The Potters of Clements

Nova Scotia # 10 on 6 August 1866 cover from Halifax to Annapolis, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Mr. James Potter, Annapolis. Backstamps Halifax, 6 August 1866, Annapolis, 8 August 1866.

James Delsey Potter, farmer in Clementsport, Annapolis County was 40 years old and a new father when he received this letter from Halifax. He was born February 18th, 1826, in Clementsport, the son of John Potter and Mary “Polly” Balcomb. He married January 1st, 1861, Elizabeth Ann, the daughter of Jacob Potter (a distant cousin). They had one daughter, Eva Sutton Potter, born April 21st, 1866. James died December 24th, 1910 (aged 84), in Clementsport, and is buried in the United Church Graveyard there.

The Potter Ancestors

James’ great-great grandfather, Captain Joseph Potter, Jr., was a veteran of the 1758 Battle of Ticonderoga. He married twice and had 14 children. He was born August 23rd, 1741 in Marlboro, Massachusetts. In 1761, he married Zebudah Hayden, born June 26th, 1734, the daughter of Ebenezer and Thankful (Parmenter) Hayden. The newlyweds lived for a few years in Sudbury where their first three children were born. Joseph enlisted in a regiment of troops raised by Gov. William Shirley and commanded by Col. Jonathan Bailey during the Seven Year's War (1755-1763.) Joseph was at the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Champlain on July 8th, 1758, when General Lord Howe was killed. He also was at the Battle of Fort Edward in the same year. Joseph and Zebudah Potter had Israel, James’ great-grandfather, November 28th, 1763, in Worcester, Massachusetts. After Zebudah’s death in 1767, Joseph married Mary Farnsworth, and moved in April 1770, to Clements, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. When the Revolutionary War was over he went to New York to get help to build iron works at Moose river in Clements, and on a trip from Nova Scotia to Boston, he was lost at sea about the year 1800.

James’ great-grandfather, Rev. Israel Potter, Sr. was born July 1763 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, In 1780, when Israel Potter was seventeen, he became one of the "six months" men raised in the town of Shrewsbury, by the State of Massachusetts, to reinforce the Continental Army and which marched from Springfield under the command of Lieut. Taylor, of 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, July 6th, 1780. After the Revolution was over, and peace declared, he went to Nova Scotia, settled on his father's estate, and lived on the old homestead in the town of Clements, at a place since called "Potter's Point", where he carried on farming and the herring fishery. Israel served as a Captain of the Militia under King George IV, in the war of 1812.

Israel, Sr. was ordained to take the pastoral charge of the First Baptist Church in the town of Clements. He continued to farm, fish, and make bricks while pastoring the church. He served the church for many years until his eyes failed him; then his son, James’ grandfather, Rev. Israel Potter, Jr. (born January 7th, 1790), was ordained co-pastor, and served with his father until Israel, Sr.'s death August 17th, 1847, aged 84 years.  He is buried in the Goat Island Meetinghouse Cemetery, Upper Clements. Israel, Jr. then had the whole charge of the church up to the time of his death on June 26th, 1860.

The Revs. Israel Potter ministered during what is referred to as the Second Great Awakening, a Protestant religious revival in the United States and Canada from about 1795 to 1835. During the revival, meetings were held in towns and cities throughout the country, and the institution known as the “camp meeting” began. Many churches experienced an increase in membership, particularly among Methodists and Baptists. The following is an extract from a letter by Rev. Israel Potter Sr.

To the Editor, Dr. Baldwin

Clements, Annapolis County, N. S.

May 12, 1810

Dear and Rev. Sir:

In the beginning of March last, a most wonderful and powerful reformation began in the lower part of this town, which seemed to pervade the minds of old and young, and many, we hope, were brought to the knowledge of the truth. About ten davs afterward the good work made its appearance in the middle of the town. The people assembled from every quarter, and it seemed that it might be truly said that God was passing through the" place in a very powerful manner. The glorious work has since spread through every part of the town and some of all ages have been made to bow to the mild sceptre of the Redeemer.

The ordinance of baptism has been administered for five Sabbaths successively. Forty-five have been admitted to this sacred rite, and a church has been constituted upon the gospel plan, consisting of sixty-five members, to which we expect further additions. If I should say that 200 have been hopefully converted to the Lord in this town since the reformation commenced. I think I should not exceed the truth. The good work is still spreading eastward very rapidly and looks likely to spread through the province.

The opposition has been great, and many oaths have been sworn, even in the time of divine service. But the Lord has triumphed over the horse and his rider and blessed be his name!

At Round Hill I understand there is a number to be baptized today. The province of Nova Scotia has been highly favored with the gospel. We beg an interest in your prayers, that the Lord would give us strength to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

Your unworthy friend,

Israel Potter

James’ father, John Potter, was born January 17th, 1792. He married Mary “Polly” Balcomb in 1814. They had four daughters and five sons. John was a farmer in Clementsport. He was blind for 18 years before he died on March 15th, 1878, at the age of 85.  He is buried in the Goat Island Baptist Church Graveyard, Upper Clements. History and genealogy of the late Rev. Israel Potter's branch of the Potter family [microform] by Potter, J. S. (Josiah S.), b. 1810, Publication date 1885, Publisher Boston: J.S. Potter Collection

In the 1861 census for Annapolis County, Polling District 8, James D. Potter is head of a family of 3: 1 male and 2 females.

1871 census for Annapolis County has James D Potter, married, farmer, Baptist, age 45, in Clementsport, Annapolis, District Number 19, with Elizabeth Potter, age 38, and Eva S Potter, age 5.

The 1891 census of Clements, Annapolis has James Potter, age 65, Baptist, with his wife Elizabeth, age 58, and daughter, Eva, age 25.

James Delsey Potter died in Clementsport, December 18th, 1910, at the age of 84.

The Potter family illustrates an interesting phenomenon in the early settlement of Nova Scotia. Some New England Planters shared Revolutionary sentiments with relatives who remained in New England. After the War, they sometimes found themselves neighbors to Loyalists who had fought against the American Revolution. This must have made for some interesting discussions at church suppers.