Henry Adams of Braintree

Henry Adams, Sr (1583-1646) was born in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He is the youngest of 4 children of John Adams* (1555-1604) also of Barton St. David, and Agnes Stone* (___?-1615/16).

Henry and all his known ancestors were Yeomen famers from Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. Henry was also a maltster. Henry came to America with his wife and all but one (Jonathan) of his children in 1638. His son, Jonathan came in 1651.

Henry Adams was known popularly as The Founder of New England, probably because of the extraordinary number (89) of his grandchildren. Apparently, Henry Adams was influenced by Aquila Purchase, Master of Trinity School at Dorchester, who in 1613/14 married Anna Squire, sister to Henry's wife, Edith Squire*, both daughters of Henry Squire*. Henry Squire had three daughters who married and went to New England, all seemingly associated with a group known as the Dorchester Adventurers, led by the Rev. John White, whose first group of Dorset Pilgrims arrived in New England on the ship Mary & John in 1630. This group was largely absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in later years, and by the time Henry Adams came in 1638, many of the orginal Dorset Pilgrims, particularly those who would not take religious oaths as a prerequisite for citizenship, had moved well into the interior settling around river valleys in MA and CT along the Indian or Dutch territorial frontiers. Windsor CT was one of their principal settlements.

Henry Adams with his large family seems to have preferred settling near the coast and thus stayed in Braintree MA, which is now known as Quincy MA. Henry Adams' biographers do not associate him with the more radical and religious Puritans, nor with the liberal and outlawed Pilgrims, but rather see him and other followers of Rev. John White as adventurers, seeking a new world where the boundarys of a class society could be overcome.

http://www.concentric.net/~pvb/GEN/hadam.html

About Henry Adams of Braintree

Excerpt from: “The Genealogical History of Henry Adams of Braintree, Mass., and his Descendants, also John Adams of Cambridge, Mass, 1632-1897” complied and edited by Andrew N. Adams, published by the author 1898: The Tuttle Company, Printers, Rutland, VT. [This is transcribed exactly as it appears in the book. msac]

Henry Adams of Braintree, called thus because he was one of the earliest or first settlers in that part of the Massachusetts Bay designated “Mt. Wollaston,” which was incorporated in 1640 as the town of Braintree. It included what is now Quincy, Braintree and Randolph, Mass.

He is believed to have arrived in Boston with his wife, eight sons and a daughter, in 1632 or 1633. The colonial authorities at Boston allotted to him 40 acres of land at “The Mount,” for the ten persons in his family, Feb. 24, 1639-40.

The name of his wife is not known, nor where and when she died. It has been believed that she returned to England with her son John and daughter Ursula, and died there, which appears not improbable. Henry Adams died in Braintree, Oct. 6, 1646, and was buried on the 8th.

His will was proved June 8, 1647, and is as follows:

“First, my will is that my sonne Peter and John, and my daughter Ursula, shall have the grounde in the neck, both upland and meadow during the term I was to enjoy it, until it returne into the towne’s hands againe, from whom I had it; also the aker in the mill fields: my will is that my bookes shall be divided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other goods so long as shee live unmarried, and if shee marry, then my will is y’t Joseph, Edward and my daughter Ursula should enjoy all my ground in the fielde y’t lieth on the way to Weymouth Ferry, and my house lott, with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables at the death or marriage of my wife, provided that and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that which is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be paid in convenient tyme; but in case God soe deal with my wife that she bee constrained to make use of something by way of salee, shee may: finally, for movalbles, my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equal share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my daughter Ursula.” [See N.E. Hist. And Gene. Register, Vol. VII, p. 35 (1853)].

That Henry Adams came from Devonshire on the south coast of England, has become a current and fixed belief, from the fact that his great, great grandson, President John Adams, erected a monument to his memory in the old church yard at Quincy with the inscription,

“In memory of Henry Adams who took his fight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mt. Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England; and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield, and two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left and, remained here, -- an original proprietor in the township of Braintree.”

The monument commemorates “the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance” of the Adams ancestors.

President John Quincy Adams dissented from this opinion of his father that Henry Adams came from Devonshire.

After giving the matter particular and thorough investigation, both in this country and in England, he published it as his conviction that Henry Adams was from Braintree in the county of Essex, on the east coast of England. “The statement in the Alden Collection,” he says, “that the first Henry came from Devonshire was received the collector of epitaphs from my father; but I believe it was not from Devonshire but from Braintree in the county of Essex, that he came. My father supposed that he formed part of the company that came with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, most of whom were from Devonshire. But at the time my father formed this opinion, Gov. Winthrop’s Journal had not been published.”

Winthrop’s Journal, I. 37, says, “1632: 14 Aug; The Braintree Company which had begun to settle down at Mt. Wollaston by order of Court, removed to Newtown. These were Mr. Hooker’s Company.” [See Family Memorial by Elisha Thayer; Note p. 38]

Hooker himself arrived in Sept. 1633, but his Company, which was mostly made up from Chelmsford – perhaps also from Braintree and other neighboring villages of Essex county, - had arrived the year before. Hence it appears highly probably that Henry Adams from Braintree in Essex joined Hooker’s Company and arrived in Boston in 1632. Dr. James Savage, author of the Genealogical Dictionary of early first-comers of New England, concurs in the opinion of President John Quincy Adams.

