McNAIRY COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - The Adams Family ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping, with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic Pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Douglas H. Prather douglas-memphis@worldnet.att.net =============================================================== McNairy County Independent April 11, 1924 The Adams Family One of the oldest families in the history of this county is that of Adams. In fact that name is not only connected with the early history of the county, but is a familiar name in the early history of this country. It was a name before the Revolution, and one Adams and another is mentioned in the early settlements in Massachusetts and in Virginia. Ebenezer Adams emigrated to Virginia in 1714. The name is found much earlier than this, in the old records of that section, leading to the belief that he family from whom came Ebenezer Adams, came from New England as early as 1612. Ebenezer Adams had several sons, among them being Col. Richard Adams Sr., born in 1723. He married a Miss Elizabeth Griffin in 1775. She was the sister of Judge Cyrus Griffin, President of the old Virginia Assembly of 1778, prior to that time having been a member of the House of Burgesses, and of the convention of 1775, and frequently thereafter of the Virginia Assembly. His estate was a large one, embracing the present site of St. John's Church and Church Hill at Richmond. His residence on Church Hill is said to have been occupied by British officers during the Revolutionary war. Previous to his residence in Richmond he had lived at Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, where most of his children were born. Col. Richard Adams, Sr., had several sons, among the number being Jeremiah, the youngest. He was born in 1776, in Dinwiddie county, Virginia. When he was quite a young man he come to Bedford county, Virginia, where he married a Miss Elizabeth Griggs. This was in 1779, the year of the death of President George Washington. To this union were born eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. The oldest son of Jeremiah Adams, B. B. Adams, married Amanda Harwell, step-daughter of Major Benjamin Wright, in Petersburg, Virginia. Immediately thereafter they came to McNairy county, settling here in 1826, in the old town of Purdy, being the first clerk in the first store in the old town, this store being operated by one J. T. Burtwell. He was the father of the late Mrs. America McDinney, Rufe, Thad, Lon Adams, and others. The only surviving member of this branch of the family is Mrs. Fredonia Knight of Memphis, she being 83 years of age. The next son of Jeremiah Adams was George C. Adams who came to this county following his brother, B. S. Adams. He had married Priscilla Combs in Virginia, her parents being the father and mother of Tom, Gilbert and Jack Combs. This George G. Adams located on the old stage road, at what is called the John Gilbert Combs place. It was at this place that the old stage stand was located. Before the war with Mexico, and before the Texas war for Independence, this old place was familiar one too the travelers of that day. The town of Adamsville took its name from this old settler. Both Burrell B. and George C., it is said, were men of great piety, the former being one of the founders of Methodism in this county. Jeremiah, their father, followed them to McNairy county during the first administration of Andrew Jackson, settling one and one-half miles southwest of Purdy, on a good farm, worked by loyal and faithful slaves. He was a great sportsman, and the hills and valleys echoed with the sound of his horn and hounds. His house was the rendezvous of his friends of the chase, who shared his hospitality. This old place is in the old locust grove, on the west side of what is now the Mrs. Henry Denne field. The writer of this article on a bird hunt last winter stopped amid the ruins of this old home, and brought from there pieces of the rock with which the old chimney had been built. Jeremiah Adams had two sons, well known to the old settlers, their names being Mitchell and John Robert. Mitchell Adams married Ann Hamilton, an aunt of our townsman, W. H. Hamilton, and he settled south of Purdy about two miles, and the place is known today as the old Mitchell Adams place. They reared six sons and two daughters, J. J. R. Adams lives in Humboldt, another son, George, in Western Texas, T. L. Adams in Los Angeles, Cal., Richard, another son in Memphis, Mrs. Dona Mitchum, a daughter, lives in Nashville. His sons, Webster and William, and a daughter, Mrs. Francis Sanders, died many years ago. John Robert Adams, son of Jeremiah Adams, Married Sarah Young, they having two children, Mary H., who married J. M. HJarris. She died in Humboldt, survived by her husband who also died many years ago. The other child was J. R. Adams, our venerable banker and townsman, He married Mary E. Dillahanty in Purdy in 1872. He suffered the loss of his devoted companion in July 1920. The father of our townsman, was in his day county court clerk at time of his death, which occurred when his son was only eight months