Individual Details
Thomas Potts
(4 Mar 1632 - 1672)
Thomas evidently died in Wales, and his widow brought their seven children to America and settled in Pennsylvania. This was before the year 1683, as evidenced by a deed recorded in the Recorder's Office in the Deed Book K 3, Vol. 6 Page 42. They were among the first of the name Potts to have settled in that state. It is noted that the name is now spelled Potts instead of Pott.
(Research):
Thomas Pott was born about 1632 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. He was married to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born about 1636 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. She died on Jan 8 1707 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania.
Thomas Potts, (Miller), ani Family.
Thomas Potts, Sen., was a resident of Bristol Township, Philadelphia County. He seems to have come to Pennsylvania from Wales, it is supposed from Llangirrig or Llanidloes in Montgomeryshire. He was a miller by occupation, and was a party to numerous land conveyances, owning lands and mills in Bristol Township, and in New Jersey. He was a member of the Society of Friends and attached to Abington Monthly Meeting. He was an acceptable Public Friend, as ministers of that Society are termed, and, after 1700, traveled much in the service of Truth. In contemporary records he is variously styled "Thomas Potts, Sen.," " Thomas Potts, yeoman," and " Thomas Potts, miller," while recently he has often been referred to as "Thomas Potts, the Quaker Preacher.'' In this work he will be designated, when necessary, as "Thomas Potts, (Miller)."
1 Thomas Potts, (Miller), is first noticed in Pennsylvania, as a witness to the marriage certificate of John Austin and Jane Potts, on 9 mo. 11, 1686. At the marriage of Friends it was and is customary for those present to sign the marriage certificate as witnesses, the relatives of the contracting parties, signing first and following each other in the order of nearest connection. In this instance, Thomas Potts signs immediatety after the mother of the bride, which is a strong evidence of near relationship.
His first purchase of land seems to have been, 150 acres on the west side of the Schuylkill River, bought 10 mo. 5,
Thomas Pott and Elizabeth had the following children:
i. John ii. Thomas iii. Jonas iv. Margaret v. Elizabeth was born about 1666 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. She died in 1690 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. vi. Jane vii. David.
* * * * * *
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol. XVIII (1864) states that "Thomas Potts died in Bristol in 1719, and a son, David, died in Bristol in 1730, and his children were Thomas, John, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Stephen, Mary, Rebecca, Nathan and Ezekial. Thomas became a prosperous iron manufacturer at Colebrookdale, and died in 1752. His children were Thomas, David, John, the father of Dr. Potts, and three daughters."
This is different from the information provided by T.M. Potts
[v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW]
Thomas Pott was named for his grandfather, and was probably the eldest of the seven children, married a lady named Elizabeth. They had seven children: John, Thomas, David, Margaret, Jane, Elizabeth, and Jonas.
Thomas Potts and David Potts were witnesses to the •will of William Howell, of Cheltenham Township, Philadelphia County, made 12 mo. 20, 1709. Below is a fair copy " of Thomas Potts' signature,
Other signatures will appear appended to copies of important papers.
Thomas Potts was an earnest and active member of the religious Society of Friends, being attached to the Germantown Preparative Meeting, which was under the care of the Abington Monthly Meeting. From the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting * and other sources, it appears, that from about 1705 to the end of his life, he devoted himself very largely to the duties of a public Friend or religious minister, traveling and visiting Friends in the service of Truth, in Maryland, Virginia, New England, the West Indes, England, Ireland, and other places.
In Hazard! s Register, it is stated that "About this time [1705] or the last year, Thomas Potts of Pennsylvania went to pay a visit to Friends in England and Ireland," and in 1705 William Penn, writing from England, mentions Thomas Potts as about to return to Pennsylvania. Two years later he again visited England and Ireland, having been granted a Certificate for that purpose by Abington Monthly Meeting on 3 mo. 26, 1707. In the same year Thomas Chalkley mentions Thomas Potts, in his journal, as a companion of himself and Anthony Morris, on a visit to Friends in the West Indes, from whence they sailed for England. Rutty' s History of the Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers in Ireland, etc., Dublin, 1731, has the following,
* Note. The early minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting are very meager and evidently incomplete. It is possible that the original minutes were written upon separate slips of paper and subsequently copied; into a book, when some of the slips may have been lost.
