Born on January 5, 1766, in Mecklenburg County, Colony of Virginia, British America,[1] Potter read law circa 1790.

[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 26, 1802, and received his commission the same day.

[1] His service terminated on December 20, 1857, due to his death in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

[1] Potter became a trustee of the University of North Carolina in 1799, and held that position until his death.

[citation needed] He published various books, including an 1816 tract on the Duties of a Justice of the Peace, and, with John Louis Taylor and Bartlett Yancey, an 1821 revision of the two-volume Law of the State of North Carolina.