James S. Adair Sr (1734 - 1818)

Born 15 May 1734 in Chester, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah Rebecca (Ross) Adair — married about 1764 in Old 96 District, Province of South Carolina

Descendants

Died 18 Aug 1818 at age 84 in Duncans Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, USA

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Biography

James Adair Sr performed Patriotic Service in the American Revolution.

James Adair Sr is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A000352.

James Adair Sr is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 101121
Rank: Private

The Adair family came from Ireland. The grandfather and father of James immigrated to Pennsylvania from County Antrim in Ireland in about 1730. James was born in 1734 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His parents were Joseph Adair Sr. and Sarah Laferty.

Birth

Birth:

Date: 15 MAY 1734

Place: Chester, Pennsylvania, USA^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Name: James /Adair/ Sr^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

Family migration

James moved to Old Ninety Six DIstrict, South Carolina and settled on Duncan's Creek with members of his family including his parents and uncles between 1750 and 1755.

The first known European in the area was John Duncan, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who came from Pennsylvania in 1753 and settled near the modern Newberry-Laurens County line. Duncan brought the first African-American slave and the first horse-drawn wagon to the area. Duncan's settlement grew and by the mid 1760s a church was established that became known as Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in Laurens County.^[15] More information about the history of Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church is here. ^[16]

Joseph Adair Sr. served as an elder in this church from its inception until his death in 1789.[1]

James was married to Hannah in about 1764. Her maiden name is not known.

In 1768, South Carolina eliminated all of the original counties and established seven new "overarching Districts," with governmental seats in each district. The Act creating these new districts was nullified by the British Parliament, but the re-introduction of the Act in 1769 was approved. From 1769 to 1785, these districts remained intact, however, the district seats did change some during that time-frame.^[17]

Ninety-Six District was one of those created in 1769. James and his family lived in that district and he was still living there before the Revolutionary War began.

Revolutionary War

The area where the Adair families lived in Ninety-Six District would later become Laurens when it was created in 1785.

War came to the colonies in 1775 with news of the fighting at Lexington and Concord in the Massachusetts Colony. The colonies declared their independence in Philadelphia on the 4th of July in 1776. But war then came quickly to the people of South Carolina.

Four important Revolutionary Battles took place in Laurens County. On July 15, 1776, Patriot forces defeated a combined Indian and Loyalist attack on Lyndley's Fort near Rabun Creek. At the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18, 1780, a force of Patriots defeated the British and Loyalist forces achieving a decisive victory in the two-day battle. On December 29, 1780, a Loyalist detachment was defeated at Hammond's Store near present-day Clinton. On November 19, 1781, at Hayes Station (eight miles southwest of Clinton), Loyalist leader Major William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham attacked a contingent of Patriots, slaughtering eighteen (18). ^[18]

James lived in 96 District in 1779. Source Information Ancestry.com. South Carolina, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.

James as well as many of his family served the Patriot cause. James served in the South Carolina Militia as a wagon master for Colonel James Williams' Regiment just prior to and shortly after the British successfully attacked Charles Town in 1780. During the war James was living in 96 District and was on a list of jurors. He is on "A List of Petit-Jury Men and Jury Men in Civil Causes" from the "Upper part of the Middle Division between Broad & Saludy Rivers."^[19][20]

Military Service

[p 2] 350 S No. 46 Mr. James Adair is account of Militia duty before and since the reduction of Charlestown [Charleston South Carolina fell to the British on May 12, 1780] amounting to [South Carolina] Currency £566.0.0 Sterling £80.17.1 ½ Received 14th June 1785 – full Satisfaction for the within in an Indent No. 350, Book S by an Order N. B. Order in No. 1, Book Q S/ John Hunter [p 5] 1780 The State of South Carolina to James Adair Dr. To Service done as Wagon Master for Colonel James Williams’ Regiment on Duty from 29th Day of March 1780 to the 20th Day of May both Days included being 52 Days at £3:5 ½ / pr Day [£]169.0.0 £24.2.10 ¼ 96 District} 1 month & 22 days 40 [???] 69 30/90 Dollars 4/8 £16.3.6 ½

Personally came James Adair and made Oath that the above service was duly performed by him and that he has never received any satisfaction for same. S/ James Adair

James served in the Little River Regiment of South Carolina Militia under Col. James Williams. James and many others of his family signed a petition in support of Col. James Williams that was sent to the governor of South Carolina. ^[21]

