| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Censuses:
1790 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, p. 442:
Benjamin Adair; males: 1(16+), 3 (under 16); females: 3.
1800 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, p. 442:
Benjamin Adair; males: 2-1-2-0-1(45+); females: 2-1-0-0-1(45+); other free persons: 1.
1810 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, five Adairs are found in a total of 72 pages as follows; page numbers represent which page in 72 the entry is found. All age numbers are single digit except one (13). I am not sure which 1810 Adairs these fit exactly:
P. 25, Wm. Adir, 001103010002
P. 58, Elisha Adear or Adiar, 32011101100 (13)
P. 58, Benja. Adir, males: 0-2-1-0-1(45+); females: 1-0-2-0-1(45+); 0-2(slaves).
P. 59, Jas Adir, 100102001000
P. 60, Jas Adir, 200102001000
1820 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, p. 6 of 67 (Note there were possibly two Benjamin Adairs in this time period in Laurens area - unsure which this one is. The other was born 1782 and was the son of John and Sarah Adair.)
Benjamin Adair, males: 2-0-0-0-1(26-45)-0; females: 0-0-0-0-1(45+); 0 slaves.
2. FHL film 446460, Patron Research Dept. for Marie G. Sheranian, has the following two entries from "Land Grants recorded at Clerk's Office, Laurens, S.C., assigned to an unspecified Benjamin Adair who is most likely this one since the other Benjamin in my database was born in 1792:
"Feb. 8, 1795 - Benjamin Adair, Sr. from John and Sarah Hansel, 170 A on Duncan's Creek, Bk. E, p. 405.
Feb. 18, 1796 - Benjamin Adair Sr., from Benj Adair Jr, 173 A, Bk E, p. 405." [Could this be an erroneous transposition of names?]
3. Jett Hanna [jettplane@aol.com] provided me on 8 Jul 2005 with a copy of his analysis of the Brownlee manuscript as follows. It mirrors my own understanding; however, anything with which I disagree I note in [brackets]. Jett entitles his paper as "Laurens County Area Adair Family Trees." It is broken down by three families: James Adair who married Eleanor, his brother Joseph who married Sarah Laferty, and a William of whom absolutely nothing is known except just his name on the Williams Petition and that Brownlee notes he died 1780-84 and that his estate was administered 1784 per Abbe Wills, p. 10. Text quoted as follows:
"This tree is based on Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina, by Mildred Brownlee. This was provided to me by W. Lee Adair, who obtained it from the Laurens County Public Library. Handwritten notes show a date of 1990 on Brownlee's manuscript. I have not examined these deeds personally. In some cases, notes and questions below are my own additions. This analysis seems to discredit some of the trees in the Adair History and Genealogy, and adds significantly to what is know of the Laurens area Adairs. I have not fully finished analyzing this work, and may have left out parts that are not as critical to my work.
"Based on this work, it appears very possible that the elder Joseph Adair (m. Sarah, m. Susannah) and his brother James (m. Eleanor) settled in Laurens County at the same time, as suggested by the Adair History and Genealogy. I do not believe, however, that this James was the author of the book on the Indians and reputed patriarch of the Cherokee Adairs. This James was a cooper (barrel maker) according to the deeds. Modern editions of the History of the American Indians suggest that the author James Adair was a direct immigrant to South Carolina, but with no concrete evidence.
"The Williams Petition: In the tree, LCW is Laurens County Wills; LCD is Laurens County Deeds. Also mentioned is the Williams petition. This petition is a significant document in analyzing the Laurens County Adairs. Published in the South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. XV, No. 1 1987, p. 32-33, the original is #5767, Manuscript Department, Wm. Perkins Library at Duke University. The petition is in support of Colonel James Williams, a militia leader of the Patriots in the Laurens area (Little River Regiment). The petition, signed by members of the Little River Regiment, is directed to the Governor of South Carolina and the Privy Counsel, and attests to Williams' devotion to the Patriot cause. Williams led militia in a number of battles. I suspect that this petition was provided prior to Williams' elevation to the rank of Brigadier General following the Battle of Musgrove Mill, which was fought in what is now Laurens County. Williams had been accused of puffing his role in the battle. Williams went on to die at Kings Mountain - one of the few Patriot casualties that day on October 7, 1780. Williams had run for the South Carolina legislature as a Patriot in 1778, only to lose to Robert Cunningham, the infamous Loyalist leader. For more on Williams, see Draper, "Kings Mountain and Its Heroes," (Cincinnati, 1883). Signers of the Williams petition include the following Adairs: Isaac Adair, Jms. Adair, James Adair, Sr., Joseph Adair, Jr., Joseph Adair, Benjamin Adair, Joseph Adair, Sr., James Adair, Jr, son of James, William Adair, John Adair, and John Adair, Sr., and Alexander Adair. Comparing deed and will records to the names, Brownlee identifies the Adair signers [copies Brownlee's explanations]. Brownlee's identifications look very logical to me.
"The Laurens County Adair Tree:
2. Joseph Adair m. Sarah Lafferty, m. Susannah Long: 250a land grant, present site of Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church. Was sold 1778 to Benjamin Adair LCD A/189, 1778). Release by wife??? Will in LCW A-1/19, dated 1788, other info says death 1801. Joseph 414(5) 1790 Census?
2.1 Joseph Adair m. Elizabeth - Joseph's son named in father's will. His will LCW D-1/104; Bundle 65, Pkg. 10, proven 1/14/1813.
