Individual Details
Jonas Potts
(1680 - Abt 1754)
An abstract of Wills of Loudoun
County, Virginia,1 reveals that Jonas named John Vestal as his Executor who paid several of
Jonas' debtors. The will was recorded at a Court held for Loudoun County the 27th day of April
1773.
(Research):Jonas Potts, son of David and Elizabeth (Lane) Potts, was born about 1726, probably in Pennsylvania, and removed with his parents to Virginia. To distinguish him from his uncle Jonas Potts, who lived in the same neighborhood, he was sometimes called Jonas Potts, Junior, and at others, Jonas Potts, Farmer.
On 10 mo, 31, 1748, he was received into the membership of Friends, by Fairfax Monthly Meeting. On 2 mo. 29, 1752, he applied to the Monthly Meeting for a certificate of clearness, in order that he might proceed in marriage with Maryh Stroud, a member of Hopewell Monthly Meeting, which was in due time granted and the marriage regularly consumated.
His father seems to have sttled him upon a farm of 150 acres, and givenhim a one half interest in the grist mill. In 1761 he purchased 122 acres on the north fork of Kittockton from his uncle Jonas Potts, and in 1763 he sold 50 acres, part of this tract, to Thomas Bryant. In 1764, he purchased from Thomas Wilson and Margaret, his wife, 260 acres on the south fork of Kittockton.
He died August 15, 1769, at the age of forty two years, and was buried in the Potts graveyard. His tombstone bears the earliest inscripton in the yard. The monument is a rough Blue Ridge stone, and the lettering is somewhat crudely and quaintly cut. A copy of the inscripton is given below. The first line is curved upward in the form of an arc of a circle. Immediately below this curved line, are cut three inverted hearts, in positions indicated by the three asterisks.
His will bears date of July 31, 1768, and was filed and proven September 12, following. He mentions, "my father David Potts, late deceased," and appoints "my two brothers-in-law, John Vestal and Samuel Person, (Pearson), both of Frederick County," as his executors. He mentions his wife and each of his children by name, and makes provision for them in the distribution of his estate. John Vestal took out letters of testamentary, with Isreal Thompson and Francis Hague as bondsmen in the sum of L 1000. The inventory of his personality covers four folio pages.
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By a deed dated June 12, 1693, ne purchased 133^ acres of land in Cheltenham Township, Philadelphia [now Montgomery] County, from Jacob Tellner.f This was part of a larger tract, originally granted to Edward Jefferson, of Ashwell, County Hereford, England, malster, and Mercy, his wife. The said Jefferson dying, his widow, Mercy, married Thomas Phillips, and they conveyed to Francis Richardson in 1684, who conveyed 400 acres to Jacob Tellner in 1688, and now the said Jacob Tellner conveys one third thereof to Jonas Potts, as above stated. The tax-list of Philadeldelphia County for 1693, (the earliest known to be in existance), contains an entry of "Thomas Whitton & Jonas Potts." assessed together in Cheltenham Township.
was first noticed in Pennsylvania Records on September 11, 1686, as a witness to the marriage certificate of his sister, Jane Potts, and John Austin. He was a resident of Germantown, in Philadelphia County and farmed in Montgomery County, PA. He was twice married and the given name of each wife was Mary. He would have had to be at least twenty-one years old at that
time. Various deeds of record" show that he lived at Germantown in Philadelphia County and
vicinity and later settled on land located in Gilbert's Manor in Montgomery County near the
present town of Royersford.
In December 1701 he was appointed Sheriff of Philadelphia County and also held the
office of Ranger until his term expired in 1702. At one time he held the office of Court Sheriff
for the village of Germantown. TMP says: "He seems to have been a man of determination and
perhaps an impetuous temperament as upon one occasion in making an arrest, it is said that he
handled a man so roughly as to have almost killed him."
One record reads: "8 June 1704, a recognizance wherein Jonas Potts, David Potts and
Jacob Shoemaker were bound in the sum of three hundred pounds for the personal appearing of
the same Jonas Potts at the court, for having dangerously hurt one William Robinson, was read;
and forasmuch as the said Jonas Potts did appear and nothing was objected against him, in this
manner the said Robinson being past all danger of his wound, he, the said Jonas Potts was
cleared by proclamation."
Although Jonas was a member of the Society of Friends he does not appear to have been
very regular in attendance at Meetings. He is mentioned in the minutes of Abington Monthly
Meeting and later appears to have transferred to Gwynedd and Radnor and Fairfax meetings.
Apparently Jonas was having some financial problems, around 1703, caused in part
perhaps by his wife's chronic illness. Radnor Monthly Meeting minutes of 2 mo. 8, 1703
contain this entry:
"Gwynedd friends have laid before this meeting that Jonas Potts & his wife being
poore, and having divers small children, want assistance to buy a Cow, they
formerly Resorting or belonging to another monthly meeting, friends of this
meeting desire that they bring a certificate from that monthly meeting to the next
monthly meeting, and their Proposall is left to the further Consideration of the
meeting."
Then, at the Monthly Meeting, held 3 mo. 13,1703, the following is noted:
"Friends Conclude to collect £5 to Jonas Potts to lend him to buy a Cow, that is to
say £2 from Merion Meeting, £1 10s from Radnor Meeting, and £1 10s from
Haverford and Newtowne Meetings, and he is desired to bring a Certificate from
the monthly meeting where they formerly Resorted, and the Collectors appointed
in the several meetings are desired to Collect them to be brought to the next
meeting."
The Abington Monthly Meeting granted, on 3 mo. 31 1703, a certificate to Jonas Potts'
wife—"being removed to North Wales," where her parents lived. The minutes of Radnor
Monthly Meeting of 5 mo. 8, 1703 state that "Mary Potts Certificate from friends of Dublin
Monthly Meeting was read in this meeting and ordered to be Recorded." The minutes of the
same meeting for 6 mo. 12, 1703 have this: "Jonas Potts Certificate not brought to this meeting,
and his wife being weakly and sickly, wanting present assistance and £5 being mostly Collected,
as the meeting formerly appointed, are lent to the women's meeting to be given to her assistance,
they not having stock to assist them at present." The first part of the foregoing minute is crossed
off but contains the name of Mary Potts as wife of Jonas. [It may be that Jonas' first wife died
around this time.] The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting of 1 mo. 31, 1703 record this:
"Whereas Jonas Potts' wife having been a long while sick, whereby his family
Stand in great need of Assistance, Friends do appoint Dennis Cunnard and Arnold
Klinker to assist y™ with Some money out of their Subscription."
