Johann Wilhelmus William Pott (abt. 1705 - 1781)

Born about 1705 in Germany

Descendants

Died Nov 1781 at about age 76 in Rockland, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA

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Biography

At the court house in Philadelphia, September 12, 1734, present, the Honourable the lieutenant Governor, the Mayor of the city, and the other of the Magistracy -- eighty-nine Palatines, who, with their families, making in all two hundred and sixty-one persons, were imported here in the ship Saint Andrew, John Stedman, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Plymouth, as by clearance from thence, this day took and subscribed the effect of government oaths, and also the declaration prescribed by the order of Council of the 21st September, 1729.

From a shiplist of 12 Sep 1734, it can be seen that Wilhelm Pott, along with his brother Degenhart Pott, arrived on the Schwenkfelder ship, the St. Andrew from Rotterdam. Coming with them were Catrout (Gertrude) Pott, and children Johann Wilhelm Pott, Catrina Gadrout (Gertrude) Pott, Johannes Pott, and Peter Lobach, who was Pott's stepson, who was age 14 at the time. Peter Lobach was son of Gertrude by first marriage.

Wilhelm and family, settled at Germantown soon after arrival. About 1740, the family moved up the Schuylkill to what, in 1752, became Berks county near Oley. Wilhelm Pott became a well-to-do businessman. He was an iron master with several forges. He also owned a large plantation, and grist mills, saw mills and fulling mills. In England, he had seen bar-iron which had been shipped from Philadelphia, but had been manufactured at the Pine Iron Works (est. abt. 1720) near Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks in Douglass Twp. of Pennsylvania. He was told that this general area contained large deposits of iron ore, in addition to being "well wooded and watered." Wilhelm Pott (William Pott) was knowledgeable about iron making and mining and he decided this would be a good place to move. He son, John, later estabilished Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and was instrumental in the coal mining industry there. The Potts family was active in the Oley Moravian community.

The Potts plantation and homestead (built about 1740) was featured in a 2000 edition of the Berks County Genealogical and Historical Publication, as it was being restored. The family grave yard had been discovered, and when additional research was done, it was discovered that William and Gertrude Pott had been buried here. The Pott's Mill built in 1745 is still in existance in 2009, and is located east of Oley. It is built of stone. (see webpage Millpictures.com for more info)

There was also a 1900 article from the Schuylkill Historical Society on the Potts family that mentioned this graveyard. Other articles of interest are George Meiser IX "The Passing Scene" Volume III. and an article in the Historical Review of Berks County, Volume 70 - #1 (winter 2004-2005)

The will of William Pott of Rockland, Berks County, Pennsylvania lists his daugher Catherine, wife of Casper Shell. The will is dated October 1781 and proved December 1781. ABSTRACT OF WILL: POTT, WILLIAM, Rockland. October 18, 1781 - December 17, 1781. B- 22. Mentions that eldest son William had rec'd. his portion. And gives to his children £125 to be divided among them when 21. To dau. Catharina wife of Casper SHELL, £25, having had considerable sums. To her dau. Anna Mary £25 for the faithful services done to me.To son John, one acre and 48 per of land whereon my sawmill was fixed, adjoining other land I have given him by Deed. Exrs: son John and friend Daniel LEVAN of Oley.Wit: Jacob KEIM and Peter BLAESER. Abstract of will located on Berks County Genweb in 2012.

It was not uncommon for early Germans to mix their 'b's' and 'p's'. This may explain why William Pott's daughter, Catherine indicated on her children's birth records that her maiden name was Bott.

This is a biographical sketch from "History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania, With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches Of Some Of Its Pioneers And Prominent Men," Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1884, p. 647-650. There is quite a bit on information available online on this family, as they were financially successful and involved in local commerce and politics.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Gayle Schell for creating WikiTree profile Pott-45 through the import of SCHELL NICHOLS ancestors of Gayle 8-2013.ged on Aug 8, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Gayle and others.