George Augustus Potter (abt. 1816 - 1891)

Born about 1816 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann (Stone) Potter — married 21 Dec 1840 in Rotherhithe, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Amelia (Preston) Potter — married 25 Dec 1848 in Bermondsey, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Sophia (Preston) Potter — married 17 Mar 1881 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 6 Sep 1891 at about age 75 in Footscray, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

George Potter was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.

Birth George Augustus Potter was born about 1816 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom, son of James Potter (about 1787–about 1843), a carpenter, and Mary Hutton (about 1790–1826).

Baptism George was baptised on 5 April 1816 in St Giles, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.^[1]

First Marriage George (23), policeman, married Mary Ann Stone (24) on 21 December 1840 at St Mary's, Rotherhithe, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. The marriage celebrant was Edward Blick, Rector. The marriage witnesses were William Noakes and Susan Mowser. ^[2]

Second Marriage George (31), ship chandler, married Amelia Preston (20) on 25 December 1848 in St James', Bermondsey, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. The marriage celebrant was Joseph Richards, Curate. The marriage witnesses were William Henry Squires and Sarah Susannah Squires. ^[3]

1851 Census In the 1851 census George (age 34), Ship Chandler, was the married head of household in Saint Paul Shadwell, Middlesex, England.^[4]

George Potter migrated from England to Australia.

Immigration It is believed that George Potter arrived in Australia some time between 1851 and October 1855.

Insolvency

NEW INSOLVENTS.
George Potter, Heathcote, licensed victualler. Causes of insolvency - Depression in business, and depreciation in the value of real property. Liabilities, £763 9s. 6d.; assets, £218; deficiency, £545 9s, 6d. Mr. Goodman, official assignee. ^[5]

Travel George travelled back to England in about 1880. He is probably 'G Potter' 'traveller' on the ship Liguria in December 1880, destined for London. ^[6]

Third Marriage George (64), gentleman, married, by license, Sophia Preston (50) on 17 March 1881 in St Peter in the East, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom. The marriage celebrant was John R. King, Vicar. The marriage witnesses were John Preston and Harriet Carter. ^[7]

1881 Census In the 1881 census George (age 61 [Sic]), was the married head of household at 14 King Street, Oxford St Peter In The East, Oxfordshire, England.^[8]

Travel George and Sophia travelled on the ship 'Potosi' from London and arrived in 24 September 1881 at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Passenger list states Mr George Potter, Mrs Potter and Miss Potter. Miss Potter was likely George's cousin Harriet Carter. ^[9]

Third Marriage George and Sophia Preston married again on 17 March 1882 in Victoria, Australia. This was perhaps for legal reasons. The marriage witnesses were Harriet Trevor Carter and _____ Lock. ^[10]

Death George died on 6 September 1891 in Footscray, Victoria, Australia, aged about 74.^{[11] [12]}

From The Argus, 7 September 1891, page 1:

POTTER -On the 6th inst, at his late residence, Victoria Hotel, Victoria-street, Footscray, George Augustus the dearly beloved husband of Sophia Potter, aged 74 years, a colonist of 40 years. ^[13]

From Independent, 12 September 1891, page 2:

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. - It is with regret that we have to announce the death of Mr George Augustus Potter, licensee of the Victoria Hotel, on Sunday last, at the ripe age of 74 years. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for some time, but his family did not anticipate the end was so near. Mr Potter was one of our most popular Bonifaces, respected by all who knew him. He had a varied experience, having arrived in the colony early fifties, when gold digging was at its height. His remains were interred in the Footscray cemetery on Tuesday last, and were followed by a large concourse of friends. ^[14]

From The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, 17 September 1891, page 2:

Death of an old Heathcote resident
The 'Rushworth Chroncile' of Friday last states 'Mr G A Potter, a very old old resident of this district passed away to join the great majority, at Footscray on Sunday last, at the ripe age of 74 years. The late Mr Potter arrived in Heathcote in the early days of the diggings and shortly aftwerwards he became the proprietor of the first hotel erected in Caledonia Gully, where he was well known for his open handed hospitality. He also resided in Rushworth for a number of years. At the time of his decease, he was proprietor of the Victoria Hotel, Footscray.' ^[15]

Burial George was buried on 8 September 1891 at Footscray Cemetery, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. ^[16][17][18]