On 2 October 1705 Jonas Potts of Germantown purchased from Arnold Koster two tracts
of land totaling fifty acres, for £27.3 One of these tracts was described as containing 20 VA acres
in the inhabited part of Germantown, and the other as containing 29 Vz acres of side land.
The first essay of the foregoing minute is crossed off. It contains the name of Mary Potts as wife of Jonas. The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting of 1 mo. 31, 1707, contain this entry,
Whereas Jonas Potts wife having been a long while Sick : whereby his ffamily Stand in great need of Assistance, Friends do appoint Dennis Cunnard and Arnold Kliuker to assist y" with Some money out of their Subscription,
In the early part of 1708, Jonas Potts became one of the bondsmen of Jane (Potts) Austin, as the administratrix of John Austin, her late husband.
On 28 December 1708 he sold the 20 VA acre lot for £60, authenticating with his mark—
"J^."4On December 28, 1708, "Jonas Potts, of Germantown, husbandman," sold the first mentioned lot, "and now in Tenure and occupation of the abovesaid Jonas Potts," containing 20^ acres, to Herman Casdorp, for ^60. It was described as bounded on the south east by lot of Isaac Van Sintern, north by lot, of Jacob Gottschalk, 14 perches in breadth, and extending from Germantown Street, as all other lots "to y* hindermost line of s'i town." Jonas Potts made his mark, I P.t
On 13 Dec 1709 he sold the other acreage for £37.5
On December 13, 1709, " Jonas Potts, of Germantown, planter," in consideration of ,£37, sold the other lot containing 29^ acres, to Conrad Rutters. The witnesses were Thomas Potts and Francis Daniel Pastorius. Jonas Potts made his mark, I P. J
On 5 mo. 31, 1710, Abington Monthly Meeting granted a Certificate to Jonas Potts, " in order for his removal to Perquamen," [Perkiomen].
On 2 mo, 10, 1712, Jonas Potts leased 200 acres in Gilbert's Manor,* from the Board of Property, for a term of five years at a yearly rental of ^8, he to have the privilege of purchasing when the land should be for sale. On 10 mo, 31, 1712, the Board of Property make a minute to the effect that Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late Commissioners, a grant of 300 acres in Gilberts Manor for seven years under a certain rent, now applies for the privilege of purchasing it. He is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease, and after an exact survey of the whole Manor has been made, he is to hav'e the preference over all others in the purchase, by paying as good a price for it.
2oth 11 mo. 1713, contain these entries,
Jame» Hauler, of the County of Philad'a, desiring to purchase 300 Acres of Land in the Mannor of Gilberts, next above that Part of it where Jonas Potts is setled, upon a Lease granted him about the Year 1708, agrees to pay Seventy-five Pounds for the same (or £25 per C.) one Moiety thereof in Three Months and the other Moiety in Six Months after, with Int. for s'd Six Months and a Warr't signed, dated thi zoth 11 mo. 1713-4.
Jonas Potts, at the same time with the forementioned James Hamer, desires that he may Purchase on the same Terms 'those 300 a's in Gilberts, which he held 5 years on Lease at ,£3, Old Currency, p. an., but before the above mentioned 300 Acres be laid out J, Hamer he desires that 50 a's more may be added to the first 2oo a's at the same rate, all which is granted, and the s'd J. Hamer agrees to begin Bo much Higher up provided that the Spott of low Land which otherwise might have fain within his Lines be left to him, which is mutually agreed between them. A Warr't to be granted.
Whether Jonas Potts secured a full title to this property or not, is not clear. Among his descendants in Virginia, is a tradition that they are heirs to a tract of land at Pottsgrove, (?) Pennsylvania, which belonged to their ancestor, and had never been distributed.
On 6 mo. 31. 1713, Abington Monthly Meeting granted a Certificate to Jonah [Jonas] Potts "in order for his removal to Philadelphia." The Philadelphia Monthly Meet- • ing records the death of Deborah Potts, daughter of Jonas and Mary, on 7 mo. 24. 1718.
In June of 1713 Jonas moved to Philadelphia, as duly recorded in the Abington Monthly
Meeting, and five years later, on 7 mo. 24, 1718, the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records the
death of "Deborah Potts, daughter of Jonas and Mary."
Jonas Potts owned and occupied a farm in Gilberts Manor, which adjoined Pottsgrove. It is not certain that he ever secured a full title to this land, and no deed of conveyance from him or his legal representatives has been found. Such a tradition might easily grow from such a foundation). One tradition, in a collateral line, alleges that Jonah or Jonas Potts came to Pennsylvania from Wales. Another tradition alleges that the Potts' were driven from Wales by reason of religious oppression.
Tradition has it that the family was Quaker and that they fled Wales because of religious
persecution. Jonas is said to have married twice—both wives named Mary—and had children by
each wife. There is some indication that he moved from the Philadelphia area to Loudon County,
Virginia, in later years, to be near his son, David.
Emmigrated from Wales in 1683. Friend of Wm Penn. Claims that last 3 children were by a second wife.
