| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Emails from Jett Hanna [jettplane@aol.com] who descends from this couple:
7 Jul 2005 concerning Sarah Adair, the probable eldest of James' and Rebecca's children: "Sarah Adair and Joseph Hanna eventually moved on to Delphi, Indiana, and both are buried there. Joseph and his son Albert both served in the Indiana legislature, as did Robert's son Robert, who was briefly a US Senator in the 1830s."
7 Jul 2005: "The lawyer James Adair married to Rebecca [Montgomery] is not the trader, of that I am certain – too young. James and Rebecca moved to Indiana about 1804 (may have been a little earlier, but that is when land transactions occurred) and I've identified their land grant at that time. They are easy to follow in the census-both died in their 80s in the 1830s. Graves are in Brookville, Indiana, in the main cemetery in town. There is a DAR marker on James grave. I have good evidence for his service – basically the Williams petition mentioned by Brownlee. The inscription in the book says that James used the book in SC when he was a "justice of the rule." I have some suspicion that the person who made the inscription may have mixed up James Adair with James Montgomery [his father-in-law and one of the justices of Laurens Co.], but there is a story about James Adair defending his son against a murder charge in Indiana. The book has a publication date of 1740."
7 Jul 2005: "They had about 13 kids, and did not have a will or other record of descendants. The circumstantial evidence is pretty good for the connection, however. My first easily proven ancestor on that line is a Sarah Adair and her age is such that she could be their oldest daughter. Some later compiled listings of their kids have her, some don't. I have good evidence of Sarah and Joseph Hanna moving with the Hannas to Indiana at the same time as James and Rebecca. One of the Hannas in the group became very active in Indiana politics, and was a supporter of abolishing slavery when the Indiana constitution was written. I wonder if something happened in SC that changed their outlook on slavery; Robert Hanna (my earliest clearly documented ancestor in the Laurens area) had a slave based on census records; a number of the Adairs had even more slaves."
11 Jul 2005: "A jpg is attached. I didn't take the picture; this book ["The Compleat Arbitrator"] is in the possession of Ronald Fiske of Houston, a descendant of Joseph Hanna and Sarah Adair. J.W. (Joseph Washington) Hanna who made the note was their son. Here's my deciphering of the passage: "This book was in use in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War by James Adair a Justice of the Rule, Grandfather of Joseph W. Hanna as was presented to said Hanna token? g? small boy by said clause? and June 12th 1879 was printed by said Hanna for Thomas Dwight Bayne his grandson now 15 mos old to be sent down to posterity JW Hanna." I've not seen this book myself, but earlier documents indicated that it was in the LA County Law Library. It is still in the card catalog there-were their multiple copies? I hope to see the original sometime when I am over in Houston." [Kerry's note: jpg photo on file']
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 James Adair. They may apply to this James or his cousin James, son of James Adair the cooper. [I haven't yet seen the transaction for any other names or witnesses.]:
"Oct 13, 1795, James Adair from John and Sarah... 10 [100?] A on Duncan's Creek, Bk. F. p. 49.
Oct 12, 1795, James Adair 100 A on Duncan's Creek, Bk F, p. 50."
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 James Adairs, the first of whom is for probably the son of James the cooper. I am not sure how the other James Adairs I list fit in or not. There were other James Adairs in South Carolina at the time and it was a common name among Adairs. Some information may be from more modern and perhaps undocumented family histories. I do not have the abbreviation list as to the sources the author gives:
"James Adare, Sr., S9264, b. 8/15 May 1752, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, d. 18 Aug 1818, m. Hannah ___. He entered the service during 1776, while residing in York District, and served under Capt. Frank Ross and Col. Neel. In the same year, he joined a unit under Capt. John McCool and Col. Hopkins. In 1777, he was under McCool and Hopkins and was wounded at Horseshoe Battle on War Woman Creek. He was discharged as a result. Later, he appears in Picken's brigade as one who recovered horses lost at Briar Creek. During 1782, he was under Capt. James Dillard, Col. Casey and Gen. Pickens. He supplied food for distressed widows and families for Casey's unit and was a wagon master for Col. James Williams from 29 March to 20 May 1780. A.A. 21; Patriot Index."
