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Children of Joseph and [2] Elizabeth (Potts) Walker.

10. Lewis (39), m. Catherine, dau. of Dr. Walker of Baltimore, Md.

11. Thomas (40), m. Anna (1) dau. of James and Ruth (Savage) Hockley. Both are buried in the family graveyard at Coventry, but without tombstones.

11 1/2. Joseph, d. unm.

12. Anna (45), m. George Leonard.

Children of Derrick and [31 Mary (Potts) Clever.

13. Jonathan, m. Elizabeth Boyer.

14. Peter, m. Elizabeth Whanger, d. s. p.

15. Isaac, m. Sarah

16. John, m. a sister of his brother Peter's wife.

Of the descendants of these three brothers I have been unable to obtain any information,

(1) She was a descendant of the first Thomas Rutter, whose daughter Esther, born 13 Of 4 mo. 1703-4, married Henry Hockley. Thomas Hockley, believed to have been the son ofHenry and father of James, was a member of the Provincial Convention of Commissioners from Chester County, which appointed delegates to the Congress that voted in favor of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a colonel in the Revolutionary war.

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Children of [4] John and Ruth (Savage) Potts.

17. Thomas (So), b. at Colebrookdale, May 29, 1735 ; m. Anna Nutt at Coventry, 1757; d. in Philadelphia, 22 March, 1785. His w. survived until 2 April, 1796.

18. Samuel (60), b. November 13, 1736; m. Joannah Holland; d. at Pottsgrove, 3 July, 1793. His w. survived until 16 March, 1818.

19. John (66), b. 15 October, 1738; m. Margaret Carmick.

23. Martha (69), b. at Popodickon, 31 March, 1739-40; m. Thomas Rutter at Pottsgrove, 20 February, 1759. He d. there 17 May, 1795 ; his w. survived until 11 October, 1804 .

21. David (75), b. 4 April, 1741 ; m. Mary Aris; d. at Valley Forge, 1798.

22. Joseph (80), b. at Popodickon, 12 March, 1742; m., first, Mary Morris, 16 August, 1764, who d. 18 December, 1765 ; second, Sarah Powell, 21 January, 1768, who d. 7 January, 1773 third, Ann Mitchell, 13 October, 1774, who d. 14 September, 1778 fourth, Mary Kirkbride, 5 May, 1780. He died near Frankfort, Pa., 4 February, 1804.

23. Jonathan (91), b. at Popodickon, 1 April, 1745 ; m. 5 May, 1767, Grace Richardson; d. at Reading, October, 1781.

24. Anna (99), b. at Popodickon, 7 July, 1747; m. at Pottsgrove, 22 December, 1768, [32] David Potts. Both d. 1782.

25. Isaac (101), b. at Popodickon, 20 May, 1750; In., first, Martha Bolton, 6 December, 1770; she d. at Cheltenham, 20 April, 1798; second, Sarah Evans, 1803. He died at Cheltenham, 15 June, 1803.

26. James (113), b. at Pottsgrove, 1752 ; m. Anna Stocker, 1778 ; d.. in Philadelphia, 10 November, 1788. His widow survived him until 24 May, 1821.

27. Rebeccah (117), 17), b. at Pottsgrove, 1755 ', m. Dr. Benjamin Duffield, of Philadelphia, and d. there 4 February, 1797. lie d. December, 1799.

28. Jesse (122), b. about 1757; m. Sarah Lewis.

29. Ruth, b. about 1759 m. Peter Lohra, of Philadelphia, 9 July, 1803; d. s. p. 29 May, 1811. He d. 13 July, 1827.

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Eleven of these thirteen children founded families, and their posterity is traced in this volume. The fact that all the male descendants of the first Thomas were in the third and fourth generation merged by intermarriages into these eleven branches, makes all now bearing the name, who are descended from him, also the descendants of John.

The strong feeling of relationship still existing between those whose great-great-grandparents formed one household twenty years previous to the Revolution cannot, I think, be paralleled by any other family in this country.

This clannish feeling may be both the cause and effect of the frequent intermarriages between -the various branches ; and the large landed estate divided among them, which though much impaired by the war and the depression of business subsequent to it, prevented that emigration to the West which has widely scattered many families; for though some individuals, sought a new home in the South and West, yet a great proportion of John's posterity remain in his native State.

17. Thomas (50) was born at Colebrookdale, May 29, about (1) half an hour after one in the afternoon, A. D. 1735. He early became interested in the iron business, and established himself in Philadelphia for the sale of that material, in connection with his uncle, Thomas Yorke.. In 1757 he married Anna, the only child of his mother's sister, Rebecca Savage, and Samuel Nutt, Jr. (2) By the death of her father in 1739, (3) before she was two years old, she had become at

(1) The dates of the birth of the elder children of John Potts are copied from a document in his handwriting in the possession of the Hobart family. After his removal to Pottsgrove in 1752, where the four younger children wire born, it is probable that their names were recorded in some Bible or book that has been lost by his descendants. I am therefore unable to give the exact dates of their birth.

(2) For a further account of the. families of Nutt-and Grace, see the chapter. preceding the Appendix.

(3) Letters of administration upon his estate were issued to his widow, Rebeccah, 6 June, 1739.

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a tender age the heiress to a large improved landed estate. By this union a share of the forges and furnaces established by the two Samuel Nutts on French Creek came into the hands of Thomas Potts, and he finally bought from his wife's mother, and her second husband, Robert Grace, all their rights in Coventry. The indenture, dated March 1, 1765, was between "Robert Grace Gentleman & Rebecca his wife, formerly Rebecca Nutt, on the one part, & Thomas Potts of the city of Phil. Merchant on the other, & conveys the Messuages, Plantations, Lands, Mines, Minerals, Forges, Furnaces, Rents, Tenement, Hereditaments & Real-Estate of sd. Robert

Grace & wife or either of them, situate in- any part of sd. Province of Penn a (excepting his estate in Phil. leased to Benjamin Franklin, & his accounts against the said Benjamin Franklin, & his accounts against John Potts jr. Samuel Potts & Thomas Potts) also all & singular the Negroes, Goods, Effects, Chattels, Movables, &c. &c."Thomas Potts and his heirs agreeing to pay to Robert Grace and his wife or the survivor quarterly an annuity of one hundred and thirty pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania.

To this deed is appended a Ion- inventory of personal property,. which passed with the estate. The negroes are thus enumerated: "One negro man named Caesar, one mulatto man named Bill Bonnet; one mulatto boy named Jim, one mulatto boy named Dick, one negro boy named Ben, one negro girl named Sall, one mulatto woman named Betty, and her youngest child named Stephen."

From the time of his marriage to Anna Nutt, Thomas Potts appears to have carried on the iron-works at Coventry in the interest of his wife; and Robert Grace, advancing in years and with failing health, was glad to relinquish his rights in the estate to a young and active man. Thomas had an establishment in Philadelphia, where his iron was sold; and in the winter his residence was in Front Street, then a fashionable quarter of the city. He was interested in the philosophic and scientific topics of the day,. as is proved by 'the fact that he was one of the original members

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of the American Philosophical Society, established in 1758, of which Franklin was the. first president. This association, the first of the kind organized in this country, has always held the highest position among kindred societies.

It is not out of place here, to make the following extract from a letter of Thomas Potts to Franklin, in 1774, proving that the contemporaries of the great philosopher did not consider him the compound of selfishness and worldly wisdom that later generations have endeavored to prove him:

"Good Mr. Philip Syng has retired into the country about ten miles from the city, where I frequently see him ; during our twenty years' acquaintance, of later years very intimate, he has told me much concerning his acquaintance with you in your younger years when you were in Philadelphia. He was saying the other day that we came upon this stage to do all the good we can. I asked him whether in the decline of life nothing, was due to self. He smiled and said, 'I wish Dr. Franklin had more of what I term self-love.'"

In 1768, according to a wish expressed in his father's will, Thomas took- the house at Pottsgrove, and the plantation on which it stood, at L6,ooo, where he probably established himself soon after that date. He was living there with his family in 1774, and, during the years of the Revolution, Washington was often his guest. The house has sometimes been called his head-quarters, and some official letters of the General-in-Chief are dated from this residence. Not many years ago, persons were still living in Pottstown who remembered to have seen, in the stately rooms of this old mansion, Washington, surrounded by his staff, in earnest Consultation over maps of the Province, with Baron Steuben, General Knox, Lord Sterling,, General Greene, General McIntosh, and Lafayette. It was here, doubtless, that Washington formed the plan to winter his army at Valley Forge on the property of Thomas's broth

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ers and cousins, who seem 'to -have' willingly relinquished their houses to accommodate the officers. Valley Forge is situated on the Schuylkill, sixteen miles below Potts-rove, and during the dark and gloomy winter of 1777 Washington and his wife were often the guests of the different members of this family. Indeed, the companionship of the wives and daughters of the Messrs. Potts seems to have been the only society of her own sex that Mrs. Washington had during that terrible winter; and many pleasant reminiscences of this friendship are still preserved by the greatgrandchildren of the recipients, who treasure with reverential care personal mementos received by their ancestors from the hands of the General and his wife. And here I wish to express an opinion, which I have had some opportunity of forming from facts, that no opportunity ever lived who was placed during his lifetime and by his own contemporaries on such a pinnacle of fame as General Washington; a lock of his hair was sought as a great gift by his intimate friends, carefully treasured, and handed down to posterity; his words and actions were stored up in the hearts of all who came into his presence, even when he was the unsuccessful leader of a' poor forlorn hope; his life before it was glorified by death impressed his own generation very differently from any other person whose name is written on the scroll of fame; the very universality of this reverential feeling raised up some jealous and envious spirits, who assailed him with false accusations, but they were so utterly disbelieved by the mass of his countrymen that Washington's friends prevailed upon him to strike out all allusion to these calumnies in his Farewell Address.

At the commencement of the troubles with the mother-country, Thomas Potts espoused the patriotic side, and was elected a member of the Assembly from Philadelphia County in 1775; during that critical period he was active in the cause of liberty, and a

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member of many important committee s. He was chairman of the committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Council of Safety (1) respecting the engagement of the armed galleys and the king's ships in the river Delaware. He was also chairman of another important committee, in the spring Of 1776, to examine the works erected for the defence of the Colony, and to report what other fortifications were necessary; they were to "request the Commander-in-Chief of the forces, and other general officers and engineers in the city, to afford them advice and assistance in this important matter." One of the first subjects that came before this Assembly, in 1775, was a letter from John Hancock, President of, Congress, asking the members to use their utmost endeavor to raise several new battalions, and promising that Congress would issue commissions to the persons they determined on for officers. In February, 1776, Thomas Potts was appointed by Congress one of the three captains of a regiment of riflemen, which appears to have been a Continental, and not a State corps. In the great need of soldiers at this period, he showed his zeal for the public good, by raising a battalion, of which 'he was commissioned colonel by Congress, expending liberally his large means, and using his personal influence in Chester and Berks County to fill up his companies, and even, it is said, arming and equipping them at his own expense; family tradition to this effect seems to be borne out by public documents,

(1) The Committee or Council of Safety, often alluded to in this volume, was appointed by the Provincial Assembly in 1775; the early commissions to the officers of the Associators of the counties were issued-by them, and their seal during the first year was printed on the official paper; it was an inch and a half in diameter, having the word "seal " in large letters within a horizontal border, and a bundle of lictors' faces behind it, and around the edge the words 11 Liberty, Safety, and Peace." In 1776 they had obtained a very elegant seal for a wax impression two inches in diameter; the device was a liberty-cap on a staff, each half an inch long, encircled by the legend, " This is my right, and I will defend it," and upon the outer edge, " Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 1776."

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and is corroborated by the following minute in Colonial records: "Mr. Redman was directed to pay Peter Lowre L 73 11 s. for arms," taken from non-associators to be charged to Colonel Thomas Potts and Captain Shifler."

In the journal of the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, under date August 23, 1776, is the following: "This morning at eight o'clock two companies of Colonel Potts's (1) battalion halted at the Providence (2) church. I was requested to say a word of exhortation to them in English and German, as they were departing to camp in Jersey, and were members of the Episcopal and Protestant churches. English on 1st Sam. 17. German on the Twenty-seventh Psalm." No more appropriate chapters could have been selected from sacred writ. Our little force, without skill and poorly equipped, going out to meet the disciplined regiments of the British army, might well be compared to the shepherd David, with sling and stone, going forth to try his arms with the champion of the Philistines. To those Germans from the mines and iron-works of the Manatawny region who could not understand the English of the good old German pastor, the soul-stirring words in their native tongue, "Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear," strengthened many a fainting spirit. After the arrival of the battalion in Philadelphia, the provincial government provided food for them, as appears by the following record:

"Council of Safety, Aug 27, 1776. Col. Thomas Potts battalion L2. 18.6, to be charged to Congress.' ' Sept. 6, 1776, Mr. Nesbitt was directed to pay diet for five companies of Col. Potts' battalion, viz.: Capt. Pretzman,

(1) Congress had ordered that a battalion should consist of eight companies, of sixty-eight privates each, and a company of light infantry.

(2) This was a Lutheran church on' the way between Pottsgrove and Philadelphia; it is often called the Trappe, from a Swedish word, signifying steps or stairs. It was in the charge of Dr. Muhlenberg, a clergyman from the University of Halle, whose son became distinguished as a general in the Revolution. Both lie buried in this churchyard.

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Capt Derringer, Capt Bishop, Capt. Potts, (1) Capt. Richards, to be charged to Congress."

Colonel Potts was a member of the Convention assembled at the State House in Philadelphia, 9 July, 1776, for the purpose of forming a new government, or as the Provincial conference which met in May to arrange rules for the election of this body expressed it, "For suppressing all authority in this Province derived from the Crown of Great Britain, and for establishing a government upon the authority of the people only."

This Convention was ordered to consist of eight members from each county and eight from the city. Colonel Potts was elected from Philadelphia County. His devotion to the cause of Colonial independence greatly impaired his fortune, and he did not live to enjoy any substantial benefit from the change of government. His children lost greatly by the depreciation in money and real estate, as well as from other causes; and none of his descendants, as far as I can learn, have ever based any claim upon government for office, emolument, or education upon the patriotism of their ancestor. The letters addressed to Colonel Potts by Franklin and Washington I have been unable to find, but have heard of one from the latter in an autograph collection.

The following account of the discovery of Schuylkill coal I began to prepare several years ago, for the purpose of putting it on record in the books of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In conversing with the members of that society upon the subject, I have not found one able to give me any information about the lottery to render the Schuylkill navigable, or who even remember to have heard of it. Two eminent Philadelphia antiquarians, who took the trouble to look for an account of it in Colonial records, stated to

(1) Nathaniel, a nephew of Colonel Thomas Potts.

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me afterwards, both verbally and in writing, that it had nothing to do with coal. I shall prove in these pages that it had, and give the credit of the discovery of this important mineral, where it rightfully belongs, to Colonel Thomas Potts. The principal facts here recorded I received more than twenty years ago from his grandchildren, my husband's mother being his last surviving child. The papers which I shall cite were hers, and are now in my possession. To corroborate family tradition, I sought with success in the printed volumes of the Proceedings and Reports of the Legislature, and the acts and laws of that body. I not only found there coal mentioned as the first important product to be brought to market on the river, to which no allusion had been made in any previous acts, but the extreme point for which commissioners were appointed is printed in full at the " Coal mines on Schuylkill at Basler Saw-mill." I found there greater proofs than I had expected of the details of the scheme of which so many reminiscences still linger in the minds of the grandchildren of its projector.

Anthracite coal is limited in extent, and almost confined to the State of Pennsylvania. It is estimated to embrace an area of four hundred and thirty-seven square miles, and is divided into three fields, the largest of which is the Southern, or Schuylkill, containing an area of one hundred and sixty-four square miles of workable -coal. The discovery of the great coal basin of Schuylkill County has been attributed to various individuals, but no printed account has plated it as far back as the year 1783. 1 purpose in this chapter to put on record for future historians facts that are well known. to many members of the Potts family through records and tradition; the latter I shall verify by reference to legal documents and acts of Assembly. But first I will make extracts from what has been printed and received as the early history of this discovery:

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"Norwegian township(1) is bounded on the north by Broad Mountain, northeast by Schuylkill township, south by Manheim, southwest by Branch and Barry, and west by Mahantango township.

"This township, though covered with mountains and hills, and containing little arable land of good quality, is one of the most important ones in Schuylkill County, if not in the State, and has been the scene of wondrous improvements . . . . . Before 1790 there were, comparatively speaking, few settlers north of the Blue or Kittatinny Mountains, within the limits of Schuylkill County. About the years 1795 or 96, two individuals, Lewis Reese and Isaac Thomas, settled on the north side of the well-known Schneid Berg, i.e. Sharp (2) Mountain in Schuylkill Gap, having purchased a tract of land-and erected a small furnace, carrying it on for some time. They sold it to John Pott of District township, Berks County."

The author in a note adds that this John Pott's father, Wilhelm Potts, (3) came to America in 1734, with eighty-nine Palatines from Rotterdam; and goes on to say that, according to the statement of Abraham Pott, the son of John, the first coal was discovered here in 1807, when digging the foundation of a furnace. In an account of the " early history and development of coal in Schuylkill County," (4) the authors of which were residents of Pottsville, is the following: " The first traditional account we have of the discovery of coal in the Schuylkill -region is about 1790, when Nicho Allen, a noted hunter and somewhat notorious character, who lived on the Broad Mountain at the 'Black Cabin,' or Big Spring, discovered stone coal at the foot of Broad Mountain. No written account of his discovery has ever come to our notice, though we have often heard the traditional account." The next mention of the early history of coal in Schuylkill is in the Trans-

(1) History of Schuylkill County, p. 271.

(2) Another name was Gobble Barrack.

(3) This name, it is said, was at first spelt Putt, and some of the children of John spell it so still.

(4) By Daddow and Brannon, p. 150.

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actions of the Coal-mining Association" of that county, where it is stated that a blacksmith by the name of Whetstone used it in his smithy about 1795; and his success induced several to dig for coal, and, when found, to attempt to bum it, but the difficulty was so great they gave up in disgust. In the same article mention is made of "a Mr. William Morris, who owned a large tract of land near Port Carbon, who took a wagon-load of coal to Philadelphia, but was unable to bring it into notice, or induce the honest Quakers to buy his rocks. He returned, sold his lands, abandoned his plans, and retired from the business in disgust. In 1812, Colonel George Shoemaker of Pottsville loaded nine wagons of coal from his mines at Centreville, and with these proceeded to Philadelphia, hoping to find a market; but the experience of Philadelphians with anthracite or stone coal was very unfavorable, and the persistent attempt to impose rocks on them roused their indignation, and Colonel Shoemaker was denounced as a knave and a scoundrel; he sold two loads, and gave the rest away, and some of the purchasers obtained a writ from the authorities of the city for his arrest as an impostor and a swindler."

The report of S. J. Packer to the State Senate, in 18,34, -on the coal regions, does not place the knowledge of the existence of coal earlier than 1790, and gives substantially the same account as the preceding ones. Watson's "Annals of Philadelphia" says: "Messrs.* Potts explored various places along the old Sunbury Road for coal, but without success. A Mr. William Morris afterwards became the proprietor of most of the coal lands at the head of our canal. He found coal, and took some quantity to Philadelphia about the year 1800 ; but all his efforts to bring it into use failed, and he abandoned the project, and sold his lands to their late proprietor, Mr. Potts."

(1) This indefinite record may refer to the explorations of Thomas and Samuel Potts.

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It is often said that the discoveries most beneficial to mankind are made by ignorant men, while scientists are the last to render such service to the world. In the case of the discovery of Schuylkill anthracite the facts are decidedly in favor of science.

Colonel Thomas Potts, of Pottstown and Coventry, had from his earliest years been instructed in metallurgy; his father and both his grandfathers and his great-grandfather had been engaged in developing the iron interests of the Province from the discovery of ore in its bosom, and there was not in the Thirteen Colonies any one more skilled in the knowledge of metals and mining than he. Like most country gentlemen, the pleasure of the chase was a recreation often indulged in; and tradition reports him "a mighty hunter." That he was a good marksman is confirmed by the fact of his commission as captain in a rifle regiment. At the close of the Revolutionary war, in which we have seen that Colonel Potts had taken an active part, he went, as was his occasional custom, with his servants and Indian guides, to hunt in the wilderness of the Tuscarora Mountains. This region was full of the wild animals of the country, -deer, bears, panthers, and smaller game not having yet retreated before the step of advancing civilization; and near the present site of Pottsville was a favorite- Indian camping-ground.

Here Colonel Potts established himself to pursue his sylvan sport; one day as he stooped to drink at the west branch of the Norwegian Creek, he noticed in the stream some black stones, which with the instinct of a geologist he at once picked up and examined; his knowledge of ores assured him that this was coal, though unlike the English coal then in use; when he returned home he carried with him a package of the new mineral, and tried its combustible qualities in one of his own forges. By experiments he was satisfied that he had found what was of great value in his business, for no doubt even then fears were entertained that the

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forests (1) in the neighborhood of the iron mines would soon fail. Well assured of the value of his new mineral, Colonel Potts at once began to secure its possession. He took up to the Tuscaroras men from his iron mine skilled in boring for ores, who made, under his direction, such discoveries of the situation of the coal-beds, that he' entered into negotiations with the owners of the land for its purchase.

This consisted of ten tracts, comprising twenty-eight hundred acres, and had been surveyed to various persons, the first warrant in 1765; in 1775 and 1776 they had come into the possession of Thomas, Simon, and Henry Basler and two other Germans. It would appear that the Baslers erected a saw-mill, and in 1782 had conveyed it and the land whereon it stood to Baltzer Gehr and Charles Shoemaker. Colonel Potts associated with him in the purchase his brother Samuel and nephew Nathaniel Potts, and his cousin Samuel Baird; Colonel Francis Nichols, (2) and his son William, General Arthur St. Clair, (3) and Sharp Delany; (4) the latter were

(1) The immense amount of wood consumed at Warwick, five or six thousand cords annually, was well known to, him from his own interest there. The estimate given to Colonel Byrd in his "Progress to the Iron Mines" of Virginia, of two square miles of forest for a large furnace, is greatly underrated, as any one can calculate, allowing twenty-five cords to the acre, and the same number of years to elapse before chestnut wood, the favorite tree for this work, would grow up again.

(2) Colonel Francis Nichols was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and was appointed by Washington the first marshal of the district of Pennsylvania. He was also a member of Congress.

(3) General Arthur St. Clair's military career is too well known to require a note. He lived several years in Pottstown, and has been described to me by an aged resident, who remembers his appearance, as looking more like a beggar than a military chieftain, his wornout habiliments, and his sorry beast with ragged bridle and saddle, made him an object of interest to all the children of the neighborhood whenever he rode abroad, and no doubt im-: pressed on their youthful minds the copy-book lesson that republics are ungrateful. He was a member of Congress from 1785 to 1787

(4) Sharp Delany was a native of Ireland. He was a druggist in Philadelphia before the

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intimate friends of long standing, who could be trusted with the secret, and all had done good service to their country. On the 25th of March, 1784, a deed was issued to these eight gentlemen by Baltzer Gehr and Charles Shoemaker, both of the county of Berks for the "Norwegian tract," "in consideration of the sum of two thousand pounds gold and silver money of Pennsylvania to them in hand paid."