The brothers Adams [sons] were among the active citizens of Chelmsford, in England.

Moreover, there may have been other persons of the Adams name who came in Hooker’s company, and removed with him from Newtown to Hartford and vicinity. They may have been kindred of Henry Adams.

It is a matter of regret that so little has been preserved and is positively known of the ancestry, life and character of the noted progenitor of the Adams family of Quincy. It is known that he was a malster as well as a yeoman, or farmer, and a plain, unassuming man of tact and ability, who came to America for a better opportunity for his large family. There is nothing to show that he bore any titles, or assumed any rank among nobility

http://henryadamsofbraintree.com/id3.html

Some well known descendants include Katherine Hepburn, "Jock" and "Sonny" Whitney (financers of "Gone With The Wind"), Lee de Forrest (inventor)President John Calvin Coolidge and both US Presidents Adams.

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My Southern Family

Henry ADAMS Esq. "the Immigrant"

21 Jan 1583 - 8 Oct 1646

ID Number: I82924

RESIDENCE: Barton, Somerset, England and 1638 Braintree, Norfolk, MA

BIRTH: 21 Jan 1583, Barton, Somersetshire, England

DEATH: 8 Oct 1646, Braintree, Norfolk, MA

RESOURCES: See: [S3095]

Father: John ADAMS

Mother: Agnes STONE

Family 1 : Edith Fussell SQUIRE

MARRIAGE: 19 Oct 1609, Charlton, Mackreel, England

+Henry ADAMS

+Joseph ADAMS

Samuel ADAMS 

Notes

"Came from England in 1638, and settled in Braintree where he was granted 40 acres of land 24 Feb 1639-40 was a maltster and yeoman.g-g-grandfather of 2nd president John Adams.

Marriage 1 Edith Fussell SQUIRE b: 29 May 1587 in Charlton, Mackreel, Somerset, Eng Divorced: Y Married: 19 Oct 1609 in Charlton, Mackreel, Eng Divorce 1

Children

Ursula ADAMS b: 19 Jul 1619 in Barton, St David, Somerset, Eng + Stephen STREETER b: 9 Jan 1600 d: 14 Jul 1652

Henry ADAMS b: 1609-1610 in Barton, St David, Somerset, Eng + Elizabeth PAINE b: 23 Jul 1620 d: 21 Feb 1676

Thomas ADAMS b: 25 Mar 1612 in Barton, St David, Somerset, Eng + Mary BLACKSTONE b: 1612 d: 23 Mar 1694

Jonathan ADAMS b: 1614-1619 in Barton, St David, Somerset, Eng + Joane CLOSE

Samuel ADAMS b: 1617 in Barton, St David, Somerset, Eng + Rebecca GRAVES b: 1620 d: 8 Oct 1664

John ADAMS b: 4 Dec 1624 in Kings High Weston, Somerset Eng + Anne HOWE b: Abt 1624 d: Aft Oct 1714

Peter ADAMS b: 1 Mar 1622 in Kings Weston, Somerset, Eng + Rachel NEWCOMB b: 1632 d: 23 Oct 1690

Joseph ADAMS b: 9 Feb 1626 in Kings Waston, Somers., Somerset Eng + Abigail BAXTER b: Sep 1634 d: 27 Aug 1692

Edward ADAMS b: 19 Apr 1629 in Kings Weston, Somerset, Eng + Lydia Penniman ROCKWOOD b: 22 Feb 1635 d: 3 Mar 1676

Jane ADAMS b: 1624 in Kings Weston, Somerset, Eng + Nicholas ROCKETT b: 1628 d: 26 Jan 1680

Jonathan ADAMS b: 1614 + Elizabeth HOLMAN

2. Henry Adams I b: 1580 in Barton St. David, Co. Somerset, England d: Oct 06, 1646 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA Age at death: 66 est. Burial: Oct 08, 1646 Hancock, Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts Emigration: 1638 New England

Fact 1: Henry Adams was the great great grandfather of President John Adams, the second President of the United States.

Fact 2: Henry Adams was the great great grandfather of Samuel Adams, the great patriot and orator.

Fact 3: Henry Adams was the great great great grandfather of President John Quincey Adams, the President of the United States. Number of children: 9 Occupation: Farmer, malster

http://www.hannahdustin.com/short_adams.html

Adams History, by Andrew N. Adams 1898

HENRY ADAMS OF BRAINTREE.

Henry Adams of Braintree, called thus because he was one of the earliest or first settlers in that part of the Massachusetts Bay designated "Mt. Wollaston," which was incorporated in 1640 as the town of Braintree. It included what is now Quincy, Braintree and Randolph, Mass.

