History of our branch of the Adams family

Our branch

OF THE

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HISTORY

OF

OUR BRANCH

OF

The Adams Family

John Hamilton Adams

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION
1886

NOV 24 1952 03i

THE DC VINNE PRESS.

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To

W/iLTER IVooD Adams :

zMy Dear Son : I have for several years, as you are
aware, devoted a considerable portion of my leisure time to
the investigation of the genealogical history of our branch
of " 'The Adams Family," and I now present to you, in the
following pages, the result of my labors in that direction.
While I am not vain enough to claim that this history is
absolutelv free from errors, yet this much I will assert, that
nothing has found a place therein, as an accepted fact,
which has not been subjected to the closest scrutiny as to its
accuracy, and which is not sustained by the most approved
authorities on the subject ; and that if any mistakes have
been made they are not material, and nowise affect the integ-
rity of the lineal chain.

Quite a number of works, having for their object the
imparting of genealogical information concerning early New
England families, have been published, and from time to time
histories of several of the various branches of " The Adams
Family" have been prepared by members thereof, and printed
for private circulation. From both of these sources, as well
as from town, law, church, and family records, and from
personal interviews with aged members of the family, I have
sought information which, when found to suit my require-
ments, I have freely used.

In January, i8^^, there was published in the "New
England Historical and Genealogical Register," vol. vii.
pp. 39, 40, a Pedigree of the Adams Family of Braintree,
Mass., by which it appeared that Henry A dams, ^ our immi-
grant ancestor in 16^4, was descended from Ap Adam of
Wales, father of Lord John Ap Adam, who was summoned
to Parliament, as a Baron of the Realm, from 1296 to 1 ^oy.

This pedigree has been the subject of controversy among
genealogists, both in this country and in England, and was
formerly regarded as authentic by excellent authority. At
present, however, genealogical opinion refuses its sanction
to so much of it as connects Henry ' of Braintree with the
twelfth generation of the Ap Adam lineage. What opinion
may hereafter prevail cannot now be determined, and I,
therefore, with this brief reference and without comment,
leave this matter, which has been and may yet be the subject

of inquiry and speculation, to those interested in Adams
genealogy.

Beginning with Henry Adams, ^ I have succeeded in tracing
the line of our descent from him by an unbroken chain.

I wish here to acknowledge my great obligation to Mr.
U^elson D. Adams, of Washington, D. C, for counsel and
assistance furnished me throughout the progress of my
investigation, for without his help, always cheerfully afforded,
to solve many of the knotty and perplexing questions that
time and again have been presented, my work would not so
soon have been accomplished, if, indeed, I could ever have
finished it. This [Mr. Adams is a gentleman highly re-
spected as an authority in all matters pertaining to Adams
genealogy, and has in course of preparation a general
genealogical "Record of the Adams Family of America,"
which he hopes to complete and publish at no very distant
day.

In conclusion, I will only add that I have experienced
much pleasure in the preparation of this record, and hope
that you and such others as are interested in its contents
will derive an equal amount from its perusal.

Your affectionate father ,

JOHN H. /ID/tMS.

ROCHESTER, N. Y., FEBRUARY, lSS6.

GENEALOGY

OUR BRANCH OF THE ADAMS FAMILY,

As Deduced from Henry Adams," of Braintree, Mass.

I. HENRY ADAMS.

ENRY Adams ' was the first settler of our
line in this country. He came from Eng-
land to America about 1634 with his wife,
eight sons, and one daughter, and settled
at Mount Wollaston (subsequently named Braintree,
now Quincy), Massachusetts. Here, on February 24,
1639-40, the town of Boston granted him forty acres
of land for the ten persons then composing his family,
and he continued to live there until his death. He

* See Appendix, Note I.

GENEALOGY

OUR BRANCH OF THE ADAMS FAMILY,

As Deduced from Henry Adams,' of Braintree, Mass.

I. HENRY ADAMS.'

ENRY Adams ' was the first settler of our
line in this country. He came from Eng-
land to America about 1634 with his wife,
eight sons, and one daughter, and settled
at Mount Wollaston (subsequently named Braintree,
now Quincy), Massachusetts. Here, on February 24,
1639-40, the town of Boston granted him forty acres
of land for the ten persons then composing his family,
and he continued to live there until his death. He
2 9

lO

probably died October 6, 1646, as it appears by the
town records that he was buried October 8, 1646.
From what place in England he emigrated is somewhat
problematical. The inscription placed upon the column
erected to his memory by his great- great- grandson,
John Adams, second President of the United States,*
reads as follows :

" In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the
Dragon persecution, in Devonshire in England, and aUghted with
eight sons near Mt. Wollaston. One of the sons returned to
England ; and, after taking time to explore the country, four
removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns, and two to
Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand,
remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of
Braintree, incorporated 1639.

" This stone and several others have been placed in this yard by
a great-great-grandson, from a veneration of the piety, humility,
simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry, and
perseverance of his ancestors, in hopes of recommending an imita-
tion of their virtues to their posterity."

