He was no aristocrat. He lived with and for the people. Thousands will rise up and call him blessed. To be with him, to share his friendship and hospitality, was a great honour.
Early life
From birth to death, Potto Brown lived his whole life in Houghton. He was born on 16 July 1797, the fourth of twelve children in a strongly Quaker family. Named after his maternal grandmother, Sarah Potto, his father William was a reluctant baker and miller from Earith, his mother Elizabeth Hicks.
Potto's father wanted to follow the medical profession, an interest he took up upon retirement in 1821, but his father overruled him. William moved his growing family to Houghton to run Houghton Mill.
His parentage was neither high nor remarkable. That which is conventionally called education left strangely few marks upon him. That which he became, and that which he accomplished, were attained by the indomitable exertion of a resolute will.
It was at Slepe Hall that Potto met his future business partner, Joseph Goodman. After leaving school Potto and Joseph started work at Potto's father's mill in Houghton.
Potto takes the reins
In 1819 William Brown had a very poor year's business and lost much of his property. He struggled on for another two years before retiring in 1821. Potto and Joseph took over the running of Houghton Mill.
Joseph was the thinker, the one who critically examined Potto's plans. Once Joseph's approval was confirmed, Potto was the man to get things done. He was shrewd, sagacious, with an eye for detail, quick and resolute in action. The pair were very close. Joseph lived with Potto until his own marriage in 1826.
Potto married Mary Bateman in 1822 at Chatteris. Only two of their twelve children survived infancy, Bateman and George.
Potto and Joseph built up a thriving business at Houghton Mill, employing 18 men. The flour they produced was renown for its high quality. Every other Monday Potto would rise at 3.00 am to catch the 6.00 am coach from Cambridge, arriving in London about lunchtime ready for business. He also travelled throughout Europe, particularly France, to bring back the best methods of flour production. Potto's relatives often travelled with him.
The death of Joseph
Potto's business partner died in 1844 of 'a fever', most probably typhus. Since their mother had died two years previously, Joseph's seven children were left as orphans. Although the children were sent away to relatives, in later years Joseph's sons (and several other relatives) lived with Potto.
Potto was greatly affected by the death of his lifelong friend.
He almost despaired. The friend with whom he took sweet counsel, and whose opinion in all matters he had constantly consulted, was taken from his side : henceforth he must walk alone.
Business life went on. Brown and Goodman had operated a fleet of barges to transport their corn. Potto saw business advantages in being nearer the railway station at St Ives, opened in 1847. With the help of his sons and Joseph's son, Potto expanded the business, building a mill at St Ives in 1854. The new mill was contingency against the risk of non-renewal of their lease on Houghton Mill. He employed French workmen to build the chimney. Graceful as it was, some forty years later a serious bend was spotted and the upper part had to be hurriedly pulled apart and rebuilt.
A second mill at Godmanchester followed in 1861. By then Potto employed 57 men and 3 boys in his milling business. He also farmed over 200 acres, employing 11 men and 4 boys.
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| St Ives mill St Ives Free Church |
Care for the community
Early in his career, when income well exceeded his needs, Potto determined to give away a proportion of his money for good causes. Settling initially on one-tenth of his income, toward the end of his life he gave away all income after expenses.
Potto set up British Schools for 120 pupils in St Ives, the girls' school opening in 1839, the boys in 1845, costing £2,000 plus annual support (today £250,000). These were schools not associated with the Church of England. Another school started at Houghton. Each was supplied with swings, see-saw and the like for the children's amusement. In 1840, with Joseph Goodman, he'd founded the nonconformist chapel in Houghton.
Potto provided allotments for the residents of St Ives, Houghton and Warboys. Although the annual rent was charged up front, the majority of income was expended on an annual supper, entertainment and prizes for the best cultivation.
Many individuals were helped through personal contributions. One simple example is of 'an old gentleman of individual character' who Potto much respected. Potto learned because of his age the gentleman's employers no longer required his services. Knowing the man would be too proud to accept direct support, Potto arranged to pay an annual sum to the employers to be paid as salary. Potto had a quiet smile when, on meeting the man, Potto was told his services were of such value the employers had raised his salary.
Potto had a strong association with St Ives, attending the corn and cattle markets throughout his life. To encourage the communities of Independents and Baptists to amalgamate, in 1864 Potto donated £3,000 (today £385,000) as a substantial proportion of the cost to erect the Free Church in St Ives. He also gave £1,000 towards the building of Huntingdon Free Church. The ornate designs of these churches, particularly their magnificent spires, troubled Potto, his Quaker principles preferring a simpler design.
Although Potto had strong beliefs, French Roman Catholics and American Protestants were all made welcome at his home in Houghton.
Later life
Although Potto retired from the milling business in 1862, his work wasn't finished. He continued farming and involving himself in plans for a new mill at Huntingdon. He also became a magistrate and Guardian of the St Ives Workhouse.
Potto retained an interest in the science of milling. In 1868 he registered with his son Bateman 'an improved staff or instrument, to be used to ascertain the irregularities in the surfaces of millstones, with a view to their correction'.
Widowed in 1854, Potto married Mrs Johns of Chelmsford in 1859. After the death of his second wife in 1866 he remarried for a third time in 1869.
When he died in 1871 Potto's estate was worth £25,000 (today £3,000,000). He is buried at Houghton Chapel next to his mother and first two wives.
In 1878 a bronze bust of Potto on a granite pedestal was erected in Houghton. The inscription reads
Potto Brown was born in this village 16 July 1797 where he spent his life devoting himself to the best interests of those around him and died 12 April 1871.
Further reading
1797 Birth register
1822 Marriage register
1839 St Ives British Schools
1841 Census
1851 Census
1861 Census
1863 Laying of Free Church foundation stone
1871 Census
1871 Obituary
1878 Unveiling of Houghton monument
1878 The Village Philanthropist
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