Elisha Reynolds Potter
| Elisha Reynolds Potter | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's at-large district |
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In office November 15, 1796 – March 4, 1797 |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Bourne |
| Succeeded by | Christopher G. Champlin |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's at-large district |
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In office March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1815 |
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| Preceded by | Isaac Wilbour |
| Succeeded by | James Brown Mason |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 5, 1764 |
| Died | September 26, 1835 (aged 70) |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Children | Elisha R. Potter |
| Residence | Kingston, Rhode Island |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
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.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia