Olney E. Potter

Notes:

DAR records show a first marriage for Olney, to Amy Gully, and a daughter Lucinda (no dates in the file). This needs more research to confirm.

There were several individuals named Olney Potter living at this time, but this one is unique in that he has the middle initial E.

POTTER Olney E., at Foster, aged 43 years, May 19, 1831.

His gravestone at Hopkins Mills Cemetery identifies him as son of William Potter (findagrave.com). I have placed him here as a son of William Potter & Mary Ellis, based solely on a DAR record. I have not found other evidence thus far to determine if he might belong to a different William. However, it is reasonable to place him here because Olney had a son named Pardon (see gravestone at Hopkins Mills), and the ancestry of his (assumed) father William goes back to Pardon Tillinghast.

I have not yet found a connection to the Olney family.

In the Federal Census of 1820, Olney E. Potter is in Foster, RI. Unfortunately, the census taker listed the heads of families roughly in alphabetical order (at least with all the Ps together) so it is impossible to see who was living next to whom. Other Potter heads of households listed are: John, William, Daniel, Benjamin, and Edmund.

Olney's household includes: 1 free wh male 26-44, 5 free wh females <10, 1 free wh female 16-25, 1 free wh female 26-44, total of 8. This implies two parents and 5 young girls, and one older girl/young woman.

In the Federal Census of 1830, Olney E. Potter is still in Foster. The household includes: 2 free wh males <5, 1 free wh male 5-9, 1 free wh male 15-19, 1 free wh male 40-49, 2 free wh females 5-9, 2 free wh females 10-14, 3 free wh females 15-19, 1 free wh female 30-29, total of 11.

William A. Potter is on the same page but not living nearby. He may be a brother or other relative.

In the Federal Census of 1810, Olney Potter (no middle initial) is living in Scituate, RI. He is next to Johnson Potter. Olney's household includes: 1 free wh male 10-15, 3 free wh males 16-25, 1 free wh female <10, 1 free wh female 10-15, 1 free wh female 16-25; total of 7. This appears to be a young couple ages 16-25, along with two other young adult males, and 1 teen boy and 1 teen girl, and 1 girl under 10. If Olney & Orra were married at this point, they would have been 21 and 17. This looks like an extended family group -- not sure if it's the correct Olney.

There's also an Olney Potter listed at Cranston in 1810; the household includes 1 free wh male 10-15, 1 free wh male 26-44, 1 free wh female 16-25; total 3.

Olney E. Potter and Hugh Cole witnessed the 21 Feb 1811 will of Joseph Ford of Foster, RI.

Olney E. Potter witnessed the 20 Feb 1812 will of Jacob Walker of Foster, RI.

Olney E. Potter is mentioned in the 11 Jan 1833 will of John Matteson of West Greenwich, physician (implies John may be Olney's son-in-law).

Olney married Orra Cole 22 Apr 1810. Orra (daughter of Hugh Cole and Dorothy "Dolly" Joslin) was born 12 Mar 1793, Foster, RI; died 10 Apr 1876; was buried , Cemetery FR45, Foster, RI. [Group Sheet]

1. Louisa Potter was born 1811; died 7 Mar 1849; was buried , Pine Grove Cemetery, CY30, Coventry, RI.
2. Cynthia Potter was born 1811; died 7 Feb 1897.
3. Alfred Potter was born 1815; died 27 Aug 1819; was buried , Hopkins Mills, Foster, RI.
4. Juliet Potter was born Abt 2 Feb 1817; died 23 Dec 1869; was buried , Hopkins Mills, Foster, RI.
5. Matilda Potter was born Abt 1820.
6. Pardon Potter was born Abt 1830; died 28 Nov 1832; was buried , Hopkins Mills, Foster, RI.

Notes:

The marriage record with Barbara identifies him as son of Capt. William, of Providence.

The marriage record with Lydia identifies him as son of William.

I have made an assumption that these two marriages belong to this William.

William married Mary Ellis 1 May 1786, Warwick, Kent Co., RI. Mary (daughter of Benjamin Ellis and Mary Tucker) was born 26 Jun 1765, Warwick, Kent Co., RI; died 6 Sep 1824; was buried , William Potter Lot, Winsor Rd., Foster, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She was a daughter of Benjamin & Mary of Warwick.

"Mary Potter wife of William Potter" is mentioned in the 1809 will of Sarah Tucker -- possibly her aunt.

Notes:

He was of Warwick on 6 July 1776 (The Tillinghasts in America, First Four Generations, p 107, Wayne G. Tillinghast, 2006, Ri Genealogical Society).

William married Lydia Arnold 18 Nov 1753. Lydia was born Abt 1730; died 1785. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She may be d/o Josiah & Elizabeth (Arnold) Arnold, who had a dtr Lydia born at Warwick 5 Nov 1734.

A DAR file has her birth year as 1732 -- no month or day.

Benjamin married Mary Tucker 14 May 1761, Cranston, Providence Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"Mary Ellis" sister is mentioed in the 1809 will of Sarah Tucker "now of Warwick." It also mentions Jemima Potter as a sister.

Notes:

ELLIS Benjamin, of Warwick, and Mary Tucker, of Cranston ; m. by William Eurton, Justice, May 14, 1761.

I have made an assumption that this marriage record pertains to this couple, Benjamin & Mary, parents of Mary (Ellis) Potter.

Notes:

William was a member of the Baptist Church at Providence. His gravestone is pictured at findagrave.com

From RI Genealogical Register Vol 13 p 103: the will of William Potter, of Pr, joyner, was dated 7 Nov 1729, proved 1 Dec 1729. It mentions wife Martha, bro-in-law Chrales Tillinghast who is co-ex with wife, bro John Potter, son William who is under 21, and dtrs all under 21 Amey, Ruth, Martha, & Sarah.

The full details of William's will can be found in The Tillinghasts in America, First Four Generations, p 105, by Wayne G. Tillinghast, 2006, RI Genealogical Society.

William married Martha Tillinghast 19 Feb 1720/21, Providence, Providence Co., RI. Martha (daughter of Philip Tillinghast and Martha Holmes) was born 20 Dec 1699, Providence, Providence Co., RI; died 29 Apr 1776, North Providence, Providence Co., RI; was buried , North Burial Ground, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Martha was one of 15 children born to her parents.

Martha and her second husband were first cousins. They also had five children together.