Sorry. My notebook hit the keys and sent this before finishing. Dear Ernie Paul and Interested Potters, First, I must admit, I am not knowingly descended from Clarence Leslie Potter. My interest is in Maine history and CLP was a miner at the now famous Dunton gem mine in Newry, Maine. Initially, my attention was called to CLP from a now lost diary of Dr. Hiram Francis Abbott. My friend, Dr. Benjamin Shaub (b. 1893 d. 1993!) audio taped several interviews with Thurston Cole (1906-1963), formerly of Rumford Point, Maine and Cole also wrote several articles regarding entries in the diary. In 1964, I first visited the Dunton mine at Newry as a mineral collector and in 1980, I published my MS thesis on the geology of the Newry mines, including the Dunton gem mine. (Also trying to find out about Hollis Dunton, b. 1855 Etna, Maine d. 1928 North Anson buried in Carmel, Maine. Hollis Dunton was a partner with Bulkley and they formed a partnership, Bulkley-Dunton Fine Papers, eventually which became Hammermill papers and which was recently purchased by International Paper. Ontario native, Hugh Chisholm, founder of International Paper in 1898 was a miner in Acton, Maine in 1880 and was a mining partner with Dunton! Love these connections. ) Subsequently, I've developed a greater interest in history and am working on a report which the State of Maine might be interested in publishing to complement a proposed recreational area at the Dunton mine. Part of my interest in extended history of this mine is for biographical information of the Abbott - McCrillis - Perham families of central Maine, although I'm not a descendant of them as well. Some of the information I have on Clarence Potter comes from "Descendants of Nicholas Potter of Lynn, Massachusetts" by F. L. Potter 1991. CLP was the son of Alfred Potter (b. 1836) who was a blacksmith and Ellen Currier Potter. CLP married Ella Sherman (b. 1868 d. 1896) - marriage date unknown, but they had three children. CLP married Lottie Ritchie on April 8, 1896, and the second marriage provided four more children. One, Francis Abbott Potter (b. 1902 d. 1903) was named for his partner, Dr. Abbott. By coincidence, the granddaughter-in-law of one of the Dunton mine owners now lives in Dr. Abbott's house, which is directly across the street from Thurston Cole's former residence. Cole probably obtained the diary from his association with the neighborhood and may have been presented to him as early as 1947 as he had developed a strong amateur interest in mining. Historian, Stuart Martin, who lived in the same village was unable to locate the diary as late as 1987. I've publicly offered a two lobster dinner reward for being able to read the diary and there are low-level rumors that the diary still exists in private hands. (Thurston Cole and his brother never married and there are no direct heirs to contact to find out what happened to their effects.) In the taped interview of Shaub with Cole (~1958), Cole promised to copy portions of the diary for Shaub, but Shaub's widow, who will be a co-a uthor with me, has not found the copied pages, although she is still searching Ben's extensive files. Ben probably had copies as he wrote a short history of the Newry mines in 1963 for the Rumford Mineral and Gem Association's Yearbook. Cole also cited the diary in the first issue of that club's yearbook back in 1948. As you can see, I'm willing to spend some time searching the story. Stuart Martin was also a friend of mine, and the late Sally Spencer, who was a member of the Rumford Historical Society, and coincidentally former owner of a gem mine, herself, told me that Martin's papers were being donated by Martin's daughter, but I don't think that transfer has taken place. Have found anecdotes regarding Potter. In 1902 or 1903, his wife was being treated for "her health" in Boston, and Potter was an agent for the mining partners to sell gems and crystals and Potter offered some crystals, at a very favorable price, to George Howe of Norway, Maine, but Howe refused to buy them feeling he wouldn't take advantage of a man in distressed financial condition. Potter lived in South Waterford village and he is last mentioned in the Maine Register for 1906 in that town, the year of death indicated in the Potter genealogy. I do not know if Lottie Ritchie Potter continued to live in South Waterford or if she remarried or if she returned to Nova Scotia. I have not found Potters in the telephone directory. I do have another tape of Flora Abbott of South Waterford remembering CLP, but as she was a young woman when she knew CLP, her information was not detailed. Additionally, I am unsure what motivated CLP to leave Clementsport, Nova Scotia, with three young children. I know of no Potter roots for him to seek or of any historical event in his town or province which was an influence. Details are appreciated. Best Regards, Van