Thomas Adams (abt. 1614 - 1660)

Born about 1614 in Northamptonshire, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1660 at about age 46 in Northampton, Virginia

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Biography

Thomas was born about 1614, having given his age as 21 when traveling to Virginia in 1635 as a headright for John Neale.^[1] In a deposition dated July 9, 1634, however, Thomas gave his age as 24, which would then suggest that he was actually born about 1609 or 1610.^[2]

Some say he was from Northamptonshire, England, though no primary records yet confirm this.

Thomas Adams is said to have married Elizabeth in Virginia.^[3]

A complaint was brought on March 23, 1640/1 against a Mr. Taylor by Thomas, "for detaining Adams's servants, the court ordered Taylor to, ' make delivery of said servants to said Adams,' who was ordered to put in sufficient security to, 'bear the said Taylor harmless,' from a debt of 4300 lbs. of tobacco in casks, 'which the said Taylor is engaged for the said Adams.'"^[4][5]

Thomas married Hannah Pierce around 1640. They were most likely the parents of Philip who was born circa 1645.^[6]

Possible History

We need sources to substantiate this narrative (and to straighten out the obvious dating issues, i.e. child by second marriage born before first marriage, etc.):

Occupation: Gentleman & Adventurer, Headright for John NEALE, 2/21/1636 (Eastern Shore of Virginia) and a Planter in Northampton County, Virginia 7/27/1635

Thomas ADDAMS, Gentleman & Adventurer, immigrated from Gravesend, ENGLAND aboard the ship Primrose bound for Virginia at the age of 21, counted as a headright for John NEALE (his uncle). He traveled with William PEARCE, cousin and brother of Hannah PEARCE (2nd wife); with Robert PEARCE (relationship unknown but probably a cousin); and Pearce NEALE, cousin. Richard KELLAM also traveled on this ship at age 16 and eventually the KELLAM and ADAMS families intermarried (Angelo ADDAMS to Elizabeth KILLEM -- 1790).^{[citation needed]}

6/18/1636 As a headright for John NEALE, Thomas' transportation to the Colonies was paid in exchange for a period of service. John NEALE in return received 50 acres of land (Thomas was listed as 1 of 30 headrights, granting 1500 acres on the seaboard side abutting south on Smith's Island). Headrights included Pearce NEALE, Robert PEARCE, Wm PEARCE, Thomas ADDAMS (all presumed to be related to John NEALE. PATENT ABSTACT NEALE, John).^[7]

18 June 1636 1500 acs Accomack Shire (County), 18 June 1636, p 365. Beg. at the long point on the seaborad side, along the same in breadth abutting SE upon Smiths Island & NW into the woods. Trans. of 30 pers: Ann ALPORT, Richard WILSONN, John MANLY (or MANBY), Edward PASKINS, Geo. BOWLES, Jon. CURTIS, Pearce NEALE, Robert PEARCE, Abra. PANTHURST, Edwd. GILL, Gilbert BENNETT, David WITHERBY, James HEAD, Phillipp LANGFIELD, James PATTISON, Bryan KELLEY, Rich. SMITH, Katherine SMITH, Eliz. PISTOLE, Robert PISTOLE, Wm. PARRY, Edwd. DANIELL, Tho. ADDAMS, Wm. PEARCE, Elias HARMAN, Ann Prosser, Eliz. SHERLY, Wm. SHAW, Henry ROBINSON. This transportation created a headright for John NEALE of 1500 acres (30 persons transported, including himself, times 50 acres award).^[8]

Because Thomas ADDAMS was the nephew of John NEALE (his mother was Elizabeth NEALE), his transportation was not indentured but used as a method of accumulating land by John NEALE.^{[citation needed]}

Parents

Father: John ADDAMS b: 1570 in Northamptonshire Co, ENGLAND Mother: Elizabeth NEALE b: 8 AUG 1576 in Wollaston Manor, Northamptonshire, ENGLAND

