Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

James Adair

Male - Aft 1819


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  • Name James Adair 
    Gender Male 
    Died Aft 1819 
    Person ID I3722  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Joseph Adair,   b. 12 Apr 1735, of, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 20 Jan 1812, , Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth,   d. From 1808 to 1812, of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Bef 1756  of Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F932  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Rebecca,   d. Aft 1819 
    Married Bef 1819  of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1841  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Jett Hanna [jettplane@aol.com] provided me on 8 Jul 2005 with a copy of his analysis of the Brownlee manuscript as follows. It mirrors my own understanding; however, anything with which I disagree I note in [brackets]. Jett entitles his paper as "Laurens County Area Adair Family Trees." It is broken down by three families: James Adair who married Eleanor, his brother Joseph who married Sarah Laferty, and a William of whom absolutely nothing is known except just his name on the Williams Petition and that Brownlee notes he died 1780-84 and that his estate was administered 1784 per Abbe Wills, p. 10. Text quoted as follows:
      "This tree is based on Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina, by Mildred Brownlee. This was provided to me by W. Lee Adair, who obtained it from the Laurens County Public Library. Handwritten notes show a date of 1990 on Brownlee's manuscript. I have not examined these deeds personally. In some cases, notes and questions below are my own additions. This analysis seems to discredit some of the trees in the Adair History and Genealogy, and adds significantly to what is know of the Laurens area Adairs. I have not fully finished analyzing this work, and may have left out parts that are not as critical to my work.
      "Based on this work, it appears very possible that the elder Joseph Adair (m. Sarah, m. Susannah) and his brother James (m. Eleanor) settled in Laurens County at the same time, as suggested by the Adair History and Genealogy. I do not believe, however, that this James was the author of the book on the Indians and reputed patriarch of the Cherokee Adairs. This James was a cooper (barrel maker) according to the deeds. Modern editions of the History of the American Indians suggest that the author James Adair was a direct immigrant to South Carolina, but with no concrete evidence.
      "The Williams Petition: In the tree, LCW is Laurens County Wills; LCD is Laurens County Deeds. Also mentioned is the Williams petition. This petition is a significant document in analyzing the Laurens County Adairs. Published in the South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. XV, No. 1 1987, p. 32-33, the original is #5767, Manuscript Department, Wm. Perkins Library at Duke University. The petition is in support of Colonel James Williams, a militia leader of the Patriots in the Laurens area (Little River Regiment). The petition, signed by members of the Little River Regiment, is directed to the Governor of South Carolina and the Privy Counsel, and attests to Williams' devotion to the Patriot cause. Williams led militia in a number of battles. I suspect that this petition was provided prior to Williams' elevation to the rank of Brigadier General following the Battle of Musgrove Mill, which was fought in what is now Laurens County. Williams had been accused of puffing his role in the battle. Williams went on to die at Kings Mountain - one of the few Patriot casualties that day on October 7, 1780. Williams had run for the South Carolina legislature as a Patriot in 1778, only to lose to Robert Cunningham, the infamous Loyalist leader. For more on Williams, see Draper, "Kings Mountain and Its Heroes," (Cincinnati, 1883). Signers of the Williams petition include the following Adairs: Isaac Adair, Jms. Adair, James Adair, Sr., Joseph Adair, Jr., Joseph Adair, Benjamin Adair, Joseph Adair, Sr., James Adair, Jr, son of James, William Adair, John Adair, and John Adair, Sr., and Alexander Adair. Comparing deed and will records to the names, Brownlee identifies the Adair signers [copies Brownlee's explanations]. Brownlee's identifications look very logical to me.
      "The Laurens County Adair Tree:
      2. Joseph Adair m. Sarah Lafferty, m. Susannah Long: 250a land grant, present site of Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church. Was sold 1778 to Benjamin Adair LCD A/189, 1778). Release by wife??? Will in LCW A-1/19, dated 1788, other info says death 1801. Joseph 414(5) 1790 Census?
      2.1 Joseph Adair m. Elizabeth - Joseph's son named in father's will. His will LCW D-1/104; Bundle 65, Pkg. 10, proven 1/14/1813.
      2.1.1 John m. Jane Jones: John named as son in father's will.
      2.1.2 James m. Rebecca: James named as son in father's will.
      2.1.3 Robert: Robert named as son in father's will.
      2.1.4 Elisha m Elizabeth (Betsy) Reese?: Elisha named as son in father's will.
      2.1.4.1 Joseph: Named as grandson in grandfather's will
      2.1.4.2 Washington
      2.1.4.3 Isaac
      2.1.4.4 Thomas R. m. Jane Blakely
      2.1.4.5 Allen
      2.1.4.6 Richmond
      2.1.4.7 Matilda
      2.1.5 Elizabeth m. George Davis: Elizabeth named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is John Huston.
      2.1.5.1 Mary Davis m. Robert Cunningham Hanna
      2.1.5.2 Hannah Davis m. Robert McCord
      2.1.5.3 George Davis
      m. John Huston
      2.1.5.4 Joseph Hughston
      2.1.5.5 Elisha Hughston
      2.1.5.6 Nancy/Agnes Hughston m. James Wilson
      2.1.6 Jean m. Thomas Holland: Jean named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will. Thomas Holland 101 1790 Census?
      2.1.7 Cassy m. Thomas McCrary: Cassy named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will.
      2.1.8 Charity m. ___ Farmer: Charity named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is David Little.
      2.1.8.1 Mary Farmer: stepdaughter mentioned in will of David Little.
      m. David Little
      2.1.8.2 David Little
      2.1.8.3 Elizabeth Little
      2.1.8.4 Joseph Little
      2.1.8.5 James Little
      2.1.8.6 Jane Little
      2.1.8.7 John Little
      2.1.8.8 Nancy Little
      2.1.8.9 Thomas E. Little
      2.1.8.10 Holland Little
      2.2 James Adair m. Rebecca Montgomery: James named as son in father's will. 110a from Nathaniel Hillen, 144a granted to him directly. POA to brother Benjamin in Book G, Pg. 666. Does POA mention Rebecca? Or dower releases? Deeds LCW J/161-162, A/308. J/161 is sale to sons of James Sr. - Joseph and George R. James 327 1790 Census? If 13 children, only 10 in this census.
      2.2.1 Joseph Adair: LCW J/160 sells interest to brother George R.
      2.2.2 George R. Adair m. Rachel Musgrove: George named in deed from brother Joseph.
      (From Indiana Data according to Brownlee:)
      2.2.3 Margaret Jane Adair m. John Ewing
      2.2.4 Rebecca Adair m. James Remy
      2.2.5 John Adair
      2.2.6 Jane Adair m. ___Eads
      2.2.7 Isaac Adair m. Jane Holland
      2.2.8 Lucretia Adair m. John Wildridge
      2.2.9 James Adair
      2.3 Benjamin Adair m. Nancy (George?): Benjamin named as son in father's will. Benjamin's will Box 1, Pkg 1. I have seen another cite for will. Benjamin 133 1790 Census. Only 3 of 5 sons accounted for, 2 of 4 daughters. Children below in his will.
      2.3.1 Zadock
      2.3.2 William
      2.3.3 John
      2.3.4 d m. James Jamieson
      2.3.5 d m. Samuel Bowie
      2.3.6 Isaac
      2.3.7 Benjamin
      2.3.8 Margaret
      2.3.9 d m. William Craig
      2.4 Jean/Jane Adair m. Ramage
      2.5 John Adair m. Sarah Adair (son of Joseph???). Died in Revolution. Note: Sarah named in Joseph's will. Might have been daughter in law, wife of the deceased son John. [Jett places John as a son of Joseph Sr. whereas Brownlee makes a case for him being a possible son of either Joseph or his brother James.]
      2.5.1 Benjamin Adair, Jr.
      2.5.2 Joseph Adair
      2.5.3 Martha Adair
      2.5.4 Hezekiah Adair
      2.5.5 Isaac Adair

