Elisha Reynolds Potter

Elisha Reynolds Potter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's at-large district
In office November 15, 1796 – March 4, 1797
Preceded by	Benjamin Bourne
Succeeded by	Christopher G. Champlin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's at-large district
In office March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1815
Preceded by	Isaac Wilbour
Succeeded by	James Brown Mason
Personal details
Born	November 5, 1764
Died	September 26, 1835
Political party	Federalist
Children	Elisha R. Potter
Residence	Kingston, Rhode Island
Occupation	Lawyer

Elisha Reynolds Potter (November 5, 1764– September 26, 1835) was a statesman in the Federalist Party from Kingston, Rhode Island, who served several times as the Speaker in the Rhode Island State Assembly.

Personal life

Elisha Reynolds Potter began his career as a blacksmith's apprentice, but switched to the law in 1793.^[1] Potter was said to be a very large man; when he traveled by stagecoach, he had to purchase two seats.^[1]

Career

Potter ran against Peleg Arnold in a special election for the U.S House of Representatives in 1796 caused by Benjamin Bourne's resignation, and Potter won the election. He served as a United States Congressman from 1796 to 1797 and again from 1809 to 1815.^[2]

He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.^[3]

Potter ran for governor of Rhode Island in 1818,^[1] but lost to Nehemiah R. Knight.

His son, also Elisha Reynolds Potter, was also a Congressman.

See Also

• Tavern Hall Preservation Society

External links

• Elisha Reynolds Potter at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

References

1. Greene, Richard Gleason (1890). The International Cyclopedia: A Compendium of Human Knowledge (Volume 12 ed.). Dodd, Mead. p. 92.
2. "Guide to the Elisha Reynolds Potter, Sr. Papers". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved 22 Nov 2011.
3. American Antiquarian Society Members Directory