2.1.1 John m. Jane Jones: John named as son in father's will.
2.1.2 James m. Rebecca: James named as son in father's will.
2.1.3 Robert: Robert named as son in father's will.
2.1.4 Elisha m Elizabeth (Betsy) Reese?: Elisha named as son in father's will.
2.1.4.1 Joseph: Named as grandson in grandfather's will
2.1.4.2 Washington
2.1.4.3 Isaac
2.1.4.4 Thomas R. m. Jane Blakely
2.1.4.5 Allen
2.1.4.6 Richmond
2.1.4.7 Matilda
2.1.5 Elizabeth m. George Davis: Elizabeth named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is John Huston.
2.1.5.1 Mary Davis m. Robert Cunningham Hanna
2.1.5.2 Hannah Davis m. Robert McCord
2.1.5.3 George Davis
m. John Huston
2.1.5.4 Joseph Hughston
2.1.5.5 Elisha Hughston
2.1.5.6 Nancy/Agnes Hughston m. James Wilson
2.1.6 Jean m. Thomas Holland: Jean named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will. Thomas Holland 101 1790 Census?
2.1.7 Cassy m. Thomas McCrary: Cassy named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will.
2.1.8 Charity m. ___ Farmer: Charity named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is David Little.
2.1.8.1 Mary Farmer: stepdaughter mentioned in will of David Little.
m. David Little
2.1.8.2 David Little
2.1.8.3 Elizabeth Little
2.1.8.4 Joseph Little
2.1.8.5 James Little
2.1.8.6 Jane Little
2.1.8.7 John Little
2.1.8.8 Nancy Little
2.1.8.9 Thomas E. Little
2.1.8.10 Holland Little
2.2 James Adair m. Rebecca Montgomery: James named as son in father's will. 110a from Nathaniel Hillen, 144a granted to him directly. POA to brother Benjamin in Book G, Pg. 666. Does POA mention Rebecca? Or dower releases? Deeds LCW J/161-162, A/308. J/161 is sale to sons of James Sr. -Joseph and George R. James 327 1790 Census? If 13 children, only 10 in this census.
2.2.1 Joseph Adair: LCW J/160 sells interest to brother George R.
2.2.2 George R. Adair m. Rachel Musgrove: George named in deed from brother Joseph.
(From Indiana Data according to Brownlee:)
2.2.3 Margaret Jane Adair m. John Ewing
2.2.4 Rebecca Adair m. James Remy
2.2.5 John Adair
2.2.6 Jane Adair m. ___Eads
2.2.7 Isaac Adair m. Jane Holland
2.2.8 Lucretia Adair m. John Wildridge
2.2.9 James Adair
2.3 Benjamin Adair m. Nancy (George?): Benjamin named as son in father's will. Benjamin's will Box 1, Pkg 1. I have seen another cite for will. Benjamin 133 1790 Census. Only 3 of 5 sons accounted for, 2 of 4 daughters. Children below in his will.
2.3.1 Zadock
2.3.2 William
2.3.3 John
2.3.4 d m. James Jamieson
2.3.5 d m. Samuel Bowie
2.3.6 Isaac
2.3.7 Benjamin
2.3.8 Margaret
2.3.9 d m. William Craig
2.4 Jean/Jane Adair m. Ramage
2.5 John Adair m. Sarah Adair (son of Joseph???). Died in Revolution. Note: Sarah named in Joseph's will. Might have been daughter in law, wife of the deceased son John. [Jett places John as a son of Joseph Sr. whereas Brownlee makes a case for him being a possible son of either Joseph or his brother James.]
2.5.1 Benjamin Adair, Jr.
2.5.2 Joseph Adair
2.5.3 Martha Adair
2.5.4 Hezekiah Adair
2.5.5 Isaac Adair
4. The book "Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution," by Bobby Gilmer Moss, lists the following for a Benjamin Adair who is probably not this individual considering the wife and death date given. I do not have the abbreviation list as to the sources he gives:
"Benjamin Adair, m. Catherine ___. He served in the militia, lost a horse in service, and was killed on 10 March 1781. A.A. 19; S348; Annuitants Claims."
5. Laurens County Estate Book A-1:
Pp. 95-96 [1794?]: "An account of the apppraisement of the Estate of Joseph Grier. Total ₤ 450 6 6, by Robert McCarey, John Owins, Benjr. Adair, appraisers."
Pp. 98-100: An account of the sale of the Estate of Joseph Greer decd., 15 of August 1794; purchasers: Andrew McCrary, Joseph Greer, Joseph Adair, John Hansel, Saml McComuthey, Thos McCrary, Joseph Greer, Wm Hunter, John Login, John Elmore, Minasa Willson, Benj. Adair, Newton Higgins, John Grary, Robert Scott, John Owens, James Rammage, Hugh Skelton, Saml Bishop, James Dillard, John Rammage, James Dillard, Robert Grier, Bazzel Brater (cooper tooles), James Adair Senr., John Watson, Simon Tedford, Jonas Greer, J.A. Elmore, George Ross, Ben Adair, Joseph Parkes, Wm Price, Wm Gray, Robert Greer. Total ₤ 56 13 9." [Note that there are two Ben Adairs - the eldest is son of Joseph Adair, the cooper, and the youngest is probably the son of John Adair who died 1782.]
Pp. 156-157: "A list of the Debts due the Estate of Matthew McCrery decd & now in the hands of Smauel Dellard, Admr. Samuel Dillard, Samuel Simpson, Benjamin Adair, John A. Elmore, James Dillard, Joseph Adair, Jesse Dodd, George Bush, Joseph Jeanes, Robert Scott, John Majors, James Ducket, Alie Whitmore, Thomas Elett, John Odle, George Bush, Nicholas Welch, John A. Elmore, Mary Baty, Daniel McCarty, Recd of Joseph Martindale, Paid Doctr Ross, John Boyce, Paid by order of Court for keeping the children for the year 1795. To 5 months duting and boarding one Boy child 10 years old. The same sum to be allowed for keeping one other boy child about 8 years old. 9 May 1796, before Joseph Downs, J.P."
