John Potts, Jr. (1760- 1809), was educated as a lawyer in Philadelphia He was the son of Samuel Potts (co-owner of the Warwick Furnace, Chester County, Pa., that cast cannons for the American Revolution) and his wife, Johanna (n) Holland. His grandfather, John Potts, founded Pottstown, Pa.

John married Eliza, daughter of Patrick Ramsey and Elizabeth Polthress They had five children.

In 1785 he came to Alexandria and was elected Clerk of the Board of Directors of the Canal Company (established in 1774 for opening and extending navigation of the Potomac River).

He was a businessman of various enterprises, such as a member of the Mutual Assurance Society in Alexandria; had an interest in several furnaces; was a land speculator; and he retained business contacts in Philadelphia.

In 1795 he built 607 Oronoco in Alexandria (now known as the last home of General Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee and the Boyhood Home of General Robert E. Lee). John Potts' business associate, Mr. William Wilson, built the mirror-image house around the same time. Mr. Wilson's house, 609 Oronoco St., is now known as the Benjamin Hallowell House. -- Dresda Mullings

For those who wish to read more extensively of the Potts family, a very fine genealogy, researched and prepared by Mrs.Mullings is available in the Lee Boyhood Museum papers now housed at the Alexandria Library.