POTTER FAMILIES OF WASHINGTON AND SCOTT COUNTY, VIRGINIA

David Wininger and his wife, Martha Wininger, are both direct ancestors of the authors.  For additional information on the descendants of David and Martha Wininger, see the sketch of David Wininger (32).  In a deed in Scott County, Virginia dated 1844, Martha is mentioned as the wife of David Wininger which substantiates that David Wininger was indeed married a woman named Martha.  The authors also feel that they have located the tombstone of Martha Wininger which is located in the Wininger Cemetery in Scott County, Virginia.  Unfortunately, the authors were unable to read the birth and death dates that have now become illegible.  According one descendant, Massey Shelton, Martha’s date of birth was 1777 and her date of death was 1815 (actually believed to be 1845).  This information was given to Mildred (Horton) Street by Massey Shelton in September of 1980.

The parents of Martha Wininger, wife of David Wininger (32), are not proven.  There are two different family traditions, one which believes that Martha’s maiden name was Potter and another that believes Martha’s maiden name was Wood.  Since both traditions are relatively unproven, the authors decided to include both accounts so that future research would not be biased by the author’s speculation.  This author believes that evidence indicates that Martha’s maiden name was Potter, but we could not prove this account to the extent to warrant the exclusion of the second tradition of Wood.  Research of the Wood connection has almost eliminated the possibility that Martha’s maiden name was Wood, however, many descendants continue to claim the Wood connection, so the Wood research will remain in this book to allow others to arrive at the same conclusion of this author.  This section will try to substantiate that Martha’s maiden was indeed Potter.

The most substantial documentation linking Martha Wininger to the surname of Potter is found in a 1922 obituary of Martha’s grandson, Samuel Shelton (1.2.7).  This newspaper article states that “his grandfather, David Wininger, whose wife was a Potter and John Shelton whose wife was a Slusher, settled in Opossum Creek.”  Unfortunately, John Shelton’s wife was actually a Messer which tends to discount this account somewhat.  It was customary for children to be named after relatives.  David and Martha Wininger had a son named “Solomon” Wininger which further supports the connection of David Wininger’s wife, Martha, to “Solomon” Potter, a known Potter that sold land to David Wininger in 1815.

There are at least two other descendants that support Martha’s maiden name as being Potter:  1)  In 1980, Annie (Evans) Hartline wrote a sketch entitled:  “The Biography of Solomon Wininger.”  She states that “Solomon Wininger’s mother was Martha Potter.”  2)  In July of 1982, a query was entered into the “The Winegar Tree,” a quarterly dedicated to family historians researching the surname Winegar and other derivative spellings.  Unfortunately there was no name and address listed in the query but the query was seeking “information about Solomon Wininger (Weinger, Wineger) born in 1802 in Virginia to David Weninger and Martha Potter Weninger.”  Therefore, there were at least two Jackson County, Alabama Wininger family members that imply Martha was a Potter.

There are several legal documents that imply David and Martha Wininger were neighbors of Solomon Potter and that they may have been related.  The 1810 census of Washington County, Virginia has David Wininger and Solomon Potter, Sr. enumerated next to each other, indicating that they lived very close to each other.  In 1810, David Wininger witnessed a deed where Solomon Potter, Sr. purchased 320 acres of land from Jacob Duval on Cowan’s branch of the Opposum Creek in Washington County, Virginia.  In 1817, Solomon Potter, Sr. sold fifteen acres of land to David Wininger in Scott County, Virginia.

The date of birth of Martha Wininger is believed to be 1777 as transcribed from Martha’s tombstone by Massey Shelton.  The authors feel that the date of birth of Martha Potter is probably correct and is supported by five other findings:  1)  Martha’s oldest child was born in 1798.  Assuming that Martha was twenty-one when her first child was born would indicate that Martha was born in 1777.  2)  The 1810 Census of Washington County, Virginia indicates that David Wininger’s wife, assumed to be Martha, was born between 1765 and 1784.  3)  The 1820 Census of Scott County, Virginia indicates that David Wininger’s wife, assumed to Martha, was born between 1775 and 1794.  4)  The 1830 Census of Scott County, Virginia indicates that David Wininger’s wife, assumed to be Martha, was born between 1770 and 1780.  5)  The 1840 Census of Scott County, Virginia indicates that David Wininger’s wife, assumed to be Martha, was born between 1770 and 1780.  The authors feel confident that Martha was born in 1777 or within one or two years of 1777.  According to “Scott County, Virginia Cemetery Records, Volume 2,” Martha was born in the month of April and the day and year were not legible.  Therefore, Martha’s date of birth has been estimated to be April of 1777 and this date of birth will be assumed until additional information is uncovered to change this estimate.

