairs k a parcel of pictures.
In the lower Front Room. One feather bed & furniture, one chest of drawers, Two
tables, and one look'g glass, One Easie Chair & Cushion, One dousin Chairs, A brass
hearth & furniture, A large Telescope, Tea-table & furniture, Earthen & glassware &
pictures. A parcel of Household linnen.
In the Lower Back room. One feather bed & furniture, One Chest drawers, table &
looking glass, Six chairs, & two close stools, One pr. Iron dogs, fire shovel, tongs &
warm'g pan, Glass <fc earthen ware.
In the Parlour. One Eight day clock.
Two black wallnut tables, Carpet* & look'g glass.
One writing desk & Spice box.
Twenty leather Chairs, couch t & Squabb.
One Skreen, one great bible & Stand.
2 pr. dogs, fire shovel, Tongs, Poker, bellows & fender.
1 Jappand montiff, a lamp.t glass & Earth'n ware.
* Watson says, in " Annals of Philadelphia," " Carpets were almost unknown before the
Revolution. Matlack said the first he ever saw- was in 1750."
t Ibid. " Formerly they had couches only in very affluent families."
X Ibid. " Before the Revolution there were no Argand or other lamps in parlors; the
first that came to this country was a present from Jefferson to Thomson, Sec. of Congress."
Robert Grace. 381
In the Kitchen. Twelve pewter dishes, 2 Cheese plates, <fe 1 1 basons, five dos: plates,
12 pewter measures & a barber's Cistern, Porringers, Spoons & bed-pan, 4 brass ket-
tles, I pot, 2 Saucepans & 2 Copp'r pots, 18 brass Candlesticks, 3 Copper coffee pots,
candle-box, pepper box, Snuffers & Chaffing dish. Four iron pots, 3 pr. pothooks &
hangers, I pr. andirons, fire shovel, 2 pr. Tongs, 3 spits, Two gridirons, 2 Chaffing dishes,
3 trivets.'i lazy-back, I plate warmer. Two frying pans, pepper mill, box Iron, 3 smooth-
ing Irons, & a parcel of tin, wooden, & earthen ware. 1 brass mortar, rat Trap, X cut
Saw, 1 pr. of bellows & Lumber.
hi the Room £-» Garret ov'r the Kitchen. A parcel of glass, Stone & earthen ware,
one pewter Still, 4 Chests & Lumber.
In the Compiing house. Three volumes* Foxes acts & monuments.
A parcel of books Sundry sorts.
One pr : doggs fire shovel Tongs & poker.
Table, desk, looking glass, & a parcel Earth'n <fc glass ware.
One hundred <fc thirty-three ounces of wrought plate.
One Negro woman & Mulatto girle ^35-
One Indian boy . . . . £27. 10
One Negro boy £-7- 1°
In the back Cellar Wine, Brandy, Black cherry wine, Oil, &c. Casks of Jamacia rum.
The list of merchandise is given in the following places : " In the Bolting
House ; In the Inner Store above ; In the Store over the Compt. House ; In
the Ship warehouse ; In the lower Bolting house ; In the Shop in the Front
House ; In the upper Store ; In the lower Front room ; In the Store on the
Wharf.
"At the lot in Wallnut Street was kept the Chaise and Harness, a Dray
and Geers, and two horses."
We have seen how an opulent merchant lived in Philadelphia, anno 1723 ;
it may be as curious to note the expense of his burial.
The Funeral Charges 0/ Hugh Lowden.
Barnard Eaglesfield a coffin j£4-io
Sarah Redman a Or cask of wine ^5-1°
Robert Boulton for spice, &c £ 2. 10
* These folio volumes, of elephant size, printed by the Company of Stationers, London,
1684, filled with engravings, were presented by Robert Grace to the Philadelphia Library,
where they now are.
382 Robert Grace.
For Biskett &. provisions £ 3.
For Beer £2.
Mary Bristol for burning wine & attendance £\.\o
For Horse hire, inviting, Gloves to the Servants, &c. £6.
Peter Baird Physician . . . . . . . . . . . _£ii. 6. 1
Francis Notf a Doctor in the Jerseys to whom Peter Wishart went for medi-
cine £2.
Mary Stout for Do £ 3.
Mary Archer Nurse £ 4. 4.
John Duncan for the trouble of his house before & after the funeral . . . £ 5.
As Robert Grace's house was identified with the inception of the Junto
and the Philadelphia Library, and afterwards leased* and occupied by Frank-
lin as a residence and printing-office, it was an interesting search for the
writer to ascertain the spot where it once stood and trace its successive
owners. At the time of Grace's marriage with Mrs. Nutt, about 1741, that
part of High Street had become too unfashionable to be the residence of a
rich and youthful bride ; and as he had rented it in 1733, when he went to
England, it is probable that he never again occupied it, but resided in Front
Street when living in town. His wife survived him thirty-four years, and
retained her life interest in this estate ; but at her death, in 1800, it was in-
herited by Thomas Gamble's daughter, Ann King, who sold it to Benjamin
Horner, who occupied it many years. His grandson, Benjamin Coates, who
was born there, remembers often being told that his play-room was once
Franklin's printing-office. f Joseph Potts Horner, the son of Benjamin, sold
the premises to Messrs. R. and W. C. Biddle, who in the summer of 1850
pulled down the old house and erected a large and elegant store for their
own business, numbers 13 r Market Street and 120 and 122 Jones's Alley, $
* A deed of March I, 1765, made by Robert Grace and Rebecca, his wife, conveys to
Thomas Potts their interest in Coventry and "elsewhere in North America excepting his
estate in Philadelphia leased to Benjamin Franklin and his accounts against the said Ben-
jamin Franklin,'' etc., etc.
t In the "Am. Record,'' April, 1873, edited by B. J. Lossing, is a copy of the lease granted
by Robert Grace to Benjamin Franklin, in 1745, for a term of fourteen years at a rent of
£ 55 per annum, which was renewed for seven years longer at ^60.
I So called, from a family of the name who first owned the land ; in Gabriel Thomas's
account of Philadelphia, 1696, it is mentioned as running from Front to Second Street.
Robert Grace.
383
now bearing the name of Church Street ; but in colonial times often called
Pewter Platter Alley, from a great pewter platter hung out as the sign of a
fashionable tavern at the corner of Front Street. In digging the new cellar
in what was once the garden, the workmen found at the depth of six feet a
stone chest five or six feet square ; the five sides were so strongly cemented
together with mortar that it was broken up with difficulty ; it had evidently
once been closed with a door, but it was empty. The house was a substan-
tial brick one, three stories high, and was probably one of the oldest brick
houses in the city, as by the deeds to Lowden, who bought the three lots in
1 7 10, a brick house or houses was standing upon them ; an arched carriage-
way opened upon Pewter Platter Alley, and through this the stockholders
of the library entered for their books, so as not to disturb the inmates of the
house. No doubt the room thus used was the one over the kitchen, which
in the inventory appears to have been a lumber-room.
Here the idea of a public library was conceived and carried out, and here
it remained for ten years, until removed to the " upper room of the western-
most office of the State House." The account given in Franklin's Autobi-
ography is as follows : —
"About this time (1729) our Club meeting, not at a tavern but in a little
room of Mr. Grace's set apart for that purpose, a proposition was made by
me, that since our books were often referred to in our disquisitions upon the
queries, it might be convenient to us to have them all together where we
met, that upon occasion they might be consulted ; and by thus clubbing our
books to a common library we should, while we liked to keep them together,
have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other members,
which would be nearly as beneficial as if we owned the whole. It was liked
and agreed to, and we filled one end of the room with such books as we
could best spare. The number was not so great as we expected ; and though
they had been of great use, yet some inconvenience occurring for want of
due care of them, the collection, after about a year, was separated and each
took his books home again.
"And now I set on foot my first project of a public nature, — that for a
subscription library. I drew up the proposals, got them put into form by
our great scrivener, Brockden, and by the help of my friends in the Junto
procured fifty subscribers of forty shillings each to begin with, and ten shil-
384 Robert Grace.
lings a year for fifty years, the term our company was to continue. We after-
wards obtained a charter, the company being increased to one hundred."
Without the aid of Robert Grace, Franklin's plan would not probably have
been carried out ; his influential name as the first signer of these articles
of association, and that of his friend, Thomas Hopkinson, father of the signer
of the Declaration of Independence, insured success, and a room in his
house which he gave tor the use of the library was immediately occupied.
Throughout the early minutes of the society, Robert Grace's name is of
frequent occurrence, and proves him to have been for years one of its most
active members. Through him Peter Collinson * was drawn to aid the in-
fant library, and acted for a long time as its agent in London.
"In March, 1732," according to the minute-book, "it was concluded to
import some books immediately. With the advice of Mr. Logan, the list was
made out, and Robert Grace, to expedite the affair, agreed to draw on Peter
Collinson, in Gracious Street, London, for £45 sterling, at sixty-five per
cent advance the current rate, in favor of and to be remitted to Thomas
Hopkinson, then about sailing for Europe."
In October, 1732, the first importation of books was received; Hopkin-
son informing the directors that " Peter Collinson, who had given great as-
sistance, had moreover made the company a present of two valuable books." f
March, 1732, Robert Grace paid the subscription moneys of " Josiah Rolf
who is gone to Barbadoes, and of Thomas Potts," \ and received certificates
for them.
August 14, 1732, "Robert Grace read part of two letters from Thomas
Hopkinson, dated Dover and London, informing the directors that Mr.
Grace's bill of exchange on Peter Collinson was accepted." When the books
arrived, they " were taken to Mr. Grace's chamber at his house in Jones's
Alley and placed on the shelves." "November, 1732, Lewis Timothie, who
rented the said house of Robert Grace, was contracted with to be librarian."
* Peter Collinson, F. R. S-, was highly distinguished among naturalists. He was a
friend and correspondent of Linnaeus, and interested in the scientific researches of the day.
He was a Quaker, and resided many years in Grace Church Street, London, as a wholesale
woollen draper, where he acquired an ample fortune.
t According to the original letter of Collinson in the writer's possession they were
Miller's Gardener's Dictionary," and Sir Isaac Newton's "Philosophy."
X Of Colebrookdale, father of John, who was Robert Grace's future brother-in-law.
Robert Grace. 385
March 3, 1733, it was proposed to send the money in hand to England by
the next vessel to buy more books, but it was resolved to defer it till May,
" in which month Robert Grace would be going to London," and would take
the money with him and lay it out in books as the directors should order.
May, 1733, the society presented an address to the proprietor, Thomas
Penn, for his countenance and protection, and five members were appointed
to present it. Robert Grace is the first named on the committee. It may be
well to add that the proprietor received it with great civility and kindness.
June 2, 1735, " I drew an order on the treasurer to pay Mr. Grace for his
bill which at the last meeting of the directors he condescended to draw on
Peter Collinson to purchase books in London," etc.
Phil., June 1, 1733.
SlK, — I have agreed with the Library Co. of Phil, to draw on you for £22: 10 Sterl.
& the Directors now write to you to purchase books for the library. Please to lay out
that sum according to their order, <t place the same to acct. of
Sir your h'ble Servt.
ROBERT GRACE.
To Peter Collinson, Merch't in London.
November 12, 1733, Robert Grace "acquainted the directors that he had
made use of the trunk in which our first parcel of books came, and that he
(as he was going to sea in a few days) would now pay for it. The price he
proposed was accepted, being 10 s. He also paid 6 s. 6d. for not returning a
book in time.
"At a meeting of all the directors (except Robert Grace, who lately sailed
for Barbadoes), it was thought fit some proper person of the subscribers
should be chosen director in the room of Mr. Grace."
May 26, 1737, Robert Grace arrived from London in the ship "Dia-
mond"; he brought a present from Peter Collinson to the library, namely,
the Appendix to Miller's Gardeners' Dictionary ; he also brought the usual
pamphlets. October, 1737. At this meeting "the directors signed an
order to the librarian for him to deliver out to Robert Grace a large Bible of
his, which happening to be in the library a pretty while, through mistake was
understood to be of the number of books which Mr. Grace gave to the com-
pany." February 18, 1738, he was chosen in a director, thus filling the
first vacancy after his return from England. From the above extracts it
may be seen how much the Philadelphia Library was indebted to Robert
49
386 Robert Grace.
Grace for his personal aid of money, books, and influence. His education
and natural abilities were of a superior kind. He spent three years in trav-
elling in Europe perfecting his education. Collinson in a letter to Bartram *
mentions that his friend Robert Grace had been studying metallurgy.
Robert Grace's intimacy with the Potts family before he went abroad had
probably directed his attention to the development of the mineral resources
of Pennsylvania, and he returned ready to exercise here the knowledge
learned in extensive travel.
Probably in one of his first visits to Colebrookdale after his return he found
that the sister-in-law of his friend John Potts, Mrs. Rebecca Nutt, was a
young and lovely widow. Her beauty and attractions soon won his heart,
and her rich dower of the forges and furnaces of Coventry and Warwick he
immediately undertook to improve. Mrs. Grace is still the theme of tradition
in the neighborhood of Coventry, where she lived with her first and second
husband, and is called Lady Grace. Her first marriage, at the age of fifteen,
was arranged by her step-father after the manner of the times, when, issue
failing to himself, he brought over from England his nephew "and namesake
to marry his wife's daughter, and thus keep the property in the family ; but
the youthful bridegroom appears to have at once fallen under the influence
of Rebecca Savage's charms, as it is related that, soon after his arrival in this
country, he met one of his fellow-passengers and told him he would introduce
him to his betrothed, who was the most lovely Savage in America.
Robert Grace had always been accustomed to the best society in the
Province, and during his stay in England, on account of his family connec-
tions, had enjoyed advantages of social intercourse seldom attained by the
colonial youths ; yet his heart was subdued by the young widow, and about
the age of twenty-one she was again married. Mrs. Grace seems to have
possessed remarkable fascinations, for Franklin, petted by the French ladies
of beauty and intellect, paid the homage of his philosophic heart to her ma-
ture graces after he returned to this country a widower, just before the Amer-
ican Revolution ; but she, then passing into the sober twilight of age, had
become a follower of Whitfield and Wesley, and although honoring her late
husband's friend for his many estimable qualities, she was unwilling to marry
* Memorial of Bartram and Marshall, p. 97.
Robert Grace. 387
one whose religious opinions were so different from her own ; but their calm
friendship seems never to have been broken by this episode, as Franklin
sent for her on his death-bed, and she was one of the last persons outside of
his own family admitted to his presence. She travelled from Coventry to
Philadelphia, forty miles, over the bad roads of March, to bid him farewell.
A kinsman who accompanied her in the carriage related that he waited in
another room during her interview with the dying philosopher, and he gath-
ered from her remarks, in the course of the ride home, that the last hours of
this truly great man were sustained by religious faith and hope.
It is one of the family traditions that Mrs. Grace saved Whitfield's life. I
can give no other authority for it, but the story current is not an improbable
one. Whitfield in his travels in Pennsylvania had given notice that on a
certain day he would preach at Coventry or Warwick, and the rough miners
and furnace-men swore that if he came there they would kill him. Mrs.
Grace, hearing of this threat, though a gay young woman having no special
interest in the great revivalist, said that no man should venture to harm him
on her estate, and at the time fixed she rode on horseback to the place ap-
pointed, and stationed herself near Whitfield to protect him, keeping her eye
upon the threatening faces of the men. But as he proceeded in his sermon
the furnace-men, who had been overawed by their mistress's presence into
listening to his fervid and impassioned oratory, were melted by it ; and from
that time forth Mrs. Grace herself, who went to protect instead of to listen,
became a convert to Methodism. Benjamin Abbot, one of the followers of
Whitfield, and an imitator of his style, does give in his diary a similar story
of himself, but it was at a date long after Whitfield's death, and when Mrs.
