SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE.- 269
CHAPTER XVIII.
"Solution of the Old Potts Puzzle."
The earlier historians of the Potts Family found a Thomas Potts, Sr., who landed at Burlington, New Jersey, in the year 1678, who afterwards removed to Philadelphia, and died there in 1726. At Burlington, Thomas Potts, Junior, was mentioned as his son and heir. At Philadelphia, Thomas Potts, Sr., in his will, names Thomas Potts, as his son and principal heir. He also mentions his grandson Thomas Potts, and the other children of his son Thomas. The conditions of the will were exactly suited to Thomas Potts, Junior, (Colebrookdale), for he had a son Thomas and other children. A seemingly legitimate conclusion was reached that Thomas Potts, Junior, (Colebrookdale), was the only son and heir of Thomas Potts (Shield). This statement was published time and again, without any question as to its truth. Other persons bearing the name of Potts were noticed living in the same localities. These were all thought to be descendants of the original Thomas Potts, of Burlington; but when an attempt was made to show the descent difficulties arose and explanations advanced that were wholly untenable.
In 1869, Mrs. Thomas Potts James, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, issued a circular announcing that she was about to publish a work entitled "The Potts Memorial: an Account of the Descendants of Thomas Potts, who was persecuted for his faith in Chester, England, 1653," etc. This work was intended be a history of the Potts family through Thomas Potts, Junior, (Colebrookdale), whom she then believed to be the son of Thomas Potts, (Shield), and that the latter was identical with Thomas Potts, the Persecuted Quaker Cheshire.*
About the same time, Mr. William John Potts, of Camden, New Jersey, having his attention called to the subject entered into a thorough investigation of the early history of the Potts' of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as a spirited correspondence with Mrs. Potts James. He examined wills, deeds, church and family records, bearing on this particular phase of subject, in a manner more thorough and systematic than had previously been attempted. He succeeded in collecting evidence showing that Thomas (Shield), and his descendants, were entirely distinct from the Potts' of Pennsylvania, so far as near relationship in this country was concerned.
Mrs. James and nearly all others, who had given the subject intelligent study, when confronted with the fuller facts, were thoroughly convinced that Thomas Potts, Junior, (Colebrookdale), was not the son of Thomas Potts, (Shield), and abandoned the claim. The late James Henry Carr, of Philadelphia, who also had given years of study to the subject and collected much valuable data, refused to admit the fact, and in 1880, published an article in the "Montgomery Ledger," entitled " Solution of the Old Potts Puzzle," in which he endeavored to prove that Thomas Potts, Junior,
(Colebrookdale), was the son of Thomas Potts, (Shield). This article is made up of a large number of brief abstracts of wills, deeds, etc., so arranged as to seem to prove his allegations. legations. A few of the abstracts contain misstatements which may have crept in through oversight or inadvertence,
It is believed that all who have read the foregoing Chapter, need no further argument to have a clear and concise comprehension of the true state of the case. It is, however,
* NOTE. For an account of Thomas Potts, the Persecuted Quaker, see pp. 40-60.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 271
the object of this Chapter to re-print Mr. Carr's article, with a few foot-notes showing the fallacy of his conclusions.
That Thomas Potts, tanner, of Burlington, New Jersey, and Thomas Potts, tanner, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were one and the same person, all are willing to admit. If there were nothing else, his peculiar signature, found both at Burlington and Philadelphia, would be most convincing that they had been written by the same hand. In addition to the tracings already given in this work, on pages 130 and 133, one other is here given, being a facsimile of his signature attached to the bond of Mary Ingram, at Burlington, in 1694. [See page 129, ante.](This signature is in the original text.)
In a private letter, written by Mr. Carr to Mr. William John Potts, after the publication of the article, he stated that the original manuscript sent to the "Ledger contained an acknowledgment of his having obtained much valuable memoranda from Mr. Potts, but the editor or proof-reader had eliminated it in order to curtail the length of the article.
The following is the article as it appeared in the "Montgomery Ledger" of November 2, 1 1880 The foot-notes are by the compiler hereof.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE.
Who was Thomas Potts 1678?- Who are his Descendants?
BY JAMES HENRY CARR, OF PHILA.
Smith's History of New Jersey (in notes) informs us that the Ship Shield, Captain Daniel Towes, from Hull, England, arrived in the Delaware river, in December, 1678, and anchored before Burlington. Among its passengers were Thomas Potts with his wife and children,
272 - THE POTTS FAMILY IN AMERICA.
We have no knowledge of his previous history, or place of birth, but, with aid of public records, still preserved in New Jersey, and in the county of Philadelphia, we are made familiar with his transactions up to the time of his death in Germantown, in 1726.(1)
168o. Thomas Potts, of the town and county of Burlington, in the Province of West Jersey, purchased dwelling, bark mill, tanyard, &c., from John Woolston, by deed dated 30 December, 1680. (2) - [See Trenton Records.]
1682. Thomas Potts and Ann Potts were subscribing witnesses to the marriage of John Antrim, on the 15th day of the 3d month, 1682, as appears by the records of Friends' Meeting at Burlington.
1689. [Extracts from the original records of the Baptist Church at Pennepack.]
1686. Thomas Potts baptised by Elias Keach, at Burlington, West Jersey.
1686. Ann Potts, baptised by Elias Keach, at Burlington, West Jersey.
1699. Grace Farmer, baptised by John Watts, in Pennsylvania, at Pennepack.
1705. Alice Pusser, baptised by Thomas Griffith, at Pennepack.
1715. Thomas Potts and Grace Farmer were married.
1716. Thomas Potts and Alice Pusser were married.
[Extracts from Friends' Records, Third and Arch streets Meeting House.)
1714. Ann Potts, wife of Thomas Potts, tanner, died 9th of 7th month.
1715. Grace Potts, wife of Thomas Potts, tanner, died 15th of 6th month.
1699. Thomas Potts of Burlington and Ann his wife, sold and conveyed dwelling, bark mill, tanyard, &c., to Christopher Wetherill, of same place, Taylor, by deed dated 14th March, 1699.
1699. Thomas Potts, senior, of the town and county of Burlington, tanner, and Thomas Potts, junior, of the township of Springfield, in said county, son of ye said Thomas Potts, senior, executed a bond, dated 14th of March, in the 12th year of the reign of William the
(1) - NOTE. The statements made in this article that Thomas Potts, (Shield), [or tanner,] lived at Germantown and died there, are certainly incorrect. No evidence has been adduced to show that he ever had even business transactions at or about Germantown. The records of Pennypack Baptist Church show that he died at Philadelphia. See page 131, ante.
(2) - NOTE, For a more accurate abstract of this deed, see page 127, ante.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 273
Third, Anno, 1699, to secure quiet possession of the above premises to said Christopher Wetherill.(1)[Signed.]1692. [Philadelphia County Records.] Thomas Potts, of Germantown, Philadelphia county, tanner, purchased land in that township, as early as the 5th of 10th month, 1692. Subsequently he was a party to various transactions in real estate, in each of which he is designated as above, up to 1725. (2)
1699.[Ectract.from Records of Monthly Meeting of Germantown, in the possession of Friends, 3d and Arch streets.]
At a monthly meeting held 8th month A 1699, Thomas Potts and Martha Keurling (Courling or Kerlin) having declared their intentions of marriage with each other before two monthly meetings, enquiry being made by persons appointed and found clear from all others on account of marriage, did accomplish their marriage in the unity of Freinds, as signified by their marriage certificate." (3)
1700, Thomas Potts, Jr.; of Germantown, was in his minority in the year 1700, when he became a speculator in lands in that vicinity, but in 1707 he executed a deed which confirmed his previous conveyances, and recited that he had since that time attained the full age of twenty one years. His deeds style him as "victualler" or "butcher."
1714-15. [Extracts from Friend's Records of 3d and Arch Streets Meeting.]
