Adams

My search for the parents and siblings of my 4g-grandfather Salathiel ADAMS has been inconclusive. Many researchers have his parents as Thomas ADAMS and Milly Amelia MEDCALF. They also have 2 or 3 brothers and 1 or 2 sisters for Salathiel. I have found only circumstantial evidence to support this. There are very few records that establish the relationship between individuals. In some cases, people with the ADAMS surname lived in the same county, listed consecutively in a census, or were about the right age, or used family names Milly and Salathiel and Thomas. It may be a stretch to conclude that they must be related. However, it makes a picture that fits together pretty well, and I'm reluctant to give it up. So I am collecting what I know about everyone involved. Short of studying all ADAMSes in NC and GA!

Summary of Evidence for ADAMS Family Connections

The 1797 will of William MEDCALF, of Anson County, NC, mentions his children, including daughter Milly ADAMS.

Milly's husband was an ADAMS, probably in or near Anson County, NC. Thomas ADAMS is a possibility.

Thomas ADAMS sold land in Anson and Mecklenburg counties, NC, to William MEDCALF, in Jan 1797, about the time of William's death.

Milly ADAMS, Salathiel ADAMS, Joseph HARRIS and Henry MEDCALF were listed consecutively in the 1820 US Census for Jackson County, GA, suggesting that they might be related.

Several of William MEDCALF's children appear to have removed some 200 miles southwest, to Jackson County, GA. (Details will appear on a separate page for William MEDCALF.) So it is not hard to believe that the Milly (MEDCALF) ADAMS in William MEDCALF's 1797 will in Anson County, NC, and the Milly ADAMS who bought land in 1816, Jackson County, GA are the same person.

[Jackson County had a population of 8,355 in 1820, with 9 ADAMS households, including 66 people.]

Milly ADAMS was married by 1797, so about the right age to have been the mother of John (1790), Lavinia (1795), Salathiel (1799), and Thomas (1800).

John ADAMS, born in NC, married in Dec 1811, Jackson County, and was still there in 1820.

Lavinia ADAMS, also born in NC, married Jesse HARRIS in Dec 1811, Jackson County, where they lived the rest of their lives. Two of their children were Millie and Levina.

Salathiel ADAMS, born in NC, married about 1815 in Jackson County, named some of his children Milly, Thomas, Jesse and Lavinia.

Thomas ADAMS, born about 1800 in NC, was married in Jackson County, 1825. He named one of his sons Salathiel.

John, Salathiel and Thomas ADAMS were all in DeKalb County, GA by 1830. The families of John and Salathiel were listed consecutively in the 1850 US Census.

Milly MEDCALF (1774 - 1823) probable mother of Salathiel

Milly/Emilli/Amelia (MEDCALF) ADAMS was born about 1774 in NC. There is circumstantial evidence that she was the mother of Salathiel ADAMS. She was listed next to Salathiel in the 1820 US Census for Jackson County, GA. The will of William MEDCALF, written 13 Feb 1797 in Anson County, NC, mentions his daughter Amelia ADAMS. William MEDCALF lived in Anson County, NC from 1763 until his death in 1798, and all his children were born there. See the MEDCALF page for more on this.

Also, Salathiel named one of his daughters Milly/Emilli/Amelia (the names seem to be interchangeable).

Milly ADAMS appeared in Jackson County, Georgia in 1816, with a deed for land. Jackson County is where John, Lavinia, Salathiel and Thomas ADAMS and their families moved in 1800-1820, taking advantage of the Georgia Land Lotteries. These families appear together often enough that they must be related, but actual proof is hard to find.

Note: The county names and boundaries in NC and GA changed many times during this period. The ADAMS, HARRIS, MEDCALF and related extended families generally migrated from the Anson/Mecklenburg County NC area to Jackson County, GA between 1800 and 1820. By 1840 many were in De Kalb County, GA.

Milly is said to have died in 1823. I have no evidence of that, except that there does not seem to be any record of her after 1823.

Thomas ADAMS (1765 - ?) possible father of Salathiel

There was a Thomas ADAMS Jr, born about 1765, in Souley, Staffordshire, England. Thomas Sr may have been the same Thomas ADAMS who settled in Anson County, NC.

