Joseph Adams (abt. 1759 - 1839)

Born about 12 Mar 1759 in Frederick, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Wright) Adams — married about 1785 in Frederick, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 4 Mar 1839 at about age 79 in Fairfield Township, Highland, Ohio, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sara Patton [send private message]

Biography

Most of the names and dates of the Adams family came from "Frederick Findings", a short lived historic publication that dealt with families and happenings in old Frederick Co. The publisher, Michael Pollard, was an Adams descendent and collected the data on the Adams family. Where possible, I've tried to reconfirm his info using info from the Hopewell Friends Records.

Family data in Kerns book p. 248-249 based on "The Adams Family of Frederick and Hampshire Counties, Virginia" by Michael Pollock, FREDERICK FINDINGS, V4 #2, pp.95-96) Info in brackets is mine.

"JOSEPH Adams was born circa 1756 [Ohio Quaker Records give birth as 1760] in Frederick County (VA), and died circa 1838 in Highland County, Ohio. He married Mrs. MARY (Wright) Thatcher, widow of Samuel Thatcher of Berkeley County, VA. JOSEPH was disowned by Hopewell Meeting [Quaker Church] (1781) for public drunkeness, rudeness, and fornication. MARY was disowned on April 4, 1785 for fornication. [Their first child was born July 18, 1786.] In 1795 and 1796, MARY and JOSEPH were readmitted to Hopewell Meeting, In 1825, they migrated from Frederick County to Highland County."

Joseph Adams, the son of John and Hannah Adams, was born in 1759 in Frederick Co, VA. (See Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy V5: 217 Fairfield Meeting: 1839, 3, 4 Joseph d. ae 79 bur Fairfield. (March 4, 1839.) Age at death on headstone 79 yrs 11 mos, 23 days which makes birth date 9 March 1759.

Although no marriage record has been found, it appears that Joseph widow Mary Wright Thatcher in 1785 because April 4, 1785 MARY (Wright) Adams is disowned (from Quaker membership) for marrying contrary to discipline --ie outside of the Quaker faith.. Their first child, Hannah Adams was born July 18, 1786. It is difficult to track Joseph and Mary through the Frederick Co, VA records as there appears to be at least 2 JOSEPH Adams, father and son. And at least 2 MARY Adams-- sister or wife of JOSEPH Sr. and several MARY Thatchers, and MARY Wrights.

Hopewell Friends (Quaker) History:

p. 408 --July 7, 1766: Family membership at Hopewell lists JOSEPH as son of John Adams & wife. and siblings Wm, Henry, John, MARY , Susannah.

p.257--Sept 8, 1773--Crooked Run Meeting: Wedding of SAMUEL THATCHER of Barkly Co in the Coloney of VA, and MARY WRIGHT of Frederick Co and Coloney aforesaid; 8th day of 9th month 1773; at Crooked Run.

p.413, 419: --Oct 2 1775 MARY Thatcher transfers membership from Concord to Hopewell meeting; Nov 28 1782 transfers membership back to Concord.

1776- Samuel Thatcher, husband of MARY Wright dies.

p.124: -Jan 6, 1778- List of subscribers for funds to be paid for benefit of the Indians who formerly owned lands on which they now lived.... included JOSEPH ADAMS for L1 5 shillings and WILLIAM ADAMS for L4. (low end of pledges)

p. 271--April 5,1780--Middle Creek: MARY Thatcher "JR" witness to wedding of Stephen Thatcher and Ruth Forknere of Berkeley Co.

p. 503,505: --May 1 1780 MARY Thatcher Sr. is disowned-no reason given; --Nov 3 1781 JOSEPH Adams is disowned and reinstated Dept 26 1796-no reason given; --Nov 28 1782 MARY Thatcher transfers membership back to Concord.

p.280 --Jan 16 1783--"at usual meeting house" MARY Thatcher, John Adams witness to wedding of Jonathan Wright, son of Thomas and Esther Wright, dcd of Frederick Co, and Hannah Ridgwey, of Berkley Co. This is definitely sister of groom.

p.419 --April 4, 1785 MARY (Wright) Adams disowned for marrying contrary to discipline but reinstated March 2, 1795.

p. 293 --Dec 10 1788 -- Back Creek: JOSEPH Adams as witness at marriage of Jacob Pickering, and Lydia Adams (d/o John and Hannah Adams) with David Adams, Henry Adams, MARY Adams, William Adams.

p.308--Dec 10, 1794--: Witnesses at Elisha Ellis and Sarah Rogers wedding: LYDIA ADAMS (Maiden name?), JOHN ADAMS, MARY ADAMS (sister or wife of JOSEPH), THOMAS ADAMS, Jno. Pickering, Jona. Pickering, Jacob Pickering, Barack Fisher, Josiah & Ann Jackson, Sidney Rogers, Elizabeth Rogers, Josiah Rogers (also attended Lydia and Jacob's wedding)

p. 309 --May 11, 1796-Back Creek:MARY ADAMS witness to marriage of Ambrose Taylor and Amy Jenkins

p. 433-Dec 5 1796- Certificate of Membership in Hopewell Meeting: JOSEPH and MARY Adams children: Hannah, Phebe, Isaac, John, JOSEPH (Jr.) Other children not listed. Perhaps too young or not yet born.

p.311--Jan 1, 1798--Back Creek: JOSEPH Adams as witness at marriage of Jonathon Pickering and Elizabeth Rogers of Frederick Co. with MARY ADAMS, Lydia ADAMS (wife & mother or sister & mother??)

p. 312--March 14, 1798--Back Creek: JOSEPH ADAMS as witness at marriage of Stephen Taylor and MARY Jinkins with Lydia ADAMS, MARY ADAMS (wife & mother or sister & mother??)

p. 315--Nov 8 1798--Bear Garden, Hampshire Co: JOSEPH Adams as witness at marriage of David Smith and Ruth Wright

p.325--May 12, 1802--Back Creek: JOSEPH Adams witness at marriage of Azel Walker and Hannah Jackson.

p.331-Oct 9 1805 at Back Creek: MARY ADAMS witness to Isaac Jackson and Ann McBride marriage.

p.332-April 8 1807 "At the upper meeting on appe-pye ridge": Witness to marriage of Jacob Jenkins and Hannah Gawthrop include MARY ADAMS, Hannah ADAMS, WRIGHTS: Jonathan, Margaret, Thomas, Richard, Hannah, Sarah; LUPTONS-Samuel, Isaac, David Jr. , Joseph, Grace, Esther, Sarah, Mary, David.

p. 340--April 10, 1811--Upper Ridge: JOSEPH and Mary ADAMS witness at marriage of Thos Wright and Esther Brown

p.344--Sept 16 1812--Ridge Meeting House: JOSEPH and MARY ADAMS witness at marriage of George Smith and Sally Wright

p.360--Jan 12, 1825--Upper Ridge: JOSEPH witness at marriage of Evan George and Hannah Bond

1820 Census: Pugh, Frederick Co, VA-Joseph Adams (nxt door to John Adams) August 7, 1820: 2 males - 16 thru 25, 2 Males - 45 and over; 1 Females - 10 thru 15; 1 Females - 45 and over : 3 persons - Engaged in Manufacture.

p. 451--Nov 10, 1825: JOSEPH Adams and wife MARY change membership from Hopewell to Fairfield Meeting (with sons Isaac Adams -Oct 6, 1825, Jonathan Adams -Sept 7 1826- also change membership to Fairfield. John Adams disowned in Oct 6 1825 for moving away without settling his business affairs; lives at Centre, Ohio. June 8, 1826--Soloman Adams discontinued as member by request.

All of their children as adults, moved to Ohio, most if not all to Highland Co, following son Joseph Jr. who moved there before 1818. Most of the family appears to have moved in 1825. Some of the children moved to other areas after. JOSEPH outlived 3 sons.

Following entries in Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol V:217 for Fairfield MM, in Fairfield Twp, Highland Co, OH.

July 29, 1826: Joseph SR & w transfer from Hopewell Mtg -Lees Creek Mtg (VA) 11.10.25 to Fairfield Mtg (OH) 7.29.1826

Oct 13, 1836: Mary Adams d. 10.13 1836 age 73 buried Fairfield March 4, 1839: Joseph Adams Sr. d. 3.4.1839 age 79 buried Fairfield.

Following in Highland Co., OH Deed Books : Sept 14, 1825 -- Joseph Adams of Frederick Co. VA to David Swain of Highland Co, Ohio 10p. [Highland Co Deed Book 7, p. 182]

July 28 1828--Joseph and his wife Mary sold to Joseph Wright [Highland Co Deed Book 1, p. 478]

Nov 2 1829-- release of mortage by D. Branson on land owned by Joseph Adams (this is after death of Joseph, Jr. but could pertain to him?.[Highland Co. Deed Bk 1 (?), p. 191]

1830 Highland Co, OH Census p. 65 1m- 0010010001-1F 60-70 Joseph-70-80 Mary 60-70

1839, 3, 4-(March 4, 1839.)- Joseph Adams d. ae 79 bur Fairfield. (b. 1760) Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy V5: 217 Fairfield Meeting (located near Leesburg, Highland Co, OH)

That JOSEPH is deceased by June 1840 is confirmed by Deed Book 8, June 5, 1840 which states that mortgagors acknowledge right title, claim in on and to real estate of JOSEPH Adams dc. This is probably JOSEPH, Sr. as is closer to his date of death than son JOSEPH, Jr.

SOURCES

• Wilmer L. Kerns, Frederick County, VA: Settlement and Some First Families of Back Creek Valley 1730-1830 (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1995).
• Hopewell Friends History, 1734-1934, Frederick County, Virginia: Records of Hopewell Monthly Meetings and Meetings Reporting to Hopewell; Two Hundred Years of History and Genealogy compiled from official records and published by a Joint Committee of Hopewell Friends, assisted by John W. Wayland 1936
• Highland Co, OH Deed Books
• Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy V5: 217 Fairfield Meeting
• Frederick Findings Volumes 4-6, edited by Michael E. Pollock
• Census Records

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sara Patton for creating WikiTree profile Adams-10858 through the import of hayzlett-hughart-black-waln-adams.ged on Mar 10, 2013.