The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: Private / Patriotic Service
Birth: 06 Jan 1742 / Fairfax / VA Death: 16 Jan 1809 Hillsboro / Fairfax / VA
Qualifying Service Description:
Captain Burgess Ball's Company, 5th Regiment of the Continental Line
PAID SUPPLY TAX 1783
Additional References:
LIB OF VA, LOUDOUN CO PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX, 1782-1786, REEL #207
Gwathmey, J.H, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution 1775-1783, pg 634, Richmond, Virginia, The Dietz Press, 1938
Rev War Public Service Claims, "On-line Catalog; Images and Indexes," Library of Virginia
Abercrombie & Slatten, Virginia Revolutionary Publick Claims, pg 599.
Index to Ludoun County Personal Property Tax, 1783, Patricia Duncan
Spouse: (1) Elizabeth Mead (2) Elizabeth Jane Lane Children: Jonas; Anna; William; Ellen; David; Jane; John
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Gravestone photos with permission of Craig Batten, GW Chapter, VASSAR
Photo of SAR granite marker w/gravestone and photo of monument taken and provided with permission from compatriot Barry Schwoerer (VA) member 183319
Grave marked by NSDAR, 2 Nov 2019
When entering the cemetery, the grave is in the middle of the last row of stones. Photo courtesy of Dale Corey, VASSAR
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
From Business Route 7 at Purcellville, Virginia, go north on Route 719 (Woodgrove Road). Follow to end of the road and turn left onto Route 751 (Cider Mill Road). Turn left onto Route 716 (Edgegrove Road) and then turn right onto Route 714 (Shannondale Road). In approximately 500 feet, the cemetery will be to the left
Photo: 1 of 4
Photo: 2 of 4
Photo: 3 of 4 (gps: 39.194425,-77.761802777778)
Photo: 4 of 4 (gps: 39.194583333333,-77.761688888889)
Author: Barry Frederick Schwoerer
Ezekiel Potts was born on 6 January 1742 in Fairfax County, now Loudoun County. He was the son of Quaker David Potts and Ann R., last name unknown. When David Potts died in May 1768, Ezekiel inherited half of the land and a mill. Ezekiel's Father, David, remained in good standing with the Quaker community. In fact, an entry in records of the Fairfax Monthly meeting of 30 August 1755 had this entry regarding Quaker meetings at the house of David Potts:
"The Friends living above Short Hill Ridge have a meeting kept at David Potts' house, this meeting thinks it reasonable, and allows them to hold meeting on every first and third First-Day in every month till further orders."
In one or two generations after the Death of David Potts, the Quakers had disowned most of the Potts's children and grandchildren for violating various Quaker rules such as quarreling and fighting with neighbors, Joining in light company, and dancing, fornication, marrying someone outside the religion, marrying a non-member, buying an enslaved person, and more.
When Ezekiel married Elizabeth Mead, a non-quaker, the couple was disowned. Ezekiel and Elizabeth had seven known children:
Ellen
David
Anna was born on 26 November 1774 and married Thomas Backus.
Jane
Jonas was born on 22 August 1779 and married Martha Dowling.
William was born on 29 September 1781 and married Isabella Dowling.
John
Ezekiel was a Patriot of the American Revolution for three reasons:
He served as a Private in Captain Burgess Ball's Company, 5th Regiment Continental Line.
He paid a 1783 Personal Property Tax, which went to pay for the Revolution.
He provided 375 pounds of beef to Continental forces.
The Patriot was buried in the Old Potts Cemetery with seven other Loudoun County Patriots, his parents, and many of his brothers and sisters and their families.
Author: Dale Edward Corey
Ezekiel Potts was born 8 January 1742 at Fairfax County, Virginia, one of eight children of David Potts and Ann. David was a Quaker. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Jane Lane. In 1736, he moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was about this time Elizabeth died. By 1737, he married Anne Roberts and by 1740 had moved to Fairfax, Virginia. This area became part of Loudoun County in 1757. When David died in 1768, Ezekiel inherited half of the farm and a mill. In 1779, he married Elizabeth Mead, daughter of William Mead and Ellen Worrell. His marriage to Elizabeth was accomplished contrary to Friends discipline, and they were disowned. Ezekiel was a Patriot of the Revolutionary War. He served as a Private under Captain Burgess Ball's 5th Virginia Regiment and is recognized for paying the Virginia 1783 Supply Tax, which went towards payment of war costs. He and Elizabeth had seven children: Ellen, David, Anna (Backhouse), Jane, Jonas, William and John. Ezekiel died 16 Jan 1809 at his homestead. Elizabeth died in 1825. Both they and their seven children are buried in the Old Potts Graveyard at Hillsboro, Loudoun County, Virginia, a cemetery established on the homestead by Ezekiel's father.
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Send your submission1, in a Microsoft Word compatible format, to patriotbios@sar.org for inclusion in this space 1Upon submission of a patriot biography, the patriot biography becomes the property of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and may be edited to conform to the patriot biography submission standards.