1714. Martha Potts, daughter of Thomas and Martha Potts, died 18th of 6th month.
1715. Martha Potts, daughter of Thomas and Martha Potts, died 2d of 5th month.
1721. Thomas Potts, Jr., and Magdalen [Robeson] his (second) wife, sold and conveyed to Robert Thomas a tract of land containing 300 acres, which he had bought in 1715. This deed, properly signed
(1) - NOTE. For abstracts of this transaction and an account of Thomas Potts, Jr., (Mansfield), see pages 129 and 134-145, ante.
(2) - NOTE. Thomas Potts, sold this land in 1695. A copy of the deed of purchase is printed on page 202, ante, and immediately following is an abstract of the deed of sale. In both of these deeds, Thomas Potts, is described as of Philadelphia Count, and in neither is he described as " tanner." Thomas Potts, (Shield), the tanner, continued to reside at Burlington. N. J., until 1699. It is therefore plainly evident that Mr. Carr has made a misstatement, and has here mistaken Thomas Potts, the miller, for Thomas Potts, the tanner.
(3) - NOTE. For an account of Thomas Potts, Jr., otherwise Thomas Potts, (Colebrookdale), see Chapter X, pages 234 to 242.
274 - THE POTTS FAMILY IN AMERICA.
by Thomas and Magdalen Potts, was not duly acknowledged and therefore it became necessary to obtain proof of its execution by them, and this was had on the "testimony of John Potts, Esq., son of the said Thomas Potts," on the 20th of April, 1768, nearly forty seven years after its execution. NOTE.-This same John Potts was the founder of Pottstown.
1726. The last Will and Testament af Thomas Potts, Sr., of Philadelphia, tanner, dated 25th February, 1725, was duly proved on the 10th of November, 1726. It names his wife Alice Potts ; son Thomas Potts; his grandson Thomas Potts, and other grandchildren.(1) Thos. Griffith, a Baptist preacher (who baptised his wife in 1705) -[See Baptist Pennepack Records].
This undisputed will of a much disputed head of a family, who was one of the early settlers of Burlington, in what was then termed the West Jersey Colony, scattered along the shores of the Delaware river, is still in tolerable good condition, and presents the very peculiar signature of the old Burlington and Germantown tanner, thus:
1728. Thomas Potts, the only son and heir at law of Thomas Potts, late of Philadelphia, tanner, deceased, sold and conveyed to George House, by deed dated 10 th of March, 1728, a lot of ground situate on Chestnut street, which recited that his father bought it in the year 1715. (2)
1736. Thomas Potts, in May, 1736, appears on record as an iron master, residing in Colebrookdale township, Philadelphia county, and he then purchased from Gerhart Henkels, of that place, a messuage and plantation of 192 acres, which Thomas Potts and Magdalen, his wife, in 1741, sold and conveyed to Thomas Wilson. His first purchase
(1) - See copy of this Will on pages 131 to 133, ante.
(2) - NOTE, When Mr. Carr was personally appealed to for evidence that Thomas Potts, (Colebrookdale), was the son of Thomas Potts, (Shield), he referred to this deed as being positive proof. A copy of this deed is reproduced on pages 138 to 140. The most rigid examination fails to show any connection with Thomas Potts, (Colebrookdale). The maker of this deed was Thomas Potts, Junior, (Mansfield), Thomas Potts, (shield), also devised a lot of ground in Gilbert's Alley, to Thomas Potts, his grandson, who in 1728, sold the lot to Andrew Edge. The grandson is described in the deed as " Thomas Potts, of Mansfield in the County of Burlington
in the Western Division of tile Province of New Jersey, Tanner. " [,see copy on pages 146 to 148. ante] Thomas Potts, the grandson and maker of the deed, could not have been Thomas, the son of Thomas Potts, junior, (Colebrookdale), because he was then [1728] not above twelve years of . age and legally incapable of executing a deed. Thomas Potts, Jr., (Tanner), had then but recently become of age.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 275
there was in 1733 as Thomas Potts, yeoman, and the last in 1742, which included a farm and tract of land in Manatawny.
