John Adams (abt. 1736 - abt. 1795)

Born about 7 Mar 1736 in County Cavan, Ulster, Ireland

Descendants

Died about 1795 at about age 58 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Debra Akin [send private message]

Biography

ADAMS OF NORTHLANDS

Tradition records that there were three brothers of the family of Adam of Fanno who lived in Scotland in the 17th century. The eldest brother continued the line in Scotland. However, the two younger brothers, adding the letter "S" to their patronymic, left home, one settling in Wales and the other in Ireland. The latter, known as ADAMS OF NORTHLANDS, is said to have married Catherine Magennis, the daughter of Arthur Magennis.

JOHN ADAMS

JOHN ADAMS is said to be a descendant of ADAMS OF NORTHLANDS. One account says the given name of Adams of Northlands is unknown. However, another account identifies Adams of Northlands as Col. James Adams, the father of Capt. James Adams.

DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH

JOHN ADAMS was born in County Cavan, Ireland, but the date of his birth is uncertain. One account says he was born about 1720. But another account says he probably died around 1795 or 1796, at about age 60. If so, this would fix his date of birth at about 1735 or 1736.

A certificate of Baptism/Birth exists for a John Adams born on March 7, 1736 (see image 4, attached). However, it's not clear that this is the same John Adams that came to America and settled in North Carolina. The actual date of his birth cannot be stated with certainty. We can only say that he was probably born between 1720 and 1740.

BIRTH PARENTS UNCERTAIN

The Family History records that John Adams (the immigrant) was the son of Allen Adams and Martha Higenbotham. However, the Genealogical History records their seven children as: Richard, James, William, Samuel, Benjamin, Margaret and Jane. The name "John" does not appear in the Genealogical History.

A question arises as to the actual parents of John Adams (the immigrant). Allen Adams was the son of James Adams, Esq. and Jane Allen. The Genealogical History says they had only one son. However, the Family History says there is evidence they had "several" sons but provides no names except for Allen who married Martha Higenbotham.

James Adams Esq., was the son of Capt. James Adams. The Genealogical History says Capt. James Adams had two sons. However, the names of his wife and second son are unknown. A possibility arises that John Adams (the immigrant) had a grandfather (or great-grandfather) named, "Richard", i.e., the same name as the firstborn son of Allen Adams and Martha Higenbotham.

A certificate of Baptism/Birth exists for "John Adams" born on March 7, 1736, to Richard and Ann Adams. We do not know if this is the same John Adams as John Adams (the immigrant). However, this interpretation resolves discrepancies between the Genealogical History and the Family History. Conclusive evidence is not available at this time but a confirmed Baptism/Birth record for "John Adams" in County Cavan in 1736, is not easily dismissed as a mere coincidence. A standard of "more likely than not" suggests the actual birth parents of John Adams (the immigrant) were Richard and Ann Adams.

IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA

Prior to 1820, most ships coming to America did not keep lists of who was on board. Immigration was more of a trickle than a flood. Many individuals traveled to their destination on uncomfortable, rat-infested cargo ships. In most cases, only five, ten, or maybe thirty passengers suffered through the trip together. Because of this, reliable documentation for an immigrant's journey to pre-1820 America is sparse and in many cases does not exist.

NORTH CAROLINA

JOHN ADAMS came to America shortly after 1755 and settled in the Yadkin River Valley of North Carolina. In this area he built a cabin in the Lewis Fork area just west of present-day Wilkesboro. At that time, this area was in Anson County but is now in Wilkes County.

HIS FAMILY GROUP

Little is known about JOHN ADAMS, his wife or his children. We do know there were other Adams families in this area and some or all of them were likely related to JOHN ADAMS. One of his sons, Jesse Allen Adams Sr., was born around 1766, in Wilkes County. Jesse Allen Adams Sr., also had a son, Jesse Allen Adams Jr., who was born in 1791.

DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH

Jesse Allen Adams (Sr.) moved his family to Johnston County, North Carolina, in 1794. However, it is believed that JOHN ADAMS, the immigrant, remained in Wilkes County and probably died in the Lewis Fork area around 1795 or 1796.

Sources

• A Genealogical History of the Family of Adams of Cavan, Etc., by the late Rev. Benjamin William Adams, D.D., London (1903
• History of the Adams Family, Lewie Henry Adams; Montgomery, Alabama; 364 pgs, Paragon Press (1981).