Elisha Reynolds Potter was a statesman in the Federalist Party from Kingston, Rhode Island

Kingston, Rhode Island

Kingston is a village and a census-designated place in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States, and the site of the main campus of the University of Rhode Island. Much of the village center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Kingston Village Historic...

, who served several times as the Speaker in the Rhode Island State Assembly. Potter ran against Peleg Arnold

Peleg Arnold

Peleg Arnold was a lawyer, tavern-keeper, jurist, and statesman from Smithfield, Rhode Island . He represented Rhode Island as a delegate to the Continental Congress in the 1787–1788 session...

 in a special election for the U.S House of Representatives in 1796 caused by Benjamin Bourne

Benjamin Bourne

Benjamin Bourne was an American jurist and politician from Bristol, Rhode Island. He represented Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a judge in both the federal district and federal appellate courts.Borurne was born in Bristol and graduated from Harvard College in 1775...

's resignation, and Potter won the election. He served as a United States Congressman from 1796 to 1797 and again from 1809 to 1815.

His son, also Elisha Reynolds Potter

Elisha R. Potter

Elisha Reynolds Potter was a statesman and jurist from Kingston, Rhode Island. He was a justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives. His father, Elisha Reynolds Potter, also served in the US Congress. He was a member of the...

, was also a Congressman.

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