08/12/2026
As many of you know, BBF moved locations to 333 Union Street, New Bedford, MA. BBF Partner Mike Franco did some digging and found out some of the history behind the building and its owner:
Stephen Russell Potter House – circa 1905
Welcome to the Stephen Russell Potter House at 333 Union Street in New Bedford, MA.
The house sits on a lot that was vacant land until 1905. The land was deeded to Potter on April 20, 1905. It is likely that Potter built the house in 1905. The completed house shows up on a map of New Bedford in 1906. And, the first reference to Potter as a resident of 333 Union Street in the City Directory is 1906. The house was built in a classic Queen Anne style. It is unknown who designed the house and who built it.
So, who was Stephen Russell Potter?
Potter led an interesting life. He was born to a wealthy family in New Bedford on December 17, 1845. His father was Capt. Stephen N. Potter – a whale ship owner and captain. In 1843, Capt. Potter built a Greek Revival house in the then fashionable County Street area at 479 County Street – a short walk from 333 Union Street. It is likely that the younger Potter was born and raised at 479 County Street.
Potter began his education at the Gleason School, followed by Middle Street Grammar School, and ending at Friends Academy. While a student at Friends Academy, he enlisted in the 15th Massachusetts Unattached Company. He was stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor during the Civil War. After the War, Potter returned to New Bedford. He entered the business world as part of the company Tinkham & Potter, which was a manufacturer of women’s and children’s shoes. The business lasted only four years. Potter then moved to Chicago, where he lived for the next five years. He worked on commission sales in boots and shoes. On a visit to his widowed mother, Potter decided to close out his Chicago business and move back to the New Bedford area. He joined the company Sanders & Barrows, which was a clothing merchant house. Potter worked for the company as its sales rep until his retirement 30 years later.
Potter married Rhoda Briggs of Dartmouth on January 12, 1870. She died on December 13, 1916 – after 46 years of marriage. They had no children.
Potter kept busy in his retirement years. He built the house at 333 Union Street at the age of 60. He was manager of the local Soldiers’ Relief Fund. He was a member of Post No. 1 of the Grand Army of the Republic; the Acushnet Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Dartmouth Club. He helped to found the Zachariah Hillman Engine Company, and was its Vice President for several years. In his spare time, Potter was passionate about fishing. It was said that “he is very successful in matching wits with the finny tribe and usually brings home as many as he cares to.”
Potter died on September 5, 1919 at the age of 73. He is buried in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford alongside his wife Rhoda.