The date of death of Martha Wininger is believed to be 1845, not 1815 as stated by Massey Shelton.  This date is supported by several other findings:  1)  Martha was clearly still living in 1844 when mentioned in the deed where David Wininger gave most of his land away to his children.  2)  The census records of 1820, 1830 and 1840 indicate that David Wininger was still married as there was always one older female, assumed to be Martha, living with him in each of these census enumerations.  3)  Martha had apparently died prior to 1850 as she does not appear in the 1850 census with David Wininger.  4)  The distribution of David’s property to his children in 1844 may have been prompted by the ill health of Martha and the advanced age of David Wininger at the time.  5)  According to Mildred (Horton) Street, the shape and style of the tombstone of Martha Wininger was very similar to the tombstones of her father’s family line that were buried in the neighboring county in Hawkins County, Tennessee.  Her ancestors were buried in Carter’s Valley and they died in 1846 and 1849.  It is believed that Massey Shelton must have misread the four in 1845 as a one.  According to Massey Shelton, the tombstone indicated that Martha died on August 9th or August 19th.  According to “Scott County, Virginia Cemetery Records, Volume 2,” Martha died on August 10th with year of death unknown.  Therefore, Martha’s date of death has been estimated to be August of 1845 and this date of death will be assumed until additional information is uncovered to change this estimate.

Solomon Potter, Sr., Thomas Potter and Ronce Potter are possibly the brothers of Martha Potter, a direct ancestor of the authors.  There is also a marriage record indicating that Nathaniel Potter may be another possible brother and Revolutionary War Pension records that indicate that James Potter may be yet another brother.  These connections are not documented in any fashion other than living in the same area at the same time and should be treated as speculation for further research.  This section is included in hope that additional research will result in these connections being proven by source documentation.

Below are listed all of the Potter men that appeared in the property tax lists that were compiled by the authors (although this list is extensive, it should not be considered a complete listing):

Washington County, Virginia:

Year   Name   White Polls   Horses   Cows
      (16 or older)

1782   Solomon Potter   1   3   2
1782   Thomas Potter   1   4   5

1783   Solomon Potter   1   2   2
(Book A)
   Thomas Potter
   Ronce ? Potter

1783   S. Potter   1   2   2
(Book B)
   T. Potter   1   2   11
   R. Potter   1   1   2

1784   None Found

1786   S. Potter   1   3   2
   T. Potter   1   4   5

1804   None Found

1805   None Found

1806   None Found

1809   None Found

1810   Solomon Potter   1   1
   Solomon Potter   1   1

1811   Solomon Potter   1   1

1812   Solomon Potter, Sr.   1   5
   Solomon Potter   1   1

1814   Solomon Potter   1   2
   Solomon Potter   1   1

1816   None Found

Note:  In 1814, Scott County, Virginia was formed from Washington County, Virginia and the Potters were then found in Scott County, Virginia.

Scott County, Virginia:

1815   Solomon Potter, Sr.   2   5   5
   Solomon Potter, Jr.   1   1   5

1818   Solomon Potter, Sr.   1   2
   Solomon Potter, Jr.   1   2
   James Potter   1   3

1820   Solomon Potter, Sr.   -   3
   Solomon Potter, Jr.   1   2
   James Potter   1   2

Thomas Potter and Ronce Potter are probably brothers or cousins of Solomon Potter, Sr.  Solomon Potter, Jr. and James Potter are probably sons of Solomon Potter, Sr. as it appears that Thomas and Ronce Potter left Washington County, Virginia or died prior to 1810.  There is a remote chance that Solomon Potter, Jr. and James Potter could be sons of Thomas Potter or Ronce Potter as well.  Solomon Potter, Jr. was first found in the 1810 tax list of Washington County, Virginia and James Potter was first found in the 1818 tax list of Scott County, Virginia.  Additionally, Solomon Potter, Sr. has two white polls in 1815 in Scott County, Virginia which was probably James Potter reaching the age of sixteen.  These tax list indicate that Solomon Potter, Sr., and Thomas Potter were born prior to 1766 (1782 - 16 = 1766) and that Ronce Potter was born prior to 1767 (1783 - 16 = 1767).  Solomon Potter, Jr. was born prior to 1794 (1810 - 16 = 1794) and James Potter was born prior to 1799 (1815 - 16 = 1799).

