| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. In 2024, Shawn Henry Potter and his wife Lois Carol Potter published their book "The Family of Indian Trader and Author James Adair," which concludes that James and Joseph, the two oldest Adairs of our line in Laurens County, SC were brothers. James was known in Cherokee records as an "Irishman." Additionally, using a variety of sources, they also conclude that the same James was the Indian trader and author, and husband of two Native American wives. With scientific Y-DNA and haplogroup testing of male descendants with the Adair surname in upstate South Carolina, they also provide a genetic roadmap of the earliest generations and relationships. Using a limited data set 17 Adair-surnamed males, they concluded on pages 164-70 that there were three related branches and one unrelated branch as follows.
A. Branch 1 (our branch): James and Joseph Adair, who were brothers living in Duncan Creek.
B. James had at least two sons named James Jr. and Joseph. James Jr. had a son James Adair III, who had sons Edmond and Robert. Joseph had a son Thomas, who had sons Samuel and Thomas.
C. Joseph had sons Joseph Jr., James, and Benjamin. Joseph Jr. had sons Elisha and Robert.
D. Branch 2: Two other contemporaries, brothers Edward and John Adair of Cane Creek, were great-grandchildren of the same man who was the grandfather of James and Joseph on a separate line. The intervening generations and the common link are all unknown Adairs. John had sons Walter and Edward. Edward had sons Walter and Edward (the latter having a son Calvin, with Calvin having sons Ephraim and George). Descendants of this line became later leaders in the Cherokee Nation. John's wife, Jane Kilgore, was a neighbor of James Adair in Duncan Creek.
E. Branch 3: Another contemporary William Adair of Fishing Creek, was a cousin whose grandfather was the brother to the grandfather of James and Joseph. His father and grandfather's names are unknown. William had two sons John and William Jr.
F. There was potentially a fourth branch for another contemporary known as Alexander Adair, who lived in Laurens County and had two sons. However, a comparison of haplogroups show that they did not share a common direct male-line ancestor with the other three branches within the past 4,000 years.
Besides all of the ancestors of these branches being unknown and unproven, other conclusions concerning our original ancestor James Adair, the Indian trader, were as follows:
Page 12: The names of the historian James Adair's ancestors remain unknown regardless of many erroneous theories that have become popular over the years. The most pernicious is from William Curry Hardlee who suggested that he married Clark Hobson in Virginia and later lived in North Carolina, where he was locally known as Dr. James "Robin" Adair. The book offers convincing evidence that these were two separate men and in separate places at any given time.
Page 8: Adair engaged in the deerskin trade beginning in 1735 in the Cherokee Nation. He never became wealthy from it.
Pages 81-83, 92, 191-92: Adair married first a Cherokee woman from among the lower Cherokee in upstate South Carolina when he began to trade with the Cherokee Nation in 1735. It was important to have a native wife to be accepted in trade and to live among the Cherokee. He made seasonal travel between upstate SC and Charleston, mainly with trade goods and deerskins. In about 1744, he lost his Cherokee wife and children, who all may have fallen victim with a European disease. Little is known about her, but from Adair's writing, it is certain he learned the lower Cherokee dialect and lived in upstate South Carolina from 1735 to 1744. The trading trail at this time led through Duncan Creek, where he would later settle.
Pages 95, 98, 102, 192: Adair married second a woman named Eleanor from the Chickasaw Panther clan in upstate SC in early 1744, who taught him Chickasaw and introduced him to her lower Chickasaw relatives in upstate SC and upper Chickasaw relatives in the vicinity of present-day Tupelo, Mississippi. In May 1745, James and Eleanor led their packhorse trains, loaded with bundles of deerskins, from Ogoula Tchetoka (Tupelo, MS) to the markets of Charleston [some 700 miles). They traveled in the company of several of Eleanor's closest maternal-line relatives, including the historian's "favorite friend" Payamataha, later the principal chief of the tribe.
