February 2, 2011 Robert Adams 1754-1790

Image by jimmywayne via Flickr

Leesville Lake as seen from Ward Cemetery.

Robert Adams was born in Bedford County in what is now Campbell County the son of Robert and Penelope Lynch Adams.  He married Mary Terrell and they had twelve children during their marriage. They were:

• Charles Adams  never married
• Robert Adams   He was a tobacconist in Lynchburg, Virginia and never married  died about 1846
• Joel Terrell Adams born December 17, 1775, died October 30, 1847, was a hard shell Baptist Preacher; Married lst on April 24, 1800 Dianitia Walden daughter of Charles and Elizabeth M. Wall Walden.  They had no children.  He married second Sarah Fielder of  Salem,North Carolina. They lived in Pittsylvania County near the Staunton River. She died in 1854
• William Adams  married Ms. Lewis of Botetourt Co. and moved near Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Polly Adams  - never married
• John Lynch Adams born Decembre 13, 1779; died October 19, 1849, married December 25, 1803, Martha Walden, sister of Dianitia.  She was born December 25, 1786; and died April 5, 1875.  He was also a hard shell baptist.  
• James Adams  never married
• George Adams
• Penelope Adams  died in childhood from a burn.
• Christopher Adams  born October 15, 1785; died about 1870.  married Matilda Powell of Mississippi and lived there.
• Edward Adams  was the youngest child and never married.  He died in 1859.
• Milly (Mildred) Adams married George Webb of Appomattox, Virginia

Father of twelve, husband, patriot, soldier, community leader.
Southwest Virginia Crossroads: An Almanac of Place Names and Places to See
The Conquest of the Old Southwest: The Romantic Story of the Early Pioneers into Virginia, The Carolinas, Tennessee, & Kentucky
Virginia Traditions: Southwest
Old-Time Music From Southwest Virginia
History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870


Information taken from the book Timothy Terrel and Richmond Terrel Colonial Virginians
Information found at Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg, Virginia

Robert Adams 1680 to 1740 November 16, 2010

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Robert Adams  1680/90 to 1740

Goochland County, Virginia  Wills and Deeds  1728-1736

Abstracted and Compiled by Benjamin B. Weisiger III

Page 27

p.261  Deed 15, June 1731  Robert Adams of St. James Parish, Goochland Co., to William Owen of same, for 20 pounds, 200 acres on north side of James River, bounded by Josias Payne, Michael Holland, Deep Creek, it being the lower end of 400 acres belonging to said Adms. Witness:  Josias Payne, Stephen Sampson, Thomas Wharton  Signed:  Robert Adams  Recorded June 15, 1731.

Page 30

p. 288 Deed November 15, 1731  Robert Burton of Goochland Co., from John Woodson of same, for 50 pounds, 350 acres on north side Payne, Thomas Wadloe, Robert Adams and John Sutton Farrar. Witness:  Jos. Dabbs, James Daniell, Fleming Bates  Signed:  John Woodson  Recorded November 16, 1731 Susanna, wife of John, relinquishes her dower rights.

p.289 Deed November 14, 1731  John Woodson of Goochland Co., to Thomas Wadlow, 200 acres on north side of James River, bounded by land sold by John Woodson, dec’d, to Robert Adams, broad branch of Tuckahoe Creek, and Robert Burton, Wit: Robt. Payne, Robt. Burton, George Eastham, Fleming Bates, John Bates  Signed:  John Woodson  Recorded November 16, 1731. Susanna, wife of John, relinquished her dower right.

Page 57

p.43  Deed 16, September 1734  John Woodson of Goochland Co., to Robert Adams of same, for 10 pounds, 250 acres on branches of Tuckahoe and Dover Mill Creeks, next to 200 acres sold by said Woodson to Thomas Wadlow; and also 96 acres on both sides of Mill Creek, being easternmost part of land bought by said Adams of John Woodson, dec’d.  Witness:  Arthur Hopkins, Richard Deane, Signed John Woodson  Recorded January 21, 1734.

Page 66

p.114  Deed 15 July, 1735  Robert Adams of Goochland Co., to William Adkinson of same, for 20 pounds, 200 acres on north side of James River on a branch of Licking Hole Creek, being part of a survey taken up by Robert Adams, the other part acknowledged to Michael Holland, bounded by Thomas Sanders, Francis Coley, Robert Adams and Michael Holland. Wit: Thos. Sanders, Richard Parker, Jno. Bowie Signed: Robert Adams  Recorded:  July 15, 1735.

Page 77

p. 213  Deed 20 Jan. 1735  Humphry Parrish of St. James Parish, Goochland Co., to John Winn of same, for 26 pounds, Land Humphry Parrish patented, 400 acres, on north side of James River on branches of Treasurers Run, bounded by Robert Adams, Wellcome William Hodges. Wit: Edmond E. Hodges, John (IP) Parrish, Jean Wilkison, Signed:  Humphry (H)Parrish Recorded May 17, 1736 Mary, wife of Humphrey, relinquished her dower right.

Page 82

p.257  Deed 21 Sept. 1736  Robert Adams of Goochland Co., to Thomas Saunders of same, for love and affection to my son in law Thomas Saunders who hath married my daughter Amie, 400 acres in fork of Licking Hole Creek, bounded as by patent to Adams, June 16, 1727. Wit. Robert Burton Samuel Ridgway, Wm Witt  Signed: Robert Adams  Recorded September 21, 1736.

Page 83

p.262 Deed 16 Nov. 1736  Robert Addams of Goochland Co., to Mathew Collins of same, for __ land on east side of broad branch of Tuckahoe Creek, 100 acres, next to Wadlow and Woodson. Signed Robert Adams Recorded November 26, 1736.

Goochland County Order Book 1  1728-1730  Anne K. Bloomquist

June Court  1730 page 233

Robert Adams was a juror in the case Richard Dean Plaintiff vs. Robert Napier Junior Defendant along with Nicholas Cox, Matthew Cox, Stephen Woodson, John McBrid, Nowell Burton, William Lansdon, James Taylor, John Prier, Joseph Farrar, David Walker, Fredorick Cox.

June Court 1731 page 349

Adams Negro boy judged.  Toby a negro boy belonging to Robert Adams is judged to be twelve years old.

June Court 1731 page 350

Adams vs. Randolph Exec’rs to be Summoned on the Petition of Robert Adams for leave to build a Mill on Dover Mill Creek, Ordered that the Executors of Thomas Randolph deceased be Summoned to object against the same if they can.

July Court 1731 page 388

Robert Adams was a juror in the case Randolph vs. Dickinson  In the Action of Trespass  along with John McBrid, Nicholas Cox, John Lad, Thomas Wadloe, John Laine, John Richardson, Robert Napier, jr., James Robertson, Joell Chandler, Joseph Woodson, John Chastain.

July Court 1731 page 389

Juror in the Case Davis vs. Quin  In the Action of Debt along with  John McBrid, Nicholas Cox, John Lad, Thomas Wadloe, John Laine, John Richardson, Robert Napier, jr., James Robertson, Joell Chandler, Joseph Woodson, John Chastain.

July Court 1731 page 390

Adams vs. Randolph Exrs. The Petition of Robert Adams for leave to build a mill is dismist at the motion of John Fleming one of the Executors & c. of Thomas Randolph deceased for the uncertainty of the said petition.

Notes:

Once again we see in researching deeds, court orders and wills that we can gain so much information.

For instance, we discussed the several Anne daughters.  If you will look back at my post on November 10, 2010, I listed an Anne Sanders as being one of his daughters.  In the Deed from Goochland County page 257, we see Robert Adams conveying to his son-in-law, Thomas Saunders, husband of Amie.  I going to take this as an indication that Anne should have been Amie. 

Dover Mill.  Robert Adams did not build a mill there, but almost over a hundred years later a mill will be built.  He had the foresight to recognize the good location for a mill, but for whatever reason the Randolphs stopped that deal.
12252--James River - Jordan Point to Richmond

Robert Adams 1680 to 1740 November 11, 2010

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The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume 35 page 409

At the Council held at the Capitol the 6th Day of May 1730
Present:  The Governor, Robert Carter, James Blair, Mann Page, John Carter and John Grymes Esqrs.
Petition For New Lands Granted:
To Robert Adams 2000 acres on Buck Island Creek on the South side of the North ffork of James River beginning at a white oak Marked R.A. on the side of the said Creek to compleat the Quantity.

