Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Nathaniel Restcome Potter


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Nathaniel Restcome Potter and two of his descendants down to the second generation.


First and Second Generations
1. Nathaniel Restcome Potter,1 born 16 November 1878 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, the son of Charles Barton Potter and Sarah Jennie Weaver;1, 2, 3, 4 died 3 May 1952 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York.4, 5 Nathaniel married, first, 20 January 1920 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Fannie Furman4, 12 (born July 1884 in New York, the daughter of Charles Edwin Furman and Helen F. Potter;1, 6, 7, 8, 9 Fannie died 20 January 1926 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York4, 10, 11). Nathaniel married, second, 31 July 1929, Estelle ‘Stella’ Zimmer4 (born ca. 1883 in New York, parents not determined2, 3). Nathaniel is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.5 Fannie is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.13

Nathaniel was a 1902 graduate of Yale University. He also took courses in mechanical engineering from Phillips Andover and M.I.T. His employment included an apprenticeship at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, General Signal Co., in Rochester, and as assistant superintendent in the foundary, The Gleason Works, Rochester. He traveled extensively to Yellowstone, the Pacific Northwest, Canadian West, the Rockies, and the Eastern Seaborn. Nathaniel served in World War I as a Captain, Ordinance, with various assignments including Camp Dix, New Jersey, Dorsetshire, England, and Chaumont, France. He was a member of the Friars, Automobile Club of Rochester, and the Yale Alumni Association of Rochester. He was survived by his son, Nathaniel Restcome Potter, Jr., and his second wife, Estelle Zimmer.4

Fannie died about five days after the stillbirth of an unnamed son. Her obituary provides interesting details about her life and her extensive involvement in various charitable and social organizations:4, 10, 11

MRS. POTTER DIES - LED IN CHARITY ACTIVITIES HERE

Was Tireless Worker in Many Organizations; Funeral To-day.

MRS. NATHANIEL POTTER.

Fannie Furman Potter, wife of Nathaniel R. Potter, well known for her work in numerous civic, philanthropic and social organizations in this city, died Tuesday in the Homeopathic Hospital, aged 41 years. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon from the family home at No. 254 Alexander street, and burial will be in Mouth Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. Potter was the daughter of Charles E. and Helen F. Potter and was born in this city. She received her early education in the Columbia Preparatory School and later entered Smith College, from which she was graduated with the class of 1906.

Following her graduation Mrs. Potter returned to her home in this city and immediately interested herself in the work of various charitable organizations. She was well known for her executive capabilities and held office in numerous organizations. Up to the time of the illness that resulted in her death she was an indefatigable worker in the organizations with which she was associated, besides attending to the duties of her own home and the care of her infant son.

Mrs. Potter had a charming personality and was known to hosts of Rochester people with whom she was associated in her many social and charitable activities. She was secretary of the Rotary Club, first vice-president of the Y. W. C. A., corresponding secretary of the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, chairman of the House Committee of the Monroe Golf Club, a member of the Board of Managers of the Highland Hospital, a member of the Pine Needle Twig of the General Hospital, and active in the First Presbyterian Church and the Smith College Club. Mrs. Potter was formerly recording secretary of the D. A. R. and of the alumnae of the 1906 class of Smith College.

“Mrs. Potter will be sadly missed by a great number of Rochester people who had come to know and love her through her splendid work in the organizations with which she was connected,” said one of her friends yesterday. “She had a great gift for close personal friendships and for unselfish service to the community. Her executive ability and unfailing readiness to serve in any helpful capacity have made her a place which will be extremely difficult to fill. She was an exceptionally useful citizen.”

Mrs. Potter leaves her husband; her mother, Mrs. Charles E. Furman; a son, Nathaniel R. Potter, Jr.; a sister, Mrs. James Carter, of Buffalo, and a nephew, Charles F. Bridgeman.


Children of Nathaniel Restcome Potter and Fannie Furman:

 2i. Nathaniel Restcome Potter, Jr., born October 1924 in New York.1, 3, 14
 3ii. male child Potter, stillborn 15 January 1926 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York.10 male child is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.15