Source - Early Records of Simpson Families, compiler Helen A. Simpson, J.B. Lippincott Co, Philadelphia, 1927, pp 347-361: 1686 First noticed in PA, as witness to marriage of Jane Potts and John Austin, in connection with family of Elizabeth Potts of Wales 1693 Tax list, the earliest known of Phila. Co.: Jonas Potts and Thomas Whitton assessed together in Cheltenham Tp. 1693 June 12, Jonas Potts of Philadelphia bought from Jacob Tellner, 133 acres in Cheltenham Tp. Sold same to James WIlliams of Darby on Dec. 8, 1701. Deed Book 80, p 574, at Norristown. THis deed was not recorded until 1851, one hundred and fifty years after it was made. 1701 Held office of Ranger for Phila. Co. term expiring 1702 1701 & 1706 elected High Sheriff of Germantown. This office, also named "Court Sheriff," in England conferred knighthood on the holder and still does. The fact that the office of High Sheriff in Colonial courts, of America makes the descendants eligible to the Society of the Colonial Dames. Cite: Collections of the Historical Society of PA, Vol. 6 and Vol XXXI. Extracts from the courts held in Germantown, 1691-1707, p 249: "At a court of record held at Germantown 9th day of Dec., 1701, before Aret Klinken, Bailiff, ... John Cunard Colweis being recorder... and Jonas Potts Sheriff. ...The Sheriff, Jonas Potts, gave Abraham Up de Graef the lie for saying that s'd Sheriff agreed with Matthew Peters to take for his fee 7s. 6d., which, upon acknowledgment was forgiven and laid by." Also p 247. "The 2d Dec. A.D., 1706, being the 2d day of the week and appointed time of election, at a general court held at Germantown ... the following persons were chosen to serve the ensuing year in Courts of Record, viz: ... Jonas Potts, Sheriff." 1703 2 mo. 8, Radnor Monthly Meeting states that Gwynedd Friends had laid before this meeting that Jonas Potts and his wife being poore and having divers small children need assistance to buy a cow. Jonas is "desired to bring a certificate from his former meeting." 1703 3 mo 31, Abington Meeting grants certificate to Jonas Potts' wife being removed to North Wales, where her parent lived. 1703 5 mo. 8, Mary Potts certificate of Dublin Monthly Meeting read and recorded. 1705 Oct. 2, Jonas Potts of Germantown, planter, bought from Arnold Koster two tracts, one of 20.75 acres in the inhabited part of Germantown; the other 29.25 acres of side land. Record sale of both tracts. Witness, Thomas Potts. 1707 1 mo. 31, Abington Meeting: Jonas Potts' wife having been a long while sick, whereby his family stand in great need of assistance. 1708 Bondsman for Jane Potts Austin, Admx. The account book of Francis D. Pastorius contains entries against Jonas Potts for drawing up legal papers and teaching his children. 1710 5 mo. 31, Abington Meeting granted certificate to Jonas Potts for his removal to Perquamen (Perkiomen). 1712 Leased 200 acres in Gilbert's Manor (present TP. of Upper Providence, nearly all of Lower Providence and parts of Perkiomen and Worchster Tps. bisected by Perkiomen Creek) in Montgomery Co. (from early Phil. Co.) for 5 years with privilege of buying it, applied for, 8 months later. This land was on the Schuykill River, within the limits of the present Limerick Township, Montgomery County. He is mentioned as of GIlberts or Limerick, from time to time. 1713, 20th 11mo., Minutes of Board of Property, "Jonas Potts desires that he may purchase on the same terms those 300 acres in Gilbert's which he held on Lease 5 yrs." ... Whether he obtained title to this property is not clear. 1713 Abington Meeting granted certificate for Jonas Potts removal to Philadelphia 1726 Contract to furnish walnut logs for the Proprietor's use. Board of Property Minute Bk.
About the year 1726, Jonas Potts had a contract for furnishing walnut logs for the Proprietor's use, as appears from an order, dated 2d 6 mo., 1726, which is recorded in Minute-Book I, of the Board of Property. Below is a copy of the order.
Friend Jonas Pots : I desire thee to deliver to the bearer hereof, John Head, all those black WaInut Loggs which the- s>me time ag > secured for the Prop'rs use, and his rec't with this Order shall be thy suff't discharge for the same. From ffr'd J.[amrs] S.[TEEL]
1737 Signed by his mark, as "of Limerick," a mortgage. Loan Bk., Phila. 1755 Lands of Jonas Potts mentioned as a boundary, in PA Gazette, June 13 He was twice married, for his son David calls Jonas II his half-brother, in a deed. As there is no record of his death it is supposed he followed his children to VA., Fairfax Co. (now Loudon): David in 1745 and Rachel & Joseph Burson in 1753 __________________________________________________________________ Source - The Life of Francis Daniel Pastorius, The Founder of Germantown, Marion Dexter Learned, 1908, Philadelphia, William J Campbell, p 182: Listed among the original subscribers to the school opened in Germantown, January 11, 1702 was one Jonas Potts. No children named Potts were listed among the pupils that first year, which would agree with the ages of Jonas' children. _____________________________________________________________________________ Clarence V. Roberts tells in his book "History of the Potts Family" , Jonas Potts, father of Rachel Potts, founded the town of Pottsdown, Pennsylvania. From early Pennsylvania Land Records, dated March 30, 1707, Min. Bk I, p. 721 we quote, "Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late Commissioners a grant of 300 a. in Gilbert's Manor for seven years under a certain rent, applies to the Board for the privilege of purchasing it. But he is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease and after an exact return of Survey of the whole Manor has been made, he may further apply for it and is to have the preference of it before all others, he paying as good a price for it." (1708) Philadelphia County.
Jonas Potts is credited with founding Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the book "History of the Potts Family" by Clarence V. Roberts.
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Thomas Pott, son of John and Anne Pott married Elizabeth and they had the following children:
John, Thomas, David, Jonas, Margaret, Jane and Elizabeth Potts. Jonas, son of Thomas and Elizabeth was our ancestor.
It has always been said that Jonas Potts, Sr. wed two women named Mary. There is some question whether there was in fact two Marys or which children might have been descended from which Mary. Mary of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania was Jonas' second wife. Tradition of descendants allege that the family came to Pennsylvania from Wales. This Jonas, hereafter referred to as Jonas, Sr., was first noticed in Pennsylvania as a witness to the marriage certificate of John Austin and Jane Potts, September 11, 1686. He was a resident of Germantown, Philadelphia County, and vicinity for a number of years, where he sometimes held local offices under the government. Later he settled on land in Gilbert's Manor, not far from the present town of Tyersford in Montgomery County. He was a party to several transactions in the purchase and sale of lands in Philadelphia County. He was also party to a land transaction in Cheltenham Township, County Hereford, England.