He is believed to have arrived in Boston with his wife, eight sons and a daughter, in 1632 or 1633. The colonial authorities at Boston allotted to him 40 acres of land at "the Mount," for the ten persons in his family, Feb. 24, 1639-40.

The name of his wife is not known, nor where and when she died. It has been believed that she returned to England with her son John and daughter Ursula, and died there, which appears not improbable. Henry Adams died in Braintree, Oct. 6, 1646, and was buried on the 8th.

His will was proved June 8, 1647, and is as follows:

"First, my will is that my sonne Peter and John, and my daughter Ursula, shall have the grounde in the neck, both upland and meadow during the term I was to enjoy it, until it returne into the towne's hands againe, from whom I had it; also the aker in the mill fields: my will is that my bookes shall be divided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other goods so long as shee live unmarried, and if shee marry, then my will is y't Joseph, Edward and my daughter Ursula should enjoy all my ground in the fielde y't lieth on the way to Weymouth Ferry, and my house lott, with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables at the death or marriage of my wife, provided they and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that which is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be paid in convenient tyme; but in case God soe deal with my wife that she bee constrained to make use of something by way of sale, shee may:--finally, for movables, my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equal share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my daughter Ursula."

[See N. E. Hist. and Gene. Register, Vol. VII., p. 35 (1853)]

President John Adams erected a granite column to his memory with this inscription: "In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the Dragon of persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with 8 sons near Mount Walloston. One of the sons returned to England, and after taking some time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns; two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree, 1639. (2)

This stone and several others have been placed in their yard by a great-grandson from a veneration of the piety, humility, sympathy, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry, and perseverance of his ancestors, in hope of recommending an emulation of their virtues to their posterity." (2)

"Henry Adams, the progenitor in New England of a distinguished American family," ... "Neither from sceptred race of kings nor noble lineage of baronial castle was derived this Adams family in England. They were a race of sturdy yeomen who lived for generations in Barton St. David and its vicinity, subsisting by cultivation of lease hold farms and the raising of sheep and cattle, and residing in simple, stone, thatched cottages.".... After his marriage to Edith Squire in 1609, "...his residence continued for several years in his native ancestral parish of Barton St. David,"... "before 1622, he moved into the adjoining parish of Kingweston, Co. Somerset" ... "he probably continued in Kingweston until his emigration with his family to New England in 1638. He followed the ancestral occupation of farming and also was a maltster." ... ", in 1638 Henry Adams with his wife and all his children (except his son Jonathan Adams) emigrated to New England." ... "The earliest mention of Henry Adams that has been found in New England is on 24 Feb. 1639/40 when he was granted by the town of Boston a lot of forty acres at Mount Wollaston (Braintree, now Quincy) for a family of ten heads, conditional on payment of a charge of 3s. per acre." ... "Henry Adams at once settled at Mount Wollaston which on 13 May 1640 was incorporated as the town of Braintree. His residence was located in that part of town which in 1792 became Quincy, Mass." (2)

(1) A genealogical history of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass.,

(2) Whittemore, Early Settlers

(3) Savage, Dict of First Settlers

FROM: Cutter: The pedigree of this family traces the ancestry, according to one account to Ap Adams, father of John or Lord Ap Adam, who was called to parliament by Edward I., and Baron of the realm from 1296 to 1307, states that he came out of the Marche of Wales into Devonshire.

The "Ap Adams" story is one of the most embarrassing nineteenth-century forgeries. It first appeared in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 7 (Jan. 1853), claiming descent from a landed Adams family at Stoke-Gabriel, co. Devon. Because it claims grand ancestry people have happily quoted it and copied it as gospel ("hey, it's in print, it has to be right"). The Ap Adams fiction was DISPROVED in print as long ago as 1927 when Josiah Gardner Bartlett published the known, documented English origins of Henry Adams, a yeoman farmer from Barton [St.] David (just south of Wells) and next-door Kingweston, Somerset, who married on 19 Oct. 1609 married Edith Squire, from neighboring Charlton Mackrell, Somerset. See Bartlett's book ("Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass.: His English Ancestry and Some of His Descendants" [New York, 1927]), also "Ancestors and Descendants of Jeremiah Adams, 1794-1883, of Salisbury, Connecticut, Sullivan County, New York, Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania and Vermilion, Ohio" by Enid Eleanor Adams (1974), p. 652, from which I quote:

"In 1853...an Adams pedigree purporting to show that Henry Adams, English emigrant to New England, was a descendant of one Sir John ap Adams and his wife Elizabeth de Gurnay, heiress to estates in Somersetshire, Dorsetshire and Gloucestershire, was published and has been reprinted and quoted from frequently ever since. J. Gardner Bartlett, in his 1927 history of Henry Adams, stated unequivocally that the alleged connection of Henry Adams with the Ap Adam family of Beverstone and Tidenham rested on forged evidences. In proof [the Ap Adam chart from The Complete Peerage, vol. 1 (1910), pp. 179-81] was given in the Bartlett book. It shows conclusively that the Adams line issuing from Elizabeth de Gurnay ended by an heiress in 1424, 159 YEARS PRIOR TO Henry Adams's birth! [The last male Ap Adams died in 1424, with his nephew John Huntley appar. sole heir.] Moreover, although Sir John Ap Adams acquired vast estates in Gloucestershire and Somersetshire, he never had the manor of Cherleton-Adam."

