CHAPTER XVII
Jonathan Potts, of Lower Dublin
There seems to be some confusion as to the identity of some of the earlier persons bearing the name of Jonathan Potts. The following perhaps includes all the earlier Potts' bearing this name.
Jonathan Potts, son of David and Alice (Croasdale) Potts, born, 1701, in Bristol Township, Philadelphia County, married Sarah Wood in 1729, and settled in Whitemarsh Township. Whether there were children or not is uncertain, at this writing. In the Rent Roll Books at Harrisburg, Johnathan Potts, of Whitemarsh Township, is charged with the quit-rent on 104 2/3 acres. The date given is 1702, and is doubtless the time from which the quit-rent is computed. (See Part III.)
Jonathan Potts, son of Thomas and Rachel (James) Potts, and grandson of David and Alice (Croasdale) Potts, of Bristol Township, born, 1723, married Sarah Clifton, in 1756. (See Part III)
Jonas Potts seems to have had a son Jonathan, born in 1714, who removed, first to Virginia and afterward to Kentucky.
In 1740, a Jonathan Potts is mentioned in connection with Maxatawney Township.
The "Pennsylvania Gazette," of Oct 17, 1754, publishes a list of unclaimed letters remaining in the post-office at Trenton, New Jersey, on September 28, 1754, and among them is one addressed to "Jonathan Potts, Kinston."
Richard Cox, in his will, 1757, mentions "my Daughter Mary Potts, wife of Jonathan Potts." (See page 260)
The Abington Monthly Meeting records the burial, at Cheltenham, 2 mo. 24, 1763, of Sarah Potts, wife of Jonathan Potts, not a member.
Dr. Jonathan Potts, son of John and Ruth (Savage) Potts, born 1745, has a history so well known, that he can not be confounded with any of the others bearing the same name. (See Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior.)
1. JONATHAN POTTS. From a Bible record, still in possession of the descendants, it appears that there was a Jonathan Potts with a wife Rebecca, who had a son, Jonathan, Junior, born in 1758. They are said to have resided in Philadelphia County, and in 1784 the son is described as of Lower Dublin Township. It is thought by descendants that he was twice married, and that his second wife was Rebecca Flinthem. It is said that the wife of Jonathan Potts, Junior, frequently talked of :aunt Richards," who is possible clues to a fuller knowledge. This Jonathan Potts may or may not have been identical with one of the above named Jonathan Potts'. The following is a copy of the earliest Bible record.
"Jonathan Potts, the son of Jonathan and Rebecca Potts, was born the 5th day of July 1758."
2. JONATHAN POTTS, JUNIOR, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Potts, was born July 5, 1758. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was a shoemaker by trade, but later became a farmer. In 1784, he purchased land in Moreland Township, Montgomery County, being then described as of Lower Dublin Township, Philadelphia County. He married Sarah Wright, daughter of John and Rachel Wright, about 1785.
Jonathan Potts and family were Baptists. Sarah Potts was received into Penypack Church in 1784, and Jonathan in 1804, On October 10, 1807, Jonathan Potts with his wife and daughter were received into Southampton Baptist Church in Bucks County, from Lower Dublin. The Southampton Church was only a few miles from the Potts' place of residence. Jonathan Potts was an active church member and long served in the office of a deacon. He died Feb. 22, 1840, in his eighty second year. An obituary notice is entered in the minutes of the Southampton Church. His will is recorded at Norristown.
Sarah Potts, wife of Jonathan, was born June 28, 1764, and died Dec. 19, 1847, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. Husband and wife are both buried in the graveyard of the Southampton Baptist Church.
Children of Jonathan and Sarah (Wright) Potts.
1. Rebecca Potts, b. Oct 13, 1786; d. Feb 5, 1863; m. George Murray, Children: 1. William A.; 2. Joseph H., 3. Christinna, 4., Sarah C., 5. Gorden G., 6. Peter G.
2. Rachel Potts, b. July 25, 1789; d. Oct 25, 1836. M. - Murray. Had two sons.
3. John Potts, b. Jan 14, 1792; d. Sep 14, 1866; unm
4. Thomas Potts, b. July 19, 1794. Lived at Kaolin, Penna.
5. William Potts, b. Feb 1, 1797; d. Sep. 17, 1871; m. Sarah Robbins, Children. 1. Emeline, 2. John, 3. Mar Ann, 4. Charles
6. Mordecai Potts, b. Nov 13, 1799; d. Mary 22, 1883; m. Mary Vandegrift, Children: 1. Ellwood, 2. Sarah, 3. Lydia, 4. Ann Eliza, 5. Mary
7. Elizabeth Potts, b. Aug 3, 1802; d. April 16, 1886; m. John Leedom. Children: 1. Lydia Ann, 2. Jonathan, 3. Samuel, 4. William Potts, 5. Mary, 6. Alfred, 7. John Howard, 8. George M., 9. Sarah Potts. The last named married George W. Lefferts in 1862 and had children: 1. Howard Leedom, 2. Henry Tomlinson, 3. Howard Hogeland, 4. Naomi Jane.
8. Lydia Potts, b. March 23, 1805; d. March 17, 1877, unm