• 

• 

John Potter was born in 1812, son of William Potter and Elizabeth. He was born in Thringstone, Leicestershire.

John and Mary Garner marry on the 5 September 1837 in Packington, Leicestershire.

In 1841, John and Mary (Garner) are living in Whitwick, Leicestershire. They are both aged 30 and have one son Henry who is 6 months old.

In 1851 Mary dies leaving John with three young children. The 1851 Census was done on the 30 March so must have been around her death date. John seems to be living with his father William in Talbot Lane, Thringstone, Whitwick Leicestershire. John (6) and his old brother Henry (12) appear to be living in a house with a cousin Mary Garner aged 16 as the head of the house! The cousin Mary Garner I believe is the daughter of Hastings Garner, Mary Garners brother. William would have only been about 3 but I haven’t been able to find where he is when his mother died.

In September 1852 John marries Elizabeth Oakdon in Atherstone, Warwickshire.

In the 1861 Census a lot has changed! John is now married to Elizabeth Oakdon. He lives on Lower Rectory Farm in Appleby, Leicestershire and his occupation is a Farmer. His son John (16) from his first marriage is living with him. He also has Walter Woolley (8), Charles Oakdon (4) and Francis Simon (1). Walter and Charles have been born in Sheepy Magma and Francis in Appleby.

In 1861 his son Henry is 20 and is an Apprentice and is living in Aston, Warwickshire. I still haven’t been able to find William who must be about 13 years old in 1861. I presume he is  boarding somewhere for work.

By 1871 John is living at Warren Farm in Drakelowe Derbyshire. Elizabeth died in 1870 aged 45 and was buried in Walton on Trent, Derbyshire. His son John from his first marriage is still living with him. Francis is now 11. There is now Mary (9) and Martha Fanny (7) both born in Appleby.

In 1871 Walter Woolley is living with his step brother Henry Salte Potter in Aston, Birmingham and Charles Oakdon is an apprentice with his stepbrother William Potter in Tunstall, Staffordshire.

In 1881 John is living with his son John and his wife Jemima. He is aged 69 and is listed as a widow. He is living in Church Gresley in Derbyshire.

John Potter died on Aug 31 1887 in Wichnor, Staffordshire and is buried in Walton on Trent in Derbyshire.