Adam Gaskins (abt. 1755 - abt. 1820)

Born about 1755 in Hyde, North Carolina

Died about 1820 at about age 65 in Hyde, North Carolina, United States

Biography

Captain Adam Gaskins served with Carteret County Regiment, North Carolina Militia during the American Revolution.

Adam Gaskins is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A201899.

Adam Gaskins was born before 1755 in Hyde County, North Carolina.^[1] His surname is recorded as "Gaskill" on some records. The identity of his parents is not known at this time.

Adam married Sarah Gibbs per his DAR record.^[1] One child is also listed on the DAR record:^[1]

• Easter Ester, m. Joseph Tunnel

Adam was one of the early pilots at Ocracoke Inlet, appearing on a 1773 petition to block African Americans from obtaining a pilot's license. ^[2][3][4] As a pilot, his job would have been to guide ships through the inlet, across the bar, and into the channels leading to Pamlico Sound and mainland ports.^[5] During the American Revolution, the Ocracoke pilot's duties increased to a critical role of coast guard.

In 1776, Adam served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Selby Harney's Bogue Inlet Independent Company. On 30 Jul 1779, he was identified as Captain Adam Gaskins, over the Ocracoke Independent Company. In 1781, he served as a Captain in Lieutenant Colonel John Easton's Carteret County Regiment, North Carolina.^[6][7] He also served in the War of 1812, as a Sergeant in the 2nd Regiment of North Carolina Militia.^[8]

In 1802, Adam was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as first keeper of the first Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.^[9][10]

In 1800, he was a Hyde County, North Carolina, resident, enumerated on the 1800 census.^[11]

He was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, representing Carteret County in 1792-1794^[12] and Hyde County in 1800.^[13]

Adam Gaskins passed away before 1820 at Hyde County, North Carolina.^[1][14]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 17 Oct 2023), "Record of Adam Gaskins", Ancestor # A201899.
2. ↑ The Colonial Records of North Carolina Volume 9, North Carolina1890, p. 804
3. ↑ Stick, David. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1584-1958. United States: University of North Carolina Press, 2015.
4. ↑ Naval Documents of the American Revolution Volume 12:ADAM GASKINS
5. ↑ [https://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2011/06/early-pilots.html Ocracoke Island Journal
6. ↑ Revolutionary War Soldiers for NC and SC, Data provided by the website Carolana.
7. ↑ The American Revolution in North Carolina
8. ↑ United States War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29K-7ZBQ : 8 March 2021), Adam Gaskins, 1812-1815; citing NARA microfilm publication M602 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); roll 78; FHL microfilm 882,596.
9. ↑ Cape Hatteras National Seashore
10. ↑ Standing Watch in the Shadows of History February 8, 2021 ; Island Features; By: Kevin Duffus
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1800", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRD-8WB : Wed Oct 04 08:02:20 UTC 2023), Entry for Adam Gaskins, 1800.
12. ↑ Image Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584 to 1851, Vol. II, Carteret County
13. ↑ Image Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584 to 1851, Vol. II, Hyde County
14. ↑ "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KLYF-HRY : 8 March 2021), Adam Gaskins, 1819; citing Hyde, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 2,229,771.

Also see:

• FamilySearch KHH2-S5G