Jonas Potts held the office of Range for the County of Philadelphia, his term of office expiring in 1702. He also held the office of Court Sheriff for Germantown at one time. He seems to have been a man of determination, and perhaps of an impetuous temperament, as upon one occasion, in making arrest, it is said that he handled the man so roughly as to have almost killed him.
He was a member of the Society of Friends, but does not appear to have been very active in meeting affairs. The imperfect records of the early Meetings do not show a very clear record of his consecutive connection with the Society. He seems to have been under the care of Abington Monthly meeting, but later in life may have resorted to Gwynedd, or some Meeting in that vicinity.
About the year 1703, Jonas Potts seems to have been straitened circumstances, perhaps by reason of his wife's long continued illness. Radnor Monthly meeting minutes of 1703 show that "Jonas Potts and his wife being poore, and haveing divers small children, want assistance to buy a Cow." He was granted the cow.
Among different lines of descendants are several traditions, which probably have some elements of truth in them as well as inaccuracies. One tradition alleges that Jonas Potts came from England in the sixteenth (seventeenth) century and settled in Pennsylvania. Another claims that the first of the family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn. Another alleges that the first Potts settles in Pennsylvania came from Wales, emigrating from there on account of religious persecution. All agree that the first settlers were Friends or Quakers.
Jonas and first wife, Mary, had the following children:
David Potts died 1768, married first Elizabeth Lane and second Ann Roberts. David's children with Elizabeth were: Jonas, Jonathan, Anna and Mary. Children with Ann are: David, Samuel, Ezekiel, Nathan, Elizabeth, Christian, Susanna, and Rachel. Link to this family: www.heritagepursuit.com
Rachel married Joseph Burson August 15, 1719.
Elizabeth married William Heald August 15, 1719.
Hannah (not proven yet that she was a daughter apparently)
Jonas and second wife, Mary, had the following children:
Deborah Potts died July 24, 1718.
Jonathan Potts born 1714? married Amy who was born in 1718. They had eight children but only 5 are known: Nathan, Amos, Sarah, David and Ezekiel Potts This family settled in Kentucky.
Jonas Potts married twice-once to Mary, last name unknown and second to Mary Heckathorn. This is what Cy Potts has to say about it:
"The birth info on Jonathan, John and David is pretty solid. It came from Jefferson Co., OH records and DAR stuff. All three were Rev War veterans as you know. The DAR record for John states that Mary Heckathorn was his mamma, and Gary Jespersen (descendant of John Potts & Susannah Hibbens, and a careful researcher) was not budging from that. As you know, Thos. Maxwell Potts was confused as evidenced by the conflicting information in chapters 8 and 21. My take on all of it is that the chart of page 337 was TMP's last shot at it but he got the spouses surnames backwards (Heckathorn was first). That puts David, Jonathan, John, Jonas, Nathan and Joshua as children of Mary Heckathorn and Thomas, Noah and ____ as children of second spouse Mary _____.
Proof? Why absolutely none - of course. So my current stand is (subject to change by any persuasive information):
John b. 1751
Jonathan b. July 1755
David b. November 1756
Jonas b. before 1758 (Jonas is being rigidly researched by Dave Osborne)
Nathan b. July 10, 1764
Joshua b. February 4, 1769
Thomas b. ca. 1770
Unknown daughter b. 1770+
Noah b. 1772
The "gaps" appear at 1758 to 1764, and 1764 to 1769 it would seem. So Nathan could swing either way I guess. Poor Nathan."
Two of the Potts' daughters were married on August 15, 1719 at their home.
This book contains many branches of the family and I will not attempt to record them all here. However, I have done so for the direct lines. I do have some pages from the book. Cy Potts is a wealth of information cypotts@aol.com.
More Potts info
The best source for Potts information will be Cy Potts' web site at: http://www.potts.net.au/tree/ this site is just starting up so bookmark it and watch for additional information if you don't find your Potts immediately.
Other Potts cousins with info to share:
Ann L. Holland alhol99@bellsouth.net
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/z/u/e/Mariana-L-Zuelsdorf/
Another great link: http://www.haight.net/~leesue/index.html
This is a large file. I have tried to be accurate. There may be mistakes in here so please be subjective when using the data. There are many internet sites now and not all data agrees. If you are not sure what is here is correct please do futher research
Ancestral File Number: 1SQ1-Z3
Ancestral File Number: FZBN-D9
Clarence V. Roberts author of book History of the Potts family says Jonas Potts founded the town of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Early PA land records, Min. BkI, P.721, 30 Mar 1707, "Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late commissioners a grant of 300a. in Gilbert's Manor for sever years under a certain rent, applies to the board for the privilege of purchasing it. But he is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease and after an exact return of survey of the whole Manor has been made, he may further apply for it and is to have the preference of it before all others, he paying as good a price for it."
County, Virginia,1 reveals that Jonas named John Vestal as his Executor who paid several of
Jonas' debtors. The will was recorded at a Court held for Loudoun County the 27th day of April
1773.
(Research):Jonas Potts, son of David and Elizabeth (Lane) Potts, was born about 1726, probably in Pennsylvania, and removed with his parents to Virginia. To distinguish him from his uncle Jonas Potts, who lived in the same neighborhood, he was sometimes called Jonas Potts, Junior, and at others, Jonas Potts, Farmer.
On 10 mo, 31, 1748, he was received into the membership of Friends, by Fairfax Monthly Meeting. On 2 mo. 29, 1752, he applied to the Monthly Meeting for a certificate of clearness, in order that he might proceed in marriage with Maryh Stroud, a member of Hopewell Monthly Meeting, which was in due time granted and the marriage regularly consumated.
His father seems to have sttled him upon a farm of 150 acres, and givenhim a one half interest in the grist mill. In 1761 he purchased 122 acres on the north fork of Kittockton from his uncle Jonas Potts, and in 1763 he sold 50 acres, part of this tract, to Thomas Bryant. In 1764, he purchased from Thomas Wilson and Margaret, his wife, 260 acres on the south fork of Kittockton.