Other James Adairs:
"James Adare. He served 120 days in the militia under Gen. Marion during 1780 and 1781. At one time, he was under Lt. Col. Hugh Horry. Kinsfolk, 1269,; A.A. 21; S350; Y1522."
"James Adair, Jr., b. c. 1755, d. July 1835, m. Anna ___. He served in the militia. Patriot Index."
5. http://www.geocities.com/heartland/woods/9061/1813.htm has a list of taxpayers in Franklin County, Indiana, which includes James Adair.
6. http://www.rootsweb.com/~infrankl/marr1826.html has a list of pioneer marriages in Franklin County, Indiana, which includes Isaac Adair to Jane Holland on 18 Jan 1821.
7. http://www.rootsweb.com/~infrankl/marr1811.html has a list of pioneer marriages in Franklin County, Indiana, which includes:
John Adair and Lucy Trusler on 21 Mar 1812.
John Adair and Susannah Thomas on 26 Oct 1815.
John Adair and Sally Trusler on 2 Oct 1817.
8. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/9061/1807A-H.html: 1807 Indiana Territory Census:
The Indiana Territory was established from the Old Northwest Territory in 1800. Originally it included a vast area from which the Michigan Territory was separated in 1805 and the Illinois Territory in 1809. Only three Indiana Counties were formed before 1808, Knox in 1790, Clark in 1801 and Dearborn in 1803. In 1806 the General Assembly of the Indiana Territory passes a resolution: to enable the Governor of this territory, for equal representation to the general assembly. The sheriffs of the counties of Dearborn,Clark, Knox and Randolph (Illinois). Take a list of all the free males 21 years and older, and return to list to the secretary of the state on or before the June 1st 1807. There are no known copy of the Clark County census taken in 1806, there are copies of the voters list for this county for the same year. Dearborn County included an area from Ft. Recovery, Ohio south west to Madison,Indiana. Currently includes all or part of Wayne, Franklin, Union, Fayette, Dearborn, Ohio, Rush and Switzerland Counties. Listed are:
James Adair, Sr.
James Adair, Jr.
9. James Adair could be either the son of the original Joseph Adair the cooper or the son of the original James Adair the cooper. Laurens County Estate Book A-1:
P. 7: "Will of Hanse Miller being sick and weak of body... 14 April 1788. Wit: Joseph Adair, Thomas Ewings, James Adair."
Pp. 155-156: "An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of William Price Decd. Total ₤ 101 11 8 certifyed 5 Nov 1796 by Joseph Adair, Thomas Gammel, Patrick O Briant. Memorandom of the goods and Chatles of Wm. Price decd sold at public Sale on 15 Nov 1796. Purchasers: Margret Price, Ruth Price, Sarah Price, Mary Cunningham, John Adair, William McCoy, William Barksdale, James Adair, Joseph Adair."
P. 315: "Sale bill of William Price, decd. Publick saile 15 November 1796. Buyers: Margaret Price, Mary Price, Ruth Price, Sarah Price, Mary Cunningham, James Adair, Wm. McCary, Wm. Barksdil, James Hudleston. A true copy form the original vandue list certified by James Cunningham."
10. If this James is still alive at this date, the following James Adair Senr. could be this individual; alternatively, it could be the eldest of the two James of the second generation Laurens County Adairs - James (b. 1747) the son of the Joseph the cooper vs. James (b. 1752) the son of James the cooper. Laurens County Estate Book A-1, 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."
11. "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research," vol. 15, pp. 164-168, "Some Jury Lists from Ninety Six District" lists a James Adair from the Laurens County subdivision of the District for 18 Apr 1798. There are several James Adairs at this time in the county and this individual may or may not be this person.
12. 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."