Mr. Bartlett's book (1927) has numerous photographs of the Saxon church at Barton [St.] David, bonds and other documents signed by, or associated with, the real Henry Adams, his wife, and their ancestors. Miss Adams's treatment (1974) of Henry and his English background is also excellent.

http://www.hannahdustin.com/short_adams.html

"Emigrated to New England states in 1638(some say 1640),but according to the book,American Presidential Families, it was 1638. He was called "Gentleman Henry Adams". Occupation: farmer, maltster.

He was buried 8 October 1646, leaving by tradition eight sons yet only five are named in his will, 1646, proved 8 June 1647, where appear Peter, John, Joseph, Edward, Samuel, and daughter Ursula. The inscription on the monument erected by his descendant, John Adams, second President of memor.

"Of Henry Adams who took his flight from the Dragon persecution, in Devonshire, England and alighted with eight sons, near Mt. Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England and, after taking some time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield, and the neighboring towns, two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here; who was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree incorporated 1639."

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HENRY (16), of Braintree, Mass., is said to have emigrated to New England about 1634, and in February, 1641, was granted 40 acres of land by Boston, of which Braintee was a part . He brought with him eight sons, and was the great-great-grandfather of John Adams, second President of the United States, who erected a granite column to his memory in the church yard at Braintree, with the following inscription:

"In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the Dragon of persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England, and after talcing time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns; two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree, 1639."

! " This stone and several others have been placed in this yard by a great-grandson from a veneration of the piety, humility, sympathy, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance of his ancestors, in hope of recommending an emulation of their virtues to their posterity."

The children of Henry, of Braintree, were:

I. HENRY, b. 1604; settled at Medfield, Mass.

II. THOMAS, b. England, 1612; settled at Chelmsford, Mass.

III. SAMUEL, b. 1617; settled at Chelmsford, Mass.; d. 1666.

IV. JONATHAN, b. 1619; settled at Medfield; married (i) Elizabeth, (2) Mary.

V. PETER, b. 1622; settled at Medfield.

VI. JOHN, b. 1624; settled in Concord; afterwards West Cambridge.

VII. JOSEPH, of Braintree, b. 1626, freeman 1653, d. December, 1694. His monument is at Quincy, in the family burial place, and is that referred to in the inscription on his father's tombstone, " Who Lies Here At The Left-hand."

VIII. EDWARD, b. 1630; settled at Medfield; d. 1716.

http://books.google.com/books?id=-0wxAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Ebenezer%20Adam...

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HENRY**(1) ADAMS October 19, 1609 in CHARLTON MACKRELL, SOMERSETSHIRE, ENGLAND, son of JOHN**(-1) ADAMS and AGNES STONE. He was born January 21, 1582/83 in (1583) BAPT; BARTON ST. DAVID, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, and died October 06, 1646 in BRAINTREE, NORFOLK, MA; EMIG. 1638 TO NEW ENGLAND.

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n 1609 Henry Adams was married in the parish church. In 1638, when he was aged 55, he travelled to America with his family. His great grandson was John Adams and his great-grandson was John Quincy Adams - the 2nd and 6th Presidents of the USA. A commemorative plaque is in the church's chancel.

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ne of the most important of them was Henry Adams, who in 16I3 was a tenant holding 47 acres of glebeland in Charlton Mackrell. Adams was a man of some education, and in 1638, when he was 55 years of age, he, with his family, crossed the Atlantic in a small boat, and thereby established the illustrious family of Adams in the United States. His great grandson was John Adams, who steered through Congress the Declaration of Independence, followed George Washington as President of the United States, founded the American Navy, and was their first ambassador to England. His son, John Quincy Adams was the sixth national President, and men of each succeeding generation of this family have left their stamp on the history of their country. Henry Adams married Edith Squire in Charlton Mackrell church, and her sister Anne had married Aquila Purchase, an ex-Dorchester schoolmaster, a parishioner and fervent supporter of the Rev. John White. Aquila's brother was an early settler in Brunswick, Maine. The sisters Edith and Anne Squire were granddaughters of the Rev. William Squire, rector of Charlton Mackrell, to whom reference has already been made.

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I fathered ten children. Among my great-grandchildren were a young woman named Lydia, who married one of the Chase brood, out Newburyport way, and a young man named John, who was a delegate to the so-called Continental Congress in Philadelphia, helped to write the Declaration of Independence for the these colonies from Britain, and later served as the second President of the Republic he thusly helped to found. He came through Joseph, my second-to-last, born in 1625, and Lydia came through my second, Thomas, born 1612.

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Christened 21 Jan 1583 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England.

