John Potts (Pennsylvanian)

John Potts (c. 1710 – 6 June 1768)[1] was the founder of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Like his father, Potts was an enterprising businessman, and for many years was the largest and most successful iron-master in the Thirteen Colonies, operating mines, furnaces and forges in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

He served as Justice of the Peace, and was also a judge of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.

In 1752, he purchased two tracts of land at the confluence of Manatawny Creek and Schuylkill River, aggregating nearly 1,000 acres.

In 1752, Potts built a Georgian style home, Pottsgrove Manor, in Pottstown.