The Adair records mention mainly James and Joseph Adair - the only problem was there were at least three Josephs and three James who were all adults at the same time as these court records. The two original brothers, James and Joseph Adair, both coopers by trade, arrived in the Laurens County area probably in the early 1760s. James was born ca 1715 and died in Laurens Co. sometime between 1784 and 1796. Joseph was born ca. 1718 and died after Jan 9, 1788 when his will was written. James had at least two sons who were alive in the time period of these court records: Joseph (ca. 1745 - ca. 1820) who married Sarah and James (1752-1818) who married Hannah. The other original brother, Joseph whose first wife was Sarah Lafferty and second wife Susannah Murdough, widow of Daniel Long, had at least three sons, Joseph (1735-1812), James (1747-1831) whose trade is noted as "saddler", and Benjamin (1752/1754-1823/1825). Generally speaking, the eldest living Adair of a given name was given the suffix of Sr. or no suffix at all while the younger Adairs were noted as Jr. or "son of" - in some cases an uncle could be a "Sr" and a nephew or cousin could be the "Jr." depending on age. As to which James and which Joseph are cited in the records below, they could be any of the above because there is no guarantee that the Court properly used Sr., Jr., or whatever. The citations could be a mix of all. The following are just the James Adair quotations:
Pg. 63, 16 Mar 1786: "A Lease and Release for the Conveyance of 60 acres of Land from John Brotherton to James Adair Proven in open Court by the oath of Thomas Ewing & ordered to be Recorded."
Pg. 68, 18 Mar 1786: James Adair was on a jury in the case of Robert McNees Plt vs. John Martin Deft concerning debt.
Pg. 70, 18 Mar 1786: James Adair was on a jury in the case of George Caldwell Plt vs David Allison Deft concerning debt.
Pg. 73, 18 Mar 1786: "James Adair Plt vs Thos Hughes and Charles Saxon Deft. In Debt. Came the Plt by James Yancey his Attorney and the Defts in their proper Person and Confessed Judgment for 3 6. Attorney's fees 14£ 8 6
Pg. 88,13 June 1786: "A Lease and release for the conveyance of 110 acres of land from Mary Hillon and John Hillon to James Adair proven in open court by the Oaths of George Ross and John Cammel & Ordered to be recorded."
Pg. 88,13 June 1786: "A lease and release for the conveyance of 140 acres of land from Mary Hill and John Hillon to John Cammel proven in open court by the oaths of George Ross and James Adair & ordered to be recorded."
Pg. 96, 16 June 1786: "James Adair vs Jonth'n Gilbert. Debt S.P. By Consent of the parties this suit is ordered to be Continued till next Court."
Pg. 98, June 16, 1786: "James Adair vs Thos Persons. Attachment. Trover. This day came the Plaintiff by J. Yancey his Atty and the attachment being Returned Executed, and the Deft not Replevied by appearance or put in special bail tho solemnly called, on motion of the Plaintiff by his atty aforesaid it is ordered that Judgment be entered for the Plt for what damages he hath sustaind by Accation of the Trover & Convertion in the Declaration mentioned to be Inquired of by a Jury unless the Defendant shall appear and Plead to Issue at the next court." [Kerry's note: the case just before this was for exactly the same thing for James Montgomery vs Thos Persons.]
Pg. 134, 14 Dec 1786: "David Wlch Plft. vs John Barnet Deft. In Debt. By consent of the Parties by their attys they have mutually submitted the Determination for this Suit to Nathan Barksdale, James Adair, and Charles Simmons and agreed that their award thereupon should be made the Judgement of the Court, which s'd aware was Ordered to be Returned into Court Immediately."
Pp. 148-149, 13 Mar 1787: James Adair was sworn as Grand Juror for the county.
Pg. 149, 13 Mar 1787: James Adair participated as a Grand Juror in the case State vs. Mansfield Walker and John Blackwell. Indictment for Sabbath braking.
Pg. 152, 14 Mar 1787: "James Adair vs. Henry Johnston & David Simpson. By consent this suit is ordered to be dismist at Plfts. Cost."
Pg. 159, 16 Mar 1787: "James Adair vs. Thomas Pearson. This day came the Plft by his Attys and the attachment being returned execution on 300 acres of land the Property of Deft and the said Deft not appearing to Replevy the same or Plead to the Plfts Declaration agreeable to a former Order of this Court, Therefore upon a Jury to wit [jury named]... upon their oaths do say that the Plft hath Sustained by accation of the Trespass in the Declaration mentioned, upon their oaths do say that the Plft hath Sustained Damages by accation thereof to £20 besides his cost, thereupon it was Considered by the Court that the Plft Recover against the s'd Deft his damages aforesaid in form aforesaid assest and his cost by him in this behalf Expended and the s'd Deft in Mercy &c." [Kerry's note: There were three exact same cases against Thomas Pearson with James Montgomery, James Adair, and Joseph Adair as individual plaintiffs with all three in sequence.]