Grace had been for years a Methodist. He says, under date of 1 780, "My
next appointment was at Warwick or Potts's Furnace. This place, for wick-
edness, was next door to hell ; here they swore they would shoot me. Mrs.
Grace (the owner of the furnace), being unable to attend this meeting on
account of indisposition, sent a person to moderate the furnace-men and col-
liers. I went into the house and preached with great liberty. Several of
the colliers' faces were all streaks where the tears ran down their cheeks
After meeting we went to Mrs. Grace's, who lived at Coventry. The old
lady took me by the hand, and said, ' I was never so glad to see a man in the
world, for I was afraid some of the furnace-men had killed you ! ' "
388 Robert Grace.
The witticisms and epigrams of Robert Grace have passed away unre-
corded ; the only one handed down among his wife's descendants is con-
nected with her religion. She had given a building on her estate to be used
as a chapel by the disciples of Whitfield and Wesley, and one day, returning
from Philadelphia, he saw his wife's saddle-horse tied to a tree near it, and
she with a few neighbors engaged there in religious services. He immedi-
ately dismounted and wrote upon the door the following distich : —
" Your walls are thick and your people are thin,
The Devil's without, and Grace is within."
Henry Brooke * wrote " A Discourse on Jests, addressed to Mr. Robert
Grace," wherein he rallies him on the subject of " his darling bosome sin a
jest."
In a previous chapter I have given an account of the manufacture of the
first Franklin stoves by Grace, and of the sale of Coventry, in 1765, to his
step-son-in-law, Colonel Potts. He was then in feeble health, and he died in
the summer of 1766 at his house in Philadelphia.
WILL OF ROBERT GRACE.
Be it remembered that I Robert Grace of Coventry in the township of Coventry in Ches-
ter County <fc Province of Pennsylvania, Gentleman, being sick <t weak in body but of
sound <fc perfect mind <fc memory blessed be the Lord for the same <fc all other His
mercies 6c favors, Do make 6c ordain my last will & testament in manner following:
That is to say, First I commit my soul to Almighty God my heavenly Father, 6c commit
my body to the earth to be decently buried ; 6c my will is that all my just debts & fu-
neral expenses be duly paid <i: satisfied ; and I do hereby nominate my dear & loving
wife Rebeccah to be sole Executrix of this my last will 6c testament
I give 6c bequeath to my said dear 6c loving wife, all my estate real & personal
wherever the same can or may be found requesting her to pay the following legacies, to
* He was a younger son of Sir Henry Brooke, Bart., of Xorton Cheshire, who settled in
Lewes, Sussex Co., DeL He was for several years Speaker of the Assembly in the lower
counties, as DeL was then called, and in 1720 was appointed by Gov. Keith Master in Chan-
cery. Brooke is often mentioned in the Penn and Logan correspondence. A contemporary
thus eulogizes him : —
'• In Brooke's capacious breast the Muses sit.
Enrobed with sense polite and pregnant wit."
He died in 1735. and a tribute to his memory in the Am. General Mag. of 1741 describes
him as an accomplished linguist and an adept in almost every science.
Robert Grace.
389
wit : To Benjamin Franklin esquire agent for this Province, his heirs Executors, Adminis-
trators or Assigns as a token of my sincere love & regard for him the sum of Five Pounds.
To Samuel & Rebecca Patrick *in trust for their daughter Anna Grace Patrick to be paid
in two years after my decease, the sum of twenty pounds.
To Mary Rees widow, to be paid in one year after my decease Ten Pounds, but in case
she should die before she should receive it then to be paid to her daughter Mary Rees.
To Hester Hockley widow of Henry Hockley Six Pounds one year after my decease.
To molatto Betty t my former servant Five pounds per annum during her life.
To negro Caesar t late my servant to be paid into the hands of Thomas Potts & by
him to be paid to the said Ca;sar at his discretion Five Pounds.
And I do request & appoint Thomas Potts (son of John Potts esquire of Potts Grove) to
be an assistant in a kind & affectionate manner to my said dear <fc loving wife in the settle-
ment of my temporal affairs & lastly I revoke all other wills & devises by me heretofore
made & declare this only to be my last will <fc testament in witness whereof I the said Rob-
ert Grace have hereunto set my hand <fc seal, dated the 2d day of April 17 & 66.
Sealed published & declared by the above named Robert Grace as his last will & testa-
ment in the presence of us,
T. Hockley, ROBERT GRACE.
Wm. Hope. 1766.
Proved Aug. 6, 1766.
James Hockley & Thomas Potts appeared before Ben. Chew., Reg. Gen.
Recorded in Book O p. 10 Philadelphia.
Robert Grace's personal estate at his house in Philadelphia was appraised
by Simon Meredith, but the inventory attached to the will appears to have
been very loosely made, and, as his widow was his only heir, it was probably
merely done as a matter of form. From it, however, I make a few extracts : —
A negro woman & sucking child a mulatto boy & negro girl £ 100.
An old sword silver mounted.
Silver pint can, tea pot spoons 1 pr. of salt cellars & other plate.
A mare & colt saddle <fc bridle.
A horse <fc woman's saddle.
A library of books.
* Marriages between the families of Grace and Patrick are mentioned in the Grace
Memorial, but they were sometimes at deadly feud, as the following verse proves : —
"O Courtstown. what trophies of conquest you boast
In the spoils of a noble and valorous host,
O'More and Fitz-Patrick felt the shame of o'erthrow
As they fled the dire contest with Grasagh aboe"
+ These two were among the slaves that had passed into the possession of Thomas
Potts with the Coventry estate.
39° Robert Grace.
Manumission No. 5.
I Rebecca Grace of the township of Coventry in the Co. of Chester in Pa. do hereby set
free from bondage my Molatoe woman named Rose, & do for myself my executors & ad-
ministrators release unto the said Molatoe woman all my right & all claim whatsoever as
to her person or to any estate she may acquire, hereby declaring the said Mulatoe woman
named Rose absolutely free without any interruption from me, or any other person claim-
ing under me. In witness whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand & seal this thirteenth day
of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty-three.
REBECCA GRACE.
Sealed & delivered in the presence of
Simon Meredith
Ben. Jacobs.
WILL OF REBECCA GRACE.
I Rebecca Grace of Coventry Township in Chester County in the state of Pennsylvania
widow being favored with a pretty good state of health at the present time but Considering
the uncertainty of this life do this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred & ninety nine make & publish this my last will & Testament as touching such
worldly estate as it hath pleased the Lord to bless me with in the following manner &, form.
Imprimis. I give & devise to my Grandson-in-law Thomas Haskins and my Kinsman
Caleb North, both of the City of Philadelphia a lot of Ground part of my plantation
whereon I how Live Beginning at a Stone Corner of my Land by a road called Doug-
lass Road, thence South Eighty-three Degrees East ten perches thence North thirteen
Degrees West ten perches thence North Eighty three Degrees West ten perches
to the said Road thence along the same South thirteen Degrees East ten perches to
the place of. Beginning — Containing Ninety three perches And also the Burying
Ground Called & Known by the name of the family Burying Ground with one perch
wide round the wall thereof for the purpose of Repairing the same when and as often
as it shall be Necessary. To Hold to them the said Thomas Haskins & Caleb North
& to the survivor of them & to their Heirs & Assigns forever & to the Heirs & Assigns
forever of the survivor of them in perpetual succession. In trust nevertheless for the
following purposes (that is to say) that the Lot of ninety three perches shall be &
remain for the use of the religious society called Methodists inhabiting in the township
of Coventry & parts Adjacent to erect a meeting house thereon & such other Build-
ings as the said Society May judge to be necessary for the accomodation of a meeting
place. And the said Burying ground to be & remain for a Burying ground for the
family as heretofore & such Others as the abovenamed Trustees or either of them or
their successors in the said trust may permit & allow to be interred therein. And that
the same as also the Lot first above mentioned & described shall not be applied to any
other uses or purposes whatsoever than as aforesaid ; And I do also grant & Allow
the privelidge of passing through My inclosed grounds from either of the publick roads
adjacent to the said Burying ground, when the same shall be necessary for the pur-
poses of interring the dead who may be allowed to be interred therein.
Robert Grace. 391
Item. It is my will & I do hereby order & direct my Executors herein After named to
sell & convey the residue <fc remaining part of my plantation at public-vendue the sale
thereof after all my just debts & funeral & other expenses are paid as also the Legacies
herein' After bequeathed (if my personal estate shall fall short of answering the same)
I give & dispose thereof as follows ; that is to say one fifth part thereof to my worthy
friend Thomas Bull. In trust that he will lay it out on Real Estate or Bank stock at
his discretion & apply the yearly Issues & profits thereof towards the maintenance &
bringing up the Child or Children of my grandson Samuel Potts until the eldest Child
shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, then the real estate or Bank stock to be
sold & the price or cash Amount therof to be divided amongst the Children of my said
grandson Samuel Potts by even & equal portions, part & share alike A: one fifth more
thereof I give to my grandson Thomas Potts one half part of the then three remaining
fifth parts therof I give to my grand Daughter Henrietta Potts the remaining part
therof I give to my two grand Daughters Elizabeth Jacobs & Ruth May to be equally
divided Between them.
Item. I give to my well beloved Kinswoman Rebecca Patrick my bed which stands in the
front room in my dwelling house being the same that I usually sleep in with the Bed-
stead bed cloaths and curtains belonging to it.
Item. I give unto Julianna Potts daughter of Thomas Potts of Pottstown my silver half
pint can as a small token of gratitude for her being so named in respectful remem-
brance of my beloved Grand Daughter Julianna Potts deceased.
Item. It is my will and I do order it that my Executors shall put the sum of one Hundred
Dollars out of my Estate at Interest for the use of my great Grand Daughters namely
Elizabeth May, Sarah Haskins and Anna May, and that the same with the Interest
that shall accrue thereon shall be equally divided Between them and paid unto them
respectively as they attain the age of eighteen years that so each one of them may
therewith purchase some piece of plate for themselves if they shall so think proper.
Lastly. I do hereby nominate constitute & appoint my two grand sons in law Robert
May & Benjamin Jacobs Executors of this my last Will and I do hereby revoke and
make void all and every other <fc former will or wills at any time or times heretofore
by me made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will & Testa-
ment in witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the day & year first
above written. Signed
c. , , , . , REBECCA GRACE, [seal.]
Signed sealed in presence of u J
Jonathan Hudson
Phcebe Griffith
Simon Meredith.
Names of the persons to whom T. H. & C. N. are to convey the lot devised to the Meth-
odist Society in Trust all of Chester county viz — Jonah Stevens, Elijah Bull, John Mar-
tin, Griffith Griffith, James Gilham, Sarah Rutter, and Grace Rutter.
392
James.
JAMES.
This autograph of David
James is .copied from a paper
in the possession of his great-
great-grandson, Thomas P-
James. It was signed in
Welshpoole, county of Mont-
gomery, Wales, June, 1682.
On a previous page I have mentioned his persecution and imprisonment,
and probably it was on account of the latter that in the following certificate
from his Quaker friends stress is laid upon the fact that he did not transport
himself for any wrongful act or deed.
Radnorshire att our Men's Meeting the 20th day of the
5th month anno Domini 16S3.
Whereas we understand r our dear friend David James, and his wife Margaret, with
his daughter Mary who have for several years past inhabited amongst us both in the par-
ish of Llandegley and Glascum both in the county of Radnor, having now arrived in the
8th mon. 16S2 into the Province of Pennsylvania, seeing he doth require 'a certificate from
us his friends & former acquaintance we doe therefore certifie unto all whom it may con-
cern that he hath been a man walking harmless and of good behaviour, loving to friends
& having good report amongst his neighbours & soe left a good savour behind with us —
And his dear wife Margaret hath owned the same truth these several years & hath walked
orderly and in love among friends, & we do further certifie that our friend D. James did
not transport himself <fc family into \< place aforesaid for any debt or debts to any person
or persons, neither for any wrongful act or deed by him his wife or child done or com-
mitted against any person or persons whatsoever & to this testimony we put our names as
followeth : —
Owen Humphrey John Lloyd
John Jarmin Edward Moore
Daniel Lewis Richard Cook
Nathan Woodliff David Griffith
David Meredith Edward Jarman
A true copy from the Records Haverford Monthly of Friends, Vol. I. page 308.
John M. George, Recorder.
Rees ap Rees
Roger Hughes
John Robervs
John Watson.
James. 393
Marriage Certificate.
These are to certify to all persons to whom it may concern that Evan James, of Rad-
nor, yeoman, and Margaret Jones, spinster, of Tredyffrin, both in the County of Chester
and province of Pennsylvania, after the publication of their intentions, or bands of mar-
riage, on three Lord's days successively, immediately after the ending of public worship at
the meeting house belonging to the congregation baptised upon confession of faith, meet-
ing at the Great Valley, in the said 'county of Chester, as aforesaid, and no cause or im-
pediment appearing against them: Now this eighth day of June, Anno Domini, 1739, being
the day appointed by the said parties, they, the said Evan James and Margaret Jones, by
and with consent of parents and other relations, and with the consent of the congregation
whereof the said parties are members, and at the meeting house, belonging to the above
said congregation, have in the presence of God and the congregation then there assembled
entered into a solemn matrimonial covenant with one another in manner and form follow-
ing, or to that effect : —
Before the Lord and this congregation I, Evan James, do take thee, Margaret Jones,
to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, through all conditions
whatsoever, in health or sickness, rich or poor, and I do promise through God's assistance,
to be unto thee a faithful husband ; to love and cherish thee, and to perform all manner of
duties towards thee as becometh a husband towards his wife, according to the rule of God's
word ; and to keep myself only unto thee and to live with thee until God shall separate us
by death.
Before the Lord and this congregation I, Margaret Jones, do give myself unto thee,
Evan James, to be thy wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward through all
conditions whatsoever, in health or sickness, rich and poor, and I do promise, through
God's assistance, to be unto thee a faithful and obedient wife ; to love and cherish thee,
and to perform all manner of duty towards thee as becomes a wife towards her husband,
according to the rule of God's word ; and to keep myself only unto thee and to live with
thee untill God shall separate us by death.
In testimony that the said Evan James and Margaret Jones did enter into the above
covenant with each other, and were accordingly declared husband and wife, according to
God's holy ordinance, therefore the said Margaret Jones, by virtue of the above covenant
shall hereafter be called after herjiusband's name, viz., Margaret James ; and these presents
were signed by said parties, we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written.
JOHN DAVIS, Minister. EVAN JAMES
MARGARET JAMES.
David James Richard Evans Rachei.l John
Griffith John Evan David Mary David
Thomas James David Evan Sarah Jones
William John Thomas Evan Mary David •
Samuel John Jenkin Thomas Mary Evans
John Miles Katherine John Elizabeth Edward
John Jones Mary James Deborah David
Thomas John Rebecca Miles Mary Hugh.
APPENDIX
Note A, page 17.
This volume having already exceeded the number of pages at first in-
tended, the "Protest of the Germans against Slavery" is omitted; the
curious reader will find it printed in the collections of the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, in " The Friend," and in " Watson's Annals of Philadelphia."
Note B, page 21.
From the Yearly Meeting at Burlington, the 4th, $th, 6th, and Jtli days of the
Seventh Month, Anno 1692.
To Our Friends and Brethren in the Truth, both in Pennsylvania, East and
West-Jarsey, and elfe-where, as there may be occafion, to be Read in their
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, as they in the Wisdom of God fhall fee
meet
WHEREAS there hath been an Unhappy Difference of late between
our Friends George Keith, and the reft concerned with him, and our
Friends Thomas Lloyd, Jeltn Simcock, Samncll Jenings, and others joyned
with them, which hath tended to the great Reproach of Truth and Friends,
and Difhonor of our holy Profeffion. And whereas there hath been a Paper
figned by Thomas Lloyd, Samncll Jenings, John Simcock, and others joyned
with them, being in Number Twenty Eight of thofe who have oppofed
George Keith, and the Friends joyned with him, whereby he is condemned as
A Per/on Unfit and Unqualified to be a Miuifler of Chrifi, and as a Perfon
without the fear of God before his Eyes, &c. And whereas the faid Paper of
Condemnation hath been the occafion of fetting up many Separate Meetings,
Appendix. 395
as well as of other confufion and Difturbance (both privately and publickly)
in thefe Parts. And whereas the faid George Keith, and others joyned with
him, being Offended with the faid Judgment, have appealed to the Spirit
of Truth and true Judgment of all faithful Friends of this Yearly Meeting,
and have requefted by a fecond Paper the faid Thomas Lloyd, and the reft
concerned with him that they might have a fair Hearing and Tryal before
Impartial Friends (who have not taken part to the figning Papers fent to
, on either fide) the fecond Day of the faid Meeting, an hour after
the breaking up of the Meeting for publick worship ; and we whofe names
are hereunto fubfcribed being Grieved and Troubled, under a fenfe of the
Reproaches Truth has met withall, by reafon of the faid Unhappy Differ-
ence, yet having not concerned our felves actually in the faid Difference on
either fide, being met at the faid Meeting-Houfe, in true Defires to the Lord,
that he would make us Inftrumental to put an end to the faid Difference, and
truly make up faid Breach, before it grow wider, according to the Request
of the faid George Keith, and the reft of the Friends joyned with him in their
faid Appeal ; And the said Thomas Lloyd and the reft concerned (though
again defired by two Meffengers from the Meeting, to appear, and they) re-
fufing, the Meeting Adjourned till an hour after the Publick Meeting the
next day ; and then being Affembled, and the faid Thomas Lloyd, and the
reft concerned ftill refufing to come, although the faid Thomas Lloyd had
lately before advifed the faid George Keith to make Application to the Year-
ly Meeting in this cafe (as divers of us can witnefs) and the faid George
Keith, and the reft concerned laying their Complaint before us, and the faid
Thomas Lloyd, and the reft concerned not appearing (though again defired
feveral Times) our Expectations and Defires, (with refpect to that Effectual
and Abfolute Healing the faid Breach) is in fome meafure fruftrated. Not-
withftanding whereof, having heard the Papers on both fides read, and hav-
ing weightily and deliberately confidered them, do give it as our Sence and
Judgment, that the faid George Keith, and his Friends concerned in the faid
Paper of Condemnation, are not guilty of the Charges and Cenfures therein
contained ; And that therefore for the Honour, Profperity and Welfare of
Truth, and Peace and Ouietnefs of the Churches of Chrift in thefe Parts, and
elfe-where, the faid Thomas Lloyd, and the reft of the faid Twenty Eight
Perfons forth-with Re-call their faid Paper of Condemnation, and that they
396
Appendix.
condemn the fame by a Writing under their Hands, directed to all the
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings whereunto the faid Paper was directed ;
and that they forbear offering to fpeak, by way of publick Teftimony in
Meetings, till they have fo done. And we do alfo give it as our Judgment,
That thofe Publick Friends who are charged with Mifdemeanours, and 111
Behaviour in their Lives and Converfations, do forbear fpeaking in Publick
Meetings by way of Teftimony, till they clear themfelves and make satisfac-
tion to their Brethren ; And that all Publick Friends on both fides, forbear
all Railing and Reviling one another, either publickly or privately, which
hath only this tendency, to Difhonour Truth, and lay (tumbling Blocks in
the Way of the Weak ; but in fuch Case they obferve the primitive Churches
Order, eftablifhed by Chrift and his Apoftles, and practifed among Friends.
Signed by Us, in Behalf of our Selves, and many more Friends, who are one
with ns herein.
Robert Turner,
Elias Burling,
John Reid,
Charles Reade,
Thomas Coborne,
Harmon Updengraves,
Thomas Powell,
Nathaniel Fitzrandal,
Joseph Richards,
Edmund Wells,
Thomas Kimber,
John Neall,
Anthony Woodward,
Andrew Smith,
William Hixon,
John Pancuast,
Henry Burcham,
Thomas Hear'se.
John Jones,
Joseph Willcox,
Thomas Godfrey,
John Budd,
Roger Parke,
Caleb Wheatly,
See i Cor. i. 10 ; .\i.
Edward White,
Thomas Gladwin,
Thomas Rutter,
Edward Smith,
Benjamin Morgan,
Joseph Sharp,
William Thomas,
John Bainbridge,
John Snowden,
William Black,
William Snowden,
Abraham Brown,
John Hampton,
Daniel Bacon,
Joseph Adams,
Edward Guy,
Barnard Devonish,
Samuel Ellis,
Thomas Cross,
James Moore,
Thomas Jenner,
John Harper,
Robert Wheeler,
17, IS.
Nathaniel Walton,
Robert Roe,
Peter Boss,
Thomas Bowles,
William Budd,
James Silver,
Samuell Taylor,
Griffith Jones,
William Righton,
Thomas Kendall,
Samuell Houghton,
Emanuel Smith,
Peter Daite,
Richard Sery,
George Willcox,
William Wells,
i'saac Jacobs van Biber,
Cornelius Scivers,
William Snead,
David Sherkis,
John Carter,
Henry Paxon,
Thomas Tindal.
Appendix. 397
Note C, page 23.
Germantown lost its charter in 1709, not, as has sometimes been errone-
ously stated, because persons could not be found willing to act as officers,
but from the interference of George Lovvther, the Queen's attorney, who
claimed that legal acts were performed by its officers beyond their jurisdic-
tion. Was this person the son of William Penn's sister Peggy, who married
Anthony Lowther, and of whose wedding Pepys in his "Diary" gives such a
ludicrous account ?
Note D, page 26.
Watson states that the first furnace in Pennsylvania was erected at Cole-
brookdale in 1720 by James Lewis and Anthony Morris. From papers
in my possession this seems to be incorrect, for in 1728, previous to the
death of the elder Rutter, "James Lewis of Germantown" is put down as
owner of " \ of -fa of Colebrook Furnace " and " o\ of Poole Forge."
From the same manuscript Anthony Morris's share appears even less ; but
in 1729 the last-named built a forge at Spring Mill, which was called Spring
Forge.
In 1728 James Logan wrote, "There are four furnaces in blast in the
Colony" ; these must have been Colebrookdale, French Creek, Durham, and
perhaps Mt. Pleasant. Thomas Potts appears to have been in partnership
with Robert Durham in the management of Durham Furnace in 1728.
Note E, page 142.
The inn of Jacob Witz, at the corner of High and Yorke Streets, was
taken down May, 1865. *It was kept as a public house over ninety years, and
called the Rising Sun. Washington was twice a guest within its walls,
once after the battle of Brandywine and again during the Whiskey Insur-
rection, when the troops were marched through Pottstown to suppress the in-
surgents in Western Pennsvlvania. It was afterwards kept by John Boyer.
In the "Pa. Journal and Weekly Advertiser" for 1785 there is some ac-
count of the drawing of the lottery for making the Schuylkill navigable.
The schedules of the various classes are printed, and the names of persons
authorized to sell tickets are given, and other information published in differ-
ent issues of the above-named vear.
398 Appendix.
Note F, page 154.
Margaret Potts was the dau. of Stephen Carmick, merchant of Phil., and
his first w. Mary, instead of his second, Anna, as stated in the text. She was
b. Jan. 10, 1748, and bap. at Ch. Church, Phil., June 12, 1750. She is men-
tioned in her father's will, proved 1776, and he devises to her the house and
land in Salem, N. J., " whereon my late father of blessed memory lived in his
lifetime," and, besides other real estate, £ Soo.
Note G, page 162.
The thousand acres of land granted to John Potts in Nova Scotia appear
by a deed of sale to Isaac Wilkins to have run into Weymouth, a town near
Clementsport. He also received a grant of 300 acres finely located on the
east side of the harbor in the town of Shelburne, adjoining the land of Gov.
Parr. On this spot he erected a house, but sold it, with all his interest in
the other grant, July 30, 1785. A visit of several weeks in Shelburne this
summer (1873) has enabled me to determine the location of the lands of John
Potts with more accuracy than in the text. The present village contains
less than a thousand inhabitants, but soon after the settlement of the Loyal-
ists in 1783 the British government issued rations for 15,000, and there is
little doubt that at one time the population exceeded that number.
Note H, page 165.
In the events which preceded the Revolution, David Potts took an impor-
tant part. He was active in the non-importation resolutions in 1765, and
Aug., 1775, he was chosen on the committee for the city and districts of
Philadelphia.
Mrs. Potts was a stately and dignified lady, and her dau. Harriet has de-
scribed to her descendants the dresses they both wore at one of Washing-
ton's birthnight balls. The elder lady wore the open gown and elegant
quilted petticoat and high cap of the period, while the younger was dressed
in blue satin with a deep lace berthe. David Potts's pew in Christ Church
was near that of Washington, and the families were well acquainted ; one
of the great-grandchildren having told me a few years since that she had
seen Mrs. Washington's card among the relics of her grandmother. I
Appendix. 399
wrote to her inquiring for it, and received the following reply : " Mrs. Wash-
ington's visiting-card has disappeared ; my grandmother showed it to me
when I was a girl, and told me Mrs. W. called in her coach at Front St. and
Brooke Court and left it after they had attended the birth night ball. I
looked in the little old satin-covered case to-day where she kept it, in the hope
it might be hidden there still, but no, it is gone." The same lady states that
Mrs. Washington always returned a call the third day after receiving it.
Note I, page 171.
Benjamin Rush, M. D., the signer of the Declaration of Independence,
was a great-grandson of the first Thomas Rutter. His mother was Susan-
nah Hall, who m. first, Mr. Harvey ; secondly, John Rush. Benjamin was
their fourth child. She was a dau. of Joseph and Rebeckah (Rutter) Hall,
both of whom are mentioned in Thomas Rutter's will, 1728. According to
the family record, Rebeckah was b. 9 of 9 mo., 1687. She had issue John,
Joseph, Jacob, Rebecca, and Susannah Hall.
Note J, page 175.
The text should read, " A great-granddaughter of Thomas Fitzwater."
This eminent public Friend left directions in his will, proved 1699, " that his
negro Jack be sold to the highest bidder."
It is not inappropriate in this connection to direct the attention of the
reader to the marks of kindness shown by the Potts family towards their
slaves, as appears in the wills of three generations in forbidding their sale
and oftentimes freeing them. In private letters of the last century I find
that, when these freed slaves were unable to work, they were tenderly cared
for by the children of their former masters. May not this be the outgrowth
of the early German feeling against slavery ?
Note K, page 230.
In the obituary of James Potts it is stated that he was " interred in the
Friends' burial-ground." This is an error, as his burial is recorded in the
Register of Christ Ch., Phil. The close proximity of these two graveyards
no doubt led to the mistake.
4°° Appendix.
Note L, page 248.
Joseph Haskins was born in Maryland, as his father Thomas, whose wife
was Mary Lockerman, of the Eastern Shore, emigrated to this country early
in the last century, and was m. there 1720.
Note M, page 308.
The following was received too late for insertion in the text: —
404. Sarah m. John R. Hagaman, and d. s. p. 1836.
405. Newton m. Anna, dau of Col. Ira Stout, of N. J., and d. 1831, aged
28, leaving two children, Joseph, who m. Caroline-Isabella Wade, of N. Y.,
and d. s. p. Sept., 1862; and Sarah-Frances, m. John B. Voorhees of Hope-
well, N. J., Feb. 1847, and d. June, 1852, leaving three children, 1. Charles-
Milton, resides in Illinois, unm. ; 2. Anna-Cornelia, m. Wesley Van Dyke, son
of Dea. J. S. Van Dyke, of Hopewell, N. J., and have issue, Sarah ; 3. Peter
J., d. in infancy.
406% William-Dewees, b. 1799; d. unm. 1869. He was blind from his
birth, but he became a fine Latin and Greek scholar, and an accomplished
teacher of those languages.
Note N, page 331.
705. Samuel H. Rutter entered the army on his 19th birthday, 1861, and
served through the entire war as sergeant-major and adjutant of 53d Regt.
Pa. Vol. He was severely wounded at Gettysburg.
INDEX No. I.
Christian Name of those bearing the Sur
of Potts.
The figures placed before ihe
nber of the individual in the I
Albert-Preston
Alice-Ramsav,
Andrew, 272,' 3
Andrew-Ross,
Anna, 56, 69. 1
Anna, 26S.
4SX
Anna
May, 3.5-
501
Anna
May, 316.
514
Anna
May, 3,7.
5'. in.
Anna
May, 322.
174.
Anna
Nut't, 281.
Ml
Anna
Templin, 3
18.
ILL
Ami)
ny-Beneze
, 271.
ll:l
Anthc
ny-Stocker
271, 1
299.
Aris,
302.
in;,!
Arthu
r, 34S.
1078.
Arthu
771.
Augu
5«>. 335-
773.
Austi
77.
Bene!
et, 265.
92.
Benja
min-Rush,
263
939.
Bessi
. 343-
497.
Catherine-Ann. -
16.
595.
Cathe
rine-Gartley, 322.
225
Cathi
rime-Miles,
291.
4X5,
Carol
565.
< larol
"C 320.
76.
Charl
:«is
Charles. 303.
966.
Charl
ss-Edward,
344-
189.
Char]
:s- Frederick, 2S4.
1149
Charl
:s H., 354
567. Charles-Ra
1077. Charles-Ra
9. David, 120.
21. David, i6j, 241, 243, 260.
32. David, 211, 242, 252, 2(>v
60. David. 25;. 254, 26r, 269.
206. David, 28S.
235.
David, 294.
965.
Frank- Assheton, 344.
296.
David, 301.
760.
Franklin M., 314.
532.
David, 318.
542.
David, 3.8.
1074.
George, 350.
602.
David. 323.
601.
George- Engle, 323
Dili.
David-Gardiner, 317.
619.
George H., 326, 361.
U2.
Deborah, 271.
191.
George-Washington, 284
10.lt.
Deborah, 277.
94.
Grace, 26S.
95.
Deborah-Clavpoole, 268, 364.
318.
Grace, 304.
946
Deborah-Smith, 344-
34.
Hannah, 241.
98.
Edward, 269.
326.
Hannah-Fletcher, 304.
239.
Edward, 295.
79.
Harriet, 241, 266.
273.
Edward, 300.
279.
Harriet, 300.
275.
Edward, 300.
594.
Harriet-Brooke, 322.
SKI
Edward, 303.
1097.
Harriet-Ross, 346.
628.
630.
Helen, 327.
Ill",
Edward Burroughs, 270.
429.
Helen- Jane, 310.
426.
Edward-Hobart,-3io.
59.
Henrietta, 251.
-'07.
Edmund-Key, 289
234.
Henry, 293.
936.
Eleanor, 343.
235.
Henry, 293, 362.
627.
Eliza R.,327.
617.
Henry, 325.
192.
Eliza-Stevens, 284.
1(175.
Henry, 350.
2.
Elizabeth, 89-93.
Km,-,
Henrv W., 349.
54.
Elizabeth, 249.
89.
Hepzibah, 268
;ii4
Elizabeth, 303.
5J5.
Holman, 318.
750.
Elizabeth, 333.
97.