Pages 96-97, 100, 116-18, 136: Details about Eleanor's life are frustratingly scarce. His writings prove he was a member of the tribe in late 1749 and in a position of command among the Chickasaw Nation in 1760, when he led a party of 43 lower Chickasaw warriors in support of SC in the 1760 Anglo-Cherokee War. (The exploits of Captain James Adair in this war are described in a contemporaneous newspaper account at the time.) He mentioned in 1767 that he was writing his book in the company of his wife. Also, during the same year, an eyewitness named Malcolm McGee confirmed Adair was married with a Chickasaw wife after 1767. Adair's reference to himself as a "brother" of the Chickasaw people reflected his lasting marriage to his Chickasaw wife until at least 1775. Since the Chickasaw practiced a matrilineal system, Eleanor, as a member of the ruling Panther clan, was what Adair wrote when he said she was "as great a princess as ever lived among the ancient Peruvians, or Mexicans."
Page 8: In 1745, SC Governor James Glen commissioned Adair to secure a peace treaty with the French-allied Choctaw Nation. He was successful, but the governor and legislature reneged paying his 1748 and 1750 petitioned expenses. This was a devastating financial loss for Adair.
Page 109-10: Adair confirms he was living in Ogoula Tchetoka (Tupelo, MS) in 1765.
Pages 9-11: In 1772 and 1774, Adair managed to fund at least two transatlantic voyages in his quest to publish his manuscript about the American Indians. An essential element of his strategy involved a seven-year campaign of personal persuasion, stair-stepping his way from one person to the next, as he sought support from ever more prominent and influential colonial leaders, who included Indian superintendents, ministers, Continental Congress delegates, governors, and even Benjamin Franklin. Rather than royalties, Adair took the greatest part of his payment in printed copies of his influential book "The History of the American Indians," which mainly only paid for his two trips to Great Britain. If he realized any profit, it was very little especially in light of the American Revolution which began in 1775 and blocked all commerce between nations and diverted the attention of his potential readers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pages 141, 146, 175, 182-89, 193, 196: Adair was considered to have been living fulltime in the Duncan Creek area by 1773 when he received a royal grant for 200 acres bordering the land of his brother Joseph Adair. However, it may have been on land he already occupied. According to the book, he may have lived there as early as 1747 with Eleanor remaining there while Adair made annual trips to the Chickasaw and Charleston. Occasionally, she would also accompany her husband on those trips and to renew ties with her upper Chickasaw family. Eyewitness Malcolm McGee also puts him in his retirement among the Lower Cherokees, most likely of the Duncan Creek area. By 1779, when the local residents signed what is called the Williams Petition during the Revolutionary War, James signed his name. He may have been the author of the document considering the appearance of uncommon words found in both Adair's book and the petition. His signature matches that of the known correspondence of James Adair the historian. In his retirement years, he became a cooper like his brother to support himself.
Pages 196-97: In 1774, when he returned from London after publishing his book. He stopped in in Northern Ireland before returning back to America. He was accompanied by his distant cousins John and Edward Adair of Cane Creek, as noted above in the DNA results. Upon their arrival, they took on the Indian trade business and also married Cherokee wives.
Page 199: According to dates on local legal documents, Adair died in Duncan Creek after 25 Feb 1784 and before 12 Feb 1796. Eleanor died after 3 Jan 1803. No gravestones survive.
2. The following is now out of date considering the above note from 2024:
The following genealogical summary of the family of James Adair was provided to me from Shawn Potter Aug 2015. Shawn and his wife Lois are the authors of a book to be published sometime in the future entitiled "Chickasaw Wife and Family of James Adair, Author of the History of the American Indians." The book uses extensive historical documentation and modern DNA analysis to assemble the following family. I provide only a summary of the family and the book should be consulted for the footnotes, more detail, and evidence which all support the following conclusions. (If you are a descendent of this family, Shawn would appreciate your contacting him if you are willing to submit your DNA test results as part of the study upon which the book will be based.) The summary:
"James Adair was born probably in Ireland say about 1714. He immigrated to America before 1735. James married Eleanor of the Chickasaw Nation in about 1744. Eleanor was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1726. She was a member of the Panther clan. James died probably in Laurens County, South Carolina, after 25 Feb 1784 and before 12 Feb 1796. Eleanor died probably in Laurens County after 3 Jan 1803. James and Eleanor were the parents of the following children:
1. James Adair, Jr., was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1748. He married Hannah probably in Laurens County say about 1772. Hannah was born probably in Laurens County on 28 Sep 1750. James died in Laurens County on 18 Aug 1818. Hannah died in Laurens County on 10 Nov 1826.
2. Joseph Adair was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1750. He married Sarah probably in Laurens County say about 1776. Joseph died perhaps in Laurens County after 5 Feb 1804.
3. John Adair was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1754. He married first Ga-Ho-Ga of the Cherokee Nation probably in Laurens County say about 1780. Ga-Ho-Ga was born in the Cherokee Nation say about 1760. Ga-Ho-Ga died perhaps in Laurens County after 7 Feb 1789. John married second Jane Kilgore probably in Laurens County say about 1790. Jane was born probably in Laurens County say about 1773. John died in present-day Oconee County, South Carolina, after 4 Nov 1815 and before 4 Dec 1815. Jane died perhaps in present-day Oconee County after 4 Dec 1815.
4. Edward Adair was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1756. He married first Margaret in Philadelphia on 7 Apr 1784. Edward married second Elizabeth Martin of the Cherokee Nation probably in the Cherokee Nation say about 1789. Elizabeth was born probably in the Cherokee Nation say about 1769. Edward died probably in present-day Oconee County after 3 Nov 1800. Elizabeth died probably in the Cherokee Nation after 13 Jul 1816.
N.B. James and Eleanor had "children" in 1748; and a daughter lived in Georgia between 1788 and 1791."
3. 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. "SC Archives, Council Journal 34 p. 39, 2 Feb. 1768 - Petitions for Warrants of Survey:
James Adair - 150 a. - Waters of Duncan Creek - granted 1768 (James was noted as James, Sr. up to his death.)
Joseph Adair - 250 a. - Waters of Duncan Creek
Council Journal 34, p. 236, 7 Dec, 1768 - Petitions to Prolong Warrants:
Joseph Adair - 250 a. - on Duncan Creek
His 250 a. was granted in 1770 (where Duncan Creek Church now stands). Joseph Adair sold this grant in 1778 to Benjamin Adair. (Deed Bk. A, p. 189)
The above is the first record for Joseph Adair, Sr., cooper, found in Laurens Co. [NB: this is incorrect. Joseph Adair petitioned for 200 acres on the Waters of the Santee [Council Journal of 3 Dec 1766, p. 874]. The Memorial for this property reads as follows: A Memorial exhibited by Joseph Adair, 200 acres of a Plantation or tract of land contg. 200 acres situate in Berkly County on the So. side of Enoree River on a branch thereof called Millers Creek bounded Ewardly on land of Frances McCall, and on all other sides on vacant land. Survey certified the 7th of March 1769 (Plat Book 9, p. 341) and granted the 2nd day of June 1769 to the memorialist. Quit rent to commence two years hence. SC Memorial Book 8, p. 482. 9 Sep 1769]. James Adair who petitioned for land on the same date as Joseph is possibly the James Adair who married Eleanor and who had died in Laurens Co. prior to 12 Feb. 1796. Early deeds refer to him as James Adair, cooper . His 150 a. grant is evidently the one shown on Union Co. Land Grant map #4 and #12 on a branch of Duncan Creek which is called McCall's Branch on map #4. Other early maps refer to this branch as Miller's Fork. On present day maps it is called Sand Creek ... NE of Clinton, in the area between Hwy. 72 and Hwy. 98. Since available deeds do not make clear the disposition of the above 150 a., there is still some uncertainty that the grant was to James Adair, wife Eleanor; however, it is certain that he was in Laurens Co. 11 Aug. 1774 when he received a grant of 200 a. on a branch of Duncan Creek. Land Grant map #4 says granted in 1770 but deeds say 1774; this grant lying between the main branch of Duncan and Philson's Crossroad, and very near to Joseph Adair, Sr.'s original grant.
Since both Joseph Adair and James Adair have been identified as coopers and they both petitioned for land on the same date, it seems logical to think that they were brothers. (Dr. James Adair's History states that James Adair, Indian trader, was a brother of Joseph Adair, Sr. but extensive research on the Indian trader does not substantiate the claim.)