Pg. 165, 12 June 1787: "James Adair, son of James Adair, is appointed Overseer of that Part of the highway leading from Hughes's mill on Enoree and James Young's on Bush River in the room of Tho's Ewing. Ordered that he cause the free male inhabitants and slaves contiguous to and convenient to said road, to work thereon and to cause the same to be kept in repair for one year as the law directs."
Pg. 215, 11 Mar 1788: "A power of Att'o from James Templeton to James Adair proven in Open Court by the oath of John Lindsey and Ordered to Ly for further proof."
Pg. 216, 12 Mar 1788: "A Lease and Release for the conveyance of 100 acres of land from Thomas Allison to James Adair acknowledged in Open Court and Ordered to be Recorded."
Pg. 301, 12 Mar 1789: John D. Kern vs Charles Hutchings. In Case. This day came the parties by their attorneys & thereupon Came also a Jury [jury named] upon their oaths say that the Deft is not Guilty on the Nonperformance of the promises & assumptions in the Declaration mentioned & that he go hence without day and Recover against the s'd Plft his Cost by him in this behalf expended, Whereupon it was ordered accordingly.
On application made on oath by James Adair a witness in said suit, ordered that the Plft pay him the sum of 35/ for 14 days attendance at 2/6 P'r day.
Also Joseph Adair the sum of 32/ for 13 days attendance at 2/6 P'r day."
Pg. 324, 18 Sep 1789: "James Adair vs. James Miller. In Slander. By consent this suit is ordered to be Dismist at Deft's cost."
Pg. 326, 18 Sep 1789: James Adair was drawn as a petty juror.
Pg. 317, 15 Sep 1789: "James Adair vs. Eliphaz Riley. S. Process Debt. Continued by Consent till next court."
Pg. 322, 17 Sep 1789: "James Adair vs. Eliphaz Riley. By Consent of the Parties ordered that a Commission issue directed to John Calloway Smith and Wm Robertson Esq'r or any other Justices of the County of Wintown (sic, for Winton) to take the Examination of John Wild a witness for the Deft he giving the adverse party Ten days previous notice of the Time and place of s'd Examination & Return a Certificate of the same to our next Court Together with this commission."
Pg 331, 16 Dec 1789: James Adair vs. Eliphaz Riley. S. Process debt. This day came the Parties by their attorneys & thereupon came also a Jury [jury named] upon their oaths do say that the Plft take nothing by his bill but for his false Clamour be in Mercy &c & that the Deft Go hence without day & recover against the s'd Pft his cost by him in this behalf Expended &C."
Pg. 334, 16 Dec 1789: "The last will and testament of Joseph Adair Dec'd was presented in open court by James Adair the Ex'r and proven by the oath of James Montgomery and Ordered to be Recorded. Ordered that a Probate thereof issue in due form &c.
Ordered that a warrant of Appraisement Issue to four freeholders of this county to View and appraise the estate of the s'd Jo's Adair Decd & Return an account of the same to the Ext'r within the Time Prescribed by Law."
13. Jay Wright 26 Jan 2008: "In regards to the children of James Adair Sr (Saddler) and his wife, Rebecca Montgomery, you quote from Jett Hanna regarding the children, but maybe you don't have a list. Although it's still a work-in-progress, I'm attaching a file with a table showing various children of the couple, as proposed by several different researchers. Maybe you'll find it of interest. Also, your notes on James (Saddler) quote Jett's attempt at deciphering the handwritten inscription in the old book (The Compleat Arbitrator). James kindly sent me a JPG image of that page too. You quote Jett's version as: "This book was in use in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War by James Adair a Justice of the Rule, Grandfather of Joseph W. Hanna as was presented to said Hanna token? g? small boy by said clause? and June 12th 1879 was printed by said Hanna for Thomas Dwight Bayne his grandson now 15 mos old to be sent down to posterity JW Hanna." Now that some of us have had more time to study it, we might be able to fill in a few more words: 'This book was in use in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War by James Adair, a Justice of the Rule, Grandfather of Joseph W. Hanna and was presented to said Hanna when a small boy by said Adair and June 12th 1879 was presented by said Hanna to Thomas Dwight Bayne, his grandson now 15 mos old to be sent down to posterity, JW Hanna.' - Jay Wright in Fayetteville, NY, near Syracuse
Possible children of James Adair & Rebecca Montgomery (12 Jan 2008 version)
Sources:
Jay Wright's Family Tree Maker file.
