I consider myself pretty handy. I know how to turn a wrench (lefty loosey - righty tighty). I can hang a picture almost straight. One time I ran a fence that stayed up for awhile. But people like Captain John Potter amaze me. We all know one: That person who can do everything. Like they were born with a comprehensive 'how to' manual seared into their brain. Sheetrock, small motor repair, obscure plant identification, gourmet cooking...they got it all up there (tapping temple for emphasis).John Potter of North Brookfield was such a person. Clockmaker, carpenter, cooper and cabinet-maker. Silversmith, soldier and surveyor. Blacksmith and farmer and prolific pro-creator, father of fifteen. John Potter was an 18th century renaissance man. Born September 12, 1746, in the northeastern Massachusetts town of Ipswich (which, in an interesting aside, was known as "Agawam" to the local native Americans way back when), John Potter was married twice and died once, on October 20, 1818, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, where he lies at rest today.
And 'tis a well deserved rest, indeed.
Around 1775, John Potter began building, intent on expanding his current living quarters. Every nail and newel, pilaster and panel used in the construction were wrought from John's hands and intelligence. The house on the corner of South Main and Ward Streets, in the middle of the little village of Brookfield's 'North Precinct' (incorporated as North Brookfield in 1812), grew into a work of art as John followed his vision and created a masterpiece. A true patriot, John's labor of love was for a time interrupted by the calling of the American Revolution, during which he suffered the miseries recorded well at Valley Forge.
Nearly two centuries after his passing, Captain John Potter's craftsmanship lives on, the house he so meticulously wrapped around his expansive family like a warm blanket or hug from a father's arms, moved in 1929 to Storrowton Village on the Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, as benefactor Helen O. Storrow followed her own dream of replicating a quaint New England village for the education and entertainment of folks from far and near. To this day, Storrowton succeeds in that mission.
Here are some photos of the Captain John Potter House, taken in 1983 as part of the federally-sponsored Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and found on the website of the Library of Congress. Better yet, take a peek in when you visit the Eastern States Exposition, which began September 12 and runs through the 28th.
Captions are from the HABS.
Exterior, General View, West Side.
Exterior, South Elevation.
Exterior, Detail of Central Portico, Southwest Entrance.
Exterior, Detail of Windows, Southwest Elevation.
Exterior, Detail of Pilaster Capital Carving, Northwest Porch.
Exterior, Detail of Plaster and Cornice.
Exterior, Detail of Entrance Porch, Northwest Side of House.
Interior, West End Room on First Floor, Detail of Fireplace and Paneling.
Interior, Ballroom from West Corner.
Detail, Fireplace, Paneling and Frieze.
Interior, Dining Hall, View in West Middle Room, First Floor, Fireplace and Cupboard.To learn more about Storrowton, the Potter House and the Eastern States Exposition (the Big E), visit thebige.com, the website that has it all. A previous post here on EWM, 'Photos: The Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Mass., September 1936,' might be worth taking a look at, as well.
As always, thanks for stopping by and take care.
Photo 1: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-5
Photo 2: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-1
Photo 3: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-2
Photo 4: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-4
Photo 5: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-6
Photo 6: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-7
Photo 7: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-8
Phot0 8: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-9
Photo 9: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-10
Photo 10: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-12
Photo 11: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-13
Photo 12: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Digital ID: HABS MASS, 7-SPRIFW, 3-11
8 comments:
Hello, I currently live on the land Captain Potter had his house. Do you have any pictures of him? Please reply to me in an email.. just_here2009@yahoo.com.
I can verify I live here and I have my reasons for asking for his picture. Please get back to me ASAP.
Thank you,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I'm afraid I don't have any images of Potter. Perhaps if you searched a genealogy site, you might find descendants of his with more information. Good luck!
Mark
I saw his picture in the book 'Springfield Present and Prospective' pub. 1905
The portrait in 'Springfield Present and Prospective' is of Dr. A. K. Potter, a Springfield Baptist minister from the late 1800s era. But thanks for the suggestion!
Hello, it has been a while since I posted here. Thank you for the comments, I am still looking for a picture of John Potter, I have found a picture of his daughter, Elizabeth.
If anyone has ideas/clues please email me: mellyb@charter.net.
Thank you, :)
Melissa aka NBMelissa
Hello Again,
Still not giving up. I know there has to be a picture somewhere of John Potter. Most must think it is odd for someone to be looking for someone who passed so long ago, but I feel his presence in my house and on the land. Yes, his house is moved to Springfield, but he is a welcomed person in my home.
Any help or leads to finding his picture would be appreciated.
Email: Mellyb@charter.net
Thanks so much.
Melissa aka NBMelissa
Hello, This is an old post so this may not get to you. However, I am a descendant of John Potter, through his daughter Rhoda. He had 15 children so he has many many descendants! My aunt did extensive research in genealogy of our family. I will look thru her materials (which I have some of) to see if I can find a picture of Captain John Potter.
Good (late) morning,
I am actually responding to "Unknown's" post regarding being a relative of John Potter. I am the 6th great-grandson of Sgt. Ephraim Lindsey (Pembroke, MA) who served with Capt. John Potter at White Plains and Peekskill, NY in the summer of 1778 through the fall. Unfortunately, Ephraim died as a result of sickness sometime between August and October. Last night I came across an article from the New York State Library regarding John Potter's journal, kept from June/July through 1779 while he was paymaster with Col. Ezra Wood (again, Ephraim's regiment). I am curious to know if you/your aunt might know about this journal, or any other records that might have survived time up until now. The record I found in the NY Library article was from the early 1900s and claims, "A request from Mrs. W.W. Styles for information about Captain John Potter, a Revolutionary soldier, brought to notice an original journal kept by Captain Potter while serving at Peekskill and White Plains in 1778 and 1779 (when Ephraim would have died) as lieutenant and paymaster of Colonel Ezra Wood's regiment of Massachusetts militia. The journal was lent to us by Mrs. Styles and with her consent a photostat copy was made." Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated. I am the genealogy guy in our family, so I'm sure your aunt has experienced some of the same dead ends and surprising leads I have. It's a never-ending journey. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope for a response. My email is unhwildcats2012@yahoo.com
Best,
Dustin
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