Israel Adams Jr. (1748 - 1818)

Birth and Early Life

Israel Adams, Jr. was born on 15 April 1748 in Georgetown (West Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts to Israel Adams (1716-1799) and Deborah Searle (1715-1789) as the second of at least five children.

Siblings

1. Abigail Adams born 31 January 1744 in Georgetown, Essex, Massachusetts. She died young before September 1750 in Georgetown (Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts. She was the first of this name in this family.
2. Abigail Adams born 2 September 1750 in Georgetown (West Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts. She married Theophilus Goodwin (1753-1789) about 9 March 1773 in Hampstead, Rockingham, New Hampshire.
3. Mary Adams born 23 September 1753 in Georgetown (West Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts. She was still living and unmarried in 1784.
4. Elizabeth Adams born 23 February 1759 in Georgetown (West Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts. She was baptized 4 March 1759. Elizabeth died on 8 May 1779.

Marriages and Families

He married (1 Elizabeth Searle (about 1754-1804) in about February 1770. Bans were published for this marriage on 3 February 1770. He married 2) widow, Anna (Ober) Bodwell on 8 February 1807 in New Hampshire.

Children of the Adams-Searle Marriage

1. Betsy Adams born 1769 in West Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts. She died in November 1804.
2. Ruth Adams born before 19 May 1771 (date of baptism) in Byfield, Essex, Massachusetts. She died 23 July 1806.
3. Isaac Adams born before 21 November 1773 (date of baptism) in Georgetown (West Rowley), Essex, Massachusetts. He never married. He died on 5 July 1834 in Portland, Cumberland, Maine, USA.
4. Hannah Adams born before 27 August 1775 (date of baptism) in Byfield, Essex, Massachusetts. Hannah married John Curry on 1 November 1798. She died after 1 November 1798.
5. Deborah Adams born 8 August 1782 in Byfield, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. Deborah married Solomon Winchester (1789-1820) before 1804. She died in 1858 in Baltimore, Independent Cities, Maryland, USA.
6. John Adams born 21 February 1784 in West Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.
7. Joseph Searle Adams born 28 March 1785 in West Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 12 December 1867 in Framingham, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA.

Children of the Adams-Ober Marriage

1. Eliza Adams born about 1808. She died Unmarried in 1856 in Boston, Massachusetts.
2. Charles Adams born 15 February 1812 in Hill, Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA. He died 7 September 1885 in New Hampshire.
3. George W. Adams born 20 November 1815 in Hill, Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA. He died on 13 March 1899.

Military Service

He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and acted as a spy for General George Washington. His position in the ring is not known. The Culper Ring consisted of core agents with numerous others operating as sub-agents, couriers, and support personnel. Ring members had much in common. They were New Yorkers – mostly from Long Island – and knew each other as friends, neighbors, or family. Most had suffered cruelties at the hands of the British. All feigned loyalty to the Crown.

Residence

Pentucket Pond, which is south of Georgetown, was called Pond Israel because he probably lived there. He later lived in Methuen, Essex, Massachusetts. In 1799 he moved to Sanbornton, Belknap, New Hampshire. At some time he moved to Hill, Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA where he lived until he died.

Death and Burial

Israel died in Hill, Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA on 18 July 1818 at the age of 70. He was buried in the Bunker Hill Cemetery, Hill, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Find A Grave: Memorial #82053199, created by Linda Mac on 16 December 2011.

Headstone Photo by Deb C on 12 September 2013.

Inscription: In Memory of Israel Adams, Jr. who died July 18, 1818 Aged 70 years.

Sources

• Adams, Andrew N.. A Genealogical History of Robert Adams, of Newbury, Mass.: and his Descendants, 1635-1900. Rutland, VT: Adams, 1900. Page 33.
• Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988. Name, birth.
• Web: New Hampshire Find A Grave Index. Name, death, burial.

Sons of the American Revolution Patriot #P-101698

• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQZ-DZ2N-L?cc=2548057&wc=QZZQ-M4J%3A1589088647 : 20 September 2019), Aacher, James - Adams, John > image 2058 of 2409; Massachusetts State Archives, Boston.

Acknowledgments

• Al Adams, 4th Great grandson, created WikiTree profile Adams-12069 through the import of Adams.ged on Jun 7, 2013.
• Darlene Scott Kerr , 5th Great granddaughter, Added birth date & place and death date, expanded bio & added sources on 15 June 2014.