Multnomah-Clatsop County OR Archives Obituaries.....Adair, Mary Ann April 8, 1893
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Sheron Faynor nitwittwin@hotmail.com September 3, 2008, 6:39 am

The Oregonian April 24,1893
A Brief Skecth Of One Of the Pioneer Women In Early Oregon

Mrs.Mary Ann Adair, widow of the late General John Adair, of Astoria, Ore., 
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.W.T./Welcker, at Berkely,Cal., on the 
8th day of April,1893. She was a little over 77 years of age. Mrs. Adair, who 
was born Mary Ann Dickinson, was the grandaughter of Colonel Elliott, who took 
the part of the colonies in their struggle against the British crown in the 
war of the revolution. Under the administration of Washington he was stationed 
with the garrison at the falls of the Ohio, since known as Louisville,Ky. 
Elizabeth Elliott, his daughter, married Samuel Dickinson. They were the 
parents of Mrs. Adair, who as Mary Ann Dickinson was married to John Adair, 
January 2,1834. Her husband, John Adair, was the son of General John Adair, 
governor of Kentucky and United States senator from that state. He,too,had 
served the colonies in their seven years struggle against Great Britian, an 
dalso in 1812 against the British and INdians, rising to a high rank and 
command.

The subject of this notice, with her husband and children, came on the  
California,which was the first American steamship that ever entered the Golden 
Gate. They aftwerward went, early in 1849, to Astoria,Or. They continued 
throghout life to reside there and was closely identified with the interests 
of  Oregon. General Adair was the first UNited States collector of customs on 
the Northwest Coast, having been selected for the position by President Polk. 
Mrs. Adair was the mother of 13 children, the survivors of whom are Mrs.Ellen 
Mendell, the wife of Colonel G.H.Mendall, of the United States engineer corps; 
Mrs.Katie W, wife of William T.Weicker, of Berkely,Calif; Colonel John Adair, 
of Clatsop County,Or; Mrs.Mary Ann Jordan, wife of Colonel William H.Jordan, 
of the United States army; Samuel D.Adair, of Clatsop County,Or; William 
B.Adiar, of Astoria,Or; and Mrs. Laura P. ???, wife of the Right Rev. 
William ??? bishop of Western Colorado.
She died as she lived, a faithful and devoted Christian woman, and a 
communicant of the Episcopal Church.
Her charater was placid beacuse of her depth.The accidents of life, problems, 
adversity and misfortune, and she was in all its phases, rippled the surface 
but let the depths unstirred. Her patience was sufficient for all trials, her 
sense was never clouded, her gentleness never failed, her faith never 
distrusted, and her charity covered the failings of all. No child ever reeived 
a rebuke that left a sting. No misbehavior gained currency in her report. No 
repudiation offered at her ahnd. The radiance of her character was calm, 
strong, soothing,peaceful, an influence for good to all when it reached, an 
education for many. Th eyeras, never heard a harsh judgement from her lips, 
nor indeed did she apper to think of passing judgement upon others.
Her life for the most part was bounded by he rhome, in which she moved the 
center of love and admiration.
She came ot Oregon at the age of 31, with a flock of young children, who were 
dependednt upon her care for mind and body. Some received at her hands all 
education necessary to form accomplished women. In the early days of Oregon 
there was little opportunity for girls elsewhere than in their homes. The best 
of education was loving association with her.
The writer has known several men of prominence,who, in their early days, 
partook of the unstinted hospitality dispensed at the table of General Adiar, 
and he heard from their lips an account of the impressions which Mrs.Adair 
made them by her sweetness and simplicity. The sotry was always the saem. 
During the present year the writer received an account, from a gentleman in 
New York, of his association with the family in 1849 and 1850. He described 
himself and those who were present as being dazed by the spectacle of this 
refined home in the midst of the ruddeness which abounded on the western shore 
in these early days. Those impressions were made upon manymen who have 
repeated the story of her patience and gentlenes in many a home.
  

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