John Adair Sr (abt. 1787 - 1831)

Born about 1787 in Laurens, South Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Lucy (Trusler) Adair — married 21 Mar 1812 in Franklin, IN

Husband of Sarah (Trusler) Adair — married 2 Oct 1817 in Franklin, IN

Descendants

Died 1 May 1831 at about age 44 in Brookville, Franklin, Indiana

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Thomas [send private message]

Biography

Geographer of Scotland

Many people give his birth as 1655, there is a christening of Johne Adair 14 December 1655 in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland that fits this, with father: Patrik Adair and mother: Agnes Scotte.^[1]

There are other possibilities, 2 September 1660 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland father: John Adair and mother: Anna Watsone.^[2] and 8 September 1664 in Ayr, Scotland father: William Adair and mother: Jonet Kennedy.^[3]

The earliest known mention of his name is by Sir Robert Sibbald, his patron, from whom Adair received his first public employment. In ‘An Account of the Scottish Atlas,’ a kind of prospectus published in Edinburgh, 1683.

An act of tunnage was passed by parliament 14 June, 1686, ‘In favour of John Adair, geographer, for surveying the kingdom of Scotland, and navigating the coasts and isles thereof.’ ^[4]

He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (1688), Geographer to the King and a Burgess of Stirling (1685), the Canongate (1699) and Aberdeen (1706). He died at his home in the Canongate (Edinburgh).^[5]

Adair probably died in London towards the end of 1722, for we find that in 1723 his widow obtained from government some remuneration for her husband's labours and losses. Among the records of the court of Exchequer is an ‘Inventory of the Maps and Papers delivered by Jean Adair, Relict of Mr. John Adair, Geographer, F.R.S., to the Right Honble the Barons of exchequer in persuance of a Warrent from the Lords Justices, dated 21st June, 1723;’ as is also a minute of the Barons of Exchequer, Martis 19o Nov. 1723, to the following effect:

‘Mrs. Adair, Relict of Jno Adair, late Geographer, having given upon oath an Inventory of all Maps and Papers belonging to her late Husband, in pursuance of the Lord Justices Sign Manual, dated 21st June past, Ordd that the same be lodged in the Remrs Office, and the Precept for payment of her allowance of £40 pr an. be delivered to her.’^[6]

The relationships appear to be rubbish the daughter was born in 1725 and her son in 1722. There are no references found to wives Jane Ross and Lucy Trusler but the the pension was paid to a wife named Jean so these two seem wrong.

Buried in Old Brookville Cemetery, Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana

"... John Adair, came from South Carolina to Brookville, at an early day and opened what was known as the 'Adair Hotel.' He kept this tavern (as it was then called) until his death in 1831. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1817 he was joined in marriage to a Miss Trusler, of Virginia, remarkable for her energy and force of character. After the death of her husband she conducted the tavern for several years. She died at the ripe age of 90 years. ...". [Brookville Democrat 9-5-1889 p. 5 col. 4 - John G. Adair obituary]

"John G. Adair, son of James & Rebecca Adair, was born in Laurens, SC 1787 and died 5/1/1831 in Brookville, Franklin, IN. He married 1st Lucy Trusler March 21, 1812 in Franklin, IN 2nd Susannah Thomas Oct. 26, 1815 in Franklin, IN 3rd Sarah "Sally" Trusler (cousin to Lucy Trusler), Oct. 2, 1817 in Franklin, IN." [Source:The Adair Family Genealogy by Walter William Adair c/o findagrave contributor Cheryl #47182775.]

Franklin County Public Library District, Brookville, IN Copying Of Inscriptions On Gravestones In Old Brookville Cemetery p. 33 "Adair family lot N: Smith, John Adair Died June 5, 1863 Aged 23 yr 9 mo 19 da Adair, Ella N. Died August 16, 1857 Aged 2 yr 11 mo 14 da Adair, Robbie J. Died July 15, 1858. Aged 1 yr 8 mo Adair, Sallie Infant daughter Died May 24, 1868. W: Adair, John G. Died August 26, 1889 Aged 68 yr 5 mo 20 da Adair, Ellen G. Died April 20, 1905 Aged 71 yr 3 mo 24 da S: Adair, John Died May 1, 1821 Aged 44 years Adair, Sarah Died April 4, 1872 Aged 90 yr 7 mo 23 da. E: Adair, Martha C. Died May 22, 1922 Aged 60 years Adair, J. George Died January 11, 1932 Aged 68 years".

Family links: Parents: James William Adair (____ - 1831) Rebecca Montgomery Adair (1751 - 1835)

Spouse: Sarah Trusler Adair (1781 - 1872)*

Children: Benjamin Adair (1818 - 1839)* John G. Adair (1821 - 1889)*

Siblings: Sarah Adair Hanna (1773 - 1855)* Isabella Adair Alexander (1783 - 1841)* John Adair (1787 - 1831) Isaac Adair (1792 - 1852)**

• Calculated relationship
  • Half-sibling

Inscription: Shared side of marker "John Adair Sen. Died May 1, 1831 Aged 44 years Sarah Adair Died April 4, 1872 Aged 90 yrs 7 M & 23 days. Blessed are the pure in heart for the just see God. Schrichle & Wilson Brookville, IN."

Note: section 4 row 11 family lot gravesite16

Burial: Old Brookville Cemetery Brookville Franklin County Indiana, USA

Created by: mrs Record added: Mar 18, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 86934836

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRSK-H6T : accessed 13 May 2014), Johne Adair, 14 Dec 1655; citing EDINBURGH PARISH, EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 1066663, 0103026, 1066698, 1066699, 1066698, 1066699, 1066746-1066750, 1066746-1066751.
2. ↑ "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XY75-Y5S : accessed 13 May 2014), John Adair, ; citing South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland, reference 2:18QNS60; FHL microfilm 1067770.
3. ↑ "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XY8Z-6PJ : accessed 13 May 2014), John Adair, 05 Sep 1664; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 1041329.
4. ↑ 1st Parl. Ja. VII, cap. 21
5. ↑ http://www.scottish-places.info/people/famousfirst374.html
6. ↑ Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 01, Charles Henry Coote Adair, John online

• Wikipedia entry.

rootsweb

• John Adair. (2014). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from website

• http://home.earthlink.net/~artcheryl/trusler1in.html