In 1707, James Farmer, from Essex, John Bradley, from Cheshire, Thomas Potts, from Pennsylvania, also divers other ministering Friends from this nation, were diligent in the exercise of their gifts, both in meetings held among Friends and strangers.
In 1711, he made a visit to Maryland, and on his return immediately prepared for a journey into New England, as it appears from the following entry in the Abington Monthly Meeting minutes of 4 mo. 25, 1711.
Our friend Thomas Potts lately returned from Maryland upon yService of Truth, & recommended of g>od Service from Tredevan Creek & now the said Thomas having declared that he finds a concern on him to Visit friends at New England, requests a Certificate In order for y° Said Service, which allso was granted.
He was accompanied by Thomas Chalkley upon this visit, and it is probable that they visited Friends on Long Island and at other points on the route of travel. It may be that it was upon this, or a similar journey, Thomas Potts first met Judith Smith, of Flushing, whom he married in the next year. The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting for 5 mo. 28, 1712, show that
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to proceed on towards Marriage with Judith Smith of Long Island.
The marriage was accomplished 11ot long afterwards, as shown by the following abstract from the Friends records of marriages at Long Island.*
The foreteenth day of the Sixth Month Ano One thousand seven hundred & twelve. At flushing—Thomas Potts of Bristol township in y° county of Philadelphia in pensilvania and Judith Smith of flushing, &c.
In the latter part of the year 1712, he again visited Friends in Maryland, and on 2 mo. 25, 1715,
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to go to visit Friends in Barbadoes, upon y° Service of Truth,
Sometime after his return he made arrangements to settle in Maryland, and on 1 1 mo. 30, 1715,
* See New York Genealog1cal and Biograhpical Record, Vol. VI, page 101,
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to Settle in Maryland.
He removed to Talbot County, Maryland, where he continued to live for some time. While a resident of Maryland, he issued a letter of attorney to Joseph Kirkbride of Bucks County, empowering him to sell his land, house and mills in Somerset County, New Jersey. The original document remains on file in the office of the Department of State at Trenton. It is as follows,
1716-Know : all : men : by these Presents : that : I: Thomas Potts : of Talbot County in y= Province of Maryland, Miller, Have made constituted authorized & ordained & do hereby make constitute Authorize & ordain my Loving friend Joseph Kirkbride of Bucks County in y° Province of Pensiluania, Yeoman: my true & Lawfull Attorney for me & in my Name to Bargain Sell & Dispose of all & Singular My Land house & Mills Lying & being on Stony Brook in Sommerset County in y Province of East J ersey Together with yc Improuements Priueleges Profits & appurtenances Thereunto belonging to such person or persons as He yc said Joseph Kirkhride shall think fit & convenient & to make sign seal & Deliver as my Adi & Deed such Agreements Titles & conueyances concarning y* aforesd premises as y« Law Doth Direct as Also To take &.Ruceiue sufficient security Bills & Bonds for yc payment of such sum or sums of money as he shall alien & sell y Lande for & generally to do & execute any other Lawful ad1s, Deuise & Deuises either jn Law or equity for y* confirming & sure making of ye sd Bargain as fully & amply as I, y° aboue-[said] Thomas Potts might or could do if Personally present Ratifying & Allowing whatsoeuer my sd Attorney In this behalf shall Do, or cause to be Done
In Witness : whereof: I have to these presents set my hand & seal this Seventh day of y° Sixth Month called August In the third year of the Reign of King George ouer Great Britain &c Annoq Domi One Thousand Seuan Hundred And Sixteen
Sealed & deliuerd In y° ..^.-~.-~~ /^
presence of Euerard Bol- / _/ P)/^^,., -, / ^f^/^H-t r Ton Robert ffletcher and (J> "OWM £<&*J [Seal] Thomas Canby
County of Burlington In y° province of New Jersey Nouember y 12 1716. Then Appeared befor vs Vnder written two of His Majesties Justices of y° peace for y° County of Burlington Euerard Bolton and Robert fletcher & upon Their Solemn affirmation Declare y' they saw the Within named Thomas Potts sine Seal & Daliuer y within Instrument for y° vse within mentioned. Peter Bard
Isaac De Cow
No deeds of conveyance of this property have come to the notice of the compiler, and neither the date of purchase nor sale can be given. Stony Brook is a short distance south of the town of Princeton, and within the limits of the present County of Mercer.
