There are several references to him among the records of Lunenburg Co. VA. He is included on two lists of tithables taken during the years 1749 and 1750, where he is indicated as either a guardian or employer for Thomas and Richard Shockley, who presumably were related to his wife, Amy SHOCKLEY. A transcript of his will appears here.
Richard ADAMS and Amy SHOCKLEY had the following children:
2 i Richard2 ADAMS ii. Mary2 ADAMS iii. James2 ADAMS 3 iv. William2 ADAMS v. Thomas2 ADAMS vi. Betsy2 ADAMS vii. Prudence2 ADAMS
2. Richard2 ADAMS (Richard1). He was granted land in the Cheraws District, 1775, which included Marlboro, Darlington, and Chesterfield Counties SC. He appears as a head of household in the 1790 census for the Cheraws District, SC.
Richard ADAMS had the following children:
i Richard3 ADAMS ii. James3 ADAMS. He was born ca. 1732 and died ca. 1783. He married Mary MONTGOMERY. iii. Jonathan3 ADAMS. iv. William3 ADAMS v. Elias3 ADAMS. He was born ca. 1757 and married Ellen HARLLEE.
3. William2 ADAMS (Richard1). He was born ca. 1740. There is a great deal of confusion among his descendants about his and his wife's first names. Several secondary sources from 1897 onward refer to him as "Jonathan" and his wife as "Mary," including a memorial stone erected in his honor in 1941. Nevertheless Anne G. Tindall, one of his descendants has been unable to find a single primary document that refer to them as "Jonathan" and "Mary." She has also found several primary documents that directly or indirectly refer to them as William and Obedience. The most important among these are an extract from some court minutes and an excerpt from his wifes' second husband Luke Robeson's will (see also deed listed under entry for his son 4. William below):
"Luke Robeson and Obedience his wife late the relict of Wm. Adams, Deceased came into Court and Prayed letters of Administration and was granted by the Court and gave Solomon Gross and Richard Leveret Bail for their performance in the Sum of Seven Hundred Pounds... " (1785 March Court Minutes Richmond County NC)
"I Luke Robeson of Marlboro District in the State of South Carolina planter... First I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Obedience Robeson... And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint My Trusty and well beloved friends and Step sons William Adams, John Adams and Shockly Adams, Executors of this my last will and Testament..." (Children named in will: Jeptha, Samuel, John, Thomas, Leggitt, Christian Chambers, William, Obedience Gibson, Sally Usery, and Mary Slay)" (Sep 7, 1812 (recorded Dec. 25, 1812) will of Luke Robeson, Apt. No. 8, Package No. 16 Marlboro County Probate Judge office, Bennettsville, SC)
In addition to this confusion about his name, secondary sources disagree about precisely where he was born. One tradition places his birth in Ireland, while another identifies his place of birth in Amelia Co. VA. In any event, he died in 1783 "within two days march of his home" according to secondary sources. He was SC Private during the Revolutionary War. He attended services at the Quaker Meeting House in Pine Grove, Marlboro Co. SC.
"[William (referred to in this work as Jonathan) ADAMS] probably came from Virginia or Pennsylvania, arrived in North Carolina in 1760. After remaining in Bladen Co. for some time, he moved on to South Carolina, and was the first Adams to make his appearance in the section of Marlsboro County known as Adamsville. Tradition states that he is a direct descendant of the Adams family of Quincy, Mass. He fought in the Revolutionary War as a Whig, and when the war ended, while returning home, died only a short distance away. He was buried between Lynch's Creek and the Pee Dee River" Pate-Adams-Newton (1958)
"Jonathan [sic] Adams was of Scotch-Irish descent-The year 1740 is given as the date of his birth and 1760 as the approximate date of his arrival in North Carolina from Ireland. He married Mary Robeson, of Bladon County. She was born in 1742 and died in 1810. She was a daughter of William Robeson and his first wife, Elizabeth. William Robeson was a member of the Convention which met at New Bern on 25 August, 1774; of the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax on 4 April, 1776; and of the Congress which assembled there on the 12th day of the following November. After the adoption of the Constitution he represented Richmond County in the General Assembly - 1789-1790. He went to Virginia and died there in 1800. (It is said he drowned attempting to cross Green Briar River)- He was the son of Peter Robeson and Sarah Farmer of Philadelphia, PA. Peter was the son of Andrew Robeson and Mary Spencer, who came from Scotland to America in 1676. Jonathan Adams finally settled in the most ...part of Marlboro County or Marlboro district of South Carolina. His home, in the vicinity of Adamsville (named in his honor) was near the place now known as the former site of the "Burnt Factory"- a cotton mill built in 1835 and destroyed by fire in 1851. He fought through the Revolutionary War as a Whig. After the struggle had ended, and when within two days march of home, he sickened and died (See History of Marlboro County, by J. A. Thomas p. 27.) He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter. The daughter married James Gibson and died soon afterwards, leaving no children. The three sons were William, Shockley, and John. So far as I know this is the first appearance in the family of the name Shockley." Notes written by his descendant, William Jackson Adams.
"Jonathan [sic] Adams (1740-83) served as a private in the South Carolina Line, from Marlboro County, SC, where he died. He was born in Ireland." There are several other entries of women claiming Jonathan [sic] Adams as their ancestor who make the same claim, but a later entry by Mrs. Vera Kirkwood Crosland states "Jonathan [sic] Adams (1740-83) served as a private in the South Carolina troops. He was born in Virginia, died in Marlboro County, S.C." (DAR entry of Mrs. Imogene Underwood Wardle (no. 96451) p. 142).
William ADAMS married Obedience -. She was born ca. 1742 and prior to her marriage lived with her parents in Bladen Co. NC. She died sometime after 1812 (the year her second husband Luke ROBESON signed a will mentioning her).
According to secondary sources (e.g. the notes written by William Jackson Adams above), Obedience (referred to as Mary) was the daughter of William ROBESON & Eliza Ann nee HARRIS and married William (referred to as Jonathan) ca. 1762 in Bennettsville, SC. This is also mistaken. Mary ROBESON, daughter of William ROBESON & Eliza Ann nee HARRIS, married - BURKE. We should note further that William and Eliza Ann nee HARRIS ROBESON's daughter Mary was born ca. _1778_, which makes it unlikely they had another daughter named Obedience born 36 years earlier (i.e. 1742).
"DEED: "This Indenture made the 27th day of July in the 16th reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third and in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six between JEREMIAH HENDRICKS of ANSON County in the province of North Carolina and planter of the one part and WILLIAM ADAMS of the SAME COUNTY and province aforesd. planter of the other part WITNESSETH that for the consideration of the sum of eighteen pounds Proc. money by the sd. William ADAMS to the sd. Jeremiah Hendricks in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged that the sd. Jeremiah Hendrick hath given granted bargained & sold and by these presents doth give grant bargain & sell unto the sd. William Adams his heirs & assigns a certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in Anson County in the province of North Carolina on the No. side of the Great Peedee River beginning at a certain stake on the No. side of Grimes fork then running No. 5 Wt.p the corner to a stake two post oaks and one pine pointer then So. 70 Wt.81 poles then So. 5 Et. to the said grimes fork then up the said Grimes' fork then up the various courses thereof of the sd. fork to the beginning it being part of a tract of land GRANTED TO JESSE WALLIS by his Majestys letter patent bearing date the 24th Day of FEBRUARY 1775 and transferred from JESSE WALLIS to sd. JEREMIAH HENDRICK and now from the sd. Hendrick to the sd. WILLIAM ADAM containing one hundred and eighty five acres more or less TO HAVE AND TO HOLD..." This deed witnessed by Jacob Cockerham, and Actor Taylor. "Anson County Sess. July Court 1779 then this deed was in open court duly proved by the oath of Jacob Cockerham a witness therunto and ordered to be registered. Test. Michael Auld." (1776 DEED; Book 7, p. 132 Anson County, NC: "JEREMIAH HENDRICKS & WIFE MARTHA TO WILLIAM ADAMS"." (Deed found by Anne G. Tindall)
After the death of her first husband, Obedience nee - ADAMS married (2) Luke ROBESON sometime between Jun 1784 and Mar 1785.
RECORD OF A DEED- "Obedance Adams witnessed the sale of land to Alexander McRae from Thomas Adams and Charity Adams in June 1784, which shows, if this is the correct Obedience, that she married Luke Robinson between June 1784 and March 1785." (Letter to Dave Rudge from Anne G. Tindall, Feb 1997)
William ADAMS and Obedience - had the following children:
4 i. William3 ADAMS 5 ii. John3 ADAMS 6 iii. Shockley3 ADAMS I 7 iv. Divinity3 ADAMS
4. William3 ADAMS (William2, Richard1). He was born ca. 1764 in Anson (now Richmond) Co. NC. He died 18 Jan 1860 and was buried at the Pine Grove Church, in Marlboro Co. SC. HereÕs a photograph of him taken shortly before his death.
"William was the eldest of the three [sons of William Adams]. He was born in that part of North Carolina which was formerly embraced in Anson county and afterwards in Richmond when its territory was diminished by the formation of Scotland. I do not know the date of his father's removal to Marlboro district. He died on 18 January, 1859, having lived more than four score and ten. He evidently inherited his father's share of devotion to his country. An obituary relates the following incident of his early life [see obit below] In Thomas's History of Marlboro County, page 111, cited above, the incident is said to have occurred in Marlboro: "...About this time a party of Tories came over from North Carolina into what was then called "Piney Grove" settlement, now Adamsville, and caught a young boy named William Adams, and demanded of him information as to the locality of certain treasure and persons. Adams knew, but determined that it would be wrong to the cause of the country and the safety of his friends to tell what the foe desired to know. They tried to frighten him. Finally a cord was procured, but Adams was firm. Around his neck they tied it, but no disclosure would he make. The cord was thrown over a limb, and he was drawn up and choked, and let down again and ordered to speak. Still, not a word of information could they extort from his lips. The second time his feet were drawn from the earth. Again they let him down and told him this was his last chance for life. Speak the word and life was his; refuse and hang 'til dead. Firmly he stood. To die was better than to live under a burden of shame. Once more the cruel gang drew him up, tied the cord and went off and left him hanging. Fortunately for him and for Marlboro, too, his mother came along in time to let him down before the life was extinct, and he lived to raise a large family of excellent people, and today a host of young and old people are proud to have descended from him. He was buried at Pine Grove Church, near Adamsville.' William Adams was married four times. His first wife was Mary Marine; the second was Julia Bullard; the third Elizabeth Gibson, a daughter of Nelson Gibson sr., and the third [sic] Patty Easterling." Notes written by Uncle William Jackson Adams.
