Elisha Reynolds Potter

Elisha Reynolds Potter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's at-large district
In office
November 15, 1796 – 1797
Preceded by Benjamin Bourne
Succeeded by Christopher G. Champlin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1815
Preceded by Isaac Wilbour
Succeeded by James Brown Mason
Personal details
Born November 5, 1764
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Died September 26, 1835(1835-09-26) (aged 70)
Resting place Colonel Thomas Potter Cemetery
Political party Federalist
Spouse(s) Mary Potter
Children Elisha R. Potter
Residence Kingston, Rhode Island
Occupation Lawyer

Elisha Reynolds Potter (November 5, 1764 – September 26, 1835) was a statesman in the Federalist Party from Kingston, Rhode Island, who served several times as the Speaker in the Rhode Island State Assembly.

Personal life

Elisha Reynolds Potter was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He began his career as a blacksmith's apprentice, but switched to the law in 1793.[1] Potter was said to be a very large man; when he traveled by stagecoach, he had to purchase two seats.[1]

Career

Potter ran against Peleg Arnold in a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1796 caused by Benjamin Bourne's resignation, and Potter won the election. He served as a United States Congressman from 1796 to 1797 and again from 1809 to 1815.[2]

He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.[3]

Potter ran for governor of Rhode Island in 1818,[1] but lost to Nehemiah R. Knight.

His son, also Elisha Reynolds Potter, was also a Congressman.

Elisha Reynolds Potter is buried in Colonel Thomas Potter Cemetery near Kingston, Rhode Island.[4]

See also

  • United States Congress. "Elisha Reynolds Potter (id: P000463)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Greene, Richard Gleason (1890). The International Cyclopedia: A Compendium of Human Knowledge (Volume 12 ed.). Dodd, Mead. p. 92.
  2. ↑ "Guide to the Elisha Reynolds Potter, Sr. Papers". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved 22 Nov 2011.
  3. ↑ American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
  4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1982236/colonel-thomas-potter-cemetery
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Benjamin Bourne		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's At-large district
1796—1797		 Succeeded by
Christopher G. Champlin
Preceded by
Isaac Wilbour		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's At-large district
1809—1815		 Succeeded by
James B. Mason


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.