This land was, the deed recites, in ten tracts or parcels of land over the Blue Mountain," one on the east branch of Schuylkill, containing two hundred and nineteen acres and ninety-two perches; the second situate between the Tuscarora Rid es on the forks of the west branch of Schuylkill, containing three hundred and thirteen acres and three quarters; the third adjoining the first abovementioned tract, containing three hundred and twenty-eight acres and one hundred and twenty-three perches; the fourth situate on Mill Creek, containing two hundred and ten acres; the fifth situate between the Tuscarora Ridges, containing two hundred and eightythree acres; the sixth situate on Schuylkill in Berks County, containing two hundred and twenty acres; the seventh situate on a branch entering the west side of Schuylkill between the Tuscarora Mountain, containing two hundred acres; the seventh on Norwegian Creek over the Blue Mountains, containing three hundred and thirty-seven acres and one hundred and thirty-one perches; the eighth situate on Mill Creek, adjoining two of the above-mentioned tracts, containing three hundred and twenty-one acres and eight perches; the ninth situate on the east and west side of Schuylkill main branch, containing two hundred acres; the tenth a tract ad

(1) Revolution, and an active member of the committee of merchants, prior to the establishment of the Federal Constitution, in preparing the measures for the regulation of commerce. He subscribed L500 to supply the army in 1780, and enjoyed the friendship and confidence of all the public men of the day Washington appointed Sharp Delany collector of the port of Philadelphia, which office he held until his death.

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joining the saw-mill land, of two hundred and twenty acres, of which a resurvey gave fifty more: all of them described more particularly in the deed; and with the usual allowance for roads and highways, the only improvement on these ten tracts was a certain messuage or tenement, and water saw-mill."To show how very secret had been the proceedings of the discovery of the coal, no. mention is made in the deed of any minerals, but the conveyance reads, "together with all and singular the houses, buildings, and improvements, mills, milldams, tackle and furniture, Woods, ways, waters, water-courses, rights, liberties, privileges, immunities, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging."

Although the ten tracts had been surveyed by Ellis Hughes and William Scull, and sold to various parties, and the sum of L2,000 in gold and silver paid in 1784 to the owners of it, according to the before-named deed, yet a patent wa's issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the 14th of February, 1788; for each of these ten tracts. One of them, in possession of the writer of this volume, is as follows:

"The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

To all to whom these presents shall Come. Greeting.

"Know ye that in Consideration of the Sum of Sixty-four pounds lawful

money paid by Arthur St. Clair Esq. William Morris Luke Morris & Samuel Potts into the Receiver General's office of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth to the said Arthur St. Clair William Morris Luke Morris & Samuel Potts a certain tract of land called " Norway " situate on the back side of the Tuscarora Mountain in Brunswick township Berks Co. beginning at a corner Hickorey in the line of Ellis Hughes' land thence by the same land of William Scull & vacant land

(1) This deed is recorded in Book A, Vol. I I. page 229, etc., at Reading, in Berks County.

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North twenty degrees West one hundred & thirty-nine perches to a Pine -tree thence by vacant land north seventy degrees east three hundred & thirty-seven perches to a Spruce tree thence by the same land of William Scull & other vacant land south twenty degrees East one hundred & ninety one perches to a Do-wood thence by land of Ellis Hughes south seventy degrees west two hundred & one perches to a post in the line of Michael Brights land thence by the same north twenty degrees west fifty-two perches to a Pine tree & south seventy degrees West one hundred & thirty-six Perches to the place of Beginning containing three hundred. & thirty-seven acres & one hundred & thirty-one perches, & allowance of six per cent for Roads &c. with the Appurtenances. Which said Tract was surveyed in pursuance of an application No. 1516 entered the 21St of May 1766 by Ellis Hughes whose right by virtue of diverse Conveyances became vested in Arthur St. Clair William Morris Luke Morris & Samuel Potts Thomas Potts & Nathaniel Potts in the proportions hereinafter mentioned & the said Thomas Potts & Nathaniel Potts are since deceased & the said Samuel Potts is appointed their Administrator. To have & to hold five full equal & undivided eighth parts the whole into eight equal parts to be divided of & in the said Tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the said Arthur St. Clair William Morris & Luke Morris & their heirs to & for the uses following. As for & concerning one of the said eighth. parts to the' uses of the said Arthur St. Clair his Heirs & Assigns & as for & concerning four of the said eighth parts to the use of the said William Morris & Luke Morris their Heirs & assigns forever as Tenants in Common & not as joint Tenants & to have & to hold & other three full equal & undivided eighth part of & in the same land & premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Samuel Potts & his heirs to & for the uses following as for & concerning one of the said eighth part to the use of the said Samuel Potts his heirs & assigns forever as for & concerning one other eighth part thereof in Trust to & for the use of the heirs of the said-Thomas Potts deceased & as for & concerning, the other eighth part thereof in Trust to & for the use of the heirs of' the said Nathaniel Potts deceased & for no other uses whatever free & clear of all Restrictions & Reservations as to Mines Royalties Quit Rents or otherwise excepting, & reserving only the fifth part of all Gold & Silver ore for the use of this Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pit's mouth clear of

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all Charges in witness whereof the Hon'ble Peter Muhlenberg Esq. Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council hath hereto set his hand & caused the State seal to be hereto affixed in council the 14th day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty-eight & of the Commonwealth the Twelfth.

"Attest CHARLES BIDDLE Jun. Enrolled in the Rolls office of the State of Penna in Patent book No. 12 page 216. Witness my band & seal of office the 22d March 1788.

NATH IRWIN, M. R.

This patent is handsomely engrossed on parchment, and is sealed with three seals. The largest appears to be the present arms of. Pennsylvania, but on the reverse is the figure of Liberty, with sword and cap, trampling upon a prostrate lion, with the legend, "Both can't thrive."

The nine remaining patents are in the keeping of the Secretary of the Land Office, and the record of the ten surveys can be found in the Surveyor-General's office.

The exceeding care taken to secure the right to the land, first by purchase with gold and silver money, then bearing a high advance, and afterwards by patent from government, the association of active men of Philadelphia of high social position and political interest, evidently bound to-ether for some special object, all point, even without corroborating circumstances, to an undertaking more extensive than the mere acquisition of a tract of wild land in the then remote part of Pennsylvania. The land having been paid for in March, 1784, would lead to the supposition that Colonel Potts's discovery was made early the previous winter. Hostilities with the mother-country ceased in April, 1783 ; and doubtless he went in December of that year to his favorite hunting-grounds. During the war such an excursion would have been hazardous, on account of hostile Indians.

The next step, after the purchase of the land where the coal lay

Third Generation. - 139

embedded, was to provide some way of bringing it to market, and to the forges and furnaces near the Schuylkill.

The subject of the navigation of this river had several times been brought before the Assembly during the Colonial period. The Act Of 176 1 describes it as a shallow mountain stream, obstructed " by rocks and bars of sand and. gravel in diverse parts of the same," and " navigable for rafts, boats, and other small craft in time of high freshes only," and states that if it were made navigable, it would be " advantageous to the poor, conducive to the promotion of industry, and beneficial to the inhabitants residing near said river to bring the produce of the country to the market of the city of Philadelphia, and thereby increase the trade and commerce of the Province and as diverse of the inhabitants had subscribed large sums of money for the purpose, and for preserving the fish," the Assembly proceeded to name commissioners to carry out the act, and John Potts was one thus appointed. To show that he accepted the trust and was active in the work, I copy the following from the accounts of the Treasurer of Pennsylvania in 1769, under the head of " Accounts of the Commissioners for clearing and making navigable the Schuylkill": -

Expenses of the Commissioners and others at their different meetings paid

by John Potts, Esq. deceased, as per his account,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L42. 1. 0

Rum for the workmen pd. by ditto,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18. 13. 10 1/2

Powder for blowing up the rocks pd. by ditto, . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 162. 13 6

Also the following receipt found among his papers, indorsed "A subscription for clearing the Schuylkill

Peter Reeves, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Reese Meredith, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

David Deshler,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 0 0

William Henry,. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 14 0

Aquilla ]ones, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 19 0

John Biddle,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 0 0

140 - Third Generation.

John Ruley Estate,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 10 0

Recd of John Ord

Joseph Saunders,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 10 0

Daniel Williams,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 0 0

L30 4 0

DAVID DAVIS.

L30 4 0

In 1773 the subject was again brought before the Assembly, and it was stated that several of the Commissioners had died in the twelve years since the passage of the previous (among whom act was John Potts), and new ones were appointed to take their places. At this date John's eldest son, Thomas, was made a commissioner, and in 1781, when another act was passed, be was still continued in office.

The subject of the navigation of the Schuylkill forms a singular episode in Colonial history, which the limits of this volume only allow me to allude to. About 1769 it seems to have been a perfect battle-cry, and the files of newspapers at that date are full of notices and descriptions of contending interests.

Column after column of the small sheets of that period are filled with communications from- "Candidus," "Justus," and other Latin noms de plume, while one constant correspondent writes over the satirical signature of Schuylkillus Ironicus." One of the particular points. in question appears ears to have been, whether Charles Norris's dam should be removed or allowed to stand, and in the proceedings of the Legislature of that date is a petition from his widow about it. Parties ran high upon. this local project, and more prominence is 'given to it in the newspapers than to the oppressive acts of Parliament which were soon to sever the Colonies from the mother-country.

Third Generation. - 141

All the above acts, and the interest occasioned by them, were for the preservation of the fish and removing obstructions in the' river, and none had contemplated clearing it above Reading, for beyond that point lay the primeval forest and the mountains forty miles above; but the act passed in March, 1784,(1) was made for a different purpose, as the preamble states, " improving the navigation of the, Schuylkill . . . . will furnish the country adjoining the same and the city of Philadelphia with coal, masts, spars, boards, etc. etc., and that diverse of the inhabitants ask that some effectual steps may be taken, the laws previously enacted being inadequate for want of funds."

To meet this want, the act authorized a lottery Of $42,000, (2) half of which was to be appropriated to improving the public roads leading from Philadelphia, and half to the navigation of the Schuylkill. Another act was passed the same month, appointing commissioners consisting of twenty-two persons, of which David Rittenhouse, the philosopher, was chairman, and Samuel Potts treasurer. The river was parcelled out to two or three of these gentlemen for each fifteen miles or so. The extreme end towards the mountains reads: " From the mouth of Tamaquay Creek to the Coal Mines on Schuylkill, at Basler Saw-mills." One of these last three was Samuel Baird, a cousin of Thomas Potts, and probably a person appointed by him to superintend the coal mines, or to attend to laying out the lines, as he was by profession a surveyor. It will be observed that in the preceding pages I have stated that, from the certified copy of the deed in my possession, a large part of the ten tracts and the saw-mill belonged to Thomas, Simon, andHenry Basler, and that Gehr and Shoemaker had only owned the tract for two years.

(1) Laws of Pennsylvania, republished by A. J. Dallas, 1793, Vol II. pp. 178-182.

(2) Recorded in Law Book III, p. 70. Obsolete.

142 Third Generation.

The commission appointed by the act Of 1784 was ordered to meet at the inn (1) of Jacob Witz, in Pottstown, Philadelphia County, (2) at ten o'clock on the first Tuesday of May, June, July, August, September, and October next, and " those commissioners who neglect to attend shall pay a fine of five pounds."Samuel Potts was to give bonds to the President and Council for L5,000 for the faithful performance of his trust, and was empowered to draw out of the Bank of North America a all such sums of money as were deposited in the same, for improving the navigation of said river, by the managers of the public lottery of the State. For paying the 'drafts of money expended by the commissioners, he was to be allowed ten shillings on every hundred pounds. " And that each of the commissioners, whilst on the business aforesaid, receive for his services seven shillings and sixpence per diem."

November 30, 1784, (3) another act was passed to provide means for accelerating the sale of tickets, and to make further regulations for drawing the lottery; and another in February, 1786.

I have thus proved from printed State documents that coal mines were known to exist on the Schuylkill early in 1784, and that Colonel Potts and his associates had actually, previous to that time, bought and paid for them.

It is well remembered in his family, that, when these deeds were executed, he remarked that this would be a fortune for his children, if he did not live to see it.

If he had not died during the next year, there is little doubt that anthracite coal would have been brought into use thirty or forty years earlier than it was, for he had interested the two great phi-

(1) This was situated at the comer of High and Yorke Streets, and I find it is now called toyer's old tavern.