Thomas Potts returned to Pennsylvania from Maryland in about a year and a half, and on 6 mo. 26, 1717, the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting contain this record.
Thomas Potts produced a Certificate from Treadevan in Maryland which was read and accepted.
He subsequently made one or two other visits to Friends to the southward. On 6 mo. 25, 1718, a Monthly Meeting minute shows that
Thomas Potts acquainted friends that he is minded to travail Down Towards y° Capes of Delaware & Desires a Certificate : The Meeting Do appoint Dennis Cundras & John Lucan to make Enquiry how he leaves his Bussinese.
He was frequently appointed to attend Quarterly Meetings, and on 12 mo. 23, 1718, he was appointed "to visit families."
On i mo. 30, 1719, s this entry, which probably refers to an intended visit to the southward.
At this Meeting things was found Clear Relating to Tho" Potts and a Certificate was granted him.
On his return this minute was entered on 5 mo. 27, 1719,
At this Meeting Thomas Potts having lately Returned fro: traveling in Meryland & Virginia Produced a Certificate from Treadaven Monthly Meeting.
Thomas Potts did not survive long after his return from this visit, as he died before October [8 mo.] 3, 1719, the date on which his will was probated. He was undoubtedly a man of rare worth and exemplary charadter. William Penn calls him "honest Thotnas Potts," and an estimate of his character may be gathered from the Penu and Logan Correspondence.
The age of Thomis Potts has not baan ascertained. As he signs as a witness to a marriage certificate in 1686, -it is probable that he was then a well grown youth or a young man. When he purchased land in 1692, he must have been above twenty one years of age. It seems reasonable to conclude that he was at least forty old when he married Judith Smith in 1712, and fifty years or over when he died.
Thomas Potts left a will, dated 3 mo. [May], 6, 1719. It was proven October 3, 1719, and is recorded in the Register's office at Philadelphia in Will-Book D, p. 133. The following is a copy taken from the original will remaining on file in the said office.
The Will of Thomas Potts, (Miller).
I Thomas Potts of Bristol Township in the County of Philadelphia, being at Present in good Health of Body and Well in Mind and Memory, Praised be the Lord for his Goodness & Mercy towards me. Considering the Uncertainty of this transitory Life, I thought good to make my Last Will and Testament concerning my Worldly Estate which the Lord hath been pleased to bestow up on me, in manner following, •
Imprimis, My Will is, that all my Just Debts be Duly paid by mine Executors hereafter named, as soon as possible.
Secondly, My Will is, that my Dear and Loving Wife Judith Potts shall have hold and Enjoy all and singular mine Estate Real and Persoual together with the Profits thereof, During the Minority or Nonage of my Son Thomas Potts Junr. whom I also leave to her Care & Tuition, hereby nominating and appointing my sd Wife Tutrix to him, until such time as he shall attain his age of One and Twenty Years.
And then, Thirdly, my Will is, that after he arrives to sd Age, my aforesaid Dea r & loving Wife shall have One third part of my Real Estate during her natural Life, As also One third part of my Personal Estate to her self, her heirs and Assigns whomsoever. The Other two parts of mine Estate, Real and Personal, I give, devise and Bequeath to my sd Son Thomas Potts Junr. his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And of this my last Will & Testament I make and Ordain Joint Executors my sd Wife Judith Potts, her Brother in Law Samuel Bowne * of Flushing upon long Island, husbandman, and Joseph Latham of the City of New York, Ship Wright, hereby giving them my full Power and Authority to Sell and Dispose of my Real Estate to such person or persons, as they shall think Convenient, and to Sign, Seal, Deliver and Acknowledge Deeds of Sale to the Purchaser of the Same according to Law.