There are two other known Potter family members that lived in Washington County, Virginia prior to 1800.  In 1787, Nathaniel Potter married Charlette Loyd in Washington County, Virginia with the Baptist minister officiating being Jack Frost.  Yet another Potter family member lived in Washington County, Virginia prior to 1800.  Revolutionary War Pension Record S-17023 establish that James Potter was born in 1759 in Connecticut and served in the Virginia Continental Line.  James “entered the army from a place now in Washington County, Virginia.”  This James Potter “lived in Cocke County, Tennessee until 1832, moved to Clay County, Missouri about 1838 and died in Platte County, Missouri around 1845.”  With this version of this family history, Thomas Potter, Ronce Potter, Nathaniel Potter and James Potter have not been compiled outside of southwest Virginia.  The remainder of this section focuses on Solomon Potter, Sr. and what is believed to be his two sons, Solomon Potter, Jr. and James Potter.  Solomon Potter, Sr. is believed to be the father of at least two sons as indicated by successive Personal Property Tax Lists:

   Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.2), b. 1785
   James Potter (51.3), b. 1799

SOLOMON POTTER, SR. (51)

The earliest reference to Solomon Potter in the Washington and Scott County, Virginia area is the Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists.  Solomon Potter appears in these lists in 1782, 1783 and 1786.  Solomon does not appear in these lists in 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807 and 1809 but is enumerated in these lists in 1810, 1811, 1812 and 1814.  In 1814, Scott County, Virginia was formed from portions of Washington, Lee and Russell Counties.  Solomon Potter, Sr. is enumerated in the 1815, 1818 and 1820 Personal Property Tax Lists of Scott County, Virginia.  Solomon Potter does not appear in the Scott County, Virginia lists in 1822, 1824, 1826 and 1828.

The date of birth of Solomon Potter, Sr. can be estimated from the census records and property tax lists.  The 1810 census of Washingon County, Virginia states that Solomon was born between 1765 and 1784.  The 1782 property tax list implies that Solomon was born 1766 or earlier.  Therefore, the date of birth of Solomon Potter, Sr. is estimated to be 1765.  Because Solomon Potter, Jr. is believed to have born in 1785, Solomon Potter, Sr. became a father at the age of twenty and Solomon Potter, Jr. is probably the oldest son of Solomon Potter, Sr.

It should be noted that Solomon Potter, Sr. is not the father of Martha Potter as originally believed.  The authors now believe that Martha Potter is possibly a brother to Solomon Potter, Sr.  If Martha Potter was born in 1777 as the authors suspect, then Martha would be too old to be the daughter of Solomon Potter, Sr.  The 1810 Census of Washington County, Virginia states that Solomon Potter, Sr. must have born between 1765 and 1784.  Obviously, someone born after 1765 is too young to have a daughter that was born in 1777.

The census records further help uncover the various Potter men that lived in the Washington County and Scott County, Virginia area.  The following is a summary of the enumerations of Solomon Potter, Sr. and what is believed to be his two sons:

1810   1820   1830   1840   1850

(1) Solomon   (2) Solomon   (7) Solomon
1765 - 1784   before 1775   1766 or earlier

Wife   Wife
1765 - 1784   before 1775

Female (possible mother or mother-in-law ?)
before 1765

Male   (2) Solomon   (3) Solomon   (4) Solomon   (4) Solomon
1784 - 1794   1775 - 1794   1780 - 1790   1780 - 1790   1785

Female            (6) Solomon
1784 - 1794            before 1794

Female
1784 - 1794

Male   (2) James   (6) James
1794 - 1800   1794 - 1804   before 1799

Female
1794 - 1800

Male   Male
1800 - 1810   1804 - 1810

Male   Male
1800 - 1810   1804 - 1810

(1) Washington County, Virginia.
(2) Scott County, Virginia.
(3) McMinn County, Tennessee.
(4) Callaway County, Missouri.
(5) Tombstone, Scott County, Virginia
(6) Property Tax, Scott County, Virginia
(7) Property Tax, Washington County, Virginia

On January 1, 1810, Solomon Potter, Sr. sold fifteen acres of land to Jacob Duvall in Washington County, Virginia.  Also on January 1, 1810, Solomon Potter, Sr. sold one hundred and fifty acres of land to Jacob Duvall in Washington County, Virginia.  Also on January 1, 1810, Solomon Potter, Sr. sold three hundred and twenty three acres of land to Abraham Duvall in Washington County, Virginia.  It is interesting to note that David Winegar, Frederick Winegar and Peter Winegar witnessed all three of these deeds which further establishes the close ties between Solomon Potter and David Wininger.  Solomon Potter later sold land to William F. McCullock (Deed Book 5, Page 218) in Washington County, Virginia.  Solomon S. Potter later sold land to Solomon J. Potter (Deed Book 5, Page 406) in Washington County, Virginia.  Solomon Potter also was granted twenty-five acres of land by a grant.  This land was part of a Treasury Warrant Number 14,129 issued to Samuel Allsup on September 6, 1782.  Solomon Potter had this twenty-five acres surveyed on May 19, 1814 and the land grant was recorded on May 10, 1817.  This land was sold to James Moss on February 11, 1818.