Albemarle County, Virginia Road Orders, 1725-1816 Virginia Genealogical Society page 10

On 19, June 1733, O.S. there issued an order for a road to be cleared from "the Mountains down the ridge between the North River (Rivanna) and Pamunkey River (the South Anna is the southern fork of the Pamunkey) the most convenient way....." The "Mountains" referred to were the Southwest Mountain, Little Mountain or Chestnut Mountain as it was sometimes called.  In the fall, on November 20, Henry Runnals replaced the original surveyor Robert Adams, though the road is misdescribed as "The Road from the Mountains down the country on the North side of the Northanna to meet Saunders's Road."

Goochland County Order Books 1728-1731  Ann K. Blomquist

November Court, 1728  page 31
Robert Adams is sworn in as a member of the Grand Jury.

Page 36
Adams deed to Sorrell.  Robert Adams acknowledges a deed with the livery of Seizin endorsed from himself to John Sorrell to be his Act and deed and it is thereupon submitted to record.  Mourning wife of the said Robert being first privately examined relinquishes her Dower in the land by the said Deed conveyed which is also ordered to be recorded.

Goochland County Virginia Wills and Deeds 1728 - 1736 Benjamin B. Weisiger III page 5

P.40 Deed November 16, 1728  Robert Adams to John Sorrell. for 10 pounds, 100 acres, bounded by upper fork of Broad Branch on Tuckahoe Creek with all houses, etc.
Witness:  George Payne, Joseph Ashlin
Recorded November 19, 1728
Mourning, wife of Robert Adams, relinquished her dower rights.
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Goochland County Order Books 1728-1731  Ann K. Blomquist  page 36
November Court, 1728

Adams deed to Johnson.  Robert Adams and Mourning his wife She being first privately examined acknowledge a deed from themselves to Charles Johnson to be their act and deed and the same with the Livery of Seizin endorsed which they also acknowledge is admitted to record.

Goochland County Virginia Wills and Deeds 1728 - 1736 Benjamin B. Weisiger III page 5

Page 41  Deed 7 Aug. 1728, Robert Adams of St. James Parish, Goochland Co. to Charles Johnson of same, for L13/10, 160 acres in Goochland Co. on north side of James River bounded by Broad Br.
Witness: Geo. Payne, Joseph Ashlin
Recorded November 19, 1728
Mourning Adams, wife of Robert, acknowledged deed.

page 6

p. 58 February 25, 1728  Deed between Nowel Burton and John Sutton Farrar for L. 120, 325 acres in St. James Parish bounded by Josiah Paine, Robert Burton, Robert Adams, John Bellamy, Col. Harrison and John Woodson.
Witness John Woods, Wm. Womack, Francis James, Henry Wood
Roecord March 18, 1728

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Goochland County Order Books 1728-1731  Ann K. Blomquist  page 41

November Court, 1728

Mcdaniels Admn. grant'd   Thomas Randolph comes into Court and makes oath that Henry Macdaniel died without any will as far as he knows or believes and upon his giving Security for his just and faithfull Administration of the said Deceadents estate Certiicate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration in due form.  John Fleming and John Woodson Securities.  Ordered that Robert Adams, George Paine, Robert Burton, and Robert Woodson or any three of them being first Sworn by some Justice of the Peace do appraise the Estate of Henry Macdaniel.

From the above referenced material for the year 1728 and 1730, I have found the following:
Robert Adams was married to Mourning.
He was a member of the Grand Jury at Goochland County.
He was a surveryor.
He owned land in Goochland and a part of which would later be Albemarle County.  He was referenced as being in St. James Parish, Goochland County.
A portion of his land bounded with the land of Josiah Paine, Robert Burton, John Bellamy, Col. Harrison and John Woodson making them neighbors and acquaintances.
In at least more than one occasion Robert Adams interacted with the Woodson on matters at court.  I am making my case for Mourning being a Woodson.
There seems to be more than a passing relationship with George Paine and John Ashlin.
It's amazing what you can learn from just a few references, but the genealogist has to remember that these were not large cities with hundreds of thousands of people.  They all knew each other or about each other.
Tomorrow I will continue with 1729.


FACETS OF GOOCHLAND [VIRGINIA] COUNTY'S HISTORY

Robert Adams 1680 to 1740 November 10, 2010

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Robert Adams 1680/90 Henrico Shire/Goochland County/Albemarle County Virginia

Over the past few weeks we have been exploring Robert Adams, his wife, and fellow settlers in Jamestown, Virginia.  We have ascertained that he was married at least once, arrived in the Bon Nova at around 1619, lived in James City and Martins Hundred.  He was literate and a member of the Burgesses.  Mr. Adams was not adverse to hard work and that his father was probably Captain Robert Adams of the Blessing, The Elizabeth and The Hercules.  His father’s relationship with the leaders and settlers of Jamestown possibly led to his son’s adventure in Jamestown.  That Robert Adams the son was living in Jamestown at the end or during the starving time and the first massacre of 1622.  He survived both and lived for just a few more years until 1628 or late 1627. 

