James Adams Sr. (1729 - 1789)

Born 18 Oct 1729 in Goochland, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Cecily J. (Ford) Adams — married 1751 in St James Northam Parish, Goochland, Virginia Colony

Descendants

Died 15 Mar 1789 at age 59 in Fluvanna, Virginia, United States

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Biography

James Adams, the youngest of eleven children of Robert Adams and Mourning Lewis was born about 1730 in Henrico County, Virginia. He died 15 Mar 1789 (aged 58–59) in Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States and was buried at Adams Cemetery in Bybee, Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States. ^[1] . He married Cecily Ford, a daughter of William Ford Sr. abt. 1751 in St James Northam Parish, Goochland, Virginia. ^[2] Their known children include:

1. James Adams Jr 1753–1832
2. William Adams 1755–Deceased
3. Robert Adams 1757–Deceased
4. Thomas Adams 1758–1836
5. John Adams 1759–1821
6. Richard Adams 1761–Deceased
7. Charles Adams 1762–1835
8. Nannie Adams 1763–Deceased
9. Sally Adams 1768–Deceased
10. Mildred Adams 1770–Deceased
11. Mourning Adams 1772–Deceased

During the Indian Wars, James served in the Virginia Militia Regulars, under the command of Captain John Smith, taking part in the Cherokee Expedition of 1760. From 1771-1773, he served as Justice of the Peace in Albemarle, Virginia. James also furnished supplies to the troops during the Revolutionary War; DAR#: A000542. From 1771-1773, he served as Justice of the Peace in Albemarle Co, Virginia. ^[3][4]

He died 15 Mar 1789 (aged 58–59) in Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States and was buried at Adams Cemetery in Bybee, Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States. ^[5]

Transcribed Will of James Adams: Dated: 3rd day of Apr 1789.
"In the name of God, Amen, I James Adams being of sound memory and calling to mind the (illegible) of Death to all do make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all former will by me made in (illegible) to wit first. I recommend my soul to Almighty God hoping (illegible) of him for all of my offences and to be (illegible) and in this life and my body buried as my Executor hereafter named think proper and as to my worldly goods with which it hath pleased god to prosper me with.

"I give and bequeath (illegible) and (illegible) following to wit. First I lend to my beloved wife Cecily Adams widowed life and no longer four negroes named Sam, Amy, Frank and Nan. Also two feather Beds and furniture (illegible) and ten head of cattle also fifteen head of hogs. "Item I give to my son James Adams two negroes Brister and (illegible). "Item I give to my son William one negro (illegible) and child namely Sarah and (illegible) and the tract of land on which he now lives containing by (illegible) two hundred acres be the same more or less. "Item, I give to my son Robert two negroes namely Sook and Harry and the land on which he now lives containing two hundred acres be the same more or less. "Item, I give to my son Thomas one negro named (illegible) and the land he now possesses of the South side of the (illegible) containing two hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less. "Item, I give to my son John the land on which he built a house beginning where the path crosses from my (illegible) then (illegible) back (illegible) to son James thence up the (illegible) tract to where the back line crosses the (illegible) tract then thence down (illegible) to a line back to the beginning. "Item, I give to my son Richard Adams one negro Toney and part of the tract of land formerly belonged to Charles Dougless beginning on the southside of great Mechunck opposit to whare son James now lives thence a line to the roling track from the store house thence up the said track to whair the line comes from the creek thence down the creek to its beginning. "Item, I give to my son Charles Adams two negroes namley Will and Tony and the land on which I now live. (illegible) my wife (illegible) at her death. "Item, I give to my daughter Nance one negro man named Daniel. "Item, I give to my daughter Sallie one negro man named Littleman. "Item. I give to my daughter Mourning one negro man named Brister. "Item, I give to my daughter Soolkie one negro namely a new borned child. "I say my will and desire that at my death all the land that is not willed away and the monies thereby converted then paying my debts and if any remains divided Equally amoungest the girls and my wife's legasies except her one third (illegible) of the land to be sold at her death and the monies (illegible) thereby be Equally divided amoungest my sons after my debts being fully satifised. "I appoint four of my sons Executors of my last will and testament namely Robert Adams, Thomas Adams, Richard Adams and Charles Adams. "Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of James Adams. "(illegible) Court continued and held for Fluvanna Co on Friday the 3rd day of Apr 1789."

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61942009/james-adams
2. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V299-QMG : 29 January 2020), Ja. Adams, 1751.
3. ↑ "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXR-RGMC : 15 March 2018), James Adams, 03 Jan 1778; citing 03 Jan 1778, Virginia, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,390.
4. ↑ The Douglas register, being a detailed record of births, marriages, and deaths, together with other interesting notes, as kept by William Douglas from 1750 to 1797. An index of Goochland Wills; notes on the French-Huguenot refugees who lived in Manakin-town. Transcribed and edited by W. Mac. Jones. (by Douglas, William, 1708-1798, free-black abolitionist; Jones, William Macfarlane) Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973, (1st edition, 1966 may have had title: The Douglas Register Master List.)
5. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61942009/james-adams

• See also: James Adams Family Search Profile at https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LKVN-WY2