      2. Censuses:
      1810 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, five Adairs are found in a total of 72 pages as follows; page numbers represent which page in 72 the entry is found. All age numbers are single digit except one (13). I am not sure which 1810 Adairs these fit exactly:
      P. 25, Wm. Adir, 001103010002
      P. 58, Elisha Adear or Adiar, 32011101100 (13)
      P. 58, Benja. Adir, 021011020102
      P. 59, Jas Adir, 100102001000
      P. 60, Jas Adir, 200102001000

      1820 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina; there are two James Adairs in the census - the other one is an older couple with no children. There is no guarantee that this is the right James Adair; however, our James and his wife Rebecca was here as late as 1819 per a deed as noted below.
      James Adair, males 0-10:1; 10-16:1; 26-45:1; females 0-10:1; 10-16:2; 26-45:1.

      3. Laurens County Estate Book A-1 [there are several James Adairs in Laurens County at this time - I assume the following is for this individual considering the relations among the purchasers]:
      Pp. 263-265: "Saile Bill of the Estate of Aberham Hollen decd. Purchasers: Esener Hollen, Baswel Hollen, Thos Hollen, Reson Hollen, Wm. Hollen, Richd Hollen, Joseph Mitchel, James Adair, Elisha Adair, Joseph Adair, George Adair, Benjamin Adair, Robert Hannah, James Hannah, George Dillard, James Ensley, Aberham Tinsley, Michael Farguson, Saml Lard, Jas. Lard, John Kirk, John Cargil, Jas Jones, Jas Ramage, David Little, Alexr Monro, Elexander Morrison, Wm. Gray, John Miller, Bennet Langston, John A. Elmore, John Pucket, John Ginn, Jas. Brown, Thos Ensley, Joseph Gallegly, Jas. Blakely, Wm. Jones, Wm. Rogers. Proven accompts Sarah Lard, Thomas Holland, Richard Holland, John Dannel Kern, John Waer; Basel Holland, Thos Holland admrs."

      4. I am unsure as to which James Adair the following James may be but it may be this James. Per "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research," vol. 14, p. 18, "Laurens District Estate Divisions 1825-1834":
      "John Prayther decd real Estate. Joseph Dollar & Hannah his wife $82.50, vs William Dollar & Lyny his wife, $87.03, James Prayther, Archibald Prayther, Martha Prayther, Bryce Prayther, Nelly Prather, James Adair guardian, $261.11."

      5. "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research," vol. 15, pp. 164-168, "Some Jury Lists from Ninety Six District" lists a James Adair from the Laurens County subdivision of the District for 18 Apr 1798. There are several James Adairs at this time in the county and this individual may or may not be this person.

