Résumé

Apprentice, Joseph-Pierre-François Jeanselme, Cabinet Maker, Paris, France, c. 1838; according to Metropolitan Museum of Art: "The Jeanselme firm was founded in 1834 and within ten years had acquired the renowned furniture firm of Jacob-Desmalter. By the middle of the century, Jeanselme had become one of the most important cabinetmakers in Paris as well as Fournisseur du Mobilier de la Couronne (Furnisher to the Crown) under Louis-Philippe. The firm continued until 1930." (See Metropolitan Museum of Art, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art, "Armchair," accessed 07/08/2016.) Journeyman Carver, E.W. Hutchings and Son, Furniture Company, New York, NY, 1850-1851; Partner, Herter, Pottier and Company, New York, NY, 1851-1853; General Foreman, Rochefort and Scarren, Cabinet Makers, New York, NY, 1856-1859.

Upon the death of Rochefort in 1859, Pottier left to form his own company with an upholstery worker in the same factory, William P. Stymus, Sr. Partner, Pottier and Stymus Manufacturing Company, New York, NY, 1859-1888. Partner, Pottier and Stymus Company, New York, NY, 1888-1918 or 1919.

Relocation

Pottier was born in the Île-de-France town ofCoulommiers, France in 1823. He learned the sculpting of wood in Paris, c. 1838, and worked there until about 1847, when he immigrated to New York City. This 1847-1848 period was highly turbulent throughout Europe, and was the time many highly skilled craftsmen left for the US. He left for the US from Le Havre aboard the S.S. Burgundy on 08/15/1847, arriving in America on 10/05/1847. He was naturalized a US citizen on 04/05/1855 in the Superior Court of the City of New York.

In 1889, Pottier resided at 59 William Street in New York. His will went through probate on 05/19/1896.(See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Record of Wills, 1665-1916; Index to Wills, 1662-1923 (New York County); Author: New York. Surrogate's Court (New York County); Probate Place: New York, New York, accessed 07/08/2016.)

Biographical Notes

According to his US Passport Application of 05/22/1889, at age 65, Pottier stood 5-feet, 4-and-1/4-inches tall. He had a dark complexion, full face, round chin, large nose, high forehead, brown eyes and brown-grey hair. He may have been getting a passport to attend the Paris World Exposition of 1889, the fair that featured Gustave Eiffel's Hall of Machines and his Tower. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, 1795-1905; Roll #: 329; Volume #: Roll 329 - 20 May 1889-24 May 1889, accessed 07/08/2016.)

• Coulommiers, Île-de-France France (Architect's Birth)
  Coulommiers, Île-de-France France

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