  1. New York State Census, 1925, Monroe County, Rochester, Ward 12, ED 4; Page 44, family of Helen F. Furman (75); son-in-law Nathaniel R. Potter (46); daughter Fannie F. Potter (40); grandson Charles F. Bridgman (15); Nathaniel R. Potter (0).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Monroe County, Rochester City, Enumeration District 28-82, Sheet No. 11B; family of Nathaniel R. Potter (51, New York); wife Stella Potter (43, New York); servant Margaret Torkey (44, Illinois).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Monroe County, Rochester City, Enumeration District 65-136, Sheet No. 11A; family of Nathaniel Potter (61, New York); wife Stella Potter (57, New York); son Nathaniel Potter, Jr. (15, New York); maid Dora M. Plummer (62, Ohio, widow, housework, private home).
  4. Obituary Record, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library, Obituary Record of Graduates of the Undergraduate Schools Deceased During the Year 1951-1952. 1 September 1969. Nathaniel Restcome Potter, pages 153-154. The record provides his birth and death dates and places, names of parents, details of his two marriages: (1) to Fannie Furman, one son Nathaniel Restcome, Jr., and indicating Mrs potter died in childbirth; (2) Estelle Zimmer; and a list of his academic accomplishments, employments, military service, and memberships.
  5. Find a Grave (website). Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York; Nathaniel Restcombe Potter; born: 16 November 1878; died: 1952; son of Charles Barton Potter and Jennie Weaver [from record].
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Monroe County, Rochester City, Enumeration District 81, Sheet No. 15; family of Charles E. Furman (61, New York, June 1838, retired merchant); wife of 30 years Helen P. Furman (55, New York, June 1844, 3 children, 3 living); daughter Sarah Furman (25, New York, Feb. 1875); daughter Helen P. Furman (22, New York, Oct. 1877); daugher Fannie Furman (15, New York, July 1884); servant Elizabeth Raulier [sp?] (35, Germany, Jan 1865); servant Margaret Howland (39, Ireland, June 1860, married 8 years, no children).
  7. New York State Census, 1905, Monroe County, Rochester, Second ED, Twelfth Ward, Page 36; family of Charles E. Furman (60); wife Helen Furman (59); daughter Sarah Furman (30); daughter Helen Furman (25); daughter Fannie Furman (20); servant Louisa Gardner (26); servant Elizabeth Rauber (38).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Monroe County, Rochester City, Enumeration District 121, Sheet No. 10B; family of Charles E. Furman (71, New York); wife of 39 years Helen F. Furman (63, New York, 3 children, 3 living); daughter Fannie Furman (25, New York); servant Elizabeth Rauber (45, Ckc. German, domestic, private family); servant Katherine Skinner (20, Scot. English, domestic, private family).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Monroe County, Rochester, Enumeration District 139, Sheet No. 1A; family of Mrs. Charles E. Furman (73, New York); daughter Fannie Furman (35, New York); grandson Charles F. Bridgman (9, New York); servant ALice T. Weir (48, New York); servant Mabel Hamley (20, Rhode Island).
  10. Cemetery Record, Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York; searchable index available at River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester, Mt. Hope & Riverside Cemetery Records (website: www.lib.rochester.edu). Fannie F. Potter, died of septic peritonitis at Homeo. Hospital, interred 21 January 1926 in section All 99I, taken to Riverside [Cemetery] 22 September 1944; also, believed to be her child: Male Child Potter, stillbirth at Homeo. Hospital, interred 15 January 1926 in section All 99I, taken to Riverside [Cemetery] 22 September 1944.
  11. Obituary, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York (available at fultonhistory.com); 21 January 1926, Fannie Furman Potter, died 20 January 1926. The article provides details of her birth, names of her parents and survivors, and a biographical sketch. The article also indicates burial would be in Mount Hope Cemetery; other records indicated she was moved in September 1944 to Riverside Cemetery, also in Rochester.
  12. Marriage Announcement, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York; 21 January 1920, Fannie Furman, daughter of Mrs. Charles Edward [sic]Furman married to Nathaniel Restcome Potter, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Batton Potter, on 20 January 1920 at the home of her mother [i.e., Rochester]. The article names all members of her wedding party, including her four nephews as attendants; and names out of town guests, including Mrs. James M. Carter and children, and Leroy C. Bridgman of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  13. Find a Grave (website). Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York; Fannie Furman Potter; plot: Sec. G, Blk 4, Lot 75. [death date in the record, Sept. 1944, is actually the date of re-interment after being moved from the original burial in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, New York.]
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Monroe County, Rochester City, Enumeration District 28-76, Sheet No. 9B; family of Helen E. Furman (79, New York, widow); grand-son Charles P. Bridgman (20, New York); grand-son Nathaniel R. Potter (5 6/12, New York); cook Anna R. Loos (41, New York, cook, private family); servant Bertha J. Clark (58, Canada, servant, private family).
  15. Find a Grave (website). Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York; baby boy Potter; plot: Sec. G, Blk 4, Lot 75. [death date in the record, Sept. 1944, is actually the date of re-interment after being moved from the original burial in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, New York.]