George Washington Adams

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Adams

George Washington Adams (April 12, 1801 – April 30, 1829) was the eldest son of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. He had a troubled life and died of apparent suicide at age 28.[1]

Early life and career

Adams graduated from Harvard University Class of 1821 and studied law. After briefly practicing law, he ran for state office. He was elected to the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1826. He wrote a pamphlet "An Oration delivered at Quincy, on the Fifth of July, 1824".

Health

Adams had a troubled life. Although he married, he had a reputation as an alcoholic and womanizer. He was said to be predisposed to gloom and paranoia, a combination that would likely be classified as depressive illness. On April 30, 1829, Adams disappeared from the Benjamin Franklin in Long Island Sound during passage to New York City. His body was reported washed ashore on June 13, 1829.[2] Historians believe that he committed suicide.

Family

Adams had a son named Jacob (1826 - ???). Jacob Adams married Julia (1827 - ???) in Poughkeepsie, New York. The U.S. Census, 1870, for Duchess County, New York, listed Jacob and Julia Adams, and their seven children: Hoxsie, Peter, James, Phillip, Julie, George, and Jackla. A "Hoxie Adams" served as a Sergeant in Company E, 1st Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps.

In 1876 Hoxsie and James migrated with their families to Atascosa County, Texas, by way of St. Louis. Hoxsie's wife, Marietta DuBois, kept a diary of the journey. Portions of her account were published in the August 22, 1984, edition of the Pleasanton Express, in an article written by J.C.W. Merchant. A "Hoxie Adams" born 1842 of New York is in the 1880 US Census for Texas.

Hoxsie Adams died in 1910 and was buried in Tumlinson Cemetery near Leming, Texas. A historical marker at his gravesite names several of his descendants who are buried within the cemetery. Nearby Adams Lane was named in his honor over 100 years ago.

Prior to his death George Washington Adams had a mistress, Eliza Dolph, who allegedly gave birth to a child in December 1828 {birth not confirmed}.

Dolph was the chamber maid to a Dr. Welch, the family's Boston doctor. She had a child in December of 1828 and was moved to another location so George could visit her and the baby in secrecy. Miss Eliza Dolph became ill in March and her child was forced to be cared for by another. She remained very ill. By July 1829, "Eliza has now gained her health- lost her child- learned a lesson by experience- by my attention, been well supported through it..." according to Miles Farmer. [excerpt from Report of a Trial: Miles Farmer, vs Dr. David Humphreys Storer, April 1830] Pages from John Quincy Adams journal reference a letter from Dr. Storer in 1929 making him aware of certain events in George's life. Conversations held with his son Charles regarding the estate of his late son George, are also noted in his journal on June 19, 1829.

Notes

  1. ^ Shepherd, Jack, Cannibals of the Heart: A Personal Biography of Louisa Catherine and John Quincy Adams, New York, McGraw-Hill 1980

2. ^ Shepherd, Jack, Cannibals of the Heart: A Personal Biography of Louisa Catherine and John Quincy Adams, New York, McGraw-Hill 1980

George Washington Adams (1801-1828) — of Massachusetts. Born in Berlin, Germany, 1801. Grandson of John Adams; son of John Quincy Adams (1767-1848); brother of Charles Francis Adams; uncle of John Quincy Adams (1833-1894) and Brooks Adams. Member of Massachusetts state house of representatives, 1826. Committed suicide in April 1828. Burial location unknown.

Adams graduated from Harvard University Class of 1821 and studied law. After briefly practicing law, he ran for state office. He was elected to the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1826. He wrote a pamphlet "An Oration delivered at Quincy, on the Fifth of July, 1824".

Adams had a troubled life. Although he never married, he had a reputation as an alcoholic and womanizer. He was said to be predisposed to gloom and paranoia, a combination that would likely be classified as depressive illness. On April 30, 1829, Adams disappeared from the Benjamin Franklin in Long Island Sound during passage to New York City. His body was reported washed ashore on June 13, 1829.[2] Historians believe that he committed suicide.

George Washington Adams (April 12, 1801 – April 30, 1829) was the eldest son of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. He had a troubled life and died of apparent suicide at age 28.

Adams graduated from Harvard University Class of 1821 and studied law. After briefly practicing law, he ran for state office. He was elected to the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1826. He wrote a pamplet "An Ornation delivered at Quincy, on the Fifth of July, 1824".

Adams had a troubled life. Although he married, he had a reputation as an alcoholic and womanizer. He was said to be predisposed to gloom and paranoia, a combination that would likely be classified as depressive illness. On April 30, 1829, Adams disappeared from the Benjamin Franklin in Long Island Sound during passage to New York City. His body was reported washed ashore on June 13, 1829. Historians believe that he committed suicide.

Prior to his death George Washington Adams had a mistress an Eliza Dolph who allegedly gave birth to a child in December 1828 {birth not confirmed}.