Military Service: American Revolution

Date: BET 1776 AND 1782

In the South Carolina Archives is found this document: Description: ADAIR, JAMES, ACCOUNT AUDITED (FILE NO. 21) OF CLAIMS GROWING OUT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Life after the war

After the Revolutionary War, the Ninety-Six District became the chief governmental unit of the backcountry. In 1785, Laurens County, named for statesman Henry Laurens of Charleston, was one of six counties carved from the Ninety-Six District. The area where the Adair family all lived was then in Laurens District. James continued to live in Laurens District with his family. James is found on the 1790 census and his son in law, John Prater, is living next to him in Laurens District. ^[22] James and Hannah had several more children and by 1791 there were eight children. His family still lived in Laurens District in 1800.

James died in August of 1818 and he was buried at Duncan's Creek Church. His personal estate was divided per record written in the deed records in October of 1818. His heirs including his widow and 8 children agreed to division of the estate per that record. There is mention of a will made by James on Ancestry.com dated 1807. There is also a lawsuit in regards to the real estate of James filed after his death.

Residence

Residence:

Date: 24 APR 1790

Place: Laurens, South Carolina, USA^[23][24]

Residence:

Date: 1800

Place: Laurens, South Carolina, USA^[25]

Event

Event: Came with his father, mother, uncles and grandfather, et al

Type: Arrival

Date: BET 1750 AND 1755

Place: Duncans Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, USA

Family

James was married to Hannah Rebecca Ross Netherton in about 1764. He and Hannah had 8 children. they were mentioned in his will in 1818.

1. Mary Prather/Prater b. 1765
2. Eleanor Ramage b. 1774
3. Elizabeth Palmer b. 1780
4. James b. 1781
5. Hannah Meadors b. 1784
6. Susannah Cassels b. 1787
7. Robert b. 1788
8. Nancy Langston b. 1791

Marriage

Husband: James Adair

Wife: Hannah Rebecca Ross Netherton

Child: Eleanor Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Mary Anna Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Elizabeth Betsy Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: James Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Hannah Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Susannah Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Robert Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Nancy Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Marriage:

Date: 1770

Place: Clinton, Laurens, South Carolina, USA^[26]

Marriage:

Date: 1772

Place: Laurens, South Carolina, USA^[27]

Husband: Joseph Adair

Wife: Sarah Laferty

Child: Joseph Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: James Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Benjamin Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Leah Jean Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Sarah Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: Mary Adair

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Marriage:

Date: 1732

Place: Chester, Pennsylvania, USA^[28][29][30]

Will

LAURENS CO., SOUTH CAROLINA - COURT - ADAIR, James, Sr. 1818

Source: Lrs. County, S.c. Deed Bk. M, Pp. 77-78

Written: October 26, 1818 State of South Carolina, Laurens District^[31] See: The USGenWeb Archives - South Carolina, for complete Will.