of age. Both J. R. Adams and his sister, the late Mrs. J. M. Harris were born in old Purdy in the house which now stands on the road just beyond the C. C. Plunk place, the first house beyond, and on the east side of the road. The old house was removed from its place on the west side of the old town of Purdy several years ago. The above is a brief history of the family as it relates to those who settled in this county and of their forbears.. The coat of arms of the family about which we writ bears the name "Adams, 1612". On the scroll above are these words: Aspire, persevere and indulge Not. " Jeremiah and Elizabeth Adams, J. R. Adams, and Sarah Adams, father and mother, son and daughter-in-law sleep in the old cemetery that overlooks the old town of Purdy, on the hill to the west. There in the same burying ground repose the ashes of Benjamin Wright, Aunt Celia Shull Wisdom, and other of the old settlers and pioneers of the years that are gone. Mitchell Adams was buried in the cemetery just north of old Purdy, and after the lapse of many years, loving hands removed the remains to Milan, the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mitchum, and there buried them. Beside his grave is that of his age companion, who at the age of 98, ended a long and beautiful life. Of all the numerous members of this family there is in the this county but one survivor. J. R. Adams, who in the 83rd year of his life, recounts with pleasure the happenings of the past, and finds satisfaction in the retrospective pilgrimages that his mind is wont to make. McNairy County Independent, January 6, 1922 Celebrates 80th Birthday J. R. Adams celebrated his eightieth birthday Wednesday, Jan. 4. He was born in Old Purdy, former county seat of McNairy county, in 1862. Mr. Adams served as captain in the Confederate army, Company E, Nineteenth Tennessee. For 20 years he was county court clerk. In 1892 he organized the McNairy County Bank, the first bank in the county, and has been its executive officer through 30 years of continuos service. For more than 40 years has been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and in 1919 was the only member of the Sunday school who did not miss one session. Fox hunting has always been the favorite sport of Mr. Adams, and until two years ago he was regular with his hounds twice each week in a chase. He now owns some fine hounds. Mr. Adams in now quite active for one of his advanced age; is well preserved and was in his usual place the bank today. A family dinner was served in his honor. McNairy County Independent, January 11, 1924 82d Birthday Capt. J. R. Adams, Mc Nairy county's pioneer banker, and one of its foremost citizens for a h half century and more, celebrated his 82d birthday at his home on Cypress avenue January 4, 1924. He is yet vigorous for one of his age, and makes his daily visits to the McNairy County Bank, giving his personal attention to the business. Besides, he attends church and Sunday school regularly, and is very much interested in the happenings of the times. He has lost none of his love for the chase, nor for the fox hounds. He is just now the owner of four six weeks' old male puppies, and they receive his personal attention also. We wish him many, many returns of the day, and happiness for the year 1924. REMINISCENCES of the EARLY SETTLEMENT and EARLY SETTLERS of Mc Nairy County, Tennessee by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, Published in 1882 THE ADAMS FAMILY By T. L. A. Jeremiah Adams was born in Dinwidde county, Va., in 1776; moved from there to Bedford county, Va., where he was married to Elizabeth Grigg, who was born in Bedford county October 14, 1776; married in 1799. They remained in that county, where they had eleven children born to them, eight sons and three daughters, who grew up to be grown except two. One son named Richard died at the age of about 18, a daughter named Martha age about 15. Seven sons and two daughters grew up to be grown in Virginia, four of whom were married in that State, to-wit: Three sons, B. B. A., G. G. A., Grief A., one daughter, Eliza. She married a Mr. Joe Wright; remained in Virginia up to this date, raising a large and respectable family. Her brother, Grief Adams, remained up to his death, and raised quite a large and self sustaining family. He died about 1878. Burwell B., the oldest son, was born October 8, 1800; remained in Virginia up to November 2, 1826, when he married a Miss Amanda M. F. Harwell who born in Dinwiddie County, Va., on April 25, 1807. After marriage they moved immediately to McNairy county, Tenn, soon after Purdy, the county site, was established where he lived. He was clerk in the first store, which was opened by J. T. Burtwell. Soon afterwards he was made deputy surveyor under Maj. B. Wright, and they surveyed the lands of the county, and part of North Mississippi they helped sectionize, afterwards became merchant and hotel keeper, he then was elected entry taker, which office he filled eight years; afterwards appointed census-taker. He was one of the first founders Methodism in the county. His house was the home of the church and prodigal wanderer; a man beloved by all who knew him. He