Pp. 258-259: "Inventory of the estate of Abraham Hollen [Holland] shewn by Basel Hollen and Thos Hollen, admrs. 18 Oct 1800, by David Mason, Benjn. Byrd, Benjamin Adair."
Pp. 263-265: "Saile Bill of the Estate of Aberham Hollen decd. Purchasers: Esener Hollen, Baswel Hollen, Thos Hollen, Reson Hollen, Wm. Hollen, Richd Hollen, Joseph Mitchel, James Adair, Elisha Adair, Joseph Adair, George Adair, Benjamin Adair, Robert Hannah, James Hannah, George Dillard, James Ensley, Aberham Tinsley, Michael Farguson, Saml Lard, Jas. Lard, John Kirk, John Cargil, Jas Jones, Jas Ramage, David Little, Alexr Monro, Elexander Morrison, Wm. Gray, John Miller, Bennet Langston, John A. Elmore, John Pucket, John Ginn, Jas. Brown, Thos Ensley, Joseph Gallegly, Jas. Blakely, Wm. Jones, Wm. Rogers. Proven accompts Sarah Lard, Thomas Holland, Richard Holland, John Dannel Kern, John Waer; Basel Holland, Thos Holland admrs."
6. Excerpts of "Adairs" from the book "Laurens County South Carolina - Minutes of the County Court, 1786-1789," by Brent H. Holcomb, SCMar, Columbia, South Carolina, 2004. The book notes: "This is a record that has only been recently found after being lost for so many years. It is incomplete missing the first 54 pages, pages 103-126, and an unknown number of pages at the end of the volume. There is at least one other volume, still missing, covering the years 1790-1799."
It also notes: "Laurens County was formed in 1785 as a county of Ninety Six District. In that year justices of the peace were elected by the General Assembly to be administrators of the county courts. Within the pages of these court minutes are small court cases, lists of deeds presented to be recorded, applications for administrations on estates and wills proved (beginning in 1787), jury lists, petitions of various kinds, appointments for various offices, apprenticeships, estray animals tolled, and other items. The cases heard for debt or damages could not exceed £50, and cases heard for personal damages could not exceed £20. Criminal cases heard could not call for the loss of life or corporal punishment. Larger court cases were heard in the district courts, such as Ninety-Six."
Quotations with Benjamin Adair:
Pg. 63, 16 Mar 1786: "A Lease and Release for the Conveyance of 250 acres of Land from Joseph Adair Senr to Benj'a Adair proved according to the former Act & ordered to be Recorded."
Pg. 192, 12 Dec 1787: Robert Long and Benjn Adair were on a jury for the case of Charles Saxon vs. Thomas Pearson concerning an Attachment.
Pg. 192, 12 Dec 1787: Robert Long and Benjn Adair were on a jury for the case of George Anderson vs. Curnelius Dendy. In Trover.
Pg. 197, 13 Dec 1787: Robert Long and Benjn Adair were on on the jury for the case of William Young Vs. James McNess & Hugh Young. In Debt.
Pg. 199, 13 Dec 1787: Robert Long and Benjn Adair were on on a jury for the case of Wadsworth and Turpin Vs. Richard Carral. Non-performance of promises.
Pg. 204, 15 Dec 1787: Robert Long and Benjn Adair were on was in the jury for the case of Mary Durham vs. Elizebeth Tindsley, in Trover.
Pg. 331, 15 Dec 1789: "Ben: Adair Jun'r, Joseph Adair, Martha Adair, Hezekiah Adair & Isaac Adair, Infants orphans of John Adair Dec'd came into Court Chose Ben Adair Senr as their Guardian; Whereupon he the s'd Benjamin Adair Sen'r together with Joseph Adair his security Entered into and acknowledged their bond according to Law."
7. From the Internet: "Stub Indents are another important resource. When South Carolina paid claims for goods, services, or damages from the Revolutionary War, they were paid with certificates called indents. Rather like stub checkbooks, the certificates were in two parts: one part was issued to the claimant as compensation; the other part was a stub on which pertinent information, such as the claimant's name, the nature of the claim, and the amount paid was recorded. The state retained the stub of the indents, and they are found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Office of the Commissioners of the Treasury, Stub Indents and Indexes, 1779-1791, 22 vols."
The following indents are for various Adairs and are from "Accounts Audited of Revolutionary Claims Against South Carolina," ed. by A.S. Salley, The Historical Commission of South Carolina, 1935, copy at FHL:
a. Vol. 1, #20: No. 347 S; Alexander Adair; addressed to Charleston from Laurens Co. 3 Aug 1786. Alexander gives Robert Scott the power to receive the indent; subscribing witness was James Montgomery; rec'd. 14 Jun 1785. Based on militia duty as a private "before and since the reduction of Charlestown"; mentions Col. Anderson's return.
b. Vol. 1, #21: No. 348 S; Benjamin Adair; dated 24 Mar 1785; subscribing witness was John Magee, received 14 Jun 1785; based on "a horse lost in public service in 1779"; no locality shown for Benjamin; mentions Col. Robert Anderson's return.
c. Vol. 1, #22: No. 346 S; Isaac Adair; addressed 5 May 1785 from "Ninety Six District"; empowered Capt. James Dillard to receive payment; subscribing witness was James Montgomery; rec'd 14 Jun 1785; based on militia duty as a private "before and since the reduction of Charlestown"; mentions Col. Anderson's return.
d. Vol. 1, #23: No. 350 S; James Adair; addressed 18 Sep 1785 from "Ninety Six District, Laurens Co."; empowered John Hunter, Esq. to receive payment; subscribing witness was James Montgomery; rec'd 14 Jun 1785; based on militia duty as a private "before and since the reduction of Charlestown" and as wagon master for Col. Ja's Williams from 29th Mar 1780 to 20 May for 52 day; mentions Col. Rob't Anderson's return.