The later and more approved opinion, however, and
the one entertained by John Quincy Adams, is that he
came, with others, his fellow-settlers, from Braintree,
Essex County, England. He left a will, probated at
Boston, June 8, 1647, i" which mfention is made of five
of his sons, his wife (whose name is not stated), and his
only daughter Ursula. An abstract of this will may

II

be seen in the New England Historical and Genealogical
Register, vol. vii. page 35.*

It is believed that the widow and daughter returned
to England, accompanied by the son John,^ shortly-
after the death of Henry,' and that they (the mother
and daughter) never returned to America, as no trace
of them can be found since the death of Henry.' John,^

•Abstract of the Will of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass.,
copied from the New England Historical and Genealogical
Register :

"First, my will is, that my sonne Peter and John, and my dau.
Vrsula, shall have the ground in the Neck, both vpland and
meddow, during the terme I was to enjoy it, vntil it retume into the
townes hands againe from whom I had it. Also the Aker in the
Mill fields. My will is, that my bookes shall be divided amongst
all my Children ; that my wife shall have and Enjoy all my other
Goods so Longe as shee liveth vnmarried. And if she marry, then
my will is y> Joseph, Edward, and my dau. Vrsula, should enjoy
all my ground in the field that lyeth in the way to Waymouth
ferry, and my house Lott, with all the houses and fruit trees,
and all my moveables, at the death or marriage of my wife ;
Provided, they and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel
that w<:'> is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be payd
in Convenient tyme. But in case God should soe deal wth my wife
that she be constrayned to make vse of something by way of Sale
shee may.

finally, for moveables, my will is, that my sonne Peter and John
shall have an equall share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and
my dau. Vrsula.

Bcniamin All be

8. 4- 1647- Richard Brackett."

Increase Nowell, Sec.

12

however, married his wife, Ann, in England, and had a
daughter born there, returned to America about 1650,
and settled in Concord, Mass.

Children of Henry.'

I. Henry,^ born in England, , 1604; married,

November 17, 1643, Elizabeth, daughter of Moses Paine,
of Braintree; had Eleazer,' born August 5, 1644; Jasper,*
born June 23, 1647 ; removed to that part of Dedham
which afterward became Medfield, of which place he was
the first Town Clerk ; there had Elizabeth,' born Novem-
ber II, 1649; John' and Henry,' twins, born July 14,
1652; Moses,' born October 26, 1654; Henry' again,
born Nov. 19, 1657; and Samuel,' born December 10,
1 66 1, who died young. He was a member of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston in 1652;
Representative in the General Court, 1659, 1665,
1674-5 ; was Lieutenant of the town of Medfield, and at
the time of the burning and destruction of that settle-
ment by the Indians under King Philip, on Monday
morning, February 21, 1676, was shot down at his own
door-step.

His wife fled to the minister's house for protection.
She was mortally wounded the same night by the acci-
dental discharge of a gun, and died, as a result, three
days after.

13

2. Thomas,^ born in England, , 1612. (See

No. II.)

3. Samuel,^ born in England, , 161 7; resided at

Concord and Charlestown ; admitted freeman. May 10,
1643; married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Graves;
had Samuel,' born July 3, 1647; Rebecca;' Thomas;'

born , 1652; John' and Catharine,' born October

29, 1657, who both died young; and Catharine ' again,
born January 4, 1659. In 1656 he was granted four hun-
dred and fifty acres of land in Chelmsford, settled there,
and was Town Clerk in 1659. His wife died October 8,
1664, and he married, May 7, 1668, Esther, daughter of
Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Cambridge, and by her had
four more children, Nathaniel,' Joseph,' Benjamin,' and
Esther,' who are named in the will of their elder
brother, Thomas.

In 1661 he built a mill at Chelmsford, which remained
in the possession of his descendants for nearly two hun-
dred years. He was a captain in " Philip's war." He
died January 24, 1688-9, aged 72, and was buried in
Charlestown.

4. Jonathan,^ born in England, , 16 19; married,

first, Elizabeth, second, Mary ; had sons Jasper,' o'
Medway, and Jonathan,' of Medway ; settled in Med-
field, and died in 1 690, aged 71.

5. Peter,^ born in England, , 1622; admitted

freeman, 1650; married Rachel ; had Peter,' born

14

July 20, 1653, a physician at Medway ; Hannah,' born

1658; Mary,' born ; Jonathan,' born , 1663,

who died soon; Jonathan ' again, born May 15, 1664;

Ruth,' born ; settled in Medfield and had Samuel,'

born ; and Joseph,' born . He died about

1690, aged 68.

6. John, ^ born in England, , 1624; married, in

England, Ann ; settled in Concord in 1650; and

about 1654 removed to West Cambridge, where he
died in 1706, aged 85. His will is dated June i, 1706.

7. Joseph," born in England, , 1626; remained

on the original home-grant in Braintree ; was a
"malster" (brewer); admitted freeman, 1653; mar-
ried, November 26, 1650, Abigal, daughter of Gregory
Baxter, of Braintree ; had Hannah,' born November 30,
1652; Joseph,' born December 24, 1654; John,' born
January 13, 1657, who died soon ; Abigal,' born Febru-
ary 27, 1659; John' and Bethia,' twins, born December
3, 1661 ; Mary,' born October 9, 1663, who died soon ;
Samuel,' born September 6, 1665; Mary' again, born
February 25, 1668; Peter,' born February 7, 1670;
Jonathan,' born January 31, 1672; and Mehitable,'
baptized November 24, 1678. Joseph^ was the great-
grandfather of John Adams, second President of the
United States (Joseph,- Joseph,' John,^ deacon, John,^
president); he was also the great-grandfather of Samuel

15

Adams, of Revolutionary fame, signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence, Governor of Massachusetts, etc.
(Joseph,^ John,' captain, Samuel,^ Samuel,^ the patriot).
The wife of Joseph- died August 27, 1692, and he died
December 6, 1694. He was buried in the family
burial-place at Braintree, now Quincy, Mass., and the
words, " who lies here at his left hand," in the in-
scription on his father's monument, have reference
to him.

