Individual Details

Marriage

Nathan Potts married Esther Rhoads. They had six children: Daniel, Stephen (who was an apprentice in the printing office with Benjamin Franklin), Nathan, Alice, Zebulon and Isaiah. Zebulon was born March 24th, 1746. He married Martha Trotter, of Philadelphia, daughter of Joseph and Ann Trotter, about 1771. They resided in Plymouth township, near Sixth avenue, Conshohocken, Pa. He was a prominent man in his day, being constable of Plymouth township before the Revolution. He was an ardent patriot during the War for Independence, and having the courage of his convictions was outspoken in defense of the American cause. Zebulon and Martha Trotter Potts had ten children. Ann, born in 1772; Joseph, born in 1774; Esther, born in 1777, died in infancy; Hannah, born in 1778; Alice, born in 1780; Esther, born in 1783; Martha, born in 1785; William, born in 1787; Robert Tower, born in 1790; and Daniel T., born in 1794. Robert T. Potts lived at Swedeland. It is a coincidence that Zebulon and his grandfather, David, both died while in office, one as a member of the Provincial Assembly and the other as State Senator. Another coincidence is that Isaac Mather and President Roosevelt have the same birthday. Zebulon Potts must have been endowed by nature with considerably more than average ability, as his educational facilities were very limited. The following is a clipping from the Norristown Herald, "The County's Senators" : ... "In 1807 Jonathan Roberts, Jr., of Upper Merion (afterwards United States Senator), defeated John Richards for reelection. Mr. Richards had been defeated in 1799 by Zebulon Potts. In 1801 Mr. Richards was elected to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Potts who died that spring, and in 1803 was re-elected, defeating General Andrew Porter." Senator Potts was carried into the Senate Chamber to cast his last vote, as there was a matter of great importance before the Senate. He died shortly afterwards. Died in office, Spring 1801.

Occupation

During the encampment of the army at Valley Forrge, he was very active in procuring food for the army. On more than one occasion he succeeded in passing the British lines into the City of Philadelphia. On account of his activity in the cause of the colonies, a price was put upon his capture. Many attempts were made to take him but he always succeeded in evading his pursuers. On one occasion he hid in an open ended barrel with the open end at the ground. He had a secret understanding with his neighbors, that when danger threatened at night, pebbles were thrown upon th eroof of his house to apprise him and give him time to escape.
After the war Zebulon was appointed High Sheriff of Montgomery County which he held for several years. He was also a member of the legislature. He probably died in Harrisburg during a session.

“Zebulon Potts, feeling that deeds spoke louder than words, raised a company of militia and was in the Battle of Brandywine. He was one of the Committee of Safety and was active in procuring provisions for the soldiers at Valley Forge. For his strcnuosity he was turned out of meeting. They offered to reinstate him after the war, if he would say he was sorry. He said he was not and would do the same thing again if occasion required it. On account of his activity in the cause of the colonies a price was set upon his head. Many attempts were made by the British to capture him but he always succeeded in evading his pursuers. On one occasion he is said to have hid under a barrel. He had an arrangement with his neighbors that if danger threatened at night, they were to throw pebbles on the roof.
   “After the war he went into politics and when Montgomery county was organized he was elected the first sheriff. He was elected to the State Senate in 1796. He was again elected in 1799, being the first Senator from Montgomery county and the only one to serve two terms. He died at Harrisburg, 3d-month 17, 1801, during his second term. In 1777 he was Associate Judge in Philadelphia. In politics he was an ardent Federalist and each time he was elected he was the only successful one on his ticket.
   “While Washington was encamped at Valley Forge and the British in Philadelphia, there were Tory families living between the lines that were keeping the British posted with regard to Washington’s movements. To prevent this Washington ordered the heads of families arrested and held as hostages for the good behavior of their families. Small-pox broke out among them. Their families requested Zebulon Potts to intercede and have them released, which he was successful in doing, they promising good behavior in the future. When he was a candidate for office, these men, though differing with him in politics, used their influence in his behalf, as they fell they were indebted to him for their lives, and they were the cause of his success and of his being the only one elected on his ticket. He was noted as a ‘stump speaker.’ There are several anecdotes told of his canvassing:
   “On one occasion he called on a German in the upper end of the county, talked politics to him and was informed that the German wouldn't vote for that man Potts. He found his opponents had been prejudicing the man against him. He took dinner with him and after dinner the German would not accept any pay for the meal. Potts, finding that he was late with his seeding, his hired man sick, his pair of horses in the stable idle, and he in trouble generally, told him as he would not accept pay for the dinner, to gear the horses and he would plow a few rounds to pay for it. So the team was geared, the plow set to suit and as Potts was a fine plowman everything went .satisfactorily. He plowed until four o’clock, pulled out the team and told the German he would have to leave, as he had business to attend to. The German said: ‘Before you go I want to know who you are.’ Potts told him his name was Zebulon Potts. ‘What, are you the fellow who is running for Senator?’ He was told he was. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I will vote for you anyhow, for a man that turns a furrow like that is all right.’ So the three hours’ plowing did ten times as much good as three hours’ argument.
   “Upon another occasion, on a hotel porch, a man was berating him for some fancied wrong, when Potts turned on him and said: ‘I saved thy neck from the halter once, but if I had it to do again I’d let thee hang.’
   “The late John Elliot, sometimes called ‘King Elliot,’ of King-of-Prussia, had in his possession a pass given to John Cotton certifying to his loyalty to the American cause and to pass him through the lines, signed by Zebulon Potts.”