A 1756 roster of Captain Adam Alexander’s Company, from Anson County, names David ADAMS, James ADAMS and David ADAMS Sr, as well as several members of the HARRIS family. In 1768, a William, Thomas and James ADAMS lived in Anson County, since they signed a petition objecting to high taxes. Thomas ADAMS and James ADAMS, from Anson County, were among the Regulators, and fought at the Battle of Alamance in 1771.

Since the name is such a common one, many other records attributed to a Thomas ADAMS may refer to Thomas Jr or Sr. In particular, Thomas Sr may also have immigrated, may have arrived in Maryland in 1762, and he may be the Thomas ADAMS who appeared on a tax list in Tyrrell County, NC, 1771. Another record for Thomas ADAMS in Anson County is a land grant of 100 acres, issued in 1774. The property is "on the south fork of Mountain Creek."

As mentioned above, William MEDCALF mentioned his daughter Milliy ADAMS in his will, written 13 Feb 1797. The will was probated in Jul 1798, in Anson County, NC. Between those dates, he had the following transaction with a Thomas ADAMS.

The following list should be considered tentative.

1 Thomas ADAMS ? b: 1765 in Souley, Staffordshire, England, d: Bef. 1820
+ Milly Amelia MEDCALF b: 1774 in Anson, NC, m: Bef. 1790 in Anson, NC, d: 1823 in Jackson, GA
...2 John ADAMS b: 1790 in Anson, NC, d: 1856 in DeKalb, GA
+ Martha Aditha MEDCALF b: Abt. 1793 in Anson, NC, m: 20 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, d: Oct 1880 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
...2 Lavinia ADAMS b: 18 May 1795 in Anson, NC, d: Aft. 1860 in Bascobal, Newtown, Jackson, GA
+ Jesse HARRIS b: 15 Aug 1786 in Mecklenburg, NC, m: 9 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, d: Apr 1829 in Jackson, GA
...2 Salathiel ADAMS b: 17 Aug 1799 in Anson, NC, d: 09 Jul 1862 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
+ Sarah HARRIS b: 27 Sep 1800 in Greene or Jackson, GA, m: 1815 in Jackson, GA, d: 13 Sep 1895 in DeKalb, GA
...2 Thomas ADAMS b: 1800 in Anson, NC, d: 1860 in Milton, GA
+ Elizabeth WILSON b: 1808 in GA, m: 1825 in Jackson, GA, d: 1860 in Milton (now Fulton), GA

Brother and sister Salathiel and Lavinia ADAMS married their 1st cousins, sister and brother Sarah and Jesse HARRIS. John ADAMS' mother and wife both had the maiden name MEDCALF, because he married his 1st cousin, Martha Aditha MEDCALF.

Salathiel ADAMS and his wife Sarah HARRIS were identified by AncestryDNA as my ancestors, based on comparison with the ancestries of my close matches. As I will explain below, there are also connections with the MARTIN and SPRUILL ancestors that I have already described on other pages. It is interesting that Thomas ADAMS Sr died before age 55, and his sons at 66, 63 and 60. His wife Milly died at 49, but their daughter Lavinia lived to at least 60. No one in the family, except possibly Lavinia, lived past 66.

The map on the left shows the location of present-day Anson County, NC, on the border with South Carolina. The map on the right shows present-day Anson County, where the ADAMS and MEDCALF families owned land. Anson County was formed in 1750, and originally had indefinite northern and western boundaries. In fact, at one time, it actually reached as far as the Mississippi River. It was reduced in size several times, and by 1780 it was pretty much in its present configuration. See these maps of North Carolina County Development for more details.

Census data for ADAMS and related families

Since I don't know who the father of Salathiel ADAMS was, I have made some attempt to follow the ADAMS households in the likely locations.

The 1790 US Census has 8 Thomas ADAMS households in North Carolina, and none were in Anson County. There were 4 ADAMS households in Anson County:

In 1800 there were only 2 ADAMS households in Anson County. Neither one has a male who was born about 1765. So I'm finding it doubtful that Thomas and Amelia ADAMS had 4 children from 1790 to 1800 in Anson County. Unless they lived with her parents. However, there were only 3 MEDCALF households (see the MEDCALF page), and none of them have an extra male over 16.