Came from England in 1638, and settled in Braintree where he was granted 40 acres of land 24 Feb 1639-40 was a malster and yeoman. 3rd great grandfather of president John Adams.

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The Adams name is thought to be of Welsh origin, originally Ap Adams(Ap meaning "son of" in Welsh), the Ap was dropped from the name as the Adams became more integrated into English culture and society.

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Henry Adams

Henry Adams (1531-1596) lived all his life in Barton St. David. He was also a yeoman husbandman and became a bondsman. He served as a court witness on several legal matters. When he was 8 years old he may have witnessed the brutal public hanging, beheading, and quartering of Richard Whiting, the last of Glastonbury's Abbots in 1539. Henry Adams' wife was named Rose ___?*, and she is the mother of John Adams (1555-1604). Rose died in 1598.

Henry died intestate, Administration was granted to his son on 12 Aug 1596.

suzysclanadded this on 20 May 2010

dorel341originally submitted this to jgw on 15 Nov 2008

rootsweb bio

Henry ADAMS7,62 was born in 1531 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He died on 12 Aug 1596 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He was buried in Aug 1596 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England, Barton Cemetery. Marriage 1: (Mrs.) Rose ADAMS b: 1536 in Barton St. David,Somerset,England

Ma rried: 1552 in Barton St. David,Somersetshire,England

Children:

John ADAMSb : 1 Jan. 1555 in Barton St. David,Somerset,England

Richard ADAMS b: 1552 in Barton, St. David, Somersetshire, England

Parents: John ADAMS and ALICE.

Spouse: ROSE. Henry ADAMS and ROSE were married in 1554 in Barton St David, Somersetshire, England. Children were: John ADAMS.

suzysclanadded this on 19 Jul 2010

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lzrslong/b48.htm#P193222

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Of Braintree county; great-great-grandfather of President John Adams.

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Will of Henry Adams:

"First, my will is that my sonne Peter and John, and my daughter Ursula, shall have the grounde in the neck, both upland and meadow during the term I was to enjoy it, until it returne into the towne's hands againe, from whom I had it; also the aker in the mill fields: my will is that my bookes shall be divided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other goods so long as shee live unmarried, and if shee marry, then my will is y't Joseph, Edward and my daughter Ursula should enjoy all my ground in the fielde y't lieth on the way to Weymouth Ferry, and my house lott, with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables at the death or marriage of my wife, provided they and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that which is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be paid in convenient tyme; but in case God soe deal with my wife that she bee constrained to make use of something by way of sale, shee may:--finally, for movables, my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equal share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my daughter Ursula."

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Henry Adams, of Braintree, is called thus because he was one of the earliest or first settlers in that part of Massachusetts Bay designated "Mt. Wollaston," which was incorporated in 1640 as the town of Braintree, then including what is now Quincy, Braintree and Randolph, Massachusetts. He is believed to have arrived in Boston with his wife, eight sons and a daughter, in 1632 or 1633, but whence he came is a matter of conjecture, except that he was from England. The colonial authorities at Boston allotted to him forty acres of land at "the Mount," for the ten persons in his family, February 24, 1640. The name of his wife is not known, nor where or when she died. Henry Adams died in Braintree, October 6, 1646. It is known that he was a malster as well as a yeoman or farmer, and a plain, unassuming man of tact and ability who came to America for a better opportunity for his large family. His sons were: Lieutenant Henry, mentioned below; Lieutenant Thomas, Captain Samuel, Deacon Jonathan, Peter, John, Joseph and Ensign Edward. Joseph, son of Henry Adams, born in England in 1626, lived and died in Braintree. His son Joseph, born, lived and died in that town, was the father of Deacon John Adams, born, lived and died in Braintree. John, eldest son of Deacon John Adams, born October 19, 1735, became the second president of the United States, and his son, John Quincy Adams, was also president.

Source: New England Families Genealogical and Memorial, Vol 4

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Henry, of Braintree, Mass., is said to have emigrated to New England about 1634, and in February, 1641, was granted 40 agcres of land by Bonton, of which Braintee was a part. He brought with him eights sons.

A granite column to his memory is in the church yard at Braintre, with the following inscription:

"In memeory of HENRY ADAMS, who took his flight from the Dragon of persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wallaston. One of the sons returned to Enlgand, and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns: two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree, 1639.

"This stone and several others have been laced in this yard by a great-grandson from a veneration of the piety, humility, sympathy, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance of his ancenstors, in hope of recommending an emulation of their virtures to their posterity"

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Arrived in America in 1636 from England and was a farmer.

Adams, a Massachusetts family of statesmen, scholars, and authors that included two Presidents of the United States. It is considered by many historians to be the most remarkable family in American history. Intellectually gifted and articulate, its members made notable contributions to public life and letters from colonial times to the 20th century.

WGA

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Direct Ancestor of 2nd U.S. President John Adams, 6th U.S. President John Quincy Adams, and 30th U.S. President (John) Calvin Coolidge

Henry is known in genealogical circles as Henry of Braintree.

