Person:John Adair (29)

RESEARCH_NOTES: 1. Jett Hanna [[email protected]] 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

BIOGRAPHY: 1. 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.]

 "JOHN ADAIR - killed in ‘82. John Adair served as a private in the Revolution and was killed in 1762 [s/b 1782]. His widow, Sarah, drew a state annuity for his service. His indent for Revo. service, No. 349, Book 8, was redeemed by James Adair, admr. of the estate of John Adair. dec'd. on 15 Sept. 1785. (Accounts Audited, SC archives). Estate papers for John Adair are in Abbeville Co. C.H., Box 2, pkg. 30, administered 5 May 1784 by Sarah Adair, James Adair, Joseph Adair, and James Montgomery. Inv. made by Thomas Ewing, James Craig, and Benjamin Adair.
 Mrs. Sarah Adair furnished the hire of a wagon and salt for the use of the Militia in the Revo. Indent No. 351, Book S...£3... 5 sh... 5½ pence.
 John Adair left a widow, Sarah, and five children:

Benjamin Adair. Jr. Joseph Adair Martha Adair Hezekiah Adair Isaac Adair

 All were minors in Laurens Co. Court Minutes in 1785. Benjamin Adair, Sr. was guardian of the minors, with Joseph Adair, surety.
 John Adair received a Royal Grant of 100 a. in Craven Co. (*Colonial Craven Co. included a part of the present Laurens Co.) on waters of Duncan Creek. The original grant certified on 18 Aug. 1772, granted 11 Aug. 1774, memorial in the Auditor General's Office, Book M, No. 13. p, 230, 7 Jan. 1775.
 Laurens. Co. Deed Bk, F. pp. 49-50 - 1 Dec. 1778, John Adair and wife Sarah, to James Adair for 10 shillings paid to him the said John Adair by the above named James Adair, 100 a. in Craven Co., waters of Duncan Creek, bound N by James Adair; SE on Joseph Adair & vacant land; and on all other sides vacant land .... mentions plat to the original grant... mentions that another deed is to be made and dated “the day next after the day of the date of these presents”...

Wit: William Adair (s) John Adair William Ross (s) Sarah Adair John Finney (Note: During this period, land transfer was made by the old form of “lease and release”. The above document was the “lease” for 10 shillings. Recorded next was the “release" document by which the land was actually sold for £50.)

 2 Dec. 1778 - John Adair and wife, Sarah, to James Adair, saddler, for £50, the above 100 a. in Craven Co., waters of Duncan Creek, the original grant certified 18 Aug. 1772, granted 11 Aug. 1774. etc...(deed continues with description given in first deed).

Wit. William Adair (S) John Adair William Ross (S) Sarah Adair John Finney Dec. 2, 1778 - Received from James Adair, Jr., the sum of £50 in full consideration. (S) John Adair Before me, George Ross. J.P., personally came William Adair & made oath that he “seen" John Adair and Sarah, his wife, sign, seal, deliver the within lease and release unto James Adair, Jr. for the intent and purposes therein mentioned. (S) William Adair

 John Adair evidently held title or right to other land before his death:
 Deed Bk. E, p. 405 - 30 Sept. 1794, John Hansel and wife, Sarah. (late wife of John Wattson and John Adair, dec'd.) and Benjamin Adair, Jr., her son and heir of the dec'd John Adair to Benjamin Adair, Sr. for £106 sterling, 173 a. on Duncan Creek, being parts of 3 different tracts: (1) 100 a. add. Joseph Adair, Sr., John Brotherton, John McCrary, & land surveyed by Andrew Paul; (2) 60 a. bounding E on James Adair, W on the other part of the Brotherton land and all other sides on vacant land; (3) 13 a. a part of a tract of 200 a. on the 8 side of Duncan Cr. laid out to James Adair, Sr.

Wit: his James Howerton John H Hansel James Adair. Jr. mark John Robinson

 Who was John Adair, killed in '82? Adair names in the estate papers of John Adair and the fact that Benjamin Adair, Sr. was guardian of his children indicate that he may have been a son of Joseph Adair, Sr., cooper.
 Of the 173 a. owned by John Adair at his death, tract 1 is not readily identified; tract 2 appears to have been the 60 a. purchased by James Adair, cooper, from John and Esther Brotherton in 1774; tract 3 appears to have been 13 a. of the 50 a. kept by James and Eleanor Adair when they deeded 15 a. to John Jones in 1784. So...was John Adair son and heir of James and Eleanor?"

2. The book "Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution," by Bobby Gilmer Moss, lists the following John Adairs, the second of whom could possibly be this individual. Some information may be from more modern and perhaps undocumented family histories. I do not have the abbreviation list as to the sources he gives:

 "John Adair, b. 1759, Duncan Creek, S.C. d. 1812, m. Jane Jones. He enlisted during 1779, was captured near Charlotte and his in prison at Camden. (Moved ot Ga.) McCall, III, 2."
 There is another John in the vicinity listed as follows: "John Adare. He served under Capt. James Dillard in Col. Levi Casey's Little River Regiment of Picken's brigade during 1782. N.A. 246."
 There is another John listed who may be a totally unrelated to the Laurens Co. Adairs: "John Adair, Jr. He served in the militia under Col. Anderson after the fall of Charleston. A.A. 22, S349."
 There is another who is definitely not related. He is John Adair, son of William, who lived in Chester Co. or the Waxaw Colony. His entry for reference only is as follows: John Adair. W2895. BLWt 21750-160-50. b. 9/20 January 1757, d. 8/9/19 May 1840, m. Catherine Palmer. He served from 1779 to 1780 under Col. Winn and was in the surrender of Charleston. Thereafter, he joined Gen. Sumter as a militiaman and was in the engagements at Williamson's Plantation, at Rocky Mount and at Hanging Rock and was made a captain shortly thereafter by Sumter. By the fall of that year, he was a major. He was captured once and exchanged. He engaged in fourteen battles, the last of which was Eutaw Springs. At one time he was aid de camp to Sumter. He served as a general in the war of 1812. Later, he became a member of Congress and was governor of Kentucky. Patriot Index; D.A.B.; (Kitchens, Zachary, R5999)."

MARRIAGE: 1. At an average age difference of no less than one and half years between all five known children and knowing John Adair died in the Revolutionary War in 1782, the marriage had to be before 1775.

!ORDINANCES: Verified 22 Oct 2005. BAPTISM: ENDOWMENT: SEALING TO PARENTS:

 Joseph and Sarah:
 James and Eleanor:

SEALING TO SPOUSE:

1. ↑ GEDCOM file submitted by Kerry Peterson, [email protected]. Created on 28 Oct 2005. Imported on 29 Oct 2005..
2.   GEDCOM file submitted by Kerry Peterson, [email protected]. Created on 28 Oct 2005. Imported on 29 Oct 2005..