On May 9, 1815, Solomon Potter, Sr. sold fifteen acres of land to David Wininger in Scott County, Virginia.  This land was originally granted to Jacob Duvall by patent right.  This transaction further establishes that Solomon Potter was involved in several land transactions with David Wininger.  There are several deeds where Solomon Potter, Sr. or his son, Solomon Potter, Jr. sold land to other people in Scott County, Virginia (Deed Book 2, Page 295 and Deed Book 2, Page 296).  It appears that the Potter’s must have left Scott County, Virginia around 1820 when they no longer appear on Personal Property Tax Lists.

The date of death of Solomon Potter, Sr. can estimated from census records and property tax lists as well.  Assuming that Solomon Potter, Sr. died in Scott County, Virginia instead of moving to another part of the country would suggest that Solomon Potter, Sr. died in 1820 when he was last found in the census and last found in the property tax lists.  Of course, Solomon Potter, Sr. could have also just moved away from Scott County, Virginia instead of dying there.  However, no Solomon Potter of the right age has been located elsewhere to date.

References:  1)  Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782, 1783, 1786, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1814;  2)  Personal Property Tax Lists, Scott County, Virginia, 1815, 1818, 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826 and 1828;  3)  1810 Census, Washington County, Virginia;  4)  1820 Census, Scott County, Virginia;  5)  Deed Book 4, Page 273, Solomon Potter to Jacob Duvall, January 1, 1810, Washington County, Virginia;  6)  Deed Book 4, Pages 274 and 275, Solomon Potter to Jacob Duvall, January 1, 1810, Washington County, Virginia;  7)  Deed Book 4, Pages 275 and 276, Solomon Potter to Abraham Duvall, January 1, 1810, Washington County, Virginia;  8)  Deed Book 5, Page 218, Solomon Potter to William F. McCullock, 1810, Washington County, Virginia;  9)  Deed Book 5, Page 406, Solomon S. Potter to Solomon J. Potter, Washington County, Virginia;  10)  Land Grant Book 66, Page 285, Issued to Solomon Potter, Washington County, Virginia, surveyed May 19, 1814, recorded May 10, 1817;  11)  Deed Book 1, Pages 38 and 39, Solomon Potter, Sr. to David Wininger, May 9, 1815, Scott County, Virginia

SOLOMON POTTER, JR. (51.1) is probably the son of Solomon Potter, Sr. (51).  Assuming that the Solomon Potter that lived in Callaway County, Missouri in 1850 is the same man that resided in Washington and Scott County, Virginia, Solomon Potter was born in 1785.  According to an 1839 indenture in Callaway County, Missouri, “Solomon Potter and Elizabeth Potter his wife” sold Daniel Hunt forty-two acres of land for $425.00.  This establishes that Solomon Potter of Callaway County, Missouri married a woman named Elizabeth.  The 1830 census of McMinn County, Tennessee and the 1840 census of Callaway County, Missouri indicate that the wife of Solomon Potter was born between 1780 and 1790.  The second Solomon Potter first appeared in the property tax lists of Washington County, Virginia in 1810 which establishes that the Solomon Potter, Jr. of Washington County, Virginia must have been born 1794 or earlier.  Since no Potter men were located in Washington County, Virginia Tax Lists for several years prior to 1810, indicates that Solomon Potter, Jr. turned sixteen years of age between 1786 (last known tax entry where only one Solomon Potter was found) and 1810 (the first known tax entry where there are two men named Solomon Potter living in Scott County, Virginia).  These tax lists establish that Solomon Potter, Jr. was born between 1770 and 1794 which is consistent with other census records.

Solomon Potter, Jr. resided in Washington County, Virginia in 1810, 1812 and 1814 (years when two men named Solomon Potter were listed in the tax lists).  Only one Solomon Potter was found in the 1810 census of Washington County, Virginia which is probably Solomon Potter, Sr.  There is one deed where Solomon S. Potter sold land to Solomon J. Potter in Washington County, Virginia.  This deed is estimated to have been recorded between 1810 and 1815.  Solomon Potter, Jr. resided in Scott County, Virginia (which was formed from Washington County, Virginia) in 1815, 1818 and 1820 (years when two men named Solomon Potter were listed in the tax lists).  There are many other deeds and other legal documents involving a man named Solomon Potter between 1810 and 1820 in Washington County, Virginia and Scott County, Virginia.  The majority of these documents probably refer to Solomon Potter, Sr. (51).  See the section on Solomon Potter, Sr. for additional information on these legal documents.  There is one deed recorded in Scott County, Virginia where “Solomon Potter, Jr.” sold land to Martin Jones.  No date was was recorded but the deed is estimated to have been recorded between 1815 and 1825 and appeared in Deed Book 2, Page 295.  On the next page of this deed book, Deed Book 2, Page 296, Solomon Potter sold land to Thomas Jones and represents perhaps a second deed that could be Solomon Potter, Jr.