1746. A deed executed by John Potts, the only son and heir at law of Martha Potts, deceased, who was one of the children of Peter Keurling, of Germantown, deceased; Joseph Walker and Elizabeth, his wife, one of the daughters of the said Martha Potts, and Derrick Cleaver and Mary, his wife, the other daughter of the said Martha Potts dated 5th of September, 1746, conveyed lands situate in Germantown to Bernard Reser. This deed was recorded in 1752.
1734. John Potts, of Colebrookdale, son of Thomas Potts, Jr., and his first wife, Martha Keurling, was married on the 11th day of April,1734, to Ruth Savage, of Coventry, in Chester County. Their marriage certificate presents the names of many witnesses, amongst which appear those of his father and step-mother; his brother Thomas ; his sisters Elizabeth Walker and Mary Cleaver; and also of Hannah Kerlin, (possibly his maternal aunt).*
1752. On the 10th of January, 1752, the last Will and Testament of Thomas Potts, of Colebrookdale, iron master, was proven and registered at Philadelphia. It was dated 8th September, 1747, and names his wife Magdalen; sons Thomas, David and John; daughters Elizabeth Walker and Mary Cleaver; grand-daughter Sarah, (daughter of son Thomas) ; grandsons Stephen Yorke and Edward Yorke.
1749. Thomas Potts, Junior, of Colebrookdale, son of the above married Thomas and Magdalen, was married before 1749, to Rebecca Rutter, daughter of Thomas Rutter, of Philadelphia, and Mary Catherine Gosling, his wife. Thomas Rutter died in 1734. Thomas and Rebecca Potts had five children, viz: David, Sarah, Hannah, Margaret and Mary. Having survived his wife Rebecca, he subsequently, married Deborah Pyewell, daughter of Wm. Pyewell, of Philadelphia, merchant, by whom he had two children, viz: William and Rebecca Potts.
Every intelligent reader has here presented to him a full and reliable family chart of the Potts' of Pottstown, from the original tanner of Burlington, their first American ancestor. It is only intended at this time to carry it down to the period when all the family genealogists failed to know who they were looking for, in consequence of the name Thomas Potts belonging to so many different settlers at that early date. The following recapitulation will close this sketch
(1) See a full list of the witnesses to this marriage certificate on page 243, ante.
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BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES.
1678. Thomas Potts and family arrived at Burlington, N. J.
1680. Thomas Potts, son of Thomas and Ann Potts, born.(1)
1714. Ann Potts, wife of Thomas Potts, Sr., died 9th month, 7th.
1715. Thomas Potts and Grace Farmer married.
1715. Grace Potts, wife of Thomas Potts, Sr., died 15th of 6TH mo.
l716. Thomas Potts, Sr., and Alice Pusser, married.
1726. Thomas Potts, Sr., husband of Alice, died.
1752. Thomas Potts, son of Thomas and Ann, died.(1)
Thomas Potts, of Bristol Township, Philadelphia County
From the multitude of Records still existing in Philadelphia, in which persons named Potts were parties, I many years since gleaned the following, referring unmistakably to members of a family which continued to reside in Bristol township, Philadelphia county in and after the year 1699.
1699. Thomas Potts, of Bristol township, miller, was a party to a deed for lands in that township, dated 28th of 4th month, 1699. He was styled yeoman in 1698.. (2)
1702. Thomas Potts, of Bristol township, miller, sold and conveyed lands in that township, to George Gray, including a portion of twp grist mills, known as " Potts' Mills."
1708. Thomas Potts, of Bristol township, Philadelphia county, miller, purchased lands in that township. He is then styled Thomas Potts, Sr.
In the Logan collection of manuscript papers now in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, there are several autographs of this Bristol township miller, which are here fairly represented.