The Friends of the late Mr. GEORGE AUGUST POTTER are respectfully invited to follow his remains to their last resting-place, the Footscray Cemetery. The funeral cortege will leave his late residence, the Victoria Hotel, Victoria-street, Footscray, THIS DAY (Tuesday, the 8th inst.), at half-past 2 o'clock. HERBERT KING, Undertaker, Hopkins-street, Footscray; Lennox-street, Richmond; 157 Swan-street, East Richmond; and Burwood-road, Hawthorn. Telephone 912. ^[19]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915", database with images
   Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, Anglican Parish Registers, Reference Number BOD203_B_3
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61057 #112502 : accessed 3 May 2024)
   George Augustus Polter baptism on 5 Apr 1816, child of James Polter & Mary Polter, in Oxford, St Giles, Oxfordshire, England. Page 20. Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of St Giles in the County of Oxford in the Year 1816....No. 156 Ap. 5th (privately) George Augustus son of James & Mary Potter, St Giles's, Carpenter, Revd Mr Matthews.
2. ↑ First Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938", database with images
   London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, UK, London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P71/MRY/037
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1623 #4304095 : accessed 3 May 2024)
   George Potter marriage to Mary Ann Stone on 21 Dec 1840 in Saint Mary, Rotherhithe: Saint Mary Church Street, Southwark, England. Page 78. 1840. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St Mary Rotherhithe in the County of Surrey. No. 155. When Married. December 21st 1840. Name and Surname. George Potter, Mary Ann Stone. Age. of full age, of full age. Condition. Bachelor, Spinster. Rank or Profession. Police-man, -. Residence at the Time of Marriage. Paradise St, Paradise St. Father's Name and Surname. James Potter, Thomas Stone. Rank or Profession of Father. Carpenter, Shoemaker. Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England after Banns by me, Edward Blick, Rector. This Marriage was solemnized between us, {George Potter {Mary Ann Stone in the Presence of us, {William Noakes {Susan Mowser
3. ↑ Second Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938", database with images
   London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, UK, London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P71/JS/020
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1623 #2751701 : accessed 3 May 2024)
   George Potter marriage to Amelia Preston on 25 Dec 1848 in Saint James, Bermondsey: Jamaica Road, Southwark, England. Page 226.1848. Marriage solemnized at St James' Church in the Parish of Bermondsey in the County of Surrey. No. 451. When Married. December 25 1848. Name and Surname. George Potter, Amelia Preston. Age. of full age, of full age. Condition. Widower, Spinster. Rank or Profession. Ship Chandler, -. Residence at the Time of Marriage. Neckinger Street, same. Father's Name and Surname. James Potter, Charles Preston. Rank or Profession of Father. Dead, Dead. Married in the Church of St James according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, after Banns by me, Joseph Richards Curate. This Marriage was solemnized between us, {George Potter {Amelia Preston in the Presence of us, {William Henry Squires {Sarah Susannah Squires
4. ↑ 1851 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1851", database with images
   citing The National Archives of the UK Class: HO107; Piece/Folio: 1550 / 333; Page: 1; Line: 11
   (FamilySearch Record: SG51-9ZS : accessed 3 May 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQ7-DS6W-9
   George Potter (34), married, Ship Chandler, head of household in Saint Paul Shadwell, Middlesex, England. Born in St Peters, Oxfordshire.
5. ↑ Newspaper: "NEW INSOLVENTS.", The Argus, 3 February 1862, p. 6, col. 7; digital images, National Library of Australia,Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5709379 : accessed 8 May 2024).
6. ↑ Travel: "Outwards passenger lists (1852-1923)", database with images, Public Record Office Victoria(https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration/outwards-passenger-lists : accessed 3 May 2024), entry for G Potter, age A[dult], departed Dec 1880 aboard the Liguria destined for London via Adelaide Suez Naples, Page of list: 3; citing Public Record Office Victoria, Outwards Passengers To Interstate, U.K. And Foreign Ports (VPRS 948). Image: https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/26739021-F7F0-11E9-AE98-7B2D581ED722?image=426
7. ↑ Third Marriage: "Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930", database with images
   Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, Anglican Parish Registers, Reference Number PAR213/1/R3/4
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61058 #1834190 : accessed 3 May 2024)
   George Potter (full age) marriage to Sophia Preston on 17 Mar 1881 in Oxford, St Peter in the East, Oxfordshire, England.
8. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881", database with images
   citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG11; Piece/Folio: 1501/89; Page: 26; Line: 12
   (FamilySearch Record: Q27H-T83T : accessed 3 May 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS31-YHRS-R