He died August 15, 1769, at the age of forty two years, and was buried in the Potts graveyard. His tombstone bears the earliest inscripton in the yard. The monument is a rough Blue Ridge stone, and the lettering is somewhat crudely and quaintly cut. A copy of the inscripton is given below. The first line is curved upward in the form of an arc of a circle. Immediately below this curved line, are cut three inverted hearts, in positions indicated by the three asterisks.
His will bears date of July 31, 1768, and was filed and proven September 12, following. He mentions, "my father David Potts, late deceased," and appoints "my two brothers-in-law, John Vestal and Samuel Person, (Pearson), both of Frederick County," as his executors. He mentions his wife and each of his children by name, and makes provision for them in the distribution of his estate. John Vestal took out letters of testamentary, with Isreal Thompson and Francis Hague as bondsmen in the sum of L 1000. The inventory of his personality covers four folio pages.
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
By a deed dated June 12, 1693, ne purchased 133^ acres of land in Cheltenham Township, Philadelphia [now Montgomery] County, from Jacob Tellner.f This was part of a larger tract, originally granted to Edward Jefferson, of Ashwell, County Hereford, England, malster, and Mercy, his wife. The said Jefferson dying, his widow, Mercy, married Thomas Phillips, and they conveyed to Francis Richardson in 1684, who conveyed 400 acres to Jacob Tellner in 1688, and now the said Jacob Tellner conveys one third thereof to Jonas Potts, as above stated. The tax-list of Philadeldelphia County for 1693, (the earliest known to be in existance), contains an entry of "Thomas Whitton & Jonas Potts." assessed together in Cheltenham Township.
was first noticed in Pennsylvania Records on September 11, 1686, as a witness to the marriage certificate of his sister, Jane Potts, and John Austin. He was a resident of Germantown, in Philadelphia County and farmed in Montgomery County, PA. He was twice married and the given name of each wife was Mary. He would have had to be at least twenty-one years old at that
time. Various deeds of record" show that he lived at Germantown in Philadelphia County and
vicinity and later settled on land located in Gilbert's Manor in Montgomery County near the
present town of Royersford.
In December 1701 he was appointed Sheriff of Philadelphia County and also held the
office of Ranger until his term expired in 1702. At one time he held the office of Court Sheriff
for the village of Germantown. TMP says: "He seems to have been a man of determination and
perhaps an impetuous temperament as upon one occasion in making an arrest, it is said that he
handled a man so roughly as to have almost killed him."
One record reads: "8 June 1704, a recognizance wherein Jonas Potts, David Potts and
Jacob Shoemaker were bound in the sum of three hundred pounds for the personal appearing of
the same Jonas Potts at the court, for having dangerously hurt one William Robinson, was read;
and forasmuch as the said Jonas Potts did appear and nothing was objected against him, in this
manner the said Robinson being past all danger of his wound, he, the said Jonas Potts was
cleared by proclamation."
Although Jonas was a member of the Society of Friends he does not appear to have been
very regular in attendance at Meetings. He is mentioned in the minutes of Abington Monthly
Meeting and later appears to have transferred to Gwynedd and Radnor and Fairfax meetings.
Apparently Jonas was having some financial problems, around 1703, caused in part
perhaps by his wife's chronic illness. Radnor Monthly Meeting minutes of 2 mo. 8, 1703
contain this entry:
"Gwynedd friends have laid before this meeting that Jonas Potts & his wife being
poore, and having divers small children, want assistance to buy a Cow, they
formerly Resorting or belonging to another monthly meeting, friends of this
meeting desire that they bring a certificate from that monthly meeting to the next
monthly meeting, and their Proposall is left to the further Consideration of the
meeting."
Then, at the Monthly Meeting, held 3 mo. 13,1703, the following is noted:
"Friends Conclude to collect £5 to Jonas Potts to lend him to buy a Cow, that is to
say £2 from Merion Meeting, £1 10s from Radnor Meeting, and £1 10s from
Haverford and Newtowne Meetings, and he is desired to bring a Certificate from
the monthly meeting where they formerly Resorted, and the Collectors appointed
in the several meetings are desired to Collect them to be brought to the next
meeting."
The Abington Monthly Meeting granted, on 3 mo. 31 1703, a certificate to Jonas Potts'
wife—"being removed to North Wales," where her parents lived. The minutes of Radnor
Monthly Meeting of 5 mo. 8, 1703 state that "Mary Potts Certificate from friends of Dublin
Monthly Meeting was read in this meeting and ordered to be Recorded." The minutes of the
same meeting for 6 mo. 12, 1703 have this: "Jonas Potts Certificate not brought to this meeting,
and his wife being weakly and sickly, wanting present assistance and £5 being mostly Collected,
as the meeting formerly appointed, are lent to the women's meeting to be given to her assistance,
they not having stock to assist them at present." The first part of the foregoing minute is crossed
off but contains the name of Mary Potts as wife of Jonas. [It may be that Jonas' first wife died
around this time.] The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting of 1 mo. 31, 1703 record this:
"Whereas Jonas Potts' wife having been a long while sick, whereby his family
Stand in great need of Assistance, Friends do appoint Dennis Cunnard and Arnold
Klinker to assist y™ with Some money out of their Subscription."
On 2 October 1705 Jonas Potts of Germantown purchased from Arnold Koster two tracts
of land totaling fifty acres, for £27.3 One of these tracts was described as containing 20 VA acres
in the inhabited part of Germantown, and the other as containing 29 Vz acres of side land.
The first essay of the foregoing minute is crossed off. It contains the name of Mary Potts as wife of Jonas. The minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting of 1 mo. 31, 1707, contain this entry,
Whereas Jonas Potts wife having been a long while Sick : whereby his ffamily Stand in great need of Assistance, Friends do appoint Dennis Cunnard and Arnold Kliuker to assist y" with Some money out of their Subscription,
In the early part of 1708, Jonas Potts became one of the bondsmen of Jane (Potts) Austin, as the administratrix of John Austin, her late husband.