O'Byrne's Soldiers and Patriots Buried in Indiana, p. 34, collected by Mrs. Z. R. Peterson, Detroit, MI.
Mary Heaven's list, based on Alexander History written by her ggg Uncle Augustus Alexander in 1888.
Linda Crockett York's file at RootsWeb: <http://Worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=york&id=I123905>
Walter W. Adair's list from his Adair Family Genealogy, c. 1974, which can be viewed at HeritageQuest (Thanks, Mary). (Walter W. Adair (p. 63) points out that Adair History & Genealogy, on which he obviously relied heavily, said there were 13 children and "an entry in Volume 38 of the D.A.R. magazine indicated" 14 children, but Walter has 12 names.)
A. Jay's List:
a. Benjamin
b. James, b. c. 1772.
c. Margaret Jane, b. 1784 (or 1783?); m. John (John Thomas?) Ewing; d. 11 May 1855 (or 1866?) in Clinton Co, IN.
d. Sarah, b. 7 Jul 1775; m. to Joseph Hanna; d. 2 Nov 1855, prob. in Carroll Co, IN.
e. Cassandra
f. George R., b. 15 Dec 1779.
g. Isabel, b. 1777; m. John Alexander.
h. Ruth, b. 1770; m. 14 Apr 1810 in Decatur Co, IN, to Benoni Richardson.
i. Hannah, b. 1784.
j. William, b. 5 Mar 1785.
k. Rebecca, b. 2 Aug 1786; m. 10 Feb 1807, in Dearborn Co, IN, to James Remy; d. 27 Jul 1873 in Brookville, Franklin Co, IN.
l. John G., b. 1787; m. (1) when? Where? to Sally Trusler; m. (2) 21 May 1812, Franklin Co, IN, to Lucy Trusler; m. (3) 26 Oct 1815, Franklin Co, IN, to Susannah Thomas.
m. Jane, b. 1789; m. 10 Jan 1807 to William H. Eads.
n. Joseph, b. c. 1790 d. 3 Jul 1839 in IN.
o. Robert, b. 1790; m. Margaret ___.
p. Isaac C., b. 30 Jul 1792; m. 18 Jan 1821, Franklin Co, IN, to Jane Holland; d. 13 Aug 1852, Brookville, Franklin Co, IN.
q. Lucretia, b. c. 1795; m. John Wildridge; died 18 Sep 1870 in IN.
B. O'Byrne/Peterson List
a. Benjamin
b. Margaret, 1784- Ewing.1866; m. John.
c. Rebecca, 1786-1875; m. James Remy.
d. John, 1787-___; m. (1) Lucy Trusler; m. (2) Susannah Thomas; m. (3) Sally Trusler.
e. "Jean"; m. ___ Eads.
f. Joseph
g. Isaac, 1792-1852; m. Jane Holland.
h. Lucretia, 1795-1870; m. John Wildridge.
C. Mary's List
a. James, b. c. 1772, Laurens Dist, SC; m. (1) Mary Cunningham; m. (2) Polly Meek.
b. Margaret Jane, b. 1773, Laurens Dist, SC; m. John Ewing; d. 11 May 1855, Clinton, Franklin Co, IN.
c. Sarah "Sally," b. 08 Jul 1775, Laurens Dist, SC; m. ___ Hanna; d. 02 Nov 1855, Delphi, Carroll Co, IN.
d. Cassandra, b. c.1778, Laurens Dist, SC; d. bet. 1850-1860, Carrollton, Carroll Co, IN.
e. George Ross, b. 15 Dec 1779, Laurens Dist, SC; m. 10 Jun 1800, Laurens Dist, SC, to Rachel Musgrove (Mary notes that George is shown on one World Tree listing with two other wives - Mary K. Bennett and Anna B. Key.); d. 30 Sep 1850, Randolph Co, AL.
f. Isabella, m. John Alexander.(This is Mary's ancestor.)
g. Ruth, m. ___ Richardson.
h. Rebecca, m. ___ Remy.
i. John
j. Jane, m. Judge William Eads.
k. Joseph
l. * (Mary lists Robert/Robin with an asterisk - he was in the right place to be a son, but he was not on the Alexander family list.)
m. Isaac
n. Lucretia, m. John Wildridge.
