Preceded by Benjamin Bourne Occupation Lawyer Succeeded by Lemuel H. Arnold Children Elisha R. Potter Parents Elisha Reynolds Potter | Political party Federalist Role Politician Preceded by Isaac Wilbour Name Elisha Potter | |
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Died April 10, 1882, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States Party Law and Order Party of Rhode Island Residence Kingston, Rhode Island, United States Books Memoir concerning the French settlements and French settlers in the colony of Rhode Island | ||
Elisha Reynolds Potter (November 5, 1764 – September 26, 1835) was a statesman in the Federalist Party from Kingston, Rhode Island, who served several times as the Speaker in the Rhode Island State Assembly.
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Personal life
Elisha Reynolds Potter began his career as a blacksmith's apprentice, but switched to the law in 1793. Potter was said to be a very large man; when he traveled by stagecoach, he had to purchase two seats.
Career
Potter ran against Peleg Arnold in a special election for the U.S House of Representatives in 1796 caused by Benjamin Bourne's resignation, and Potter won the election. He served as a United States Congressman from 1796 to 1797 and again from 1809 to 1815.
He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.
Potter ran for governor of Rhode Island in 1818, but lost to Nehemiah R. Knight.
His son, also Elisha Reynolds Potter, was also a Congressman.