On 28 December 1708 he sold the 20 VA acre lot for £60, authenticating with his mark—
"J^."4On December 28, 1708, "Jonas Potts, of Germantown, husbandman," sold the first mentioned lot, "and now in Tenure and occupation of the abovesaid Jonas Potts," containing 20^ acres, to Herman Casdorp, for ^60. It was described as bounded on the south east by lot of Isaac Van Sintern, north by lot, of Jacob Gottschalk, 14 perches in breadth, and extending from Germantown Street, as all other lots "to y* hindermost line of s'i town." Jonas Potts made his mark, I P.t
On 13 Dec 1709 he sold the other acreage for £37.5
On December 13, 1709, " Jonas Potts, of Germantown, planter," in consideration of ,£37, sold the other lot containing 29^ acres, to Conrad Rutters. The witnesses were Thomas Potts and Francis Daniel Pastorius. Jonas Potts made his mark, I P. J
On 5 mo. 31, 1710, Abington Monthly Meeting granted a Certificate to Jonas Potts, " in order for his removal to Perquamen," [Perkiomen].
On 2 mo, 10, 1712, Jonas Potts leased 200 acres in Gilbert's Manor,* from the Board of Property, for a term of five years at a yearly rental of ^8, he to have the privilege of purchasing when the land should be for sale. On 10 mo, 31, 1712, the Board of Property make a minute to the effect that Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late Commissioners, a grant of 300 acres in Gilberts Manor for seven years under a certain rent, now applies for the privilege of purchasing it. He is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease, and after an exact survey of the whole Manor has been made, he is to hav'e the preference over all others in the purchase, by paying as good a price for it.
2oth 11 mo. 1713, contain these entries,
Jame» Hauler, of the County of Philad'a, desiring to purchase 300 Acres of Land in the Mannor of Gilberts, next above that Part of it where Jonas Potts is setled, upon a Lease granted him about the Year 1708, agrees to pay Seventy-five Pounds for the same (or £25 per C.) one Moiety thereof in Three Months and the other Moiety in Six Months after, with Int. for s'd Six Months and a Warr't signed, dated thi zoth 11 mo. 1713-4.
Jonas Potts, at the same time with the forementioned James Hamer, desires that he may Purchase on the same Terms 'those 300 a's in Gilberts, which he held 5 years on Lease at ,£3, Old Currency, p. an., but before the above mentioned 300 Acres be laid out J, Hamer he desires that 50 a's more may be added to the first 2oo a's at the same rate, all which is granted, and the s'd J. Hamer agrees to begin Bo much Higher up provided that the Spott of low Land which otherwise might have fain within his Lines be left to him, which is mutually agreed between them. A Warr't to be granted.
Whether Jonas Potts secured a full title to this property or not, is not clear. Among his descendants in Virginia, is a tradition that they are heirs to a tract of land at Pottsgrove, (?) Pennsylvania, which belonged to their ancestor, and had never been distributed.
On 6 mo. 31. 1713, Abington Monthly Meeting granted a Certificate to Jonah [Jonas] Potts "in order for his removal to Philadelphia." The Philadelphia Monthly Meet- • ing records the death of Deborah Potts, daughter of Jonas and Mary, on 7 mo. 24. 1718.
In June of 1713 Jonas moved to Philadelphia, as duly recorded in the Abington Monthly
Meeting, and five years later, on 7 mo. 24, 1718, the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records the
death of "Deborah Potts, daughter of Jonas and Mary."
Jonas Potts owned and occupied a farm in Gilberts Manor, which adjoined Pottsgrove. It is not certain that he ever secured a full title to this land, and no deed of conveyance from him or his legal representatives has been found. Such a tradition might easily grow from such a foundation). One tradition, in a collateral line, alleges that Jonah or Jonas Potts came to Pennsylvania from Wales. Another tradition alleges that the Potts' were driven from Wales by reason of religious oppression.
Tradition has it that the family was Quaker and that they fled Wales because of religious
persecution. Jonas is said to have married twice—both wives named Mary—and had children by
each wife. There is some indication that he moved from the Philadelphia area to Loudon County,
Virginia, in later years, to be near his son, David.
Emmigrated from Wales in 1683. Friend of Wm Penn. Claims that last 3 children were by a second wife.