State of South Carolina, Laurens District Whereas James Adair, Senr., of this district departed this life in the month of August 1818 and at the time of his death was possessed of a personal estate, consisting of negroes, horses, cows, hogs, sheep, waggon, household and kitchen furniture, corn, fodder, cotton and various other property not mentioned, all of which he was possessed of at the time of his death, and leaving a widow Hannah Adair and seven children, also four children of Elizabeth Parlmore (Palmer) in the right of their mother, to wit: John Prather in the right of his wife Mary; Nelly Ramage (a widow); James Adair, Jr.; Reuben Meadors in the right of his wife Hannah; Wm. Cassels in the right of his wife Susannah; Willis Langston in the right of his wife Nancy; Wm. Gamble in the right of his wife Martha all of which are entitled to distributive shares of the said James Adair's estate, that is to say, Hannah, the widow of James Adair, dec'd is to have one third part of sd. after payment of all just debts and other lawful expenses that may accrue at the intended sale and the remainder of said estate to be equally divided between the eight children of the sd. James Adair, the four children of Elizabeth Palmore to have their mothers part equally divided between them, share and share alike. Now for the better distribution and equal division of said estate we, Hannah Adair the wife of James Adair dec'd, John Prather, Nelly Ramage, James Adair, Reuben Meadors, Wm. Cassels, Willis Langston, and Wm. Gamble do agree to sell the estate before described on a credit until the first day of January 1820 and to divide the proceeds thereof as before directed. Now know all by these presents that we Hannah Adair, John Prather, Nelly Ramage and James Adair, Junr., Reuben Meadors, William Cassels, Willis Langston and William Gamble, are held and firmly bound unto each other in the following sums, that is Hannah Adair in the sum of three thousand dollars, John Prather in the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars, Nelly Ramage in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, James Adair in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, Reuben Meadors in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, William Cassels in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, Willis Langston ine the sum of fifteen hundred dollars and William Gamble in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, firmly by these presents in witness whereof we have set our hands and seals this twenty sixth of October 1818. Now the condition of the above obligation is such that if we, Hannah Adair, John Prather, Nelly Ramage, James Adair, Reuben Meadors, Wm. Cassels and Willis Langston and William Gamble stand to keep and perform the foregoing intact by selling the before mentioned estate on a credit until the first day of January 1820. After giving legal notice of the intended sale, and to give a Bill of Sale to such persons as may purchase at the intended sale, then after payment all just debts of sd. estate as well as expenses that may accrue thereon, and the proceeds to be divided according (to the) foregoing agreement, then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue. Witness our hands and seals this day above written. Simon Reeder, John L. Abell William Cassels, Willis Langston, William Gamble, Hannah (X) Adair, John Prateor, Elenor (X) Ramage, James Adaire, Reuben Meadors South Carolina Laurens District Personally came before me John L. Able and made oath that he was present & saw Hannah Adair, John Prather, Elenor Ramage, James Adair, Reuben Meadors, William Cassels, Willis Langston and William Gamble sign, seal and deliver the within instrument of writing for the uses and purposes therein contained & that he subscribed his name as a witness thereto & was present and saw Simon Reeder subscribe his name as a witness to the same. Sworn to before me this 20th Jany. 1829. J. L. Abell W.E. Lynch, J.P A true record of the original 22nd Jany. 1829 John Garlington, R.M.C.

Death

Death: Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Date: 18 AUG 1818

Place: Duncans Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, USA^{[32][33][34][35][36][37]}

Burial

Burial: Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Date: AFT 18 AUG 1818

Place: Duncans Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, USA

James S. was born in 1734. He passed away in 1818.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Adair
2. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Sarah LAFERTY
3. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
4. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
5. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
6. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor ADAIR
7. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor Adair
8. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Adair
9. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Sarah LAFERTY
10. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
11. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
12. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
13. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor ADAIR
14. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor Adair
15. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/laurens_county_sc.html
16. ↑ http://www.adair-holland.com/dcem.html
17. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/ninety_six_district_sc.html
18. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/laurens_county_sc.html
19. ↑ Source Citation Document: Jury Lists, 1779, Acts #1123 [at SC Archives]; Page Number: 12; Family Number: 75
20. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 1 March 2024), "Record of James Adair", Ancestor # A000352.
21. ↑ http://www.adair-holland.com/littleriverreg.html
22. ↑ "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKN-JFK : accessed 15 February 2021), James Adair, Laurens, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 440, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 11; FHL microfilm 568,151.
23. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
24. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
25. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
26. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
27. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
28. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Adair
29. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Susanna Long
30. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Susanna Long
31. ↑ http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/laurens/court/adair-jamessr.txt
32. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Adair
33. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
34. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
35. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for James Adair
36. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor ADAIR
37. ↑ Source: #S1 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Eleanor Adair

• WikiTree profile Adair-356 created through the import of Bowden-Riley Family.ged on Apr 16, 2012 by Sam Bowden. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Sam and others.

• Source: S1 Author: Ancestry.com Title: Public Member Trees Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006; Repository: #R1
• Repository: R1 Name: www.ancestry.com Address: E-Mail Address: Phone Number:
• http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/RecordDetail.aspx?RecordId=117090
• http://revwarapps.org/sc98.pdf

See also: Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 29 September 2018), memorial page for James Adair (15 May 1752–18 Aug 1818), Find A Grave Memorial no. 25541397, citing Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave (contributor 8) .

• http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/districts/census/1779_96d.txt
• Find A Grave: Memorial #25541397

Notes

James Adair Picture of grave marker Added by Mary Howard Birth 15 May 1752 Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, USA Death 18 Aug 1818 (aged 66) Laurens County, South Carolina, USA Burial Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, USA Memorial ID 25541397

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