The 1810 Census doesn't seem to have our ADAMSes, in NC. The US Census didn't include Georgia until 1820, so maybe they were "off the grid" in 1810. In 1820, there were several families of interest, in Jackson County, GA.

Above: ADAMS, HARRIS, SPRUILL and MEDCALF Households in the 1820 US Census, Jackson County, GA, enumerated on 7 Aug 1820. Note that, in this census, males 16-18 are counted twice, since they are also 16-25. All the adult males, in the families listed above, were engaged in agriculture. A few of the families owned slaves:

Extension of the previous table, showing Slaves owned by ADAMS, HARRIS and MEDCALF families in 1820, Jackson County, GA.

The 4 families on page 13 are listed consecutively, making it a little more credible that they are related. Milly ADAMS is 45 or older, and head of household, which probably means she is a widow. She lis living with a male in the 16-25 category, probably an unmarried son. It could be Thomas Jr. There is also a Thomas ADAMS household, with Thomas 45 or older, and this could be Thomas Sr. Maybe Thomas and Milly are divorced or separated? Or maybe Milly and Amelia were not the same person?

In 1820, Salathiel ADAMS and his wife are 16-25, and they have a son, under 10. Jesse HARRIS is 26-44 and his wife (who we know is Lavinia ADAMS), is 16-25. They have 2 boys and 2 girls, all under 10. Thomas ADAMS Jr does not appear as a head of household, making it seem more likely that he is the male 16-25 living with his mother, Milly ADAMS.

Milly (MEDCALF) ADAMS had a brother John, born about 1765, so John MEDCALF in the 1820 Census is probably him. Henry MEDCALF, born about 1796, was his son.

Joseph HARRIS and Jesse HARRIS must surely be the father and brother of Sarah (HARRIS) ADAMS, wife of Salathiel ADAMS. Jesse HARRIS is listed next to Stephen SPRUEL (SPRUILL), whose son, James T. SPRUILL, married Millie ADAMS, daughter of Salathiel ADAMS and brother of Jesse HARRIS.

The ADAMS, HARRIS, SPRUILL and MEDCALF families moved from the vicinity of Charlotte, North Carolina to Jackson County, Georgia, as they obtained land through the Georgia Land Lotteries. These lotteries, operating from 1805 to 1833, distributed land that had once belonged to the Creek Indians and the Cherokee Nation. Salathiel, his sister Lavinia, and their families, later moved to DeKalb County, just a few miles north of Atlanta.

In the 1830 US Census, most heads-of-household are males, even when there is no adult male present. I suppose this means that a widow's household is named after her husband. If there is a better explanation, please let me know.

Both Thomas ADAMSes in Jackson County in 1820 are still there in 1830. The older one is 60-69, so he was born about 1861-1870, so he could be the father of Salathiel ADAMS. He lives with a male 20-29, probably his son, and 5 children.

Joseph HARRIS is 70-79, and is listed consecutively with Vina and Walton, and I think he is the father of Walton HARRIS and Jesse HARRIS, Vina's husband. Joseph's wife is 60-69, and that would be Elizabeth (CRIBBS) HARRIS. Joseph and Elizabeth would be about 81 and 55, by other records, but I think this is them. Their youngest child, Elizabeth, would be about 18 in 1830, and that might be her in the 15-19 category.

John ADAMS, brother of Salathiel, would be about 40, so that could be him in the 40-49 category. His wife is about 37, and she is in the 30-39 category.

Vina (Lavinia ADAMS) HARRIS is now a widow, so her husband, Jesse HARRIS, has died between 1820 and 1830. She has 3 boys and 5 girls. The oldest boy, William HARRIS, is 18 and probably living on his own in 1830. Jesse's brother Walton HARRIS is married and has 1 child.

Edward ADAMS is a large slave owner, probably a prosperous farmer. There was an Edward ADAMS who appeared often in the Jackson County records, because he was the Clerk of the Court. That was probably Edward Jr. They are probably unrelated to Salathiel.

The rest of the ADAMSes show up in DeKalb County, GA in 1830.