Source - Early Records of Simpson Families, compiler Helen A. Simpson, J.B. Lippincott Co, Philadelphia, 1927, pp 347-361: 1686 First noticed in PA, as witness to marriage of Jane Potts and John Austin, in connection with family of Elizabeth Potts of Wales 1693 Tax list, the earliest known of Phila. Co.: Jonas Potts and Thomas Whitton assessed together in Cheltenham Tp. 1693 June 12, Jonas Potts of Philadelphia bought from Jacob Tellner, 133 acres in Cheltenham Tp. Sold same to James WIlliams of Darby on Dec. 8, 1701. Deed Book 80, p 574, at Norristown. THis deed was not recorded until 1851, one hundred and fifty years after it was made. 1701 Held office of Ranger for Phila. Co. term expiring 1702 1701 & 1706 elected High Sheriff of Germantown. This office, also named "Court Sheriff," in England conferred knighthood on the holder and still does. The fact that the office of High Sheriff in Colonial courts, of America makes the descendants eligible to the Society of the Colonial Dames. Cite: Collections of the Historical Society of PA, Vol. 6 and Vol XXXI. Extracts from the courts held in Germantown, 1691-1707, p 249: "At a court of record held at Germantown 9th day of Dec., 1701, before Aret Klinken, Bailiff, ... John Cunard Colweis being recorder... and Jonas Potts Sheriff. ...The Sheriff, Jonas Potts, gave Abraham Up de Graef the lie for saying that s'd Sheriff agreed with Matthew Peters to take for his fee 7s. 6d., which, upon acknowledgment was forgiven and laid by." Also p 247. "The 2d Dec. A.D., 1706, being the 2d day of the week and appointed time of election, at a general court held at Germantown ... the following persons were chosen to serve the ensuing year in Courts of Record, viz: ... Jonas Potts, Sheriff." 1703 2 mo. 8, Radnor Monthly Meeting states that Gwynedd Friends had laid before this meeting that Jonas Potts and his wife being poore and having divers small children need assistance to buy a cow. Jonas is "desired to bring a certificate from his former meeting." 1703 3 mo 31, Abington Meeting grants certificate to Jonas Potts' wife being removed to North Wales, where her parent lived. 1703 5 mo. 8, Mary Potts certificate of Dublin Monthly Meeting read and recorded. 1705 Oct. 2, Jonas Potts of Germantown, planter, bought from Arnold Koster two tracts, one of 20.75 acres in the inhabited part of Germantown; the other 29.25 acres of side land. Record sale of both tracts. Witness, Thomas Potts. 1707 1 mo. 31, Abington Meeting: Jonas Potts' wife having been a long while sick, whereby his family stand in great need of assistance. 1708 Bondsman for Jane Potts Austin, Admx. The account book of Francis D. Pastorius contains entries against Jonas Potts for drawing up legal papers and teaching his children. 1710 5 mo. 31, Abington Meeting granted certificate to Jonas Potts for his removal to Perquamen (Perkiomen). 1712 Leased 200 acres in Gilbert's Manor (present TP. of Upper Providence, nearly all of Lower Providence and parts of Perkiomen and Worchster Tps. bisected by Perkiomen Creek) in Montgomery Co. (from early Phil. Co.) for 5 years with privilege of buying it, applied for, 8 months later. This land was on the Schuykill River, within the limits of the present Limerick Township, Montgomery County. He is mentioned as of GIlberts or Limerick, from time to time. 1713, 20th 11mo., Minutes of Board of Property, "Jonas Potts desires that he may purchase on the same terms those 300 acres in Gilbert's which he held on Lease 5 yrs." ... Whether he obtained title to this property is not clear. 1713 Abington Meeting granted certificate for Jonas Potts removal to Philadelphia 1726 Contract to furnish walnut logs for the Proprietor's use. Board of Property Minute Bk.
About the year 1726, Jonas Potts had a contract for furnishing walnut logs for the Proprietor's use, as appears from an order, dated 2d 6 mo., 1726, which is recorded in Minute-Book I, of the Board of Property. Below is a copy of the order.
Friend Jonas Pots : I desire thee to deliver to the bearer hereof, John Head, all those black WaInut Loggs which the- s>me time ag > secured for the Prop'rs use, and his rec't with this Order shall be thy suff't discharge for the same. From ffr'd J.[amrs] S.[TEEL]
1737 Signed by his mark, as "of Limerick," a mortgage. Loan Bk., Phila. 1755 Lands of Jonas Potts mentioned as a boundary, in PA Gazette, June 13 He was twice married, for his son David calls Jonas II his half-brother, in a deed. As there is no record of his death it is supposed he followed his children to VA., Fairfax Co. (now Loudon): David in 1745 and Rachel & Joseph Burson in 1753 __________________________________________________________________ Source - The Life of Francis Daniel Pastorius, The Founder of Germantown, Marion Dexter Learned, 1908, Philadelphia, William J Campbell, p 182: Listed among the original subscribers to the school opened in Germantown, January 11, 1702 was one Jonas Potts. No children named Potts were listed among the pupils that first year, which would agree with the ages of Jonas' children. _____________________________________________________________________________ Clarence V. Roberts tells in his book "History of the Potts Family" , Jonas Potts, father of Rachel Potts, founded the town of Pottsdown, Pennsylvania. From early Pennsylvania Land Records, dated March 30, 1707, Min. Bk I, p. 721 we quote, "Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late Commissioners a grant of 300 a. in Gilbert's Manor for seven years under a certain rent, applies to the Board for the privilege of purchasing it. But he is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease and after an exact return of Survey of the whole Manor has been made, he may further apply for it and is to have the preference of it before all others, he paying as good a price for it." (1708) Philadelphia County.
Jonas Potts is credited with founding Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the book "History of the Potts Family" by Clarence V. Roberts.
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Thomas Pott, son of John and Anne Pott married Elizabeth and they had the following children:
John, Thomas, David, Jonas, Margaret, Jane and Elizabeth Potts. Jonas, son of Thomas and Elizabeth was our ancestor.
It has always been said that Jonas Potts, Sr. wed two women named Mary. There is some question whether there was in fact two Marys or which children might have been descended from which Mary. Mary of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania was Jonas' second wife. Tradition of descendants allege that the family came to Pennsylvania from Wales. This Jonas, hereafter referred to as Jonas, Sr., was first noticed in Pennsylvania as a witness to the marriage certificate of John Austin and Jane Potts, September 11, 1686. He was a resident of Germantown, Philadelphia County, and vicinity for a number of years, where he sometimes held local offices under the government. Later he settled on land in Gilbert's Manor, not far from the present town of Tyersford in Montgomery County. He was a party to several transactions in the purchase and sale of lands in Philadelphia County. He was also party to a land transaction in Cheltenham Township, County Hereford, England.
Jonas Potts held the office of Range for the County of Philadelphia, his term of office expiring in 1702. He also held the office of Court Sheriff for Germantown at one time. He seems to have been a man of determination, and perhaps of an impetuous temperament, as upon one occasion, in making arrest, it is said that he handled the man so roughly as to have almost killed him.
He was a member of the Society of Friends, but does not appear to have been very active in meeting affairs. The imperfect records of the early Meetings do not show a very clear record of his consecutive connection with the Society. He seems to have been under the care of Abington Monthly meeting, but later in life may have resorted to Gwynedd, or some Meeting in that vicinity.
About the year 1703, Jonas Potts seems to have been straitened circumstances, perhaps by reason of his wife's long continued illness. Radnor Monthly meeting minutes of 1703 show that "Jonas Potts and his wife being poore, and haveing divers small children, want assistance to buy a Cow." He was granted the cow.
