Looking down on The Green stands the bust of Potto Brown; history has shown Potto to be one of the most formidable characters in the history of Houghton.
Born of a Northamptonshire Quaker family, Potto Brown was born in 1797. His father, William, had taken over running the water mill after its owners withdrew from the business. He was named after William's wife's maiden name, which was derived from a village in the north riding of Yorkshire, where she had ancestral roots.
Potto was brought up in strict religious ways, but was no scholar. He did however have one forte - his motivation was money.
He believed that money came from hard work. |  |
As his wealth increased, he realised the importance of education to those around him, and set up a school at Houghton and Wyton and, later, built larger schools in St Ives and elsewhere.
Potto was a generous man, especially where he thought that it would promote his religious views.
One of the greatest contributions he made to England's properity was the introduction of steam roller milling from France. He built a large steam mill at St Ives, and another at Huntingdon - alas, neither have survived.
In 1822, he took over the milling business, following his father's retirement and his own marriage. He ventured into farming on Wyton Manor Farm; this was owned by Lady Olivia Sparrow, as was the mill which he also rented. Having been disowned by the Quakers, he became a Congregationalist and built the Chapel Retreat in Houghton. He retired in 1862, passing on the milling business to his son, Bateman.
2 years after his third marriage, he died at the age of 74. He was buried in the Chapel Retreat, next to his previous 2 wives and his mother - his headstone can still be seen.
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