   George Potter (61), married, Rent Of Property, head of household in Oxford St Peter In The East, Oxfordshire, England. Born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.
9. ↑ Immigration: "Unassisted passenger lists (1852-1923)", database with images, Public Record Office Victoria(https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration/unassisted-passenger-lists : accessed 3 May 2024), entry for Geo Mr Potter, age 64, arrived Sep 1881 aboard the Potosi; citing Public Record Office Victoria, Inward Overseas Passenger Lists (VPRS 947).
10. ↑ Third Marriage: "Historical index", database, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria(https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/- : accessed 3 May 2024), entry for marriage of George Potter and Sophia Preston, 1882/1400; citing marriage certificate of George Potter and Sophia Preston, married 1882, Victoria, Australia. Family name: POTTER, Given name(s): George, Event marriages, Spouse's family name: PRESTON, Spouse's given name(s): Sophia, Reg. year: 1882, Reg. number: 1400 / 1882.
11. ↑ Death: "Historical index", database, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria(https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/- : accessed 3 May 2024), entry for death of Geo Aug Potter, 1891/10438; citing death certificate of Geo Aug Potter, died 1891, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. Family name: POTTER, Given name(s): Geo Aug, Event: death, Mother's name: Mary, Mother's family name at birth: HUTTON, Father's name: Jas, Place of birth: -, Place of death: Fcray, Age at death: 74 , Reg. year: 1891, Reg. number: 10438 / 1891.
12. ↑ Probate: "Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate Records, 1841-2009", database with images
    Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria, Victorian Wills, Probate and Administration Records 1841-1925, Series VPRS 7591
    Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61315 #330971 : accessed 3 May 2024)
    George Potter probate on 2 Oct 1891. Died 6 Sep 1891 in Footscray. Occupation: Hotel Keeper.
13. ↑ Newspaper - Death Notice: "Family Notices", The Argus, 7 September 1891, p. 1, col. 1; digital images, National Library of Australia,Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8655803 : accessed 8 May 2024).
14. ↑ Newspaper: "The Independent", Independent, 12 September 1891, p. 2, col. 5; digital images, National Library of Australia,Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/73243767 : accessed 8 May 2024).
15. ↑ Newspaper - Obituary: "ILLNESS OF MR BERRY.", The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, 17 September 1891, p. 2, col. 4; digital images, National Library of Australia,Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87681320  : accessed 8 May 2024).
16. ↑ Burial: Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Deceased Search, database (https://www.gmct.com.au/deceased/3244778 : accessed 3 May 2024), entry for George Ary [Sic] Potter, buried on 8 September 1891 at Footscray Cemetery, Footscray, Victoria, Australia; Plot: Church of England B, Grave 209. Plot Number: 501703, GIS Location: FGC-CEB-0209, Reference Number: 3244778, Surname: Potter, Given Name: George Ary [Sic], Date of Birth: - , Date of Death: -, Age: 74 Years, Service Date: 08/09/1891, ServiceType: Interred. Interactive Map: (https://gmct.apps.vertigisstudio.com/web/?app=93720bf87a4341c1b8f61d49f254ba40&mapkey=501703 : accessed 3 May 2024)
17. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207882785/george_augustus-potter: accessed 3 May 2024), memorial page for George Augustus Potter (1816–6 September 1891), Find a Grave Memorial ID 207882785, citing Footscray General Cemetery, Footscray, Victoria, Australia; Plot: Church of England B, Grave 209; Find a Grave Memorial Maintained by ! woowoo (contributor 49949980).
18. ↑ Burial: "Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997", database with images
    Page 38
    Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61309 #46275 : accessed 3 May 2024)
    George A Potter burial (died on 6 Sep 1891) in Footscray Cemetery, Victoria, Australia. Born in about 1817. In loving remembrance of my dear husband, George A. Potter, who died September 6th 1891, aged 74 years. A Colonist of 40 years.
19. ↑ Newspaper - Funeral Notice: "Family Notices", The Argus, 7 September 1891, p. 1, col. 1; digital images, National Library of Australia,Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8655803 : accessed 8 May 2024).

• GEORGE POTTER (police-constable M 39), Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) June 1842. Trial of RICHARD CLOSE , FREDERICK MADDOX , CHARLES BURNEY (t18420613-2030). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18420613-2030?text=%22george%20potter%22 (Accessed: 10th January 2024).
• GEORGE POTTER (police-constable M 39), Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) June 1842. Trial of DENNIS COLEMAN , WILLIAM HOLDER (t18420613-2019). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18420613-2019?text=%22george%20potter%22 (Accessed: 10th January 2024).
• GEORGE POTTER, marine-store dealer, High-street, Wapping, Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) October 1846. Trial of MICHAEL BURNS (t18461026-2028). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18461026-2028?text=%22george%20potter%22 (Accessed: 10th January 2024).