Many of the ADAMS households, along with one MEDCALF and one SPRUILL household, from Jackson County in 1820 appeared in DeKalb County in 1830. There were also many HARRIS households, but they don't seem to be related to us, so I have not included them. There were also many MARTINs, and I will put them on one of the MARTIN pages.

This first thing I notice is that Salathiel ADAMS is absent. I don't know where he was in 1830. His sister Vina (Lavinia) was still in Jackson County. His brother John ADAMS is in DaKalb C0unty, as he would be about 40 and his wife 37. His younger brother, Thomas, is in DeKalb County. He is about 30, his wife 22, so this all fits.

I don't know who Martin, Garry, Henry and James ADAMS are. The name Garry doesn't sound right; the 2nd and 3rd letters are hard to read. And the Garry ADAMS household has no males over 19. I don't know of a woman's name G??ry.

Nancy ADAMS is 70-79, living alone. Louisa ADAMS is 30-39, probably a widow, with 4 children, and 2 slaves. One of the slaves is at least 100 years old!

Henry MEADCALF (MEDCALF) is the brother of Martha MEDCALF, who married John ADAMS. Henry would be about 34. Stephen SRPUEL (SPRUILL) is the father of James T. SPRUILL, who married Millie ADAMS.

In 1836 a John E. ADAMS, from DeKalb County, was a soldier in the Independent Guards 54th Regiment, Georgia Militia, under Capt William Ezzard. They fought in the Indian Wars. This could be John ADAMS, brother of Salathiel ADAMS. John would have been about 46.

In 1838 a Thomas ADAMS, from DeKalb County, had the rank of Private in Captain Fowler's 2nd Georgia Militia, and took part in the Cherokee War. This could have been Salathiel ADAMS's younger brother, who would have been about 38.

The 1840 US Census has 4 ADAMS households in De Kalb County. John ADAMS was about 50, and he appears with a family of 12, including several young adults. Salathiel ADAMS, age 40 or 41, also had a large family. Jesse ADAMS and his wife were in the 20-29 age group. He was probably the son of Salathiel, who would have been about 24. And E. G. ADAMS was probably Enos, son of John. He also had 2 slaves, 1 male and 1 female, both in the 36-54 age group, and 1 family member in the "White Persons - Insane and Idiots at Private Charge" category.

The families of Salathiel ADAMS and John ADAMS were listed consecutively in the 1850 US Census, DeKalb County. They were 7 years apart, both born in NC. This makes it seem likely that they were brothers, or possibly cousins. They match up pretty well with Salathiel and John in DeKalb County in the 1840 Census (above).

Lavinia/Luvina/Levina was in Jackson County in 1850, a widow living with her son. She was between John and Salathiel in age, also born in NC.

Carved in Stone

Counties in GA

European settlement of Georgia grew gradually, from east to west, as in most American colonies. The Atlantic coast in the southeast part of Georgia was settled in the 1730s. After the revolution, westward expansion brought settlers from South Carolina, across the Savannah River, into northeast Georgia.

Jackson County, GA was formed in 1796, in northeastern Georgia, an area first settled by non-Native Americans in 1786. Jackson County was then much larger, and in 1811 part of Jackson County was used in the creation of Madison County, in 1818 in the creation of Walton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties, in 1858 in the creation of Banks County, and in 1914 in the creation of Barrow County. Then DeKalb County was created in 1822 from Henry, Gwinnett and Fayette counties. So the move from Jackson County in 1820 to DeKalb County in 1830 might be more a matter of renaming than of moving any great distance.

Jackson County was formed in 1796, and already had a population of 7,736 in 1800. There was a Thomas ADAMS who appears in the Jackson County Early Court Records for 1799-1800, as having been paid $0.75 for his part in guarding a prisoner, Wm. HODGE.

ADAMS in GA

Milly (MEDCALF) ADAMS was in Jackson County, GA by 13 Sep 1816, when she purchased land (below). Since Milly was the owner, she was probably a widow that that time.

If John and Lavina were her children, then since they were each married in Jackson County, Dec 1811, it would seem that the family was in Jackson County by that date.