"Ancestors of American Presidents" by Gary Boyd Roberts, 1995

In this source, it is shown that Henry Adams is the great-great-grandfather of President John Adams, the 3rd great-grandfather of President John Quincy Adams, and the 9th great-grandfather of President (John) Calvin Coolidge (Jr.). See lineages in this database.

Wilma Fleming Haynes Notes:

Henry Adams came to New England in 1638. He settled in the Massachusetts Bay. According to Paul C. Nagel little is known of the family in England nor is there much to say about them after Henry established himself as a maltster & a farmer in Braintree, Norfolk County, MA a few miles south of Boston. Henry had several sons, one of those accompanying Henry from England was Joseph who's son Joseph in 1691 had a son named John. It was that John Adams (great grandson of Henry Adams, the immigrant) who was the father of John Adams (president of the USA) with whom the family's great career began.

According to researcher Linda Moss and another internet contact, Gayle335@aol.com, Henry's ancestry was William, Richard, John Jr., John Sr. I am inclined to take the Edward Dean Adams book as fact of Henry's ancestry: John, Henry, John.

Gayle335@aol.com showed the following for this other lineage:

Henry's parents: William Adams, born 1555 in Trent, Somersetshire, England and died 1624 and Miss Borrington, born about 1557 in Devonshire, England.

William's parents: Richard Adams, born 1530, Somerset, England and died March 19, 1602/03. and Alice (unknown).

Richard's parents: John Adams, born 1502 in Somersetshire, England and Margery Squier, born about 1504 in Somerset, England.

According to George R. Adams research using the Ap Adams pedigree, Henry of Braintree had three brothers, all with issue. They were John, Ambrose, and Lt. George who died in Barbadoes in 1647. Many do not believe that these three are Henry's brothers and are from either another line or distant cousins. Many researchers do not believe the Ap Adams pedigree to be accurate. I have not included these three as his brothers until I find further proof of this link.

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Henry Adams; b. c1583, Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. d 6 Oct 1646 in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts.

He came to America with his wife and all but one (Jonathan) of his children in 1638. His son, Jonathan came in 1651.

Henry Adams was known popularly as The Founder of New England, probably because of the extraordinary number (89) of his grandchildren.

Parents: John Adams (1555-1604) and Agnes Stone (?-1615/1616).

marriage (1). Edith Squire (1587-1672/3) on Oct. 19, 1609, at Charleton Mackrell, Somersetshire, England.

   * Henry and Edith had 9 children.

Weblinks:

http://www.concentric.net/~pvb/GEN/hadam.html

References:

1. Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass., compiled by J. Gardner Bartlett for Edward Dean Adams, privately printed, New York, 1927.

2. Dorset Pilgrims, by Frank Thistlethwaite, pub. by Heart of the Lakes, Interlaken NY, 1993.

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Henry Adams was known popularly as The Founder of New England, probably because of the extraordinary number (89) of his grandchildren. Apparently, Henry Adams was influenced by Aquila Purchase, Master of Trinity School at Dorchester, who in 1613/14 married Anna Squire, sister to Henry's wife, Edith Squire*, both daughters of Henry Squire*. Henry Squire had three daughters who married and went to New England, all seemingly associated with a group known as the Dorchester Adventurers, led by the Rev. John White, whose first group of Dorset Pilgrims arrived in New England on the ship Mary & John in 1630. This group was largely absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in later years, and by the time Henry Adams came in 1638, many of the orginal Dorset Pilgrims, particularly those who would not take religious oaths as a prerequisite for citizenship, had moved well into the interior settling around river valleys in MA and CT along the Indian or Dutch territorial frontiers. Windsor CT was one of their principal settlements.

Henry Adams with his large family seems to have preferred settling near the coast and thus stayed in Braintree MA, which is now known as Quincy MA. Henry Adams' biographers do not associate him with the more radical and religious Puritans, nor with the liberal and outlawed Pilgrims, but rather see him and other followers of Rev. John White as adventurers, seeking a new world where the boundarys of a class society could be overcome.

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Children of Edith Squire and Henry Adams:

• (1) Child: Henry ADAMS Birth: 1610, Barton St. David, Somerset, England
• (2) Child: Thomas ADAMS Birth: 1612, Barton St. David, Somerset, England
• (3) Child: Jonathan ADAMS Birth: ABT. 1614, Barton St. David, Somerset, England
• (4) Child: Samuel ADAMS Birth: ABT. 1617, Barton St. David, Somerset, England
• (5) Child: Urusula ADAMS Birth: 1619, Barton St. David, Somerset, England
• (6) Child: Peter ADAMS Birth: 1621, Kingweston, Somersetshire, England
• (7) Child: John ADAMS Birth: ABT. 1622, Kingweston, Somersetshire, England
• (8) Child: Joseph ADAMS Birth: 9 FEB 1626, Kings Weston, Somerset, England
• (9) Child: Edward ADAMS Birth: ABT. 1629, Kingweston, Somersetshire, England

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He arrived in America in 1632 Mass. Bay Colony.