According to genealogist or family researchers, they say he had a son by the name of William who is the father of our Robert of 1680 or 1690, but that remains to be proved. 

It is important to remember that Goochland County was not formed until 1727.  Before that it was Henrico Shire. 

Robert was born around 1680/1690 Death: On or around 1740  He married Mourning (Mary?) Lewis? around 1710/1711. Mourning was possibly of Lewis/Woodson descent, but that is another story.   They had the following children.  This is my preliminary list.  I have taken this information from Robert Adams’s Will of Goochland County (Deed Book 3 page 306) June 17, 1740 and his wife’s deed of gift (Deed Book 4 page 126) of Albemarle County, August 8, 1765

James Adams    b. 1724

Robert Adams   b. 1725-1733

Anna Adams Sanders

Anna Adams Douglas

Judith Adams Clark     b.   1716

Mary Adams Moreman b. 1736

Elizabeth Adams Moreman b.  1720

Aggy Adams Ferguson b. 1728

Susannah Adams Graves b. 1731

Lucy Adams   Sometime in the 1730s

Sally Adams   Sometime in the 1730s

In Robert Adams’s Will he refers to his daughter as Ann the younger.  It was custom at times to name another child the same name as a deceased child, but I don’t think this is the case.  In Mourning Adams deed of gift she mentions two daughters Anna Douglas and Anna Sanders.  Also in her Deed gives money to all of her daughters except  Susanna Graves.  She gives money to Susannah’s daughters.  So we must assume that Susannah has died.  She also gives us Lucy’s name.  She is now a Graves.  And Sally Adams married a Harris.

We will later explore these documents more closely, but as for now I just wanted to ascertain the names of the children of Mourning and Robert Adams.  Now as for the birth dates, I will hope to get a clearer picture in later research documents.  So these dates are not carved in stone.  However, some genealogist have Lucy and Sally as being born in 1740,1741, but that is not possible.  They were mentioned in their father’s will which was written on February 2, 1738.

Adams Family Genealogy by Thomas Tunstall Adams

www.co.goochland.va.us

Robert Adams of Jamestown November 8, 2010

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Robert Adams of Jamestown continued
November 8, 2010
Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume 27 page 39
Minutes of the Council and General Court
A court held the 11th of January 1626, being present:
Sir George Yeardley, Knt, Governor &c
Capt. West,Mr. Claybourne, Capt. Smyth, Capt. Tucker
Capt. Mathews, Mr. Ferrar,Mr. Persey
Robert Adams of Martin’s Hundred sworne and examined  about middle of August last past being at Mr. Harwood’s house heard Richard Crocker say Capt. Hamor & Mr. Persey had bought goods and sold them at an unreasonable rate and that they were unfit to sit at the Council.
On page 141
At this court Henry Gainey was presented before ye governor and council by ye Provst marshall for drunkeness, whereupon it is ordered that he should enter into bond of his good behavior in 300 lb. Tob & pay the provost marshall twenty weight of tobacco as being the half his fine and due for information.
The same time Robert Adams was presented likewise for drunkenness by ye Provst Marshall & ye like censure inflicted on him as upon ye said Henry Gainey.

See also The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume 4 page 24  for same information.

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume 38  page 7
Quarter Court
A Court at James Citty the 3rd day of April 1627, being present
Sir George Yeardley, knt., Governor Etc.
Capt. West, Doctor Pott, Capt. Smyth, Capt. Mathews, Mr. Secretary, Capt. Tucker, Mr. Ffarrar
It is ordered that Left. Giles Allington shall have a commission of Administration upon the whole estate of Caleb Page, deceased, the 2nd of Aprill last past and that the said Giles Allington does put in security to the Court to deliver of an Account and surrender the said estate when it shall be lawfully required.  And Robert Adams of Martin’s Hundred hath offered to be bound with the said Giles Allington for the same.

Notes:

It is 1626 and Robert Adams is still living in Jamestown or Martins Hundred.  Apparently, he has a problem with the bottle or maybe he was just celebrating a good day.