William Potter:
Immigrated to Boston aboard "The Abigail" from London, arrived July 1635
with wife Frances Childs? and 20 week old son, Joseph Potter.
William's mother (Hannah Potter Beecher), and stepfather, (John Beecher) and brother, John Potter) followed William Potter to American two years later, aboard "the Hector", along with prominent Puritans, Rev. John Davenport and Rev.Theophilus Eaton. They intended to settle within Massachusetts Bay Colony, but upon arrival, decided to form a new colony because of what they perceived to be a tainted religious climate in Boston. William Potter's mother and stepfather and brother moved in with him and his wife and two children. Shortly before their arrival an army from the Massachusetts Bay Colony raided and slaughtered the Pequot Indians at their village of Quinnipiac on Long Island. Returning soldiers told stories of abundant land and a favorable harbour. John Beecher, step-father to William Potter along with a party including, Rev. Davenport and Rev. Eaton dispatched to explore the area. They arrived in autumn and fearing the approach of winter thought to delay attempt to establish a colony until the following spring. Seven men were left to winter and explore the area. John Beecher was one of the seven men left behind. He died sometime that winter. The colony was established the following spring and named New Haven Colony. John Beecher's remains were discovered some years later while digging a cellar. William Potter, wife, children, his mother, Hannah Potter Beecher and Isaac Beecher, step-brother all removed from Boston to New Haven. William Potter advanced within the church in standing. On the other hand, he was frequently fined for offenses ranging from absence at military training, improper care of arms, to failure to submit a timely inventory for taxation. In 1659, his mother died and appointed William Potter, executor of her will. She left 2/3rd of her estate to William and 1/3 to Isaac Beecher, her son. She requested William "to be as a father to his younger brother and his children". William died between May 1662- March 1663 in New Haven. The family home was on the west side of the Quinipiac River, near the present Cedar Hill station.
"Genealogy of Connecticut Families" p 150-151