Adams Family

The known record of this family began with three brothers: Thomas, born 1787; Robert G., born 1792; and John C., born circa 1799. The first two are known to have been born in Pennsylvania; the Christian name of the father and the surname of the mother, Elizabeth, is unknown.

Thomas Adams, and perhaps others, arrived Boone County, Kentucky, about 1804. Here, on June 24, 1906, Thomas married Letta Peek, born March 17, 1789, daughter of Presley and Polly Peek. Thomas was a farmer all his life and a successful one. Politics and religion are unknown, but Thomas and Letta were probably Baptist. The family moved from Boone County to Grant County, Kentucky, about 1845, at which time there seems to have been almost a mass migration from Boone to Grant. Descendants speculate that "new" land was needed for the cultivation of tobacco. In 1850 Thomas bought of Louis Myers and wife 250 acres on Grassy Creek for $222.90. In 1850, Thomas Adams succeeded William F. Reed as Justice of the Peace in District One of Grant County.

Thomas Adams, father of the nine children listed below died September 12, 1869. Letta Peek Adams, the mother, died November 30, 1872. Thomas Adams had written his will in 1855, which was probated in the Grant County Court December 16, 1869 shortly after his death. After payment of any debts, he directed that "... the balance of my estate, real, personal and mixed be held and enjoyed by my beloved wife, Letta, during her natural life." Presley Adams and John P. H. Adams were named executors. After Letta's death, he provided that land and property be sold and the proceeds be divided, except for Artimecia who preceded him in death, equally among his children: 1. Elizabeth Utz, born October 16, 1808, married September 23, 1824 David Utz, wagon maker of Florence. Children: (a) Jemima, born August 23, 1825, (b) Thomas A., born December 20, 1826, (c) Absalom J., born April 16, 1828, (d) Letta, born January 15, 1830, (e) Zurilda, born February 11, 1832, (f) Frances, born February 6, 1835, (g) John P., born June 29, 1838, (h) Louisa, born January 25, 1842, (I) David L., born July 28, 1844, and (j) Delilah, born August 14, 1846.

2. Presley P. Adams, born October 16, 1810, Wagoner, Boone County, married August 25, 1831 Mary Ann Stephens. Children: (a) Elizabeth, born August 3, 1832, (b) Thomas, (c) James M., (d) John P.. M., (e) Bluford W, (f) Jefferson D., (g) Samuel M., and (h) Mary Jane.

3. Polly Stephens, married March 11, 1830, Micajah Stephens, Boone County.

4. Artemicia Adams, born 1815, married August 31, 1836, John L. Adams, unidentified, likely a cousin, in Boone County. Artimecia died in Grant County before her father wrote his will in 1855, in which he bequeathed $10 each of his two grandchildren. Artemicia's children: (a) Thomas C. Adams, and (b) Louisa Jane Adams.

5. John P. H. Adams, born 1819, married (1) March 22, 1838, Louisa Adams, unidentified, likely a cousin, in Boone County; (2) Angeline Parsons, Kenton County; and (3) September 8, 1875, Minerva A. Smith, a widow, Pendleton County. Children, all believed to by by second marriage: (a) Thomas Jasper, (b) James Madison, (c) Presley Peck, (d) William O. B., (e) John Barnes, (f) Richard Presley, (g) Louisa, and (h) Morgan H.

6. Eleanor M. (Nellie) Adams, born October 23, 1821, married (1) October 15, 1840, John Adams, first cousin, son of Robert G. Adams (brother of Thomas, Nellie's father), Boone County; (2) March 18, 1863, Samuel Weldon, Boone County. Children: (a) Robert M., born August 18, 1841, (b) Thomas J., born November 22, 1842, (c) Letta, born November 8, 1843, (d) John T., born June 27, 1845, (e) Betsy Ann, born September 27, 1848, (f) Arthur, born March 21, 1849, (g) Presley Peek, born September 23, 1832, and (h) Zurilla Ellen, born July 3, 1855.

7. Thomas D. Adams, born March 23, 1842, married December 18, 1845, Lucretia Adams, first cousin, daughter of John C. Adams (brother of Thomas, Thomas D.'s father), Boone County. Moved to Pendleton County circa 1848. Children: (a) Elizabeth E., (b) Thomas D., (c) John W., (d) Robert M., (e) Lucretia I., (f) James A., (g) Altha Lettie, (h) William E., (i) Joan R., and (j) Mary Elizabeth.

8. Letta Adams, born November 11, 1830, married September 30, 1849, John Rowan Metcalfe, Grant County. Children: (a Thomas Lewis, and (b) Margaret Jane.

9. Robert Barnes Adams, born February 17, 1834, married october 25, 1855, Nance Elizabeth Menefee, Grant County. Children: (a) Letta J., (b) Thomas J., (c) Robert L., (d) Benjamin P., (e) George W., (f) Elizabeth, and (g) Charles D.

Researched by Virgil Chandler Sr.
Published in Footsteps of the Past, October 3, 1996.

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