(2) The following year this part of Philadelphia County was set off into a new county, called Montgomery.

(3) Dallas's Laws, p. 231.

Third Generation. - 143

losophers hers of the day, Franklin and Rittenhouse, in the project, who would soon have popularized a method for burning it. Though the death of Thomas was a great blow to the company, yet Samuel never lost his faith in the ultimate value of the coal. The Nicholses, Delany, and Samuel Baird appear to have been discouraged, and before the patents were issued, in 1788, had sold out their rights to William and Luke Morris.

For four years the affair must have been prosecuted with vigor, for the lottery was drawn in 1788, and by act of Assembly in March of that year. the proceeds were appropriated, one moiety to improve the Lancaster Road, the other to the navigation of the Schuylkill.

The following extract from Franklin's will, made in 1788, proves that he had been interested in the scheme: "Out of the salary that remains due to me as President of the State, I give the sum of L2,000 to my executors, to be by them paid to such persons as the Legislature of the State shall appoint by an act of Assembly to receive the same, in trust, to be employed in making the Schuylkill navigable'' But in a codicil added in 1789 he revokes the bequest in these words: " In July last I bequeathed L2,000 to the State for making the Schuylkill navigable; but understanding since that such a sum will do but little towards the accomplishing such a work, and that the project is not likely to be undertaken for many years to come, and having entertained another idea which I hope may be found more extensively useful, I do hereby revoke," etc., etc. The above shows, I think, that the coal project was abandoned in 1788, and principally on account of the death of its projector, Thomas Potts. In 1792, at the suit of Samuel, (1) the

(1) This sale and purchase by Samuel led to an estrangement between the families of the two brothers during many years ; for the widow and children of Thomas, knowing the value be had attached to this property, believed they were deprived of what would eventually prove a great fortune.

A similar case occurred between the two brothers Luke and William Morris, the latter having obtained all the benefit of the ownership of the Morris share of the coal lands.

Third Generation. - 144

share of the Norwegian tract held by the heirs of his brother Thomas, for whom he was trustee, was seized for debt and taxes, and offered at public sale, when he became the purchaser for the sum of one. hundred and thirty-five pounds in gold and silver, less than half its original cost, for in 1784 "hard money" bore an extravagant premium. By this means, he and the two brothers Morris became owners of the whole tract. Samuel never lost his belief in the value of the mines, and in 1792, when Isaac Thomas and Lewis Reese bought of him the land and the wood upon it for the purpose of converting the forest into lumber in the saw-mill on the premises, be reserved in the deeds the right to all minerals and coal, which the purchasers, considering worthless, were perfectly willing to allow. It appears from a legal paper in my possession, that Rees and Thomas reconveyed to Samuel Potts all the coal, with the privilege of digging making roads, etc.

It was this right which in 1826 was known in the courts as the "Potts reserve claim." At that date, Thomas, the discoverer, had been dead over forty years, and Samuel more than a quarter of a century; the right (1) reserved by the latter had descended to his children, and Nathaniel-Potts Hobart a son of his only daughter Sarah,. bought out the other heirs and prosecuted the claim.

John Potts, a grandson of Samuel, wrote to me a year ago as follows: "I recollect perfectly well when my brother David was called upon to sign the deed conveying my father's interest in the coal mines to N. P. Hobart for the small sum of one thousand or eleven hundred dollars" (this was a fifth of one half of the original purchase). "He said he did it with extreme reluctance, and looked. upon the sale as giving the property away just as it was about to become valuable."

The claim was tried in the courts, the judge deciding that no

(1) It is not mentioned in his will, of which I have a copy.

Third Generation. - 145

lapse of time could bar the right. Mr. Hobart then received from persons working the mines what was at the time considered a large sum. I have heard it variously estimated at one and two hundred thousand dollars; as it was paid by different individuals and companies- at various times, it is impossible to name the amount with any accuracy, but it may be set down, according to those best acquainted with the affair, as over one hundred thousand dollars, which is small when compared with the hundreds of millions received for the coal by those who have since worked the Norwegian tract.

It is a little sin ular that this case, so well known to the inhabitants of Pottsville and the neighborhood, has not led 'Some inquirer into the early history of the coal in Schuylkill County to investigate the subject, and print a true statement of at least the purchase of the land in 1783 - 84 for the purpose of mining the coal it contained.

A very general impression prevails in the family that Colonel Potts was elected a member of Congress soon after the close of the war. I have some reason to think that his nomination may have been intended by the Assembly, and that General St. Clair, an active associate in this coal business, was elected instead, and served from 1785-1787. The fact that Colonel Potts represented Chester County in the Legislature of Pennsylvania at the time of his death, in 1785, does not seem sufficient basis for the above tradition, because he had held that office as early as 1775, and from 1720 some member of the family had represented Philadelphia, Berks, or Chester Counties. As the tradition comes down, the fact is stated that death prevented him from taking his seat I have no means of knowing the truth of this, and merely mention it in connection with General St. Clair's election and his interest in the coal mines.

146 - Third Generation.

About the year 1800 John Put, son of the before-named Wilhelm, from Rotterdam, purchased a portion of the Norwegian tract, and established a forge; and in 1816, when the coal began to attract attention, he laid out the town of Pottsville, which is said to have been named for him. It is a singular coincidence that the name should thus commemorate the first discoverer of the coal. Two neighboring villages are called St. Clair and Morrisville, in memory of persons who were associated with Thomas and Samuel Potts in the purchase of the land.

No relationship is known to exist between the family of Put and the subjects of this memorial. One of the grandsons of Wilhelm was living a few years ago in the neighborhood of Pottstown, who still spelt his name Put. A survival of Norway and the Norwegian tract appears in Norwegian Street, Pottsville. In 1812, when Shoemaker took several loads of coal to Philadelphia, a son of Colonel Potts, then living there, who knew his father's belief in its value, had some of it carried to a smith named Goodman, at the corner of Crown and Callowhill Streets, who was engaged in casting cannon for government, and after much persuasion induced him to try it; but from want of proper knowledge and means for burning it, Goodman declared it worthless, saying he could heat it as he could a stone, but that it would not burn.

One of the slaves of Colonel Potts who assisted the French Creek miners to bore for coal, and carried the chain for the surveyor who laid off the land, lived to an advanced age, and is still remembered by several of the grandchildren of his former owner. His name was Peter Sebastian. His master -gave him the trade of a shoemaker, and freed him. His talk about the coal mines on Schuylkill, a knowledge of which he must have gained as an eye-witness (for the subject was one then unknown to most of his white countrymen), is still recollected by the older descendants of Colonel Potts.

Third Generation.. - 147

Colonel Potts's career was suddenly terminated at Philadelphia, March 22, 1785, while attending the session of the Legislature, of which he was a member. In the journal of that body his vote is recorded on Saturday, March 19. He went home to Coventry to spend Sunday with his family, and riding down on horseback the following day through the muddy roads of that inclement season, his riding-boots became very much splashed, and he dismounted at a pump in High Street to have them washed before entering the House. The effect of the sudden shock to his feet threw the gout to his head, and he expired before morning. The following obituary appeared in Bradford's Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser," March 30, 1785:

On Tuesday, the 22d instant, departed this life in this city Thomas Potts, Esq., a Representative for Chester County in the present General Assembly, in the fifty-first year of his age. His remains were removed to Coventry, the place of his family residence, and there interred on Friday last. His funeral was attended by a numerous concourse of relatives, friends, and neighbors, sincerely lamenting the loss of a person held in universal esteem by all who had acquaintance with him. Of this gentleman it may with truth be affirmed, that in the different relationships of husband, father, brother, master, neighbor, or friend he was excelled by few. The true interests of his country engaged his close attention, his assiduity in the duties of the station he filled imperilled the care of his health. Anxious to execute the trust reposed in him by his constituents, he flattered himself that he, might safely venture abroad to take his seat in the Assembly as soon as a severe fit of gout in his feet had abated. In this he was deceived by a sudden return of that disorder to his head, which in about six hours put a period to his existence. His religious sentiment and irreproachable deportment are a firm basis upon which his friends may build a reasonable hope that he has exchanged a life of pain for eternal bliss."

The descendants of Colonel Potts are still known as the Coventry branch of the family, although that estate has long since passed

148 Third Generation.

into other hands. It is a singular coincidence that Thomas, Earl of Coventry, who died in 1711, left a widow, who married Thomas Savage , of Elmley Castle, Worcestershire; and it is not impossible that Samuel Savage was his younger brother, and that the eldest son of the latter was named for him, and this place called in honor of the Countess of Coventry.

The view of the house given in this volume is from a photograph taken October, 1872. The large trees on the right of the picture are the pecan, not a common tree as far north as Pennsylvania, and said to have been planted there by Colonel Potts's son, who brought the nuts or. the young plants from New Orleans.

Mrs. Anna (Nutt) Potts survived her husband until 21st April, 1796. ..She was buried by his side in the family graveyard at Coventry, where three generations of her ancestors and many relatives were already interred, and where some of her descendants in the third and fourth generation now repose. Two white marble slabs, with the following inscriptions mark the spot:

Mrs. Robert Grace bought back part of the Coventry estate, and the children of Colonel Potts were many of them married and buried at this beautiful spot.

A married granddaughter, whose life had been spent there, writing to her aunt in 1821, thus feelingly mentions the projected sale of the property, and expresses the wish that her aunt's husband would buy it: "The place has never belonged to any other than our family since it was settled,(1) and I cannot bear the thought of

(1) Samuel Nutt received a warrant to have the land surveyed in 1718.

Third Generation. - 149

its going into the hands of strangers ; to see some rough, insensible being placed in the room of those that were so dear to me; to leave the dear remains of my ancestors exposed to the mercy of some rough Dutchman. 0, my dear aunt, the reflection is. painful in the. extreme! I wish I were able to but it, but that is impossible; my property is an undivided share in the Joannah lands, and cannot at present be sold."

18. Samuel (60), was born 13 November, about three of the clock in the afternoon, A. D. 1736.

His youth was passed at Colebrookdale, and when he was sixteen. his father removed to Pottstown, where he lived during the remainder of his life.

He married Joanna, daughter of Thomas Holland,(1) a successful merchant in Philadelphia.

Like the rest of his family, -Samuel early engaged in the iron business, and in 1764, in connection with his brother John, he was carrying on Mount joy Forge, and their father had given up to them his own share in Warwick Furnace. (2)

In 1769 he built the house of which an engraving is given in this volume, and until the present year, 1872, it was owned and occupied by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The date is cut on a brick in the gable, immediately under the comb of the roof It was the first brick house erected in the town, but the

(1) Thomas Holland's will was proved September, 1755. In it he names six children. His three daughters, Mary, wife of John Bankson Sarah, wife of Thomas May ; and Joanna, wife of Samuel Potts.

(2) The will of Anna Nutt, widow, and relict of Samuel Nutt, proved August 15, 1760: My son-in-law John Potts to be sole Ex. & to have my part of Warwick furnace my part of ye forge & iron mine."

150 - Third Generation.

back extension is of stone. In a previous chapter I have given some account of the extent of the iron business of Samuel while he was yet a young man. During the Revolution he embraced the patriotic side, and was engaged in casting heavy cannon at Warwick for government. The following is extracted from Forces "Archives":

In Committee of Safety, March 30, 1776. Messrs. Samuel Potts and Thomas Rutter having engaged with this board to cast a number of cannons for the use of the Province, and requiring a sum of money as an advance for putting their works in proper order, by order of the board an order was drawn on Michael Hillegas, Esq., in their favor, for one thousand pounds."

Samuel was a member of the Assembly from Philadelphia County in 1767, 1768, and 1769. He afterwards became an Associate Judge, and the following letter to him from the Council shows some of the political movements of the day:

LANCASTER, June 11, 1778.