8. Edward,^ born in England, , 1630; admitted

freeman in 1654; married, first, Lydia , second,

Abigal Day, third, Sarah Taylor. He settled at Med-
field, Mass., and was Selectman of that town for many
years; was a Representative in the first two General
Courts held in 1689, after the overthrow of Andros, and
died November 12, 17 16. He left a will, dated May
19, 171 5, proved December 3, 17 16, recorded in Probate
Records of Suffolk County, Mass., in vol. xix. page 225.
He had fourteen children, as follows, viz. : Lydia,' born
July 12, 1653; Jonathan,' born April 4, 1655; John,'
born February 18, 1657; Eliashib,' born February 18,
1659; Sarah,' born May 29, 1660; James,' born Janu-
ary 4, 1662; Henry,' born October 29, 1663; Mehita-
ble,' born March 20, 1665 ; EHsha,' born August 25,
1666; Edward,' born June 28, 1668; Bethia,' born
April 12, 1671; Bethia' again, born August 18, 1672;

i6

Abigal,' born January 25, 1675 ; and Miriam,' born
February 26, 1676.

9. Ursula,^ daughter, born . The only informa-
tion of her is that she is mentioned in her father's will,
and was then living with him. She probably returned
to England with her mother and brother, and never
came back, as before stated.

II. THOMAS ADAMS."

THOMAS ADAMS' (Henry i) was born in England
in 1612. His wife was Mary Blackmore. He was
admitted freeman May 10, 1643 ; member of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company, 1644, and was a
lieutenant. He settled in Concord, Mass., with his
brothers Samuel" and John,' and bought lands there. In
1654 he and his brother Samuel" sold their landed inter-
est in Concord to Samuel Stratton, having previously
petitioned for a new town, which was granted, and in
which they shortly after settled and called Chelmsford.
He and his brother Samuel ' built the first mill in the
town of Chelmsford, which was on the present site of the
city of Lowell, and, with others, the first church and
school-house in that town.

17

Thomas^ was for some years Town Clerk of Chelms-
ford, was Selectman, Justice of the Peace, and Repre-
sentative in the General Court at its second session in
1673. He died July 20, 1688, aged "j^; and his will,
which was made the same year and is recorded in Mid-
dlesex Probate, vol. vii. page 10 1, mentions his chil-
dren, with the exception of the fifth, seventh, eighth,
and ninth, who had probably previously died.

His widow, Mary, died in Charlestown, March 23,
1694, aged 82. The New England Historical and Gen-
ealogical Register says :

" The following memorandum contains honorable mention of the
two sons of Henry Adams,' who settled at Chelmsford, Mass. It is
copied from a small slip of paper among the Court files at East
Cambridge. ' To the honorable court assembled at Cambridge :
These may inform that Capt. Samuel Adams, Thomas Adams,
and Mr. John Webb are choase (sic) Commissioners for the Court
of Chelmsford for the year 67 (1667), and John Fisk is choasen
constable.

" ' Chelmsford, 19 : i : 66-7. Attest John Barit.' "

Children of Thomas.-

1. Mary,^ born July 24, 1643 ; married Cooper.

2. Jonathan,^ born March 6, 1645-6. (See No. HI.)

3. Pelatiah,' twin brother of Tr
R.itv.

I r\*^-

i6

Abigal,' born January 25, 1675 ; and Miriam,' born
February 26, 1676.

9. Ursula,- daughter, born . The only informa-
tion of her is that she is mentioned in her father's will,
and was then living with him. She probably returned
to England with her mother and brother, and never
came back, as before stated.

II. THOMAS ADAMS.*

THOMAS ADAMS- (Henry i) was born in England
in 1612. His wife was Mary Blackmore. He was
admitted freeman May 10, 1643 ; member of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company, 1644, and was a
lieutenant. He settled in Concord, Mass., with his
brothers Samuel^ and John," and bought lands there. In
1654 he and his brother Samuel" sold their landed inter-
est in Concord to Samuel Stratton, having previously
petitioned for a new town, which was granted, and in
which they shortly after settled and called Chelmsford.
He and his brother Samuel^ built the first mill in the
town of Chelmsford, which was on the present site of the
city of Lowell, and, with others, the first church and
school-house in that town.

* See Appendix, Note II.
t ' III-

17

Thomas' was for some years Town Clerk of Chelms-
ford, was Selectman, Justice of the Peace, and Repre-
sentative in the General Court at its second session in
1673. He died July 20, 1688, aged ^^ ; and his will,
which was made the same year and is recorded in Mid-
dlesex Probate, vol. vii. page lOi, mentions his chil-
dren, with the exception of the fifth, seventh, eighth,
and ninth, who had probably previously died.

His widow, Mary, died in Charlestown, March 23,
1694, aged 82. The New England Historical and Gen-
ealogical Register says :

" The following memorandum contains honorable mention of the
two sons of Henry Adams,i who settled at Chelmsford, Mass. It is
copied from a small slip of paper among the Court files at East
Cambridge. ' To the honorable court assembled at Cambridge :
These may inform that Capt. Samuel Adams, Thomas Adams,
and Mr. John Webb are choase (sic) Commissioners for the Court
of Chelmsford for the year 67 (1667), and John Fisk is choasen
constable.

