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Potts family papers
The Potts family papers includes the correspondence of Mrs. Thomas (Isabella) Potts James regarding the writing of her book: Thomas Potts, Junior, Who Settled in Pennsylvania, With a Historical-Genealogical Account of his Descendants to the Eighth Generation (1874). Thomas Potts, an ancestor of Isa...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Collection: | Potts Family Papers |
| Collection Number: | 0520 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
| Physical Description: |
2.2 Linear feet ; 6 boxes |
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| Access: |
Collection is open for research. |
| Summary: |
The Potts family papers includes the correspondence of Mrs. Thomas (Isabella) Potts James regarding the writing of her book: Thomas Potts, Junior, Who Settled in Pennsylvania, With a Historical-Genealogical Account of his Descendants to the Eighth Generation (1874).
Thomas Potts, an ancestor of Isabella Potts James, was the founder of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Documents in the trace the family genealogically. There is little Information on the particulars of the founding of Pottstown, however, these items provide insights into the general history of the area. Some documents include information on the foundries and mines owned and operated by the Potts family.
Many of the documents are replies to letters that Mrs. Thomas (Isabella) Potts James (b.1819) wrote in gathering information for her book, Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior, who settled in Pennsylvania; with a Historic-genealogical Account of his Descendents to the Eighth Generation (1874). Some letters give information about the lives of prominent Potts family members. Other documents are segments with little information on where the documents came from. Most of the genealogy correspondence expresses appreciation for James’s efforts. James was planning to write an historical sketch of the iron industry of New England. This project was abandoned because the patrons of this work, The American Iron and Steel Association, could not support it due to the Panic of 1873. Letters will be of interests to genealogists. It is informative to see how much work, and how much correspondence, went into the production of James’ book. James’ system of gathering information from whomever she could find it shows her persistence and personality. Aside from letters giving genealogy information, there are others with tidbits that give interesting insights into the times and culture. For example, here is a quote from a fragment of a letter (probably written in 1790) that tells of the intolerance toward Quakers (and the priority of this husband): Returning from one of his frequent visits to Phila, he found his wife horse tied to a tree in front of this meeting house and dismounting from his own, he wrote upon the saddle the following: ‘Your walls are thick and your people are thin. The Devil’s without and Grace is within’. (Box 1 Miscellaneous.) Despite the Potts Quaker pedigree, the family owned slaves, as indicated by wills in the collection. Also included is a letter written in 1776 announcing the arrest and banishment of several Pembertons, Henry Drinker, and other Quakers for their anti-Revolutionary War stance. The collection includes a significant number of accounting and billing documents, and business correspondence. John Potts (1710-1768), eldest son of Thomas Potts, was a successful iron-master. Many of the accounting documents concern the foundries, mines and forges owned by John Potts. Researchers interested in the history of mining in the Eastern United States would find these of interest. |