1711. Deed from Samuel Richardson and others to Thomas Potts, Sr., David Potts and others, all of said County of Philadelphia, for two pieces of land containing together fifty acres in Germantown, dated 8th of October, 1711. These grantees were Trustees of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, and purchased this property for a Meeting House lot.
(1) - NOTE: Thomas Potts, Junior, (Colebrookdale), born 1680, and died 1752, was not the not the son of Thomas Potts, (Shield), and the statements to that effect in this article, are without foundation in fact. See Chapters III and X.
(2) - NOTE: For an account of Thomas Potts, (miller), see Chapter VII.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 277
1712. By the Record of marriages within the county of Bucks, in the Province of Pennsylvania, it appears that on the 28th of 5th month, 1712, Thomas Potts was granted a certificate of license to marry Judith Sharp, (1) of Long Island. Copy in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
1719. The last Will and Testament of Thos. Potts, of Bristol township, County of Philadelphia, miller, was proven and registered on the 3d of October, 171g, having been dated the 6th of the 3d month called May (old style) in the same year. It names his wife Judith and his son Thomas Potts, Jr., (in his minority,) and no other. [Signed.]
1744. Deed dated 12 November, 1744, by Thomas Potts, of Bristol township, County of Philadelphia, yeoman, (the only son and heir-at-law of Thomas Potts, late of the same place, miller, deceased,) and Susanna his wife; Judith Sharp, formerly Judith Potts, widow, the relict and executrix of the said Thomas Potts, the father, of the first part, and Robert Strettel, of Philadelphia, merchant, of the other part, for lands in Bristol township.
1749. Mortgages by the same parties as above, to Robert Strettel, to secure the payment of thirty pounds, Pennsylvania currency, and describing forty acres and forty perches of land in that township.
1751. Letters of administration to the Estate of Thomas Potts, late of Brisstol township, Philadelphia county, were granted unto his widow Susanna Potts, on the 29th of May 1751.
From the foregoing it will be seen that:
Thomas Potts, Sr., of Bristol township, miller, died there in 1719.
Thomas Potts, Sr., of Germantown, tanner, died there in 1726.
Thomas Potts, Jr., of Bristol township, son of the miller, died 1751.
Thomas Potts, Jr., of Germantown, &c., son of the tanner, died 1752.
The old and uniform practice of genealogists, charging these good and enterprising citizens of our county with the paternity of all the stray Potts' in and near Philadelphia, should now be abandoned out of consideration for the fair fame of such orphans of unknown Potts'.
(1) - NOTE. Thomas Potts married Judith Smith. As the widow of Thomas Potts, she subsequently married Thomas Sharp. [See page 206 and 211, ante].
278 - THE POTTS FAMILY IN AMERICA.
David Potts, of Bristol Township.
1730. The Will of David Potts, of Bristol township, Philadelphia county, dated 13th November, 17,30, was proved on the 26th of the same month. It names his eldest son Thomas, sons John and Jonathan, Elizabeth, Stephen, Marv and Rebecca; deceased son Daniel's children; sons Nathan and Ezekiel. David Potts survived his wife, Alice Croasdale, who was the youngest daughter of Thomas and Agnes Croasdale, of Bucks County. They married 5th Mo. 2d, 1694. Their children were as follows:
1. Thomas, born in 1695 ; married Rachel James in 1715.
2. John born in 1696; married Elizabeth McVaugh in 1726.
3. Daniel, born in 1698; married Sarah Shoemaker in 1721.
4. Elizabeth, born in 1699; married Peter Cleaver, Jr., in 1722.
5. Jonathan, born in 1701 ; married Sarah Wood in 1729
6. Mary, born in 1703-4; married Jeremiah McVaugh in 1729.
7. Stephen, born in 1704-5.
8. Rebecca, born in 1705-6.
9. Ezekiel, born in 1708; married Magdalen -- 1732; second wife Barbara 1751.
10. Nathan; died 1754 ; married Hester - in 1742.
Let it be borne in mind that the Germantown tanner outlived Bristol township miller; and that the only son of the tanner outlived the only son of the miller. Besides this, it should be remembered that the tanner's son had a large family of children, while the miller' son had none.