In 1830, Solomon Potter was believed to residing in McMinn County, Tennessee where he was enumerated in the 1830 census of McMinn County, Tennessee.  The children of this Solomon Potter provide a reasonable match for the Solomon Potter, Jr. of Scott County, Virginia in 1820 and also represents a reasonable match for the Solomon Potter that resided in Callaway County, Missouri in 1840.  No other documentation has been discovered of Solomon Potter residing in McMinn County, Tennessee but no serious research of this county has been done by this author for the Potter line in McMinn County, Tennessee.

The 1840 and 1850 census of Callaway County, Missouri provide good matches for the Solomon Potter of Scott County, Virginia and the Solomon Potter of McMinn County, Tennessee.  Solomon Potter, Jr. was known to have resided in Callaway County, Missouri as early as July 22, 1835 when he had a land entry in Callaway County, Missouri.  Solomon Potter, Jr. also had a second land entry in Callaway County, Missouri that was recorded on March 21, 1836.  A third land entry was recorded for Solomon Potter on March 18, 1939 in Callaway County, Missouri.  The 1840 census of Callaway County, Missouri provides a good match of ages for both the 1820 census of Scott County, Virginia and the 1830 census of McMinn County, Tennessee.  In 1850, Solomon Potter was enumerated in the census of Callaway County, Missouri and was shown as being born in 1785.  What appears to be his son, William Potter, was shown to have been born in 1816 in Virginia which is an excellent fit to Solomon Potter, Jr. of Scott County, Virginia.

Below is a summary of census records which are believed to be Solomon Potter, Jr. of Scott County, Virginia:

1810   1820   1830   1840   1850

(1) Male   (3) Solomon   (4) Solomon   (5) Solomon   (5) Solomon
1784 - 1794   1775 - 1794   1780 - 1790   1780 - 1790   1785

(2) Solomon   Wife   Wife   Wife
before 1794   1775 - 1794   1780 - 1790   1780 - 1790

   Male   Male   Male
   1810 - 1820   1810 - 1815   1810 - 1820

   Male   Male
   1810 - 1820   1810 - 1815

   Male   Male   Male   William
   1810 - 1820   1815 - 1820   1810 - 1820, b. 1816, VA

   Female   Female   Female *   Eulia
   1810 - 1820   1815 - 1820   1810 - 1820   1823, VA

   Female
   1810 - 1820

      Male   Male
      1820 - 1825   1820 - 1825

      Female
      1820 - 1825

         Female **   Martha **
         1835 - 1840, b. 1839, MO

            Amanda **
            b. 1844, MO

(1) Washington County, Virginia, believed to be living with his father, Solomon Potter, Sr. (51).
(2) Property Tax, Washington County, Virginia, 1810
(3) Scott County, Virginia.
(4) McMinn County, Tennessee.
(5) Callaway County, Missouri.

*  Believed to be Eulia Potter, the wife of William Potter.
** Believed to be the daughter of William and Eulia Potter.

According to Stacie O’Dowd, Solomon Potter (born 1787) and his wife, Elizabeth, were the parents of six children:

   Julia Potter, b. 1813, Virginia
   Jesse Potter, b. 1815, Virginia
   Elijah Potter, b. 1816, Virginia
   William Potter, b. 1817, Virginia
   Martha Potter, b. 1840, Missouri
   Amanda Potter, b. 1844, Missouri

The last two children are not likely to be children of Solomon Potter as Solomon was fifty-five and fifty-nine at the time of their birth.  Also, William Potter was living with his father, Solomon Potter, in 1850 which strengthens the scenario of William Potter living with him in 1840.

References:  1)  Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1810, 1812, 1814;  2)  Personal Property Tax Lists, Scott County, Virginia, 1815, 1818, 1820;  3)  1810 Census, Washington County, Virginia;  4)  Deed Book 5, Page 406, Solomon S. Potter to Solomon J. Potter, Washington County, Virginia;  5)  1820 Census, Scott County, Virginia;  6)  Deed, Solomon Potter, Jr. to Martin Jones, Book 2, Page 295, est. 1815 to 1825;  7)  Deed Solomon Potter to Thomas Jones, Book 2, Page 296, est. 1815 to 1825;  8)  1830 Census, McMinn County, Tennessee;  9)  Land Entry, Callaway County, Missouri, Solomon Potter, July 22, 1835;  10)  Land Entry, Callaway County, Missouri, Solomon Potter, March 21, 1836;  11)  Land Entry, Callaway County, Missouri, Solomon Potter, March 18, 1839;  12)  Indenture, Book F, Pages 347 and 348, Solomon and Elizabeth Potter to Daniel Hunt, Callaway County, Missouri, 1839;  13)  1840 and 1850 Censuses, Callaway County, Missouri

