Sarah Persetta (Wilcox) Potter (1828 - 1903)

Born 25 Feb 1828 in Little York, Homer, Cortland, New York, United States

Wife of Charles Potter Jr. — married 22 Jun 1850 in Unadilla Forks, Otsego, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 13 Feb 1903 at age 74 in Plainfield, Union, New Jersey, United States

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Biography

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 59, No 8, p 117, Feb. 23, 1903.

Sarah Persetta, wife of Charles Potter, daughter of Martin and Mehitable Wells Wilcox was born at Little York, Cortland County, N. Y., Feb. 25th, 1828. Her father, Dea. Wilcox, was one of the strong Seventh-day Baptists who came from Burlington, Conn., into central New York early in the 19th century, In early life Sarah Wilcox accepted Christ as her Savior and united with the church at Scott, N. Y. Later her church membership was removed to Westerly, R. I., and from there to Plainfield, N. J., where she has been a member since 1870.

On June 22nd, 1850, she was married to Charles Potter at Unadilla Forks, N. Y. Mr. Potter died on Dec. 2nd, 1890

Into this family there came four daughters, Eva, the wife of Joseph M. Titsworth, who led the way to the Heavenly Home in 1883; Nettie, wife of David E. Titsworth; Florence, wife of Albert R. Sheppard, and Mabel, wife of William C. Hubbard. Three sisters of Mrs. Potter are still living, Mrs. Jonathan Maxson, of Westerly, R. I.; Mrs. Henry W. Stillman and Mrs. Thomas L. Stillman, both of Edgerton, Wis. Another sister, Mrs. L. Cortland Rogers was called from earth’s sorrows in August of 1902.

Mrs. Potter had been in poor health for some time, but her peaceful, painless death on Feb. 13 came as a surprise to all.

The farewell service was conducted by her pastor, Rev. George B. Shaw, on First-day afternoon and was made especially interesting and impressive by the words of tribute and comfort spoken by her former pastor and life-long friend, Dr. A. H. Lewis.

Mrs. Potter was an exceptionally good woman. As a devoted Christian, she always gave of her time and effort to the work of the church. In Westerly both she and her husband were members of the choir and when he was its conductor, she was its leading soprano singer. Throughout her long lifetime she has been an earnest, devoted laborer in all the lines of church activity. But Christianity meant much more to her than church service, and in her daily life, whether in the humbler home of her early married life or in the beautiful residence of her later years where she so graciously and royally dispensed true Christian hospitality, she was ever a living exponent of unselfish devotion to the Master and to His children. In the struggle of those early years when Charles Potter, the young inventor and machinist, was laying the foundation of his prosperous and successful business career his faithful wife was in every sense a true help-meet; and he never tired of ascribing much of his success to her devotion and helpfulness.

While her home was her especial kingdom, and the Seventh-day Baptist church the church she loved, yet no good cause, no appeal for sympathy or help that came within the range of her knowledge was ever unheeded.

Gentle, considerate, brave and unselfish she was not overwhelmed by adversity nor spoiled by prosperity. The very mention of her hospitality and generosity will recall pleasant memories to thousands and will be an inspiration to do likewise.

The influence of such a life cannot be told in words. A devoted Christian woman has gone Home, may God bless the memory of her unselfish life to all of us. A part of the Scripture lesson read at the farewell service was Prov. 31: 10-31, which seemed especially appropriate. “Her price is far above rubies.” “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” “Let her own works praise her in the gate.”

G. B. S.

Sources

• Nellie W. Johnson. The Descendants of Robert Burdick of Rhode Island. n.p.: The Syracuse Typesetting Co., Syracuse, NY, 1937. p 247

• Francis D. Stillman, Jr.. The Stillman Family; Descendants of Mr. George Stillman of Wethersfield, Connecticut and Dr. George Stillman of Westerly, Rhode Island. Greensburg, PA: Self, 1989. F1038

• Ilou M. Sanford. Membership Records of Seventh Day Baptists of Central New York State 1797-1940's. n.p.: Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1996. p 60

• The Sabbath Recorder. SDB Historical Library, Janesville, Wisconsin: Seventh-Day Baptist General Conference. Vol 7, No 3, p 11, July 4, 1850

• "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M68R-KJJ : Sat Mar 09 00:43:43 UTC 2024), Entry for Chas Potter and Sarah Potter, 1850.

• "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN6S-322 : Tue Mar 05 10:16:27 UTC 2024), Entry for Charles Potter and Sarah Potter, 1870.

• "United States Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MND3-5R1 : Sat Mar 09 05:29:31 UTC 2024), Entry for CHARLES PETTER, JR. and Sarah P. Petter, 1880.

• "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9VQ-CNL : Thu Apr 11 18:42:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Sarah W Cotter and William C Hubbard, 1900.