Marriage 1

Hannah PEIRCE b: 1622 in Bristol, Somerset, ENGLAND • Married: BEF 1645 Children 1. Phillip ADDAMS b: ABT 1645 in Northampton Co, Virginia 2. Thomas ADDAMS Jr 3. Abraham ADDAMS

Marriage 2

Elizabeth NEALE b: ABT 1610 in Northamptonshire, England • Married: BEF 1635 Children 1. Summer (Sumner, Somer) ADDAMS b: 1635 in Longtown, Herfordshire, England

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name Thomas Adams Age 21 Birth Year abt 1614 Arrival Year 1635 Arrival Place Virginia Primary Immigrant Adams, Thomas Source Publication Code1219.4 Source Bibliography COLDHAM, PETER WILSON. The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1607-1660. 1988. 600p.
2. ↑ The Boston Family Genealogy, Matthew Wise, 1986 2nd Edition, page 358.
3. ↑ U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Name Thomas Adams Gender Male Spouse Name Elizabeth Marriage State of VA Number Pages 1
4. ↑ The Boston Family Genealogy, Matthew Wise, 1986 2nd Edition, page 358.
5. ↑ Northampton Co., Virginia, Orders, Wills and Deeds, Etc., 1632-1640, No. 1, pages, 19, 35, 160.
6. ↑ MilesFiles
7. ↑ Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800, Nell Marion Nugent, Vol. I, Patent Book No. 1, Part 1, page 43.
8. ↑ Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800, Nell Marion Nugent, Vol. I, Patent Book No. 1, Part 1, page 43.

See also:

• Title: PassengersTo America Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc Author: H G Somerby Date: 1988 Page: 93 Text: A consolidation of ship passenger lists from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.
• File: Mears Collection Repository: Eastern Shore of Virginia Public Library Author: Robert L Mears
• File: Miles Files Text: Pages 88, 92, 94, 104
• Title: Boston Family of Maryland, 2nd Edition Author: Matthew M Wise Publication: Delmar Company, Charlotte, NC Date: 1986 Page: 411
• Title: The Complete Book of Immigrants (1607-1660) Author: Peter Wilson Coldham Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc Date: 1987 Page: 158 Text: Page 158
• Title: Province of Maryland Assembly Records Date: 1630s-1640s Repository: Maryland State Archive
• Title: The Adams Family Author: American Genealogical Research Institute Publication: American Genealogical Research Institute Date: 1972 Text: Page 21
• Title: Early Virginia Immigrants (1623-1666) Author: George Cabel Greer Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co Date: 1912 Text: Page 6
• Title: Early Settlers of Maryland Author: Gust Skordas Text: Page 3, Liber ABH, Folio 89
• Title: Early Virginia Immigrants (1623-1666) Author: George Cabell Greer Publication: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc. Date: 1973 Page: 6
• Title: New World Immigrants Publication: Geneological Publishing Co, Inc Date: 1988 Page: 32 Text: A Consolidation of Ship Passenger Lists and Associated Data from Periodical Literature Text: Page 32
• Title: A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789 Author: Papenfuse, Day, Jordan & Stiverson Publication: The Johns Hopkins University Press Date: 1979 Text: Page 99
• Title: Hotten's List Author: John Camden Hotten Publication: G A Baker & Co, NY (reprint) Date: 1931
• File: American Plantations & Colonies -- Ship Lists URL: www.primenet.com/~langford/ships/shiplist.htm Contact: Langford
• Title: Passengers To America Author: Tepper
• Title: Ships Passenger Lists Author: Boyer
• Title: Adams Immigration Lists Author: Adams
• Title: Virginia Land Records Author: Gary Parks Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc Date: 1982 Page: 644 Text: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, and William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly
• Title: Early Virginia Immigrants (1623-1666) Author: George Cabel Greer Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co Date: 1912
• Title: Cavaliers and Pioneers Author: Nell Marion Nugent Publication: Virginia State Library & Archives Date: 1992
• Type: State Records File: Volumes of Land Patents Location: Virginia Land Office, Capitol Building, Richmond, Virginia Author: Compiled by Nell M NUGENT, Custodian of the Virginia Land Archives