Horatio-Gates, 269.
978.
Elizabeth, 345.
487.
Howard, 315.
589.
Elizabeth- Brooke, 322.
634.
Howard, 327.
477.
Elizabeth Graham, 315.
Elizabeth W., 325, 362.
427.
Howard-Downing, 310.
4X4
Ellen-May, 3.5.
1053.
Ida-Nye, 348-
977.
Kiluood, 345.
25.
Isaac, 213, 226, 241, 270.
238. Emily, 295, 297, 364.
1066. Emily F., 349.
596. Emily-Rutter, 323.
311. Frances, 303.
K ich.irdson, 269.
-Thomas, 3to"
325. Isaac- Williams, 304.
513 Isabella-Haines, .317.
618. Isabella- Hitner, 325, 362
26. James, 227, 231, 241, 361
75. James, 265.
298. James- Hartley, 301.
499. James-Franklin, 3t6.
James-Linnard, 323.
Jane-Fra
J'
316-
234-
, 291.
323-
[oanna-Holland, 2SS.
Joanna-Holland, 2Qr,
John, 89, 9t-n6, 362.
John, r22, 153-163-
John, 257 - 259, 364.
John, 295.
John, 299.
4-02
Index.
193.
John, 300.
John, 319.
John, 327.
John, 346.
John-Graff, 2S4.
John-Harris, 315.
John-Morris, 267.
John-Ruller. 327, 36r.
John-lemplin, 318.
Jonathan, 170-211.
Joseph, 167- 170, 233, 239, 267.
Joseph, 259, 260, 265, 364.
Joseph, 267.
Joseph, 268.
Joseph, 295, 362.
Joseph, 303.
Joseph, 325.
Joseph D., 326.
j-seph-Hunt, 315.
Joseph-Hulme, 315-
Joseph- Kirkbnde, 26S.
Joseph-McKean, 29t.
Joseph-McKean, 322.
Joseph Paul, 270.
Juliana, 249.
Juliana, 29>.
Juliana, 316.
Juliana, 317.
Juliana, 3=2.
Juliana-Humphreys, 2S5.
937. Laura, 343.
1076. Leonard, 350.
277. Lindley, 300.
749. Louis-Coin, 333.
1005. Louisa, 346.
748. Louisa-Coin, 333.
300. Louisa M., 299, 302.
761. Lucy, 334.
747. Lydia-Jackson, 333.
38.
Magdelena, 119, 171,
24
268.
Margaret, 299.
746.
Margaret, 333.
1150.
Margaret K., 354
111.
Maria, 271.
635.
Maria, 327.
7 45
Maria, 333.
.Mil
Maria-Theresa, 318.
511
Marion-Fennimore, ;
16.
5.
Martha, 89.
6.
Martha, 89.
7.
Martha, 89, 93, 117.
■20.
Martha, r22, 163.
m.
Martha, 24S.
H!l.
Martha, 252, 209, 2S1
108.
Martha, 271.
122.
Martha, 273.
267.
Martha, 299.
327.
Martha, 304.
215.
Martha-Ellen, 290.
538.
Martha E , 318.
3.
Mary, 89.
36J.
Mary, 242.
r«J-
Mary, 268.
liil.
Mary, 270.
232.
Mary, 291.
:«i7.
Mary, 303.
544.
Mary, 319.
66. Mary-Ann, 261, 362.
190. Mary- Ann, 284.
. 270. Mary- Ann, 299.
512 Mary-Ann, 317.
612. Mary-Ann, 325.
613. Mary-Ann, 325.
623. Mary- Ann, 327.
262. Marv-Catherine, 299.
562. Mary-Eliza, 320.
482. Mary-Elizabeth, 315.
498. Mary Elizabeth, 316.
91. Mary-Frances, 242.
424. Mary-Frances, 310.
944. Mary-Frances, 344.
631. Mary-Grace, 327.
616. Mary-Hitner, 325.
597. Mary-Paxson, 323.
81. Mary-Powell, 267.
539. Mary R., 318.
1002. Mary-Ross, 346.
1008. Mary-Ross, 346.
508. Nathan-Haines, 316.
6L Nathaniel, 129, 134, 137, 255, 363.
209. Nathaniel, 2S9.
217. Nathaniel, 290, 363.
505. Nathaniel. 316.
536. Nathaniel, 318.
979. Nathaniel, 345.
280. Oliver J., 300.
267. Orville-Alphonso, 344.
Phineas, 26S.
Ramsay-Douglass, 291
Ramsay D., 346.
R ebecca,
Rebecca, 270.
Rebecca, 271.
Rebecca, :
Rebecca, 291
Rebecca, :
Rebecca, ;
Rebecca, 1
Rebecca-Cooper, 345.
Rebecca-Grace, 232.
Rebecca-Grace, 247.
Rebecca-May, 318.
Rebecca-Smith, 289.
Rebecca-Smith, 317.
Reginald S., 335.
Richard, 320.
Robert- Hobart, 285, 290.
Robert-Smith, 296.
Roberta
Ro
1 C, 349
Rose, 326, 361
Ruth, 234.
Ruth, 247.
Ruth, 249.
Ruth-Anna. 27
Ruth-Anna, 27
Ruth-Anna, 2C
Ruth-Anna, 3c
Sally, 34i-
346.
Sally, 319.
Samuel, 66-68, 124, 149-153, 362
Samuel, 262, 265.
Samuel, 270.
Samuel, 290.
Samuel, 292, 297, 364.
Samuel, 325.
Samuel-Jacobs, 284.
Samuel-Jacobs, 343.
Samuel-Jamison, 327.
Samuel-Kennedy, 315.
Samuel-Miles, 291.
Samuel-Miles, 322.
Samuel Null, 249.
Sarah, 83, 238.
Sarah, 265, 266, 364.
Sarah, 26S.
Sarah. 273.
Sarah, 295-
Sarah, 296.
Sarah, 299.
Sarah, 301.
Sarah, 319.
Sarah, 325.
Sarah, 327.
Sarah-Haskins, 284.
Sarah-Jane. 317.
Sarah- May, 260.
Sarah-May. 289.
Sarah- Miles, 291.
Sarah-Sayre, 315.
Sophia-Wilson, 290.
Stephen, 261.
Thomas, 7, 73,76-88.
Thomas. 43. 66, 89, 118-120.
537. Thomas, 31
593. Thomas, 32:
i-Assheton, 285-
;-Humphreys, 31
;-Lacey, 316.
i-May, 289.
i-Welsh, 284.
i- Welsh, 315.
774. Virginia, 335.
Walte
Wilhe
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Willia
Williai
1, 242, 268.
', 303-
l-Baird, 277.
i-Hollis,316.
l-Jamison, 327.
i-Morgan, 316.
1 McCleery, 350.
,-Nev.lin, 335-
i-Ramsay, 310.
i-Speakmau, 326.
S., 349.
Index.
403
INDEX No. II.
Descendants of Thomas Putts bearing other Names.
779. Frances-Eliza, 335.
778. George- Warder, 335.
Baird.
149. Deborah, 277.
160. Harriet, 277.
146. John, 276.
904. Lucy-Hunter, 341.
421. Lydia Spencer, 310.
148. Mary Anne, 277.
422. Mary-Deborah, 210.
903. Mary L.,'341.
152. Martha-Rutter, 277.
151. Rebecca, 277.
420. Rebecca-Potts, 311.
902. Robert H., 347.
147. Samuel, 276.
418t, Samuel, 309.
90i. Samuel, 341.
419. Spencer- Fullerton, 309.
144. Thomas, 276.
423. Thomas, 310.
145. William, 276.
900. William, 340.
910. William M., 340.
418. William-McFunn, 309.
Barteh.
1238. Murray- Forbes, 339.
1239. Sally-lnnes, 359.
Bartholomew.
891. Abraham P., 340.
890. Anna, 340.
887. Augustus, 340.
401. Austen, 30S. «
400. Benjamin, 308.
884. Benjamin, 340.
868. Daniel, 339.
892 David, 340.
399. Edward, 308.
878- Edward, 340.
888. Edward P., 340.
402. Ellen, 30S.
880. Emily, 340.
879. Eugene, 340.
871. George, 339.
394. Hannah, 30S.
: W.
340.
3%. John, 308.
672. John C, 339.
I 395. Joseph, 308.
I 882. Lindley C, 340.
869. Lvdia-Ann, 339.
S86. Martha E., 340.
\ 398. Mary-Anne. 308.
, 839. Marv-Ellen, 340.
870. Man-Emily, 340.
883. Primer, 340.
397. Rachel, 308.
885. Rachel, 340.
I 403. Sarah, 308.
Beechcr.
I 1116. Elizabeth- Leaf, 352.
1117. Lindley-Rutter, 352.
442. Lyman, 3-t, 331-
Belts.
7S3. Mary-Lacey, 335.
781. Rebecca-Potts, 335.
782. Ruth- Anna, 335.
780. Sarah- Wayne, 335.
BickntU.
927. Emma-Valeria-Pintard, 343.
928. George-Augustus, 343.
929. lesse-Richards, 343.
926. Martha-Potts-Haskins, 343.
BiddU.
908. Christine-Williams, 341..
909. Henry-Jonathan, 341.
905. Jonathan-Williams, 341.
906. Lvdia-McFunn, 341.
907. Spencer-Fullerton-Baird, 341.
Blanchat.
1183- Hermon, 356.
1185. Jeanne, 356.
1181. Marguerite, 356.
Boggs.
405. Newton, 308.
404. Sarah, 308.
Bosbysliell.
985. Nathan-Stem, 345.
9S7. Oliver-Mav, 345.
986. Whitney, 345.
Bostwick.
942. Caddie-Roxana, 343
943. Leslie-Hatton, 343.
Boyd.
439. Anna-Leonard, 311.
440. Alfred-Yamal], 311.
436. Copeland, 311.
437. George-Leaf, 311.
438. Thomas, 31 1.
Bright.
1225. Edward, 357.
1224. Sarah, 357.
690. Anna-Maria, 331.
304. Bowyer, 302.
689. Caroline, 331.
1158. Clara L., 354.
754. Jacob-Parvin, 334.
688. John-Rutter, 330.
301. Mary, 302.
755. Mary-Davis, 334.
303. Hannah, 302.
305. Harriet, 302.
759. Harriet, 334.
302. Rebecca J., 302.
757. Rebecca-Potts, 334.
1160. Rebecca-Potts, 354.
1159.
Sarah, 302.
Sarah-Starr, 334.
Sarah-Starr, 354.
786. Martha-Gibson, 336.
784. Rebecca, 336.
785. William- Elwood, 33S.
Catot.
998. Catherine, 346.
997. Douglass, 346
999. Elizabeth-Hawley, 346.
995. Joseph, 346.
1000. Sebastian, 346.
996. Wilhelmina, 346.
1012. Alfred, 347.
1013. Samuel P., 347.
4°4
Index.
Casselberry.
1050.
Cara F , 34S.
lll.il
Juliana, 348.
1052.
Thomas-Potts, 348.
C/uyney.
768.
Anna-Potts, 334.
765.
Edith, 334.
765.
Edward, 334.
7iV_'.
George, 334.
764.
John, 334.
763.
Joseph, 334.
767.
Samuel, 334.
Ci\\llrf.
15.
Isaac, 121.
16.
John, 120.
i:i
Jonathan, 12..
14.
Peter, i2r.
Coxe.
1138.
Caroline, 333.
U37
Laurette, 353.
Crans.
502.
Anna-Grace, 316.
941.
Edward, 343.
■m
Julia, 3,6.
503.
Peter, 316.
Davies.
Ulii'J.
Edward. 349.
1068.
Henry- Potts, 349.
1070.
Isabella-Potts, 349.
Davis.
873.
Ann, 339.
876.
Ellen, 339-
X77.
Margaret, 339.
875.
Mary, 339.
874.
Rachel, 339.
Dewees
414
Adelaide, 309.
li-.i:
Catherine. 356.
413
Charles-Dayton, 309
117
Emma-Lorrain, 309
U94
Francis, 356.
416
Lorrain, 309.
133.
Hannah, 274.
139.
Hannah, 276.
412
Hardman, 309.
ll'.)7
James C, 356.
898.
Jeanie-Emma, 340-
i:r.
Jesse, 274
YM\
John, 274.
1193.
John, 356.
415
Mary, 309.
411.
Oscar, 309.
132
Rachel. 274
134.
Rebecca!., 271.
137.
Sarah, 274-
409
Theodore, ',09
11'.).-.
Theodore. 356.
138
William-Potts, 274.
Donelson
846. Andrew-Jackson, 33S.
8,7 Eliza-Farquhar, 33S.
8-18. Emma-Lucinda, 338.
850. Fanny, 338.
849 Isabella, 338.
851. Sarah P., 338.
Duffield.
333.
Anne, 306.
376.
Benjamin, 307.
in.
Catherine, 272.
3 a.
Charles, 306.
i»
1 ihv.ii'l, -■;-■
0 12.
Edward, 307.
Edward, 307.
SJS.
John, 306.
11-.
John-Potts, 272.
378.
John-Potts, 307.
792.
Mary, 336.
373.
Mary-Catherine, 307
117
Martha-Rutter, 272.
119.
Rebecca-Grace, 272.
:<-'.'<
Saunders, 306.
Dyers.
1112c
. George-Tumley, 35
1 1 1 ?d. Thomas, 352.
Eagkton.
1064
Samuel-Potts, 349-
Edmonds.
'.'11
Anna P. Castor, 341.
9U2.
Helen, 341-
353-
1196. William-Henry, 35°-
Elbert
1126. Caroline-Stocker __.
1128. Catherine-Mary, 353
1127. John-Nicholson, 353
1130. Josephine, 353-
1131. Julia-Wharton, 353.
1129. Laurette, 353.
1132. Vincent-Louis, 353.
Ellis.
142 Anna, 276.
143. Martha, 276.
141. Sarah, 276.
140. Thomas, 276.
Evans.
1915. George, 348.
1048- Harriet, 34S.
1047. Horace, 348.
1019. Joanna, 348.
1046 Thomas-Potts, 348.
Farquluir.
845. Edward, 338.
383 Edward-Yorke, 307.
843. Edward-Yorke, 338.
833. Eliza- Yorke, 337.
3*4. Emma, 307.
833. Fergus, 33S.
835. Francis, 33S.
381- George W., 307.
840. George W., 33S.
330. Georgii.a, 307.
837. Guy E., 33S.
332. Isabella, 307.
839. Laura J., 31S.
812. Matilda, 338.
836. Norman H., 33S
841. Sophia, 338.
844. Virginia, 338.
834. Water, 337.
FilUbrovm.
1011. Andrew-Ross, 346.
1010. John-Potts, 34b
Fletcher.
328. Mary-Paul, 304.
329. John-Shoemaker, 304.
Forbes.
1020. Kate-Ramsey, 347.
1019. Murray, 347.
1017. Sarah- Innes, 347.
1018. Sophia-Semmes, 347.
1021. Thomas-Semines, 347.
408. William-Hughes, 30S.
793. Anne, 336.
794. Emma, 336.
795. Florence. 33
798. Henry, 336.
1179. Henry, 355.
796. John, 336.
797. Mary, 336.
Gartley.
Catherine. 348.
Catherine, 34S
Edwin, 363.
Elizabeth, 34S.
Elizabeth, 34S.
Elizabeth H., 322.
Elvira, 34S.
George, 14S.
John, 332.
Mary, 348.
Rebecca, 348
Robert L., 34S.
Samuel, 3=2. 3°3-
Samuel, 34S.
Thomas, 322.
Thomas, 34S.
William H., 322
1037.
1041.
I'm*
111; 11,
inn
587.
