Jonathan Potts (1714 - abt. 1785)

Born 19 Jun 1714 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Naomi (Hall) Potts — married 1738 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died about May 1785 at about age 70 in Mercer, Lincoln County, Kentucky, USA

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Jonathan Potts has Welsh ancestors.

Jonathan Potts was a Pennsylvanian.

Biography

(All records in Wales spell the name "Pott"; it wasn't until their arrival in the colonies that the "s" was added to the name of this Potts family of Wales.)

JONATHAN POTTS, also known as “John,” was born in 1714, probably in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; however his ancestry is not entirely clear, as discussed in the Introduction to this book. He married Naomi___ about 1738, as nearly as can be estimated. It has been reported that her maiden name may have been Hall. She was affectionately called “Omey,” or “Emey,” as can be seen in the family Bible entries outlined below. Jonathan died in Lincoln County, Kentucky around May or June 1785. Naomi was born 18 June 1718, probably in Pennsylvania, and her parentage has yet to be determined. She was still living as late as June 1790, aged seventy-two.

Children of Jonathon Potts and Naomi (Hall) Potts:

1. John Potts Jr (1739-1781)
2. Nathan Potts (1741-1777)
3. Amos Potts (1743-1780)
4. Sarah (Potts) Burks Simpson (1745-1829)
5. George Potts (1748-?)
6. David Potts (1751-1832)
7. Matthew Potts (1754-1777)
8. Ezekial Potts (1755-1784)
9. Martha Potts (1760-?)

Notations on Jonathon Potts:
“ Jonathan POTTS was born on Jun 19 1714 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in 1785 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. He is believed to have been the son of Jonas Potts, of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, by his second wife. He removed, first, to Virginia, (supposed to Loudoun County), and from there to Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was married to Naomi HALL in 1740 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Naomi HALL was born on Jun 18 1718 in Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania.4 She died after 1790 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky. ”….. excerpted from http://www.heritech.com/soil/genealogy/potts/shorthist.htm#38

Tradition has it that the Pott's family were Quakers and that they fled Wales because of religious persecution. They were members of the Society of Friends. His father is assumed to be Jonas Potts Sr……

Jonathon “John” and Naomi (Hall) Potts: John and “Emey”, or "Omey" (as she was affectionally called ) Potts were probably in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania from the time of their marriage until 1751 or 1752. During that time it is believed that they had their first six children. Whether they migrated south into Loudoun County, Virginia to be near Jonathan’s half-brother David and his full brother Jonas, or whether they went directly southwestward along the Allegheny Range into Augusta County, Virginia is still open to conjecture. In any event the family arrived after what had to be a hazardous journey by wagon into the upper James River valley around 1752. The children’s ages would have ranged from John Jr., (presumed to be the eldest) who would have been around twelve, to David, an infant of only a few months. After attempting to clear some land at the base of what became known as Potts Mountain, along Potts Creek, on the eastern edge of the valley, Jonathan apparently abandoned the project and settled on 124 acres along Craig’s Creek in a more populated area. He and his family were active in community affairs during the long years they were in that area, as can be seen by the frequency with which various members of the family served on jury and surveying assignments

Jonathan Potts is believed to have followed his half-brother, David, from the Philadelphia area into Fairfax County, Virginia, sometime after 1735. No record, however, has come to light showing Jonathan in that region. In fact, the first identifiable record of Jonathan is an Augusta County, Virginia deed showing his purchase on 22 November 1753 of 124 acres along Craig’s Creek in what later became Botetourt County. It seems likely that Jonathan and Naomi and their then six children departed Philadelphia County around 1752 and joined the migration of largely Scotch-Irish Presbyterians from that same locality who had started a push westward into the “Great Valley” of Virginia.

There is an indication that Jonathan first attempted to establish a home for his family in extremely rugged country along “Potts Creek” at the base of “Potts Mountain” on the western edge of the valley and gave his name to those geographical features before giving up the battle and moving eastward into a more populated and hospitable site on Craig’s Creek. An ever- present danger from marauding Indians may have influenced his decision to relocate.