Finally, I revoke and Disannull all former Wills and Legacies by me in any wise made and Bequeathed, Declearing this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Sixth day of the third Month, called May, Anno Domi One thousand Seven hundred and nineteen.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared^ ^L£i^>\ l^l^a-LU tSeal) by the Testator above named in the presence of Griffith Jones
Samuel Pastorius
Fra: Daniel Pastorius
In a note filed with the will and other papers, Fra : Da : Pastorius states that he wrote the will of Thomas Potts,
"Elizabeth Potts and Jane Potts, her daughter, came to Pennsylvania in 1683, as shown by a deed recorded in the Recorder's Office of Philadelphia, in Deed-Book E3, Volumn 6, page 42. They were the first of the name known to have settled in that state. Elizabeth Potts seems to been a widow when she came to Pennsylvania, and it is believed that others of the family, besides her daughter Jane, came with her. They were Friends and in 1685 were under the care of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. In 1684 they obtained a grant of one hundred acres of land, which was supposed to be laid out in Philadelphia County, but a subsiquent resurvey showed it to be in Chester County."
Historical Collections Relating to The Potts Family in Great Britian and America, Published by the Compiler, Canonsburg, PA, 1901, Thomas Maxwell Potts, p.195.
-Richard A. Clark II
Ancestral File Number: GVRT-K1
(Research):
Thomas Pott was born about 1632 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. He was married to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born about 1636 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. She died on Jan 8 1707 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania.
Thomas Potts, (Miller), ani Family.
Thomas Potts, Sen., was a resident of Bristol Township, Philadelphia County. He seems to have come to Pennsylvania from Wales, it is supposed from Llangirrig or Llanidloes in Montgomeryshire. He was a miller by occupation, and was a party to numerous land conveyances, owning lands and mills in Bristol Township, and in New Jersey. He was a member of the Society of Friends and attached to Abington Monthly Meeting. He was an acceptable Public Friend, as ministers of that Society are termed, and, after 1700, traveled much in the service of Truth. In contemporary records he is variously styled "Thomas Potts, Sen.," " Thomas Potts, yeoman," and " Thomas Potts, miller," while recently he has often been referred to as "Thomas Potts, the Quaker Preacher.'' In this work he will be designated, when necessary, as "Thomas Potts, (Miller)."
1 Thomas Potts, (Miller), is first noticed in Pennsylvania, as a witness to the marriage certificate of John Austin and Jane Potts, on 9 mo. 11, 1686. At the marriage of Friends it was and is customary for those present to sign the marriage certificate as witnesses, the relatives of the contracting parties, signing first and following each other in the order of nearest connection. In this instance, Thomas Potts signs immediatety after the mother of the bride, which is a strong evidence of near relationship.
His first purchase of land seems to have been, 150 acres on the west side of the Schuylkill River, bought 10 mo. 5,
Thomas Pott and Elizabeth had the following children:
i. John ii. Thomas iii. Jonas iv. Margaret v. Elizabeth was born about 1666 in Llangirrig, Montgomeryshire, Wales. She died in 1690 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. vi. Jane vii. David.
* * * * * *
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol. XVIII (1864) states that "Thomas Potts died in Bristol in 1719, and a son, David, died in Bristol in 1730, and his children were Thomas, John, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Stephen, Mary, Rebecca, Nathan and Ezekial. Thomas became a prosperous iron manufacturer at Colebrookdale, and died in 1752. His children were Thomas, David, John, the father of Dr. Potts, and three daughters."
This is different from the information provided by T.M. Potts
[v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW]
Thomas Pott was named for his grandfather, and was probably the eldest of the seven children, married a lady named Elizabeth. They had seven children: John, Thomas, David, Margaret, Jane, Elizabeth, and Jonas.
Thomas Potts and David Potts were witnesses to the •will of William Howell, of Cheltenham Township, Philadelphia County, made 12 mo. 20, 1709. Below is a fair copy " of Thomas Potts' signature,
Other signatures will appear appended to copies of important papers.
