Thomas ADAMS

ADAMS, THOMAS (b. Norfolk Island, 1879; d. Norfolk Island, September 1935). Horticulturalist and Methodist pastor.

The elder son of Byron Adams of Pitcairn Island and his wife Edith (née McCoy) Thomas Adams m. Elsie Nobbs, granddaughter of George Hunn Nobbs (q.v.) but they had no issue. His father was one of the initial 37 members of the Norfolk Island Methodist Church which was founded in August 1884 following the arrival of the American missionary Alfred H. Phelps. Despite opposition from many to the establishment of a denomination other than the Church of England on the island, Methodism continued to gain ground and within two years the former Military Barracks building had been converted into a church which was dedicated in August 1886.

While a new church was being built in 1923 on land donated by his mother Methodist services were held in his packing shed and Adams himself gave a total of 120 work days to the project. For almost forty years Methodist ministers were sent from the mainland. However, from 1924 Adams served as acting minister, and in 1928 he was officially appointed 'Home Missionary' on £100 per annum, a position he held until his death. Despite the difficulties of the depression years the church's work progressed under his leadership. His community work was officially recognised in 1935 when he was made an MBE.

Minutes of the Methodist Church, Norfolk Island; M. Cathcart, 'Chronology of the Methodist Church, Norfolk Island, 1886-1970', PMB 122; A J Phelps, Gathering Jewels (1896)

RAYMOND NOBBS