DEED: "This Indenture made this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six Between William Adams of Marlborough County state of South Carolina Miller of the one part and Alex.(r) McRae of the State of North Carolina and Richmond County of the other part (Wherefore that) for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds Current money of North Carolin in hand paid by said Alex.(r) McRae to me the said Wm. Adams the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted Bargained and Sold and by these presents doth give grant Bargain and sell... convey and confirm unto the said Alex.(r) McRae a certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Richmond formerly Anson County in the State of North Carolina on the East side of the Great Peedee River on the waters of Mountain Creek Beginning at a certain stake on the north side of the run known by the name grimes fork then running North West to the corner to a stake two post oaks and one pine pointers then South & 5 west/48 poles to a stake two post oaks and one pine pointer then 70 W 81 poles then So. Et. to the said grimes fork then up the said fork the various courses thereof to the first station it being part of a tract of land GRANTED TO JESSE (GEORGE) WALLIS by patent bearing date the 24th Day of Febry 1775 and FROM JESSE (GEORGE) WALLIS conveyed TO JEREMIAH HENDRICKS and FROM J. HENDRICKS TO WM. ADAMS BY DEED bearing date the 27th Day of July 1776 and FROM him the said WM. ADAMS TO WM. ADAMS JUNIOR HEIR AT LAW- the same containing one hundred and eighty five acres..." The the written deed was duly proved in open court (Jan. Session 1796) by the oath of Jonathan Marine a subscribing witness thereto order to be registered." (1796 DEED; Book C, p. 507 Richmond County, NC: "William Adams to Alex.(r) McRae". (Deed found by Anne G. Tindall)
He first married Mary MARINE, ca. 1793. He second married Julia BULLARD, on 18 Aug 1813 in Marlboro, Marlboro Co. South Carolina. He third married Elizabeth GIBSON, daughter of Elisha GIBSON & Nancy -----, ca. 1825 in Robinson, North Carolina. [Record of marriage freom reference to LDS submitted record (batch F504551 sheet 35, source 1553273).] He fourth married Martha Patsy EASTERLING.
OBITUARY:"MR. WILLIAM ADAMS SEN. died near Adamsville, MarlboroÕ Dist. S.C. on 18th Jan. at the extreme age of nearly 100 years. He was born in Richmond co. N.C. (at which time is not known), but removed to MarlboroÕ about the close of the Revolutionary War when about 19 years old. He retained to the last a very distinct recollection of some of the events of the Revolution. One, being of a personal character, is here presented. A party of Tories passing along through Richmond co., in those lawless times, encountered young Adams in the road. He was sitting astride of his dog, so as to keep him from attacking the party. As they rode up, they asked him to tell them where a certain Whig was concealed in the neighborhood. He told them he knew nothing about the man and perhaps said it rather too saucily, for the exasperated feelings of the lawless banditti. For they told him to let the dog go, which he refused to do, and one of them very artfully threw a rope over the youngsterÕs neck and separated him from his dog, and swung the boy up to a limb, where his life soon would have ended, but for the timely interposition of his mother, who cut the rope before life was entirely extinct. As a man, he was remarkable for his industrious habits and unyielding integrity; always ready in every available way to promote the peace of the community and the interest of the Church. For many years he worshiped with the Quakers; though I do not know that he ever was formally connected with them. In Oct. 1842, he joined the M.E. Church, at Pine Grove, and was baptized at the same time, with one of his sons, who is now travelling in an adjoining Conference. His piety, though not very brilliant, was deep and uniform, and shown with a beautiful simplicity in all the relations of life. For the last few years of his life, he was much afflicted; and for over twelve months before his death he was entirely blind. But in the midst of the afflictions of life, his trust was in his Saviour, and when the time came for his departure, he was ready with Òlamp trimmed and burning.Ó The change came: he is gone. God bless his numerous descendants, and help them to follow him as he followed Christ. B.J.A." [Southern Christian Advocate, 12 Apr 1860]
"There is a marker at the old "Piney Grove" church, located near the Fletcher Memorial School, between Gibson, NC and McColl, SC, erected in 1941 by the Saturday Afternoon Book Club, which has an inscription reading as follows- WILLIAM ADAMS Born 1764 - Died 1855, A Revolutionary hero who at the age of 10, refused to give information of hidden treasure and persons to the Tories, son of Jonathan and Mary Robeson Adams, who were the first Adams to set foot on Marlboro County soil." (Pate-Adams-Newton) [Note that the year of death is incorrect-his son John P. Adams in a will dated 10 May 1858 and recorded 29 Nov 1858 refers to his father as being alive, a later petition dated 20 Jan 1860 by the executor of this will, Giles Newton specifically refers to William ADAMS as being deceased.]
William ADAMS and Mary MARINE had the following children:
8 i. Jonathan4 ADAMS II 9 ii. John P.4 ADAMS 10 iii. William B.4 ADAMS 11 iv. Hannah4 ADAMS 12 v. Mary4 ADAMS 13 vi. Obedience4 ADAMS
William ADAMS and Julia BULLARD had the following children:
14 i. Robertson4 ADAMS 15 ii. Jackson4 ADAMS 16 iii. Jeptha4 ADAMS 17 iv. Julia4 ADAMS 18 v. Martha Ann4 ADAMS
William ADAMS and Elizabeth GIBSON had the following children:
19 i. Shockley Dodley4 ADAMS 20 ii. Wyatt4 ADAMS
5. John3 ADAMS (William2, Richard1). He was born ca. 1767. He died on 5 May 1840. He married Celia COOK ca. 1794. They were Quakers.
6. Shockley3 ADAMS I (William2, Richard1). He was born ca. 1770. He died on 3 Oct 1834. He married Isabelle MCRAE, who was born in 1781 and died on 11 Mar 1872.
7. Divinity3 ADAMS (William2, Richard1). She was born ca. 1772. She married James GIBSON, son of Thomas GIBSON & Agnes WILLIAMS. Divinity ADAMS and James GIBSON had the following children:
21 i. Shockley Adams4 GIBSON
8. Jonathan4 ADAMS II (William3, William2, Richard1). He married Mary BRIGHT. They had the following children:
22 i. Rev. Andrew5 ADAMS
9. John P.4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He married Julia NEWTON. They had at least 14 children, including the following:
23 i. Ann5 ADAMS 24 ii. Andrew Jackson5 ADAMS
10. William B.4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He married twice, first to Sallie FLETCHER and second to Sallie NEWTON.
11. Hannah4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). She married William NEWTON on 25 Jul 1812.
12. Mary4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). She married Robert PEELE.
13. Obedience4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). According to tradition, she married Shadrack EASTERLING.
Larry Cates, a genealogist researching the Bright family, has uncovered the following information suggesting that Obedience ADAMS married Bassett C. BRIGHT on 26 Mar 1818 in Marlboro Co. SC. [Whether this represents a second marriage is unclear.]
DEED RECORD: DB L, p. 40. Marlborough Dist, State of South Carolina, 25 Nov 1845, I, William Adams, Sr., of Marlborough District, State of South Carolina, give my worthy and true friend, Nelson Gibson of Fayette Co., GA, a negro woman Absey, and her child Margaret in trust for my daughter Beady Bright, wife of Bassett Bright, to have possession with sole and separate use and free from the control of her husband. w/ L.M. Cobb, JP, James E. Daniel, William Adams, John W. Hill. (Henry Co. Deed Book)
This pair apparently migrated to Henry Co. GA ca. 1824-26 and raised a family that is included in the 1850 Henry Co. GA census, page 220:
CENSUS RECORD: B.C. Bright male age 52 born SC, B. Bright female age 52 born SC, J.C. Bright male age 21 born SC, B.C. Bright male age 18 born SC, W.J. Bright male age 16 born GA, M. Bright female age 15 born GA, J.M. Bright female age 8 born GA (Henry Co. Census for 1850, p. 220; ["B. Bright is short for "Beady Bright", a nickname for Obedience.]).
Anyone interested in corresponding with Julie re. the Bright family or this theory regarding Obedience nee ADAMS (EASTERLING?) BRIGHT is welcome to contact Julie Bright at: jbright@capecod.net.
14. Robertson4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He married Betsy FLETCHER.
15. Jackson4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He married Martha EASTERLING.
16. Jeptha4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He married Annie FLETCHER.
17. Julia4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). She married Bill LEGGETT.
18. Martha Ann4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). She married Matthew MCNAIR.
19. Shockley Dodley4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 23 Jul 1829 in Adamsville, Marlboro Co., SC. He died on 12 Feb 1894 in Weldon, Moore Co. NC and was buried at the Old Methodist Church, Carthage, Moore Co. NC. A transcript of his will appears here. He was a Methodist Preacher and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Here is a portrait of the Rev. Shockley Dodley Adams.
"My father, Shockley D. Adams, was a son of William Adams and Elizabeth Gibson. He had one brother, Wyatt Adams, and a number of half brothers and half sisters. He was the older of the two brothers. He was born in Marlboro County, South Carolina, July 23, 1829; joined the Methodist Church was his father November 3, 1842; was licensed to preach October 26, 1850; was received on trial in the North Carolina Conference at Louisberg in October 1852; was ordained deacon by Bishop George F. Pierce at Pittsboro November 5, 1854 and elder by Bishop Early at Greensboro November 16, 1856. He served the following charges: 1852, Bladen Circuit, a junior preacher with Rev. J. B. Martin; 1853 Deep River Circuit; 1854-'55 Carthage Circuit; 1856 Mocksville Circuit; 1857-'58 Davidson Circuit; 1859-'60 Rockingham Circuit; 1861-'62 Haw River Circuit; 1863-'64 Carthage Circuit; 1865-'66 Rockingham Circuit; 1867-'70 Presiding Elder of the Fayetteville district; 1871-'3 Presiding eld. of the Washington district; 1874-'75 Presiding Elder of the Fayetteville District; 1876-'78 Greensboro Station; 1879-'80 Presiding Elder of the Hillsborough District; 1881-'84 Presiding Elder of the Raleigh District; 1885-1888 Presiding Elder of the Fayetteville District; 1889-'90, Presiding Elder of the Greensboro district; 1891..." Notes written by William Jackson Adams.
Shockley Dodley first married Martha FLETCHER, daughter of Joshua FLETCHER & Nancy SMITH. She was born on 23 Feb 1831 in NC and died on 4 Aug 1854.
OBITUARY:"DIED... At Carthage, on Friday the 4th August, 1854, Mrs. MARTHA ADAMS, wife of Rev. S. D. Adams, in the 25th year of her age. She was a strict member of the M.E. Church, and died happy- COM." (7 Aug 1854 The Fayetteville Observer p. 3).
Shockley Dodley second married Mary Emaline JACKSON. She died 20 on Apr 1920 and was buried at the Old Methodist Church, Carthage, Moore Co. NC.