      6. "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research," vol. 25, pp. 22-23, 84, "Laurens District Coroner's Inquisitions 1802-1865," show Robert Long, Esquire, as one of the Justices of the Peace:
      Pp. 22-23: "Inquest on the Body of John Rea. Filed 2nd Jany 1809. Laurens District - An Inquisition Indented taken at John Luks in the district aforesaid the twenty first day of november in the year 1808, before me Robert Long Esquire one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in and for the said district (the Coroner being absent) upon the view of the body of John Rea of the district of Laurens aforesaid taylor, then and there Lying dead upon the oaths of William Craigg, James Howeton,Samuel Mcconokey, Patrick Scott, James Willson, David Graham, John Dilard, francis Bradock, James Adair senior, Thomas Mccrery, William Mcclure senior, Reuben Meddows, James Craig, David Templeton senior good and Lawful men of the said district who being charged and Sworn to enquire for the Said State, when, where, how, and after what manner the Said John Rea came to his death do Say upon their oathes that he aforesaid John Rea did come to his death By Intoxication... In witness whereof... the Jurors... put our hand and seal the day and year first above written. Robert Long J.P., Willam Craig, James (X) Howerton, Samuel Mconaky, Patrick Scott, James Willson, David Graham, John Dillard, Francis (X) Braddock, James Adair, Thomas Mccrary, William (X) McCluer, Reuben Meador, James Craig, David (X) Templeton."
      P. 84: [Note: I suggest that Joseph Adair was probably the son of Joseph (the cooper) and Elizabeth Adair, the first James was their son, and the second James was probably the son of James(the cooper) and Eleanor Adair. "Inquest on the dead Body of Jack and African the property of Thomas McCrery ... Filed 16 April 1810. Laurens District - An inquisition indented taken at Thomas McCrery's... the Sixth day of April in the year 1810, before me Robert Long one of the Justices assinged to keep the peace for the district aforesaid, upon the view of the Body of a Negro man named Jack ... then and there lying Dead upon the Oaths of Joseph Adair, Josiah Williams, John Finney, Manaseh Finney, Abraham Holland, Richard Holland, George McCrery, John Weeks, James Adair son of Joseph, John Gamble, George Gamble and James Adair; good and lawful men of the said district ... Say upon their oaths that Jack the Negro ... with a Cord madeof cotton usually termed a plough Line ... and there in his cabin with said rope Round his neck, double in the form of a noose and the other part tied round one of the ribs of the cabin aforesaid by which means he was strangled to death then and there Volontarily and feloniously as a felon ofeldid kill and Murder and hang himself against the peace of this State. Robert Long, J.P., Joseph Adair, Josiah Williams, John finney, Manasseh Finney, Abram Holland, Richard Holland, Geo. McCrery, John Weeks, James Adair, John Gamble, George Gamble, James Adair."

      7. From Ancestry.com's "Blacks Found in the Deeds of Laurens & Newberry Counties,XC: 1785-1827" is found Roger Brown as Justice of the Peace from 1792 through 1799. Some of the transactions involved Adairs as follows. I am not sure exactly which Adair family since the names were so repetitive among cousins, but I believe the most likely candidate is Joseph Adair who had the sons John, Robert, and James:
      "Deed Book D: 155. April 17, 1792. Bill of Sale. James Flin, of Laurens County, South Carolina in consideration of the sum of ₤120 Sterling have sold unto John Doyal, a negro woman named Sela, about 35 or 36 years of age, country born. Also one negro girl named Tabbey about 10 or 11 years of age, also one other negro girl child named Willey about 7 years of age and one other negro child named Dicey about 2 years old all three the children of said Sela. James (mark) Finn, Wit. Robert Adair, James Adair. Proved by Robert Adair 11 May 1792 before Roger Brown. J.P. Recorded May 15, 1792."
      "Deed Book E:370. February 12, 1795. bill of Sale. I Patrick O'Bryant, planter, of Laurens County, South Carolina in consideration of the sum of ₤60 Sterling paid by Joseph Adair of the County and State aforesaid sell one Negroes Wench named Poll ages about 40 years old, one Negroes boy named Jacob, One grey horse, one black mare, and one bay cold mare, three cows, one black, one spotted, one red and 3 calves... 12 February 1795. Signed Patrick (O) O'Bryant. Wit. John Adair, James Adair. Proved by John Adair 14 Feb. 1795 before Roger Brown, Justice of said County. Recorded February 18, 1795."
      "Deed Book F: 184. December 15, 1796. Bill of Sale. Joseph Adair and Thomas Hughey, both of Laurens County, South Carolina, planters, to Bryant Leek, of the same place in consideration of the sum of $152, sell one negro boy named Jacob to said Bryant Leek. Joseph Adair, Thomas Hughey. Wit. Robert Adair. William Saxon. Proved by William Saxon 4 January 1797 before Roger Brown, J.P. Recorded February 21, 1797."
      "Deed Book F: 431. September 1, 1798. Bill of Sale. Thomas Gary, of Laurens County, South Carolina in consideration of the sum of $00?? have sold to James Adair for, of the same place, two negroes, one woman name Cynthia and the other a negro girl named Jemina. Thomas Gary, L.S. Wit. J.P. Williams, David Mason. Proved by David Mason. 19 February 1799 before Roger Brown, J.P."

