William Potter Jr was born 28 August 1608 in Lewes, Sussex, England to William Potter (1582-1619) and Hannah Landford (1600-1658) and died 6 June 1662 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut of unspecified causes. He married Frances Potter (1611-1662) 1632 in England.
Biography
Migration to America
He was a passenger on the English ship Abigail, which sailed from Plymouth in July, 1635, bound for New England. The ship arrived safe at Massachusetts Bay. Passenger list information was transcribed in the 19th century by Michael Tepper from records found in London, the Public Rolls Office, formerly at Carleton Ride.
Williams Father John died before his wife and two sons immigrated to the U.S. Only William, his wife and baby Joseph appear on the manifest of Abigail. It is not known when his mother and brother sailed across. The ship left Plymouth, England destined for Boston in New England on June 4, 1635, among the passengers were William Potter age 27, wife Frances age 26 & 4 month old son Joseph Potter. (On 1 Jul 1635, "Husbandman William Potter," aged 27, "uxor Francis Potter," aged 26, & "Joseph Potter," aged 20 weeks, were enrolled at London as passengers for New England on the Abigail.)
New Haven Colony
What is known about the life & death of William Potter is found primarily in the Records of the Court of New Haven Colony. The records indicate William Potter was an educated Puritan & a fairly well to-do land owner. William first settled at Watertown MA then moved on to New Haven Colony around 1639.
Both the brothers John and William Potter, signed the Plantation Covenant in New Haven, Connecticut on June 4, 1639, just nineteen years after the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts. William purchased land at New Haven & was occupied there as a "planter" until his death. William's mother Hannah & his younger brother John Potter also settled at New Haven. (Source: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Potter-136)
Executed at New Haven on 6 Jun 1662 for bestiality.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Joseph Potter (1635-1669) | |||
| Mary Potter (1637-1701) | |||
| Sarah Potter (1641-1706) | |||
| Hope Potter (1641-1687) | |||
| Rebecca Potter (1643-1700) | |||
| Nathaniel Potter (1644-1710) | 22 December 1644 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut | 10 January 1710 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut | Elizabeth Hawes (1658-1715) |
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| William Potter (1608-1662) | 28 August 1608 Lewes, Sussex, England | 6 June 1662 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut | Frances Potter (1611-1662) |
| John Potter (1609-1643) | |||
| Mary Potter (1612-) | |||
| Steven Potter (1614-) | |||
References
- William Potter - FindAGrave Memorial #37345505