e. Vol. 1, #24: No. 340 W; James Adair, Junr; addressed 7 Sep 1783; received 8 Aug 1785; for "flour supplied the militia in 1783 also for recovery of Horses lost in 1779"; also mentions "flour for the use of the widows and distressed families in Col. Casey's Reg't"; also mentions "horses lost at Augusty [Augusta] under the Command of General Williamson 11 of may 1779"; subscribing witness was Robert Hanna.
f. Vol. 1, #25: No. 1522 Y; James Adare, addressed 27 Jun 1787; based on "120 days Militia duty in Gen'l: Marion's Brigade in 1781, also for a Gun impressed; mentions Lt. Col. Hugh Horry.
g. Vol. 1, #26: No. 349 S; John Adair; addressed 15 Sep 1785 from "96 District"; empowered John Hunter to receive payment; subscribing witness was James "Adear"; rec'd 14 Jun 1785; based on militia duty as a private "before and since the reduction of Charlestown"; mentions Col. Anderson's return.
h. Vol. 1, #27: 1955 X; Joseph Adair; addressed 20 May 1785; empowered John Hunter to receive payment; subscribing witnesses included Robert Anderson, J.P., Col. Levi Casey, and Charles Saxon; based on "Joseph Addairs Commissary Commencing 20th of August 1781 and ending the 1sd of March 1782" including sundries, flour, Indian corn, fodder, "Rations and Necessarys for 2 Wounded Men belonging To Gen'l Greens Army 49 days," "1 Gun & Accoutements lost at Savannah," "Corn & Fodder for Col. Jones of Georgia," "Rations for 9 Horses of Capd. Mac bee Comp'y," "Oats for Col. Washington's Men," work with wagon and team.
i. Vol. 1, #28: No. 106 I; William Adair; addressed 27 Jul 1783; several different men received endorsements in 1786 and 1787 including John Adair, Philip Hart, and John Lewis Gervais; based on service as adjutant for Col. Lacey's Regt. for 60 days June 18, 1780, and 30 days Feb. 12, 1781; subscribing witness was Joseph Palmer, J.P.
Note also that John Adair shows up empowered to collect in behalf of William Kay and John Edward Auston. He also shows up as "John Adair, J.P." the subscribing witness of Ambros Ball.
8. Typescript "Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina. Compiled by Mildred Brownlee; Source Records: Wills; Intestate Estates; Deeds; Court Records; Cemetery Inscriptions. Some dates of birth and death obtained from Lineage Charts. Dates of birth and death subject to correction. Spelling of names subject to correction." [Note that bracketed comments are later additions by other reviewers including myself - Kerry Petersen.]:
A. "Laurens County, South Carolina - Will Book A-1, p. 19
'I, Joseph Adair of the State of So. Carolina & County of Laurens cooper; yet of sound & perfect understanding & memory; do constitute this my last will & testament & desire it may be received as such. First I most humbly bequeath my soul to God my maker, beseeching his most gracious exceptance of it, through all sufficient merits & meditations of my most compassionate Redeemer Jesus Christ who gave himself to be an atonement for my sins & is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intersession for them & who I trust will not reject me a returning penitent sinner when I come to Him for mercy; In this hope & confidence I render up my soul with comfort, humbly beseeching the most glorious & blessed Trinity, one God most Holy most merciful & gratious to prepare me for my disolution then take me to himself into that place of rest & incomparable felicity which He hath prepared for all that love his holy name, Amen; Blessed be God I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken, in full assurance of its resurrection from therein at the last day; As for my burial, I desire it may be decent without pomp or state at the discretion of my dear wife who I doubt not will manage it with all prudence; As to my worldly estate I will & positively order that all my debts be paid & next I give & bequeath to Susanna my dearly beloved wife all my stock of black cattle & hogs with all the pewter of my dresser; one hundred & sixty Continental dollars which is in the hands of my son Joseph Adair & all the store of my grain that may be mine at the time of my death for her support; Also all the farming utentials that belong to me at my death; Also my beds & bed furniture to possess the same during her life, & at her decease to go to my son James Adair, Also to my son Joseph Adair I give & bequeath the remainder of the Continental money that remains in his hands; Also one long posted bedstead & my armed chair; Also I give & bequeath to my son James Adair the one-half of my coopers tools; & other utentials belonging to my trade with the whole of my wearing apparel, & also my chest at the decease of my wife; Also to my son Benjamin Adair, I give & bequeath the other half of my coopers tools & utentials belonging to my trade & also the half of that twenty pounds old currency which he had of me for which he was to have palled a graveyard which he never performed; Also to my daughter Jean Ramage, I give & bequeath my brass seals; Also to my daughter Sarah Adair, I give & bequeath that other half of that twenty pounds old currency which is in the hands of my son Benjamin Adair; Also I give her at the death of my wife, that iron pot that was her mothers with my iron crook; Also I give & bequeath my daughter Mary Owens my biggest iron pot & my course flax hackle at the decease of her mother & to her husband John Owens the one-half of the sawed plank of my loft and floor; & if it shall please God to call me home by this present disease, it is my will that the money he owes me should go to defray my funeral charges; Also to Robert Long my son-in-law, I give & bequeath the other half of plank of my loft & floor; And I do by these presents nominate constitute & appoint & ordain as the executors of this my last will & testament my truly & well beloved sons Joseph & James Adair; & I do hereby revoke & disavow & make null & void every former will by me made ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 9th day of January in the year of our Lord 1788.
s) Joseph Adair
wit: James Montgomery, William Borland, James (J) Greer'
Recording date of the will is not stated. Judging by dates of other estate records recorded on pages preceding and following page 19, the will appears to have been recorded sometime in 1789 or early 1790.
