Joel Adams, Sr.

Joel Adams (1750–1830), South Carolina State Representative 1814–1815. Father of Joel Adams II and William Weston Adams

GEDCOM Note

Bio notes: Owner of the slave plantation called the Homestead, Revolutionary War Hero. He owned the plantation with his uncle Richard (Funny coincidence like Matthew and his uncle) and had roots in coastal North Carolina, Virginia and before 1640 back in England. It is hard to document though but still interesting nonetheless.

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Adams-29118

Joel Adams, Sr. is remembered for his service during the American Revolution in both the South Carolina Militia and the Continental Army. As a planter he contributed significantly to the agricultural and political systems of eighteenth-century South Carolina. He was also a significant slave owner.

Born in Virginia, he initially swore allegiance to Great Britain; however, after 1776, he became dedicated to the cause of colonial independence from England.

Served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; planter; member of South Carolina state house of representatives, 1814-15. Baptist. Died in Congaree, Richland District (now Richland County), S.C., July 9, 1830 (age 80 years, 155 days). Interment at St. John's Episcopal Churchyard, Congaree, S.C.

History of the Adams Family by James Hopkins Adams:

"According to tradition, Joel Adams ran away from home when he was veryyoung because of an intense dislike for his stepfather. Apparently he wasabout eighteen years of age when he came to lower Richland County in 1768and obtained a grant of land adjoining the property of William Weston.Although lacking a fornmal education, Joel Adams was a very intelligent,hardworking, courageous and ambitious man of the highest character. Byhis own merits he amassed a fortune. It is told that his courtship of Grace Weston was long and persistent.So many times did she refuse him that he resolved never again to ask herto marry. Nevertheless, one day while riding, his horse by habit turnedin to the Weston home, and Joel decided to try once more. They weremarried, and lived a long and happy life together."

His marriage to Grace Weston resulted in seven children. His sons William and Joel became members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and his grandson James Hopkins Adams served as Governor of South Carolina.

Children:

1. James Adams1776-? married Sylvia Poythress Goodwin,
2. Sarah Adams 1778-1809 married Reverend Isaac Raiford Tucker,
3. Frances Adams 1781-1781, Joel 1784-1859 married Mary Goodwyn Hopkins,
4. William Weston Adams 1786-1831 married Sarah Epps Goodwyn,
5. Henry Walker Adams 1790-1815 married Marthe Anderson Hopkins and Mary Goodwyn (his son became 66th Governor of South Carolina [1]

Slave Holdings

See Slaves of Joel Adams I < link > for the estate inventory of his slave holdings as well as, census records. For information on his plantation please see the Homestead Plantation page.

Note (The citation below is not the inventory. It leads to Ancestry Canada to a typewritten image of one page of the will, not the inventory. See Family Search record in Sources for the full will. See the Slaves of Joel Adams I above for inventory).

In an evaluation of his estate, performed November 1830, 89 slaves are named in the inventory.[2]

The Will of Joel Adams, Sr. < [https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:The_Will_of_Joel_Adams%2C_Sr. link] >

Note

His Confederate soldier grandson, Robert Adams II, was the inspiration for a 2007 motion picture titled The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams.

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hopkins_Adams), Robert 1793-1850 married Anne Elizabeth Reese.
2. ↑ Probate:"South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980"
3. Richland County, South Carolina Miscellaneous Estate Records, 1799-1955; Author: South Carolina. County Court (Richland County); Probate Place: Richland, South Carolina
4. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 9080 #962252 (accessed 31 January 2022)
5. Joel Adams Senior probate on 21 Jul 1830. See Image 129
6. Joel Adams, Sr. Will: General index to wills, 1787-1950; wills, 1787-1941: "South Carolina Probate Re... Bound Volumes, 1671-1977"
7. Catalog: General index to wills, 1787-1950; wills, 1787-1941 Wills, Vol. E 1806-1816 Wills, Vols. G-H 1814-1834
8. Image path: South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 > Richland > Wills, 1823-1834, Vol. H > image 564 of 649; Citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
9. FamilySearch Image (accessed 19 February 2022)
10. Green, Edwin L. A History of Richland County, Volume One 1732-1805. Columbia, South Carolina: The R. L. Bryan Company, 1932, pp 33-34, 62, 92.
11. Hopkins, Laura Jervey. Lower Richland Planters: Hopkins, Adams, Weston and Related Families of South Carolina. Columbia: The R. L. Bryan Company, 1976, pp 304-305, 411.
12. Meynard, Virginia G. History of Lower Richland County and Its Early Planters. Columbia, South Carolina: The R. L. Bryan Company, 2010, pp 160, 215-221.
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Adams
14. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75518306/joel-adams
15. History of the Adams Family by James Hopkins Adams
16. The Adams Family of the Fork, J.H. Adams SC Mag of Ancestral Research Vol 11 p.138, SC
17. Headstone, St John s Episcopal, Congaree, SC
18. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Adams-29118
19. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:L9CP-ZDW
20. https://www.culpepperconnections.com/ss/g0/p1893.htm#i56784 cites
    1. Laura Jervey Hopkins, Lower Richland Planters, Hopkins, Adams, Weston and Related Families of South Carolina, , 1976.
    2. E-mail written 6 Jun 2006 to Lew Griffin from Wallace Adams-Riley, e-mail address.
    3. Laura Jervey Hopkins, Lower Richland Planters, Hopkins, Adams, Weston and Related Families of South Carolina, , 1976. Page 304. < GoogleBooks >
21. Henry Walker granted a deed to Joel Adams, Sr. [probably his grandson] witnessed by Edmond Lilly, Jeremiah Dumas and Joseph Culpepper of Morgan Co. GA [probably his step father] on 16 Jul 1754 at Anson Co., North Carolina, Book B, Page 517: HENRY WALKER of Anson Co., to JAMES ADAMS for ten pistoles ...land on S side Pee Dee, below the mouth of Rockey River, 135 A... HENRY WALKER (SEAL), Wit EDMOND LILLY, JEREMIAH DUMAS, JOSEPH CULPEPPER.