I don't know whether Milly's husband died in North Carolina or Georgia. It's possible that he was killed in the War of 1812. The 1820 US Census for Jackson County, GA has Milly ADAMS as head of household, with one male, age 15 to 26. That would have to be the youngest son, Thomas ADAMS, who was not yet married.

By 1830 several of the ADAMS, HARRIS and SPRUILL families had moved into DeKalb County, GA, which was formed in 1822.

This 1895 (above) map shows DeKalb County in white, with Dunwoody in the top corner. Atlanta had become a major city by 1895, in Fulton County, which was once part of DeKalb County. Today, Dunwoody and Chamblee are on the outskirts of the Atlanta Metropolitan area, and Cross Keys no longer exists.

It's hard to find anything on this property map that is also on other maps. Nothing remains today of Old Cross Keys, except Cross Keys High School. Note also the lands to the west, belonging to the MARTIN, SPRUILL and REEVES families. For reference, the town of Buckhead, at the bottom of the map, evolved into what is now the northern part of the city of Atlanta. This map was cropped from a much larger map, posted online by JimAdams48. For the full version, email me at haloupek at gmail dot com.

Possible children of Amelia (MEDCALF) ADAMS

John ADAMS was born about 1790 in Anson, NC, and died about 1856 in DeKalb, GA, as his will was probated on 3 Nov 1856. He married on 20 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, to his 1st cousin, Martha Aditha MEDCALF, born about 1793 in Anson, NC, died Oct 1880 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA.

As shown in the census data above, John and his family were in Jackson County, GA in 1820, and in De Kalb County, GA in 1830, 1840 and 1850. In 1850 the family was listed immediately after the Salathiel ADAMS family, so the two families probably lived close together. John and Salathiel were 10 years apart, so it seems likely that they were brothers, or possibly cousins. Not much seems to be known about the 3 youngest daughters.

1 John ADAMS b: 1790 in Anson, NC, d: 1856 in De Kalb, GA
+ Martha Aditha MEDCALF b: Abt. 1793 in Anson, NC, m: 20 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, d: Oct 1880 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
......2 Nicy ADAMS b: Abt. 1815 in GA, d: Aft. 1870 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
......2 Nancy A. ADAMS b: Abt. 1819 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
...... + Josiah M. MARLOW b: Abt. 1822 in Jackson, GA, d: 31 May 1889 in Jackson, GA
......2 Enos A. ADAMS b: 25 Dec 1822 in Jackson, GA, d: 1904 in DeKalb, GA
...... + Elizabeth REEVES b: 11 Jun 1826 in Abbeville, SC, m: 25 Dec 1843, d: 1905
......2 Matilda ADAMS b: 1825 in GA, d: Aft. 1860
......2 John Wesley ADAMS Jr b: Abt. 1826 in DeKalb, GA, d: Sep 1862 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA
......2 Alpheus ADAMS b: Abt. 1828 in DeKalb, GA, d: 01 Feb 1865 in Thomasville, Thomas, GA
......2 Sanders ADAMS b: Abt. 1830 in DeKalb, GA, d: Nov 1869 in Marshall, AL
...... + Malinda Milly MISE b: 1832 in GA, m: 20 Dec 1857 in DeKalb, GA
......2 Malinda C ADAMS b: Abt. 1841 in DeKalb, GA, res. Marshall, AL in 1860
......2 Lidica ADAMS b: Abt. 1842 in DeKalb, GA
......2 Nancy A ADAMS b: Abt. 1844 in DeKalb, GA

John and Aditha had 4 sons and 6 daughters. The eldest was Nicy, or Nica, who was living with her mother as late as 1870 in Cross Keys. All 4 sons were Privates in the Confederate Army. Two died during the war, and another in 1869. The last one was disabled, with rheumatism, but lived to 81 or 82.

Enos A. ADAMS enlisted in the 38th Regiment (Lawton's Brigade), Company K. He applied for a disability pension in 1889, saying he contracted "chronic inflammatory rheumatism" before the Battle of Sharpsburg, in Sep 1862. In the paperwork that he filed every year, from 1889 until his death in 1904, he first claimed to have been a resident of GA since 25 Dec 1822, and later changed to 23 Dec 1819. He signed with an X.

