Philip Potts

Basic Information

From the Potts family Genealogy (McIntosh) presented on the Welcome page for this website.

Philip Potts - Second son of Jacob Potts I and Catherine (Duff) Potts:

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Born 4-10-1819, died 1-25-1873. Married on 2-5-1840, by Joseph Messmore, Crowland Twp. near Simcoe, to Fanny Ann Buck, sister of Mary Buck who married George Potts, brother of Philip. They were daughters of Adam and Elizabeth (Pattison) Buck. Fanny Ann was born 12-7-1821, died 1-25-1864, nine years to the day before her husband, Philip Potts.

About a year after Fanny Ann’s death, Philip Potts re-married a widow named Rebecca Osborne, who outlived him. No issue. Philip became a citizen of the United States on 11-18-1863, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and his children – being minors – were declared citizens by deriving. He was a farmer, store-keeper, real estate broker and a circuit rider in the Methodist Church. The family settled near Kalamazoo when they moved from Canada (1857), just sixty-eight years after his father and grandfather had emigrated to Canada. Kalamazoo was an important depot on the slave route from the South and it is highly probable that Philip was an active member in the “underground” that helped many a poor black to Canada and freedom. He was that kind of man.

Note added: Fanny gave birth to ten children. The first three succumbed to scarlet fever within a year of each other. She passed away at the age of 43 within a year of the birth of her last child. Philip and Fanny also raised two of the daughters of Philip’s sister, Catherine.

Obituariy for Philip Potts

Rev. Philip Potts departed this life at his residence is Galesburg on the 25th ult., aged fifty-four years. The sad news of his death brought a shock of solemnity and grief to his large circle of friends who mourn his untimely departure from their midst. He was a noble and useful citizen, a warm hearted and genial friend, and a companionable educator of those principles of Christianity which was invaluable to him and his associates. His principles of religion gave character to all his business relations, which endeared him to all who made his acquaintance. One week ago today he led his brothers and sisters in the church in prayer and today he lies in the cold arms of death, waiting to be carried to his final resting place in the sepulcher.

Note added: (ult. = ultimo mense meaning last month)

R. G. Smith, Galesburg, Michigan January 27, 1873

(From the Kalamazoo Gazette, January 31, 1873)