He was the first American-born magician to gain fame in his own country and is widely considered the first African-American celebrity.
Various accounts differ on the reason, but agree that he went to Europe and joined John Rannie, a Scottish ventriloquist and magician.
One of Potter's notable run-ins with prejudice occurred in Mobile, Alabama, where he was turned away from a hotel because of his race.
Known for his showmanship in all aspects of life, the estate included two life-size wooden carvings of human figures on pillars.
[1]: II:277 One son was killed in 1816, "run over by a load of corn",[1]: 318 and their daughter was believed to have lived only a short time.
In the early 1840s, the graves were moved a short distance, due to railroad construction on the property.