Sir, -

Your brother, the Doctor, undertaking to forward this, affords me the first opportunity of giving you the doctrine of surety in cases of treason, as it seems at present to be understood. justices of the peace cannot take bail, but must commit to the common jail of the county. Whilst the Supreme Court is sitting judges may take bail ; at other times any one of them has that power. Where the evidence is full, it is to be used with great caution; but where the charge is doubtful, it is held to be his duty to take bail. Should the enemy leave the city, it is probable that one of the judges will immediately go into it. From these circumstances, you will 'see what measures are most proper in the case you have under consideration. Although there is little reason to doubt of the Doctor's care in sending you this, I wish you to give me notice by a line of your having received this.

From your friend and humble serv't.

To SAMUEL POTTS, ESQ., Pottsgrove.

Third, Generation. - 151

The case under consideration was doubtless that of his own brother John, whose pecuniary affairs were very much mixed up with his own, and who had been discovered not long before this date on a visit to Pottsgrove, and sought for there as a Tory.

Samuel was a member of the Convention that framed the Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania. His name is not appended among the printed signatures to that document; he was probably absent at the time it was adopted, but in the journal of the Convention his vote is frequently recorded.

The General Assembly (1) of Pennsylvania passed an act on the 13th of June, 1777, requiring every male white inhabitant of the State to give assurance of allegiance to the same; and those. above the age of sixteen, who should travel out of the county or city in which he usually resides, without a certificate of having taken the oath or affirmation of allegiance aforesaid, may be suspected of being a spy, or holding principles inimical to the United States, and shall be apprehended, and if he refuse to subscribe to it when taken before a justice, he shall be committed to the common jail.

The following is copied from one of the original certificates, and imitates it as accurately as new type can copy the old. It is printed on fine parchment, so as to stand the wear of constant use. The part in italics are those filled up in writing. The line of New Hanover township was run through Pottsgrove, and Samuel's residence was then at the lower end of the town, near that line.

(1) Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. V. p. 479. This act was so little regarded that another was passed December 5, 1778. 1 have in my possession three of these original 11 tests of allegiance" (as one is indorsed), taken by different members of the family. Though all are printed by John Dunlap, yet each is of a different issue ; two are on paper. The oath taken under the second act is printed without the word " affirmation," and is marked in pencil " 75c.," probably the amount of the fee paid to the justice.

152 - Third Generation.

I DO hereby CERTIFY, That

Samuel Pott's of New Hanover Townfhip Philadelphia County Gentleman, hath voluntarily taken and fubfcribed the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an A& of General Affembly of Pennsylvania, paffed the 13th day of June, A. D. 1777.

Witnefs my hand and feal, the First day of June A. D. 1778.

(L. S.) Jno. Richards No 849.

PRINTED BY JOHN DUNLAP.

In a previous section I have given an account of Samuel's connections with the coal lands, and his unfaltering prevision of their importance and value.

His executorship of the large estate of his father, his extensive iron business, and the various public trusts which he filled, made his life an active, busy, and useful one. As the shad fisheries of the Schuylkill are a thing of the past, it is interesting to learn how -many were taken at Pottstown, on the family right, as late as 17 84. From a paper of Samuel Potts, who owned one eighth of the privilege, it appears that 2,792 were caught that year, the first on April 14. In 1785, 3,701, the first April 13.

Samuel died July 3, 1793, and was buried in the family graveyard at Pottstown.(1) His widow died March 16, 1818, aged eighty-three years.

The following obituary is copied from Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser," Friday, July 5, 1793:

(1) See inscriptions.

Third Generation. - 153

"On Wednesday morning died, at his seat at Potts-rove, Samuel Potts, Esq. It is enough to say of him that a numerous and respectable family lose their friend and guide ; that the large circle of his acquaintance has lost a citizen whose heart was warm for their interest, and whose manners were without guile ; that his servants have lost a master, his wife a husband, and his children a companion, a friend, and a father. Not a tear win be shed on his grave but what will be from the bottom of the heart."

His will was executed 5th March, 1793; in it he mentions his four sons and one daughter. He gave to his wife his undivided fourth part of Warwick Furnace, supposed to contain in all about nine thousand acres, only reserving to his son Thomas the right of taking so much ore from the mines there as would supply one fifth part of a furnace now erected by him in company with Thomas Rutter, the heirs of Thomas May and Thomas Bull, called Joanna Furnace, for which right "he is to account to my estate L 300." He also gives, for a certain consideration, the same right to the other three partners. He mentions that he had also allowed a right to supply ore from Jones's mines, for a furnace called Rebecca, to Jacob Vinance, Thomas Rutter, and Sarah May; and he leaves his one eighth part of this furnace in Chester County to his daughter, Sarah Hobart. He reserved to his children the copper ore in Jones's mine, and the right to erect a furnace there for working it.

19. John (66), born 15 October, about half an hour after three of the clock in the afternoon, A. D.1738. This son, though engaged like the rest of his family, in the iron business, had received a superior education in Philadelphia, and was then sent to England to perfect his studies in the

154 Third Generation

law, at the Temple, London. How long he remained there I have no means of ascertaining, but in 1764 he was practising law in Philadelphia, and a partner with his brother Samuel in the Mount joy Forge. He married Margaret,(1) daughter of Stephen and Anna Carmick, (2) and resided in the city, though he occupied Stowe as a country residence, and built a substantial stone house on the principal street in Pottstown. John became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and on the breaking out of hostilities it is known that he inclined to the side of the king. His residence in England and a knowledge of her power led him to view the American cause as hopeless ; but it is stated in a Loyalist (3) tract, published in 1784, that "he was loyal until the evacuation of Philadelphia, when he offered half his property to the Whigs if they would restore the other moiety, which they refused to do."

This confused account is certainly erroneous, for during the occupation of Philadelphia by the British army he obtained a pass to leave the city, and went to Pottstown to look after his affairs, and was for a short time in his own house there, which was afterwards confiscated. That he was known then to be a Tory by the Continental Congress is proved by the fact that a detachment of soldiers was sent up from Valley Forge to capture him , but just before they reached the house, which is a large building of dressed stone, still standing, at the corner of High and Hanover Streets, he escaped by a back window, and was probably secreted by some of his friends

(1) She was aunt to Mrs. Joseph Reed, Mrs. Watmough, and Mrs. John Sergeant.

(2) They are buried in Christ Churchyard, Philadelphia, under a stone bearing the following inscription : -

"Here lies the body of

Stephen Cammack

who died

June 26th 1774

aged 55 years.

And of

Anna his wife,

who departed this life

September 22^nd 1795

Aged 63 years."

(3)See Sabine's History of the Loyalists.

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until he could return in disguise through the American lines to the city. December 21, 1782, the house above mentioned was sold ,to General Arthur St. Clair, as the following, extracted from the Minutes of Council in Colonial Records, shows:

"A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the President, to Major-General Arthur. Sinclair, conveying a lot of ground, containing in front sixty feet and in depth three hundred feet, situate in Pottstown, in the township of Douglass and county of Philadelphia, seized and sold agreeable to law as the forfeited estate of John Potts,(1) an attainted traitor, for the sum of L6,700 (1) Continental money, which sum Arthur Sinclair hath paid to the agents of forfeited estates in the said county.",

It may be interesting, to prove the different value of property, to state that about thirty years ago this house and lot was sold at sheriff's sale for $2,300, which was thought at the time very low. A person well acquainted with the present (1872) value of real estate there informed me it would now bring from $15,000 to $20,000. No alteration appears to have been made in the exterior of the house, but it is now occupied as a store by Evans & Keim.

When the Continental army entered Philadelphia, the families of those who had espoused the British cause were ordered to leave the city, and Mrs. Potts, with her children, found a home in the house of her husband's brother, Samuel, at Pottstown. She remained there several months, until General Washington, who was in constant intercourse with the patriotic portion of the family, gave her an escort of dragoons to join her husband in New York, whither he had gone in the train of Lord Howe-and his friend Joseph Galloway. That he was very intimate with the latter the following letter proves:

(1) This was at a period of great depreciation in Continental currency ; but as it was paid to government, it was probably taken at a higher value than by private individuals.

156 - Third Generation,

NEW YORK, November 25, 1778.

DEAR SIR:

Mr. Crowder carried with him two letters for you from England, one of which arrived here on the morning you sailed from the Hook; and as I was ignorant of that, I procured a boat to carry the letters to you, but it was too late, and on the return I took the liberty to read them, agreeable to your orders, and enclose them for you. Enclosed is also a letter from Mrs. Galloway, who has almost too deep a sense of popular ingratitude. You may rest assured that if she is desirous to rent her own estate , and if it is practicable, it will be accomplished by my brother Samuel, to whom I have wrote on the subject, and who will advise Mrs. G. on the proper measure. The -unfortunate J. Roberts and A. Carlisle were executed on the 4th instant. A few of what are called men members met and endeavored to make a House, with a declared intention of saving them, but could not, and, from what we hear, it is rather probable that they will not easily be permitted to sit as representatives. S. Garrigues and J. Stevens were on their trials when the last messenger left Philadelphia. The papers, which I cannot procure, are replete with abuse and contemptuous treatment of the commission and the agents under it, and never was shown a greater confidence than appears in the whole conduct of the Congress and their agents. D'Estaing has sailed from Boston, having taken advantage of a severe gale of wind, which had dispersed Byron's fleet and drove one of them on shore on Cape Cod, the Somerset, of sixty-four guns, where she is totally lost, and four hundred of her men made prisoners by the rebels. He sailed the day after the division of the army under Grant left the Hook, but, from what appears, Byron is in pursuit of him. This Arno: is brought lit by a flag of truce from Boston, which brought fifty-seven masters of vessels taken by the rebels and carried into New England in the space of two months. There does not appear to be any great division of parties in any Colony but Pennsylvania. and I am fully persuaded that in the present circumstances no consequences will attend that division favorable to government. It appears to me that the spirit of our countrymen is too much broken to attempt to relieve themselves from a burden grievous and disagreeable to them in the highest degree. I take the liberty to open Mrs. Galloway's letter, with an intention of performing

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anything that might have been desired, if in my power, which I hope you will excuse. It is very evident that unless government can disengage itself from an European war and employ a greater force and more vigor in the prosecution of this, the game is certainly up, and America lost. You may rely on hearing from me if anything favorable or consequential happens. Since Mrs. O.'s letter, I received one from Mrs. Potts, who mentions Mrs. Galloway being in good health and uncommon spirits. Pray give my respectful compliments to, Miss Galloway, who has, I suppose, forgot there is such a creature, from the multiplicity of engagements in the beau monde.

Believe me to be, with the sincerest gratitude,

Your affectionate friend and humble servant,

JOHN POTTS.

To JOSEPH GALLOWAY, ESQ. To the care of Mr. Alex'r Gordan

and Messrs. Drummonds, London.

In another letter to Galloway, Judge Potts again mentions Roberts and Carlisle, and says that " Governor Livingston went to Philadelphia and urged his endeavors to prevail on the banditti in power to save them, not from any principle of honor and conscience, you know him too well, -but from motives, as he thought, of policy."

These two men were Quakers, who had been employed by Galloway and his party as secret agents in detecting foes to the royal government. They acted as guides when Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie fell on a party of militia near Frankfort." They were captured and tried, and according to all the rules of war and of state policy their execution was necessary, and the effect was salutary.

Among the papers of Colonel Potts I found a petition, written apparently in the fair hand of Joseph Galloway, for the pardon of Roberts. No doubt, judge Potts, who in the letters above quoted appears to have been peculiarly interested in these traitors, found means to send it to his brother, through whose influence it was to be circulated among Roberts's neighbors and friends in Chester

158 - Third Generation.

County, in hopes of obtaining his pardon. No signatures are attached to the document, and from the clean condition of the paper it appears never to have been circulated. I give a copy of it. as it is to the credit of the Loyalists that they tried every means in their power to save the lives of the tools they had led into this dangerous business.

"To the Honorable the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania.

"The Underwritten Citizens and Subjects of this State beg leave to represent,

"That they have been informed that John Roberts late of Merion in the County of Philadelphia Millar hath been lately tried and Convicted, and is now under Sentence of Death for High Treason.

