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Bradford County, PA

Captain William Wainwright Potts

Captain William Wainwright Potts

Male 1831 - 1894  (62 years)

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  • Name Captain William Wainwright Potts  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Born 10 Jun 1831  Columbus, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 4
    Gender Male 
    Died 21 Jan 1894  Vine Terrace, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Buried Jun 1894  Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I1637  Clark-Hart
    Last Modified 20 Feb 2020 

    Father Aaron Mount Potts,   b. 14 May 1786, Mansfield, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jan 1864, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Mother Rebecca Aaronson,   b. 01 Sep 1804,   d. 16 Sep 1875, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Married 1826  [4
    Family ID F545  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Jane Welch,   b. 1834,   d. 21 May 1871, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 37 years) 
    Married 05 May 1853  Columbus, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3
    Children 
     1. Abby Frances Potts DY,   b. 09 Nov 1859, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Apr 1863, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     2. William Burnside Potts,   b. 18 May 1862, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 03 Aug 1911, Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 49 years)
    +3. Elizabeth Anna Potts,   b. 31 Jan 1854, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Dec 1916, Philadelphia, PA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 62 years)
     4. Aaron Harvey Potts,   b. 01 Dec 1855, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Nov 1908, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 52 years)
     5. Mary Ellen Potts,   b. 03 Jan 1857, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Dec 1858, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)  [natural]
     6. Emma Rebecca Potts,   b. 14 May 1866, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Jul 1921, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 55 years)
     7. Carrie Mae Potts,   b. 10 Aug 1868, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 01 Feb 1952, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     8. Sarah Potts,   b. Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location
    Last Modified 15 Mar 2017 
    Family ID F537  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Eliza Noble,   b. 15 Aug 1850, Glamorganshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Aug 1910, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Married 03 Dec 1873  Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
     1. Mary Noble Potts,   b. 06 May 1880, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [natural]
     2. John Charles Potts,   b. 20 Nov 1876, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Mar 1952, Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years)  [natural]
     3. Lillian Wynn Noble Potts,   b. 04 Sep 1874, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Feb 1926, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years)  [natural]
     4. Fred Wynn Noble Potts,   b. 01 Aug 1892, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [natural]
     5. Sarah Wynn Noble Potts,   b. 15 Jul 1884, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [natural]
     6. Samuel Nowlin Noble Potts,   b. 27 Nov 1881, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1945  (Age 63 years)  [natural]
    Last Modified 15 Mar 2017 
    Family ID F546  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 10 Jun 1831 - Columbus, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 05 May 1853 - Columbus, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 03 Dec 1873 - Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 21 Jan 1894 - Vine Terrace, Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - Jun 1894 - Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    1862 - Captain William Wainwright Potts
On the back of the photo: Picture of Capt. William Wainwright Potts j1946miller added this on 24 Aug 2011. On the back of the picture is printed 'Capt. Compy D 48th Regt, Penna Veteran Vols.' According to the records, 'Date of Muster' into service, September 23, 1861, Term 3 years. Promoted from 1st Lt., Nov. 30, 1861, discharged January 8, 1863. Recruited at Pottsville, Schuylkill County.
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on the front of the photo: Even though the name 'Samuel' is on the front, I'm positive it's William Wainwright Potts because my mother (his granddaughter) told me many times that it was W. W. She said the 'Samuel' indicates that it was the copy given to Samuel Noble Potts (his son). The time frame (1862) would make W. W. approximately 31 years old at the time this picture was taken.
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    1862 - Captain William Wainwright Potts On the back of the photo: Picture of Capt. William Wainwright Potts j1946miller added this on 24 Aug 2011. On the back of the picture is printed "Capt. Compy D 48th Regt, Penna Veteran Vols." According to the records, "Date of Muster" into service, September 23, 1861, Term 3 years. Promoted from 1st Lt., Nov. 30, 1861, discharged January 8, 1863. Recruited at Pottsville, Schuylkill County. --------------------------------------------------- on the front of the photo: Even though the name "Samuel" is on the front, I'm positive it's William Wainwright Potts because my mother (his granddaughter) told me many times that it was W. W. She said the "Samuel" indicates that it was the copy given to Samuel Noble Potts (his son). The time frame (1862) would make W. W. approximately 31 years old at the time this picture was taken. --------------------------------------
    Civil War picture. Father of Emma Rebecca POtts
    1894 - Obituary - Captain William Wainwright Potts
    1894 - Obituary - Captain William Wainwright Potts
    Philadelphia Inquirer 21 Jan 1894 (front page)
    1859 - Royal Arch Masons - Grand Chapter - PA
    1859 - Royal Arch Masons - Grand Chapter - PA
    1858 - Ad by William Potts in Pottsville Emporium
    1858 - Ad by William Potts in Pottsville Emporium
    address of his restaurant corner of Mahantango and Centre Street, Pottsville, PA
    Obituary - William Wainwright Potts
    Obituary - William Wainwright Potts
    Miners Journal - Pottsville PA 22 Jan 1894