JAMES POTTER (51.2) is probably the son of Solomon Potter, Sr.  The 1820 census of Scott County, Virginia shows that James Potter was born between 1794 and 1804.  Additionally, the tax lists of Scott County, Virginia further establish that James Potter was born prior to 1802 (1818 - 16 = 1802), the first known year that James Potter was found in these tax lists.  In 1815, Solomon Potter, Sr. had two poles instead of one which the authors believe to be James Potter becoming sixteen years of age.  Because of these two polls in 1815 and subsequent new listing for James Potter in 1818, it is believed that James Potter turned the age of sixteen in 1815 and therefore was born in 1799.

In 1818 and 1820, James Potter was found the tax list of Scott County, Virginia.  James Potter of Scott County, Virginia may have moved to Jackson County, Alabama in 1820 as another James Potter was listed in the 1820 census of Jackson County, Alabama.  The James Potter that lived in Jackson County, Alabama was the same age, his wife was the same age, one son was the same age and one daughter was the same age.  The Jackson County, Alabama listing of James Potter has one additional daughter being born between 1810 and 1820.  In order for these two listings to represent the same man implies that James Potter was listed twice in census records, not a very common occurance but possible.

References:  1)  1818 and 1820 Tax Lists of Scott County, Virginia;  2)  1820 Census, Scott County, Virginia;  3)  1820 Census, Jackson County, Alabama

OTHER MEN NAMED SOLOMON POTTER

There are numerous other men named Solomon Potter that could be either Solomon Potter, Sr. (51) or Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.1).  Some of these men could not be the Potter line that originated from Scott County, Virginia but lived in areas where other relatives of the authors lived and could prove to be related in some manner to the Potter line of Scott County, Virginia.  There are men named Solomon Potter living in the following counties of Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri:

   Solomon Potter, Sr. (51), resided in Washington County, Virginia, 1782 - 1814
   Solomon Potter, Sr. (51), resided in Scott County, Virginia, 1815 - 1820
   Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.1), resided in Washington County, Virginia, 1810 - 1814
   Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.1), resided in Scott County, Virginia, 1815 - 1820
   Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.1), resided in McMinn County, Tennessee, 1830
   Solomon Potter, Jr. (51.1), resided in Callaway County, Missouri, 1835 - 1850
   Solomon Potter (52), resided in Hickman County, Tennessee, 1820
   Solomon Potter (53), resided in Jackson County, Alabama, 1830 - 1837
   Solomon Potter (54), resided in Anderson County, Tennessee, 1828
   Solomon Potter (55), resided in Morgan County, Tennessee, 1847 - 1849

SOLOMON POTTER (52) of Hickman County, Tennessee

There was also a Solomon Potter (born 1775 or earlier) living in Hickman County, Tennessee.  This is established by the 1820 census enumeration of Hickman County, Tennessee.  This Solomon Potter is old enough to be Solomon Potter, Sr. of Scott County, Virginia but Solomon Potter, Sr. was listed in the 1820 census of Scott County, Virginia and it is doubtful that Solomon Potter, Sr. was enumerated twice.  If this were the case, the children do not match which further discounts the possibility of being enumerated twice.  Additionally, the 1820 enumeration of Solomon Potter, Sr. in Scott County, Virginia provides a better match to the 1810 census of Washington County, Virginia than does the 1820 census of Hickman County, Tennessee.  According to the 1820 census, Solomon Potter of Hickman County, Tennessee, Solomon was born 1775 or earlier and what appears to be his wife was also born 1775 or earlier.  In 1820, it appears that Solomon Potter of Hickman County, Tennessee was the father of five children:

   Son, b. 1794 - 1804
   Daughter, b. 1794 - 1804
   Daughter, b. 1804 - 1810
   Son, b. 1810 - 1820
   Son, b. 1810 - 1820

Reference:  1)  1820 Census, Hickman County, Tennessee

SOLOMON POTTER (53) of Jackson County, Alabama

There was also a Solomon Potter (born 1800 to 1810) living in Jackson County, Alabama.  This is established by the 1830 census enumeration of Jackson County, Alabama.  This Solomon Potter is too young to be Solomon Potter, Jr. of Scott County, Virginia and the census of 1830 McMinn County, Tennessee provides a good match of the children of Solomon Potter, Jr. of Scott County, Virginia.  In 1830, a Solomon Potter (born 1800 to 1810) was living in Jackson County, Alabama with what appears to be his wife (born 1800 to 1810) and four daughters:

   Daughter, b. 1820 - 1825
   Three Daughters, b. 1825 - 1830

In 1837, Solomon Potter purchased 39 acres of land in Jackson County, Alabama from the State of Alabama for $1.25 per acre.  This entry was made in December of 1837 and was in Section 29 of the Third Township.

