John Adams (1746 - 1802)

Born 30 Aug 1746 in Preston, New London County, Connecticut

Ancestors

Husband of Deidamia (Crittenden) Adams — married 2 Aug 1779 in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 20 Nov 1802 at age 56 in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

John Adams is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: P101387
Rank: Private

John Adams served with Berkshire County Militia, Massachusetts Militia during the American Revolution.

John Adams is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A000592.

Overview

John Adams was born August 30, 1746 in Preston, Connecticut to Richard and Susannah (Preston) Adams ^[1] and was baptized in Griswold, Connecticut, then known as the "North Society" of Preston, on September 14, 1746. His family migrated to Sandisfield, Massachusetts, settling in the Beech Plain area near Spectacle Pond and John resided there (or nearby) his entire adult life.

The extended Adams family, John and his brothers, Ebenezer, Samuel, Richard and James, were responsible for the clearing and cultivation of the largest farms of the Beech Plain.^[2] Taking advantage of nearby turnpikes with significant traffic, the Adams family led by John's father, Richard Adams, established and operated a successful inn and tavern catering to travelers.^[2] The Adams family also operated a store near the intersection of Beech Plain Road and Cold Spring Road.^[2]

John married Deidamia Crittenden in Sandisfield on August 2, 1779. ^[3] Together, they raised eight children until John's death.

John died in Sandisfield, Massachusetts on November 20, 1802,^[4] leaving five minor children between the ages of one and sixteen years old.^[5]

Children

John and Deidamia Adams had 8 children:

• John Adams,^[6]
• Sarah Adams,^[7]
• Roswell Adams,^[8]
• Roccey Adams,^[9]
• Bezaleel Adams,^[10]
• Deidamia Adams,^[11]
• Clarissa Adams,^[12] and
• Daniel Milton Adams^[13]

Home Life

On the 1790 U.S. Census for Berkshire County, John Adams is listed among the heads of household in Sandisfield. Among nearby residents are John Hawley, Jr., his brother, Samuel, Levi Griswold, John Alderman, his brother, Richard, his brother, James, John Pucket, Jr., Ichabod Brooks and Josiah Hulet.^[14] Enumerated in John's household were one "free white males of 16 years and upwards" (John), two "free white males, 16 years and under" (sons, John and Roswell), and three "free white females" (wife, Deidamia, and daughters, Sarah and Roccey).^[15]

On the 1800 U.S. Census for Berkshire County, John Adams is listed among the heads of household in Sandisfield. Among nearby residents are Charles Slocum, Rev. Levi White, Daniel Kingsbury, John Churchill and Elisha Kilborn, Sr.^[16] Enumerated in John's household were one “free white males of age 10 and under 16” (son, Bezaleel), two “free white males of age 16 and under 26” (sons, John and Roswell), one “free white males of age 45 and over” (John), two “free white females under age 10” (daughters, Deidamia and Clarissa), one “free white females of age 10 and under 16” (daughter, Roccey), one “free white females of age 16 and under 26” (daughter, Sarah), and one “free white females of age 26 and under 45” (wife, Deidamia).^[16]. John's daughter, Sarah, apparently had not married Artemas Spring by the census day in 1800. They were likely married soon after.

Based on the 1800 Census alone, it appears the Adams family may have relocated within the boundaries of Sandisfield between 1790 and 1800. From the census alone, their former neighbors appear to be living in close proximity somewhat removed from the John Adams household. Among those former neighbors is Artemas Spring, the future husband of John's oldest daughter, Sarah.

Military Service

John Adams served in the revolutionary war as part of the Massachusetts state militia.^[17]

John first enlisted on June 30, 1777 in Captain Samuel Walcott's company of Colonel John Brown's Berkshire regiment. He served twenty two days and was discharged on July 21, 1777. During this service, his regiment marched from Berkshire County, on the orders of Brigadier General John Fellows, to reinforce the Northern Army.^[18]

On July 21, 1777, he re-enlisted as a Private in Captain Ephraim Fitch's company of Colonel Ashley's Berkshire regiment. He served for twenty five days and was discharged on August 14, 1777.^[19]

On September 19, 1777, he enlisted as a Private in Captain Walcott's company of Colonel Ashley's Berkshire regiment. During this time, his regiment was part of the brigade under the command of General Fellows and marched under the orders of General Horatio Gates to reinforce the Northern Army. He served for thirty days and mustered out on October 20, 1777 ^[20] upon the disbanding of the unit upon the surrender of British General John Burgoyne after the battle of Saratoga.