104.1
1034.
1042.
948. Ann. 344
950. Catherine, 34
949. John, 344-
947. Joseph, 344
951. Marj'. 34-1-
Index.
405
810. J a
337-
Naskins-
181. Joseph-Ennalls, 2S3.
180. Sarah-Ennalls, 283.
179. Thomas- Potts, 283.
H ,i'v:<y.
993. Alan-Ramsav, 346.
558. Anna-Sophia, 319.
555. Catherine-Ramsay, 319-
1001. Cornelius- Bradley, 346.
551. Elizabeth-Potts, 319.
557. Fanny-Lear, 319.
990. Jane-'MerritI, 346.
994. Peter-Radcliffe, 346.
556. Peter \V. R., 3r9
552. Phebe-Mary, 3t9.
553. Thomas-Semmes, 319.
554. Wilhelmina, 319.
991. Wilhelminabouglass, 346.
559. William H , 319.
992. William, 346.
Heister.
1081. Caroline, 350.
650. John-Rutter, 32S.
1084. Margarelta, 350.
651. Mary, 328.
1083. Mary- Ann, 350.
1032. Samuel Potts, 350.
1085. William H, 350.
Hobart.
643. Anna, 32S.
1123. Anna-Potts, 352.
578. Anna- Sophia, 321.
1033J. Annie-Smith, 34S.
1132. Cecil-Willig, 34S.
1033. David McKni'ght, 348.
648. David-Potts, 32S.
639. Eliza, 328
1025. Eliza-Smith, 347.
251. Elizabeth, 296.
254. Elizabeth-Potts, 297.
577. Elizabeth-Ramsay, 323.
255. Ellen-Goodin, 297.
583. Ellen-Goodin, 322.
579. Hannah-Pratt, 321, 365.
642. Henrietta, 328.
1027. Joanna- Holland, 347.
245. Joanna-Potts, 296.
253. John-Henry, 297, 363.
641. John Henry, 32S.
647. John-Henry, 33t.
649. John-Henry, 331.
575. John-Potts, 32t.
1030. John-Potts. 348.
1026. Julia-Eiddle, 347.
250. Mary, 296.
Ma
1 347-
Mary-Iv
Nathaniel-Potts, 296, 362
Nathaniel- Potts, 322.
Nathaniel-Potts, 348.
Rebecca, 296.
Rebecca, 296.
Robert, 32S.
Robert- Enoch, 296, 363.
Robert-Enoch, 328, 363.
Robert-Henry, 321.
Sarah May, 260.
Sarah-May, 331.
Sarah-Potts, 296.
Sally-Potts. 321.
Samuel-Potts, 296.
William-Mintzer, 328.
William Mintzer, 328.
William-Moore, 346, 363.
William-Ramsay-Potts. 32
William-Smith, 348.
Hodgkiss.
407
Martha, 30S.
406.
Sarah, 30S.
Hughes.
1256
Anita, 360.
1221.
Annie, 357.
1231.
Annie, 359.
862.
Benjamin, 339.
1255.
Carl, 360.
1213.
Catherine. 357.
1202
1210.
Colin, 357.
1205.
Edward, 356.
1203.
Elizabeth, 356.
1220.
Frances, 357.
866.
Francis-Wade, 339.
1204.
Frank, 356.
11:19.
Hannah, 356.
1212.
Hannah, 357.
121s.
Hannah, 357.
1211.
Henry, 357.
861.
Isaac, 339.
1207.
Isaac, 356.
1252.
Isaac, 359.
1201.
James, 356.
1253.
James, 360.
1215.
Jane, 357.
1217.
Jane, 357-
1250.
Jane, 359.
lr.w
John, 356-
1206.
John, 356.
1214
John, 357.
121H
John, 357.
124'.)
John, 359.
8(0.
John-Cums-Clay, 339
12.-4
Laura, 360.
1222
Lucy, 357.
1209
Mary-Ann, 357.
1208.
Nathan, 357.
865.
Nicholas-Colin, 339.
lv VI
Rachel, 339.
863
Slater, 339-
864.
1 heodore, 339.
I.iki
Theodore, 356.
1219
Thomas-Silliman, 357
Hunt.
1240
Myra-Warren, 359.
Jacobs.
474
Ann, 3.5.
472
Caroline, 3r4.
473
Elizabeth, 315.
471. George, 3
183
rohn,
283.
470
Mary,
314.
182.
Samn
1, 283.
James.
972.
Anna-
Gertrude, 345-
199.
Anna
Potts, 287.
525
Anna
Rel 1. 3>7-
526.
Bushrod -Washington, 317
523.
Clarer
ce-Gray, 315.
1 18
David
2S7.
524.
Franc
es-Hatchelder, 317.
20.1
Henri
etta, 2S8.
520.
Henri
etta, 317.
530.
Henri
etta -Maria, 317-
201.
Is.l.l,
Griffith. 287
196.
John-
Fletcher. 2S5.
529.
John-
Edwin. 3 1 8.
200.
Mary
Ann, 2S7.
527.
Mary
Ellen. 3tS.
521.
Mary
Isabella. 317.
204
M.1.1I
a-Haskins, 288.
530i.
Melin
da, 3r8.
522.
Montgomery, 317.
202.
Samu
el-Nutt. 287.
197.
Thou
as-Potts, 2S5.
528.
Willi
m-Henry, 318.
971.
Willi:
m-Edwin, 345.
Johnson.
492.
Anna
3'5-
490.
Edward R., 315.
491
Russel, 315.
Jones.
826.
Henry, 337.
Justice.
82S
Benja
min-Duffield, 337.
827
Edward-Duffield, 337.
831.
Franc
isH., 337-
830.
Joseph, 337.
829
H., 337-
832
Mary
337-
319.
Anna
304.
322. Jane,
304.
320.
Martha, 304.
321
Thomas, 304.
Lapp.
961
Chris
tian, 344.
963
Emma, 344.
964
John
344-
962
Saral
■ 344
Leaf.
165
Anna
-Leonard, 279.
167
Edm
jnd, 279.
169
Elizabeth, 279.
160
Frederic-Smith, 27S.
10.'
George D., 278.
164
Harl
and, 279.
168
Julia
279.
163
Mary
■ =79-
441
Rose
3tr. 326.
161
Thor
las- Leonard, 278.
llil',
Will
am, 279.
406
Index.
ard.
27S.
159*. Ann
48. Ann
46. Elizabeth, 246.
49. George H., 247
159. George-Thomas, 27S.
47. Nancy, 247.
45. Thomas, 246.
HIT
1144
1148
Anna-Maria-Stocker, 353
Anna-Shippen, 353
Anna-Watmaugh, 353.
Clement-Stocker, 333.
Francis A., 333-
Francis A., 353.
Julia Wharton, 333-
Juha-Wharton, 353-
Jnlia-Wharton, 353.
Laurence, 333.
Laurence, 353-
Margaretta-Stocker, 333.
Mary-Catherine, 333.
Mary-Stocker, 333.
Robert-Morton, 333.
Robert-Wharton, 333-
Stocker, 333.
William-Mortimer, 333.
William-Reed, 353-
LindUy.
295. Edward, 301.
293. Thomas-Rutter, 3c
294. William, 301.
Loomis.
124L John-Taylor, 35g.
968. Howard-Assheton, 345
969. Mary-Ella, 345-
Malum.
1232. Eliz.-Haskins R. N., 35S.
1234. George-Au.-Bicknell, 358-
1233. Mary-Culbertson, 358.
1173. Henry-Cooper, 355.
1174. William-Belts 3i5-
Martin.
806. Anna, 337.
808. Catherine, 337.
804. Caroline, 336.
1223. Edward, 357.
372. Edward- Duffield, 307.
811- Edward-Duffield, 337
815- Edward-Duffield, 337.
802. r^nima-Krumbhaar, 336.
369. George, 307.
809. Georgiana, 337-
807. Henry, 337-
805. Henry-George, 336.
366 Henrv-Neill, 3°6-
364. John-Church, 306.
803. John-Selby, 33°-
812. John-Selby, 337-
799 Lewis- Km mbhaar, 336.
813 Lucv, 337-
373. Margaret- Neill, 307.
371. Martha-Duffield, 307
375. Mary-King, 307.
801. Mary-Krumbhaar, 336.
800. Rebecca, 336.
367. Rebecca-Potts, 307.
355 Rosena-Catherine, 306.
358. Rosena-Catherine, 307.
370 Sarah-Selby, 307.
374. Thomas-Edgar, 307.
814. William-Richardson, 337.
Maxwell.
892. David, 340.
895. Edward, 340.
893. Emily, 340.
896. Sarah, 340.
894. Thomas, 340.
May.
178. Addison, 282.
457. Addison-Newton, 313
459. Anna-Elizabeth, 313.
174. Anna-Nutt, 313.
455. Anna-Nutt, 313.
170. El
175. Ja
176. Ja
461. Ja
458. J
. 279-
s-Bowman, 313.
, :s- Pons, 313.
4S2. Martha-Ellen, 313.
460. Martha-James, 313.
452. Mary, 312.
177. Newton, 282.
171. Rebecca-Grace, 280.
173. Robert, 281.
456. Robert E., 3"3-
453. Ruth-Anna, 312.
454. Sarah-Thomas, 280.
172. Thomas-Potts, 2S0.
McCatdey.
1189. Berkeley, 356-
859. Edward- Yorke, 339.
1191. Helen, 35°-
858. Louisa, 338.
857. Mary, 338.
1190. Mary, 356.
973. Laura-Amanda, 345
Niill.
350. Anna, 3°6-
348. Benjamin, 305.
353. Edward-Duffield, 306.
349. Elizabeth, 306.
350{. Emily, 306.
351. Henry, 306- ,
354. James P. Wilson, 306.
352. John, 305-
355. Thomas-Hewson, 306.
Nelson.
1023. Anna-Sophia, 347-
I 1024. Eliza-Kinlock, 347.
I 1022. Mildred Walker, 347
984. Anna-Maria, 345.
983. Francis B., 345-
982. Hannaette-Templin, 34
981. Susan-Keim, 343.
Norwcll.
897. Isabella G., 340.
Parnell.
822. Caroline, 337.
824. Edward-Duffield, 337.
825. Grace, 337.
821. Lizzie- Harwood, 337.
817. Margaret, 337.
820. Martha- Potts, 337.
818. Martin, 337.
816. Mary-Martin, 337-
819- Rebecca- Martin, 337-
823. William, 337-
Paul.
323. Isaac 304.
332. John, 305.
331. Martha, 305.
321. Mary, 304.
330. Sarah-Ann, 303.
753. Edward, 334-
751. Harriet, 334-
752. Henry, 334-
Peir
Anna-Margaret, 358
Blancbe-Tellie, 358.
Caleb- Franklin, 343-
Eda-May, 358.
George-William, 342.
Margaret, 342.
Mary-Bisbing, 35S.
May. 358-
Phebe, 338.
Samuel-James, 342.
Thomas-May, 342.
Poe.
343. Anna, 305.
344. Catherine, 305.
342. George, 305.
345. James, 303.
347. Maria, 305.
346. Ricflard, 305.
Pomeroy.
930. Bessie, 343-
932. J. Randall, 343-
931. Mary, 343.
Index.
407
Price.
1163. Dunbar, 3 54.
1165. Elizabeth-Dunbar, 355.
1162. George-Maxwell R-, 35.
775. Joseph M. P., 335.
777. Mary-Paul, 333.
776. Richard, 335.
1164. Richard, 354.
1167. Richard, 355.
1166. Sallie-Paul, 355.
1161_ William-Robeson, 355.
Prime.
1247. Laurette-Coxe, 359.
Pyle.
1111
1112
Lewis-Rutter, 352
Miriam, 35*
Rea.
1152.
1151.
Lydia-Lee, 354.
Morris-Jackson, 3
Rice.
1072.
Helen, 350.
1073.
John, 350.
Ricluirils-
467 An
■Ma
466. Elizabeth-Haskins, 314.
924. Jesse, 341.
469. Jesse-Wurtz, 314.
180. Sarah-Ennalls, 283.
468. Sarah-Ennalls-Haskins, 314.
465. Samuel-Patrick, 314.
464. Thomas-Haskins, 313.
463. William, 313.
925. William, 343.
Riley.
791. William, 336.
Rothrock.
922. Addison-May, 342.
923. Henry-Abraham, 342.
R-utter.
678. Alexander-Crawford, 330, 364.
700. Anna E., 331.
1110. Anna-Mahoney, 351.
707. Anna-Margarelta, 332.
716. Anna-Potts, 332.
1091. Anne, 351.
6844. Annie, 330.
656. Catherine, 328.
265. Charles, 299.
657. Charles, 328.
658. Charles, 328.
659. Charles, 32S
1109. Charles-Alfred, 351.
1121. Charles Clement, 352.
708. Charles- Francis, 332.
685. Charles-I.indley, 330
702. Clarissa-Brooke, 331.
74 Clement, 264
667. Clement-Milton, 329.
260. Clement-Stocker, 298.
Clement-Stocker, 329.
Clement-Stocker. ^si.
David, 69, 261, 264, 362.
David, 299, 364.
David, 528
David, 332.
David-Brown, 3
Elizabeth-Potts,
Elizabeth-Stock
Elizabeth- Wills,
Emily, 295.
Emily, 329
Edward-Miller, 351.
Esther-Elizabeth, 330
Gertrude-Newton, 35
330.
He
i-Graham, 351
3 V J •
Ltta, 3:8.
-Tallin
HenrvPotts, 32.
HenrvPotts, 351.
Henrv-Tallman, 33o.
Hester-Kniffen, 332
Isabella-Crawford, 330
Isaac- Baxter, 332
Jesse-Ives, 352.
John, 163, 262, 362.
John-Clement, 331.
John-Osbornf . 332.
John-Potts, 297, 364.
John-Potts, 329.
John-Rhea B., 330.
Joseph-Ormsby, 330.
Juliet, 330.
Laura W., 330.
"ill. Letitia, 332
€73. Levi-Tayloi
p329-
Leonard, 35
Lindley C, 29c
Lindley-Charle
Margaret-Perk;
Margaretta, 297, 364.
Margaretta-Loui:
35'
706 Manetta-Rye
, 299.
1 33*-
Martha
Martha,- 329.
Mary-Ann, 261.
Mary-Ann, 328.
Mary-Anna, 357.
Mary-Anne, 329.
Mary-Catherine, 262.
Marv-Catherine, 299.
Mary-Catherine, 331.
Mary-Hockley, 332.
Marv-Ryerson, 333.
Owen-Jones, 301, 361.
Rebecca, 301.
Rebecca, 328.
Robert-Hobart, 352
Robert-Lewis, 329.
Robert-Lewis, 351.
Ruth-Anna, 264.
Ruth-Anna, 297, 364.
Sarah, 328.
Sarah, 328.
Sarah-Erwin, 351.
Sarah-Josephine, 329.
Sarah-Potts, 329.
. Sallie, 351-
71. Samuel, 263.
705. Samuel-Hockley. 331
717. Samuel-Lindlev, 332.
661. Samuel O., 328.
266. Samuel-Potts, 209.
693. Samuel-Potts. 33:.
287. Susannah-Jones, 301,
258. Thomas, 297.
291. Thomas, 300.
714. Thomas-Baxter, 332.
692. William-Anderst
663. Willi:
703. Willi;
1122. Willi;
691. Willi;
H., 329-
-Ives, 703.
1175. Elwood-Byerly, 355.
1177. Georgianna, 355.
1176. Jessie-Fremont, 355.
1178. Rebecca-Jarret, 355.
Sejnmes.