John W. ADAMS enlisted on 8 Mar 1862, at age 25 or 26, in the 32nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company G. He is said to have died of smallpox on 2 Sep 1862.

Alpheus ADAMS was discharged from the army in Apr 1863, for disability. He reenlisted on 27 Apr 1864, age 36 or 38, in the 2nd Regiment, Georgia Reserves, Company H. He died of pneumonia on 1 Feb 1865, at a military hospital in Thomasville, Thomas County, GA.

Sanders ADAMS, his wife Malinda, and his sister Matilda, moved about 100 miles west, to Marshall County, AL, where they appear in the 1860 US Census. Sanders ADAMS enlisted on 1 Aug 1863, at age 33, in the Home Guard, Marshall County Reserves. He died in Nov 1869.

Lavinia "Vina" ADAMS was born 18 May 1795 in Anson, NC, and was still living in 1860 in Bascobal, Newtown, Jackson, GA. She married on 9 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, to her 1st cousin, Jesse HARRIS, born 15 Aug 1786 in Mecklenburg, NC, died Apr 1829 in Jackson, GA

The fact that this marriage took place in Jackson County, GA, on 9 Dec 1811, tells us that part of the family was already in Jackson county at that early date. If Lavinia was only 16, then presumably her parents were nearby.

The 1830 US Census (above) has Vina HARRIS as head-of-household, with 8 children at home, in Subdivision 45, Jackson County, GA. In 1850 she was still in Jackson County, owner of a small farm, living with her son, Jesse M. HARRIS Jr. The 1860 US Census has her still living with her son Jesse, who had a new wife, and 2 small children. The next family listed in 1860 is that of Walton HARRIS, Vina's brother-in-law, who was a prosperous farmer.

In this extended family, it is often unclear which family a person belonged to. Below are the probable children of Jesse and Viney. There seem to be 9, but Jesse's will refers to "my eight children" so there is at least one mistake. The list should be considered tentative.

1 Jesse HARRIS b: 15 Aug 1786 in Mecklenburg, NC, d: 29 Mar 1829 in Jackson, GA
+ Lavinia "Viney" ADAMS b: 18 May 1795 in Anson, NC, m: 09 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, d: Aft. 1860 in Newtown, Jackson, GA
......2 William C. HARRIS b: 29 Apr 1812, d: 02 Feb 1875 in Jackson, GA
......2 Irma Arrenia HARRIS b: 14 Jan 1814, d: Aft. 1880
...... + John MCCARTY b: 1813 in Jackson, GA, d: Nov 1879 in Woodstock, Oglethorpe, GA
......2 George W. HARRIS b: 08 Oct 1816, d: 17 Sep 1862 in Sharpsburg, Washington, MD; killed in battle
......2 Bradley Smith HARRIS b: 01 Jan 1818, d: 04 Apr 1903 in Boyd, Wise, TX
...... + Elizabeth STEVENS b: GA
...... + Matilda E. STOKES b: 1819, m: 02 Nov 1837 in Jackson, GA
......2 Nancy D. HARRIS b: 18 Apr 1820 in Jackson, GA, d: 22 Feb 1892 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA
...... + John SIMPKINS b: 18 Nov 1816 in Johnston, NC, m: 11 Feb 1839 in Jackson, GA, d: 07 Nov 1912 in DeKalb, GA
......2 Elizabeth "Betsy" HARRIS b: 20 Sep 1822 in GA
...... + Walton D ADAMS b: 17 Jun 1825 in DeKalb, GA, m: 28 Jul 1846 in DeKalb, GA, d: 29 Sep 1898 in DeKalb, GA
......2 Jesse Madison Mack HARRIS b: 09 Sep 1825 in Jefferson, GA, d: 14 May 1905 in Greene, GA
...... + Susan (Susannah) Elizabeth STRICKLAND b: 26 May 1839 in Jackson, GA, d: 10 Jun 1893
...... + Caroline PARK b: 09 Sep 1827 in Commerce, GA, m: 16 Dec 1852 in Commerce, GA, d: 15 Aug 1857 in Jackson, GA
......2 Millie HARRIS b: 23 Jan 1828, d: 16 May 1914
......2 Levina HARRIS b: 23 Jan 1828 in Jackson, GA, d: 12 Jan 1912 in Cross Keys, De Kalb, GA
...... + Malachi Smith DONALDSON b: 1823 in Abbeville, SC, m: 23 Nov 1848 in DeKalb, GA, d: 18 Aug 1864 in Macon, Bibb, GA
...... + William B. ROBINSON b: 27 Sep 1829 in Fairfield, SC, m: 23 Apr 1867 in DeKalb, GA, d: 05 Apr 1909 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA

George W. HARRIS enlisted as a Private on 25 Feb 1862 in the 18th Georgia Infantry, Company C. He was killed at Antietam (a.k.a. the Battle of Sharpsburg), on 17 Sep 1862.

Betsy HARRIS married her 1st cousin, Walton ADAMS, son of Salathiel.

Salathiel ADAMS was born 17 Aug 1799 in Anson, NC, and died 09 Jul 1862 in Cross Keys, DeKalb, GA. He married about 1815 in Jackson, GA, to Sarah HARRIS, born 27 Sep 1800 in Greene or Jackson, GA, died 13 Sep 1895 in DeKalb, GA.

Salathiel and Sarah were my 4g-grandparents. See the Salathiel ADAMS page.

Thomas ADAMS was probably born about 1800 in Anson, NC. He married about 1825 in Jackson, GA, to Elizabeth WILSON, born about 1808 in GA. They were still living in 1860, in Milton (now Fulton), GA.

As mentioned above, it was probably Thomas who lived with his mother, Milly (MEDCALF) ADAMS, in Jackson County, GA as recorded in the 1820 US Census. By 1830, Thomas had a wife and, it seems, 2 small children. There are 2 Thomas ADAMS households in the 1830 US Census for Jackson County, and neither matches these criteria. Both households have a male in the 20-29 age group, which would be Thomas. However, there is a Thomas ADAMS household in DeKalb County, GA that fits.

By 1840 Thomas had moved his family to Cherokee County, GA. They had 3 boys and 1 girl under 5 in 1830, but only 1 boy and 1 girl in the 10-14 age group in 1840, so 2 of the boys died or left home very young.

The 1850 US Census has great value to genealogists, because it is the first to list the names, ages and birthplaces of all family members. This family of 12 was listed twice, on consecutive days. There are several slight differences between the two records.

If Thomas was the son of Milly ADAMS, and brother of John, Lavinia and Salathiel, then he was probably born in Anson, NC. However, these 1850 records say he was born in SC or GA. The 1860 Census also says GA. He was 45 or 50, but previous censuses imply that he was born between 1790 and 1800, so 1800 is my best estimate. This agrees with the 1860 Census.

Elizabeth's birth is also ambiguous. It is between 1800 and 1808, in SC or GA. All the children were born in GA, at least that much is clear. The ages of the older children agree within a year, and the younger children within 2 years, except John (13 or 17). Caroline (9) must be Margaret C (11) and Doctor (11) must be Henry S (15)?

In 1860 Thomas and Elizabeth are found in Milton County, which only existed from 1857 to 1931. Milton was formed from parts of other counties, including southeastern Cherokee, so it may be that Thomas stayed in the same place, and the boundaries moved.

1 Thomas ADAMS b: 1800 in Anson, NC, d: aft.1860 in Milton, GA (now Fulton)
+ Elizabeth WILSON b: 1808 in GA, m: 1825 in Jackson, GA, d: aft. 1860 in Milton, GA
......2 Mary E ADAMS b: 11 Apr 1827 in GA, d: 27 Mar 1892 in Henry, Houston, AL
......2 Robert W ADAMS b: 1828 in GA, d: 1877 in GA
...... + Nancy SARGEANT b: 1830 in GA, m: 21 Oct 1850 in Cherokee, GA
......2 Salathiel ADAMS b: 14 May 1831 in GA, d: 07 Jul 1903 in Milton, GA
...... + Sarah Elizabeth WRIGHT b: 1831 in GA, m: 06 Nov 1853 in Cherokee, GA, d: May 1880 in Little River, Milton, GA
......2 Nancy ADAMS b: 1832 in GA
......2 James ADAMS b: bet. 1839-1843 in GA
...... + Mary b. abt. 1839 in GA
......2 Richard ADAMS b: Abt. 1833 in GA, d: 25 Sep 1862
...... + Emeline MASSEY m: 18 Mar 1852 in Cherokee, GA
......2 John ADAMS b: 1834 in GA
......2 Henry G. "Doctor" ADAMS b: 02 Nov 1835 in Cherokee, GA, d: 13 Sep 1863 in Forsyth, GA
...... + Mary Delila Catherine POOLE b: 31 Dec 1831 in Forsyth, GA, m: 23 Nov 1856 in Forsyth, GA, d: 3 Sep 1899 in Cumming, Forsyth, GA
......2 Malinda ADAMS b: 1837 in GA
......2 Margaret Caroline ADAMS b: 1839 in GA