lived in Purdy up to the year 1857, where all his children were born, five sons and three daughters, named T. L. A., Cincinatus C. A., Herbert L. A., John R. A. and Marcus M. A.; daughters -- Elizabeth V. A., Julia A. A. A., and Amanda F. A., all now living except Elizabeth V. A., C. C., and M. M. A. He moved to Chewalla, Tenn., in the year 1856; was depot agent and in the mercantile business for several years; then moved from there to Corinth Miss., where he died November 26, 1871, being about 71, years old. Next, G. G. A., the second son of Jeremiah A., come out to Purdy, Tenn., in the year 1827, being married in Virginia to Miss Priscilla Combs about two years before he moved. He brought his father and mother-in-law with him, two very intelligent and pious old people; the parents of Tom, Gilbert and Jack Combs, all good citizens, who moved out soon afterwards. There were also two daughters who come out, Mrs. Parmer Pearson and Mrs. Betsey Stanley, both estimable ladies. Mrs. Stanley still living in McNairy; Mrs. Pearson is dead. The old man Combs lived to the age of seventy-sex and a half; old lady eighty eight, then died. G. G. A. was man of excellent morals and good business qualities. They lived in and around Purdy until all of their children were born -- eleven in number; four sons and two daughters, all who grew up to be men and women of good standing. G. G. A. left Purdy in 1852; moved to Bolivar; in 1858 to Grand Junction Tenn.; then to Iuka, Miss. All the time in good active business. He was noted for his morality. I have heard him say he never swore an oath, chewed or smoked tobacco, drank a dram, or loved but one woman. He lived at Iuka, Miss, up to his death, June 6, 1868. He was born November 26,1801, in Bedford county, Va. after Burwell B. A. and G. G. A. moved out to Purdy, Tenn., their father, Jeremiah, followed them in about the year 1834, bringing with him four sons and one daughter, all of whom were single -- J. M. A., Robert A., J. E. A., and P. P. A., sons; daughter, Susan, and he settled about one and a half miles southwest of Purdy on a good farm, which was worked with a fine number of good and faithful negroes. He was a great sportsman, and the hills and hollows was made to echo with the sound of his horn and hounds, and his house was a great rendezvous of his many friends who participated with him in his sports and hospitality. He was a man of great piety and morality. His wife died March 31, 1849. They both lived to about the age of 73 years. They had the pleasure of seeing all of their children married. The first after they moved out was J. M. A. to Miss Ann Hamilton. They remained in the neighborhood of Purdy until their children became grown, which were seven sons and two daughters, all noted for their fine and manly appearance, and their self-sustaining qualifications. He died about the spring of 1879, his widow moving to Humbolt, Tenn., where she now lives with her son. Susan, the daughter of Jerry A., was married to I. P. Young in the year 1836, a man of fine intellect and business qualifications. He moved from Purdy in about the year 1842, to Farmington, Miss., where he merchandised until the M. & O. Railroad was built and Corinth, Miss., was established, moving to that place as one of its first merchants. He and his wife both died there. He lived to the age of 80 years; his wife about 67. They raised five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom were married in Corinth, Miss. They died very devoted Christians. James E. A. lived with his father up to his marriage. He was united to a Miss Arilla Dickens. He had but two children, son and daughter; moved out to Texas in about 1851. His son is an eminent doctor. J. E. A. is living now in Anderson county, Texas. Col. Robert A. served the county of McNairy as their county clerk; also a prominent merchant. Was married to Miss Sarah Young, a sister of I. P. Young, about the year 1839; had two children, a son and daughter. He died in 1843. His widow and two children still live in Purdy. The daughter, Mary D., was married to Mr. John Harris, a merchant, and one of the most prominent citizens of the county. The son, John R. A., was married to Miss Mary Dilahunty. Dr. P. P. Adams moved from Purdy, Tenn., to Farmington, Miss., in 1840 made considerable distinction as a practitioner; was married in the neighborhood to a Miss Mary Chambers; they then moved out to Texas with his brother J. E. A. He there represented the people in Congress. He died in 1878, being married to his second wife, Miss Lucy Serratt near Corinth, Miss., leaving his widow and three sons in Texas, two of them prominent lawyers, the other not grown. I will note, Adamsville, McNairy county, was named for G. G. Adams, one of her best and most thriving towns. The first rat that was ever seen in the county was in Purdy in the moving of a pole-cabin built by Maj. B. Wright, located in the northern part of the town, moved for the purpose of putting up a frame building. When the pioneer rat, dispossessed of his home and killed, their was a number of grown persons there that had never seen one before, and caused a much excitement as if a lion had been slain. T. L. ADAMS.