s/o of Samuel Pottinger Jr. and Lucinda Jameson. Age 71

William, or “Bill” as known to most, was born in Capt. Sam Pottinger's old log house, near the Pottenger Fort. He was named after the Revolutionary War Hero Col. William Russell. He had a talent for playing the fiddle and was a good farmer. He married his cousin Barbara Ann Jameson (d/o Rice & Susan Jameson) in December 1835. He built a very large and spacious log cabin on his 700 acres of land inherited from his father. It was south of his brother George’s home and Capt. Sam’s old log house near the newly installed L & N railroad tracks. He owned and ran a small distillery between his log cabin and Pottingers Creek. Barbara’s parents also lived with them for many years starting in the 1860’s until their death in 1880. He stood for his principals and even served a small amount of jail time for hitting an Union Officer at a New Haven guarded RR bridge (with a short legged dog) for making a rude comment about Kentuckians during the Civil War. They released him early due to his “good fiddle playing”. His daughter Susan (“Sis”) was also known to "shoot" over the head of union soldiers passing by "Walnut Hill" during family gatherings. They had 9 children all born in their log cabin:

* Lucinda Pottinger 6-13-1836 to 10-31-1909 m. James Pike They had 2 children: Mary (Married James A. Ferriell, several children) and Nancy (married Frederick Fry, at least one son David b.1896)

* Samuel Pottinger 10-24-1840 to 2-21-1904 m. Ann Bowling 1 child: Joseph Hardin

* Georgia Ann Pottinger 3-11-1841 to 12-5-1930 m.1) Fred Kastor m.2) Thomas Romine, no children

* Charles Carroll Pottinger 6-3-1843 to 11-26-1895 m. Fannie Greenwell, no children

* Susan E. "Sis" Pottinger 6-18-1846 to 7-28-1883 m 1) George W. Craddock on 3-24-68, he died 5 months later, m. 2) James Mudd, no children

* Charles A.W. Pottinger 1848 to 7-31-1916 m. 4 women in 4 different states, not divorcing... 1) Mary Josephine Clark, one son Charles W., 2) Ann E. Humphrey 2 children: Charles Manuel, Emma 3) Suzanne Ida Key, one son William T. 4) Almedia Swims, no children.

* Josephine F. “Josie” Pottinger 3-1853 to 6-18-1910, unmarried

* Sarah "Sallie" Pottinger 1855 to ?, m. James Jackson. They had two children, Barbara Ann (1883-1903) & Commiezelle b.8-3-1881 first married Samuel C.Elliot on 9-2-1897. Commie had one son, William Darwin Elliot on 10-2-1898. She married second Dr.Thomas Clair Maquire that had a practice in Plant City, FL.

* Jane "Janie" Pottinger 5-16-1862 to 6-24-1924 m. James Mattingly, no children

More info from family members:

William's occupation was a farmer.

He received 700 acres in father's 1832 will. Resided on South side of State Highway #52 between Gethsemane and New Haven, near Culvertown, Nelson County, Kentucky.

David Miller was his guardian, 1832 -1834. (Nelson County Guardian Book, page 232).

1840 Nelson County, Kentucky Census, M704, R121, page 21, shows Wm Potenger, head of household, his wife and three children: Elizabeth Ann, Alice and William.

1850 Nelson County, Kentucky Census, M432, R215, page 337, shows W R, age 34, farmer, with wife B A, age 32 and children: Lucinda, age 14; George A (Georgiann), age 12; Samuel, age 10; Carol, age 8; Susan E, age 5 and Charles A W, age 1. All last names spelled Pottinger. The 1850 US Federal Census (Slave Schedule) shows W R with 2 slaves.

1860 Nelson County, Kentucky Census, District 1, M653, R389, page 111) shows William, a farmer worth $4000/$939, with wife, Barbara and children: Sam, age 21; Susan, age 15; Wickliffe, age 12; Josephine, age 8; Sally, age 5 and Jane, age 2.

1870 New Haven, Nelson County, Kentucky Census, Precinct 7, M593, R491, page 13, family #1928, shows William, 53, farmer, worth $2160; his wife, Barbara and children: Samuel, age 31, farm worker; Carroll C, age 28, farm worker, Josie F, age 18; Sarah, age 16 and Jane, age 12 residing in household 85.

1880 Nelson County, Kentucky Census Soundex, District 7, T9, R435, Edition 210, page 18, shows WR Pottinger, age 60, farmer,with wife Barbara, age 55 and children: CC, age 35; Josephine, age 30; Sally, age 28 and Janie, age 22, all born in Kentucky.