Reference:  1)  1830 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Land Entry, Solomon Potter, Jackson County, Alabama, December, 1837

SOLOMON POTTER (54) of Anderson County, Tennessee

There was also a Solomon Potter living in Anderson County, Tennessee.  This is established by a land grant in 1828 where Solomon Potter acquired 25 acres of land on the East Fork of Poplar Creek.

Reference:  1)  Land Grant, Anderson County, Tennessee, State of Tennessee to Solomon Potter, 1828

SOLOMON POTTER (55) of Morgan County, Tennessee

There was also a Solomon Potter living in Morgan County, Tennessee.  This is established by two land grants in the late 1840s.  In 1847, a land grant was issued to Solomon Potter by the State of Tennessee for 150 acres of land situated on Obed’s River.  In 1849, another land grant was issued to Solomon Potter by the State of Tennessee for 100 acres of land situated on Clear Creek, waters of the Ohio River.

References:  1)  Land Grant, Morgan County, Tennessee, State of Tennessee to Solomon Potter, 1847;  2)  Land Grant, Morgan County, Tennessee, State of Tennessee to Solomon Potter, 1849

JONATHAN WOOD (51B)

According to many descendants, David Wininger married Martha Wood.  Other sources indicate that David Wininger married Martha Potter.  According to “History of Scott County, Virginia,” Jonathan Wood is the son of John Wood and was born in 1745.  This book continues to trace this Wood line back two additional generations.  It states that Johnathan Wood (51B) is the grandson of Jonathan Wood and the great grandson of John Wood.  Until further proof is uncovered establishing the Wood connection, the authors felt that it would not be proper to include the ancestry of Johnathan Wood (51B).

In 1767, Jonathan Wood (51B) married Nancy (Davidson) Osborn.  Nancy was previously married to Solomon Osborn in March of 1764.  Solomon and Nancy Osborn were the parents of one son:  James Osborn (born January 4, 1765).  Solomon Osborn was killed by Indians.  Jonathan and Nancy Wood moved to what is now Scott County, Virginia around 1770.  According to “History of Scott County, Virginia,” Jonathan and Nancy Wood were the parents of at least four children:

   John Wood, b. March 25, 1771
   Henry Wood (51B.2), b. May 18, 1773
   Jonathan Wood, Jr. (51B.3), b. April 23, 1778
   Polly Wood, b. February 19, 1799 (sic)

Jonathan Wood, Sr. served in the Revolutionay War and provided the ancestor for D. A. R. memberships 76,415, 91,653 and 278,703.  Jonathan “served as a soldier under General Campbell at Kings Mountain and was at Fort Houston which was surrounded and besieged by Indians in 1781.”  Jonathan Wood, Sr. (51B) died on November 13, 1804 and was buried in the Jonathan Wood Cemetery in Scott County, Virginia.  Nancy (Davidson) Wood died on April 17, 1827 and was buried in the Jonathan Wood Cemetery in Scott County, Virginia.

According to an April of 1980 article of “The Winegar Tree,”  David Wininger (32) married “Martha Wood, born February 19, 1779, Virginia, daughter of Jonathan Wood, Sr. and Nancy Davidson who appears to have been married first to a Mr. Osborne.”  A query by Mrs. Herbert Marshall also found in the April of 1980 issue of “The Winegar Tree” also states that David Wininger “married Martha Wood, born 1779.”  Other than recent queries, newsletter articles and family group sheets, no evidence has been found supporting the account that David Wininger’s wife, Martha, was the daughter of Jonathan Wood, Sr.  In fact, D. A. R. membership 278,703 tends to discount this account as it states that Jonathan’s daughter, Polly Wood, “born 1789, married George Morrison.”  Additionally, “The History of Scott County, Virginia” lists Jonathan’s daughter as being “Polly” with no reference to “Martha.”  Polly is a common nickname for Mary but is not a nickname for Martha.  Additionally, the Jonathan Wood Cemetery is located quite some distance from where David and Martha Wininger lived as well as where Solomon Potter lived.