There are no loose probate papers for the estate of Joseph Adair; Sr.
Joseph Adair, Sr., cooper, married in Ireland? Or in Pa. ? a first wife, said to have been Sarah Laferty. Laurens Co. SC records give no proof data for this wife. She was the mother of Joseph's children. Joseph Adair's will was written 9 Jan. 1788 and proved 1789/90, recorded in Will Book A-1, p. 19. The following children are mentioned in the will:
1. Joseph Adair, b. 12 Apr. 1735 (from lineage chart), died 17 Oct. 1812. He was called Joseph Adair, Sr. after the death of his father.
2. James Adair. b. Dec. 1747, d. 23 Mar. 1831 in Indiana. Proved to have been son of Joseph Adair, Sr. cooper, by the Power-of-Attorney issued to his brother, Benjamin Adair. (Deed Bk. G, p. 666.)
3. Benjamin Adair, b. 1752, d, 3 Sept. 1823.
4. Jean/Jane Adair, b. before 1755, married (John ?) Ramage.
5. Sarah Adair - Single in 1788? Or married to an Adair?"
B. Note with Elisha Adair, son of Joseph, son of Joseph Sr.: "Laurens Co. census records indicate that Elisha had 5 or 6 sons and 3 daughters. Known sons are Joseph who married in Laurens Co...name unknown..and Thomas R. Adair who married Jane Blakely. Dr. J.B. Adair's History names Isaac Adair who married Jane Henry and a son. [NB: this is incorrect. Isaac Adair was a son of Benjamin Adair and Nancy George, based on power of attorney requests from him while living in Perry Co. AL, following his father's death. (Laurens Co. Deed Book N, p. 8. 56 May 1833. Nancy Adair, William Adair, Isaac Adair, Benjamin Adair, William Craig, Sally Adair, now Sally Craig, James Jameson in right of his wife Jane Adair, William Scott in right of his wife Margaret Adair, all of Perry Co., AL, appoint John Adair their lawful attorney in Laurens Co., giving him POA.].
C. "James Adair [son of Joseph Sr. and Sarah Laferty] owned land on Duncan Creek and land adjacent the Enoree River, including a grant of 144 a. to himself; also, 150 a. on the N side of Enoree River in Spartanburg Co. He is identified in early deeds as James Adair,"Saddler". After the death of James Adair, Sr., cooper whose wife was Eleanor, James Adair, Saddler, was then identified as James Adair, Sr. When James (wife Rebecca Montgomery) moved to Dearborn Co., IN c1803/04, he gave Power-of-Attorney to his brother Benjamin Adair to sell his lands in SC. (Deed Bk. G, p. 666), There in not much documentation in Laurens Co. records for names of the children of James and Rebecca Adair; however, two of their sons remained here for several years. In 1804, by POA, James Adair. Sr. sold to his sons, Joseph Adair and George R. Adair, jointly, 110 a, on Enoree River, part of land he had purchased from the widow of Nathaniel Hillen and also 144 a. on Enoree River which had been granted to himself. (Deed Bk. J, pp. 161162; Deed Bk, A. p. 308). In 1807, Joseph Adair sold his ½ interest in the above mentioned tracts to his brother, George R. Adair. Rachel Adair, wife of Joseph, released her dower right (Bk. J, pp. 160-66). According to Indiana data, Joseph Adair died there 3 July 1839.
D. Benjamin Adair, son of Joseph Adair, Sr., cooper. Benjamin Adair, b. 1752, d. 3 Sept. 1823, age 71 yrs., married Nancy (said to have been George). Birth and death dates for Nancy Adair not known. Probate records for Benjamin Adair are in Box 1, pkg. 1. Chn. of Benjamin and Nancy Adair:
Zadock Adair - Perry Co., Ala. in 1824.
William Adair, b. 5 July 1780, d. 1851, mar. Elizabeth Robertson. William was in Perry Co., in 1823.
John Adair
Daughter-name not given [Jane], mar. James Jameison.
Daughter-name not given [Aletheia], mar. Samuel Bowie.
Isaac Adair - Perry Co., Ala. in 1824.
Benjamin Adair
Margaret Adair, mar. William Scott after 1825. They were in Perry Co., Ala. in 1827.
Daughter-name not given [Sarah], mar. William Craig-living in Perry Co., Ala. in 1827."
E. Mentioned in dealings with John Adair whom we have not definitively connected to the right parents - see his notes for more details: "John Adair - killed in '82. John Adair served as a private in the Revolution and was killed in 1762 [s/b 1782]. His widow, Sarah, drew a state annuity for his service. His indent for Revo. service, No. 349, Book 8, was redeemed by James Adair, admr. of the estate of John Adair, dec'd. on 15 Sept. 1785. (Accounts Audited, SC Archives). Estate papers for John Adair are in Abbeville Co. C.H., Box 2, pkg. 30, administered 5 May 1784 by Sarah Adair, James Adair, Joseph Adair, and James Montgomery. Inv. made by Thomas Ewing, James Craig, and Benjamin Adair.
Mrs. Sarah Adair furnished the hire of a wagon and salt for the use of the Militia in the Revo. Indent No. 351, Book S...£3... 5 sh... 5½ pence.
John Adair left a widow, Sarah, and five children:
Benjamin Adair. Jr.
Joseph Adair
Martha Adair
Hezekiah Adair
Isaac Adair
All were minors in Laurens Co. Court Minutes in 1785. Benjamin Adair, Sr. was guardian of the minors, with Joseph Adair, surety.
