CHAPTER XVI

REES POTTS, OF GERMANTOWN

Rees, Reese or Riece Potts, a tailor by occupation, is found at Germantown shortly after the year 1700. Information concerning him is very meager. There are a few quaint references to him, such as "mending Francis Daniel Pastorius trowsers," and a credit for a "finished coat" for Samuel Pastorius. He seems to have been three times married, unless there was another person of the same name.

He owned land in Germantown, but the deed of purchase does not seem to be on record. In 1716, Riece Potts, tailor, and his wife Elizabeth, join in a deed of sale of land in Germantown to Margaret Tyson; and in 1719, for other land to John Conards. In 1719, Rees Potts attended the marriages of the two daughters of Jonas Potts and signed the certificates, indicating relationship.

Rees Potts married as his second wife, Lydia King, widow of Thomas King, late of Cheltenham, and seems to have removed to that township. By a deed dated April 14, 1741, "Rice Poots of Cheltenham," convey to her daughters by King, and their husbands, her interest in 85 acres of her former husband. A recital of this deed calls him Reese Potts.

Perhaps Lydia Potts did not long survive, as the records of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia show the marriage of Rees Potts and Christina Rambo, 3 mo. 30, 1743. No will or administration has been found.