Potter, Reuben M. (Reuben Marmaduke), 1802-1890

Reuben M. Potter was born in New Jersey in 1802. From 1827 to 1833 he was an agent of a commercial house in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, after which he served as the customs comptroller at Galveston, Texas. In December 1846 Potter became secretary to Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jessup, quartermaster general of the United States Army. He was made a prisoner of war in San Antonio during the Civil War. After his parole, he moved to New York to resume his quartermaster duties until his retirement in 1882.

Born in New Jersey, Reuben Marmaduke Potter (1802-1890) was a solider, author, and customs officer. His long, varied military career in the Texas Army spanned from 1827, when he was captured in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during the Texas Revolution, until his retirement on June 30, 1882. During his service, Potter was secretary to Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jessup and interpreter for José Antonio Navarro during the first Texas State Senate; captured by Confederate forces in San Antonio in 1861, and appointed captain in 1866. Potter extensively published poems and articles that often dealt with Texas history and was considered an expert on the history of the Alamo.

Sources:

Bowen, Beryl V. Potter, Reuben Marmaduke. Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fpo30.

Soldier, author and customs officer.

A resident of Matamoros, 1827-1837, Potter had the opportunity to gather first-hand information on the fall of the Alamo, a subject on which he became an authority. Potter originally published his observations on the battle in the San Antonio Herald (1860). Later (1875) he revised and enlarged the article, incorporating new information from Col. Juan N. Seguín and others.

Born in New Jersey, Reuben Marmaduke Potter (1802-1890) was a solider, author, and customs officer.

His long, varied military career in the Texas Army spanned from 1827, when he was captured in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during the Texas Revolution, until his retirement on June 30, 1882. During his service, Potter was secretary to Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jessup and interpreter for José Antonio Navarro during the first Texas State Senate; captured by Confederate forces in San Antonio in 1861, and appointed captain in 1866. Potter extensively published poems and articles that often dealt with Texas history and was considered an expert on the history of the Alamo.

Sources:

Bowen, Beryl V.Potter, Reuben Marmaduke. Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fpo30.

Reuben M. Potter was born in New Jersey in 1802.

From 1827 to 1833 he was an agent of a commercial house in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, after which he served as the customs comptroller at Galveston, Texas. In December 1846 Potter became secretary to Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jessup, quartermaster general of the United States Army. He was made a prisoner of war in San Antonio during the Civil War. After his parole, he moved to New York to resume his quartermaster duties until his retirement in 1882.