James Potts (1757 - 1844)

Born 7 Mar 1757 in Salisbury District, Rowan County, North Carolina

Husband of Susannah (Abshire) Potts — married 19 Jul 1788 in Burke County, North Carolina

Descendants

Died 11 Mar 1844 at age 87 in Peytonsville, Williamson County, Tennessee, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Robert Quasius [send private message] and Delores Potts [send private message]

Biography

He was born on 07 Mar 1757 in Salisbury District, Rowan County, North Carolina. ^[1]

During the American Revolutionary War he served from North Carolina under Capt. Pervind's Company, attached to Col. Locke's Regiment and under Gen. Rutherford. ^[2]

James Potts first married on 19 July 1788 in Burke County, North Carolina to Susannah Absher or Abshire. ^[1]

He moved from Burke County, North Carolina to Rowan County, North Carolina and then back to Burke County, North Carolina. In 1812 he moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.

In March 1818 he bought land on Lick Creek.

About 1820 James Potts married secondly to Cecilia or Celia Givens

In 1840 he resided in Williamson County, Tennessee. ^[3]

He died on 11 Mar 1844 in Peytonsville, Williamson County, Tennessee ^[1] and was buried near there. ^[2]

The division of his land mentioned his wife Celia and children: Matilda, Priscilla, Elizabeth, Henry, James Jr., John, Mary, Leroy D., Jennie (Jane), William, Stephen.

Descendants of James Potts

The Heirs of James Potts (1757-1844) of Williamson Co., Tennessee.

To the Honorable the Chancellor of the Middle Division of the State of Tennessee, holding the Chancery Court at Franklin -

!The bill of complaint of William Potts and Stephen Potts of the county of Williamson & state of Tennessee complaintants against Rhoda Jane Potts, James Madison Potts, Elijah Potts, W. Winfrey Potts, George Clinton Potts & John Franklin Potts, of Graves County & state of Kentucky - Gabriel Davidson of Hickman county, Moses Beard of Maury county - Josiah Davidson, James Davidson, Susan Davidson, John D. Davidson - Allen Beard, William Beard, James Beard - Leory D. Potts & Mary his wife, James H. Giles & William M. Giles of Williamson county & state of Tennessee defendants -

Humbly complaining shew unto your Honor your orators [plaintiffs], the said William Potts & Stephen Potts, that in the year 1844 James Potts died in Williamson county, seized & possessed of the following real estate, viz., three tracts in the 2nd District in Williamson county - the first tract bounded as follows, beginning on a large black oak, standing on the North bank of Lick Creek at the lower end of George Irwins field, running North 30 poles to a stake between four white oaks & a dogwood marked as pointers; then West 102 poles to a large poplar, on the side of a hill; then South 100 poles to a thornbush & ash in the bottom of the East side of a Spring branch; then East 58 poles to Porters Branch in all 102 poles to a stake, then North 70 poles to the beginning - containing 64 acres, - The second tract beginning on the South West corner of said 64 acre tract an ash & thornbush; then West with said line 58 poles to Porters Branch; then South 60 poles to two dogwoods; then West 140 poles to a large poplar, then continuing West 30 poles further to a stake, or so far West as will be South of Peter Conders South East corner; then North with the said Conders line 53 poles to a stake - then East 30 poles to the lower line of said 64 acre tract - then North 37 poles to a stake - then East 102 poles to two sugar trees in the lower end of the Indian Camp bottom - South 22 poles to the beginning - the third tract beginning at a poplar near said James Potts line - then North 110 poles to a hickory - then West 73 poles to a hickory & black gum then South 110 poles to a stake, then East to the beginning, containing 50 acres.

The said three tracts of land descended to the following named persons being the children, grand children & widow of said James Potts dec?d., viz., Celia Potts the widow - & Henry Potts, James Potts, Priscilla Fox wife of Elijah Fox - Matilda Litton wife of Benjamin Litton - Elizabeth Mattox wife of George Mattox - Mary Potts (alias Hood), John Potts, William Potts & Stephen Potts your orators - All the foregoing persons have bargained, sold & conveyed their interest in said lands to your orators & have executed a deed for the same which has been duly proven, or acknowledged as to all of them & registered - which deed shall be produced on the hearing of this cause - Also, Rhoda Jane Potts, James Madison Potts, Elijah Potts, W. Winfrey Potts, George Clinton Potts & John Franklin Potts - children of George Potts dec?d who was a son of said James Potts - Josiah Davidson, James Davidson, Calvin Davidson, Susan Davidson, John D. Davidson & Gabriel Davidson - children of Nancy Davidson deceased who was a daughter of said James Potts - Also, Jane Davis wife of James Davis, Allen Beard, William Beard, John Beard, James Beard, Moses Beard & Mary Potts wife of Leroy D. Potts children of Margarett Beard dec’d who was a daughter of James Potts - & James H. Giles & William M. Giles children of Susan Giles dec’d. a daughter of said James - The said Calvin Davidson, James Davis & Jane his wife & John Beard, have also executed the deed above named & conveyed their interest in said lands to your orators - The said lands are of but little value, the whole not being worth more than $300 or $350.00 dollars. And from the great number of persons interested the same cannot be divided so as to be of any value to the owners, & it would be manifestly for their interest that the same be sold & the proceeds divided among those entitled -