" ' Chelmsford, 19:1: 66-7. Attest John Barit.' "

Children of Thomas.-

1. Mary,^ born July 24, 1643 I married Cooper.

2. Jonathan,^ born March 6, 1645-6. (See No. HI.)

3. Pelatiah,^ twin brother of Jonathan ; married
Ruth .

i8

4. Timothy/ born April 2, 1648; married Mary ;

died July i, 1708.

5. George,' born May 29, 1650; probably died un-
married.

6. Samuel,' born ; married Mary . He

moved to Charlestown, and Wyman's Genealogies and
Estates of Charlestown has the following in regard to
him :

" Samuel Adams,^ son of Thomas,^ mill-wright, moved from
Charlestown to Canterbury, Conn. ; married Mary .

"Issue : first, Susannah,* born March 13, 1692-3 ; second, Kath-
erine,* born May 27, 1695 (both born in Chelmsford); more at
Canterbury."

Samuel ' was a land dealer as well as mill-wright, and
was a man of considerable consequence in Canterbury.
His wife, Mary, died March 28, 1718, and he, November
26, 1727.

7. Edith,' born ,1656; probably died un-
married.

8. Thomas,' born July 23, 1660; died in infancy
(November 30, 1660).

9. Susannah,' born ; baptized March 3, 1660;

probably died young.

10. Thomas,' born , 1675; married Judith ;

they both died in Dunstable, Mass. (now N. H.) — he.

19

February i8, 1746, aged 71, and she, April 15, 1754,
aged 74. He was the great-grandfather of Alvin Adams,
the founder of the Adams Express Company.

According to Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, the
eldest four sons of Thomas Adams" were living in
Chelmsford in 1692.

III. JONATHAN ADAMS.'

JONATHAN ADAMS' (Thomas," Henry') was born
in Concord, Mass., March 6, 1645-6, and married,
August 29, 1 68 1, Leah, twin daughter of Francis and
Rose Gould of Chelmsford. He died in Chelmsford,
November 5, 1712. Nothing relating to his history has
been found on record.

Children of Jonathan.'

1. Edith,'' born December 11, 1683; married Jacob
Powers of Littleton, Mass.

2. Lydia,* born April 2, 1691 ; married, August 6,
17 1 3, Thomas Robbins.

3. Abigal,'' born November 9, 1693.

* See Appendix, Note IV.

4. Timothy,^ born April 2, 1648; married Mary ;

died July i, 1708.

5. George,^ born May 29, 1650; probably died un-
married.

6. Samuel,' born ; married Mary . He

moved to Charlestown, and Wyman's Genealogies and
Estates of Charlestown has the following in regard to
him :

" Samuel Adams,^ son of Thomas, ^ mill-wright, moved from
Charlestown to Canterbury, Conn. ; married Mary .

" Issue : first, Susannah,* born March 13, 1692-3 ; second, Kath-
erine,'' born May 27, 1695 (both born in Chelmsford) ; more at
Canterbury."

Samuel ' was a land dealer as well as mill-wright, and
was a man of considerable consequence in Canterbury.
His wife, Mary, died March 28, 1718, and he, November
26, 1727.

7. Edith,' born , 1656; probably died un-
married.

8. Thomas,' born July 23, 1660; died in infancy
(November 30, 1660).

9. Susannah,' born ; baptized March 3, 1660;

probably died young.

10. Thomas,' born , 1675; married Judith ;

...1 K„fV. a\pA in Dunstable, Mass. (now N. H.) — he,

19

February i8, 1746, aged 71, and she, April 15, 1754,
aged 74. He was the great-grandfather of Alvin Adams,
the founder of the Adams Express Company.

According to Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, the
eldest four sons of Thomas Adams" were living in
Chelmsford in 1692.

III. JONATHAN ADAMS.3

JONATHAN ADAMS' (Thomas,= Henry') was born
in Concord, Mass., March 6, 1645-6, and married,
August 29, 1 68 1, Leah, twin daughter of Francis and
Rose Gould of Chelmsford. He died in Chelmsford,
November 5, 171 2. Nothing relating to his history has
been found on record.

Children of Jonathan.'

1. Edith,'' born December 11, 1683; married Jacob
Powers of Littleton, Mass.

2. Lydia,'' born April 2, 1691 ; married, August 6,
17 1 3, Thomas Robbins.

3. AbigAL,'' born November 9, 1693.

20

4- Jonathan/ born March 21, 1695.

5. David,^ born March 29, 1699. (See No. IV.)

IV. DAVID ADAMS.*

DAVID ADAMS ^ (Jonathan,^ Thomas,' Henry')
was born in Chelmsford, Mass., March 29, 1699,
and was but little over twelve years of age when his
father died. He removed to Canterbury, Conn., prob-
ably with his Uncle SamueP (see II., 6), and there
married, August 27, 1723, Dorcas, daughter of Elisha
and Rebecca [Doane] Payne, who was born in Eastham,
Mass., February 20, 1699- 1700. (See Payne Family
Records, vol. ii. pages 47 and 162, for her lineage.)

David'* died in Canterbury, August 29, 1753, his wife
having previously died, March 3, 1745-6.

