CHAPTER XXXIII

THE POTTS FAMILY OF EASTERN VIRGINIA.

About the year 1879, the compiler hereof had some correspondence with the late Col. David G. Potts, then Postmaster at Petersburg, Virginia. A family affliction - the tragic death of a son of Col. Potts, in a railroad accident - occurring in that year, interrupted the correspondence, and it was unfortunately not renewed.

Col. Potts stated that he had been told by his father that his Potts ancestors came from Wales, but whether direct to Virginia or not, he had no information. He further stated that his great grandfather, whose name he thinks was John, settled on the James River in Surry County, Virginia. He also stated that his great grandfather had brothers William, Joshua, Abner and James. William Potts, who is called Lieutenant by Col. Potts' son, is said to have been killed in a naval engagement, during the Revolutionary War. One of the other brothers is said to have settled in North Carolina, one in Kentucky, and the other in Tennessee.

An examination of the Surry County Court record down to 1741, only revealed one person bearing the name of Potts. In 1705, one Thomas Potts was fined for swearing, a common offense at that day. An Examination of later records might reveal more definite information.

The general Index of Wills in Sussex County shows the following:

1814. Will of John Potts

1824. Inventory of the Estate of Charles Potts.

1846. Will of Thomas Potts

1855. Nathaniel L. Potts, account sale under a trust deed.

Brunswick County was formed from Surry County in 1720, and the public records are complete from the beginning. Judge N. S. Turnbull, of Lawrenceville, that County, and who is familiar with the records, informs the writer that the name of Potts occurs very frequently among official records, and the family was evidently of prominence and high standing. These records are not indexed and the papers on file and many of the books have to be examined one by one and page by page. Here is a promisin field for the genealogist. Perhaps these Potts' of Eastern Virginia, are descended from some of the family who settled about Jamestown in the seventeenth century. (See page 116 to 123, ante.

FIRST GENERATION

1. John POTTS had the following children:

+2 i. Thomas POTTS.

3 ii. William POTTS.

SECOND GENERATION

2. Thomas POTTS was born about 1780. He died about 1846 in Sussex Co., Viginia.

Thomas POTTS had the following children:

+4 i. John W. POTTS.

+5 ii. Col. David Graves POTTS.

+6 iii. Robert E. POTTS.

7 iv. Susan POTTS.

8 v. Martha POTTS.

THIRD GENERATION

4. John W. POTTS was born in Sussex Co., Viginia. He was married to Carline GRAVES. John W. POTTS and Carline GRAVES had the following children:

9 i. Charles E. POTTS died before 1901.

10 ii. Nettie POTTS.

11 iii. Eva POTTS.

12 iv. Lucy POTTS.

5. Col. David Graves POTTS was born on Aug 27 1810 in Sussex Co., Viginia. He died on Jan 31 1887 in Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. He engaged in farming for some years. Upon attaining his majority he was elected to the office of Sheriff. He removed to Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, where he was long engaged as a merchant. He was Treasurer of the P. & W. R. R. for 19 years. In religious persuation he was a Baptist, and took a very active part in all Church matters. He was a liberal contributor to his Church and to all benevolent objects, even to his own detriment. He was the embodiment of integrity, and his counsel and advice was sought concerning all local matters. He was a Colonel of the State Troops before the Civil War. He was a strong Union man and took and active part in opposing Secession, but when his State seceded he cast his lot with his people. He did not enter the Army, but served as President of the Board of Charities of his City, to look after the needs of those whose supporters were doing duty in the Army. The whole business of the Board devolved upon him. He gave his services without charge. When the Federal Army entered Petersburg, the captured supplies were turned over to Col. Potts, by the Federal authorities, for distribution among the destitute of the City. In 1878, he was appointed Postmaster of Petersburg by President Hayes, notwithstanding the fact that he was a staunch Democrat and was careful to appraise the President thereof, before the appointment. He filled the position for five years. TMP page 402 -403

He was married to Rebecca Parham SCHOOLFIELD (daughter of Dr. Joseph SCHOOLFIELD and Mary LEWIS). Col. David Graves POTTS and Rebecca Parham SCHOOLFIELD had the following children:

13 i. John Howard POTTS. He served in the Confederate Army, was in the Seven Days Fight, contracted swamp fever and died at home. TMP page 403

14 ii. Lucy POTTS was born after Jan. She died before 1901.

15 iii. Louisa POTTS died before 1901.

16 iv. Nellie POTTS died before 1901.

17 v. Josephine POTTS died before 1901.

18 vi. Joseph S. POTTS.

19 vii. David G. POTTS died in 1879.

20 viii. Fanny M. POTTS.

6. Robert E. POTTS was born in Sussex Co., Viginia. He was married to Sarah LOOMIS. Robert E. POTTS and Sarah LOOMIS had the following children:

21 i. Charles E. POTTS.

22 ii. John D. POTTS.

23 iii. Robert L. POTTS.

24 iv. Sally POTTS died before 1901.

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