      8. Typescript "Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina." Compiled by Mildred Brownlee; Source Records: Wills; Intestate Estates; Deeds; Court Records; Cemetery Inscriptions. Some dates of birth and death obtained from Lineage Charts. Dates of birth and death subject to correction. Spelling of names subject to correction. [Note that bracketed comments are later additions by other reviewers including myself - Kerry Petersen.]
      A. "Recorded in Will Book D-l, Page 104, Bundle 65, pkg. 10. Proven January 14, 1813. David Anderson Ordy. Will of Joseph Adair:
      "State of South Carolina Laurens District. In the name of God, Amen. Know all men by those presents that I Joseph Adair of tho same State and District are now in good health and in my natural senses at this date and time make this my last will and testament. At my death I bequeath my body to tho tomb, my soul to the almighty God, my maker and created and Jesus Christ my redeemer. Likewise I give and bequeath unto John Adair my son all the land that I layed off for him, that Richard Hollen and John Frier now lives on and one Negro woman named Jude. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my son James Adair all that part of a tract of land he now lives on lying on the South Side of Little Dunkins Creek bounded on land of Thomas McCrary, Alexander Wilkerson, Elisha Adair and one Negro man named Duke. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Adair the money that he did receive from Alexander Wilkerson for a tract of land made over by me and my son Elisha Adair to said Wilkerson and one Negro girl named Tamer. Likewise I give and bequeath to my son Elisha Adair all that part of land I now live on containing three hundred and seventy five acres more or less, resurvayed by John A. Elmore one Negro boy named Morris, one new waggon and all her harness. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Joseph Adair, son of Elisha Adair, one set of silver coat buttons, and one set of silver breeches buttons to my son Robert Adair. I likewise, give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Huston, one Negro girl named Clartis to be thern during there natural life, and at their death to be equally divided among all Elizabeth Huston's children of her natural body. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jean, wife of Thomas Holland. one Negro girl named Dice. Likewise, I give unto my daughter Cassy, wife of Thomas McCrary one Negro woman named Lid. Likewise, I give and bequeath, unto Charity, wife of David Little, one Negro woman named Sarah and all the rest of my perishable property to be equally divided among my eight children of my natural body. I hereby set my hand and seal this 20th of January, 1812. It being the thirty sixth and thirty seventh years of American Independency. And l do here appoint Elisha Adair and John Adair my Executors.
      Joseph Adair (Seal)
      Witness present: Richard Holland, William Adair, George McCrary
      Recorded in Will Book D-1, Page 105. Recorded date not available. Proven Jan, 15, 1813. David Anderson Ordy."
      B. James Adair - "to son, James Adair, the tract of land he now lives on, lying on the S side of Little Duncan Creek. add. Thos. McCrary. Alexander Wilkerson, & Elisha Adair; also a Negro man Duke."
      Deed Bk. K, p. 235 - 6 Jan. 1819, James Adair to Wm. Gamble, 135 a. on Miller's Fork, part of an original grant to Joseph Adair, adj. James Howerton and land formerly belonging to Elisha Adair. Release of dower by Rebecca Adair.
      Nothing further of this James Adair has been found in Laurens Co. records. In 1823, Elisha Adair owned a slave Duke. Same Duke?"

      9. From the book "Adair History and Genealogy," by James Barnett Adair, 1924, p. 150: "James Adair, moved to Tennessee, settled S.E. of Nashville, in 1800."
      This does not seem correct since we have records above showing him in Laurens co. through at least 1819.