Children of David.^

1. Jonathan,^ born May 25, 1724; married, Decem-
ber 27, 1745, Desire Ashcroft.

2. David,^ born ; married, September 30, 1746,

Sarah Jackson.

3. Levi,' born , 1728. (See No. V.)

21

Abel,^ born January 5, 1730; a physician.
Elisha,* born July 5, 1733.
Dorcas/ born June 5, 1735.
Leah,^ born August 18, 1738.
Rebecca/ born August 6, 1742.

V. LEVI ADAMS/

LEVI ADAMS ^ (David/ Jonathan/ Thomas/
Henry') was born , 1728, in Canterbury.

Conn.; was baptized in the church of " Newent Society/'
in the town of Lisbon, New London County, Conn., No-
vember 18, 1728; married in Canterbury, December 26,

175 1, Margaret Perkins, who was born July , 1729.

He continued to live in Canterbury until about 1782,
with the exception of two years, 1753-5, during which
time he resided in Dutchess County, N. Y. He and
three of his sons, Levi, David, and John, were soldiers
in the Revolutionary army, and he was in the battle
of New London, as a volunteer, September 6, 1781,
when that place was attacked by Arnold. He was
a carpenter, and taught that trade to his eldest four
sons. About the year 1782, he with the remainder of
his family moved to Pawlet, Vermont, whither several

20

4- Jonathan,-* born March 21, 1695.

5. David/ born March 29, 1699. (See No. IV.)

IV. DAVID ADAMS."

DAVID ADAMS" (Jonathan,^ Thomas,^ Henry^)
was born in Chelmsford, Mass., March 29, 1699,
and was but little over twelve years of age when his
father died. He removed to Canterbury, Conn., prob-
ably with his Uncle SamueP (see II., 6), and there
married, August 27, 1723, Dorcas, daughter of Elisha
and Rebecca [Doane] Payne, who was born in Eastham,
Mass., February 20, 1699- 1700. (See Payne Family
Records, vol. ii. pages 47 and 162, for her lineage.)

David" died in Canterbury, August 29, 1753, his wife
having previously died, March 3, 1745-6.

Children of David."

1. Jonathan,^ bom May 25, 1724; married, Decem-
ber 27, 1745, Desire Ashcroft.

2. David,' born ; married, September 30, 1746,

Sarah Jackson.

3. Levi,' born , 1728. (See No. V.)

* See Appendix, Note V.

21

4- Abel,' born January 5, 1730; a physician.

5. Elisha/ born July 5, 1733.

6. Dorcas," born June S, 1735.

7. Leah,^ born August 18, 1738.

8. Rebecca,* born August 6, 1742.

V. LEVI ADAMS/

LEVI ADAMS'^ (David,^ Jonathan,' Thomas,"
Henry ') was born , 1728, in Canterbury*

Conn.; was baptized in the church of " Newent Society,"
in the town of Lisbon, New London County, Conn., No-
vember 18, 1728; married in Canterbury, December 26,

1751, Margaret Perkins, who was born July , 1729.

He continued to live in Canterbury until about 1782,
with the exception of two years, 1753-5, during which
time he resided in Dutchess County, N. Y. He and
three of his sons, Levi, David, and John, were soldiers
in the Revolutionary army, and he was in the battle
of New London, as a volunteer, September 6, 1781,
when that place was attacked by Arnold. He was
a carpenter, and taught that trade to his eldest four
sons. About the year 1782, he with the remainder of
his family moved to Pawlet, Vermont, whither several

22

of his children had preceded him. In 1 8 1 1 he removed
to Otsego County, N. Y., and resided in the town of
Hartwick, where he died in 1816, aged 88. His wife,
Margaret, died in Hartford, Washington County, N. Y.,
from the effect of an accident, June 26, 1829, aged 99
years and 1 1 months.

Children of Levi.^

1. LUCY,^ born in Canterbury, March 23, 1752;
moved to Pawlet, Vt., about 1782; married Jordan
Dodge, a Baptist minister ; had children, — Joel, Peter,
Jordan, Nancy, Lucy, John, and Didamia. She died
many years since.

2. Levi,*' born February 17, 1754, in a village then
called Oswego, in Dutchess County, N. Y. ; married, in
Canterbury, August 9, 1772, Hannah Pettingall ; had
children, — Ezra,' born November 22, 1772; Lucy,'
born May 23, 1775, both born in Canterbury ; and
Levi,' John,' and Harvey,' born either in Canterbury,
Pawlet, or Milford. He was a carpenter by trade, was
a soldier in the Revolutionary army, 1776—8; moved
from Canterbury to Pawlet, Vt., in 1780; removed to
Milford, Otsego County, N. Y., in 1794; and in 1826

yagain moved to Ripley, Chautauqua County, N. Y., since
which time nothing is known of him.

23

3. David/ born in Canterbury, March 22, 1756;
married Abigal Carver in Canterbury, May i, 1777;
was a carpenter, was a soldier in the Revolutionary
army, 1 780-1 782, moved to Pawlet, Vt, about 1782, and
thence, in 1793, to Westford, Otsego County, N. Y., where
he was living in 1820. His children were a son, Dyer,"
and two daughters whose names are not ascertained.

4. Margaret," born in Canterbury, December 20,
1758; died March 14, 1759.

5. Margaret'^ again, born in Canterbury, January
16, 1760; died young and unmarried.

6. John," born in Canterbury, December 15, 1762;
was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, 1780— 1782,
and was on duty as guard, at the scaffold, at the execu-
tion of Andre, October 2, 1780; was a carpenter. He
moved from Canterbury to Pawlet, Vt., about 1782, and
in 181 1 removed to Vergennes, Vt., thence to St.
Albans, Vt., and thence to Barton, Vt., where he died
in 1857, aged 94.

He had but one child, a son, Frederick Whiting," who
was a distinguished surgeon, lived at Montpelier, Vt,
and died there, December 17, 1859, aged 71.

7. Joanna," born in Canterbury, August 4, 1764;
moved to Pawlet about 1780, and married Daniel
Roth.

8. Asahel,'' born June 20, 1766. (See No. VI.)

24

9- ASENATH," born in Canterbury, March ii, 1769;
died young and unmarried.

10. LYDIA,''born in Canterbury, May 14, 1771 ; moved
to Pawlet, Vt., about 1782; married Joseph Taylor, of
Hartford, Washington County, N. Y., September 9,
1792; died in Hartford, January 27, 1838.

She had children as follows, viz. : John Adams, born
April 25, 1794; Hannah, born May 12, 1796; David
Adams, born May 25, 1798; Daniel Olmstead, twin to
David; Nancy, born May 12, 1800; Betsey, born June
13, 1803 ; Asenath, born February 21, 1805 ; and Lucy,
born November 28, 1808.

11. William,* born in Canterbury, February 8,
1774; moved to Pawlet, Vt, about 1782, and thence, in
1793. to Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y., where he
lived until 1826, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y.,
since which time nothing is known of him. He married

Freelove , and had children as follows, viz. : Lydia,^

Studley,' Elsie,' Lucy,' and a son whose name is not
known.

12. There was one other child born to Levi^ and
Margaret, but this fact is all that has been ascertained.

25
VI. ASAHEL ADAMS.6

ASAHEL ADAMS " (Levi,^ David/ Jonathan/
Thomas,' Henry') was born in Canterbury, Conn.,
June 20, 1766; was a carpenter by trade; moved to
Pawlet, Vt, about 1782, where, October 10, 1790, he
married Esther Peck, who was born in Norwich, Conn.,
August 6, 1766. In 1793 he removed to Otsego County,
N. Y., and bought or rented a farm of Judge Cooper,
father of J. Fenimore Cooper, the novelist. In 1800
he moved to the town of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y.,
and thence, in 1823, to Lyons, N. Y., where he died,
September 14, 1828. His wife, Esther, died in Scipio,
August 19, 1823.

Children of Asahel."

I. Benjamin Chapman,' born in Pawlet, Vt, June 24,
1791 ; married first. Amy Rosetta Seaman, November
18, 1812, who died, November 7, 1815; second, Laura
Smith, January 30, 1817, who died November 28, 183 1 ;
and third, Alma [Dodge] Forsyth, August i, 1833, who
died July 4, 1863. He resided for many years in Gen-
esee County, N. Y. ; removed thence to Beloit, Wiscon-
sin, where he died, June 4, 1861. He had children as
follows, viz. : Esther,* born October 25, 18 14, died
4

26

August 25, 1815; Julia Ann,^ born October 30, 18 17;
William Perkins,' born October 22, 1820; George Ben-
jamin/ born January 17, 1823, died September 18, 1824 ;
George Smith,' born April 17, 1825, died February 19,
1826; John Henry,' born June 24, 1827; Laura Eliza,*
born May lo, 1831, died September 19, 1831; and
Mary Eliza,' born October 27, 1834.

2. James Harvey,' born in Pawlet, Vt, May 9, 1793;
moved to Otsego County, N. Y., in 1793, thence to Buf-
falo, N. Y. ; married Rosanna House, December 19,
1824, and had children as follows, viz. : Frederick House,'
born November 8, 1825 ; Esther Eliza,' born August
30, 1829; Clamira,' born January 31, 1831 ; Benjamin
Chapman,' born ; and John Hebbard,' born De-
cember 20, 1834.

James Harvey" died in Buffalo, N. Y., November 23,
1841.

3. John,' born September 19, 1794. (See No. VH.)

4. William Perkins,' born in Pittsfield, Otsego
County, N. Y., June 27, 1797 ; died June 2, 1817.

5. David P.,' born in Pittsfield, Otsego County, N. Y.,
August 13, 1799; moved to Lyons, N. Y., in 1822;
was a jeweler, afterwards a grocer ; married in Lyons,
January I, 1826, Hannah Perrine; removed in 183610
Tompkins, Jackson County, Michigan, where he died
February 27, 1879. He had children as follows, viz. :

27

George Perrine,' born December 23, 1826 ; Helen,' born
March 3, 1830; William Henry/ born September 8,
1832; Ellen,** born January 16, 1834; and Jane A.,*
born February 11, 1838.

6. Daniel Peck,' born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga
County, N. Y., September 12, 1801 ; moved to Batavia,
N. Y. ; married, December 17, 1829, Maria Seaver, who
was born in Sunderland, Vt., October 27, 1801, and died
in Buffalo, N. Y., March 6, 1880. Daniel" was a printer,
resided many years in Buffalo, and died in Batavia,
February 29, 1872. He had children as follows, viz.:
Augustus Everett," born March 5, 1832, died December
29, 1836; William Henry,' born January 28, 1835;
Helen Maria," born September 26, 1837, <ii^d May 30,
1846; and Augustus Everett" again, born February 4,

1843-

7. HlRAM,^ born in Scipio, N. Y., September 8, 1803 ;
died July 10, 1806.

8. Eliza L.,' born in Scipio, N. Y., September 8,
1805 ; married at Lyons, N. Y., March 4, 1823, Henry
Knowles Avery; had children as follows, viz.: Charles
H., Helen E., Caroline L., and John A., and died inBeloit,
Wisconsin, June 16, 1881.

28
VII. JOHN ADAMS.'

JOHN ADAMS' (Asahel/ Levi,^ David/ Jonathan,'
Thomas,- Henry ') was born in the town of BurHng-
ton, Otsego County, N. Y., September 19, 1794; moved
to Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., about 1800; removed
to Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y., in 18 15, and
there married, February 20, 18 19, Rebecca Bemis
Hamilton, daughter of Dr. Samuel Hamilton, of Man-
chester, N. Y. She was born in Keene, New Hamp-
shire, June 16, 1798, and died December 5, 1864.

In 1820 John' removed to Lyons, Wayne County,
N. Y., and began business as a merchant. He filled
various offices of trust ; was Collector of Canal Tolls for
seventeen successive years from the completion of the
Erie Canal ; was Supervisor of the town of Lyons for the
years 1839, 1840, and 1857; was elected County Treas-
urer of Wayne County in 1857, and again in i860. He
died in Canandaigua, N. Y., while on a visit, June 13,
1862.

Children of John.^

I. Catharine Palmer,* born in Manchester, On-
tario County, N. Y., June 5, 1820; married, December
26, 1846, George W. Bemis, of Canandaigua, N. Y., and
had children as follows, viz. : Emily Adams, born

29

January 9, 185 1; James Draper, born July 30, 1853;
and John Adams, born May 25, 1856. She died in
Canandaigua, September 13, 1877.

2. Emily Ward," born in Lyons, N. Y., May 28,
1822 ; married, June 1 1, 1846, the Hon. James C. Smith,
now one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the
State of New-York. She resides in Canandaigua, and
her children are as follows, viz.: Kate Adams, born
June 26, 1847; Edmund Hamilton, born August 27,
1848; Arthur Coslett, born January 19, 185 1; Alice
Laura, born November 9, 1853; James Coslett, Jr.,
born March 23, 1857; and Emily James, born April

15, 1865.

3. John Hamilton,' born November 12, 1824.
(See No. VUl.)

4. Laura Bemis," born in Lyons, N. Y., July 29,
1830, and died in Canandaigua, N. Y., August 18, 1875.

5. Rebecca Mehetable,' born in Lyons, N. Y.,
December i, 1832; married, December 30, 1856, Alex-
ander McElroy, and had children, as follows, viz. :
Margaret Hamilton, born June 13, 1858; Georgia
Lewis, born March 18, 1862; James Adams, born
September 15, 1864; and Grace Alexander, born July
22, 1870. Rebecca- died in Canandaigua, N. Y.,
October 29, 1874.

30

6. Eliza Clark,' born in Lyons, N. Y., December
S, 1834; married, October 31, i860, the Rev. George
Seymour Lewis, who died, August i, 1861. She re-
sides in Albany, N. Y., and has no children.

7. William Henry,* born in Lyons, N. Y., March
27, 1841 ; was a captain in the Ninety-eighth Regiment,
New- York Volunteers, in the War of the Rebellion ;
married, in Canandaigua, N. Y., September 27, 1865,
Charlotte Lewis, daughter of the Hon. Elbridge G.
Lapham ; is a lawyer, and now resides in Canandaigua.
His children are as follows, viz. : Elbridge Lapham,'
born September 17, 1866; Lewis Hamilton,' born
October 14, 1869; and Katharine Frances,' born
November 6, 1S82.

VIII. JOHN HAMILTON ADAMS.«

JOHN HAMILTON AD AMS » (John,' Asahel," Levi,^
David,'* Jonathan,' Thomas," Henry') was born in
Lyons, N. Y., November 12, 1824; married, in Aurora,
Cayuga County, N. Y., November 11, 1847, Sophia
Adahne, daughter of Seneca Wood; lived in Lyons,
N. Y., until 1857, when he moved to Rochester, N. Y.,
where he now resides.

31

Children of John Hamilton.'

1. Walter Wood,' born August 22, 1848. (See
No. IX.)

2. Charles Hamilton,' born in Lyons, N. Y.,
February 2, 185 1, and died, August 3, 1852.

IX. WALTER WOOD ADAMS.'

WALTER WOOD ADAMS' (John Hamilton,'
John,' Asahel," Levi,* David,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,''
Henry') was born in Lyons, N. Y., August 22, 1848;
moved to Rochester, N. Y., in 1857, and thence to the
city of New-York in 1880, where he married, May 17,
1882, Harriette Augusta, daughter of the Hon. Thomas
Hillhouse. He is a lawyer, now resides in the city of
New- York, and has one child, a son, Phineas Hill-
house," born May i, 1883.

30

6. Eliza Clark,' born in Lyons, N. Y., December
5, 1834; married, October 31, i860, the Rev. George
Seymour Lewis, who died, August i, 1861. She re-
sides in Albany, N. Y., and has no children.

7. William Henry,* born in Lyons, N. Y., March
27, 1841 ; was a captain in the Ninety-eighth Regiment,
New- York Volunteers, in the War of the Rebellion ;
married, in Canandaigua, N. Y., September 27, 1865,
Charlotte Lewis, daughter of the Hon. Elbridge G.
Lapham ; is a lawyer, and now resides in Canandaigua.
His children are as follows, viz. : Elbridge Lapham,"
born September 17, 1866; Lewis Hamilton," born
October 14, 1869; and Katharine Frances," born
November 6, 1S82.

VIII. JOHN HAMILTON ADAMS.'

JOHN HAMILTON ADAMS « (John,' Asahel," Levi,=
David,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,^ Henry') was born in
Lyons, N. Y., November 12, 1824; married, in Aurora,
Cayuga County, N. Y., November 11, 1847, Sophia
Adaline, daughter of Seneca Wood; hved in Lyons,
N, Y., until 1857, when he moved to Rochester, N. Y.,
where he now resides.

* See Appeiulix, Note VI.
I •■ •• " VII.

^ -. .' •' VIII.

31

Children of John Hamilton.'

1. Walter Wood,^ born August 22, 1848. (See
No. IX.)

2. Charles Hamilton,' born in Lyons, N. Y,,
February 2, 185 1, and died, August 3, 1852.

IX. WALTER WOOD ADAMS.'

WALTER WOOD ADAMS" (John Hamilton,'
John,^ Asahel," Levi,^ David,^ Jonathan,' Thomas,^
Henry') was born in Lyons, N. Y., August 22, 1848;
moved to Rochester, N. Y., in 1857, and thence to the
city of New- York in 1880, where he married, May 17,
1882, Harriette Augusta, daughter of the Hon. Thomas
Hillhouse. He is a lawyer, now resides in the city of
New- York, and has one child, a son, Phineas Hill-
house," born May i, 1883.

APPENDIX

By Walter Wood Adams

Note I. — Mr. Andrew N. Adams, in the introduction to his
Adams History, says that Henry Adams' came to
America in 1632.

Note II. — Thomas Adams' and Mary Blackmore were
married at Braintree in 1642.

Note III. — Thomas Adams' served as a soldier in King
Philip's War, and in 1678 was Ensign, and in 1682
Lieutenant, of the Chelmsford Foot Company.

Note IV. — Leah Gould, wife of Jonathan Adams,' died in
1718.

Note V. — Elisha Payne was the son of Thomas Payne and
his wife, Mary Snow. She was the daughter of Nicho-
las Snow and his wife, Constance Hopkins, who was
the daughter of Stephen Hopkins, one of the Mayflower
Pilgrims in 1620.

See The Doane Family, p. 39, and Davis's Landmarks
of Plymouth, Part II., p. 145.

Note VI. — William Henry Adams* was a Justice of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York, having been
first appointed and afterwards twice elected to that
office.

He died at Canandaigua, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1903.

Note VII. — Sophia Adaline Wood," wife of John Hamilton
Adams,' was the daughter of Seneca Wood of Aurora,
Cayuga County, N.Y., born March 11, i79i,died March
12, 1859, and his wife, Sophia Adaline Burnham,' born
at Shaftsbury, Vt., April 15, 1797, married in Aurora,
June 6, 1816, and died in Aurora, January 6, 1840.

She, Sophia .Adaline Wood,' was born at .A.uburn,
N. Y., March 27, 1827, and died at Rochester, N. Y.,
May II, 1900. She was descended from Robert Burn-
ham' and his wife, Mary Andrews, of Norwich, Nor-
folk County, England, through their son Thomas.'
See Burnham Pedigree, annexed.

Thomas," born in 1619, or, according to some au-
thorities, in 1623, came to America with his brothers
John and Robert in 1635, in the ship Angel Gabriel, of
which their maternal uncle. Captain Andrews, was
master ; and, after suffering shipwreck on the coast of
Maine, settled in Chebacco (Ipswich), in the Colony
of Massachusetts Bay, in 1636.

He served in the Pequot War in 1636 or 1637, and
afterwards in King Philip's War in 1675. In 1664 he
was Sergeant of the Ipswich Foot Company, in 1675 its
Ensign, and in 1683 its Lieutenant.

He was Selectman in 1647, and Deputy to the Gen-
eral Court in 1683-4-5. In 1645 he married Mary
Tuttle, daughter, born in about 1624, of John Tuttle
and his wife, Joan , who came to America, prob-
ably from Hertfordshire, England.

Thomas Burnham" died May 19, 1694, and his wife,
Mary Tuttle, died March 17, 17 15.

The Burnhams of Ipswich, Mass., and Norwich,
Conn., are largely of his lineage, and many of his de-
scendants have been identified with Colonial and State
activities. His son, Thomas,' was Lieutenant of the
Ipswich Foot Company, in 1702 ; his great-grandson,
Eleazer,' served in the French and Indian War of
1757 ; and his great-great-grandson, Asa," was a soldier
in the American Revolution.

The latter's tombstone, erected by his son Eleazer
in the cemetery at Aurora, Cayuga County, N. Y.,
where he resided at the time of his death, bears the
following inscriptions :

Major Asa Burnham
Born 28 August, 1753
Died I January, 1846

In Memory of

Lucy, wife of Asa Burnham

Born 26 February, 1757

Died 31 August, 1828

Note VIII — John Hamilton Adams' died at Rochester,

N. Y., March 4, 1898.

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