570. Anna-Sophia, 321.
572. Douglass- Ramsey, 32
571. Mary-Elizabeth, 321.
574. Sophia-Wilhelmina, ;
569. Thomas, 321.
1014. Thomas M., 347.
573. William-Hawley, 321.
Sltallcross-
317. John, 304.
316. Sarah, 304.
315. Thomas, 30
Slaughter.
1015. Mary-Elizabeth, 347.
1016. Sophia-Mercer, 347.
607. Alfred, 324.
1059. Alfred-Woodbridce, 349.
1062. Alice-Weldon, 349..
1057.. Clara-Hunter, 349.
611. Corrin-Frank, 324.
610. Edmund, 324.
694. George. 316.
1061 Helen Griffiths, 349.
609. Hobart, 324.
605. Joseph- Potts, 324.
1056. Levi-Bull, 349.
1063. Mary-Belle, 549.
1058. Mary- Potts, 349.
€03. Rebecca, 323.
604. Robert, 323.
1055. Robert-Hobart, 349.
lOM. Robert-Hobart, 349.
493. Rufus, 310.
605. Sarah-Potts, 324.
495. Thomas F. 316.
606. William Alexander, 323.
1058J . William- Alexander, 349.
4o8
Index.
959. Benjamin, 344.
952. Caroline, 344.
953. Hannah, 344
955. Isaac, 344.
958. Joseph, ,44.
960. Mary, 344.
957. Stephen, 344.
954. Wesley, 344.
955. William, 344.
721. Charles, 332
719. Margaret, 332.
718. Mary, 332.
720. Rebecca, 332.
Stem.
547. Emma-Virginia, 319.
546. Francis-Polts, 319.
549. Martha-Ellen, 319.
550. Sarah- Potts, 319.
548. William-White, 319.
Steve
446. An
Mj
451. Edwin-John, 312.
916. Edwin-John, 342.
913. Eliza-May, 342.
450. Henrietta-Louisa, 312.
445. John, 3r2.
447. Juhan-Potts, 312.
443. Rebecca-May, 312.
448. Robert-Mav, 312.
449. Sarah-Elizabeth, 312.
444. William-Augustus, 312.
915. Satnuel-Eccleston, 342
914. Sarah- Ermalls- Hooper, 342
Stacker.
1242. Almy, 359.
281. Anthony, 300.
728. Anthony-Eugene, 332.
286. Anna-Maria, 300.
726. Anna-Maria, 332.
1J33. Caroline, 353.
1243. Caroline, ^9.
Dulilh, 332.
Emily, 33*-
Eveline, 359.
George, 353.
Henry, 353.
Henrv-Hollingsworth, 332.
John-Clements, 300-
John-Clements, 332.
John-Clements, 353.
John-Clements, 353.
Laurette, 332.
Louis, 332.
Louis-Tousard, 337.
Louisa-Caroline, 332.
Martha-Rutter, 300.
Martine-Dutilh, 332.
Mary-Catherine, 300.
732.
1244.
Ii:i5.
1136.
727.
282.
722.
1126
1134
724. Mary-Catherine, 332.
283. Thomas-Daniels, 306
723. Tousard, 332.
Tayh
10S3. Charles-Lewis,
10S6. Emily-Rutter, 35
1090. Helen-Steven:
1037. Levi, 351.
1039. Mary-Alice, 3
3-1
35 '
Thomson
1037. Clement-Rutter,
1101. Edith, 351.
10:19. Josephine, 351.
1096. I.etitia, 331
1098. Mason, 351.
1100. Mary-Taylor, 35
Thomfsc
970. Landreth, 345.
Turnley.
1112a. Emma-Gertrude, 352.
1112*. Mary-Rutter, 352.
Walker.
11. Anna, 121.
42. Anna, 246.
43. Anna, 246.
39. Catherine, 246.
433. Clarence, 311.
44. Elizabeth, 246.
431. Emma, 311.
114- Joseph, m.
10. Lewis, 120
41. Lewis, 246.
430. Lewis-Burd, 311.
155. Lewis- Leonard, 278.
153. Margaret-Hubley, 278.
42. Rebecca, 246.
432. Sally C, 311.
40. Sarah- Hockley, 246.
11. Thomas, 121.
154. Thomas- Hubley, 278.
Warder.
1172. Benjamin H., 353.
1171. Emily P., 355-
1169. George-Aston, 355.
1168. Sallie-Paul, 355.
1170. William, 355.
Weir.
988. Martha-Henry, 346.
989. Mary, 346.
Wetherill.
385. Samuel, 307.
Wharton.
U82. Mary-Pauline, 355.
Whitney.
974. Martha, 345.
Wilkinson-
1154. Charles- Edward, 354.
1157. Clara-Edith, 354.
1156. George-Ryland, 354.
1153- Mary-Emily, 354.
1155. William-Albert, 155.
1248. William-John, 359.
Williams.
336. Ann, 305.
341. Deborah-Potts, 370.
788- Edward, 336.
339. Elizabeth-Paul, 369
789. Henry-Rorton. 336.
338. Isaac, 368.
340. Joseph-Paul, 370.
787. Levi-Borton, 336.
337. Martha, 367.
790. Sally-Borton, 336.
Wister.
1246. Alice-Logan, 359.
1245. Ella-Middleton, 359.
156. Elizabeth-Rebecca, 27:
434. John, 311.
157. Mary-Anne, 278.
158. Samuel-Hockley, 278.
Yorke.
31. Edward, 83, 237.
386. Edward, 308.
852. Edward, 33S.
125. Eliza, 273.
853. Ellen, 338.
129. Gustavus, 273.
393. Joseph, 30S.
392. Joshua, 30S.
390. Mary, 308.
855. Mary, 33S.
7. Martha, 89.
128. Martha, 273.
854. Ogden, 338.
130. Peter, 273.
388. l'eter-Lippincott, 30S.
131. Samuel, 273.
391. Samuel, 308.
389. Sarah, 30S.
856. Sarah, 338.
30. Stephen, S3, 235.
126. Stephen, 273.
127. Stille, 273.
124. Thomas, 273.
3S7. William, 30S.
Index.
409
INDEX No. III.
Names of those who have married Descendants of Thomas Potts.
Adams, Lucy, 306.
Anderson, Matilda P., 209.
Anthony, Lucretia S., 303.
Aris, Mary, 122, 165.
Bacon, George- Vaux, 305.
Baird, Samuel, 134, 141, 143, 242.
Baker, Amanda, 344.
Barnes, Arabella, 324.
Barrels, Herman, 347.
Bartholomew, Benjamin, 274.
Batchelder, Isabella, 2S6.
Baxter, Jane K-, 299.
Beach, Hannah, 276.
Beaver, Desault, 328.
Bechtel, Sarah, 295.
Beecher. Daniel, 279.
Beecher, William C, 350.
Berkeley, Josephine, 33S.
Bernard, Eliza F., 321.
Belts, William-Carey, 305.
Biddle, Christine, 309,
Biddle, Henry J., 309.
Biddle, Lydia M., 276.
Biddle. William-McFunn, 276.
Bill, Mary, 309.
Bisbing, Emma L,, 343.
Bishop, Miss, 272.
Blanchot, Capt., 338.
Boggs, Rev. Mr., 274.
Bolton, Martha, 122,213.
Bonsall, Sidney, 268.
Bortun, Mary H., 305.
Bosbyshell, Oliver C, 319.
Bostwick, Richard, 316.
Bowman, Ellen, 281, 282.
Boyd, Thomas, 277.
Boyer, Catherine, 297.
Bover, Elizabeth, 121.
Bright, Michael, 339.
Brockenborough, Louisa, 347-
Broderick, Emma R., 327.
Brooke, Harriet, 291.
Brooke, Mary, 339.
Brooke, Reese, 241, 266.
Brooke, William, 299.
Brown, Letitia, 298.
Brvan, Mary, 309
Bull, Ann H., 295.
Bull, Clara M., 323.
Burnett, Roxana W., 284.
Butler, Mary A., 324.
Byerly, Elwood, 305.
Cabot, John F., 319.
Campbell, Susan M., 322.
Carmick, Margare
Carr, James H., 3:
Carter, Capt. S. P , 321.
Casselberry, Thomas M.( 3:
; Chenev, Waldron J., 303.
Church, Ann M., 289
' Church, Dr. John, 272.
■ Churchill, Mary H., 309.
Clark, Elizabeth H., 300.
Clarke, Rhettie, 33r.
Clay, Annie, 325-
Clay, Harriet, 279.
Cleaver, Derrick, 4ft, 89, 90.
Cleaver. Emily, 308.
:r, Lydia, 308.
5.V
I Cole, Dr.
=73-
Cole, Mr
Comog, Ella, 308.
Coxe, Alfred, 332.
Crans, Peter. 2S4.
Crawford, Isabella.
299.
Daves, Jane, 356.
Davies, Anna F., 329.
Davies, Edward S-, 325.
Davis, E. F. Chambers, 347.
Davis, Hannah, 30S.
Davis, Thomas, 308.
Dennis, Eunice, 261.
Denny, Dr. William H., 3oS.
Dewees, Ann, 262, 265.
Dewees, Col. William, 238, 239-241
Dewees, Jacob, 339.
Dewees, Thomas, 24t.
Dewey, Cornelia, 319.
Dixon, Margaret W., 307.
Donahue, Mary, 350.
Donelson, Thomas, 307.
Dougherty. Mr , 336.
Downell, Alice, 356.
Downing, Jane H., 277.
Downing, J. Havard, 351.
Duffield, Dr. Benjamin, 122, 232.
Dur.bar, Anna, 335.
Dunlap, Dr. Charles W., 335.
Dunn, Dinah W., 349.
Dyer, Clarence H., 330.
Eagleton, Dr. James M., 325.
Eccleston, Sarah H-, 312.
Edmonds, Martin, 310.
Elbert, John N., 332.
Ellis, John, 220, 242.
Evans. Abner, 322.
Evans, MarvJane, 327
Evans, Sarah, 222, 224.
Eveland, Maria L., 318.
Ewing, James S-, 31S.
Ewing, Robert, 305.
Farquhar, George, 273.
Fillebrown, Capt. T. Scott, 320.
Fletcher, Daniel, 270.
Fletcher, Sarah, 270.
Flynn, Virginia, 321.
Forbes, John-Murray, 321.
Foulke, Caleb, 274.
Foulke, Jenny, 329.
Fouville, Caroline, 339.
Franklin, John R., 306, 337.
French, Louis-Eugene, 332.
French, Mary E.( 316.
Garrett, Mary E., 325.
Gartley, Dr. Samuel, 291.
Gifford, Anna, 316.
Gilbert, Boydanna, 320,
Gleason, Ames, 314.
Haln, Rebecca, 322.
Haines, Mary-Ann, 2S5.
Hale, Catherine, 353.
Handy, Rev. J. K., 307.
Handy, Sally, 272.
Hanna, Sarah, 307.
Harris, Mary, 273.
Haskins, Thomas, 24S, 249.
Hawley, Rev. William, 290.
Hebner, Emma R., 339
Hebron, Miss, 337.
Heidensaul, Hanuah J., 354.
Heister, Dr. Samuel, 297.
Henderson, Wallace, 339.
Hitner, Isabella, 293.
Hittel, Mary-Ann, 32S.
Hobart, Rebecca, 255, 257.
Hobart, Robert-Enoch, 200, 261.
Hockley, Ann, 121.
Hockley, Sarah, 246.
Hockley, Thomas, 113, 115, 216.
Hodgkiss, Mr., 274.
Holland, Joanna, 122, 149, 265.
Hollingsworth, Miss, 305.
Holmes, Harriet, 309.
Hopkins, Howell, 301.
Hopkins, Laura E., 331.
Horn, Eliza, 268.
Howard, Dr. Charles W., 342.
Howland, Mary, 272.
Hughes, John, 308.
Hughes, Marv, 262.
Hulme, Elizabeth, 284.
4io
Index.
Humphreys, Ann M., 250.
Hunt, Dr. John W., 347.
Hunt, Elizabeth G., 284.
Hutchinson, Miss, 306.
Ives, Mary-Ann, 299.
Jackson, Sarah, 301.
Jacobs, Benjamin, 249.
Jacobs, D. Theodore, 327.
Jacobs, Rev. Cyrus H., 3.2.
James. Dr. Isaac, 25..
Jamison, Mary G , 295.
Jarrett, Susan, 339.
Johnson, John R., 2S4.
Jones, Edith, 302.
lones, Hon. Isaac D., 307.
Jones, Jonathan P., 267.
[ones, Margaret, 323.
Jones, Rowland, 271.
Jones, Sarah, 263.
Joynes, Miss, 306-
Justice, Lewis R-, 307.
Kennedy, Mary, 284.
Keurlis, Martha, 8, 76.
Key, Edmund, 270.
Kimber, Reeina S-, 303.
Kirkbride, Mary, 122, 169.
Kline, Dr Augustus, 299.
Krumbharr, Caroline-Becker. 306.
Kyle, D. W., 34;.
I.app, Samuel, 31 q.
Laver, Elizabeth/281.
Lawson, Alfred, 317.
Leaf, George, 246.
Leonard, George. 121, 246.
Leonard, Thomas, 27S.
Levake, Sarah E, 318.
Lewis, Caroline, 344.
Lewis, Kate, 318
Lewis, Lawrence, 300.
Lewis, Robert-Morton, 300
Lewis, Sarah, 122, 234.
Liggett, Kate, 318.
Lindley, Jacob, 264.
Lippincott, Mary, 273.
Lippincott. Sarah, 314.
Lipton, Hannah, 322.
Little. Mary, 323.
Locher, Emelie, 333.
Lohra, Peter, 122, 234.
Long, Col., 30S.
Longshaw, Mr., 33S.
Loomis, J. Henry, 350
Lorrain. Mary, 275.
Love, George. 34S.
Lunimis, Jonathan, 316.
Mahan, Catherine-Bertha, 307
Mahan, William Neille. 343.
Mahc.nv. Anna J., 329.
Marble, Mary C , 31S.
Marshall. Abram. 335.
Martin, Dr. Mm S , 272.
Martin. William. 339.
Maltson. Mr , 278
Maxwell. Salhe E, 342.
Maxwell. Thomas, 308.
May, Robert, 247, 249, 254.
*Maybury, Lydia, 269.
Mavbury, Mary J., 329.
McCauley, Daniel S., 307.
McCleery, Mary, 326.
McCliutock, Sarah, 280.
McCollam, Sarah, 298.
McCollin. Anna, 303.
McCoy, Mr., 305.
McGregor, Mr , 304.
Mcintosh, Lachlan, 314.
McLinn, Eliza, 339-
McMurtne, Ella, 330.
McMurtrie, Mary E , 331.
Merritt, Isabella, 319.
Messing, Chevelier Michel di
Metcalf, Mr., 274.
Miles, Abigail, 259.
Miles, Mary, 291.
Miller, Major John H., 340
Miller, Mary, 2S3.
Mintzer, Mary-Ann, 297.
Milchel. An
1-.,
Mitchell, Elizabeth, 295.
Montgomery, Rebecca S-, 299.
Moore. J. Wilson. 318.
Moore, Mary-Ann, 291.
Moore, Mr., 338.
Moore, Rosa-Virginia, 325.
Morris, Edwin, 333.
Morris Mary, 122, 167.
Murphy, Mary, 307.
Neill, Dr. Henry, 272.
Nelson. Rev William-Meade, 32
Newlin, Hannah A.. 304
Nichols, Francis M., 31S.
Norwell, Hon. John, 308.
Nowland, Mary, 272-
Nutt, Anna, 122, 123.
Nye, Mary-Frances, 322.
Pali,
Mon
344-
Paul, Dr. J. Rodn
Paul, John, 270.