According to “Osbornes and Alleys,” Jonathan Wood died “leaving a substantial estate to his widow and their children:  John, Henry, Mary and Jonathan H. Wood.”  It further states that “the family drew up an agreement, recorded March, 1823:  We, James Osborn, John Wood, Henry Wood, of Scott County and George Morison, of Sullivan County, Tennessee, relinquish forever all our claims unto our brother, Jonathan Wood, administrator of Jonathan Wood, deceased.”  This supports the claim that Mary Wood married George Morison.  It is known that Martha Wininger was living in Scott County, Virginia as late as 1844 and it would be unlikely that Martha would have been left out of this important document.  “Osbornes and Alleys” also includes excerpts of Nancy Wood’s estate records that list “heirs of Nancy Wood, deceased:  heirs of James Osborn, deceased, Jonathan Wood, Henry Wood, George Morison.”  Again, this supports the claim that Mary Wood married George Morison.  It is known that Martha Wininger was living in Scott County, Virginia as late as 1844 and it would be unlikely that Martha would have been left out of her mother’s will which was recorded in 1829.

The authors of this book feel that much more evidence supports the Potter connection rather than the Wood connection.  However, because this opinion differs from many family researchers and there was no conclusive evidence found to substantiate either account, it was decided to include information on both accounts.  The authors feel that much more information could be uncovered which would enlighten what is currently known about both accounts.

References:  1)  Lineage Book, D. A. R. Volume XCII, 1927;  2)  “History of Scott County, Virginia,” by Robert M. Addington, 1932, Pages 293 and 295;  3)  Membership Roster and Soldiers, Tennessee Society of the D. A. R., 1961;  4)  “Osbornes and Alleys” by Rita (Kennedy) Sutton, Page 20;  5)  “The Winegar Tree,” April, 1980, Page 23 (Mrs. Herbert Marshall query);  6)  Family Group Sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, December, 1980;  7)  “The Winegar Tree,” April, 1980, Page 35 (David Wininger sketch);  8)  Family Group Sheet by Phil Shelton, June, 1985 (“Wood Family in America,” by M. B. Wood, 1893, Page 134)

HENRY WOOD (51B.2) is the son of Jonathan Wood, Sr. and Nancy (Davidson) Wood.  Henry was born on May 18, 1773.  On August 14, 1794, Henry Wood married Sally Lawson.  Sally was born on December 26, 1770 and is the daughter of William Lawson and Rebecca Lawson.  Henry Wood served several terms as a member of the Virginia General Assembly.  As a member of the Virginia legislature, he was present at the burning of the Richmond Theatre, in 1811, but escaped without injury.  He served as Sheriff of Scott County, Virginia, 1823 through 1824.  Henry and Sally Wood were the parents of seven children:

   Nancy Wood, b. July 20, 1795
   Elizabeth Wood, b. January 27, 1797
   Mary “Polly” Wood, b. February 19, 1799
   Jonathan R. Wood, b. February 16, 1801
   William M. Wood, b. April 18, 1803
   Henry Wood, Jr., b. January 7, 1805
   James O. Wood, b. July 6, 1828

Henry Wood died on February 4, 1859 and Sally (Lawson) Wood died on March 18, 1862.  Both were buried in the Wood Cemetery about one mile east of Gate City, Virginia.  Nancy Wood died on May 12, 1797.  On October 4, 1821, Elizabeth Wood married George W. Ewing.  On February 22, 1825, Mary “Polly” Wood married Henry Larkin.  On November 6, 1821, Jonathan Wood married Elizabeth Livingston.  On April 15, 1824, William Wood married Elizabeth Taylor.  On September 20, 1827, Henry Wood, Jr. married Sarah G. Wilcox.  On July 6, 1828, James Wood married Ann Elizabeth Godsey.

References:  1)  “History of Scott County, Virginia,” by Robert M. Addington, 1932, Pages 293 and 295;  2)  “Lawson History (?),” by Lawson, Pages 65 and 66

JONATHAN WOOD, JR. (51B.3) is the son of Jonathan Wood, Sr. and Nancy (Davidson) Wood.  Jonathan was born on April 23, 1778 near Fort Houston on Big Moccasin Creek.  Jonathan Wood, Jr. married Ann C. Skillern.  Jonathan took a prominent part in the early history of Scott County, Virginia.  He was recommended to His Excellency, the Governor of Virginia by the first court as a suitable person to be added to the list of magistrates for the county.  Acting on this recommendation, the Governor appointed him as magistrate, and he qualified at the June term of court, 1816.  At the May term of 1819, he qualified as a constable of the county.  On February 13, 1821, he became sheriff of the county, a position which he again held in 1822.  He served as commissioner of the revenue for the South Side and was county surveyor for many years.  Jonathan Wood, Jr. died on April 2, 1848 in Scott County, Virginia and was buried there in the Jonathan Wood Cemetery.

References:  1)  “History of Scott County, Virginia,” by Robert M. Addington, 1932, Pages 293 and 295;  2)  Family Group Sheet by Phil Shelton, June, 1985