"That your Memorialists have a just Abhorrence of that Crime, yet when they consider that the Conduct which has involved him in his present Difficulties admits of much palliation, That an Apprehension of Danger to his person had be Continued with his Family; and at the worst, that his mistaken Attachment to former Prejudices, rather than any evil Disposition he had imbibed against the Interest of his Country, or the Persons of its Rulers led him into the dangerous path he pursued. When they reflect too upon the Solemn Renunciation he hath made of these Prejudices, and with all upon the various good Qualities he possesses, they think it a Duty they owe to Society in general, to his sorrowful Family, Relatives and Friends, and indeed to humanity itself to recommend him in all humility to your Honors as one of the most proper Objects of Mercy that ever presented itself to the supreme power of any State.

"And those of your Memorialists, to whom either as near Neighbors, by particular Intimacy, or general report of his Character, and conduct, are more intimately known, beg leave least your Honors, should not be acquainted with his Circumstances, & his Merits to represent more particularly;

That the unfortunate Prisoner is now near Sixty years of Age, hath a distress'd Wife, nine children & other Connections numerous & respectable,

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that be hath from his youth up lived not only irreproach ably, but spent his whole Life in performing the duties of a tender parent a faithful friend, kind Neighbor & useful Citizen.

To the poor, the Stranger & the Orphan, his hospitable house was ever open, his liberal hand most cheerfully extended. These not less than his own Family would feel and mourn his Loss. From these Considerations & others they might state to your Honors they have not a Doubt but that showing Mercy unto him would be affording Consolation to an Afflicted and reputable Train of Relatives & Friends, & a beneficial Act to Society, in general by giving back to Life & Freedom, one whom your Memorialists are persuaded, & have every Reason to assure your Honors, would be a humane Virtuous and useful Subject of this State.

Impressed with these Sentiments, they cannot forbear intreating your Honors would suspend the Execution of the Sentence pronounced against him, untill the Meeting of the Legislative Body of this State, and that your Honors would then be pleased to lay this Memorial before that honorable Body-And will your Honors permit them to hope it will be accompanied with your Recommendation of *the unhappy one as a proper Object for their Clemency.

"And the Underwritten do also sincerely and humbly, but fervently hope and pray that the Honorable the Representatives of the Freemen of this State will thereupon, taking the Premises into their wise and serious Consideration, extend unto the said John Roberts the Benefit of a full, free & general Pardon for that Offence for which be is now under the Awful & Solemn Sentence of Death.

"And Your Petitioners."

The estate of John Potts was confiscated in 1779, (1) and by this act he lost a large and valuable property, which appears never to have been made up to him by the British government.

The fine house and plantation called Stowe, two miles from Pottstown, "were seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of John Potts, an attainted traitor, to the said Jonathan Potts,

(1) Under act of Attainder, 1st Rawle, p. 540.

160 - Third Generation.

Esq., for L20,000 Continental money." Another of his houses, in Pottstown, has been already mentioned as bought by General St. Clair. Sabine, in the "History of the Loyalists,'' mentions him as one of the "fifty-five petitioners, in July, 1783, from the city of New York, who asked that the same number of acres might be granted them in Nova Scotia as were given to field officers in the army. They represented that their position in society had been very respectable, and that previous to the Revolution they had possessed much influence." This petition, addressed to Sir Guy Carleton,(1) created much excitement in St. John, N. B., when published there, as its signers asked to have their land exempted from quitrents and taxes.

The "agents for the Loyalists wrote from Annapolis Royal, on the 14th January, 1783, to their friends in New York. They describe the country from Annapolis to St. Mary's Bay as very good soil and favorable to fisheries; praise Annapolis Basin and St. Mary's Bay." (2) In a recent visit to the maritime provinces of the New Dominion, I made every exertion to trace the locality of the grant of land to John Potts, and at length, in the Crown Land Office at Halifax, I found the record of the patent issued to Anthony Stewart (3) and seventeen others, of whom John Potts was one, of 18,000 acres of land in Annapolis County. The following abstract from the patent, showing on what terms Potts held his thousand acres, will be interesting to his descendants:

"April 1st 1785 Nova Scotia George the -III by the Grace of God Great Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the faith & so forth to all to whom these presents shall come greeting, Know ye that We of our Special grace certain knowledge & mere motion have given & granted & by these

(1) Sir Guy Carleton was raised to the peerage, under the title of Lord Dorchester, in 1786.

(2) History of Nova Scotia, by B. Murdock.

(3) He is mentioned in Sabine as one of the fifty-five petitioners.

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presents for us our heirs & successors do give & grant unto Anthony Stewart [here follow the seventeen other names, and the boundaries of the 18,000 acres are defined], together with all woods underwoods timber & timber trees, lakes, ponds, fisheries, water, water-courses, profits, commodities appurtenances & hereditaments, whatsoever thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining ; together also with the privilege of hunting, hawking & fishing in and upon the same, & mines and minerals saving & reserving nevertheless to our heirs & successors all white pine trees if any shall be found growing thereon, & also saving and reserving unto us our heirs & successors all mines of gold & silver, copper, lead, & coals to have & to hold, &c. yielding & paying therefor unto us our heirs & successors or to our Receiver Gen. for the time being, yearly at the Feast of St. Michael in every year at the rate of two shillings for every hundred acres, & so in proportion according to the quantity of acres hereby granted, the same to commence to be payable from the said Feast of St. Michael which shall first happen after the expiration of ten years from the date hereof provided always & this present grant is upon condition that said several & respective grantees & their several & respective heirs & assigns shall & do within three years after the date hereof for every fifty acres of plantable land hereby granted, clean and work three acres at least in that part thereof as respectively, He or they shall judge most convenient and advantageous or else to clean and drain 3 acres of swampy or sunken ground or drain three acres of marsh if any such contained therein. And shall do within the time aforesaid put & keep upon 50 acres thereof accounted barren 3 neat cattle and continue the same thereon until 3 acres for every 50 acres are fully cleared and improved, and if there shall be no part of the said tract fit for present cultivation without manuring & improving the same respectively, He or they within the time aforesaid shall be obliged to erect on some part & continue the same thereon until 3 acres for every 50 acres be fully cleared & improved & if then within the time aforesaid shall be obliged to erect on some part thereof their respective land one good dwelling house to be at least 20 feet in length and 16 feet in breadth & to put on their said respective land the like number of neat cattle for every 50 acres.

"His Ex. RICHARD BULKLEY,

Governor.''

162 - Third. Generation.

I was informed at the Crown Land Office, by the polite officials, that persons frequently come to look up these old grants, and that twenty-five years' residence out of the province prevented any claim from being legal according to their laws. After many inquiries, I was able to find where this land was located, and visited the town. The 18,000 acres are now included in the -township of Clements. It is most delightfully situated, on Annapolis Basin, and adjoins the town of Annapolis Royal, once the capital of Nova Scotia and the site of the old French fort which has experienced so many vicissitudes since the time of Henry of Navarre, and is now dismantled and used as a cow-pasture.

Haliburton, in his "History of Nova Scotia," mentions that Clements was settled by the Loyalists in 1784, and that near Moose River, which runs through the township, iron ore is found. This iron mine, which was early discovered, may have been the reason for John Potts selecting his one thousand acres in this place. He at first settled in Shelburne, a port on the Atlantic side of Nova Scotia, and I am inclined to think that most of the time he lived in the province was spent there. At that point the refugees laid out a handsome town, after the plan of Philadelphia, and at one time the population numbered over twelve thousand; it is- now a village of less than a quarter of that number. Here the higher class of the Loyalists lived in as much state and elegance as their reduced means would allow, and Obtained the sobriquet of the dancing beggars of Shelburne. From a paper in my possession, dated at this place, November, 1783, and carried on to March 4, 1785, it would appear that Colonel Thomas and John Potts had established a partnership for the sale of stoves there, and that a clerk from Pottstown bad gone down to attend to the business. Five different kinds of stoves are. enumerated. Colonel Beverly Robinson took five to St. John without paying for them, and John Potts, Esq.,

Third Generation.. - 163

took nine to Halifax in the same way, probably for the purpose of introducing' them at those places.

The following extract from a letter of John to his brother Sam. uel, dated Shelburne, 1784, gives some confirmation to the tradition current among his descendants that he was offered the governorship of Nova Scotia.

"Had not my attachment to our country carried me rather too far, I am fully convinced Sir William Howe would have procured me some lucrative office in this Government. It may not yet, perhaps, be too late. It is worth trying. He is a cordial friend, and was really unwilling I should relinquish the object; I am sincerely averse to office, but my children and family must influence me in these matters."

If this position was offered to him he declined it; and after living a few years in Nova Scotia he returned to his native State, but finally went West, where he died. The portrait of him in this volume is from a picture in the possession of his great-grandson, John Potts Rutter.

20. Martha (69) was born at Popodickon, 31 March, about five of the clock in the afternoon, A. D. 1740.. When not yet twenty years old, she married, 20 February, 1759, Thomas Rutter, her mother's first cousin, and the son of Thomas and Mary Katherine Rutter.(1) He was born in 1731, and was only three years old at his father's death, whose will, proved in 1734, gives to son Thomas " all my lands-at Colebrookdale, with the mines, ores, furnace, and appurtenances.'' His sister, the executrix of this will, had, soon after her father's death, married (8) Thomas Potts, and no doubt with her husband managed the share of her minor brother in the establish

(1) Afterwards the wife of William Pyewell.

164 - Third Generation.

ment. Thomas and Martha Rutter resided in Pottstown, where they built a handsome house called Laurel Lodge, which is still standing, though in a dilapidated condition, and now occupied by some of the employees of the Reading Railroad. Mr. Rutter was an active citizen, and held for many years the office of justice of the Peace under the Crown. But he joined the patriotic side in the Revolution, and was engaged in casting cannon for government with his brother-in-law, Samuel Potts.. He had an, interest in several of the iron-works of the family, and was the third of the name in lineal descent who had carried them on.

In his will, dated March 5, 1795, and proved in June of the same year, be leaves to his " beloved wife Martha," besides a certain share. of, property in his copper mine at Colebrookdale, an annuity of five hundred pounds, secured on his part of Warwick Furnace, and six hundred pounds cash, to be paid her within two years of his death. Also, his riding-carriage, horses and harness, sleigh, and three cows; his house, household goods, and plate, "of which I desire an inventory may not be taken." To his half-brother, John Pyewell, he left a small annuity, also one to " my dearly beloved cousin and sister-in-law, Anna Potts, widow of Thomas Potts, late of Coventry."

Thomas Rutter, the third of the name, already mentioned in this volume, died at Pottstown, 7th May, 1795, and was buried in the family graveyard. (See inscriptions.)

His wife survived him until 1st October, 1804, when-she was laid by his side.

The following obituaries appeared in the Philadelphia papers of the day:

From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, May 28, 1795.

On Sunday, the 10th of this month, were deposited in the family burialground at Pottstown the remains of Thomas Rutter, Esq., attended by the largest concourse of lamenting- friends and acquaintance ever known there on such an occasion. This gentleman had for some years sustained an afflicting illness with that resigned fortitude which nothing but a firm confi

Third Generation. - 165

dence in the sacred truths of the Christian religion can inspire. In his public life, in the various stations which he filled, dignity and a regard to the laws of his- country were happily blended with the most gentle humanity. In the circle of social life, his friends will long regret his departure, and to those who needed his assistance the loss of his unbounded but secret charity is not to be repaired. As a husband, indulgent, affectionate, and beneficent; as a parent, 'here I must pause, for I can say with feeling justice, that the loss of his eldest son precipitated his shortest step to the bosom of his Creator."

From Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, Saturday, October 13, 1804.

"Died, on the 1st instant, in the sixty-fifth year of her age, Mrs. Martha Rutter, relict of the late Thomas Rutter, Esq., and her remains were interred in the family burying-ground at Potts-rove, attended by a numerous concourse of mourning relatives, friends, and acquaintances. The deceased was for a number of years past afflicted with a severe and painful indisposition, which she sustained with uncommon fortitude and Christian resignation ; it can with great truth and sincerity be said that she possessed and practised in an eminent degree every virtue requisite to adorn the female character."

