Adam Adams, Free Black, Revolutionary War Soldier

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

-- The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson (slave-owner)

and the Continental Congress, ratified 4 July 1776

In July of 1776, representatives of thirteen British colonies in North America, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, shirked off the rule of their British governors and declared their independence. All thirteen colonies had formed local militias to fight the soldiers of the British army. Both white men and black men fought – and gave their lives – with these militias, in support of the principle that “all men are created equal.” One of these men, was a black man named Adam Adams.

On 28 March 1818, Adam Adams applied to the federal government for a pension. “Adam Adams a free black citizen of Charles County in the District and state aforesaid, and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God deposeth and saith, that he enlisted as a private soldier with Lieutenant John Mitchell in Captain Henry Gaithers Company, first Maryland Regiment in May [1777], for and during the continuance of the war, and that he continued to serve as Such until duly discharged in November [1783], when the Maryland line was discharged at Annapolis, and that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, he is now in need of [assistance] from his Country for support.”[1]

This soldier fought for over six years, for the independence of the United States. Col. William Bruce, formerly Captain of the First Maryland, also signed a deposition to prove Adam’s service and assist in his pension application. The claim was submitted to the War Department, and Adam was approved to receive a federal pension.

Veterans of every war received pensions, and these pensions comprise one of the most rewarding of all record groups for genealogists. Not only do pension applications contain information concerning the veterans’ military service, but other personal information as well.

“On this 5 day of June 1820 personally appears in open Court..., Adam Addams aged fifty seven years, resident in Charles County [Maryland], who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare ... In the first Maryland Regiment commanded by General William Smallwood, in a company commanded by Capt. Henry Gaither attached to the Maryland line, that the time he served in the American revolutionary war was from the year 1776 'til the year 1783, that the date of the original declaration is the 28th day of March 1818, the number of his pension certificate is 327. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed -

“Schedule of my property and income-

2 Draught horses, 2 milch cows, 4 yearlings, 1 calf, 3 hogs, 40 dollars annual income from the State of Maryland. Adam [his mark] Addams

“And I do solemnly swear that my occupation is that of a farmer, that I am unable to derive a sufficient competency therefrom to support my family, the number, ages and names of which are as follows

Ann Addams, my wife aged 26 years

My Children }

Pamelia Addams 14 Ditto

Eleanor Addams 9 Ditto

John Addams 8 ditto

Robert Addams 6 ditto

Richard Addams 4 ditto

Lydia Addams 3 months

“All of which live with me and contribute but little towards their support - Sworn to and declared by me Adam Addams the day and date herein before written.”

This pension application provides the Adam’s age, and also the names and ages of his immediate family – his wife and all six of his children. But there are also other clues hidden between the lines here.

For example, his wife Ann is listed as being twenty-six years old. This is not inherently inaccurate, for a twenty-six year old woman to be married to a fifty-seven year old man. However, it is not likely that she would have mothered a child, Pamelia, at the age of twelve. Either Ann is quite a bit older than twenty-six years, or Adam was married previously.

The inventory of his property and income includes the amount of a pension that Adam was receiving from the state of Maryland for his military service.

Other records are also available, notably the federal census records, to help corroborate Adam’s report:

In 1790, “Adam Adams, free Negro” resides in Charles Co., Maryland. His household consists solely of two “other free people,” indicating that they were not white.[2]

In 1800, Adam Adams resides in the Port Tobacco parish of Charles Co., Maryland. Again his household only contains two people.[3]

Adam has not been located in the 1810 or 1820 federal census lists.

In 1830, Adam Adams again resides in Charles Co., Maryland. His household contains the following “free colored persons”: five males aged 10 to 24 years, one male aged 55 to 100 years, one female aged under 10 years, and one female aged 36 to 55 years.[4]

In 1840, Adam Adams, aged 80, is listed in the column for Revolutionary War pensioners. Unfortunately, the enumerator must have misunderstood the instructions, for Adam appears on the line containing the household of “Richd. Smalwood Jnr.,” yet no eighty-year old man appears in the household. It is unknown whether Adam actually lived with Mr. Smalwood or not. The household does contain six slaves, but no free people of color, making it unlikely that the Adams family resided here.[5]

Neither Adam nor any of his family members have yet been located in Charles County in the 1850 federal census. It seems likely that they may have removed from the county.

Adam was just one of many African-Americans who served in the various state militias, fighting for independence from British rule. It is a tragic irony that, just a few years after the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, in 1792, the U. S. Congress passed a law banning African-Americans from serving in the U. S. Army. This law was not repealed until 1863, when it became apparent that the assistance of African-Americans would be necessary to help the U. S. Army defeat the Army of the Confederate States of America, and maintain the Union.

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[1] This and all subsequent quotes from Adam’s pension application come from: “Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files,” digital images, Footnote.com (http://www.footnote.com : accessed 20 Apr 2009), file of Adam Adams, no. S. 34,623; citing NARA microfilm publication M804.

[2] 1790 U. S. Census, Charles Co., Maryland, p. 542 (pencil), line 3, Adam Adams, free Negro; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 May 2009); citing NARA microfilm M637, roll 3.

[3] 1800 U. S. Census, Charles Co., Maryland, Port Tobacco parish, p. 551 (pencil), line 21, Adam Adams; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 May 2009); citing NARA microfilm M32, roll 10.

[4] 1830 U. S. Census, Charles Co., Maryland, Allens Fresh, p. 134, line 19, Adam Adams; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 May 2009); citing NARA microfilm M19, roll 56.

[5] 1840 U. S. Census, Charles Co., Maryland, District 4, p. 147 (stamped), line 1, Richd. Smalwood Jnr. household, Adam Adams; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 May 2009); citing NARA microfilm M704, roll 163.