John Adair received a Royal Grant of 100 a. in Craven Co. (*Colonial Craven Co. included a part of the present Laurens Co.) on waters of Duncan Creek. The original grant certified on 18 Aug. 1772, granted 11 Aug. 1774, memorial in the Auditor General's Office, Book M, No. 13. p, 230, 7 Jan. 1775.
Laurens. Co. Deed Bk, F. pp. 49-50 - 1 Dec. 1778, John Adair and wife Sarah, to James Adair for 10 shillings paid to him the said John Adair by the above named James Adair, 100 a. in Craven Co., waters of Duncan Creek, bound N by James Adair; SE on Joseph Adair & vacant land; and on all other sides vacant land ... mentions plat to the original grant... mentions that another deed is to be made and dated "the day next after the day of the date of these presents"...
(s) John Adair, (s) Sarah Adair
Wit: William Adair, William Ross, John Finney
(Note: During this period, land transfer was made by the old form of "lease and release". The above document was the "lease" for 10 shillings. Recorded next was the "release" document by which the land was actually sold for £50.)
2 Dec. 1778 - John Adair and wife, Sarah, to James Adair, saddler, for £50, the above 100 a. in Craven Co., waters of Duncan Creek, the original grant certified 18 Aug. 1772, granted 11 Aug. 1774. etc... (deed continues with description given in first deed).
(S) John Adair, (s) Sarah Adair
Wit. William Adair, William Ross, John Finney
Dec. 2, 1778 - Received from James Adair, Jr., the sum of £50 in full consideration. (s) John Adair
Before me, George Ross. J.P., personally came William Adair & made oath that he "seen" John Adair and Sarah, his wife, sign, seal, deliver the within lease and release unto James Adair, Jr. for the intent and purposes therein mentioned. (s) William Adair"
9. American Revolutionary War Stories involving Mangum and Adair Families in Laurens County Area of South Carolina:
In John Mangum the Patriot's application for his American Rev. War pension, he mentions serving with several of the following commanders. He specifically states he was with Col. Joseph Hayes when he was killed and that he received a wound under the hands of the Tory leader William Cunningham aka "Bloody Bill." The following accounts help understand John's and the Adair family's patriotic commitment and puts some flesh to names. See separate notes in the Adair family notes for John Mangum's Adair family comrades in arms who signed the James Williams Petition which would mean that the Adair and Mangum families probably first came in contact both knowing and serving under James Williams. Both modern Laurens and adjoining Newberry Counties were in the old District Ninety Six of South Carolina.
"A Laurens County Sketchbook," by Julian Stevenson Bolick, FHL book 975.731-H2b, p. 9, in speaking of the American Revolutionary War: to follow, many of the Up Country people remained loyal to England, and particularly those who had been given large grants by the king. These people became known as Tories, and a gentleman's agreement was reached among some of the colonists whereby the Tories in the Carolina "Back Country" should remain in a state of neutrality. Since this agreement was made without the knowledge of Robert Cunningham, a man of high esteem and immense influence among his neighbors in Ninety Six District, he did not feel bound by the agreement. Thus, he continued to urge opposition to the revolutionary movement to the point of being apprehended on an occasion by a group of men dressed as Indians. Learning of Robert's proposed confinement in Charles Town, his brother Patrick gathered a body of friends and set out in pursuit of the group. The pursuers failed to overtake the first group, but Patrick and his men learned of, and captured, 1000 pounds of powder being sent as a present to the Cherokee Indians by the governor. Because of the proximity of the Cherokees, it was customary to make gifts from time to time to the Cherokee Nation to encourage friendship. An amount of gunpowder, included with cloth and trinkets, was intended to be only enough to meet the Indians' needs for hunting, and not a sufficient quantity to incite them to attack the settlers...
"Unbiased recounting of history must include here the distasteful authority and influence exerted by two Tory leaders over their followers in dealing with their enemies, the Whigs [KP note: pro-Revolution]. The two 'Bloody Bills', William Bates and William Cunningham, headed the list of atrocities ... Cunningham ... belonged to one of the best families in the province. A cousin of Robert and Patrick Cunningham, Bill was the only member of the family to depart from its high standard of chivalry and honor ... William was a Whig at the beginning of the struggle ... William was ordered to the Low Country, was whipped for some minor offense and was placed in chains. His work of pillage and murder apparently was a retributive vengeance on those who had wronged him, especially his former commander in arms.
"So, the good citizens and the bad citizens were divided in their partisanship. Before the end of hostilities, the great plantations where hospitality had been dispensed in generous and gracious manner were closed to friendship because of divided loyalties and sympathies. These homes included White Hall, home of Andrew Williamson; Rosemont and Peach Hill, Cunningham seats and Mount Pleasant, owned by James Williams. In many cases, animosity continued. In the election of 1778, Colonel Williams and Cunningham engaged in gentlemanly fisticuffs, in which the wife of the Colonel seized Cunningham by his queue before friends could come between them. The fact that Cunningham was elected to office was evidence of the strong Tory influence in the district. It will be recollected here that Robert Cunningham had been arrested by Colonel James Williams in 1775 and sent to Charles Town, where he refused to recognize the authority of the Provincial Congress. His arrest created indignation in the "Back Country", and three years later his friends gave full support to his candidacy.
"Logan's History of the 'Upper Country of South Carolina' characterizes this area as 'the classic ground of the American Revolution,' but it is difficult to locate exact spots of skirmishes occurring with the confines of the present county of Laurens. Meager records show that one encounter took place on the banks of Rabun Creek. While the armed forces on the coast had been occupied with the defense of Fort Moultrie, the western frontier of the state had become ablaze with Indians on the warpath [KP note: the neutrality of the Indians was broken when the British and their allies could use strong persuasion]. Inhabitants along the Saluda River had taken refuge in an old fort known as Lyndley's, located on Rabun Creek. Early morning of July 15, 1776, 88 Indians and 102 white men attacked the safety station. Major Jonathan Downes with 150 men had arrived at the station the evening before. The latter were on a mission to join forces with Major Williamson in an effort to suppress the Indians who erroneously had been told that their gift of gunpowder and lead captured so recently would be used by the Whigs to kill them. The attack on the fort was repulsed and thirteen prisoners, all whites dressed as Indians, were sent to Ninety Six for confinement.