On October 15, 1780, John Adams returned to service as a Lieutenant in Captain Wilcox's company of Colonel Ashley's Berkshire regiment. He served three days and was discharged on October 17, 1780^[21]

Estate

John Adams left a will which was probated on December 7, 1802.^[22] His son, John Adams, served as executor of the estate.^[23] In his will, after leaving a life estate in a one-third portion to his wife, John left the bulk of his estate to his two adult sons, John and Roswell.^[24] According to the will, John and Roswell were to provide, out of their share of the estate, for the support and education of their younger siblings until each reached adulthood.^[25] Sarah (Adams) Spring, the sole adult daughter at the time of the will and the related probate, was to receive $33.00 within one year of her father's death.^[26]

Burial

John Adams is buried alongside his wife, Deidamia, in the Beech Plain Cemetery in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. Gravemarkers for both of them were present and legible as of July, 2010.

Notes

1. ↑ Preston Vital Records Part I: 1687-1850.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Ron Bernard, “The Beech Plain and Spectacle Pond: In the Days When Beech Was King”.
3. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802.
4. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
5. ↑ Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Administrator’s Bond, dated December 7, 1802. Estate of John Adams.
6. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
7. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
8. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
9. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
10. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
11. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
12. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
13. ↑ Capt. Elizur Yale Smith, Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
14. ↑ 1790 United States Census, Sandisfield, Massachusetts, 534.
15. ↑ 1790 United States Census, Sandisfield, Massachusetts, 534.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} 1800 United States Census. Sandisfield, Massachusetts,150.
17. ↑ Inquisitus. “Horace Spring: Venerable Citizen of Westerville”.
18. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 53.
19. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 53.
20. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 53.
21. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 53.
22. ↑ Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802. Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Probate Order, dated December 7, 1802. Estate of John Adams.
23. ↑ Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Administrator’s Bond, dated December 7, 1802. Estate of John Adams. The probate court apparently used the same form of bond for executors and administrators of intestate estates.
24. ↑ Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802.
25. ↑ Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802.
26. ↑ Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802.

Sources

• 1790 United States Census. Sandisfield, Massachusetts, p. 534 (penned), col. 3, line 4. Head of Household: John Adams. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Series: M637; Roll: 4.
• 1800 United States Census. Sandisfield, Massachusetts, p. 150 (stamped), line 4. Head of Household: John Adams. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Series: M32; Roll: 13 (column headings missing from actual sheet).
• Adams, John. Last Will and Testament, dated November 10, 1802. Berkshire County Probate Court Records, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
• Bernard, Ron. “The Beech Plain and Spectacle Pond: In the Days When Beech Was King.” The Sandisfield Times v. 2, no. 8 (November 2011), accessed May 25, 2017. https://www.sandisfieldtimes.org/Sandisfield_Times_2011-11.pdf.
• Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Administrator’s Bond, dated December 7, 1802. Estate of John Adams. Administrator: John Adams. Sureties: John Pucket and Lemuel Kingsbury. Witnesses: David Noble and Nathaniel Bishop. Berkshire County Probate Court Records, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
• Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Probate Order, dated December 7, 1802. Estate of John Adams. Executor: John Adams. Testifying Witnesses: John Pucket and Lemuel Kingsbury. Other Subscribing Witness: Thomas Waterhouse. Berkshire County Probate Court Records, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
• Inquisitus. “Horace Spring: Venerable Citizen of Westerville”, accessed May 25, 2017. http://www.inquisitus.com/horace-spring-venerable-citizen-westerville/.
• Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers 1896.
• Smith, Capt. Elizur Yale.Vital Records of Sandisfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850 (Rutland, Vermont: Tuttle Publishing, 1936).
• White, Lorraine Cook, ed. Preston Vital Records Part I: 1687-1850; The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.