OBITUARY -"REV. S. D. ADAMS. THIS NOBEL SERVANT OF THE LORD CALLED SUDDENLY AWAY. This community was greatly shocked Monday when it was learned that Rev. S. D. Adams, Presiding Elder of the Warrenton district had suddenly fallen asleep at the residence of W. T. Whitfield. The decease had been sick for some days, but was up and about his room a few hours before the summons came. Mr. Adams was one of the best known and most beloved of the ministers of the North Carolina Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, having joined the Conference in 1852. He was about 65 years of age, and during his forty-two years in the ministry he was earnest, zealous and prompt in his work in the Lord's vineyard, and though his form we shall no longer see in our midst, his influence will live on forever in the hearts of his people. His death is a great loss to the church which he loved and the flock over which he presided. Appropriate services were held at the residence of Mr. Whitfield Tuesday morning. Rev. R. P. Troy read a lesson from the 4th chapter Second Timothy, after which that dear old hymn "Sweet Bye and Bye" was sweetly sung. Then, followed an earnest prayer by Rev. Z. T. Harrison of Garysburg. Rev. Troy then made some feeling remarks and appealed to those present to always be ready when the summons comes. Mr. Adams' life had been consecrated to the work in which he was engaged and when he realized that his departure was near at hand he said "Glory, glory, I am ready, I have no preparation to make. Tell my wife it is all right." And then the spark of life went out without a struggle. Mrs. Adams was at Carthage at the time of his death. One of his sons, Mr. W. J. Adams, came down Tuesday morning and accompanied the remains of his father to his late home at Carthage where he was tenderly laid to rest yesterday. It appears that some days before his death he realized that the time of his departure was not very far off, and as he conducted family worship at the home of Mr. Whitfield, for the last time Sunday night, he selected these words from the 4th chapter of Second Timothy: 'For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a... Mr. H. B. Adams of Monroe and Mrs. J. D. Creech of Raleigh, attended the funeral of their father, Rev. S. D. Adams last Wednesday. The family of the late Rev. S. D. Adams desire to thank the people of this community for their kindness and their expressions of sympathy and respect in their time of bereavement" Funeral announcement "Funeral of S. D. Adams. WELDON, NC, February 13.-Special. The remains of the late Rev. S. D. Adams were taken to his home at Carthage to-day, where they will be tenderly laid to rest to-marrow morning at 11 o'clock. A beautiful and appropriate service was held at the residence of Mr. W. T. Whitfield this morning, before the body was taken to the depot. The pastor of the Methodist church here, Rev. R. P. Troy, made some feeling remarks, and a fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Harrison, of Garysburg. Mr. W. J. Adams, a son of the deceased, came down from Carthage to accompany the remains of his father to their final resting place. Mrs. Adams was at Carthage at the time of the death of her husband, and was unable to reach him here in time to see him alive. His last message, however, was consoling. He said to those around him: 'Tell my wife it is all right. I have no preparation to make. I am ready. Glory, glory.' His end was peace." 2nd obituary "Rev. S. D. Adams, grandfather of Mrs. W. C. Houston, of Concord, died suddenly at Weldon Monday of heart failure. He was 64 years old and had been in the ministry 42 years. He was one of the best known Methodist ministers... was Presiding Elder of the Warrenton district." [The Times (Concord, NC), 15 Feb 1894]
OBITUARY:"MRS. MARY E. ADAMS. Mrs. Mary E. Adams, widow of the late Rev. S. D. Adams, died Monday at her home in Carthage, aged 87 years. She was the mother of Mrs. Ida Bryan, Frank C. Adams, Judge W. J. Adams of Carthage and Mrs. J. A. Creech of Portsmouth. Her husband for many years was a presiding elder in the Methodist church. She was an active church worker, and the high esteem in which she was held by members of her church is evidenced by the fact that one of the auxilliaries of the church bears her name. Mrs. Adams was a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of this section. She was the daughter of Col. William and Jane Clark Jackson. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Carthage Methodist church, at 4:00 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Geo. W. Perry preached the sermon." (22 Apr 1920 Moore County News p. 1)
Shockley Dodley ADAMS and Martha FLETCHER had the following children:
25 i. Henry Bethune5 ADAMS 26 ii. Bettie5 ADAMS
Shockley Dodley ADAMS and Mary Emaline JACKSON had the following children:
27 i. Ida Jane5 ADAMS 28 ii. Franklin Clark5 ADAMS 29 iii. Mamie J.5 ADAMS 30 iv. William Jackson5 ADAM
Here's a photograph of a family reunion held ca. 1952 in Fayetteville, NC by Shockley Dodley Adams' descendants.
20. Wyatt4 ADAMS (William3, William2, Richard1). He first married Martha Ann HASTY. He second married Nancy LEGGETT.
21. Shockley Adams4 GIBSON (Divinity2ADAMS, William2, Richard1). He married Elizabeth PATTERSON.
22. Rev. Andrew5 ADAMS (Jonathan4, William3, William2, Richard1). He married Margaret SMITH.
23. Ann5 ADAMS (John P.4, William3, William2, Richard1). She married Travis PATE. They had the following children:
31 i. John A.6 PATE
24. Andrew Jackson5 ADAMS (John P.4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 7 June 1827 and died on 27 December 1879. He married Elizabeth Gibson NEWTON, who was born on 11 February 1829 and died on 19 August 1890.
25. Henry Bethune5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 26 Jan 1849 in Marlboro Co., SC. He died on 27 Apr 1915 in Monroe, Union Co. NC and was buried on 29 Apr 1915 in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. A transcript of his will appears here. He went to school at Trinity College (now Duke University) became an attorney and later served as a state representative. He was a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Monroe NC. He was also a member of the Knights Templar, a Masonic order. Here's a photograph of him. Here's a photograph of him taken later.
He married Fannie PERSON, daughter of Murdoch B. PERSON & Lydia Josephine BRUCE, on 24 Apr 1872. She was born on 31 Dec 1850 in Carthage, Moore Co. NC. She died on 20 Mar 1919 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC and was buried on 22 Mar 1919 in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. She was a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Monroe NC and served as church organist. Here's a photograph of her, another, another, and another.
MARRIAGE NOTICE: "MARRIED. In this City, at the residence of Maj. C. Dowd, on the 24th inst., by the Rev. L. S. Burkhead, H. B. Adams, Esq. of Monroe, and Miss Fannie Person." (30 Apr 1872 The Charlotte Democrat p. 3); SECOND MARRIAGE NOTICE: "MARRIED. In this City, at the residence of Maj. C. Dowd, on the 24th inst., by the Rev. L. S. Burkhead, H. B. Adams, Esq. of Monroe, and Miss Fannie Person." (30 Apr 1872 Western Democrat [Charlotte, NC] p. 3)
Here's a photograph of Henry Adams, his wife, children and two grandchildren.
FIRST OBITUARY - "MONROE, N.C. TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1915. MR. HENRY B. ADAMS DIED LAST NIGHT. Prominent Attorney Who Had Been in Bad Health for a Long Time Passed Peacefully Away at One O'Clock This Morning--Funeral To-marrow Afternoon--One of the Best Loved Citizens of Monroe--Had Practiced Law in Monroe for More Than Forty Years. Mr. Henry B. Adams died at his home this morning at one o'clock. While his death cannot be said to have been a surprise, the end was not expected so soon. He had been suffering for a long time with hardening of the arteries, and as long ago as last January he told his family that his mind was at perfect peace, and that he had turned the whole matter over to God. And he died as a Christian philosopher. He was conscious to the last. Not for one moment during the weeks and months he looked upon death as probable at any hour did he show the least disturbance of mind. As far as his health permitted he went about his usual affairs as calmly as if he might be expecting to live many years. He was neither despondent nor hopeless on the one hand nor indifferent on the other. He was simply calm and surrendered to the logic of the situation without a murmur. As his body lies now in repose, dressed in the uniform of a Knight Templar awaiting burial, the features are as peaceful and all but as natural as in life. It is a perfect illustration of the idea expressed by the Hebrew seer-"Oh Death! where is thy sting?" The man who can go down to death like that has achieved a victory of victories. The funeral will be held at the home tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock. Dr. J. C. Rowe and Rev. J. E. Abernathy will conduct the religious service and the Masons will have charge, with the Knights Templar as an escort. The deceased is survived by his wife and six children, all of whom were at his bedside at the last. The daughters were Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord, Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Miss Pat Adams of Monroe; the sons C. B. Adams, H. B. Adams, Jr., and Dr. Ray Adams.. His aged step-mother survives. His two half brothers are Judge W. J. Adams and Mr. Frank Adams of Carthage. Mrs. Bettie Stewart of Carthage is a full sister. Mrs. Ida Brown of the same place and Mrs. J. D. Creech of Portsmouth, are his half sisters. Long and Useful Life. Mr. Adams was the dean of the Monroe bar, both in point of age and length of practice. He began the practice here [Monroe, NC] in January, 1872. In all the forty-three years of his practice he followed the law exclusively. He engaged in no other business and though at one time his friends supported him loyally for Congress and almost won the nomination for him, and later for Judge, where he lacked only a small margin of winning, his mind never really diverted from the law. His close study and conscientious practice of the law won the utmost confidence in his judgement and fidelity to trust. He practiced for many years with the late D. A. Covington, and the firm of Covington & Adams carried with the name such a reputation of strength, resource and probity that it lasted long after the partnership ceased to exist. For several years he has practiced with Mr. Frank Armfield and his son, Mr. Hal Adams. Mr. Adams was the son of the Rev. Shockly D. Adams, and was born in Marlboro county, South Carolina, January 26, 1849. His father entered the North Carolina Conference when he was three years old, and his mother died in Carthage when he was about four years old. After the death of his mother he lived with his uncle in Marlboro, going to county schools, working on the farm, and going to the preparatory schools in reach. He entered Trinity College [later Duke University] and graduated in 1870. He then studied law under Jas. D. Molver and secured license to practice in 1871, locating to Monroe in January of the next year. In April of the same year he married Miss Fannie Person, a step-daughter of Hon. Clem. Dowd of Charlotte. He early secured the confidence of the people of the county and in 1884 they sent him to the General Assembly, and in 1886 to the Senate from this district. Whatever tokens of honor that came to him, and they were many, came voluntarily. He . He never sought "to stand in" with anything or anybody except so far as a general disposition and an upright character drew friends and admiration to him. He was absolutely unassuming, and of striking appearance, he was as modest, gentle, and approachable as any man. Mr. Adams was a great believer in the fraternal orders and had long been a loyal member of the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Pythias and the Masons. He was once supreme regent for the State in the Royal Arcanum. He held perhaps every office in e in local Masonry from the blue lodge to the Knights Templar, and was a Shriner. For years he was regularly elected chairman of the orphans committee in the local lodge. In this capacity each year he made a special collection for the Oxford orphanage just as certain as Thanksgiving day came. This became such a habit with him that many persons who did not belong to the Masons made sure to have a dollar ready for him on that day. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist church." (27 Apr 1915 The Monroe Journal, p. 1); SECOND OBITUARY: "HON. H. B. ADAMS DEAD. Death Occurred This Morning at His Home in Monroe. Hon. H. B. Adams died this morning at 4 o'clock at his home in Monroe. News of his death was received in a message to his son-in-law, Dr. W. C. Houston. Mr. Adams death was due to heart disease and his condition has been critical for several days. Dr. and Mrs. Houston spent Sunday with him, Dr. Houston returning yesterday. Dr. Hugh Adams, of New Jersey, also arrived at Monroe Sunday and with Mrs. Houston, Mrs. Rudge, and Mr. H. B. Adams, Jr., were with their father when the end came. He was a frequent visitor to Concord and was held in high esteem. Mr. Adams was the son of Rev. S. D. Adams, a member of the North Carolina Methodist Conference. His mother, who died when he was at the early age of about four years, was Martha Fletcher. Henry was born in Marlboro County (then District), near Adamsville, in South Carolina, on the 26th day of January, 1849. When he was about three years of age, his father entered the itinerent ministry as a member of the North Carolina Conference. After the death of his mother, at Carthage, he went to his uncle's in Marlboro, S. C., where he spent his time for a few years in going to the common schools and working on the farm. He spent some time in the academies of the neighborhood of his uncle's during the war, and after the war was at Spring Hill Academy in Richmond, N.C. under the tutorage of John Monroe Johnson. In 1867 he entered Trinity College, N. C., where he remained until he graduated in 1870. After leaving college he studied law with Jas. D. MsIver, who afterward became solicitor of the fourth judicial district. He was licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in June 1871. In January 1872, he located at Monroe, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In April of that year he was married to Miss Fannie Person. Six children equally divided between the sexes, are the result of the marriage. In 1884 Mr. Adams was elected a member of the General Assembly, where he served with great acceptability. He was in 1886 chosen to go to the State Senate from Union and Anson counties, composing the 27th senatorial district." (27 Apr 1915 The Daily Concord Tribune p. 1; this same obituary appears in 29 Apr 1915 The Concord Times p. 1); THIRD OBITUARY: "MR. HENRY B. ADAMS. Prominent Monroe Lawyer, Well Known in Charlotte, Passes Away. Mr. Henry B. Adams, prominent lawyer of Monroe, of law firm Adams, Armfield & Adams, died at his residence in Monroe aged 65 yesterday morning at 1 o 'clock after a brief confinement at his home of only a few days of heart disease. He had been a sufferer for years with rheumatism. Mr. Adams located in Monroe about 1871 and soon after married Mrs. Fannie Person, a step daughter of the late Maj. C. Dowd of this city. He is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord, Dr. Ray Adams, now connected with a hospital in New Jersey; Mrs. C. B. Adams, cashier of the Merchants and Farmers' Bank of Monroe; Mr. Hal Adams; Mrs. W. J. Rudge, and Miss Martha Adams of Monroe. He was past eminent commander of Malta Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar of Monroe, a prominent member of Monroe chapter No. 64 R. A. M. of Monroe, past master of Monroe Lodge No. 244 A. F. and A. M. Past grand regent of the Royal Arcanum and past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias and a member of Oasis Temple, A.O.N.M.S. For a number of years a leading member of Central Methodist Church of Monroe. His father, the Rev. Shockley D. Adams was for years a prominent member of the old North Carolina Conference. Funeral will take place this afternoon at Monroe conducted by his pastor, Rev. M. Abernathy. The services at the grave will be in charge of Monroe Lodge No. 244, assisted by Malta Commandery No. 19. A number of friends will attend from Charlotte." (28 Apr 1915 Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) p. 6)
FIRST OBITUARY -"MRS. ADAMS DIES AT HOME OF DAUGHTER IN CONCORD. Had Been in Ill Health For Several Years-Was Native of Monroe County-Funeral Service at House on Washington St. Tomorrow Morning. Mrs. Fannie Person Adams, widow of the late Hon. Henry B. Adams, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. C. Houston, in Concord at 1:15 yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Adams had been in failing health for some time and since Sunday she had been in a state of coma. Her children were at her bedside when the end came. Mrs. Adams was born in Carthage, Moore county, December 31, 1850, and therefore was in her 68th year. Her maiden name was Miss Fannie Person. Her girlhood days were spent in Charlotte where she attended the Presbyterian college. Before she went to Charlotte she attended the old Edgewood college [Edgeworth Female Academy] in Greensboro. On April 24, 1872, she was married to the late Hon. H. B. Adams, for years one of the most prominent members of the Monroe bar and one of the city's public spirited citizens. To this union six children survive. They are Mrs. W. J. Rudge, Miss Pat Adams, Mr. Hal B. Adams and Mr. C. B. Adams of Monroe, Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord and Dr. Ray Adams of Raleigh. The following half- brothersand sisters also survive: Miss Ella Dowd, Miss Matti Dowd, Mrs. W. F. Harding and Herman Dowd of Charlotte, Prof. Jerome Dowd of the University of Oklahoma, and Mrs. F. K. Bryan of Memphis, Tenn. Willis Bruce Dowd, another half-brother, died in New York City last April. Mrs. Adams was a member of the Methodist Church and for years was president of the Womens Missionary Society of Central Methodist Church. She was a woman of the highest type of character and of a sweet lovable disposition. She was a lady of culture and refinement andall whom she met felt her influence. The body was brought to Monroe from Concord through the country this mornng. Funeral services will be conducted from the home on Washington street at ten o'clock in the morning. Rev. H. H. Jordan, pastor of the Central Methodist church, assisted by other ministers, will conduct the service. Interment will be in the cemetery here." (The Monroe Journal 21 Mar 1919, p. 1); SECOND OBITUARY: "Mrs. Fannie Person Adams, widow of the late Henry B. Adams, of Monroe, is dead. Brief mention of that fact was made in Thursday's issue of The Enquirer, the news coming from Concord, where she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.C. Houston, too late for more than a mere mention in that issue. Mrs. Adams was born in Carthage December 31, 1850, and she was therefore a little over 68 years old. Mrs. Adams' father died when she was a very small girl. Her mother's second marriage was to Hon. Clement Dowd, of Charlotte, and her girlhood was spent in Charlotte. She was educated at the Presbyterian College, Charlotte, and at the Edgeworth College, Greensboro. She married Mr. Adams April 24, 1872, and they came to Monroe to make their home, Mr. Adams being an attorney-at-law. He grew into a prominent lawyer and was at the time of his death nearly four years ago, one of the finest attorneys in the State. Surviving Mrs. Adams are three sons and three daughters. The sons are Mr. C. Bruce Adams of Monroe, Dr. R. K. Adams, of Raleigh, and Mr. H. B. Adams, of Monroe. The daughters are Mrs. W.C. Houston, of Concord; Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Miss Martha Fletcher Adams, of Monroe. The following half brothers and sisters survive: Miss Ella Dowd, Miss Mat Dowd, Mrs. W. F. Harding and Herman Dowd, of Charlotte; Prof. Jerome Dowd, of the University of Oklahoma, and Mrs. E. K. Bryan, of Memphis, Tnn. Willis Bruce Dowd, another half-brother, died in New York city last April. She also leaves six grandchildren: William Jerome and Fannie Person Rudge, Henry B. Adams, Martha, Frances and Cyrus Bruce Adams. Mrs. Adams was a member of the Methodist church. She was a devoted Christian and hers was of that tender and sympathetic disposition and nobility of character that made and kept friends. Her mind, bright and cultivated, made her attractive among the cultured and the educated and her sweetness of disposition, her kindness of heart and gentleness of nature made her the friend and helper of those in themore lowly walks of life. Her charity and genuine sympathy made her the friend of the distressed and the needy. She will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned. The body of Mrs. Adams was brought here Friday afternoon and was taken to her home on Washington street. Funreal [sic] was held at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, Dr. J. C. Rowe, presiding elder of Salisbury district, and Rev. H. H. Jordan, pastor of Central Methodist church, conducting service. A large congregation attended and many beautiful flowers were laid upon her grave." (Monroe Enquirer 1918); THIRD OBITUARY: "DEATH OF MRS. H. B. ADAMS. This Good Woman Died Here Today Shortly After One O'clock. Mrs. Fannie Adams, widow of the late Hon. Henry B. Adams of Monroe, died here today shortly after 1 o'clock. She had been in failing health for several years, and since Sunday night last had been in a state of coma. Mrs. Adams was 65 years of age. All her sons and daughters were at her bedside when the end came. The body will be taken to Monroe tomorrow morning for interment. Owing to the fact that Mrs. Adams death occurred only a short while before we went to press, we are unable to give any further facts in this issue. A more extended notice of her life will appear in our next." (20 Mar 1919 The Concord Daily Tribune p. 1)"; FOURTH OBITUARY: "MRS. ADAMS DIES AT HOME OF DAUGHTER IN CONCORD. Resided at Monroe and Was Wife of Late Henry B. Adams, Prominent Attorney. Mrs. Fannie Person Adams, formerly of Charlotte and widow of Henry B. Adams, died yesterday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock a the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. Cyrus Houston, in Concord. Before her marriage Mrs. Adams was Miss Fannie Person, daughter of the late Mrs. Lydia F. Dowd by her first husband. She was the stepdaughter of the late Clement Dowd. She spent her girlhood in Charlotte and attended school at the Presbyterian college. Before moving here she was a pupil at the old Edgeworth college of Greensboro. Mrs. Adams was born in Carthage, Moore county, December 31, 1850 and was, therefore, in her 68th year. She was married April 24, 1872, to Henry B. Adams, who became prominent as a lawyer and public spirited citizen in Monroe and throughout this section of the country. He was a half-brother of Judge W. J. Adams. Mrs. Adams was a woman of sweet, gentle, lovable nature. She was recognized as a Christian of the purest type, and was closely identified with the religious life of the community in which she lived, and for many years was president of the missionary society of the Methodist church of Monroe. She was president of the first book club formed in Monroe. Surviving her are six children: Mrs. W. Cyrus Houston of Concord, Mrs. W. J. Rudge, C. Bruce Adams, Hal B. Adams, and Miss Martha Fletcher Adams, of Monroe, and Dr. Rayford Adams, of Raleigh. The following half-brothers and sisters also survive: Miss Ella Dowd, Miss Matt Dowd, Mrs. W. F. Harding and Herman Dowd, of Charlotte; Prof. Jerome Dowd, of the University of Oklahoma, and Mrs. E. K. Bryan, of Memphis, Tenn. Willis Bruce Dowd, another half-brother, died in New York city last April. She also leaves six grandchildren: William Jerome and Fannie Person Rudge, Henry B. Adams, Martha Adams, Frances and Cyrus Bruce Adams. Funeral services will be conducted at the Adams' home in Monroe tomorrow morning at 10 oÕclock." (21 Mar 1919 Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) p. 10)
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - "FAMILY PRESENTS ADAMS MEMORIAL. Beautiful Baptismal Font Given By Sons and Daughters In Honor of Their Parents. The sons and daughters of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Adams have presented a beautiful baptismal font to the Methodist Church in memory of their parents, devoted members of the church for many years. Mr. Adams, a son of the Rev. Shockley D. Adams, one of the most influential and beloved ministers of the Methodist church in his day, and during his long life as a lawyer Mr. Adams never lost his love and devotion to the church he was born and spent his life. And Mrs. Adams, through her family and her own love was equally devoted to the church. A memorial to them is therefore attested with a special fitness and appropriateness.. The font is chiseled from Italian marble and is the work of a well known artist. It is a very beautiful work of art. The font stands 43 inches high. The square base is 24 inches and the bowl is 20 inches in diameter. From the base rises a column, ornamented with leaves of lilies, supporting a wreath of lilies, on which rests the bowl. On the outer rim of the bowl, these words are etched 'In Memory of Henry B. and Fannie Person Adams.' The font was presented to the church at the Sunday morning service on behalf of the family by Dr. Weaver, the retiring pastor. It came to the congregation as a surprise. Dr. Weaver called the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Adams to assist in the unveiling, and Mr. R. B. Redwine, chairman of the board of trustees, accepted the gift. In doing so he gave a fitting tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Adams, speaking from an intimate and long friendship with them. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, all of whom joined in the gift, are Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord, Mrs. W. J. Rudge, Miss Pat Adams, Mr. C. B. Adams, and Dr. Ray Adams of the State Hospital." (28 Oct 1924)
Henry Bethune ADAMS and Fannie PERSON had the following children:
32 i. Nina Person6 ADAMS 33 ii. Ethel Josephine6 ADAMS 34 iii. Clement Bruce6 ADAMS 35 iv. Henry Bethune6 ADAMS Jr. 36 v. Martha Fletcher6 ADAMS 37 vi. Rayford Kennedy6 ADAMS
26. Bettie5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She was born on 26 Feb 1851 in Marlboro Co., SC. She died on 23 Nov 1923 and was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Carthage, NC. She was a member of the Carthage Methodist Church.
She married William James5 STUART of Robeson, NC, on 1 Jul 1869. He was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Carthage, NC. He was the first superintendent of Moore Co. Schools.
OBITUARY - "Mrs. Bettie Adams Stuart 1851-1923. AN APPRECIATION. Paul, in writing the Corinthians, symbolized their lives in these impressive words: 'Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but in the fleshy tables of the heart.' What a beautiful letter from Christ has been Mrs. Stuart during the long life she lived, so expressive of His church and community! 'Known and read of all men," in her quiet and unassuming way she has commended Christ to those in sorrow and in sickness as the Friend who never faileth. For years I knew her as a nearby neighbor; and can testify of her unfailing sympathy and good works, for she was always among the first where sickness or sorrow was in the neighborhood, to help and comfort, as the need might be. Of a bright and happy disposition, she always brought cheer and comfort wherever she went. "An epistle written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God," she lived a life which reflected the light of her Lord and Saviour, in whom she had implicit trust. She had her share of sorrows and afflictions of life, being left motherless when a child, a widow for thirty-six years, having lost her husband and two children; yet through it all she trusted in God, bravely faced the future with the love of God in her heart and a smile on her face,-her life was a living testimony to the sustaining grace of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World. Mrs. Stuart was faithful to every church duty. She loved her church, she loved the services of the church; and nothing but necessity could keep her from the house of God at the hour of worship. She was deeply interested in all the churches of the community, attending their services when there were no services in her own church. Probably she was more interested in the orphans than in any other cause of the church. Just a few days before her death she put away a sum for the orphans which was a real self-denial on her part. Her sympathy for the orphans was enlarged, no doubt, through her own years of experience in which she found that the goodness of God never faileth. Mrs. Stuart was an epistle of Christ in her home; for she was the mother of one of the sweetest Christian homes it has been my pleasure to know. Her motherhood was enriched and enlarged by the spirit of the living God in her heart, which brought forth in her life those gracious fruits of the spirit in Christian living which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, meekness, goodness, faith, and self-control. Mrs. Stuart was a rare product of the Methodist Parsonage, being the daughter of Rev. Shockley D. and Martha Fletcher Adams, born February 26th, 1851, in Marlboro County, S. C. Her father was a princely man of God who served faithfully as a minister of the Methodist church, fourteen years on circuits, three years on stations and twenty-five years as Presiding Elder, giving an unbroken service to the ministry of the church of forty-two years; and leaving the influence of his life and character upon scores of communities he served. Her mother died when she was two years old. Her father later remarried Miss Mary Emaline Jackson, who proved to be a loving and devoted step-mother, taking the place of a real mother in the hearts and lives of Henry and Bettie, her two step-children. She was married to Prof. William James Stuart, of Robeson County, July 1 1869. They made their home in Carthage, where Mr. Stuart was a principal of the Carthage high school for a number of years. It is a matter of historical interest that Mr. Stuart was the first Superintendent of Moore County Public Schools. He made the beginnings of a system, which is now considered one of the best in the State. The following children were born to this union: Miss E. May Stuart, Miss Lillian Blanche Stuart, Miss Iad Estelle Stuart (now Mrs. W. E. Evans), Mr. William Adams Stuart, Miss Bess Malloy Stuart and Miss Margaret James Stuart. Lillian Blanche and Margaret James have preceded her to their heavenly home. Four children survive her, and the following grandchildren: Mrs. J. Lindsay Savage, Greenville, N. C.; Miss Agnes Evans and Mr. Stuart Evans, Rowland, N.C. She is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mr. F. C. Adams, Judge W. J. Adams, Mrs. Ida Bryan, Carthage, N. C. and Mrs. John D. Creech, Norfolk, Va. One brother, Mr. Henry B. Adams, of Monroe, N. C. died in 1915. Mrs. Stuart was apparently in her usual health and activity upon retiring Monday night, November 19th. She awoke the next morning suffering with a severe attack of angina pectoris; and notwithstanding all that faithful doctors and loving hands could do, she went home to God on Friday, November 23. Funeral services were held in the Carthage Methodist church, of which she had been a faithful member for so many years, conducted by her pastor, Rev. G. W. Perry, assisted by Rev. C. F. Clark and Rev. John K. Roberts. Loving hands placed her by the side of her husband in the Presbyterian cemetery to await the resurrection morning. And thus was laid to rest 'A Mother in Israel.' John K. Roberts."
Bettie ADAMS and William James STUART had the following children:
38 i. E. May6 STUART 39 ii. Bess Malloy6 STUART 40 iii. Lillian Blanche6 STUART (Died young) 41 iv. William Adams6 STUART 42 v. Margaret James6 STUART (Died young) 43 vi. Ida Estelle6 STUART
27. Ida Jane5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She married Roderick BRYAN. They had the following children:
44 i. Roderick6 BRYAN 45 ii. Mary Kate6 BRYAN 46 iii. Jesse6 BRYAN
28. Franklin Clark5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He lived in Carthage, NC.
29. Mamie J.5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She married John D. CREECH, of Raleigh, Wake Co. NC. They had four children.
30. William Jackson5 ADAMS (Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born ca. 1860 and died in 1934. He lived in Carthage, NC and served as a judge of the NC Supreme Court. He married Florrie WALL, of Rockingham, NC. They had the following children:
47 i. William Jackson6 ADAMS Jr.
31. John A.6 PATE (Ann5 ADAMS, John P.4, William3, William2, Richard1).
32. Nina Person6 ADAMS (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She was born on 10 Apr 1873 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. She died on 30 Nov 1966. She married Dr. William Cyrus HOUSTON, on 3 Jan 1893 in the Central Episcopal Methodist Church, Monroe, Union Co. NC. He was born on 2 Jan 1867. He went to school at the University of Chicago and was a dentist and a businessman. He died on 15 Dec 1965. They lived in Concord, NC, but are both buried in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. Here's a photograph of Nina and her husband.
MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT - "MONROE'S MARRIAGE BELLS RING. The Beautiful Ceremony Uniting Dr. Houston and Miss Adams-The Proceedings of the Court Commissioners-The Old Jail Goes to Town. MONROE, N. C. Jan. 3.-The marriage of Miss Nina Adams and Dr. Cyrus Houston, of Concord, took place this evening in the Methodist church at 7:30 o'clock. The beautifully decorated church was literally packed and jammed with the numerous friends and relatives of the contracting parties. Miss Nannie Dowd of Charlotte was organist for the occasion, and the ceremony was impressively performed by Rev. Mr. Barnett, pastor of the Methodist church. The following were the attendants: Miss Joe Adams, maid of honor, and Mr. Howard Cannon, of Concord as best man; Miss Lizzie Andrews and Mr. W. H. Harris of Concord; Miss Belle Boste and Mr. John Parker of Concord; Miss Mary Montgomery, of Concord; and Mr. J. C. Leslie... Miss Isabelle Mongomery and Mrs. Herman D... of Charlotte; Miss Mary Stuart of Carthage and Dr. J. C. Mongomery of Charlotte. The ushers were Messrs. D. A. Houston, L. Z. Williamson, R. B. Redwine and Bruce Adams. A royal reception was given the bridal party and a number of friends and relatives at the residence of the bride's father, H. B. Adams, Esq., after which the bridal party left on the west-bound train for Concord. The bride received many and costly presents-tokens of her popularity. Both the bride and groom have a host of friends in this county and consequently there are many genuine wishes for their happiness." [Daily Charlotte Observer 4 Jan 1893] 2ND MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT - "A Brilliant Marriage in Monroe. Dr. W. Cyrus Houston, of Concord, and Miss Nina P. Adams, daughter of Mr. H. B. Adams, a prominent lawyer of Monroe, were married in the Methodist church in that place last Tuesday night. The church was beautifully decorated, and was crowded with friends of both parties. Miss Nannie Dowd, of Charlotte, cousin of the bride, played the wedding march, and the ceremony was conducted by Rev. W. R. Barrett D.D., pastor of the Methodist church. The following were attendants: Miss Joe Adams, maid of honor, and Mr. Howard Cannon, of Concord, as best man; Miss Lizzy Andrews and Mr. B. E. Harris, of Concord; Miss Belle Bost, of Bost Mills, and Mr. J. F. Parker, of Concord; Miss Mary Montgomery, of Concord, and Mr. J. C. Leslie, of Charlotte; Miss Isabelle Montgomery, of Concord, and Mr. Herman Dowd, of Charlotte; Miss Mary Stuart, of Carthage, and Dr. J. C. Montgomery, of Charlotte. A reception was given at the residence of the bride's father. The bride and groom arrived here yesterday morning and Concord welcomes them." [The Times (Concord, NC) 5 Jan 1893].