In consideration of the premises your orators pray process of Spa [a legal procedure?] & that publication be made for the non residents & your Honor will decree that said lands be sold upon such terms as shall seem proper & the proceeds of such sale divided among those entitled thereto - & for such other or further or different relief as in equity they may be entitled to & as in duty bound they will ever pray &c. Marshall & Figuers _____ I acknowledge myself the complainants security in a penalty of two hundred & fifty dollars, but to be void on condition they prosecute this bill with effect or pay all costs incident on failure thereof - Witness my hand & seal this 27th March 1845. Tho. N. Figures

Document handwritten by Ola Mae Potts about 1900 James Potts was born March 7, 1757. I have his marriage license issued from Burke County, North Carolina July 17, 1788. He was married to Susannah Absher July 19, 1788 by R.W. White. I got a record of his services in the Revolution stating that he was among the first to volunteer when the call was made. He only served one month when he was shot through the knee making him a cripple for life. Below is a copy of his Pension Claim. War Department. Revolutionary Claim. I certify that in conformity with the (laws?) of the United States, of the 7th of June 1832, James Potts of the State of tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive thirty one dollars and sixty six cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States this 29th day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. J.L. Edwards, Secretary. Although only a private, one of his most treasured possessions was a sword, which is still in the family. Albert has it now. (An interlined note says "Raymond Jr. has the sword 19??") There was a tradition, the truth of which I cannot guarantee, but will tell it for what it is worth. In his first battle, his company was in the hottest part and the men were falling all around him. When the Captain was shot down, the discouraged men, without a leader, began to waver and try to retreat. James Potts sprang in front and waving his hat shouted for them to "follow me." The General, so the story goes, was watching the battle from an eminence and dashing up on his charger, handed his sword to the brave young private, saying "Here Captain, take this." James Potts led his men to victory, but in doing so, received the wound which made him a cripple for life.

Letter handwritten by Ola Potts Pasquo, Tenn. Feb. 12, 1900 My dear Miss Gentry: Permit me to thank yyou for the complimentary expressions contained in your last letter of recent date. I have been trying to obtain more information in regard to my ancestor before writing you again and have been fortunate enough to find his old Pension Claim which I now send you, supposing that it will be all that is necessary to show that he was really in the Revolutionary War. I also have his Marriage Certificate, dated July 19, 1788. I also find that I was mistaken, about his age, the old record says he was born March 7, 1757 and died in March 1844 which would only make him 87 instead of 96 as I was at first informed. I have written to Col. F.W. Ainsworth but have not, as yet, received a reply. I would be delighted to become a member of "Old Glory" Chapter. Am sure it would be very interesting and improving, but, you see, I live about 10 miles from Franklin and it would often be very inconvenient for one to attend the meetings. So I suspect it would be best not to join just now. Please return the old paper as it has been in the family so long. I would like to keep it. Cordially yours, Ola Potts

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Family Data Collection - Individial Records; compiled by Edmund West on ancestry.com; for James Potts, b: 07 March 1757 Salisbury District, Rowan County, North Carolina; d: March 1844 Peytonsville, Williamson, Tennessee; m: 17 July 1788 Burke County, North Carolina.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Rosters of Soldiers and Patriots of The American Revolution buried In Tennessee, compiled by Lucy Womack Bates p141.
3. ↑ 1840 Census of Williamson County, Tennessee; on ancestry.com citing NARA#M704; b: c1759.

• Ancestry Family Tree

Acknowledgments

• Potts-92 was created through the import of Pioneer Stock.GED on 31 Oct 2010.

• Potts-1433 was created by Jack Isham through the import of Jackie Lynn Isham_2014-02-12.ged on 12 Feb 2014.