Great Grandfather of John Adams

Great Great Grandfather of John Quincy Adams

Henry Adams of Braintree, called thus because he was one of the earliest or first settlers in that part of the Massachusetts Bay designated “Mt. Wollaston,” which was incorporated in 1640 as the town of Braintree. It included what is now Quincy, Braintree and Randolph, Mass.

He is believed to have arrived in Boston with his wife, eight sons and a daughter, in 1632 or 1633. The colonial authorities at Boston allotted to him 40 acres of land at “The Mount,” for the ten persons in his family, Feb. 24, 1639-40.

The name of his wife is not known, nor where and when she died. It has been believed that she returned to England with her son John and daughter Ursula, and died there, which appears not improbable. Henry Adams died in Braintree, Oct. 6, 1646, and was buried on the 8th.

His will was proved June 8, 1647, and is as follows:

“First, my will is that my sonne Peter and John, and my daughter Ursula, shall have the grounde in the neck, both upland and meadow during the term I was to enjoy it, until it returne into the towne’s hands againe, from whom I had it; also the aker in the mill fields: my will is that my bookes shall be divided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other goods so long as shee live unmarried, and if shee marry, then my will is y’t Joseph, Edward and my daughter Ursula should enjoy all my ground in the fielde y’t lieth on the way to Weymouth Ferry, and my house lott, with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables at the death or marriage of my wife, provided that and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that which is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be paid in convenient tyme; but in case God soe deal with my wife that she bee constrained to make use of something by way of salee, shee may: finally, for movalbles, my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equal share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my daughter Ursula.” [See N.E. Hist. And Gene. Register, Vol. VII, p. 35 (1853)].

That Henry Adams came from Devonshire on the south coast of England, has become a current and fixed belief, from the fact that his great, great grandson, President John Adams, erected a monument to his memory in the old church yard at Quincy with the inscription,

“In memory of Henry Adams who took his fight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mt. Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England; and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield, and two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left and, remained here, -- an original proprietor in the township of Braintree.”

The monument commemorates “the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance” of the Adams ancestors.

President John Quincy Adams dissented from this opinion of his father that Henry Adams came from Devonshire.

After giving the matter particular and thorough investigation, both in this country and in England, he published it as his conviction that Henry Adams was from Braintree in the county of Essex, on the east coast of England. “The statement in the Alden Collection,” he says, “that the first Henry came from Devonshire was received the collector of epitaphs from my father; but I believe it was not from Devonshire but from Braintree in the county of Essex, that he came. My father supposed that he formed part of the company that came with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, most of whom were from Devonshire. But at the time my father formed this opinion, Gov. Winthrop’s Journal had not been published.”

Winthrop’s Journal, I. 37, says, “1632: 14 Aug; The Braintree Company which had begun to settle down at Mt. Wollaston by order of Court, removed to Newtown. These were Mr. Hooker’s Company.” [See Family Memorial by Elisha Thayer; Note p. 38]

Hooker himself arrived in Sept. 1633, but his Company, which was mostly made up from Chelmsford – perhaps also from Braintree and other neighboring villages of Essex county, - had arrived the year before. Hence it appears highly probably that Henry Adams from Braintree in Essex joined Hooker’s Company and arrived in Boston in 1632. Dr. James Savage, author of the Genealogical Dictionary of early first-comers of New England, concurs in the opinion of President John Quincy Adams.

The brothers Adams [sons] were among the active citizens of Chelmsford, in England.

Moreover, there may have been other persons of the Adams name who came in Hooker’s company, and removed with him from Newtown to Hartford and vicinity. They may have been kindred of Henry Adams.

It is a matter of regret that so little has been preserved and is positively known of the ancestry, life and character of the noted progenitor of the Adams family of Quincy. It is known that he was a malster as well as a yeoman, or farmer, and a plain, unassuming man of tact and ability, who came to America for a better opportunity for his large family. There is nothing to show that he bore any titles, or assumed any rank among nobility

While there were many different styles of insignia in use – as many as twenty-eight different coats-of-arms, it is said upon good authority, in the Adams family, there is nothing to indicate which, if any at all were ever made use of by Henry Adams.

He is believed to have arrived in Boston with his wife, eight sons and a daughter, in 1632 or 1633. The colonial authorities at Boston allotted to him 40 acres of land at “The Mount,” for the ten persons in his family, Feb. 24, 1639-40.

The name of his wife is not known, nor where and when she died. It has been believed that she returned to England with her son John and daughter Ursula, and died there, which appears not improbable. Henry Adams died in Braintree, Oct. 6, 1646, and was buried on the 8th.