Thomas and Elizabeth had 6 sons and 4 daughters children in 12 years, and probably at least 2 more sons who died between 1830 and 1840. Most or all of their 6 sons enlisted in the Confederate Army.

Richard ADAMS, resident of Milton County, GA, enlisted on 6 Oct 1861, as a Private in 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company B. This regiment was also known as "Gordon's Brigade." Richard died of disease on 25 Sep 1862. He was born between 1832 and 1834, so he was about 31 when he died. He left a wife, but had no children, as of 27 Jun 1860.

(Note: There was a Richard E. ADAMS, born 19 Nov 1833, died 21 Aug 1913, married Sarah A. CLEVELAND. He lived his entire life in Elbert County, GA. Often conflated with our Richard.)

James ADAMS enlisted on 10 Apr 1862 in DeKalb County, GA.

(Note: There was also a James ADAMS, born 28 Nov 1833 in GA, died 16 Dec 1905 in Elbert, GA, married 21 Feb 1856 in Elbert, GA, to Mary Frances TEASLEY, born Jul 1836 in Hart, GA, died 01 Feb 1913 in Hartwell, Hart, GA. They are sometimes conflated with our James and Mary.)

Brothers Robert W. ADAMS and Salathiel ADAMS, residents of Milton County GA, both enlisted on 1 May 1862.

Robert W. ADAMS died in College Hospital at Lynchburg, VA in Jan 1863, and was buried there in Old City Cemetery 5 Jan 1863. His widow, Nancy, filed a CSA pension application in Fulton County, GA in 1891.

Salathiel ADAMS was a Private in 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company B, like his brother Richard. So I assume Robert was also in this unit.

Salathiel (not to be confused with his uncle Salathiel ADAMS, who died in 1862, or his cousin Salathiel ADAMS, who was killed at Vicksburg) actually survived the war. He was wounded in the Battle of Gaines' Mill, on 27 Jun 1862. His right arm was hit by a ball, between the wrist and elbow, shattering the bone. Apparently he recovered, and was injured again at the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA on 13 Dec 1862. He was taken prisoner on 19 Oct 1864 at the Battle of Cedar Creek. He was part of a prisoner exchange on 17 Mar 1865. In 1890 he applied for a disability pension, saying that his right arm was useless.

There was also a Thomas ADAMS in Company B, possibly a son of Thomas and Elizabeth, who enlisted as a Private on 6 Oct 1861, and was still on the roll for 31 Oct 1861.

References

Anson County NCGenWeb

Anson County NcArchives Court.....Inhabitants - Petition, Anson County 1768

Anson County NcArchives Military Records.....Alexander's Company, Adam 1756

Anson County NcArchives.....The Regulator Movement ANSON Co. NC

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3QTK-BX8 : accessed 2016-08-02), entry for Thomas /Adams/.

1839 map of Georgia and Alabama

Anson County, North Carolina, Genealogy Trails Website

North Carolina County Development

Historic Maps of DeKalb County, Georgia

Salathiel Adams Cemetery

Stephen Martin Cemetery

1827 GEORGIA LAND LOTTERY, DeKalb County Residents, sorted by last name

DEKALB COUNTY, GA - MILITARY INDIAN WAR

DEKALB COUNTY, GA - MILITARY Indian Wars DeKalb Capt William Ezzard Independent Guards 54th Regiment

History of the 38th Regiment of Georgia Volunteer Infantry

Updated 17 Nov 2021 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.