21. David (75) was born 4th April, about three of he clock in the morning A. D. 1741. of

He became became a successful merchant in Philadelphia, and in 1768 was established in Water Street. He married Mary Aris. In accordance with his father's will, he took the house and lot where he lived, and the wharf and stores thereunto belonging, for the sum of one thousand pounds. In 1769 he took the tract of land on the east side of Manatawny, and the grist-mill, valued at L1,750, after the three elder brothers had declined it. During the Revolution he bought the confiscated estate of Stowe, which had belonged to his brother John; Dr. Potts conveying it " to David Potts, merchant, of Philadelphia," 21st December, 1780. He had also an interest in the Valley Forge

166 - Third Generation.

property) and his family resided there, during the summer, in the large house situated on the Great Road, above Washington's head-quarters. When the army occupied Valley Forge, this stone house was taken for the officers' rendezvous and a bakery. I have never seen any engraving of this building, which is now much disfigured by fanciful iron balconics and railings painted yellow, but an antique wall of dressed stone still surrounds it, enclosing many fine old trees. It was probably the first mansion erected on the estate, as in the will of John Potts, 1767, the property not conveyed to his sons Samuel and John is alluded to as bounded by the gardens, barnyard, an old orchard, the Schuylkill, Valley Creek, and Great Road, which limits would include this place, as well as the house known as the residence of General Washington. During the winter Of 1777, David and his family were in Philadelphia, and he was able to keep on such good terms with both sides that he was frequently allowed to pass and repass between the two places.

John Potts had influence with Sir William Howe to obtain passes that his brother might see after his interests at Valley Forge; while Thomas, Samuel, and Dr. Potts were working so zealously for the patriotic side, that Washington could not well refuse to allow a member of so influential a family, whose land his army was occupying, to visit the camp for the purpose of looking after property in which they, too, had some share.

David was suspected of being a Tory because he chose to remain in the city occupied by the British army. The laws of Pennsylvania, with more justice than those of her sister States, cited, suspected persons to appear and be tried on the charge. Sabine says, "David Potts surrendered, and was discharged" ; by which it would appear that the accusation against him was not proved.

The large ovens for baking the army bread were built in the cellar of the house, and were taken out only a few years ago.

David died at Valley Forge, 1798, and was buried there in the grounds belonging to Friends' Meeting. His widow survived him twenty-five years. During the latter part of her life she resided at Pottstown, where she died in 1823, and was buried in the family graveyard at that place, but without any memorial stone.

Third Generation. - 167

22. Joseph (80) was born at Popodickon, 12^th March, about three of the clock in the morning, A. D. 1742. He was sometimes called in the family Josephus. He established himself in Philadelphia as a merchant, and his father, a week or two before his own death, gave him a deed of the dwelling-house on the east side of Water Street, between High and Mulberry, with wharf and lot attached. Here he carried on his business, which seems to have been an extensive one. He early became an earnest member of the Society of Friends, and a public minister among them.

Joseph was four times married: first, to Mary, daughter of John Morris,(1) at Plymouth meeting, 16th August, 1764. She died 18th December, 1765, in the twenty-eighth year of her acre. Margaretta Morris, in her diary, (2) alludes to this event as follows: " On December 11, 1765, my dear sister-in-law, M. Potts, was delivered of a son, and on the 19th of the same month the Lord in his unsearchable wisdom saw meet to remove her from this to a better life. 0, who shall say to the Lord, What doest thou? or why is it thus that a fond husband and indulgent parents are left to mourn the loss of a beloved wife and child?'' He contributed -largely to, the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1768, giving one hundred pounds.

In 1769 he bought the Mount joy Forge and saw-mill of his brother John ; and the same year John Morris, his father-in-law, conveyed to him the Spring Mills, and three tracts of land in Whitemarsh, near Frankford, at which last-named place he resided part of the year. He married for his second wife Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Mary Powell, January 20, 1768. Of this marriage

(1) He was the son of Anthony Morris (the second of that name), mentioned in a previous chapter as interested in the Colebrookdale iron-works.

(2) History of the Hill Family, P. 352.

168 - Third Generation.

Mrs. Franklin,(1) writing to her husband, January 21,1768, says: "Yesterday our Mr. Potts's son Joseph was married to Sammy Powell's sister. His first wife was John Morris's daughter. She died in childbed. He and the lady were own cousins. They could not pass meeting, so they signified their intentions at the State House door, and were married by a magistrate."

The Quakers did not allow the marriage of first cousins, but at this period their rules must have been very stringent to refuse to sanction a marriage with a deceased wife's cousin. Mrs. Franklin's statement is an error; for though Joseph Potts and Mary Morris were distantly related, she and his, second wife were own cousins.

A public Friend marrying without the approval of the meeting created quite a stir at that time, as it would now, but I do not find that this breach of discipline altered Joseph's position ; his irregular union with a youthful heiress seems to have been quickly forgiven.

Sarah died 7 January, 1773, leaving like her predecessor, one young child. The following obituary is copied from a Philadelphia paper of January 16,1773.

"On the 7th instant departed this life, much regretted, in the twenty-sixth year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Potts, wife of Mr. Joseph Potts of this city; a lady in whom the virtues of an affectionate wife, a tender mother, and sincere friend were characteristically distinguished. Her foibles were unknown, her benevolence unconfined, her chanty universal ; in fine, her character was such from which even malevolence could not detract.

'Why should sad mortals drop the tear and sigh

When angels joy to welcome her on high ?

Shall virtue leave in grief the earth below

When yon bright heaven rejoices at the blow

On Sunday last her remains were interred in Friends' burying-ground, attended by a great number of the most respectable inhabitants of this place."

(1) Letters to Benjamin Franklin from his family and friends, privately printed.

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After a little less than two years of mourning, Joseph was mar. ried to Ann, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Mitchel, of Philadelphia. As if to make amends for his former delinquency, this event was celebrated" at a public meeting of the people called Quakers, on High Street, 10th of 10 mo., 1774." The marriage certificate is signed by a large' number of the most influential Friends of the period, by Joseph's mother, and ten of his brothers and sisters, also their respective wives and the husband of the only married sister.

Ann (Mitchel) Potts died 14th September, 1778, in the forty-first year of her age, having had two children, both of whom died young. Joseph was again a widower while still a man in the prime, of life, and we must not be surprised that he sought a fourth wife in Mary, daughter of Stacey Kirkbride, (1) of the Falls, Bucks County, who survived him. She had six children, and all save one died without issue, so that, notwithstanding Joseph's numerous wives, his branch is perpetuated in the descendants of only one son.

Joseph died at his residence near Frankford, 4th February, 1804. His will was proved in Philadelphia County March 7 of the same year. His brother-in-law, Joseph Kirkbride, (2) was one of the executors. He left a considerable estate, and mentions in his will both my salt-works." His widow survived until 17 9 mo., 1817.

From Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, Tuesday, February 7, 1804

"On Saturday evening last (February 4), suddenly, Mr. Joseph Potts, of tile vicinity of Frankford.

"This gentleman, through the whole' course of life, evinced a firmness and amiableness of disposition equalled by few. In early life lie embraced the principles of the Society of Friends, among whom he lived and died an es

(1) He was a son of Joseph and Sarah (Stacey) Kirkbride. The latter was the daughter of Mahlon Stacey, who came to Burlington in the Shield in 1678, and settled in Bucks County, Pa., where he established the first mills on the Delaware in Pennsylvania.

(2) His daughter married the eminent Quaker, John Joseph Guerney.

170 - Third Generation.

teemed member and approved minister. His peculiar soft and endearing manners gained him the affection of all who knew him. Blessed within the circle of a numerous family, his principal care was for their happiness. In the death of Mr. Potts the public has lost a valuable citizen, and numbers a worthy friend who will long deplore him."

From the "Memoirs of Da David Rittenhouse" I copy the following account of a curious clock that was made for Joseph Potts:

"Our artist had previously made- some extremely curious and beautiful timepieces, to each of which was attached the mechanism of a musical clock, in addition to a limited planetarium in miniature. These were in the hands of gentlemen of respectability an and taste., One of these valuable clocks, which' is of a large size, with an accurate little planetarium attached to its face, and placed above the dial-plate, was made for the late Mr. Joseph Potts, of Philadelpbia County, who paid for it, the writer is informed, $ 640. In the spring of the year 1774 it was purchased by the late Mr. Thomas Prior, of Philadelphia, to whom it is said General Sir William Howe made an offer of 120 guineas for it shortly before the evacuation of that city in 1778. It is also said that Don Joseph de Jourdenes, late minister of Spain to the United States, offered Mr. Prior $ 800 for this clock, with a view of presenting it to his sovereign. Mr. Prior, however, retained it until his death, in 1801."

23. Jonathan (91) was born at Popodickon, Berks County, April 11, about five o'clock in the afternoon, A. D. 1745. When he was about seven years old, his father removed to the elegant stone mansion he had erected at the confluence of the Manatawny and Schuylkill. Here Jonathan's earliest years were passed. Having obtained as good an education as the Colonies then afforded at Ephrata and Philadelphia, he determined to fit himself for the profession of medicine by studying at Edinburg, then considered the seat

Third Generation. - 171

of that science. In company with his friend and relative, Benjamin Rush, subsequently distinguished as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, he sailed from Philadelphia, August 31, 1766, and after a very stormy passage of fifty days arrived at last safely at Liverpool, having been several times rescued from the very jaws of death.

The events of this voyage appear to have made a strong impression upon Jonathan's mind, and the tenets of Quakerism, which some of his family had embraced, were then adopted by him.

It is not out of place to remark here, that although Jonathan's father, John Potts, had a birthright in the Society of Friends, he had not been strictly educated in that faith, for his step-mother, Magdalen Robeson, belonging, like all that family, to the Swedish Church, had influenced her children towards the Episcopal forms, and John, by his marriage with Ruth Savage, who was not a Friend, must have then forfeited his birthright, if he had not done so long before.

Letter from Jonathan Potts to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, copied from the Franklin Manuscripts in the Collection of the American Philosophical Society.

WORTHY SIR:

You will receive by this post several letters in my favour, from gentlemen of your acquaintance in Phil., & by the first vessel from Penn'a you will receive letters in favour of my good friend & relation Mr. Rush from your son the Governor of the Jerseys, who has honored me with a letter to Dr. Alex. Dick of Edinburg, & also from my father.(1)

Should you think proper to write to any gentlemen in Edinburg in favour of both Mr. Rush & myself it shall be acknowledged as a particular favour conferred upon

Sir your most obedient & very humble servant

JONATHAN POTTS.

P. S. Please enclose any letters in our favor, to me in Edinburg. Liverpool, Oct. 22nd, 1766. To BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esq., Craven St., London.

(1) The letter here mentioned from John Potts is not in the manuscript collection, perhaps it never reached Franklin.

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EDINBURG, Dec. 10, 1766.

wrote to you upon my arrival in Liverpool as did my friend and relation Benjamin Rush ; we also sent you some letters from our friends in Philadelphia in our favour, the design of which letters was that you would be so kind as to write to any of your friends in this place in our behalf; as I am somewhat a apprehensive you have not received these letters, I have taken the liberty to repeat my request, as I find since my arrival here that letters from you in our favour would be of infinite service to us.

I am with the utmost respect

Your most obedient and very humble servant

JONATHAN POTTS.

P. S. (1) Just after sealing this, news-of the packet arrived this morning, I got yours of Nov. 11th I shall answer it by packet which I suppose will sail in a few days.

J. P.

LONDON, Nov. 11th, 1766.

GENTLEMEN:

With this I send you letters for several of my friends at Edinburg.

It will be a pleasure to me if they prove of use to you.

But you will be your best friend if you apply diligently to your studies, refraining from all idle, useless amusements, that are apt to lessen or withdraw the attention from your main business.

