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From: Martin Willis <>
Subject: POTTER of Nantwich/Knutsford c.1810-55
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 12:41:32 +1100


Hello again List (after a rather long silence...)

Seeking further information on a POTTER family of Nantwich c.1810-55.

Found 5 Nantwich baptisms in CPRdb (Cheshire Parish Registers database)
which link together:
Joseph POTTER, Druggist of Nantwich (prev. Knutsford?) & wife: Charlotte ?

with children:
Thomas Clarke bpt. 7 Oct 1812
Eliz[abeth] Ann bpt. 15 Mar 1815 [b 29 Sep 1814 Knutsford?]
Richard Clark bpt. 27 Oct 1817
Charlotte Dorothy bpt. 27 Dec 1819
Joseph Henry bpt. 2 Dec 1831

In each case father's occupation is given as 'Druggist' with 'residence:
Nantwich' [except for Elizabeth 1815, given as 'Knut'[sford?], and Richard
1817, given as 'Fenton, Staffs' (nr Stoke-on-Trent)].

According to a later family letter, father (Joseph) allegedly '...squandered
all his money & his 2 daughters had to earn their own living after his
death.' Also it claimed: '...They lived at one time in a lovely old home -
"The Grey Gables" - 3 miles from the town' - presumably Nantwich.

The elder daur Elizabeth Ann may be that recorded in 1841 Census in Moulton
as 'Dressmaker (25) b CHS' but in Oct 1841 she married George WILLIS,
watchmaker of Northwich @ Davenham, St Wilfrid. Their first child was chr.
Charlotte.

The younger daur Charlotte Dorothy apparently 'married a Mr SIMPSON of
Bolton'. From my research I believe this was a Jonathan SIMPSON,
Publican/Licensed Victualler of Little Bolton and the marriage was in Sep
Qtr 1849 Reg'd @Bolton. In 1854 Mannex Directory Jonathan is recorded
trading @ [The] Grapes, New Market Pl, Bolton-le-Moors. The 1861 Bolton
Census recorded him as 'Retired Licensed Victualler' and in 1881 as 'Retired
Publican'. Prob. b <c.1802> in either Bolton, Lancs or Keighley, Yorks.
prob. d. Mar 1885 Bolton.

There is some further evidence of the son Richard Clark(e) POTTER in
Nantwich PRs, perhaps Cordwainer / Shoemaker m. 1843, d. 1853 Nantwich - but
the details are confusing.

Appreciate any assistance tracing these POTTERs or SIMPSONs or confirming
details.

Martin Willis


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