"On another occasion, Major Downes, commanding a small force of Whigs, happened to come upon an armed aggregation of Indians in the Scuffletown area. Tradition says that the Major overcame the Indian chief in a hand-to-hand fight, and that he took off his suspenders, tied the Indian's hands behind his back and left the fighting field with the captured chieftain astride Downes' horse.
"In August of 1780, the Battle of Musgrove's Mill was fought about twelve miles north of the present city of Laurens on the Enoree River. Major Downes again served gallantly; in this encounter was, also, Colonel Joseph Hayes, who was among those massacred at Hayes Station the following year. In the home of Major Edward Musgrove a garrison of 500 British troops maintained headquarters. They were regimented soldiers retrained by platoons. The Major, too old for active duty, remained neutral in his sympathies; but his family took a very active part with sons fighting on both sides. On that August day the Whigs took up position within one mile of the mill and were in the process of planning an attack when a skirmish between a British patrol and a Whig reconnaissance group brought the entire British garrison to the scene. Young Captain Shadrack Inman asked permission to take 25 men and act as a decoy to draw the Tories into a three-pronged trap formed by force commanded by Colonel Isaac Shelby on the right, Colonel Elijah Clarke on the left and Colonel James Williams in the center. Shadrack Inman was shot seven times following the retreating British. A simple stone marks the
spot where he fell.
"The battle is said to have been one of the hardest ever fought in the county with small arms alone '...the smoke so thick as to hide a man at a distance of twenty rods. With the aid of Tories, the British had hoped for a quick victory in the South; instead they suffered heavy losses and their strength in South Carolina's Up Country had been badly shaken.
"November, 1781, will be remembered as a month of terror for the Whigs and their families in the Ninety Six District at the hands of William Cunningham, who had left Charles Town in August for the purpose of inflicting punishment on the Whigs. Crossing Saluda River, 'Bloody Bill' and his band of 300 ruthless followers attacked Hayes Inn, a station which before had been known as Edge Hill, on the stagecoach route through this part of the Up Country. The exact date of this attack is not known, but McCrady in his 'History of South Carolina in the Revolution' traces the movements of the group of Tories. On November 7, 1781 thirty Whigs had taken refuge in an unfinished log house without door or windows on a small stream called Cloud's Creek in Edgefield County. Two of the thirty escaped, the rest being slaughtered after they had surrendered. Mr. McCrady states 'it was a fine morning after the massacre at Cloud's Creek, when at ten o'clock a party led by John Hood rode up to the station (Edge Hill) at full gallop...' Hayes Inn was burned by shooting out of a musket a ramrod tipped with flax, saturated in tar and set afire. The flaming roof caused suffocation and terror among those inside. "Captain Daniel Williams, with a group of patriots, had rested overnight at the inn. The Captain, only eighteen years of age, and Colonel Joseph Hayes, owner and operator of the inn, were promptly hanged from a pole of the fodder stack. The pole broke; and Cunningham, continuing the cruelty with gave him the name 'Bloody Bill,' cut the half strangled men to pieces with his sword. The encounter is recorded as 'Hayes Station Massacre,' a terrifying experience related by the one survivor...
"It was such odious treatment of human beings that prompted General Nathanael Greene of the Whig side to make the following declaration: 'The inhabitants hunt one another like wild beasts. If a stop cannot be put to these massacres, the country will be depopulated in a few more months, as neither Whig nor Tory can live." In the District of Ninety Six alone, there were 1400 hundred widows and orphans as a result of the war."
10. James Williams Petition listing the Adair family Patriots. Note that Thomas Adair's parents are the ones listed as number 4 (Joseph and Sarah) and his grandparents are number 3 (James and Eleanor). Most of the other Adairs were brothers or cousins. The petition has come to me from Mildred Brownlee's manuscript "Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina" and also from the "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research," vol. 15, p. 32. James Williams was one of the most renown Patriots of the Laurens area and this listing of signers of the petition of the area gives us a good source of patriots also associated with him. Col. James Williams and Capt. Josiah Greer were also military leaders of many of these same individuals during the 1778 American invasion of British East Florida per the source of Doctor George Ross' medical reimbursement papers quoted in this database under Rebecca Montgomery's notes. This petition typescript is item #5767, Manuscript Dept., Wm. M. Perkins Library at Duke University, Durham NC. Submitted by Mrs. Mary Ann McCrary and published with permission of the Manuscript Dept. This petition pre-dates the Battle of Kings Mountain (7 Oct 1780), as Col. James Williams was killed at that time. [NB: a second version of the petition was located in the South Carolina Library in 1999 and the gaps in the Duke University petition were filled in as indicated by brackets.] {Any notes or comments added by me are in these brackets.}
"To his Excellen[cy John Rutledge, E]sq. Governor & Commander in Chief in & [over th]e state of South Carolina, the Honourable the privy Counsel, the Honourable the Senate & House of Representatives in General Assembly.