    Documents
    Mining Register, and Pottsville Emporium
    Mining Register, and Pottsville Emporium
    Saturday, June 04, 1859 Pottsville, Pennsylvania Page: 5
    Obituary - Patriot Newspaper Jan 22 1894
    Obituary - Patriot Newspaper Jan 22 1894
    Died of Diabetes. Left 11 Children. An Innkeeper in Pottsville
    Biography of William W Potts
    Biography of William W Potts
    From history of 48th PA blog
    Family of William Wainwright Potts
    Family of William Wainwright Potts
    From book - Historical Collections Relating to the Potts Family in Great Britain by William John Potts
    Roster of Company D 48th Pennsylvania
    Roster of Company D 48th Pennsylvania
    W W Potts, Company Captain

    Headstones
    Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville
    Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville
    Find a Grave

    Histories
    The 48th in the Civil War
    The 48th in the Civil War
    A Narrative of the 48th Infantry Regiment in the Civil War
    Service in 48th Infantry Regiment
    Service in 48th Infantry Regiment
    From Book "The 48th Regiment in the Civil War"
    Work of the 48th PA Regiment at the Petersburg mine, and which resulted in the great battle of the crater
    Work of the 48th PA Regiment at the Petersburg mine, and which resulted in the great battle of the crater
    From PA State Archives
    Historical Collections relating to the Potts family in Americ
    Historical Collections relating to the Potts family in Americ
    Internet Archive
    Detailed Account of the Battle of the Crater
    Detailed Account of the Battle of the Crater
    July 30 1864 48th Pennsylvania - 5,300 casualties.

  • Notes 
    • Siege of Petersburg (Wikipedia 2017)



      The 48th Pennsylvania served in the Siege of Petersburg from June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865, including the Second Battle of Petersburg on June 16–18 and the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road on June 22–23.[2] At the Second Battle of Petersburg, two soldiers of the regiment earned the Medal of Honor: Private Robert Reid of Company G for capturing a Confederate battle flag, and Corporal Patrick Monaghan of Company F for re-capturing a Union battle flag.[3]

      The 48th Pennsylvania then played an integral role in what would become known as the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. In mid-1864, Grant wanted to defeat Lee's army at Petersburg without resorting to a lengthy siege—his experience in the Siege of Vicksburg told him that such affairs were expensive and difficult on the morale of his men. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pleasants, commanding the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry of Major General Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps, offered a novel proposal to solve Grant's problem. Pleasants, a mining engineer from Pennsylvania in civilian life, proposed digging a long mine shaft underneath the Confederate lines and planting explosive charges directly underneath a fort (Elliott's Salient) in the middle of the Confederate First Corps line. If successful, Union troops could drive through the resulting gap in the line into the Confederate rear area. Digging began in late June, creating a mine in a "T" shape with an approach shaft 511 feet (156 m) long. At its end, a perpendicular gallery of 75 feet (23 m) extended in both directions. The gallery was filled with 8,000 pounds of gunpowder, buried 20 feet (6.1 m) underneath the Confederate works.[4]