The next best chance for the genealogists to work upon would be the "tanner No." * of Burlington, of the same name, who is yet largely represented by the family known as "the Trenton Potts', and those above named as descendants of David Potts, of Bristol township.
My work in this line began over twenty years ago, as a labor of love, in behalf of a most amiable and noble representative of the oldest line of Potts; but, as my work progressed, my record notes were literally copied, and even published in a beautiful " Memorial " without a word of credit for so much truth, while at the same time they were mixed with balderdash, fiction, coat of arms and "probabilities," that I deem it due to the family most interested to furnish these reliable facts concerning their American ancestors.
* NOTE. "Thomas Potts, Tanner, No. 2, of Burlington," is a mith without the slightest evidence of existence, unless the term be applied to Thomas Potts Jr., (Mansfield), or to Thomas Potts, Jr., (Tanner), the son and grandson of Thomas Potts, Jr., (Shield), both of whom were tanners.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 279
MONTGOMERY LEDGER may render important assistance to the searchers after ancestors in the Potts line, by publishing the following record notes not previously referred to by me. *
1698. Thomas Potts and Mary Records solemnized their marriage at ye house of Tho. Potts, (father of sd. Thos.,) in Burlington, ye 20th day of June, 1698, before Tho. Revell, Anthony Elton, Tho. Bibb justices and before many witnesses.
1699. Richard ye sonne of Thomas and Mary Potts, was borne on Sunday ye seventeenth day of December, Anno 1699, about the 8th hour at night.
1697. Deed to Thomas Potts, Jr., of ye county of Burlington, from George Porter, dated 5th March, 1697, for lands situate in Mansfield Township. - [See Deed Book B, of Deeds at Trenton.]
1705-6. Thomas Potts, son of Thomas and Mary, his wife, of Mansfield, Burlington county, grandson of Thomas Potts, late of Philadelphia, tanner, was born the 17th of 10th month, old style, Anno Domini, [Records of Trenton Potts.]
1709. Thomas Potts is admitted ffreeman of this city, paying for his ffreedome twenty-two shillings and sixpence, which he paid and had his ffreedome-[Minutes Com. Council, Phila. 2d Feb, 1704-5.]
1709. Margaret Potts married Evan Morgan, Dec. ye 1, 1709-[Christ Church Records.]
1722. Thomas Potts' land in Mansfield, comprising 125 acres, was surveyed in the year 1722.-[Surveyor General's 0 ce, Burlington, N. J.]
1724. Thomas Potts of Mansfield, purchased land in that township in June, 1724, and sold the same to Nathaniel Potts, of same place, for L200, by deed of 1 January, 1754 - or thirty years later.
1730. Thomas Potts and Sarah Beakes were married after the manner of the people called Quakers, published at Haddonfield Meeting House, in Chester township, Burlington county, on the 29th of 8th month, old style, 1730.
1738. Thomas Potts, son of Thomas and Sarah, was born the 24th of 7th month, 1738-[Stacy Potts' Family Record.]
1743. Thomas Potts, of Southampton township, in the county of Bucks, by deed of February 3d, 1743, granted unto his son, Joshua Potts, of the manor of Moreland, county of Philadelphia, yeoman, a
* NOTE. All the following memoranda, except three items, refer to the descendants of Thomas Potts (Shield). See Chapter III.
280 - THE POTTS FAMILY IN AMERICA.
messuage and lot of land situate in Hatborough, in the manor of Moreland, on the York Road.
1757. Thomas Potts, son of Joshua Potts, of the manor of Moreland, county of Philadelphia, was the first named in his father's will, dated in 1757, and registered 11th of August, 1761. This will also names testator's brothers, Nathaniel and William Potts, and his wife Ann Potts. Ann Potts, widow and relict of the Reverend Mr. Joshua Potts, late of the manor of Moreland, and Joseph Hart, executors of the said Joshua, by deed dated 20th of May, 1762, conveyed 196 acres of land to William Folwell. Joshua also left five daughters.