Whereas we (the zealous friends to our country, and to all who love and distinguish themselves in her cause) do understand & are exceeding sorry to hear that there are false & [evilly designing] Accusations either lying on or about to shortly be laid against James Williams, our present Colonel in & over Little River Regiment, and designed (as we believe) by the private Enemies of our country to deprive us of so worthy a friend of his Country in general a good officer to us in particular & thereby do a very singular Piece of Service to the common enemies of America. We do briefly & anxiously remonstrate this: that we experimentally know Colo. James Williams to have been a zealous Patriot from the commencement of the America contest with Briten; and to have always stood foremost in every occasion when called upon to the defence of his country. We do further declare that we have never known said Colo. [Jas.].Williams to distress any individuals in the Regiment who voluntarily & judiciously, when legally called upon and commanded to the field, have turned out in the Defence if their Native Rights & Privileges together with that of their Country; & we do avow it from our knowledge, that whensoever Colo. Jas. Williams either directly or indirectly executed any distressing things, it was upon the stubborn & refractory, whose practices of obstinacy declare them inimical to their country: & and that this he did, as being last promissing Effort to reduce them to the dutiful obedience of loyal & fellow citizens. Without delaying you; we your humble Petitioners do earnestly beg that you will hear this our faithful Remonstrance & proceed with our respected Colo. James Williams & all such unjust & disaffected Clamours as may come before you against him, as your superior Judgements may direct: only begging leave to conclude with this one Remark, that doubtless you know that such clamours are frequently the necessary Effect of Disaffection to the Country.
[Signed:] Robt. McCrery Lt. Colo.; George Davis, Capt.; Matthew McCrar[e]y, Lt.; George Young; Matthew Cunningham; Andrew McCrary; James Greer; [James Dillard]; [John Owens]; [Samuel Ewing]; [William Davis]; [Absolom Filby]; [John McCrary Sener]; [John McCrary Juner]; [Robert Long]; [Matthew McCrary]; [William Bean]; [John Williams J.P {note J.P. is crossed out}]; [Wm. Arthur Capt.]; Josiah Greer; Joseph Ramage; John Robinson; John Bourland; John Greer Juner; Isaac Adair; Jms. Adair; [Thos McCrery J.P.]; [James Ones]; [Andrew Ones]; [John Watson]; [Hughes Manford (?)]; [David Watson]; [Isaac Greer]; [James Ralley]; [John Ramage]; [John Glenn]; [John Jones (M L. (?)]; Henry Atwood; James Adair, Sr.; Joseph Adair Jr.; Joseph Adair; Benjamin Adair; Joseph Adair Sr.; James Adair Jr., son of James; [William Adair]; [John Finney]; [John Adair]; [John Adair Sener]; [James Craige]; [William Craig]; [James Howerton]; [Phillip Whitten]; [John Gray]; [John Greer]; [James Montgomery]; Thomas Ewing; William Blake; James Gamble; [Edward Stapleton]; [John Gamble]; [William Huddleston]; [James Huddleston]; [Alexander Adair]; [Benjamin Willson]; [Benja. Goodman]; [Daniel Williams]
Suggested identification of the Adairs who signed this petition:
1. Isaac Adair - Killed in Apr. 1781, left widow, Ruth.
2. Jms. Adair - b. 1747, son of' Joseph Adair, Sr.; mar. Rebecca Montgomery.
3. James Adair, Sr. - died before 1796; wife, Eleanor.
4. Joseph Adair, Jr. - Son of above James & Eleanor; wife Sarah.
5. Joseph Adair - died 1812; son of Joseph Adair, Sr.
6. Benjamin Adair - died 1823; son of Joseph Adair, Sr.; wife Nancy.
7. Joseph Adair, Sr. - died 1789-90; wife: Susannah.
8. James Adair, Jr., son of James - son of James Adair & wife Eleanor; died 1818, wife Hannah.
9. William Adair - died 1780-84. Estate administered 1784, Abbe. Wills, p. 10.
10. John Adair - died 1813 in Ga., wife Jane; son of Joseph Adair; grandson of Joseph Adair, Sr.
11. John Adair, Sr. - Killed in 1782, wife Sarah. Abbe. Wills, p. 10. Probable son of Joseph Adair, Sr. {Kerry's note: or maybe James Adair, Sr.}
12. Alexander Adair - Scotch-Irish immigrant in 1767? See Protestant Immigrants to SC - Janie Revill, p. 74.
{Note the above suggestions are as provided by Mildred Brownlee. I make the following additions of individuals related to the Adairs:
13. James Gamble - father of William Gamble who marries Martha Adair, daughter of James Adair who was son of James Adair, Sr., the original settler and cooper.
14. Robert Long - Son of Susannah Murdough from her first marriage before she married Joseph Adair the cooper.
15. John Owens - Husband of Mary Long. Mary was the sister of Robert Long and a daughter of Susannah Murdough from her first marriage before Joseph Adair.
16. John Ramage - Husband to Jean or Jane Adair, the daughter of Joseph Adair the cooper and his first wife Sarah Laferty.
17. George Davis - Died 1781- 1783. First husband to Elizabeth Adair, daughter of Joseph Adair, Jr. and Elizabeth ___.
18. James Montgomery - Father to Rebecca who married James Adair, the saddler and son of Joseph Adair the cooper. James' other daughter Isabella married Dr. George Ross who was a physician with many of the above in their East Florida expedition in the early days of the Rev. War.
19. John Jones - There were two John Jones in the area at the time. One was the husband of Hannah Adair, daughter of James and Eleanor Adair. Unsure which John Jones this may be. Our John Jones died before Sep 1788."
BIRTH:
1. Nancy appears to have been 45 or older in the 1800 census and still alive in the 1810 census.
BURIAL:
1. Per http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/9708/dcem.html, there is a listing in the Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery that reads: "Adair, Benjamin, died Sept. 3, 1825, age 71 (1754)." This is improperly transcribed per image of tombstone available at Find-a-Grave (Memorial #9428444): "In memory of Benjm. Adair who died Sept. 3, 1823 Aged 71 years."
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1752 - 1823 (71 years)