D. Linda's List
a. Benjamin; d. 3 Jul 1849; bur. Old Brookville Cemetery, Franklin Co, IN.
b. James, b. c. 1772.
c. Margaret Jane, b. 1783; Co, SC, to John Thomas Ewing; d. 11 May 1855, IN.
d. Sarah, b. 8 Jul 1775, Laurens Co, SC; m. c. 1790 to Joseph Hanna; d. 2 Nov 1855, Carroll Co, IN.
e. Cassandra, b. c. 1778, Laurens Co, SC; m. David Ewing; d. aft. 1850. (Linda notes that Cassandra is listed as Cassa Ewing, age 72, in Carrollton, Carroll Co, IN, in the 1850 census. Thanks to Linda for referring me to http://www.wildwoodweb.com/familytree/adairmontg.html)
f. George Ross, b. 15 Dec 1779, Laurens Co, SC; m. (1) to Mary K. Bennett; m. (2) to Anna B. Key; m. (3) 1 Jun 1800 to Rachel Musgrove; d. 30 Sep 1850, Randolph Co, AL.
g. Isabelle (sic), b. 1778; m. to John Alexander.
h. Ruth Davis, b. 1770; m. 14 Apr 1810 to Benoni Richardson.
i. Hannah, b. 1784; m. c. 1800, SC, to Reuben Medors.
j. William, b. 5 Mar 1785, Laurens Co, SC; m. 5 Aug 1813, Jefferson Co, IN, to Elizabeth Hall; d. aft. 1850 in Henderson, IL.
k. Rebecca, b. 2 Aug 1786, Laurens Co, SC; m. 20 Feb 1807, Dearborn Co, IN, to James Remy/Remey; d. 27 Jul 1873, Brookville, Franklin Co, IN.
l. John C. (sic), b. 1787, Laurens Co, SC; m. (1) Sarah Sally Trusler; m. (2) 22 Oct 1815, Franklin Co, IN, to Susannah Thomas; m. (3) 2 Oct 1817 to Lucy Trusler; d. 1 May 1831, Franklin Co, IN; bur. Old Brookville Cem.
m. Jane, b. c. 1789, Laurens Co, SC; m. 10 Jan 1807, Dearborn Co, IN, to Judge William Henry Eads.
n. Joseph
o. Robert F., b. 1790, SC; m. c. 1810 to Margaret Speer; d. bet. 1830-1834, Franklin Co, IN.
p. Isaac C., b. 30 Jul 1792, Laurens Co, SC; m. to Jane Holland; d. 1852.
q. Lucretia, b. c. 1795, NC (sic); m. John Wildridge; d. 1870.
E. Walter W. Adair's List
a. James (Jr.)
b. Margaret Jane
c. George R.
d. Isabel
e. Ruth
f. Rebecca
g. John G.
h. Jane
i. Joseph
j. Robert
k. Isaac C.
m. Lucretia
Notes:
Re: children on earlier versions of list who have been eliminated:
Lucinda was a daughter of the James Adair who married Mary Cunningham, not of the James Adair who married Rebecca Montgomery. I eliminated the row for her.
Thanks to Mary Heaven for pointing out that Benjamin Adair, b. 1752, was a son of Joseph Adair, Sr., and therefore a brother of James Adair who married Rebecca Montgomery.
Thanks to Mary Heaven for pointing out that Hannah who married Reuben/Rueben Meadors is a daughter of James Adair Sr. (a different James Adair Sr.) and his wife, Hannah, rather than the daughter of James Adair Sr. and Rebecca Montgomery.
Thanks to Mary Heaven for pointing out that William born 1785 is the son of Benjamin Adair and Nancy George.
I have no idea what my source was for a daughter named Mary, but nobody else seems to have her, so I deleted her (and deleted the whole row instead of bothering with the cross-out "fill").
