Son of Capt. Samuel Pottinger and Jane (nee Gray) Withrow Gilkey Pottinger. (He was actually born in Virginia, as KY was originally a part of Virginia. In 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state to join the Union.) He was a Lieutanant in the KY Militia - 2nd Regiment (Nelson County), registered July 19, 1804. (Also known as the “Corn Stalk Militia,” due to the practice of many militiamen drilling with cornstalks rather than muskets.)

He married Lucinda (Jameson) on 15 Oct 1809 in Nelson County, Kentucky.
Lucinda and Sam had 12 children;

John Goodlet b 1812
George Washington b 1814
William Russel b 1815
James Allen b 1816
Emeline b 1818
Robert Caldwell b 1820
Thomas Jefferson Sr b 1820
Mary Jane b 1822
Hardin Logan b 1824
Mariam Greenup b 1826
Mariah Jane b 1830
Mary Ann b 1832

In 1818, he laid out the town of New Haven, KY, changing its name from Pottenger's Landing. He also ran several distilleries and mills and owned all the land from New Haven to New Hope which is 5 miles east.

From David Hall 1985 Ky Standard, "To again quote the Pottenger Clan biographer, Forrest Pottinger … "In 1818 the younger Pottinger (Sam Jr.) went to New Orleans with an unusually large shipment (whiskey in barrels). Finding a dull market, he exchanged his entire cargo for cotton. This he shipped and accompanied coast-wise (around Florida) to New Haven, Connecticut. After selling the cotton he returned home by way of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Louisville early in the year 1819. Much pleased with the New England City (reportedly, the stately elms were a great part of that pleasure), he replaced the sign on the old "Meat Cabin" with one reading, ‘New Haven'. And on March 20, he had Isaac Harrel, the Co. Surveyor lay off a town there into squares and lots…The founder of the place (Sam Pottenger Jr.) reserved for himself lot 1 and on it built a comfortable double-log house that spring. It was situated on Main Street about 300 feet east of the present railroad bridge (circa 1920). He moved to lot 1 in the Spring of 1819." In 1831, he inherited Walnut Hill from his father, Capt. Samuel Pottinger and moved in.

He died in September 23, 1832 at the age of 47 from self-inflicted injury. His will had just been recorded and signed on August 20, 1832. He left behind his wife and 10 living children with the youngest being just 6 weeks old. On the 25th of October, 1832 Lucinda held a "Public Sale" that included whiskey, wheat, corn, horses, cattle, all kinds of stock, and farming implements. His estate was split up and eventually Thomas Jefferson (son) and family retained "Walnut Hill".

Lucinda, against the wishes of her friends and family, married Strother M Helm on the 6th of June, 1836. Within a short time she was displeased with his actions. Finally, with a great deal of encouragement, he joined the Lopez Expedition to Cuba. After a number of years she divorced him, only to learn later that the entire outfit was captured and was executed by firing squad. She lived in New Haven until her death on October 25, 1867 and was buried in the Pottinger Cemetery, Gethsemane, Kentucky beside her first husband, Samuel. (Information from an article submitted to Nelson County Historical Society by Mary Arbella Pottinger, wife of LB Pottinger, in the Fall of 1992).