Thomas Potts was an earnest and active member of the religious Society of Friends, being attached to the Germantown Preparative Meeting, which was under the care of the Abington Monthly Meeting. From the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting * and other sources, it appears, that from about 1705 to the end of his life, he devoted himself very largely to the duties of a public Friend or religious minister, traveling and visiting Friends in the service of Truth, in Maryland, Virginia, New England, the West Indes, England, Ireland, and other places.
In Hazard! s Register, it is stated that "About this time [1705] or the last year, Thomas Potts of Pennsylvania went to pay a visit to Friends in England and Ireland," and in 1705 William Penn, writing from England, mentions Thomas Potts as about to return to Pennsylvania. Two years later he again visited England and Ireland, having been granted a Certificate for that purpose by Abington Monthly Meeting on 3 mo. 26, 1707. In the same year Thomas Chalkley mentions Thomas Potts, in his journal, as a companion of himself and Anthony Morris, on a visit to Friends in the West Indes, from whence they sailed for England. Rutty' s History of the Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers in Ireland, etc., Dublin, 1731, has the following,
* Note. The early minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting are very meager and evidently incomplete. It is possible that the original minutes were written upon separate slips of paper and subsequently copied; into a book, when some of the slips may have been lost.
In 1707, James Farmer, from Essex, John Bradley, from Cheshire, Thomas Potts, from Pennsylvania, also divers other ministering Friends from this nation, were diligent in the exercise of their gifts, both in meetings held among Friends and strangers.
In 1711, he made a visit to Maryland, and on his return immediately prepared for a journey into New England, as it appears from the following entry in the Abington Monthly Meeting minutes of 4 mo. 25, 1711.
Our friend Thomas Potts lately returned from Maryland upon yService of Truth, & recommended of g>od Service from Tredevan Creek & now the said Thomas having declared that he finds a concern on him to Visit friends at New England, requests a Certificate In order for y° Said Service, which allso was granted.
He was accompanied by Thomas Chalkley upon this visit, and it is probable that they visited Friends on Long Island and at other points on the route of travel. It may be that it was upon this, or a similar journey, Thomas Potts first met Judith Smith, of Flushing, whom he married in the next year. The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting for 5 mo. 28, 1712, show that
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to proceed on towards Marriage with Judith Smith of Long Island.
The marriage was accomplished 11ot long afterwards, as shown by the following abstract from the Friends records of marriages at Long Island.*
The foreteenth day of the Sixth Month Ano One thousand seven hundred & twelve. At flushing—Thomas Potts of Bristol township in y° county of Philadelphia in pensilvania and Judith Smith of flushing, &c.
In the latter part of the year 1712, he again visited Friends in Maryland, and on 2 mo. 25, 1715,
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to go to visit Friends in Barbadoes, upon y° Service of Truth,
Sometime after his return he made arrangements to settle in Maryland, and on 1 1 mo. 30, 1715,
* See New York Genealog1cal and Biograhpical Record, Vol. VI, page 101,
A Certificate was granted Thomas Potts in order to Settle in Maryland.
He removed to Talbot County, Maryland, where he continued to live for some time. While a resident of Maryland, he issued a letter of attorney to Joseph Kirkbride of Bucks County, empowering him to sell his land, house and mills in Somerset County, New Jersey. The original document remains on file in the office of the Department of State at Trenton. It is as follows,
1716-Know : all : men : by these Presents : that : I: Thomas Potts : of Talbot County in y= Province of Maryland, Miller, Have made constituted authorized & ordained & do hereby make constitute Authorize & ordain my Loving friend Joseph Kirkbride of Bucks County in y° Province of Pensiluania, Yeoman: my true & Lawfull Attorney for me & in my Name to Bargain Sell & Dispose of all & Singular My Land house & Mills Lying & being on Stony Brook in Sommerset County in y Province of East J ersey Together with yc Improuements Priueleges Profits & appurtenances Thereunto belonging to such person or persons as He yc said Joseph Kirkhride shall think fit & convenient & to make sign seal & Deliver as my Adi & Deed such Agreements Titles & conueyances concarning y* aforesd premises as y« Law Doth Direct as Also To take &.Ruceiue sufficient security Bills & Bonds for yc payment of such sum or sums of money as he shall alien & sell y Lande for & generally to do & execute any other Lawful ad1s, Deuise & Deuises either jn Law or equity for y* confirming & sure making of ye sd Bargain as fully & amply as I, y° aboue-[said] Thomas Potts might or could do if Personally present Ratifying & Allowing whatsoeuer my sd Attorney In this behalf shall Do, or cause to be Done
In Witness : whereof: I have to these presents set my hand & seal this Seventh day of y° Sixth Month called August In the third year of the Reign of King George ouer Great Britain &c Annoq Domi One Thousand Seuan Hundred And Sixteen
Sealed & deliuerd In y° ..^.-~.-~~ /^
presence of Euerard Bol- / _/ P)/^^,., -, / ^f^/^H-t r Ton Robert ffletcher and (J> "OWM £<&*J [Seal] Thomas Canby
County of Burlington In y° province of New Jersey Nouember y 12 1716. Then Appeared befor vs Vnder written two of His Majesties Justices of y° peace for y° County of Burlington Euerard Bolton and Robert fletcher & upon Their Solemn affirmation Declare y' they saw the Within named Thomas Potts sine Seal & Daliuer y within Instrument for y° vse within mentioned. Peter Bard
Isaac De Cow
No deeds of conveyance of this property have come to the notice of the compiler, and neither the date of purchase nor sale can be given. Stony Brook is a short distance south of the town of Princeton, and within the limits of the present County of Mercer.
Thomas Potts returned to Pennsylvania from Maryland in about a year and a half, and on 6 mo. 26, 1717, the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting contain this record.
Thomas Potts produced a Certificate from Treadevan in Maryland which was read and accepted.
He subsequently made one or two other visits to Friends to the southward. On 6 mo. 25, 1718, a Monthly Meeting minute shows that
Thomas Potts acquainted friends that he is minded to travail Down Towards y° Capes of Delaware & Desires a Certificate : The Meeting Do appoint Dennis Cundras & John Lucan to make Enquiry how he leaves his Bussinese.
He was frequently appointed to attend Quarterly Meetings, and on 12 mo. 23, 1718, he was appointed "to visit families."
On i mo. 30, 1719, s this entry, which probably refers to an intended visit to the southward.
At this Meeting things was found Clear Relating to Tho" Potts and a Certificate was granted him.
On his return this minute was entered on 5 mo. 27, 1719,
At this Meeting Thomas Potts having lately Returned fro: traveling in Meryland & Virginia Produced a Certificate from Treadaven Monthly Meeting.
Thomas Potts did not survive long after his return from this visit, as he died before October [8 mo.] 3, 1719, the date on which his will was probated. He was undoubtedly a man of rare worth and exemplary charadter. William Penn calls him "honest Thotnas Potts," and an estimate of his character may be gathered from the Penu and Logan Correspondence.
The age of Thomis Potts has not baan ascertained. As he signs as a witness to a marriage certificate in 1686, -it is probable that he was then a well grown youth or a young man. When he purchased land in 1692, he must have been above twenty one years of age. It seems reasonable to conclude that he was at least forty old when he married Judith Smith in 1712, and fifty years or over when he died.
Thomas Potts left a will, dated 3 mo. [May], 6, 1719. It was proven October 3, 1719, and is recorded in the Register's office at Philadelphia in Will-Book D, p. 133. The following is a copy taken from the original will remaining on file in the said office.
The Will of Thomas Potts, (Miller).
I Thomas Potts of Bristol Township in the County of Philadelphia, being at Present in good Health of Body and Well in Mind and Memory, Praised be the Lord for his Goodness & Mercy towards me. Considering the Uncertainty of this transitory Life, I thought good to make my Last Will and Testament concerning my Worldly Estate which the Lord hath been pleased to bestow up on me, in manner following, •
Imprimis, My Will is, that all my Just Debts be Duly paid by mine Executors hereafter named, as soon as possible.
