William Potter

• Death Notes
  • Convicted of crime of bestiality.

• General Notes
  • William Potter, husbandman, Watertown, 27, Frances, 26, Joseph, 1/2   (Abigail Passenger List - 1635)
    
    Children:
    1. Joseph, b. Nov 1635, New Haven, CT, d. 11 Aug 1669, New Haven, CT, m. Phebe Ives
    2. Thomas, b. ca. 1637
    3. Hannah?
    4. Mary, bap. Aug. 22, 1641, d. 1701, m. about 1657, Joseph Mansfield
    5. Sarah, bap. Aug. 22, 1641 (but not the twin of Mary), m. 1659, Robert Foote; m. 2nd, 1686, Aaron Blakesley/Blachley and removed to Guilford.
    6. Hope, bap. Oct. 3, 1641, m. Feb. 3, 1663, Daniel Robinson.
    7. Rebeckah, bap Jan 1643, m. Nov. 27, 1667, Thomas Adams
    8. Nathaniel, bap. Dec. 22, 1644, m. April, 1675, Elizabeth Hawes
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    (Great Migration Newsletter, Vol. 7, No.4) lists the Abigail:
    
    "1635 ABIGAIL of London, Richard Hackwell, Master. She listed passengers for New England from June 4 until July 24, and sailed from Plymouth, as her last port of departure, about August 1, with two hundred and twenty persons aboard and many cattle. She arrived at Boston about October 8, infected with smallpox. Among those coming in this ship, but not listed, were Sir Henry Vane, son and heir of Sir Henry Vane, Comptroller of the King's Household, traveling incognito; the Reverend Hugh Peter, pastor of the English Church at Rotterdam, and the Reverend John Wilson, who was returning to Boston, with his wife, her first appearance in New England."
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    The following is taken from "America's First Families, Ancestor Roll of Honor":
    
    WILLIAM POTTER
    NEW HAVEN COLONY, CONNECTICUT
    (1608/09-1662)
    
    William POTTER arrived at Boston aboard the "Abigail" from London in July of 1635. Traveling with William were his wife, Frances CHILDS?, and his 20 week old son Joseph.
    
    William's Mother (Hannah POTTER BEECHER), step-father (John BEECHER), and brother (John POTTER) followed William to America two years later. They were part of the company that arrived aboard the "Hector" that included the very prominent Puritans Rev. John DAVENPORT and Theophilus EATON. The party had intended to settle within the Massachusetts Colony, but upon their arrival, decided to found a new colony elsewhere because of what they perceived to be a tainted religious climate in Boston. The families made arrangements for temporary housing in Boston while a site was being selected. The BEECHERS and John POTTER probably moved in with William and his family during this period.
    
    Shortly before the arrival of the "Hector", an army from the Massachusetts Colony had raided and slaughtered the Pequot Indians at their village of Quinnipiac on Long Island. The returning soldiers told stories of an abundant land and a favorable harbor. Hearing the glowing reports, Rev. DAVENPORT dispatched Rev. EATON with a party to explore the area. The party included John BEECHER, William's step-father. They arrived in the Quinnipiac area in early autumn and found it quite suitable for the establishment of a colony. Fearing the approach of winter, however, EATON thought it prudent to delay attempting the establishment until the following spring. He decided to leave seven men to winter at Quinnipiac, further explore the area, and to prepare for the arrival of the main colony. John BEECHER was one of the seven men left behind. He died sometime during that winter and was buried in an unmarked grave. The colony that became established the following spring was New Haven Colony. John BEECHER'S remains were discovered some years later while digging a cellar.
    
    William POTTER, his family, Hannah (his mother), John POTTER, and Isaac BEECHER (John BEECHER'S son) all removed from Boston to New Haven. They may have went with the original settlers in that spring of 1638 but that cannot be established. They were definitely there by 1639, however, because both William and John POTTER signed the New Haven Agreement in a general town meeting that year.
    
    Early New Haven records indicate that William's life was a 'good news - bad news' scenario. On the one hand his seating assignments in the church indicate that he progressed in the standing. On the other hand he was frequently fined for offenses ranging from absence at military training, improper care of arms, to failure to submit a timely inventory for taxation.
    
    In 1659 Hannah POTTER BEECHER died and appointed William executor of her will. She left 2/3 of her estate to William and 1/3 to Isaac BEECHER. She requested that William 'be as a father to his younger brother and his children.'
    
    William died between May, 1662, and March following , in New Haven. His estate was valued at over 190 English pounds, as shown by the inventory taken August 2, 1662. The family home was on the west side of Quinipiac River near the present Cedar Hill station.
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Click here for details of William's family with Frances Child

Sources/Citations Great Migration Newsletter, Genealogical guide to the early settlers of America

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