BIOGRAPHY - "Dr. William Cyrus Houston who has practiced his profession continuously in the same office for the past 48 years, and is Concord's oldest dentist, both in age and point of service, is the subject of today's Minute Biography. Dr. Houston, the eldest son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Hudson Houston, who had been married a few months after the close of the War Between the States, was born on January 2, 1867, on his ancestral farm in Union county in the same room in which, years later, S. Glenn Hawfield, superintendent of the Cabarrus county schools, was born. The farm is still owned by Dr. Houston. The Houston family moved to the town of Monroe when the subject of this sketch was seven years old. He attended school there, graduating from high school in the spring of 1884. That autumn he enrolled in Bingham Military academy, then at Mebane, and finished his course there in 1888. In the fall of 1888, the youth entered Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., to study dentistry, graduating in 1890, and his first patient was sent to him by the late Dr. W. H. Lilly, whose memory is honored and beloved by many Concord folk. The young dentist was at that time only 23 years old. Dr. Houston returned to his native town for his wife. He was married to Miss Nina Adams, of Monroe, on January 3, 1893, and the two live now in one of the most historic houses in Concord. They have no children. Dr. Houston does not know the exact age of the house, but it is known from old letters that a dance was given there some time in the decade between 1810 and 1820. It is believed to be much older. An inscription outside the house reads as follows: "Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, fleeing after Lee's surrender on April 19, 1865, spent the night in this house." The historic residence was the former St. James Hotel and for a time was the home of the late Judge W. J. Montgomery. Dr. Houston purchased the property from Dr. M. L. Stephens, who in turn had acquired it from the late J. W. Cannon. In addition to being the dean of Concord's dentists, Dr. Houston has a number of business interests in Concord and Monroe. He is president of the Monroe Hardware company which does a retail business in that city and a wholesale business all over the central section of North and South Carolina. He owns his ancestral farm in Union county which he visits every Wednesday afternoon, and another farm in the Poplar Tent section of Cabarrus county. He was president of the Citizens Building and Loan Association from its organization until four years ago, and has been vice president of the Cabarrus County Building and Loan Association ever since its organization. After the Kerr Bleachery was burned and later reorganized and rebuilt, Dr. Houston became associated with the late W. R. Odell in the venture and has been a director in the company since that time. He has been a director in the Concord National Bank for 15 to 20 years, and has been president of the Concord Telephone company since its organization. For many years Dr. Houston has been a recognized leader in Central Methodist church and has been active in the establishment of a number of other Methodist churches in the city. He was a member of the board of stewards of Central church for 30 years and is still a member of the board of trustees. He has taught classes in a number of Methodist Sunday schools. In company with the late Dr. Lilly, the late Judge Montgomery and the late D. B. Coltrane, Dr. Houston served on the building committee which directed the remodeling of the Central church. He organized a Sunday school at Westford, and was instrumental in adding church buildings on -- street, Harmony and Westford Methodist churches. Dr. Houston served four years as city treasurer after having been a city commissioner. During his term of office, the city water system was purchased from the late P. B. Fetzer and a great deal of additional equipment installed. He was at the same time treasurer of the city school board. Dr. Houston is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Woodmen of the World, and was formerly a member of the Rotary club. His hobby, if he has one at all, is fishing, but he claims no great prowess as a fisherman. Despite the fact that his age is one year past the allotted three score years and ten, Dr. Houston looks much younger and is as active in the business, professional, and religious life of the city as he was in his younger days." (The Sunday Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 1938)
OBITUARY- "Dr. William Cyrus Houston, 99. Prominent County Native Dies At Remarkable Age. Dr. William Cyrus Houston, native of the county who maintained substantial farm and business investments here, died in Cabarrus county hospital in Concord early today at the remarkable age of 99. Although arrangements had not been completed at this time, the funeral will be held in Concord tomorrow afternoon and burial will be in the Monroe cemetery. Surviving ar his wife, Mrs. Nina Adams Houston, a native of Monroe; three nieces, Mrs. Reid McKenzie and Mrs. Helen P. Glass of Gainsville, Fla., and Mrs. Stuart Hall of Greenwich, Conn.; three great nieces, including Mrs. Robert E. Helms, Jr. of Monroe, and one great-nephew. Born in the Wesley Chapel community on Jan. 2, 1867, Dr. Houston attended school in Monroe and enrolled at Bingham Military School in Orange County at the age of 17. After leaving the military academy he clerked in a grocery store for a year and then studied dentistry under his second cousin, Dr. W. B. Houston of Monroe. He then enrolled at Vanderbilt University and received his degree in dentistry in 1890 and immediately opened his office in Concord where he practiced until his retirement in 1944. Dr. Houston served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Monroe Hardware Co. for many years and was a key figure in the development of his adopted city, being director of the Cabarrus Savings and Loan Assn., ..."
OBITUARY- "Mrs. W. C. Houston. Mrs. Nina Adams Houston, 93, widow of Dr. W. C. Houston, died Wednesday in her home in Concord. The funeral was held at 1:30 today at Central Methodist church in Concord, conducted by Rev. A. J. Cox. Graveside services followed at the family plot in the Monroe cemetery. She was born in Monroe, the daughter of the late Henry B. and Fannie Person Adams. Following their marriage, she and Dr. Houston, also a native of Monroe, made their home in Concord. He died Dec. 15, 1965. She is survived by a sister, Miss Pat Adams of Charlotte and a number of nieces and nephews. Attending the funeral in Concord and the burial here were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Helms, Jr., Mrs. Martha Snyder of Fayetteville, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kenney of Raleigh, and Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Snyder of Greensboro." (1966)
33. Ethel Josephine6 ADAMS (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She was born on 23 Aug 1876 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. She died of bronchopneumonia on 17 Jan 1963 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC and was buried on 19 Jan 1963 in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. She was a music teacher, and a member of the Central Methodist Church, Concord, NC. Here's a photograph of Ethel Josephine and her brother Clement Bruce Adams when they were children. Here's another photograph of her.
She married William John RUDGE, son of John William RUDGE & Caroline Virginia PAE, on 7 Aug 1901 in Central M.E. Church South, Monroe, Union Co. NC. Here's a photograph of him.
RECORD OF MARRIAGE"Aug. 7, William J. Rudge to Josephine Adams, by Rev. W. M. Bagley." From list of marriage records for year 1901 appearing in an installment of an ongoing series "When Many of Our Ancestors United in Bonds of Marriage" (4 Aug 1922 The Monroe Journal p. 6)
ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: "COMMING MARRIAGE. News Notes and Personals From Monroe. Correspondence of the News. Monroe, N.C., July 25. - Cards are out announcing the marriage of Mr. William J. Rudge and Miss Josephine Adams, Wednesday evening, August 7th at seven oÕclock. Miss Adams is one of MonroeÕs most accomplished and popular young ladies, a daughter of Mr. H. B. Adams. Mr. Rudge is a prosperous business young man of Monroe." (26 Jul 1901 Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC) p. 5)
MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT: "WEDDINGS THREE. Six Popular Young People Embark on the Sea of Matrimony. August 7th, 1901 is a date which will long be remembered in at least three homes in this county. On that date the doors of those homes were thrown open and with open handed hospitality, with welcome unstinted the guests were received and merry jest and pleasant conversation went round well laden boards and in brilliantly lighted, flower-banked rooms. It was a wedding night and in those homes, surrounded by congratulating and admiring friends, standing before the ministers representing Him who in that early time of man's history, before sin or anything evil had fallen across man's pathway, established marriage and put upon it the seal of divine approval, six people entered into the estate of matrimony and took upon themselves its holy vows... Rudge-Adams. No more interesting social event has taken place in our city than was the marriage of Mr. W. J. Rudge and Miss Josephine Adams last evening. The residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Adams, on Washington street, was filled with friends of the contracting parties and that home presented a most attractive appearance and was in keeping with the welcome and hospitality always to be found in it. The decorations were palms, ferns and cut flowers. The prevailing color in the dining room was white and red. Promptly at the hour of seven the bridesmaids, Misses Kate Rudge and Pattie Adams, entered the parlor, the bride and groom following them. Mr. B.A. Horn was the best man. The marriage service was performed by Rev. W. M. Bagley, the beautiful ring service being used. The bride was attired in a handsome castor tailor made suit. Miss Rudge wore a dress of white organdie and Miss Adams wore pink organdie. After the marriage the guests were invited to the dining room where a very elegant supper was served. The guests present were, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Jerome, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Redwine, Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Stephenson, Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Belk, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Morrow, Mr. and Mrs. R. Redfearn, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Rudge, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Coble, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Blakenay, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Shannon, Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Houston, Rev. and Mrs. W. M. Bagley, Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Ashcraft, Mrs. Vann, Mrs. Elizabeth Houston, Mrs. Ellen Fitzgerald, Misses Bulus and Iva Bagby, Anna Blair, Fannie Stephens, Kate Rudge and May Blakeney, Messrs. B. A. Horn, Rufus Armfield, Ed Crow, H. McLarty, Bonner Stewart, Dr. B. C. Redfearn, Chas. Redfearn and Henry Belk. The presents were many and valuable. The groom is the manager of the W.J. Rudge Co. and is one of Monroe's most successful and popular young business men. The bride is a most accomplished and brilliant lady, who by her charming manners and genial disposition has won many friends. She is one of the most accomplished musicians in the city. She is a teacher of music in the Monroe graded schools. Mr. and Mrs. Rudge left soon after their marriage for Jackson Springs, where they will spend their honeymoon. May life for them be long and happy."(Miss Minnie Simpson's Paper Aug 1901); SECOND MARRIAGE NOTICE: "PRETTY MARRIAGE AT MONROE. Mr. W. J. Rudge Leads Miss Josephine Adams to Hyman's Altar. Monroe, N.C. Aug 9. One of the most beautiful and impressive marriages of the season was solemnized here today. The contracting parties were Mr. W. J. Rudge and Miss Josephine Adams. The marriage took place at the beautiful residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Adams, on Washington street. The house was decorated for the occasion with a profusion of lovely flowers and presented a most attractive appearance in keeping with the welcome and hospitality always to be found in it. The bridesmaids, Misses Kate Rudge and Pattie Adams, entered the parlor first, the bride and groom following. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. W. M. Bagley of the Methodist church. The bride was handsomely attired in a beautiful tailor made suit. Miss Rudge wore a lovely dress of white organdy, wearing diamonds and pearls. Miss Adams was beautifully dressed in pink organdy. After the marriage the guests were invited into a beautiful dining room where an elegant supper was served. The prevailing color in the dining room was white and red. The presents were many and exceedingly handsome and costly. The bride is the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Adams, considered one of the most popular and distinguished lawyers of this section of the State. She is one of the most accomplished musicians in this section. The groom is general manager of the W. J. Rudge Co., and is one of our most prominent and prosperous young business men. After the ceremony the bride and groom left on the train for Jackson Springs, where they will spend a little while."; THIRD MARRIAGE ANNOUCEMENT: "MONROE WILL HAVE A FREE LIBRARY. Two Popular Couples United for Life's VoyageÑPersonal and Other Notes. Correspondence of the News. Monroe, N.C. The social events of the season were the wedding last evening of Mr. W. J. Rudge and Miss Josephine Adams, Prof. R. C. Barrett and Miss May Robertson. Mr. Rudge and Miss Adams were married promptly at 7 o'clock and after an elegant supper was served they took the 8:30 train for Jackson Springs. Mrs. Rudge is one of Monroe's most accomplished and popular young ladies. Mr. Rudge is one of Monroe's most successful business menÉ They are to be congratulated on securing the heart and hand of these young ladies. May the voyage of life be upon calm seas and under peaceful skies." (9 Aug 1901 Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC) p. 3); FOURTH MARRIAGE ANNOUCEMENT: "MARRIAGES AT MONROE. Miss Josephine Adams Married to Mr. W. J. Rudge and Miss May Robertson to Prof. R. C. Barrett. Special to the Observer. Monroe, August 8.- There were two marriages in Monroe last evening. At 7 oÕclock, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Adams, their daughter Miss Josephine, was married to Mr. W. J. Rudge, a popular young business man of Monroe. It was a beautiful home marriage. Everything about the home was in keeping with the occasion. There were beautiful decorations in palms, ferns and cut flowers. The marriage service was performed by Rev. W. M. Bagby, the ring service being used. The bride was handsomely attired in a tailor-made suit, while the bridesmaids, Misses Kate Rudge and Pattie Adams wore white and pink organdie, respectively. Mr. B. A. Hoon was best man. After the marriage an elegant supper was served to the guests. Mr. and Mrs. Rudge left last night for Jackson Springs, where they will spend their honeymoon." (9 Aug 1901 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC) p. 8)
Josephine Ethel ADAMS (RUDGE) was originally brought up as a Methodist (present on the 1900 roll of official members of the Central M. E. Church, South, Monroe, NC), she switched to the Presbyterian church after her marriage, but apparently was never happy with this decision, and later went back to the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. (Received by certificate 10-24-1915; Was dismissed [from First Presbyterian Church] to Central M. E. Church on 5-3-1931 according to a letter by Joyce J. Kelley, Office Administrator of the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, NC.)
