Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Lucinda Jane Potter

Female 1866 - 1932  (~ 65 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Lucinda Jane Potter 
    Born May 1866  Whitchurch Twp., York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Female 
    House of Industry and Refuge 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3
    inmate 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    House of Industry 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Not Given 
    Residence Bef 1911  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Methodist 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-177438 
    Died 21 Feb 1932  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I177438  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Daniel Potter,   b. 1834,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Catherine Hiltz,   b. 1834,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F54953  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Children 
     1. Robert William Potter,   b. 13 Jun 1899, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F54954  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Lucinda was returned to the House of Refuge and Industry one final time on June 12, 1883 ( she was 17 years old at this point) and would remain in the House until her death 49 years later.

      At the House, Lucinda was victim to physical and verbal abuse by the managers, Peter and Alvina Itter. These accounts of abuse came to light after an inquest was made by the Standing Committee of the House of Industry and Refuge in 1893 for accusations made against Peter and Alvina Itter for neglecting, mistreating and abusing some of the people living in the House of Refuge during their 13 years as managers. Lucinda's name was repeatedly mentioned by firsthand witnesses of being someone who consistently suffered abuse by the hands of the managers. An account by former inmate, Elizabeth Beight, that was published in the Berlin Daily Record on July 4, 1893 stated the following:

      I saw Mrs. Itter whip with horsewhip Flory McFee so it left marks and also saw her whip Lucinda Potter with a strap. Heard Mrs. Itter use indecent language. I was told by an inmate that Mrs. Itter ill-treated her, kicked and downed her on the floor, putting one knee on her and striking her in the eye. She nearly lost her eyesight by the effect.

      Source: Kitchener Public Library Archives


      Lucinda Potter - Waterloo County House of Industry and Refuge. (1875). Waterloo County House of Industry and Refuge. Retrieved 1 February 2018, from https://waterloohouseofrefuge.ca/people/inmates/lucinda-potter/

  • Sources 
    1. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 26 Pg 1.

    2. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Sec. 5 Page 35.

    3. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 26 Pg 2.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - May 1866 - Whitchurch Twp., York Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHouse of Industry and Refuge - inmate - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - House of Industry - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Not Given - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Bef 1911 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Methodist - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 21 Feb 1932 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth