Ward Adams Cemetery

Captain Robert Adams born around 1750/54 died about 1790.
Married Mary Terrell daughter of Joel Terrell and Ann Lewis.
He lived at what used to be known as the old "Brook's Place" which now is the site for Altavista.

Appointed on the Commission for the Peace for Bedford County, Virginia, February 24, 1778
Qualified in March, 1778 and served until September, 1781
He served under his uncle Col. Charles Lynch along with James Callaway, at the lead mines, and was associated with him in suppressing Tories and malefactors, by the "Lynch Law". He was mentioned by name in the law passed by the General Assembly in 1781, exempting them from suits, and justifying the conduct of those who had protected this section of the state from the depredations of Tories and evil-doers, albeit by measures not strictly within the law.  An old song relating to their deeds is remembered as the following:
Hurrah for Colonel Lynch, Captain Bob, and Callaway,
They never turned a Tory loose until he shouted,
Liberty!
He was a member of the first Commission of the Peace for Campbell County on February 7, 1782.
He represented Campbell County in the House of Delegates in 1782-1783.
He was recommended for Sheriff in 1783, and again in 1787. He qualified to that office in July, 1787 and served until 1789.
The duties of Sheriff then included those of Tax Collector. Conditions were then unsettled and taxes hard to collect and he went security for his brother James and he became financially involved and was liable for $30,000. After his death all his property had to be sold to pay for his debts.
He died in 1790 of typhoid fever contracted while on a visit to his sister, Mildred Adams Ward, wife of William Ward . He was  buried in Pittsylvania County on Staunton River which is now known as the Ward Adams Cemetery.

His children: Charles Adams, William Adams, Joel Terrell Adams, Polly Adams, Robert Adams, John Lynch Adams, James Adams, George Adams, Christopher Adams, Penelope Adams.

Sources:
Richmond, William and Timothy Terrell Colonial Virginians
Henings Statutes at Large
Adams Biographical Genealogies
Howe's "Historical Collections of Virginia"
Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches