John Adams, Senior, and son, John

 

John Adams, Senior

The earliest documentation of the above Adams family of Westmoreland County, Washington Township, Pennsylvania dates back to colonial days of pre-revolutionary America. John Adams, Sen’r, (as he wrote) likely born about 1720, was married to Martha Hamilton in Philadelphia, Bucks County, in 1764. Their son, John, Jun’r., is shown to have been born in 1765 according to Butler County historical records. This would indicate that John was 44 years old when he was married to Martha. John, Sen’r and his son were both living in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania as indicated both in census and in Revolutionary War records.  

The 700 acres of land called Eden was acquired by John after the Warrant was signed, was surveyed by John Moore and approved by John Lukens, Esq., the Surveyor General on 5 February 1785. Both the Warrant and the Survey are available from the Westmoreland County Courthouse.                                                     

The 1790 census shows John, Sr., living with an adult female, presumably his wife, but with no indication of her name. If this woman was Martha, she may have died between 1790 and 1799 as there was no mention of a wife in his will, where provisions would have ordinarily been made. John Adams, Senior’s will was also found at the Westmoreland County Courthouse and affirms a close relationship with John Hamilton, Esq., who administrated John’s will. The relationship between Martha and John Hamilton has not definitively been made. However, since son, John, was 34 years of age when his father wrote his will, Hamilton was likely either a family member or close church parishioner to John, Sr. at the Poke Run Presbyterian Church.

 

"Whereas sickness hath now taken hold of my weak and frail body". Son: John mentions all his property and all his notes and bonds and papers that he left in the care of John Hamilton, Esq., in Poke Run Congregation. Executors: (none named). Witnesses: William Wasson and Hugh Wasson. Will dated 14 April 1799, Proved 20 Feb 1800. Testator signed with his mark.      

Ref:  Page 156, Will Book, Vol 1, Westmoreland County Courthouse, 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, PA, 15601.  Ref: Old Westmoreland, the History and genealogy of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Butler Public Library.

 

We know very little of John Adams, Sen’r. One can surmise that he immigrated to the New England Colonies prior to 1764 most likely as a Presbyterian indentured servant from the Ulster Plantations in Northern Ireland. Many of these “Covenanters” as they were called were shipped from lowland Scotland for their refusal to adopt the Covenants of the Anglican Church of England in the 1600’s.

<>Many of the Scottish Presbyterian emigrants were apparently inspired to leave Northern Ireland because of their pioneering spirit to move on to find and acquire fertile land. The rich soils of Pennsylvania offered them this opportunity. Many were required to serve a period of indentured servitude in payment of their and their family’s voyage to the Colonies.               Ref: Westmoreland County Courthouse, Will Record Book 1 Document Orphans’ Court Records

 

John’s burial plot has not  been  specifically identified at the Poke Run Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A SAR marker grave site ceremony however, was held at the Poke Run Cemetery on October 9, 2004. Son John Adams, Jr., also fought in the War of the Revolution. Existing records represent his tenure of patriotic service. John, Jr would have been 20 years old when his first Certificate was issued.

The very first census was taken in 1790. The Westmoreland County, Washington Township enumeration shows John Adams, Sen’r as living with his presumed wife, Martha. John Adams, Jun’r is shown living with his wife, Margaret Hall, and two females presumed to be their daughters, likely, Rachel and Sarah. Daughter, Margaret was born 17 June 1794 and would not have been listed on this census.       
                                                                                                            Map from the Tribune-Review

 

John Adams’ indenture dated August 22, 1795 provides record that he sold his land called “Eden,” on the waters of Beaver Run to his son and is shown in script in the recorded Indenture. It is of interest to note that John’s wife, Martha, is not mentioned in this Indenture. Although women generally did not hold title to property during this time it was customary to include their name in property deeds of the sellers. Martha may have died, therefore, between the census enumeration in 1790 and 1795. She is also not mentioned in John’s will dated 1799.The recorded Indenture between the father and son describes the consideration of the sum of 266 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence. The Indenture is located at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, Greensburg, Pa.

 

John Adams, Jr.

John likely married his first wife, Margaret Hall, before 1787 when John was 22 years old and shortly after his Militia duty in the War of the Revolution.

John Adams, Jr., with wife, Margaret, had eight children, the youngest of which was Joseph, born in 1806, and from whom our family descends. John sold most of his Eden property, with the exception of about 100 acres, in Westmoreland County to Rudolph Weister in 1805. His family then moved west to Butler County, Pennsylvania. The 100-acre exclusion on the North property boundary was either sold or given to his firstborn son, John III, who was born about 1787, for his family’s use. The other six children include Rachel, Sarah, James, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Mary.

The only record of Margaret, as John’s wife, is found in the Indenture between John Adams and Rudolph Weister where John sold a majority portion of Eden in 1805. The first paragraph states:"…witnesseth that the said John Adams, by and with the consent of Margaret, his wife," Ref: Westmoreland County Courthouse, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, recorded 4 April, 1805

Butler County’s published history includes reports of both our John Jr’s migration and his prolific nature.

 

During the decade beginning with the year 1796, people began to settle in that portion of Allegheny County known as Butler. Before 1800, the territory now termed Clay Township, received its first settlers. Since that time, many changes have taken place, here, as elsewhere. None of the earliest inhabitants now survive, and they have left but few meager records behind them. However, by dint of much research and inquiry we learn, that among those who settled within the present limits of the township prior to the year 1800, were the brothers, Hugh and William WASSON, who owned about 500 acres, John ADAMS, the maternal grandfather of R. H. YOUNG, who owned 500 acres, adjoining the WASSON tract. He came from Westmoreland County. He was married twice and was the father of twenty children, of whom Elizabeth became the wife of John, and the mother of the present R. I. YOUNG.    

Ref: 1883 History of Butler County Pennsylvania, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Waterman, Watkins, & Co., Chicago, 1883, p. 411

 

We unfortunately know little of Margaret Hall. Her maiden name is regretfully unrecorded, and there was no detailed account of her in record searches that I have conducted. Margaret is mentioned as John’s wife in discovered recorded deeds that are mentioned earlier. Their third, not first, daughter was named Margaret, after the mother, which was not customary during that period of time.

We do know that John, Jr., remarried Annabel Ann Wasson Thompson, the wife of his neighbor and good friend, John Thompson, after Thompson’s death on 27 August 1823. Records show the marriage was made in 1824. John and Annabel had another 12 children prior to John’s death in 1838.

John Thompson and Annabel Wasson had four recorded children, the oldest of which was Jane Thompson, born in 1811 in Butler County. Other children were John Robert (1813), Annabel (1815) and William W. (1818).

John Adams, Jun’r left numerous recorded documents that collectively assist in describing an interesting portrait of a devout, pioneering, hard working, benevolent and intelligent Presbyterian who must have had a keen legal and business sense. John died in 1838, two years after his will was signed. Annabel was left with young children but otherwise in comfortable means. Annabel died in 1870 and is buried in West Sunbury Union II Cemetery, Clay Township, in Butler County, Pennsylvania. There is reason to believe that John, Jun’r is also likely buried there although no confirmation has yet been made.

 

The following will of John, Jun’r include all 8 of his children of his first wife, Margaret, namely, Rachel, Sarah, James, Margaret, Elizabeth, John III, Mary and Joseph. However, only 10 of his 12 children with Annabel are listed, namely, Anne, David, HD, Jane, Martha, Nancy, Jemima, Moriah, Ebenezer and Hugh. Jonathan and Janet are not identified in the will for reasons not clearly known. Jonathan may have died early and Janet may have been too young or not yet born in 1836, when John’s will was penned.

John died in 1838, at the age of 73, two years after his will was drawn. Hugh was 3 years of age and Janet may still not have been born. Prolific Scottish men they were, but woe be to their women!

 

Last Will and Testament of John Adams, Jun’r.

 

September 29, 1836 (original text)

Butler County Will Book B, page 77

 

The last will and Testament of John Adams of Centre Township, Butler County

In the name of God, I, John Adams, considering the uncertainty of this life and being of sound mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form (Viz) First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Annabel Adams, her living from the proceeds of one hundred acres of land on which I now live which she is to enjoy during her natural life or widowhood also two horses, all the Cow, cattle, sheep, an hogs and all the farming utensils, wagon and wind mill. Also all the household & kitchen furniture with beds and bedding, also four hundred and twenty four dollars out of which she is to pay my debts and funeral expenses--- In consequence of the above bequeath, Annabel is to board and school the children. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Young, five dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Stewart, thirty dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Adams, two dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Wilson, one hundred dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto Sarah Stewart fifty dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Wasson sixty dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Akens twenty-five dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Scott fifty dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Adams five dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son David Adams five dollars. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Adams a note of hand which I hold on him calling for fifty dollars dated the eighth of September 1830. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son James Adams two dollars. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Ebenezer fifty acres of the above mentioned land to be laid off on West end of the lot by a straight line parallel with the North and south lines and is to get the use of the whole of the lot against he be twenty years of age except the mansion house and his (mothers) maintenance from him until my son Hugh arrives at the age of twenty years. At which time I ordain that he shall possess the other fifty acres of land contained in the above mentioned lot after which time the above named Ebenezer and Hugh Adams shall be an equal share of their mother’s maintenance and shall allow her the whole disposal of the mansion house. I also ordain that if either of the above named Ebenezer and Hugh should die before they arrive at the age of twenty years, the survivor shall be his sole heir. I also ordain that the above named Ebenezer and Hugh Adams shall give (pay) each of their sisters Jemima, Nancy, HD and Moriah Adams thirty dollars each paying an equal share.

                                                                                         John Adams (seal)

 
Original will dated September 29, 1836, original text of Butler County Will received
from Book B, page 77, Butler County Courthouse.

Vaughn P. Adams, Ph.D.