OBITUARY-"Mrs. Jo Adams Rudge, 86, of 25 N. Union St., died Thursday at 10:30 p.m. in Cabarrus Memorial Hospital. Rites will be conducted by the Rev. Roy Bell, pastor of Central Methodist Church, at the home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in the Monroe Cemetery in Monroe. A native of Monroe, Mrs. Rudge was born on Aug. 23, 1876, a daughter of the late Henry B. and Fannie Person Adams. She was a member of the Central Methodist Church and had made her home for the past 20 years with Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Houston. Her husband, William J. Rudge Sr., died a number of years ago. Survivors include one son, William J. Rudge Jr. of Lennox, Mass.; two brothers, Hal B. of Lenoir and Dr. R. K. Adams of Concord; two sisters, Mrs. W. C. Houston and Miss Pat Adams, both of Concord; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren." (17 Jan 1963, The Concord Tribune) 2ND OBITUARY - "Mrs. Rudge, Native of City, Succumbs. Mrs. W. J. Rudge, 86, a native of Monroe and former resident, died at 8:05 last night in Cabarrus Memorial hospital, Concord following a several months illness. Her late husband was a prominent Monroe merchant for many years operating the W. J. Rudge company, Jewelers, on Main street. Mrs. Rudge made her home in Concord, for the past 20 years, with Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Houston, the latter her sister. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Adams of Monroe. Surviving are: one son, Wm. J. Rudge, Jr. of Lenox, Mass; two grandsons, W. J. Rudge III of Syracuse, N.Y., Stephen Kenney of Raleigh, a granddaughter, Mrs. Stedman King (Frances Kenney) of Elizabeth City; and 8 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers: Dr. R. K. Adams of Concord, Hal B. Adams of Lenoir, and two sisters, Miss Pat Adams, and Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord. Her daughter, Mrs. Fannie Person Rudge Kenney, died a few years ago from a broken neck in a fall from the stairway at her home in Raleigh. Funeral rites for Mrs. Rudge will be on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Houston, 25 North Union Street, Concord. The Rev. Roy Bell, pastor of Central Methodist Church, Concord, will officiate. The body will be interred in the Monroe Cemetery."(Monroe Enquirer Journal, 18 Jan 1963)
Information about her husband, his ancestry and their descendants is located here .
34. Clement Bruce6 ADAMS (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 18 Oct 1878 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. He died on 28 Aug 1947 in Monroe, Union Co. NC and was buried on 30 Aug 1947 in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. He was a banker and an insurance salesman. Here's a photograph of Clement Bruce and his sister Ethel Josephine Adams when they were children.
He married Fanny Eleanor STEVENS on 1 Aug 1902. She was born on 6 Jun 1877. She died on 24 Jun 1956 and was buried in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC.
MARRIAGE NOTICE- "Adams-Stevens. Mr. C. Bruce Adams and Miss Fannie Stevens were married at 7:30 o'clock in the Presbyterian church, last Friday evening by Rev. H. M. Dixon. The marriage came as a surprise to the friends of the contracting parties, as no announcement of the event had been made. A few of the intimate friends of the bride and groom were present. The groom is a son of Mr. H. B. Adams, was born and reared in Monroe, and has a great many friends.He is travelling for the Deering Harvesting Machinery Company. The bride is a daughter of the late A. F. Stevens, and a very bright, winsome lady. Mr. and Mrs. Adams left for Wrightsville immediately after the ceremony and spent several days at that resort. They returned last Tuesday, and are boarding at Mayor R. D. Stevens."
OBITUARY- "Mr. C. B. Adams. Funeral of Mr. Cyrus Bruce Adams will be held at the home on Houston street at five o'clock Saturday afternoon. Dr. Billups, pastor of Central Methodist church, of which the deceased was a member, will conduct the service and burial will be in the Monroe cemetery. Mr. Adams died yesterday in the hospital in Raleigh where he had been a patient for several years. A native of Monroe, he spent his life here, and up till the time he lost his health was one of the best known and most active business men of the town, long connected with the banks as cashier and in other official capacity. Mr. Adams was the son of the late H. B. Adams, a distinguished member of the North Carolina bar in his day and brother of the late Justice W. J. Adams, member of the supreme court. Mr. Adams mother was Mrs. Fannie Person Adams member of another distinguished North Carolina family and a step-daughter of Hon. Clem Dowd of Charlotte, who was the law partner and biographer of Zeb Vance. Mr. Adams was born in Monroe on October 18, 1878, and therefore was approaching his 69th birthday. He married Miss Eleanor Stevens, daughter of Sherif Frank Stevens, on August 1, 1902. Mrs. Adams and their three children survive. The children are: Mr. Henry S. Adams of Monroe, Mrs. F. W. Tolar of Fayetteville, and Mrs. E. R. Hopper of Boise, Idaho. Surviving sisters and brothers are Mrs. W. C. Houston, Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Miss Pat Adams, all of Concord, Dr. R. K. Adams, now on the staff of the state hospital in Morganton, and Mr. Hal B. Adams, lawyer of Lenoir."
FUNERAL NOTICE - "Mr. C. B. Adams. Funeral for Mr. Clement Bruce Adams, whose death was reported in Friday's Journal, was held at the home on Houston street Saturday afternoon by Dr. E. P. Billups, pastor of Central Methodist church, and burial was in the Monroe cemetery. The active pall bearers were Messrs. W. M. Williams, J. Ray Shute, R. A. Niven and R. C. Williams. Morrow, B. Frank Harris, Edwin. A native of Monroe, Mr. Adams had a long business career here. As a young man he was in the accounting department of the Monroe Hardware Company. Then he became associated with the bank of Union, and from there went as cashier with the Farmers and Merchants Bank. He was recognized as a first class bank official. After the general banking shakeup here and throughout the whole country, Mr. Adams established an insurance business and conducted it till his health gave way. It is notable that the bank of which he was cashier was one of the few banks which paid its depositors and stockholders in full. He is survived by his wife, who was Mis Fannie Eleanor Stevens; a son, Henry S. Adams of Monroe; two daughters, Mrs. F. W. Tolar of Fayetteville and Mrs. E. R. Hopper of Boise, Idaho; one grandchild, W. D. Snyder, Jr. Surviving sisters and brothers are: Mrs. W. C. Houston, Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Miss Pat Adams all of Concord; Dr. R. K. Adams on the staff of the State hospital in Morganton, and Hal B. Adams of Lenoir." (9/2/1947); 2ND FUNERAL NOTICE - "LAST RITES HELD FOR CLEMENT BRUCE ADAMS. Prominent Monroe Man Dies After Long Illness. Funeral services for Clement Bruce Adams were held at the home on Houston street Saturday afternoon with Dr. E. P. Billups, pastor of the Central Methodist church, in charge. Burial was in the Monroe cemetery. Mr. Adams died Thursday in the hospital at Raleigh where he had been a patient for several years. Active pall bearers were M. W. Williams, J. Ray Shute, R. A. Morrow, B. Frank Harris, Edwin Niven and R. C. Williams. Mr. Adams was born on October 16, 1878, the son of the late H. B. Adams, a distinguished member of the North Carolina bar in his day and brother of the late Justice W. Adams of the State Supreme Court. Mr. Adam's mother was Mrs. Fannie Person Adams, member of a distinguished Carolina family. A native of Monroe, he spent his life here and up until the time he lost his health was one of the best known and active men. As a young man he was bookkeeper for the Monroe Hardware Company. For several years he was cashier of the Bank of Union and Farmers and Merchants Bank here and later operated an insurance firm until forced to retire because of ill health about 14 years ago. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Fannie Eleanor Stephens; a son, Henry S. Adams of Monroe; two daughters, Mrs. F. W. Tolar of Fayetteville, and Mrs. E. R. Hopper of Boise, Idaho; one grandchild, W. D. Snyder, Jr. Surviving sisters and brothers are Mrs. W. C. Houston, Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Miss Pat Adams, all of Concord; Dr. R. K. Adams on the staff of the State Hospital in Morganton, and Hal B. Adams of Lenoir."
OBITUARY- "Last Of Prominent Family. Mrs. C. B. Adams Dies in 79th Year. Mrs. Fannie Stevens Adams, widow of C. B. Adams, prominent Monroe banker and insurance man, died at 4:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon in Union Memorial Hospital at the age of 79. Funeral services were held at the home on Houston street at 11 o'clock this morning with her pastor, Rev. A. J. Cox, of Central Methodist church in charge, assisted by the Rev. C. E. Norman of the Lutheran church. Interment was in the Monroe cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert S. Couch, Cecil English, John Vann, Jr., Walter Lancy, Jr., T. C. Dove and Dr. F. B. Lee. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Martha A. Snyder of Fayetteville and Mrs. E. R. Hopper of Boise, Idaho; one son, Henry S. Adams of Monroe, and two grandchildren, William David Snyder, Jr., of Greensboro and Martha Frances Hopper of Boise, Idaho. Mrs. Adams, a native of Monroe and lifelong member of Central Methodist church, was highly esteemed through the years as a gracious homemaker and devoted mother. She was the last surviving member of the distinguished family of A. F. Stevens and Martha Phifer Stevens. Her brothers and sisters were the Rev. Geo. P. Stevens, Methodist missionary to China; W. F. Stevens, Charlotte; Dr. S. A. Stevens, R. L. Stevens, Mrs. John R. English, Miss Nell Stevens and Mrs. Horace Smith of Monroe. Nieces and nephews surviving are: Miss Margaret Stevens, Mrs. John L. McCain, Mrs. Dewitt Kluttz of Charlotte, Mrs. Frank Stowe, Mrs. Evelyn S. Sutherland of Monroe; Mrs. Frank Rose, Mrs. Clyde Skidmore of Albemarle; Frank Stevens of Winston-Salem, Everette English of Florida; John R. English, Jr., and Dewey L. English of Monroe." (The Monroe Journal 26 Jun 1956, vol. 63 no. 39 p. 1.)