Secondly, My Will is, that my Dear and Loving Wife Judith Potts shall have hold and Enjoy all and singular mine Estate Real and Persoual together with the Profits thereof, During the Minority or Nonage of my Son Thomas Potts Junr. whom I also leave to her Care & Tuition, hereby nominating and appointing my sd Wife Tutrix to him, until such time as he shall attain his age of One and Twenty Years.
And then, Thirdly, my Will is, that after he arrives to sd Age, my aforesaid Dea r & loving Wife shall have One third part of my Real Estate during her natural Life, As also One third part of my Personal Estate to her self, her heirs and Assigns whomsoever. The Other two parts of mine Estate, Real and Personal, I give, devise and Bequeath to my sd Son Thomas Potts Junr. his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And of this my last Will & Testament I make and Ordain Joint Executors my sd Wife Judith Potts, her Brother in Law Samuel Bowne * of Flushing upon long Island, husbandman, and Joseph Latham of the City of New York, Ship Wright, hereby giving them my full Power and Authority to Sell and Dispose of my Real Estate to such person or persons, as they shall think Convenient, and to Sign, Seal, Deliver and Acknowledge Deeds of Sale to the Purchaser of the Same according to Law.
Finally, I revoke and Disannull all former Wills and Legacies by me in any wise made and Bequeathed, Declearing this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Sixth day of the third Month, called May, Anno Domi One thousand Seven hundred and nineteen.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared^ ^L£i^>\ l^l^a-LU tSeal) by the Testator above named in the presence of Griffith Jones
Samuel Pastorius
Fra: Daniel Pastorius
In a note filed with the will and other papers, Fra : Da : Pastorius states that he wrote the will of Thomas Potts,
"Elizabeth Potts and Jane Potts, her daughter, came to Pennsylvania in 1683, as shown by a deed recorded in the Recorder's Office of Philadelphia, in Deed-Book E3, Volumn 6, page 42. They were the first of the name known to have settled in that state. Elizabeth Potts seems to been a widow when she came to Pennsylvania, and it is believed that others of the family, besides her daughter Jane, came with her. They were Friends and in 1685 were under the care of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. In 1684 they obtained a grant of one hundred acres of land, which was supposed to be laid out in Philadelphia County, but a subsiquent resurvey showed it to be in Chester County."
Historical Collections Relating to The Potts Family in Great Britian and America, Published by the Compiler, Canonsburg, PA, 1901, Thomas Maxwell Potts, p.195.
-Richard A. Clark II
Ancestral File Number:
Events
| Birth | 4 Mar 1632 | Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Wales, United Kingdom |  | ||
| Marriage | 1657 | Wales - Elizabeth Baset | | ||
| Death | 1672 | Nantgnerog, Montgomeryshire, Wales | | ||
| Alt name | Thomas Pott | ||||
| Religion | Quaker |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Baset (1636 - 1707) |
| Child | Thomas Potts (1658 - 1719) |
| Child | Margaret Potts ( - ) |
| Child | Jane Potts (1668 - 1734) |
| Child | David Potts (1670 - 1730) |
| Child | Jonas Potts (1680 - 1754) |
| Child | John Potts (1663 - 1698) |
| Child | Elizabeth Potts (1662 - 1707) |
| Child | George Potts (1665 - 1690) |
| Child | John Potts (1663 - 1698) |
| Father | John Potts (1608 - 1672) |
| Mother | Anne Pott (1612 - ) |
| Sibling | George Potts (1634 - ) |
| Sibling | John Potts (1636 - ) |
| Sibling | Alice Potts (1638 - ) |
| Sibling | Anne Potts (1640 - ) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth Potts (1640 - ) |
| Sibling | Sarah Pott (1642 - ) |
| Sibling | Margaret Potts (1644 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Mike1.ged.
2. Thomas Maxwell Potts, 1901, The Potts Family in Great Britain and America.
3. v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW.
4. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
5. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
6. Thomas Maxwell Potts, 1901, The Potts Family in Great Britain and America.
7. v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW.
8. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
9. Mike1.ged.
10. Thomas Maxwell Potts, 1901, The Potts Family in Great Britain and America.
11. v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW.
12. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
13. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.