Paul, Joseph M , 271.
' Paxson, Charles, 302.
Paxson, Julia, 303.
Peirce, Anna, 344.
Peirce, Caleb, 312.
Peirce, Joseph. 333
Perkins, Sally R., 329.
Person, Jacob, 331.
Phillips, Mary-Ann, 30S.
Poe, George, 271.
Ponierov, Clifford, 315.
Potts, Ellen E , 329.
Powell. Sarah, 122, 168.
Price, Thomas Callender, 305
Prime, Frederick, 353.
I Pritner. Elizabeth, 30S.
Pumphrev, Aquila, 246.
1 Pvewell, "Deborah, 262, 268.
Pyle, Edward H , 329.
Rambo, Mary, 339.
Ramsay, Eliza, 2s*.
Randolph, Jane, 332.
Rea, Samuel-Morris, 333.
Reed, Anna. 333.
Renshaw, Alice, 300.
Reynolds, Elizabeth, 322.
Rex, Dr., 269.
Rice, George, 325.
Richards, Jesse, 283.
Richardson, Grace, 122, 170.
Richardson, Sarah, 307.
Rickart, Leonard, 344.
Riley, Dr. William, 306.
Rittenhouse, Hannah, 2S4.
Roberts, Louisa, 330.
Robeson, Emily M , 335-
Robeson, Magdelen, 78, 89.
Robeson. Rosella, 330.
Robinson, Dr. R. E., 309.
Robinson, Mr., 305.
Rogers. Martha, 275.
Rose, Dr. John, 32S.
Rose, Louisa, 319.
Rosendale, Mr., 299.
Ross, Mary-Ann, 290.
Rothrock, "Dr. Joseph-Trimble, 3>3
Rowley, Jennie- Maria, 309.
Rutter, Rebecca, 89.
Roller, Thomas, IZ2. r63-
Ryerson, Esther, 299.
■Sanderson, Virginia, 307
Savage, Ruth, S9, 91.
Savior, Harriet, 322.
Sciireoder, Amelia, 307
Sellers, George. 335.
Semmes, Dr. Thomas, 250.
Sharer, Elizabeth, 2S3.
Sliallcross, Thomas, 269.
Shanaman, Kate, 315.
Sheetz, Cath
Shippen, Anna E., 333.
.Shollenberger, Susan, 27S.
Shumway, Elizabeth, 284
Silliman, Elizabeth, 339.
Simrall, Miss, 330-
Slaughter, Rev. Philip, 32'
Slaughter. Thomas T., 347.
Smallwood, Miss, 339-
Smith, Anne A., 121.
Smith, Charles, 27S.
Smith, George. 284.
Smith, Henrietta. 296.
Smith, Rebecca, 2^5.
Smith, Robert Hobart, 292-
Smith. Susan, 316
Snyder, Joseph. 315
Sorber, Dr- Joseph E., 299
Speakinan, Rebecca S., 295
Stem, Rev. Nathan, 289-
Stephens, Mary. 314
Stevens, Gov. Samuel. 279, 2S0.
Stevenson, Cornelius, 3lS.
Stille", Sarah, 237.
Stocker, Anna, 122. 227.
Slocker, John-Clements, 202
Strong, Ruth A., 343-
Talln
Mail
329-
Taylor, John D . 3=9.
Index.
411
Templin, Hannaette, 280.
Tessaire, Louisa, 332-
1 homas, Daniel, 276.
Thomson, Dr. John W., 317.
Thomson, Mason, 329.
Thomson, Samuel, 329,
Torbert. Patty M., 333.
Tousard, Caroline, 300.
Turnley, Capt. Parmeses T., 330-
Van Beck, Alexander, 328.
Walker, Joseph, 89, 90. 12
Warder, William, 335.
Wavne, William. 271.
Webber, Mary F., 315.
Weir. William, 319.
Welsh, Mary-Camac, 249.
W'elsham, Amelia, 322.
Wetherill, Mordecai, 273.
Weymas, Miss, 307.
Whanger, Elizabeth, 121.
Wharton, T. P., 337.
Whitnev, William L., 31S.
Wilcox, Mary T., 333.
Wilkinson, William, 334
Williams, Adeline. 339.
Williams, Isaac, 271.
Williams, Sarah, 270.
Wister, Jones, 3S3-
Wood, James C., 331.
Woodbridge, Louisa C, 324.
Worthington, Amanda, 287.
Wright, Calvin, 348
Yocum, John, 246.
Yorke, Jane, 307.
Yorke, Thomas, 84, 89, 103,
118, 123,
Young, Dr. William, 319.
412
Index.
INDEX No. IV.
Miscellaneous.
Abercronibie, Lieut. -Col , ic?
Abercrombie, Kev. James, 23.
Ackland, Lady, 203.
Acrelins, 78.
Affleck, Thomas, 243.
Aleock, Edward, 3.
Alison, Rev Dr., 181.
Allen, Col. Ethan, 204.
Allen, Nicho., 131.
Allen, William, 109
Allumanapees, 26, 36.
Altham, Lord, 52.
Andre\ Capt., 282.
Anne, Queen, 37.
Appele. Jacob, 116.
Arets, Leonard, 14, 15, 16.
Armstrong, John, 109.
Armstrong, Rev. John, 254.
Arnold, Gen., 189.
Asbury, Bishop, 24S, 252, 283.
Ashton, George, 94.
Assheton, Ralph, 250.
Assheton, Susannah, 250.
Attwood, William, 44, 46, 47.
Baker, John, 116.
Baltimore, Lord, 279.
Bankson, John, 149
Bankson, Mary, 149
Barclay, David, 177.
Barclay, Robert, 174, 177.
Barnard, Isaac, 84.
Barnard, Jacob, 84
Barnes, Sur.-Gen., 320.
Bartlett, Dr., 100, 191.
Bartram, John, 54.
Basler, Henry, 134, 141.
Basler, Simon, 134, 141.
Basler, Thomas, 134, 141.
Basset, Gov. Richard. 24S.
Baynton. John, r78.
Beiiry, Christiau, 108.
Beissel, Conrad, 23.
Beitenman. Capt., 254.
Belknap, Wm. W., 320.
Bensill, Dr., 224.
Besse. Joseph, 2, 3.
Biddle, Charles, 138.
Biddle, Edward, 116, 277.
Biddle, James, 311.
Biddle, John. 139, rS9.
Biddle. William, 276.
Bird, Mark, 185.
Bird, William. 44.
Bishop, Capt-, 129.
Bland, Richard, 259.
Bland, Theodoric, 259.
Bleikers, Johannes, 14.
Bond, Abraham, 219.
Bond, Dr., 198
Bond, Dr. I'lnnehas, 243.
Bond, Dr. Th., 181.
Bond, Samuel, 219.
Boone, George, 35, 44, 47.
Boone. James, 88.
Bostich, William, 88.
Bowdiuh, Nathaniel, 2S5.
Bowman, Rt. Rev. Sam., 282.
Bow-ne, Samuel, 75.
Brinton, Edward, 94.
Brinton, Joseph, 92.
Brinton, Mary, 94.
Broadhead, Daniel, 185.
Brooke, Mary, 266
Brooke, Robert, 266.
Roger, 266
nry, 79
, 229-
Bull, H
Bull, Rev. Levi, D. D.,
Bull, Thomas, 153, 283.
Bonn, Peter, 116.
Burd, Col. James, 246.
Burd, Mrs Sarah, 246.
Burgess, Jeffrey, 3.
Burgoyne, Gen., 201, 20
( Bulled William, 108.
; Byron, Com., 156.
; Cabot, Sebastian, 310.
1 Cadwalader, Gen
Carlisle, A., 156,
Carlisle, Earl of, 244.
; Carlton, Sir Guy, 160, 19!
Carmick, Anna, 154.
\ Carmick, Stephen, 154.
j Chalkley. Thomas, 74.
Chapman, Jonathan, 46.
! Charles XL, 78
Chew, Benjamin, 112.
I Chew, R. S , 320.
I Christina, Queen, 78.
I Cieuwers, Comehis. 90.
Clackner. Fred., 116.
: Clarke, Sir Francis, 203.
Clay, Rev. J. C, 325.
! Clay, Rev. Slater, 260.
Clavpoole, Deborah, 269.
Clifton. William, 217.
Clvmer, George, 211.
Cockbum, Admiral. 279.
Coke, Bishop, 248.
Collinson, Peter, 54, 383.
Cooinbe, Rev. Thomas, 2
246,
[323, 325-
=^3- 295,
Cooinbe, Thomas, 65, 107.
Coventry, t24, 148, 381.
Coventry, Countess of, 148.
Craig, Capt., 190.
Craigie, Andrew, 190.
Crane, Ass. Sur.-Gen., 320.
Cromwell, Oliver, 269.
Cullen, Thomas, 116.
Cullin, Dr. William, r74.
Currie, Rev. William, 21 1.
Custis, Mrs., 291.
Darlington, Dr., 286.
Richard, 251.
I1.1
Davis, Enoch, 113.
Davis. William, 22.
Day, Thomas, 44.
Delany. Sharp, t34, 143.
De la Plaine, James, 16.
Delaware Indians, 32, 39
Denny, Gov., 103, 104, 117.
Derringer, Capt., 129.
Deshler, David, 139.
D'Estaing, Count, 156.
Dick, Dr. Alex., 173.
Dick, Lady. 174
Dickinson. Jonathan, 26, 31, 62.
Dickson, James N , 22.
Dorney, James, 95.
Dorsey, B., 17S.
Drummond, John, 174.
Drummond, Messrs., 157.
DucWe, Rev. Dr., 245, 205.
Dunckley, John, 45.
Duncklev, Oliver, 45.
Dunckley, Richard, 45.
Dundas, Thomas, 2tt.
Five Nations, 33, 36, 39.
Flatheads, 38.
Forges.
Amity, 42 .
Birdsburrough, 71.
Branrlywine, 71.
Carlisle, 71.
Chalmbers, 71.
C. Grubb's, 71.
Charming, 71.
Codorus, 71. [,64.
Colebrookdale, 42,60, 61, 118, 119,
Coventry, 49,71, 124, 249.
Elk/™,'7''
Index.
413
Gibralter, 71, 249,
Glasgow, 40, 69, 71, 260, 265, 295.
Green Lane, 71.
Hopewell, 71.
McCall's, 42.
Millgrove, 71.
Mores, 7i.
Mosealom, 71.
Mountain. 7..
Mount Holly, 269.
Mount Joy, 70, 149, 167, 216, 239.
Mount Pleasant, 42, 47, 71, 119
Olds, T., 71. [125.
Oil
y. 71
Pine, 41, 60, 68, 69, 71, 72, 83, 90,
116, 23S, 261, 264, 277.
Pine Grove, 71, 261.
Poole, 40-44, 62, 69, 70.
Poole, No. 2, 41, 42.
Rimer's, 42, 70, 120.
Salford, 71.
Sarum, 7..
Speedwell, 71.
Spring, 42, 71, 119, 120, 246.
Spnngton, 294, 326.
Twaddles, 71.
Valley, 32, 50,71, ioo, 125, 154, 166,
213-223, 226, 239-242.
Vanleer's, 71.
Vincent, 49.
Windsor, 71, 27S.
Young's, 71.
French Miamis, 39.
Batsto, 283.
Berkshire, 71.
Carlisle, 71.
Chalmbers, 71.
Coal-lands, 130- 146.
Codnrus, 71. [90, 107, 116, 238.
Colebrookdale, 42, 47, 61,64,71,83,
Durham.'?!.
Elizabeth, 71.
French Creek, 49, 51.
German, 71.
Herryford, 71.
Hopewell, 71.
Isabella, 294.
Joanna, 70, 153, 249.
Martha, 221.
Martick, 71.
Maryan. 7,.
Mount Hope, 71.
Mount Pleasant, 42, 71.
Oley, 7..
Pine Grove, 7..
K.i
. 7°-
Rebeccah, 71, 153, 262
Reading, 71.
Redding, 49, 5r, 71.
Spring Grove, 295.
Vincent Steel Works, 70.
Warwick, 29, 47, S3 - 56, 69, 70, 7 1 .
110, 149,289.
Grace, Rebecca!,, 53 - 5S. .48,374.
Giace, Robert. 54, 374.
Hagen, Dr. Fran., 191.
Hallowav, Samuel, 94.
Hamilton, Gov., 38.
Hamilton, James, 103.
Hancock, John, 127, 204.
Hardiman, Abraham, 269.
Samuel, 109.
, Tho
i*55-
Hart, John,
Hartshome. William, 258.
Hayes, Dr. John Mc, 202.
Hazlewood, Com., 237.
Head, John, 116.
Heath, Robert, 213.
Heath, Samuel, 213.
Heckewelder, Rev. Mr., 236.
Henrv, William, 139.
Hill. Richard, 31, 64.
Hill, Thomas, 45.
Hillecas. Michael, 150.
Hodge, Dr. Hugh L., 238, 27
Hoff, Hans. 236.
Hollobaugh, George, 45.
Hooper. Capt. Henry, 24S.
Horn, John, ro6.
Howe, Sir William, 155, 163.
Hughes, Ellis, 136, 137.
Hughes, Frances, 79.
Hughes, John, 109.
Hughes, Martha, 213.
Hulings, Marcus, 65, 107.
Humphreys, Asshetnn, 250.
Humphreys, Frances, 250.
Humphreys, Jonathan, 21S.
, 11m
, =43-
Ikerli
1, Hannah,
livVn.
[rwin
ais. 32.
Nathan, i_
James, Jonathan. 219.
James, King, Second, 2.
James Mankin, 218.
lames, Philip, 218.
Jannev, Thomas, 3.
Jarman,John, 4.
Jeneris, Elizabeth, 94.
Jeneris, James, 94.
Jervis, Charles, 243.
Jervis, James, 94.
Johnson, Dr. Robert, 191, 208.
[ohcson, Ruth, ^02.
Johnson, William, 302.
Jones, Aquilla, 139.
Jones, Griffith, 2Si-
Tones. John, 65/107.
Jones. Owen, Sr., 170.
.[one,, Owen, Jr., 243.
Jor.cs. Polly, 178.
Jones. William, 45.
Jordan, Jeremiah, 116.
Jcuxdenes, Don Joseph de, 170.
r!;h. Rev < Icorge,
rich. Sir William, 2
-y. Edward. 94.
" ck, 90.
39-
Keyser, Peter, 12.
Killingworth, Rev. Thomas, 21.
Kinnersly, Eben, 181.
Kirkbride, Joseph, 169.
Kirkbride, Stacey, 169.
Klinken, Arets, 15.
Knox, Gen., 125.
Koster, Henry- Hernard, 21.
Kuhn, Dr. Adam, 181.
Kuuders, Tunis, 14, 15, 16.
Lafayette, Gen., 125, 257, 2S0, 31
Lans'en, Jan, 14.
Leacock, John, 44, 47.
Lcatham, Joseph. 75.
Leavergood, Jacob, 116.
Ledsham, Peter, 3.
Lee, Gen., 223.
Lee, Mrs. Robert E., 291.
Lee, Wm. B., 320.
Lehman, 13 , 12.
Lenni-Lenape, 32.
Lesher, John, 109.
Letort, James, 39.
Lewis, Hannah, 270.
Lewis, William, 255.
Liancourt, Due de Rochefoucault,
Lightfoot, Benjamin, 107.
?.ey
M.
Livingston, Chancellor, 141.
Livingston, Gov., 157.
Livingston, Wm., 227.
Lloyd, David, 27.
Lloyd, Thomas, 251, 394.
Lloyd, William, 243.