This, from the character you bear in the letters you brought me, I am persuaded you will do. Letters of recommendation may- serve a stranger for a day or two, but where he is to reside for years, he. must depend on his own conduct, which will increase or totally destroy the effect of such letters.

I take the freedom, therefore, of counseling you to be circumspect in your behavior at Edinburg (where people are very shrewd & observing), that you may bring from thence as good a character as you carry thither, & in that respect not be inferior to any American that has been there before you. You have great advantages in going there to study at this time, where there happens to be collected a set of as truly great men, professors of the several branches of knowledge, as have ever appeared in any age or country.

I recommend one thing particularly to you, that, besides the study of medi

(1) This was written on a separate slip of 'paper and enclosed.

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cine, you endeavor to attain a thorough knowledge of natural philosophy in general. You will from thence draw great aids in judging well both of diseases & remedies, & avoid many errors. I mention this because I have cases observed that a number of physicians here, as well as in America, are miserably deficient in it.

I wish you all happiness & success in your undertaking & remain your friend & humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

The following are copied from the original draughts of the letters of introduction sent by Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Potts. The paper is headed, Mr. Potts and Mr. Rush. The first one is not addressed to the person to whom it is written, but probably it was to the Provost or Dean of the University.

Rev. & DEAR SIR:

The young gentlemen who will have the honor of presenting you this letter, are drawn to Edinburg by the fame of ye medical school has justly acquired, intending there to accomplish themselves in the study of physic. They are recommended to me in the fullest & strongest manner by a number of my acquaintances in Philadelphia, and are, besides, sons of my particular friends. I beg leave, therefore, to recommend them to your countenance & protection, & I request that you would be so kind as to favor them with your good advice & wise Counsels, which must be a great service to them & will highly oblige

Dear sir, your most.

SIR ALEX. DICK.(1)

DEAR SIR, - I am heartily glad that the information provided from my son affords any satisfaction to your friend Mr. Swinton. I beg leave to recom

(1) Sir Alexander Dick is principally known to the present generation by his introduction of the rhubarb-root into Great Britain. But in his day he was one of the most important inhabitants of Edinburg. He attained eminence as a physician under the name of Cunningham, having as a younger son taken that name; but on the death of his two elder brothers he succeeded to the baronetcy and the family estate of Prestonfield, which was situated about a mile out of Edinburg. At this. date, .1746, he relinquished his practice, but maintained a friendly and intimate correspondence with the physicians of that city ; and when the Royal College, which he was instrumental in founding, was established, he became its first president. He was a zealous member of the Philosophical Society, and promoted every work of importance in Scotland.

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mend to your countenance & protection the bearers of this letter, Mr. Rush & Mr. Potts, sons of my friends in Philadelphia, who have come to study in your Medical school. They are strongly recommended to me by many of my acquaintances as young gentlemen of ingenuity & application & excellent morals, & I trust will do honor to their instructors.

Your advice as to the manner of prosecuting their studies & sage councils as to their conduct in other respects must be of great service to them if you favor them therewith, & will highly oblige

Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servant,

B. F.

Please to make my respectful compliments a acceptable to Lady Dick & the rest of your amiable family.

DR. CULLEN.(1)

SIR, I beg leave to recommend to your favorable notice two young gentlemen the bearers of this letter, Messrs. Rush & Potts, sons of my friends in Philadelphia. They are drawn to Edinburg to improve themselves in the study of Physic, & from the character they bear of ingenuity, industry, & good morals, I am persuaded they will improve greatly under your learned lectures & do honor to your Medical school.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

MR. SWINTON. (2)

SIR, I am extremely glad that the intelligence procured by my Son relating to your lands in New Jersey affords you any degree of satisfaction.

(1) Dr. William Cullen was one of the most distinguished physicians in Scotland. He filled first the chair of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, and afterwards that of medicine.

(2) Several old Scotch families were interested in New Jersey ; for James, Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barclay, and Robert Gordon were among the twelve proprietors of East Jersey, under a grant from the Duke of York in 1682. Perth Amboy received its name from the title of the Drummond family.

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You may rely on his doing you any farther service in his power.

The bearers, Messrs. Potts & Rush, are sons of two of my friends in Pennsylvania. They are at Edinburg to improve themselves in the study of Physic, & bring with them to me excellent characters with respect both to their ingenuity & morals. May I take the liberty of recommending them to your friendly offices, as they must for some time be strangers in your city. Every civility you are so good as to shew them, I shall esteem & acknowledge as shewn to me.

Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

B. F.

The following letter, addressed to Joseph Potts, a Public Friend, and an esteemed preacher in the Society, gives some insight into Jonathan's life at the Scottish capital. As he had left home an agreeable, lively young man, visiting in the gayest circles of Philadelphia society, the change here mentioned must have been read with great interest by this elder brother.

John and Ruth Potts were neither of them Quakers, and of course their children had no birthright in the Society. Those of their family who embraced the tenets of Friends did so from "convincement." Before leaving home, Jonathan had become engaged to Grace Richardson.(1) Though born of Quaker parents, she. and her sister were belles in Philadelphia, and her brother Frank (2) became afterwards a colonel in the King's Life-Guards.

(1) A granddaughter of George Fitzwater, an eminent preacher among Friends in William Penn's time. His death is mentioned in Proud's History of Pennsylvania.

(2) Frank Richardson, from associating with the English officers quartered in Philadelphia, became so enamored with the profession of arms that he obtained a commission, and for saving as it was supposed, the life of George III, was promoted to a colonelcy in the Guards. He is thus referred to in a letter from Washington to General Reed, dated January, 1776: "Mr. L Sayre has been committed to the Tower upon the information of a certain Lieutenant or Adjutant Richardson (formerly of your city), for treasonable practices, -an intention of seizing his Majesty & possessing himself of the Tower, it is said, in this crisis." In an account of the King's Guards given by Sargent in "Braddock's Expedition," it is stated that in 1766 a lieutenant-colonelcy in that elite corps cost about L9,000 sterling, and a commission in their ranks could not be esteemed a light favor.

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EDINBURG, January 20, 1767.

My DEAR BROTHER:

This is the third or fourth time I have wrote you & most of my relations since my arrival in this place & I have not yet received one line except. from Davy dated about three weeks after I left Philad'a. I hope this neglect of writing does not proceed from want of Love & esteem for me now absent from you, as I always experienced while with you the strongest marks of regard & Brotherly Love, let me therefore entreat you & all my Friends often to write me, for depend upon it I never will neglect one opportunity of letting you know how I am'& what I am about. Since I last wrote you, via London, I have been constantly employed in attending the College, where I daily receive new improvement in Medical knowledge, & hope to return to my native Land answering the expectations of all my Friends, with the character of a good Physician, & what I prefer to everything, the character of a good Man.

Perhaps my dear Brother may be surprised when I tell him that I once more know what it is to experience the answer of a good Conscience, in which to have true peace is preferable to all the knowledge & riches of this world. How can I look back upon the wonderful Deliverances I experienced during my long & dangerous voyage without blessing that Omnipotent hand that so signally delivered me? may my heart never forget them, & I hope my future conduct will manifest that I have a just sense of the goodness of Him who is able & willing to deliver His people & Children in every needful time of trouble. It is to Him alone I look for succour to enable me to resist every appearance of Evil, & bless'd be His great Name, He has hitherto preserved me.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to find in this City a few valuable Friends, with whom I spend my leisure, & from whose good example & Council I hope to profit. Perhaps it will not be disagreeable to my Dr. Brother if I acquaint him with the state of the Meeting of Friends here. The Meeting is composed of eight or ten Men besides myself, & as many Women. The principal of the Men is William Miller, to whom I had a letter from Thomas Fisher, he treats me like his son, & I dine with him every First day, & drink tea with him as often as I can spare time, he is an acquaintance of Hugh Forbes & remembers his love to him. The other chief Friend of the Men is James McPherson brother to Capt. McPherson of Philad'a he is a very

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worthy & good man & sometimes comes & spends an Evening with me at my Rooms. The other men Friends are some of the Tradesmen of the City.

The chief of the Women is Mollison Strettle, Mother in law to Wm. Miller & cousin to Amos Strettle of Philad'a as also to David Barclay(1) of London, she is just such a person as Aunt Morris your Mamma, constantly going about among the poor, to find poor sick objects to whom she can stretch forth her liberal hand, she employs me to visit & prescribe for them & she pays me for the medicines. I call her Mamma & she treats me as her son.

The next chief Woman Friend is a Grand Daughter of King Charles the Second, who is as Pious as she is Noble; the evening meeting is held at her house. The other Women are wives of the Tradesmen before mentioned.

The meetings for discipline are held every 5 or 6 weeks. I was at the last, to which I was sent for by Wm. Miller, & altho' I brought no certificate (2) from Phil. yet they esteem me as one of their number.

Now altho these Friends are very diligent in attending Meetings both on Week Days & First Days yet they never have any preaching except when some traveling Friend happens to pass thro' this place as there is no Publick Friend lives here ; & I have constantly attended Meetings for these 2 months without ever hearing a word externally, but it has been quite otherwise inwardly, where the never failing Teacher is ready & willing to teach all those who diligently & faithfully attend to his word, & I now know from experience the truth of that saying of our Blessed Saviour, Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them, & I really believe that there is more Life & heartfelt Religion in the silent Meetings at Edinburg than in the Meetings of the highly-favored people of Phil. who have line upon line, & precept upon precept, & who perhaps overlook that indwelling. Word which is not only able to direct Men to the path of Life, but will enable them to walk in it, & this I hope is the happy lot of my D'r Brother & will be my most happy lot also, still continue to persevere in the knowledge

(1) David Barclay of Ury, an officer in the army of Gustavus Adolphus, was the father of Robert Barclay, who wrote the " Apology." The latter married, in 1670, Christiana Mollison, the daughter of an Aberdeen merchant.

(2) After this it appears that his brother sent a certificate to him. it was probably granted by the Meeting on the strength of this letter.

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& wisdom of God, & may you be an example of piety & virtue to all around you. I shall make no apology for thus opening my mind to my Dear Brother, for my Heart overflows with love to Him who has preserved me in six troubles, & if I walk in his fear & council will preserve me in the seventh.

Altho' I am convinced it is unnecessary, yet I cannot help once more desiring my D'r Brother will not forget often to visit my dear Gracey ; no one knows but myself the many painful & anxious hours I spend on her acc'nt & which nothing will contribute more to alleviate than to hear that my friends do everything in their power to oblige & serve her, she will be to me what my dear sister Polly was to you, the partner of all my pleasures as well as sorrows ; please to deliver the enclosed to her as soon as received with my kindest love & to her father & mother, brothers & sisters, tell her my love & affection for her is stronger than ever, & that I never knew the value of her good company until I was deprived of it. I have received several letters of recommendation from Dr. Franklin to some of the principal Gentlemen of this place, & also a letter full of good advice, a copy of which I have sent to Papa; these gentlemen to oblige me have sent me frequently tickets to the Plays, Concerts, & Publick Dances, but I constantly refused & will always refuse to attend such places, altho' my refusal has offended one or two gentlemen, & lest I should affront them all I was not ashamed to own I was a Quaker, & that I was principled against such entertainments, & that my dress might correspond with my actions, I have taken off my ruffles & untied my hair, & am not ashamed to use the plain language to the greatest Man in Edinburg, not but that it is a great cross to me.

But I shall here conclude after once more intreating my Dr. Brother often to write to me, & begging my dear Gracey to write to me also agreeable to her promise. I have wrote to Papa & Davy twice since Messrs. Neave & Co. protested my bills from John Baynton; I beg I may have both sent me by first opportunity, in the mean time I shall borrow what Money I want from my esteemed friend Benny Rush. Please give my duty to Papa & Mamma & love to all Brothers & Sisters & also to Uncle & Aunt Morris, Aunt Debby, Sally Morris, Sally Powel, Polley Jones, Emlen's family, Uriah Woolman, David Stanton, in particular B. Dorsey & wife, Sarah Zanes, Isaac Zanes if at home, John Pemberton & wife, the three Parishes, Anth. Morris,