1753. Thomas Potts, of the manor of Moreland, on the 22d June, 1753, purchased from Walter Moore, a corn and grist mill, in Moreland, and two tracts of land. He is styled in this deed as "millwright"
1766. Thomas Potts, son of John and Elizabeth, of Upper Dublin township, Philadelphia county, is named in his father's will, dated and proved in 1766.
1742. Rebecca Potts, the wife of Thomas Potts, of Burlington county, was previously the wife of Joshua Wright, by whom she had six children, who were living, and named in a deed executed by her on March 5th, 1742. She was one of the six children of Mahlon Stacy, Esquire, deceased - [See Stacy Potts' Notes.]
1744. Thomas Potts, yeoman, and Rebecca, his wife, and Mahlon Kirkbride, each of the county of Bucks, Province of Pennsylvania, executed a deed, to Amos Janney, dated 19th September 1744, for lands in Morris county, New Jersey.
1745. Thomas Potts and Rebecca his wife, of the county of Burlington, in the Western Division of New Jersey, with Mahlon Kirkbride, of Bucks county, Province of Pennsylvania, and Amos Janney, of the county of Fairfax, in Virginia, and others, full successors to the estate of Mahlon Stacy, late of Burlington deceased-dated in 1745, and acknowledged by the said Thomas and Rebecca his wife, May 1, 1745,f before John Allen.
1754. Thomas Potts, (and Rebecca his wife,) of Mansfield, in Burlington county, in a deed dated January, 1754, mentions the natural love and A affection he bears to his son William Potts, yeoman.
1761. Mortgage by Nathaniel Potts, of the township of Mansfield, yeoman, and Susanna, his wife, to William Humphries, of Philadelphia , to secure the payment of L400, describing lands in Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia county. He died in June, 1761.
SOLUTION OF THE OLD POTTS PUZZLE. - 281
Below is printed a list of the several Thomas Polls' included in Mr. Carr's article, nearly all of whom were contemporary. This list may help to simplify the " Puzzle."
1. Thomas Potts (Shield), baptized July 12, 1647; married, 1st, Joani --; 2d, Anne---- 3d Grace
Farmer; 4th. Alice Pusser; died Sep. 4, 1726. Residence, Burlington, N. J., and Philadelphia. [See pages 124-133].
2. Thomas Potts, junior, (Mansfield), son of the foregoing, baptized Dec. 30, 1677 ; married, 1st, Mary Records; 2nd. Mary Borden; 3d. Rebecca Wright, nee Stacy; died Feb. 2, 1754. Residence Burlington County, New Jersey. [See pages 134-1451.
3. Thomas Potts, Junior, (Tanner), son of the last, born Dec. 17, 1706; married Sarah Beakes; died May 31, 1742. Residence Burlington County, N. J. [See pages 146-152].
4. Thomas Potts, son of the last, born 1738 ; died 1742. [See page 155].
5. Thomas Potts, (Miller), in Pennsylvania in 1686; married Judith Smith; died 1719. Residence Bristol Township, Philadelphia County. [See pages 201-213].
6. Thomas Potts, Junior, (Bristol), son of the last, born about 1713 ; married Susanna; died 1751. Residence: Bristol Township, Philadelphia County. [See page 213-214]
7. Thomas Potts, junior, (Colebrookdale), born 1680; married 1st, Martha Keurlis; 2d, Magdalen Robeson; died in 1752. Residence Germantown, Philadelphia and Colebrookdale. [See pages 234-242].
8. Thomas Potts, son of the last, born about 1716 to 1720, married Rebecca Rutter; died 1762.[See pages 244-5].
9 Thomas Potts, son of David and Alice, born 3 mo. 27, 1695; married Rachel James. [See Part III].
10. Thomas Potts, son of John and Elizabeth (McVaugh) Potts, and grandson of David and Alice, born about 1728 married Elizabeth Lukens; died 1777. [See Part III].