Similarly, I don't know what my source was for William, b. 1803, but nobody else has him, so I have deleted the whole row for him instead of bothering with the cross-out "fill").
Thanks to Don Dunaway for the photos of the Adair stones at Old Brookville Cemetery. We all agree now that 21-year-old Benjamin who died 1839, is too young to be a child of James & Rebecca, so he's crossed off our lists (except for the fact that he was on the list in Soldiers and Patriots Buried in Indiana, and we don't know what source the "collector," Mrs. Z. R. Peterson of Detroit, used."
14. 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. "James Adair. Dec. 1747 in Pa., d. 23 Mar. 1831, in Ind., Mar. Rebecca Montgomery, b. 20 Oct. 1750. d. 29 Sept. 1835.
James Adair 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.
George R. Adair continued to live in Laurens Co. where he appears on tho census of 1820. By Oct. 1826, he was living in Gwinnett Co., Ga. c1800. George R. Adair married Rachel Musgrove, daughter of Edward Musgrove. She was half-sister of Mary Musgrove Berry of Revo. fame.
Some of the children of James and Rebecca Adair:
Joseph Adair, died 3 July 1839 (Ind.), mar. Rachel ___.
George R. Adair, to GA, mar. Rachel Musgrove.
From Indiana data:
Margaret Jane Adair, b. 1773 mar. John Ewing.
Rebecca Adair, b. 2 Aug. 1786, mar. James Remy.
John Adair
Jane Adair. mar, ___ Eads.
Isaac Adair, b. 30 July 1792, mar. Jane Holland or Harlan.
Lucretia Adair. mar. John Wildridge.
James Adair"
C. Mentioned in dealings with John Adair whom we have not definitively connected to the right parents – see his notes for more details; also note that James Montgomery is the father-in-law to this James Adair: "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"
15. 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: "The people, cut off as they were from the coast and seat of government [KP note: at Charles Town or Charleston as it was later known], were not aware of the many grievances of the colonists toward the mother country. Naturally, in the months 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."
16. 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."
17. Laurens County Estate Book A-1, p. 52-53: "Will of James Montgomery of the Dist. of Ninety Six... to my two daughters Rebecca Adair & Isabella Ross, one cow & calf; to Margret my wife, all money in hand & that may be due me, furniture, & cattle with plantation on which we live, 150 acres; also one other tract of 466 acres in Greenville County on Harrolds branch of Enoree, granted to Wm. Lacey, sold to Thos Pearson & was since attached & sold at Sheriffs sale & purchased by me; son in law Jas Adair Exr with my wife, 17 Aug 1791. Jas Montgomery (Seal), Wit: Wm Craig, John Craig, Isabella Criaig."
MARRIAGE:
1. Jett Hanna mentions that the marriage of Joseph Adair (Eldare) and Sarah Lafferty (Luffirty) seemed to be recorded in Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church in Wilmington, DE which were published in 1890 by the Historical Society of Delaware. Their son, James was born in 1747 according to his tombstone in Indiana.
Old Swedes Church, 606 Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801; Constructed in 1698-1699. This is a place of history. Trinity Parish Web site <http://www.trinityparishde.com> Church was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church. The church building was constructed in 1698-1699. The church was placed under the jurisdiction of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1791. It flourishes today as the nation's oldest church building still standing as originally built. It is still in regular use for worship. In recognition of its unique role for worship by numerous communities of immigrants: the Swedes at Fort Christina and the colony of New Sweden; the Dutch in the area centered at New Amstel (now New Castle, DE); the English in New Castle county of the colony of Pennsylvania; and finally Americans from many nations in the state of Delaware. Old Swedes was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark on March 29, 1963. The church and churchyard has sustained 15,000 burials and is active to this day.
BURIAL:
1. Find-a-grave accessed 13 Dec 2013, section 5, row 10, James/Rebecca/John/Benjamin, tombstone photos:
Memorial #68276106: "Sacred to the memory of Rebecca consort of James Adair who departed this life Sep. 29th A.D. 1835 aged 84 years 11 months & 9 days."
Memorial #38947979: "Sacred to the memory of James Adair who departed this life March 23rd A.D. 1831 aged 83 years & 4 months."
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1747 - 1831 (83 years)