Background
Potter was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. His father was a British tax collector and his mother a black servant.
Potter was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. His father was a British tax collector and his mother a black servant.
He became a well-known magician in the New England area. He eventually performed up and down the east coast, going as far south as Alabama. One of Potter"s notable run-ins with prejudice occurred in Mobile, Alabama.
Despite this issue, Potter still made over $4,000 during his visit.
Richard Potter was the first African-American magician and the first American-born magician to gain fame in his own country. Later in life he moved to New Hampshire and purchased a large amount of land.
The village of Potter Place where he lived was named after him. Potter inspired Grace Metalious"s character Samuel Peyton in the novel Peyton Place.