Logan, James. 14, 25, 27, 2S, 31, 37, 64.
Longfellow, H. W., 191.
Lowden, Constance, 377.
Louden. Hugh, 376-3S0.
Lowre, Peter, 128.
Lucken, Jan, 14, 15, 16.
Maibom, Major, 204.
Mainwaring, Roger, 266.
Male, James, 95.
Miifiataiviiy.
Attack on, 33, 36, 38.
Emigration to, 77,92.
Iron mines at, 23, 29, 30.
Iron works of, 40, 117.
Lands of, 26, 27.
Map of, 90.
Patent of, 62.
Settlement of, 235.
Township of, 79.
Visit of the governor to, 33, 38, 39.
Manataivny Creek.
East side of, 108.
i-ording-place on, 106.
Forces on, 64,
House on, 100.
Junction of, 101.
Land near, 62.
Land purchased on, 96.
Low water of, 107.
Main branch of, 64.
Settlement on, 3*-, 41, 65.
West side of. 08.
I'i
. ■/■■
4H
Index.
Markham, William, 13.
Markworth, Martin, 116.
Marselis, Henry, 191.
Masters, Thomas, 20.
May, Sarah, 149, 153.
May, Thomas. 115, 149, 153.
Mayburv, Thomas, 95.
Mayburv, W., 254.
McCall.'Ann, 96.
McCall, George, 42, 96.
McCall, Samuel. Jr., 96.
McClintock, Capt., 254.
McCrea, Dr. Stephen, 187, igr, 201.
McCrea, Jenny, 201.
McHenrv, Dr., iSS.
Mcintosh, Gen., 125.
McKay, Capt., 148.
McKean, Chief Justice, 243.
McKean, Gen. Thomas, 259.
McKenzie, Dr. Sam., 191.
McPherson. James, 176.
McQualtv, David. 51.
Mead. R't Rev. Wm., 296, 321.
Menson, Thomas, 95.
Meredith, Reese, 139.
Miers. Johnny, 228. [234.
Mifflin, Gen. Thomas, 189, 211, 22S,
Mifflin, George, 44, 46, 47.
Mifflin, Joseph, 269.
Mifflin, Mrs., 269.
Miles. Col. Samuel, 223, 259.
Miller, Henry, 183.
Miller, Joseph, 45.
Miller, Mrs. Mary, 253.
Miller, Timothy, 45.
Miller, William, 176.
Mock. Peter, 116.
Mollison, Christiana, 177.
Montague, Lady, 1S3.
Montgomery, Mrs. Gen., rgi.
Moore, George, 88.
Moore, John, 73.
Morgan, Dr. John, 118, 18S.
Morgan, Rev. Evan, 21. [178, 267.
Morris, Anthony, 42, 44, 46, 47, 74, 167,
Morris, Bishop, 252.
Morris. John, r67.
Morris, Luke, 136, 137, 143.
Morris Mariraretta, 169.
Morris, Sally, 17S.
Morris, Wm., 132, 136, 137, 143.
Muhlenberg, Peter, 138.
Muhlenberg. Rev. Dr., 12S, 243.
Murray, Lindley, 264.
Neave, Messrs., 17S.
Nesbitt, Mr., 12S.
New York, 27, 37, 74. 186, 204, 227.
Nichols, Col. Francis, 114, 143, 254
Nichols, William, 134.
Norris, Charles, 140.
Norris, Isaac, 31, 64.
Norwegian Creek, 133.
Ai.-UI.
vnshi
■35,
145, 146
Osden. Mrs.. 219.
Op-deu-Graefl, Abiahi
Op-den-Graeff. Duck,
Op den-Graeff, Herm;
Opekasset, 37.
Ord. John, 140.
Osborne, Samuel, 46.
Owen, John, 236.
Palmer, George, 109-
Papen, Heiwert, 15, 11
Park, Gen., 320.
Rebecca, 94.
Robert, 95.
Parke
sh, Isaac, 226.
Fr Daniel, 10, 13, 14.
23, 26, 27, 32, 74, 77, 91,
Pastorius, Henry, 75.
Pastorius, Johan-Saniuel, 74, 75.
Pastorius, Melchori-Adam, S.
Paul, John, 116.
Pa«
Hi
iiiv.
d forges of, 70, 71, 104,
77-
Paxson, Olii
Pearson, Robert; 3.
Pearson, William, 115, 2r6, 217.
Peart, Thomas. 2r.
Pemberton, Israel, 243.
Pemberton, James, 243.
Pemberton, John, r7S, 243, 244.
Penn, John, 26, 96.
Penn, Letitia, 215.
Penn, Richard, 40, 103.
Penn, Thomas, 40, 103.
Penn, William, 4, 9, 10, it, 13, 1
27. 37, 62, 74, 77, 78, 101
. 232, 235. =37-
Penningtou, Edward, 243.
/'sri'isy/z'ania-
Colonists of, 33.
Epis. churches i
Furnaces a
Gov. of, 51
Hist, of, 8.
Hist. Soc. of, 55.
Iron business of, 28.
Iron man. in, 31, 72.
Iron mines of, 5, 26.
Iron works in, 23, 64, 70.
Map of, 40.
Money of, 30.
Name of Potts in, 5.
Newspapers of. 105.
Palatines of, 37.
Proprietaries of, 63.
Redemptioners of, 52.
Settled in, 76.
War in, 186.
Perth. James, Earl of, 174.
Petty, John, 35.
Philadelphia..
Copper sent to, 49.
Council of Indians, 32, 36
Deed recorded at, 75.
Deputies at, 64.
nds of, 1
1 R. G.,
Land in, 83.
Lawyers of, 27.
Lead in houses, 58.
Library Co. of, 81.
Magistrate of, 102.
Member of Assembly from, 94.
Mem. of Con. from, 129.
Neighborhood of, 26.
Philadelphia Co., 5, 63, 65.
Province of, 31.
Prov. Con. at, 185.
Quit-rents at, 63.
Rec. office, 17.
Road towards, 108.
Swedes' church, 78.
Tremulendos of, n.
Will recorded at, 74.
Yellow fever in, 91, 233.
Phipps, Joseph, 94.
Pleasants, Samuel, 179, 243.
Pocahontas, 259.
Popodick, 8o.
Popodickon. 41, 80, 122, 170.
Pott, Abraham, 131.
Pott, John, 131.
Pott, Wilhelm, 131.
Potts, Mary, 302.
Potts, Ruth, 302.
Potts, Sarah, 302.
Potts, Thomas, 302.
Pattsgrirz'e, 65.
Family of, 2r5:
Grant oT land in, 96.
Lots in, 97, no.
Loyalists at, 243, 252, 254, 260.
Mansion-house in, 9S, 104, 105, 125.
Market town, 102, 106.
Plantation of, 116, 151.
Pottstown.
Bridge, 41- C361.
Family graveyard of, 27, 152, 209,
Fisheries at, 152, 276, 277, 279.
High Street in, 42.
Laid out, 96, 99. [265. 266.
Lot of ground in, 230, 252, 259, 260,
Na
:of,
Notices of, tot.
Railroad of, 61.
Site of, 96.
[278. 3t5
Pottsville, 98, 101, 131,
'32, '45, 277,
Powell, David, 63-
Pratt, Abraham, 22.
Prescott, James, 191.
Preston, Samuel, 44. 46.
Pretzman, Capt., 128.
Price, Elizabeth, 94.
Price, Jonathan, 94.
Price, Mary, 94.
Prior, Thomas, 170.
Proud, Robert, 8, 20.
Put, John, 146.
Put, Wilhelm, 140.
Putuam, Gen., 189.
Pvewell. John. 164.
Pyewell, William, 46, 47,
163.
Reading, 62, S2, 107,
Index.
415
Redman, Mr., 12S.
Reed, Hon- Joseph, 1S6.
Reed, Mrs- Joseph, 154.
Rees, Lewis, 131, 144.
Rees, Mary, 65
Reeves, Peter, 139.
Reser, Barnard, 91.
Rlioads, Jacob, 116.
Rhoads, Samuel, 116.
Richards, Capt.. 129.
Richardson, Francis, 211.
Richardson, Samuel, 73.
Riedesel, Gen., 201.
Rittenhouse. David, 141, 143, 241.
Ritting-huysen, Claus, 90.
Roademel, George, 116.
Robert, John, 44, 94.
Roberts, Capt., 254.
Roberts, John, 156, 15S, 259.
Roberts, Thomas, 94.
Robeson, Andrew, 78, 79", 235, 236.
Robeson, Israel, 78, 235.
Robeson, Jonathan, 83, 84, 235.
Robeson, Magdelen, 235.
Robeson, Margaret, 117.
Robeson, Mary, 117.
Robeson, Peter, 232.
Robeson, Samuel, 213, 236.
Robinson. Col. Beverly, 162.
Rogers, George, 95.
Rolph, Thomas, =59.
Rudman, Rev. Jonas, 235.
Rulev, John, 140.
Rumsey, James, 258.
Rush, Dr- Benjamin, 171, 178, 274, 399-
Rittter.
John, 43, 47, 93, 120.
Rebecca, 43, 92, 94, 118,
Hist, of coal, 131.
Iron mines of, 5, 23,2s.
Land on, 118, 119.
Lottery for, 129, 141, 142.
Navigation of, 141.
Opposite side of, 30.
Preservation of fish in, 141.
Road to, 106, 10S.
Settlement on, 23.
Shad-fisheries in, 152.
Township of, 131.
Vallev, o.S.
West bank, 135.
West side of, 79
Scull, Dr- Nich., 191.
Scull, Nicholas, 276.
Scull, Major, 257.
Scull, W., 40.
Sebastian, Peter, 146.
Seelv, Jonas, 106.
Sergeant. Mrs. John, 154.
Sharp. Thomas, 236.
Shiner, Capt., 128.
Shinar, Daniel, 45
Shiner, Christopher, 116.
Shiner, John, 116.
Shinkle, Henrv. 116.
Shippen, Dr. Wrn., 1S1, 195.
Shippen, Edward, Sr , 246.
Shippen. Edward, Jr., 246.
Shiras, Rev. Mr., 2S2.
Shoemaker, Charles, 134, 141, 146.
Shoemaker, George, 132.
Shriver, Gen., 320.
Shultz, John, 116.
Sarah, 244.
Silkspinner, George, SS.
Thomas, 20-30,41-46,61-64,69,
S.mens, Jan, 14.
77. 79, 81, 92, 104, i2i, 212, 269,
Sinclair. John, 79.
369- 3163.
Sipman, Dirck, 90.
Thomap, 43, 47, 69, 80. 94, 1 iS, 120,
Smith, Dr. William, 274.
Smith, Judith, 7,.
Salazar, 265.
Smith, 1 homas, 45.
Sassoonan, 26, 32, 36-39.
Smith, William, 1S0, 243.
Saunders, Joseph, 140.
Smith, William D., 243.
Savage, Anna, 30.
Smith, William P., 191.
Savage, George, 65.
Specht, Conrad, 116.
Savage, Rebecca, 50.
Spener, Dr., 9
Savage, Seeny, 65, 107.
Sproegel, Chrislian-Ludwig, 27.
Savage, Thomas, 43, 148.
Sproegel, John-Henry, 27.
Schinkel, 109.
Stacey, Mahlon, 169.
Schumacher, Jacob, 15.
Stanton, David, 178.
Schumacher, Peter, 16.
Stanton, Sec., 319.
Schuyler, Dr. Nich., 191.
St. Clair, D., 226. [145,
Schuyler, Gen., 1S9-192.
St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, 134, 136,
Schuylkill.
Steiner, Melchior, 67, 68.
Banks of, 41.
Stephen, David, 10S.
Clearing of. 130.
Stephen, Lewis, .09.
Coal of, 129.
Sterling, Lord, 125.
Coal mines on, 130, 142.
Steuben, Karon, 125, 207.
Commissioners for, 130, 139, 141.
Stevens. Col. Win., 279.
County, 131, M5.
Stevens, J., 156.
East branch of, 135.
sevens, Samuel, 279.
East and west side of, 135.
S:eward. Dr. Alex., 191.
Falls of, 109.
Meward. Jno., 191.
Ferry on, 106.
Stewart. Anthony, 161.
Fishing-grounds of, 26.
Stille. John, 237-'
1- oraes ,-\nd furnaces on, 139
S:ille, Peter, 237.
Forks of, .35.
Stocker. Anthony, 230, 231.
Stocker, Margaret, 230, 231.
Stoddard, David, 191.
Stone, Rev. J. S., 282.
Sullivan, Darby, 85.
Sullivan, Hon. John, 186.
Swetser, Matthias, 108.
Swift, John, 22.
Swinton, Mr., 173.
Swiizer. Henry, 85.
Syng, Philip, 125.
Tanev, Roger Brooke, 26.
Taylor, Christopher, 20.
Taylor, Jacob, 30, 95.
Taylor, William, 213.
Thomas, Isaac, 131, 144.
Thompson, Charles, 205.
Thompson, Squire, 40.
Thornton, Matthew, 195, 208.
Tillolson, Dr. Thomas, 190, 191
Tilton, James, xiz.
Tison, Reinart, 16.
Thatcher, Dr. James, 191.
Towers, Robert, 59.
Townsend, Adj -Gen., 320.
Townsend,' Dr. David, 191.
Townsend, Capt- , 254.
Treat, Dr. Malichi, 190,196.
Tunes, Abraham, 14, 16.
Turner, Robert, 236.
Turner, Robert, 79.
Tyson, John, 94.
Tyson, Reine, 94.
Vanderpool, Thomas, 23S.
Vickers, Dr. T-, 191.
Vinance, Jacob, 153.
Von Baum, Col., 201.
Walters, Mr., 198.
Wanger, Jacob, 116.
Ward, Gen., 201.
Warner, Col., 200.
Warren, Dr. John, 1:
Warren, Dr. John C.
Warren, Dr. Joseph, 193
Wasey, Capt., 10, 251.
Washington, George, 91,
')-•
186, 1S9, 191, 207,
t:9, 155.
"3,
... 54. 257. 258, 200,291
W.ishm^ton, Mrs., 126, 215, 242.
Watmough, Mrs., 154.
Watson, Mr., 186.
Wav, Nicholas, 1S2.
Webb, John, 95.
Weidner. George Adam, 108.
Wells, Mr., 208.
Welsh, Mr, 202.
West, Edward, 84.
Wharton, Pres-, 239.
Wharton, Samuel, 103.
Wharton, Thomas, 243.
Whitehead, James, 107.
Whitehouse, Bishop, 330.
Wilmington, Richard. 117.
Widdener, Adam, 45
Wiedman, Andrew, 62.
William, King, 2.
Williams, Dr. Bedf., 191.
Williams, Daniel. 140.
Williams, Major, 204
416
Index.
Wilson, Dr., 20S.
Wilson, James, 210, 259.
Winter, John, 35 - 39.
Winter, Walter, 34.
Winthrop, Gov., 286.
Wittman. Capt., 200.
Wittman, John, 191.
Witz, Jacob, 142.
Womelsdorf, Daniel, 45, J
Wood, Dr., 201.
Wooddrop, Alexander, 44, 46, 47
Woodruff, Samuel, 191.
Wooley, Mr., 54.
Woolman, Uriah, 17S.
Wulf, Paul, t6.
Vallev Creek, 108, 215.
Valley Mill, 108, no, 213.
Yocum, Peter, 116.
York, Duke of, 78, 174.
Yorke, Sir Edmund, n7
Yorke, Sir Edward, 117.
Yorke*, Sir John, 117.
Yotswater, Thomas, 94.
Young, Dr. James, 191.
ed by Welch, Bigelow
ERRATA
age i
line
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1717
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1714.
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