Council Journal 34 should be consulted for any other possible information which might be contained in the land petitions of Joseph and James Adair in 1768.
The exact year that Joseph Adair arrived in South Carolina has not been determined. He was in Lancaster Co., Pa. in 1759 when he was given Power-of-Attorney to sell land for John, Josiah, and Jennet Ramage. In his History of the Presbyterian Church in SC, George Howe, D.D. states that in 1763 or 1766, Joseph Adair, Thomas Ewing, Wm. Hanna, and the McCrearys had united in building a house of worship. The June 9, 1896 issue of "The Laurens Advertiser" has an article about the 130th. anniversary of Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church which was "organized in summer of 1766".
B. "James Adair, Sr., cooper, & ELEANOR, his wife. As stated on p. 1, it has not been definitely determined that this James Adair was the one who petitioned for land along with Joseph Adair, cooper, in 1767; however, he has been documented as the James Adair who received a grant of 200 a. on Duncan Creek 11 Aug. 1774. Surety for this grant was certified 3 June 1773, so James Adair was in Laurens Co. before that date, (See Deed Bk. F, pp. 8, 9, 10).
He is also considered to have been the James Adair, cooper, to whom John Brotherton and wife, Esther, sold in 1774, 60 a. on a spring branch of Duncan Creek. (See Deed Bk. A, p. 185.)
Birth date of James Adair, Sr., cooper, is not known. He died sometime between 24 Feb. 1784 (date of deed to John Jones, blacksmith) and 12 Feb. 1796 (date of deed to which Eleanor, widow of James Adair, dec'd, released her right of dower.). Birth date of Eleanor Adair is unknown; last record of her is also 12 Feb. 1796, release of dower. On 6 Feb. 1792, she was witness to a deed from William Price and wife Margaret, to James Adair, son of James.
James Adair, Sr. left no will in Laurens Co. No estate papers have been located in Laurens Co. Eleanor Adair left no will or estate papers in Laurens Co. Data from Laurens Co. deeds indicate that a son of James and Eleanor was Joseph Adair.
Deed Bk. F, p. 109 - 12 Feb. 1796, Joseph Adair, Jr. to Wm. Holland, 120 a. on a small branch of Duncan Creek. N on John McCreary now John A. Elmore, SW by John Adair now Benj. Adair, S by me, a grant of 2 Oct, 1786; the other plantation of 100 a. purchased from Samuel Ewing 16 Dec. 1778, part of 150 a. grant to Samuel Ewing 30 Sept. 1774, Joining the above tract. Joseph Adair, Jr.*
Wit: B.H. Saxon, JA Elmore, Basil Holland
Release of dower:
Sarah Adair, wife of Joseph Adair, Jr.
Eleanor(x)Adair. Widow of James Adair, dec'd.
{*Joseph Adair called "Jr." to distinguish from Joseph Adair, son of Joseph Adair, cooper, who was at that time called Joseph Adair, "Sr.", after the death of his father in 1789.)
Deed Bk, G, p. 570 - 7 Jan. 1803, Joseph Adair, planter, to John Daniel Kern of Charleston, merchant, 86 a. on N side of Duncan Creek, adj. said J. D. Kern. N 10, W 40, S 30, etc., on Joseph Adair line, S 80, E ??, etc. on Mistres ?Musgrove (seems error for "Mistress Montgomery"). Joseph Adair
Wit: Thomas Martin, Tailor; William Dabbage
Release of Dower:
Sarah Adair, wife of Joseph Adair, Jr.
Eleanor (x) Adair, widow of James Adair, dec'd."
4. Observation of Shawn Potter per his email to me dated 22 Feb 2024. Not sure I totally concur and more research is needed before doing so:
"By the way, Joseph was at home when James and Eleanor received their royal grant for 200 acres in 1773 (James received 100 acres for himself, 50 acres for Eleanor, and 50 acres for Joseph -- James Jr. was already married). This means that Joseph's son, Thomas, was not born in 1771. His birth year of 1777 makes sense, and the above observation makes the proposed birth year of 1771 impossible."
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
Abt 1726 - Aft 1803 (> 77 years)