Clement Bruce ADAMS and Fanny Eleanor STEVENS had the following children:
i. Henry Stevens7 ADAMS ii. Martha7 ADAMS iii. Frances7 ADAMS iv. Cyrus Bruce7 ADAMS (Died young)
35. Henry Bethune6 ADAMS Jr. (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 29 Nov 1880 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. He died on 1 Jul 1966 and was buried in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC. He lived in Lenoir, NC and was an attorney.
He married Mabel COOPER, 27 Apr 1922 at the Purity Presbyterian Church in Chester, SC. She was born on 26 Jul 1894 and died on 5 Jan 1966 and was buried in the Monroe City Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe, Union Co. NC.
FIRST MARRIAGE NOTICE:"YOUNG WAXHAW COUPLE MARRIED AT CHESTER. CHESTER, S.C., April 30.-A wedding of considerable interest to a wide circle of friends and relatives was solemnized at Purity Presbyterian Church Thursday afternoon, when Miss Mabel Cooper, an attractive and accomplished young woman, of Taylorsville, N.C. was married to Henry B. Adams, business man and attorney, of Waxhaw, N.C. Rev. Flournoy Shepperson D.D. pastor of Purity Presbyterian church officiated, assisted by Rev. George B. Thompson of Waxhaw, N.C. A large number of friends from Charlottte, Monroe and Waxhaw were present at the wedding. Following the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Adams left on the local Seaboard for a trip to Ashville, N.C., after which they will be at home at Waxhaw, N.C." (1 May 1922 Charlotte Observer p. 9); SECOND MARRIAGE NOTICE:"Adams-Cooper Wedding. Of interest to their many friends throughout the state is the news of the marriage of Miss Mabel Cooper, of Taylorsville, to Mr. H. B. Adams, of Waxhaw, which took place at the Purity Presbyterian church, Chester, S.C. at high noon last Thursday. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Flournoy Sheppardson, the pastor, assisted by Rev. Mr. Thomson, of Waxhaw. The bride is the attractive and popular daughter of Mrs. E. A. Cooper, of Taylorsville, and is a graduae of North Carolina College for Women, class of 1915, and of Columbia university, New York. She was head of the English department of the high school at Wilson, N.C. for two years and for the past two years has been county superintendent of education of Union county, making her home in Monroe.The groom is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Adams of Monroe, and is the editor of The Waxhaw Enterprise, Waxhaw, N.C. He is a graduate of Trinity college, class of 1908, and is well known throughout the state as a man of splendid personality. He is present mayor of Waxhaw and a lawyer. The bride was handsomely attired in a going away suit of brown gabardine with accessories to match. Her flowers were sweet peas and maiden hair ferns. The bridal party included the following guests: Miss Pat Adams, Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus Houston, Concord, Mrs. W.W. Horn, Mrs. W. J. Rudge, Monroe, and Mrs. John J. Gifford, Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Adams and guests were entertained after the ceremony at a dinner party given by Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Hough, of Chester. Following an extended honeymoon in the mountains of western North Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. Adams will make their home in Waxhaw." (Monroe Jounal?)
Henry Bethune ADAMS jr. and Mabel COOPER had the following children:
i. Henry Bethune7 ADAMS III
36. Martha Fletcher6 ADAMS (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She was born on 3 Mar 1883 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. She lived in Concord, NC, but died on 13 May 1969 in Charlotte, NC.
37. Rayford Kennedy6 ADAMS (Henry Bethune5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was born on 22 Feb 1886 in Monroe, Union Co. NC. He died on 31 May 1966 at the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital in Concord, Cabarrus Co. NC and is buried in the Monroe Suncrest Cemetery. He was a physician at the State Hospital, Morganton NC. Here's a photograph of him and his neice, Frances Person Kenney.
He married Mary Belle KING on 2 Nov 1918. She was born on 12 Mar 1894 in Statesville, Iredell Co. NC. She died on 13 Jul 1979 at the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital in Concord, Cabarrus Co. NC and is buried in the Monroe Suncrest Cemetery.
MARRIAGE NOTICE:"The many friends of Dr. Ray K. Adams will be interested to hear of his marriage to Miss Mary Belle King of Charlotte which took place Saturday afternoon. The ceremony was performed by Rev. E. Z. Barnhardt in the presence of a few friends. Immediately after the ceremony Dr. and Mrs. Adams left for a trip north, and on their return they will be at home in Raleigh where Dr. Adams is located. Mrs. Adams is a graduate nurse taking her training at the Charlotte Sanatorium. Dr. Adams is widely known throughout the State, and since receiving his degree has made a splendid reputation. He has held a position at the State Hospital at Raleigh for a number of years. He is son of the late H. B. Adams and a brother to Mrs. W. J. Rudge and Mr. C. B. Adams of this city." (5 Nov 1918 The Monroe Journal p. 5)
OBITUARY: "Dr. Rayford Adams. Neuropsychiatrist. CONCORD, N.C.- Dr. Rayford Kennedy Adams, 80, a prominent neuropsychiatrist who began his career in 1912 at Mercer Hospital and served as senior resident physician at State Village for Epileptics at Skillman, died Tuesday at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Concord, after a long illness. Dr. Adams was retired and lived at 425 Winfield Boulevard Southeast, Concord. Born in Monroe, N.C., he attended Duke University and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and was graduated in 1912 from Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Adams served as a resident physician at Mercer Hospital and from 1915 to 1929 was assistant superintendent of the North Carolina State Hospital, Raleigh. He then returned to New Jersey to serve at the post in Skillman from 1929 to 1946. Dr. Adams was the assistant superintendent of the North Carolina State Hospital, Morgantown, from 1949 to 1958. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marybelle King Adams; a son, Rayford K. Adams Jr. of Concord; two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams Stryker of Skillman and Mrs. Marybell Sales of Easton, Pa; a brother, Hal B. Adams of Lenoir, N.C.; two sisters, Mrs. W.C. Houston of Concord and Miss Pat Adams of Charlotte, N.C. and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Central Methodist Church. The Rev. A.J. Cox, pastor, will officiate assisted by the Rev. E. J. Harbison. Interment will be in Monroe under the direction of Wilkinsons Funeral Home." (1 Jun 1966 The Trenton Evening Times p. 9.); SECOND OBITUARY: "Dr. Adams succumbs at 80. Dr. Rayford Kennedy Adams, 80, of 425 Winfield Blvd. SE, widely known retired neuropsychiatrist, died today at 4 a.m. at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Central Methodist Church, The Rev. A. J. Cox, pastor, will officiate at the rites, assisted by the Rev. E. J. Harrison. Burial will be in Monroe. The body will remain at Wilkinson's Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be W.D. Snyder, Stephen Kenney, Stedman King, W. G. Gaither Jr., Charles King and Henry King, all nephews of Dr. Adams. The honorary escort will be Dr. Eugene Yow, S. L. Parker, Lester D. Coltrane Jr., T. M. Schramm, Dr. Verna Youngblood, Dr. E. M. Tomlin, Dr. David Crosland, Harold P. Hornaday, Dr. J. V. Avey, Dr. W. T. Noel of Kanopolis, Dr. Thomas Lacey of Salisbury and Dr. John McKee of Morganton. Dr. Adams was born in Monroe, Feb. 22, 1886, son of the late H. B. Adams and Mrs. Fannie Person Adams. He attended Duke University (then Trinity College) the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for two years, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1912. Dr. Adams began his career in the practice of neuro-psychiatry as a resident physician at Mercer Hospital, Trenton, N.J. where he served in 1912-1913. He was assistant superintendent of the North Carolina State Hospital in Raleigh from 1915 to 1929; senior resident physician at State Village for Epileptics, Skillman, N.J. from 1929 to 1948; and served as assistant superintendent of the N.C. State Hospital, Morganton, from 1949 to 1958. Dr. Adams is survived by his widow, Mrs. Marybelle King Adams; one son, Rayford K. Adams Jr. of Concord; two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Arams Stryker of Skillman, N.J. and Mrs. Marybell Adams Sales of Easton, Pa.; one brother, Hal B. Adams of Lenoir; two sisters, Mrs. W. C. Houston of Concord and Miss Pat Adams of Charlotte, NC." (31 May 1966 The Concord Tribune p. 1)
OBITUARY: "MRS. R. K. ADAMS. Mrs. Marybell King Adams, 85, of 425 Winfield Blvd, Concord, died Friday, July 13, in Cabarrus Memorial Hospital. The Statesville native was married to Dr. Rayford K. Adams, who died in May 1966. He had a wide family connection to Union County. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams Stryker of Wellsboro, Pa., Mrs. Marybelle Sales of Easton, Pa., one son, Major (USMC retired) Rayford K. Adaams Jr. of the home, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, Miss Annie L. King of Charolotte, Mrs. Georgia Gaither of Statesville, Mrs. Nellie K. Sonntag of Trenton, N.J., two brothers, Frank F. and Charles H. King, both of Statesville. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church in Concord, N.C. Services for Mrs. Adams were held at 1 p.m. today, July 16, at Central United Methodist, Concord, conducted by Rev. Garland Young and the Rev. Jeffrey Wampler. Interment was in the Monroe (NC) Cemetery. Wilkinson Funeral Home, Concord, was in charge." (The Enquirer Journal, Monroe, NC, 16 Jul 1979, p. 3A)
Rayford Kennedy ADAMS and Mary Belle KING had the following children:
i. Rayford Kennedy7 ADAMS Jr. ii. Elizabeth Houston7 ADAMS iii. Marybelle7 ADAMS
38. E. May6 STUART (Bettie5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She lived in Carthage, Moore Co. NC.
39. Bess Malloy6 STUART (Bettie5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She lived in Carthage, Moore Co. NC.
40. Lillian Blanche6 STUART (Bettie5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She died before 23 Nov 1923.
41. William Adams6 STUART. He died in 1937.
42. Margaret James6 STUART (Bettie5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She died before 23 Nov 1923.
43. Ida Estelle6 STUART (Bettie5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She married Dr. W. E. EVANS. They lived in Rowland, NC and had the following children:
44. Roderick6 BRYAN (Ida Jane5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1).
45. Mary Kate6 BRYAN (Ida Jane5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). She lived in Carthage, NC.
46. Jesse6 BRYAN (Ida Jane5 ADAMS, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1).
47. William Jackson6 ADAMS Jr. (William Jackson5, Shockley Dodley4, William3, William2, Richard1). He was an attorney and lived in Greensboro, NC. He married Elizabeth WHITEHEAD, of Rocky Mount, NC. They had the following children:
If you recognize any of the names here and would like to contact me, here's my email address: david.rudge@wmich.edu.
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Last updated on 23 Jul 2023
i. Elizabeth7 EVANS
ii. Agnes Moorhead7 EVANS
iii. William Stuart7 EVANS
William Chip Pate is seeking information on this family. Please contact him at wspate@earthlink.net
i. Betty7 ADAMS
ii. William7 ADAMS