Will of John Potts, Probated June 21, 1785 in Lincoln County, Kentucky:
--October 29, 1783-- Know all men by these presents that I, John Potts by the will of God, Amen, inhabitant of Kentucky and County of Lincoln, weak in Body, but in perfect sound memory considering the uncertainty of life do think fit to will and ordain such worldly estate and effects as God in his providence hath given me in manner following (Viz) First, I commend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it and my body to the care of my Executoro be decently buried. Second, I do will and bequeath to my lawful married wife Naomi Potts all the wearing apparel with one half the peuter belonging to the household and dispose as her properties. I will and bequeath to my lawful begotten son David Potts all my estate title and properties in land. I will and order the use and benefit devising from my live stock to the necessary support of my wife Naomi during her natural life together with bed bedding and such other furniture as I possess not heretofore disposed of by me and commend the oversight of them to my Executors to prevent fraud while her hand, at her decease I will and order the same totally to my son David Potts aforementioned with the estate to him and his lawful heirs forever. I will and bequeath to my lawful begotten daughter Sarah Burks twenty shillings to be paid on demand. I leave to my grandson John Potts, lawful son of Amos Potts, one dollar to be paid in like manner. I constitute and appoint my son David Potts and my trusty friend Thomas Harbeson my executors. Sealed with my seal and signed with my hand this 29th day of October 1783. Witness: James McColluck John Potts Margaret Harbeson William Shaw Probated June 21, 1785

About his father, Jonas Potts, Sr:
“He owned a farm in Gilberts Manor, which adjoined Pottsgrove. Moved to Germantown, PA. Jonas held the office of Ranger for the county of Philadelphia; his term expired in 1702. He was a man of determination & impetuous temperment. He held office of Court sheriff for Germantown, PA. He was a planter, by trade. he farmed in Montgomery Co., PA. He did quite well until his wife, Mary, fell ill & they became relatively poor.“…. Excerpted

Notes on History and Founding of Potts Grove, Pennsylvania:
“ The name "Pottsgrove" originated from the 18th century estate of John Potts, who built a stone mansion in Stowe (now in West Pottsgrove Township). After the American Revolution's Battle of Brandywine in 1777, part of the Potts Estate became an encampment for George Washington's troops. The encampment, known as Camp Pottsgrove, lasted about two weeks until Washington's troops moved on to the battle of Germantown. The name Camp Pottsgrove stayed even after the troops moved out.”.... excerpted

Sources

• Jordan, John W. Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1915, p. 102-105)

• https://www.montcopa.org/930/Pottsgrove-Manor

• https://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2013/07/heavy-metal-tales-at-pottsgrove-manor.html?m=1

• Resource: Jonathan Potts 1714-1785 his Ancestors and Descendants Revised, Compiled by Joseph J Reichel (privately published 1980, Revised 2004)

• http://www.pottsinfo.com/

• Reference book written by Thomas Maxwell Potts of Cannonsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is titled: Historical Collections of the Potts Family in Great Britain and America (published 1901).

• Kegley’ s Virginia Frontier, F. B. Kegley

• Film 25270-1033605, Item 2. 'The Potts Family in American', Chapter 8, Pg. 220.

• The Potts Family in Great Britain and America, 1901, T. M. Potts; page 230 and 338

• The Potts Family in Great Britain and America, 1901, T. M. Potts; (See Chapter VIII. pages 220 to 230, ante).

• Last Will of John/Jonathan Potts Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990; "Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP3V-72N?cc=1875188&wc=37R5-DPN%3A173455601%2C173712402 : 20 May 2014), Lincoln > Will records, Index, 1781-1791, Vol. A > image 55 of 115; county courthouses, Kentucky; 21 June 1785

• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Jonathan_Potts_%289%29

• Family Papers, Printed histories