Among different lines of descendants are several traditions, which probably have some elements of truth in them as well as inaccuracies. One tradition alleges that Jonas Potts came from England in the sixteenth (seventeenth) century and settled in Pennsylvania. Another claims that the first of the family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn. Another alleges that the first Potts settles in Pennsylvania came from Wales, emigrating from there on account of religious persecution. All agree that the first settlers were Friends or Quakers.
Jonas and first wife, Mary, had the following children:
David Potts died 1768, married first Elizabeth Lane and second Ann Roberts. David's children with Elizabeth were: Jonas, Jonathan, Anna and Mary. Children with Ann are: David, Samuel, Ezekiel, Nathan, Elizabeth, Christian, Susanna, and Rachel. Link to this family: www.heritagepursuit.com
Rachel married Joseph Burson August 15, 1719.
Elizabeth married William Heald August 15, 1719.
Hannah (not proven yet that she was a daughter apparently)
Jonas and second wife, Mary, had the following children:
Deborah Potts died July 24, 1718.
Jonathan Potts born 1714? married Amy who was born in 1718. They had eight children but only 5 are known: Nathan, Amos, Sarah, David and Ezekiel Potts This family settled in Kentucky.
Jonas Potts married twice-once to Mary, last name unknown and second to Mary Heckathorn. This is what Cy Potts has to say about it:
"The birth info on Jonathan, John and David is pretty solid. It came from Jefferson Co., OH records and DAR stuff. All three were Rev War veterans as you know. The DAR record for John states that Mary Heckathorn was his mamma, and Gary Jespersen (descendant of John Potts & Susannah Hibbens, and a careful researcher) was not budging from that. As you know, Thos. Maxwell Potts was confused as evidenced by the conflicting information in chapters 8 and 21. My take on all of it is that the chart of page 337 was TMP's last shot at it but he got the spouses surnames backwards (Heckathorn was first). That puts David, Jonathan, John, Jonas, Nathan and Joshua as children of Mary Heckathorn and Thomas, Noah and ____ as children of second spouse Mary _____.
Proof? Why absolutely none - of course. So my current stand is (subject to change by any persuasive information):
John b. 1751
Jonathan b. July 1755
David b. November 1756
Jonas b. before 1758 (Jonas is being rigidly researched by Dave Osborne)
Nathan b. July 10, 1764
Joshua b. February 4, 1769
Thomas b. ca. 1770
Unknown daughter b. 1770+
Noah b. 1772
The "gaps" appear at 1758 to 1764, and 1764 to 1769 it would seem. So Nathan could swing either way I guess. Poor Nathan."
Two of the Potts' daughters were married on August 15, 1719 at their home.
This book contains many branches of the family and I will not attempt to record them all here. However, I have done so for the direct lines. I do have some pages from the book. Cy Potts is a wealth of information cypotts@aol.com.
More Potts info
The best source for Potts information will be Cy Potts' web site at: http://www.potts.net.au/tree/ this site is just starting up so bookmark it and watch for additional information if you don't find your Potts immediately.
Other Potts cousins with info to share:
Ann L. Holland alhol99@bellsouth.net
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/z/u/e/Mariana-L-Zuelsdorf/
Another great link: http://www.haight.net/~leesue/index.html
This is a large file. I have tried to be accurate. There may be mistakes in here so please be subjective when using the data. There are many internet sites now and not all data agrees. If you are not sure what is here is correct please do futher research
Ancestral File Number:
Ancestral File Number:
Clarence V. Roberts author of book History of the Potts family says Jonas Potts founded the town of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Early PA land records, Min. BkI, P.721, 30 Mar 1707, "Jonas Potts, having obtained of the late commissioners a grant of 300a. in Gilbert's Manor for sever years under a certain rent, applies to the board for the privilege of purchasing it. But he is first ordered to pay the arrears due on his lease and after an exact return of survey of the whole Manor has been made, he may further apply for it and is to have the preference of it before all others, he paying as good a price for it."
Events
| Birth | 1680 | Llangirrig, Montgomery, Wales |  | ||
| Marriage | Bef 1700 | Mary Mercy | |||
| Marriage | Abt 1711 | Pennsylvania - Mary Mercy | |||
| Death | Abt 1754 | Loudoun Co., Virginia | | ||
| Death | 1754 | Pottsgrove, Philadelphia, Pa | | ||
| Death | Abt 1754 | Loudon, Virginia | |||
| Burial | Potts Cemetery, Loudoun Co., Virginia | ||||
| Religion | Quaker | ||||
| Occupation | Farmer | ||||
| Occupation | Planter | ||||
| Occupation | Farmer, Court Sheriff, Ranger |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Stroud ( - ) |
| Child | Deborah Potts (1712 - 1718) |
| Child | Jonas Potts (1716 - 1814) |
| Spouse | Mary Mercy ( - ) |
| Child | Jonas Potts Jr ( - ) |
| Child | David Potts (1700 - 1768) |
| Child | Mary Rachel Potts (1702 - 1752) |
| Child | Hannah Potts (1705 - ) |
| Spouse | Mary Mercy (1654 - ) |
| Child | Jonathan Potts (1714 - 1785) |
| Father | Thomas Potts (1632 - 1672) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Baset (1636 - 1707) |
| Sibling | Thomas Potts (1658 - 1719) |
| Sibling | Margaret Potts ( - ) |
| Sibling | Jane Potts (1668 - 1734) |
| Sibling | David Potts (1670 - 1730) |
| Sibling | John Potts (1663 - 1698) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth Potts (1662 - 1707) |
| Sibling | George Potts (1665 - 1690) |
Endnotes
1. Mike1.ged.
2. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
3. v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW.
4. Sandra Brands, e-mail: seirls@aol.com.
5. Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;, Database online..
6. Thomas Maxwell Potts, 1901, The Potts Family in Great Britain and America.
7. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~clark42/wc04/wc04_031.html ---Richard A. Clark II.
8. Mike1.ged.
9. Rick Swayne at ... rswayne@compuserve.com.
10. v22t1114.FBC.FBK.FTW.
11. Rick Swayne at ... rswayne@compuserve.com.
12. Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;, Database online..