      At 4:44 a.m. on July 30, the charges exploded in a massive shower of earth, men, and guns. A crater (still visible today) was created, 170 feet (52 m) long, 60 to 80 feet (24 m) wide, and 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. The blast destroyed the Confederate fortifications in the immediate vicinity, and instantly killed between 250 and 350 Confederate soldiers.
    • Biography from history of the 48th blog ( https://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-new-face-of-48th-william-wainwright.html?ref=digest )
      ---------------------

      William Wainwright Potts was born on June 10, 1831, in Columbus, Burlington County, New Jersey, the second child and first son born to Aaron and Rebecca Potts. Sometime when William, presumably, was still young, the family relocated to Schuylkill County, settling in Pottsville, where Aaron and Rebecca would continue to raise their family, which will grow to include three more children, two girls and another boy, Charles Potts, who, like his older brother William would serve in the Civil War.

      On May 5, 1853, William Wainwright Potts, not quite twenty-two years of age, married Mary Jane Welch who, over the next 18 years would deliver eight children, though, sadly, four of them would not survive infancy or childhood. Mary Jane passed away at the young age of 37 in the spring of 1871, perhaps from complications from childbirth. Her remains were laid to rest in Pottsville's Presbyterian Cemetery.

      Although his occupation is recorded as a 'moulder,' or mold maker, in the regimental records of the 48th, his obituary noted that he was a well-known hotel keeper in the city, and an 1857 article in the Mining Record and Pottsville Emporium recorded a rather interesting tid-bit or anecdote relating to William Potts. Potts, as the article stated, was the proprietor of the White Horse Restaurant. Apparently in June of that year quite a remarkable thing happened--worthy of headlines in the local paper. "On last Wednesday evening about 10 minutes after 10 o'clock," the article recorded, "Mr. William Potts, proprietor of the White Horse Restaurant, opened an immense Absecum salt Oyster, containing forty-seven pearls, varying in size from a pin's head to a very large pea--also a miniature goose of gold, on which was inscribed, 'Buy your clothing at the store of Mr. David A. Smith, on Centre Street, Pottsville, Pa."

      With the outbreak of civil war in 1861, thirty-year-old William W. Potts offered his services and that summer was mustered in as 1st Lieutenant, Company D, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. He stood rather tall, at 5'11" in height, had a "light" complexion, and dark eyes. Upon Daniel Nagle's elevation from captain of Company D to regimental major in November 1861, Potts was promoted to captain and served in that capacity until his discharge in January 1863. Potts was discharged due to a disability and it would seem he was not with the company for the final few months of 1862, since Lt. Curtis Pollock of Company G, would temporarily command Company D at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Potts was likely in poor health.

      Charles Potts, William's younger brother, served as a lieutenant in the nine-month 151st Pennsylvania Infantry--the "school teacher's regiment." On July 1, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg, during whitch the 151st suffered tremendously high casualties, Lt. Potts was captured. He spent the next fourteen months in captivity but survived the ordeal and returned home.

      After William's discharge from the 48th in January 1863, he returned to Pottsville. In 1873, two years after the death of Mary Jane, he remarried. His second wife, Eliza Noble, gave birth to six more children, three of whom would die in childhood. Thus, of William Potts's fourteen children, seven would not live to maturity. With this and with the death of Mary Jane, tragedy certainly seemed to have shadowed William Wainwright Potts.

      William remained active in the community and in veteran's affairs, taking a leading role with the Grand Army of the Republic. He would die rather young, due to complications from diabetes, passing away at age 62 in January 1894. His remains were interred in Pottsville's Charles Baber Cemetery.

      My thanks go out to Mr. Bill Clark for so generously sharing your family ancestry with me, and for giving me the opportunity to see yet another face of the 48th.

    • Potts was the proprietor of the White Horse Restaurant.

  • Sources 
    1. [S22] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.
      Record for Capt. William Wainwright Potts

    2. [S22] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.
      Record for Emma Rebecca Potts

    3. [S22] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.
      Record for Mary Jane Welch

    4. [S22] Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online.
      Record for Aaron Mount Potts