Henry Codman Potter
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The Right Reverend Henry Codman Potter D.C.L, D.D, LLD, |
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|---|---|
| Seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York | |
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Episcopal Diocese of New York |
| Elected | September 27, 1883 |
| In office | From consecration October 20, 1883 to death July 21, 1908. |
| Predecessor | Horatio Potter |
| Successor | David H. Greer |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | Deacon on May 27, 1857. Priest on October 15, 1858. |
| Consecration | Bishop on October 20, 1883. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 25, 1835 Schenectady, New York |
| Died | July 21, 1908 (aged 74) Cooperstown, New York |
| Buried | Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York City |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| Parents |
Alonzo Potter and Sarah Maria Nott |
| Spouse | Eliza Rogers (1858-1901) Mrs. Alfred Corning Clark(1902-1908) |
| Education | Academy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the City of Philadelphia and Virginia Theological Seminary |
Henry Codman Potter (May 25, 1834 – July 21, 1908) was a bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. He was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Potter was "more praised and appreciated, perhaps, than any public man in New York City's long list of great citizens."
Potter "destroyed all the material which was needed to write a satisfactory" biography. Both of his major biographers, George Hodges (1915) and James Sheerin (1933), had to use "newspaper clippings," augmented by remembrances of people who knew him. Sheerin also had "access to the complete files" of George F. Nelson, who had been the Potter's secretary for much of his tenure at Grace Church and for all his years as bishop.
In 1818, Alonzo Potter graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, with "the highest honors." He returned to the college as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy from 1821-1826. During that time (1823), he married Sarah Maria Nott, who was the college president's daughter. Henry Codman was their fifth son. Henry was born on May 25, 1834 and was baptized in St. George's Church on April 14, 1835.
In 1839, Potter's mother Sarah Nott Potter died. She was giving birth to her seventh child and only daughter. Potter was only five years old, but his father described his mother's many virtues for Henry. Among her virtues, "she gave herself, seemingly without a pang, to her household, to her friends, and to anyone whom she could make more happy." She was "a centre of delight to all who knew her."
According to his mother's request, Henry and the other children were placed under the care of his mother's cousin Sarah Benedict. Henry's father married Miss Benedict in 1840. They had three boys. Thus, altogether, Alonzo Potter had ten children: seven (six boys and one daughter) by Sarah Nott and three boys by Sara Benedict. and Henry Codman Potter's siblings were as follows:
By Sarah Nott Potter
• Clarkson Nott Potter (1825–1882) was a Democratic member of the House of Representatives after the Civil War.
• Howard Potter (1826–1897) was a New York City banker who was known for his contributions to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Children's Aid Society, and the New York Orthopaedic Hospital.
• Robert Brown Potter (1829–1887) was a United States General in the American Civil War and a financier.
• Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831–1904) was an architect who designed the Nott Memorial at Union College.
• Eliphalet Nott Potter (1836-1901) was rector of an Episcopal Church, college professor, and president of three colleges.
• Maria Louisa Potter (1839-1916) married sculptor Launt Thompson and lived in Italy.
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