William Potts 1850-1924
Wayne County, NC
William and Nancy Wilhelmina Carolina Casey Potts

A special thanks to Rebecca Massey, great-granddaughter of William and Willie Casey Potts, for sharing her family photos and information.


William was the son of Newman Potts Sr. and wife Susan Marinda Lewis of Brogden Township. He lived near Mt. Olive where he farmed and raised his family with wife Willie (1860-1943) whom he married November 17, 1875.


William and Willie's children were:

Susan Lenora (1877-1935) married Robert Phillip Raiford - Tombstones
Julia Agnes (1880-1914) married John Thomas Whitted - Tombstones
Cuzzie Eliza (1883-1971) married John Needham Southerland - Tombstones
Walter L. (1884-1884) - Tombstone
Carrie Mae (1886-1942) married Sylvester Hassell Aycock
Maude (1889-1890) - Burial
Clyde Mabelle (1890-1973) married John Thomas O'Berry - Tombstones
William Herbert (1893-1958) married Addie Bell Royal - Tombstones
Willie B. (1895-1898) - Burial
Lola Belle (1897-1942) married Dewey Potts - Tombstones
Herman Orestes (1899-1900) - Burial
Eunice Emaline (1900-1952) married Jerry Bryan Dalton - Tombstones
Infant Son (1903-1903) - Burial
Eshter Lee (1904-1976) married John Salmon Wilson - Tombstones


Nancy Wilhelmina (Willie) Carolina and sister Mary Elizabeth Casey were the daughters of Lemuel Casey and Julia Anne Simmons. [Lemuel was the son of Richard Casey, the son of Micajah Casey d. 1800 in Wayne]. Soon after enlisting in the Civil War, Lemuel died February 12, 1863 in Goldsboro of smallpox. Julia died December 10, 1862 two months after Lemuel enlisted. Lemuel is buried in Willowdale Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC and Julia is buried at the old Simmons home near Albertson, NC. The two daughters were reared by Casey family. Wayne County, NC Heritage Book

Simmons Genealogy

1864 - Matthew Casey was appointed guardian to Mary E. Casey and Wilamena Casey and enters into bond in the sum of twenty thousand dollars with Bryan Casey, Abia Herring and Robert Peel securities. Wayne County, NC Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Feb Term 1864. State Archives source: CR.103.301.11.


William and Willie Casey Potts Home
Kelly Springs Road, Wayne County, NC
contributed by Ted Warren


May 3, 1900 - Goldsboro Headlight, Goldsboro, Wayne Co, NC
For County Treasurer
Editor Headlight: Allow me through your valuable paper to press upon the Democracy of Wayne county to nominate for the above position Mr. William Potts. I have known Mr. Potts for twenty-five years and know whereof I speak when I say that he is a high toned gentleman, a good man, popular wherever he is known, a man who will not only carry the votes and add strength to our ticket, but who is worthy and competent of filling the position. There would be no mistake made by nominating Mr. Potts. A South-Side Democrat. Mount Olive, NC May 1st.


Back row: Eunice, Cuzzie, Carrie, Clyde Potts O'Berry, Herbert and Lola Potts
Middle row: Tom Whitted, Agnes Potts Whitted, Winnie Whitted (baby), Willie,
William, Sudie Potts Raiford, Bob Raiford
Front row: Children (seated) Willie Whitted, Temesia Whitted, Robert Raiford,
Ether Raiford, Ralph Raiford


William & Willie Casey Potts


Photo Album


William and Willie Potts Deeds


1899 - William Potts Letter to Sister Mary Caroline Potts Jones


1900 Wayne County, NC Census - Mt. Olive
William Potts, 50, Farmer
Spouse Millermyer (Wilhelmina) Potts, 39
Marriage year 1875
Nummber of children born 11; number living 7
Father and mother's birthplace North Carolina
Can read and write
House owned
Susan Potts, 21
Agnes Potts, 19
Cuzza Potts, 17
Carrie Potts, 14
Clide Potts, 9
Herbert Potts, 7
Lola Potts, 3


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