His will was proved June 8, 1647, and is as follows:

“First, my will is that my sonne Peter and John, and my daughter Ursula, shall have the grounde in the neck, both upland and meadow during the term I was to enjoy it, until it returne into the towne’s hands againe, from whom I had it; also the aker in the mill fields: my will is that my bookes shall be divided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other goods so long as shee live unmarried, and if shee marry, then my will is y’t Joseph, Edward and my daughter Ursula should enjoy all my ground in the fielde y’t lieth on the way to Weymouth Ferry, and my house lott, with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables at the death or marriage of my wife, provided that and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that which is due to him for the ground I bought of him, to be paid in convenient tyme; but in case God soe deal with my wife that she bee constrained to make use of something by way of salee, shee may: finally, for movalbles, my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equal share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my daughter Ursula.” [See N.E. Hist. And Gene. Register, Vol. VII, p. 35 (1853)].

That Henry Adams came from Devonshire on the south coast of England, has become a current and fixed belief, from the fact that his great, great grandson, President John Adams, erected a monument to his memory in the old church yard at Quincy with the inscription,

“In memory of Henry Adams who took his fight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mt. Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England; and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield, and two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left and, remained here, -- an original proprietor in the township of Braintree.”

The monument commemorates “the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance” of the Adams ancestors.

President John Quincy Adams dissented from this opinion of his father that Henry Adams came from Devonshire.

After giving the matter particular and thorough investigation, both in this country and in England, he published it as his conviction that Henry Adams was from Braintree in the county of Essex, on the east coast of England. “The statement in the Alden Collection,” he says, “that the first Henry came from Devonshire was received the collector of epitaphs from my father; but I believe it was not from Devonshire but from Braintree in the county of Essex, that he came. My father supposed that he formed part of the company that came with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, most of whom were from Devonshire. But at the time my father formed this opinion, Gov. Winthrop’s Journal had not been published.”

Winthrop’s Journal, I. 37, says, “1632: 14 Aug; The Braintree Company which had begun to settle down at Mt. Wollaston by order of Court, removed to Newtown. These were Mr. Hooker’s Company.” [See Family Memorial by Elisha Thayer; Note p. 38]

Hooker himself arrived in Sept. 1633, but his Company, which was mostly made up from Chelmsford – perhaps also from Braintree and other neighboring villages of Essex county, - had arrived the year before. Hence it appears highly probably that Henry Adams from Braintree in Essex joined Hooker’s Company and arrived in Boston in 1632. Dr. James Savage, author of the Genealogical Dictionary of early first-comers of New England, concurs in the opinion of President John Quincy Adams.

The brothers Adams [sons] were among the active citizens of Chelmsford, in England.

Moreover, there may have been other persons of the Adams name who came in Hooker’s company, and removed with him from Newtown to Hartford and vicinity. They may have been kindred of Henry Adams.

It is a matter of regret that so little has been preserved and is positively known of the ancestry, life and character of the noted progenitor of the Adams family of Quincy. It is known that he was a malster as well as a yeoman, or farmer, and a plain, unassuming man of tact and ability, who came to America for a better opportunity for his large family. There is nothing to show that he bore any titles, or assumed any rank among nobility

While there were many different styles of insignia in use – as many as twenty-eight different coats-of-arms, it is said upon good authority, in the Adams family, there is nothing to indicate which, if any at all were ever made use of by Henry Adams.

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* Henry Adams (3903) was born about 1583 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England.(3904) He immigrated in 1638 to Massachusetts.(3905) He emigrated in 1638 from England.(3906) He died in OCT 1646 in Quincy, MA.(3907) *Henry Adams of Braintree, Mass : "Henry Adams died in Braintree (since 1792 Quincy), Mass., at the age of about sixty-three years, and was buried there 8, Oct.1646. (Braintree Records, page 731.) " He was buried on OCT 8 1646 in Quincy, MA.(3908) *Henry Adams of Braintree, Mass : "Henry Adams died in Braintree (since 1792 Quincy), Mass., at the age of about sixty-three years, and was buried there 8, Oct.1646. (Braintree Records, page 731.)

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http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11014343

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Henry Adams Male, #16, (21 January 1583 - 6 October 1646)

    Henry Adams was born about 1583 in Barton, St. David, Somersetshire, England.1,2 He was christened on 21 January 1583 in Barton, St. David, Somersetshire, England.3,4 He was the son of John Adams and Agnes Stone.5,2 In 1603 in Barton, St. David, Somersetshire, England, Henry Adams was mentioned in the will of John Adams.5 On 19 October 1609 Henry, at age 26, married Edith Squire, at age 22, daughter of Henry Squire, in Charlton, Mackrell, Somersetshire, England.5,2 Henry Adams immigrated in 1632 to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.6,7 He was a farmer and a maltster.7 He was granted land on 24 February 1639/40 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.7,8 He left a will in 1646 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.9 He died on Saturday, 6 October 1646 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, at age 63 years, 8 months and 15 days.7,10,11,12 He was buried on 8 October 1646 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. His burial date was recorded as 8 (8) 1646.2,13,8 Or Henry Adams died on 8 October 1646 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, at age 63. His death was recorded as 8 (8) 1646.14,6 He's estate was inventoried on 8 June 1647 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and was valued at £75 13/.9 His estate was probated on 8 June 1647 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Nunc.8,7,9,11,12 There is a granite column erected to Henry Adam's memory by President John ADAMS, his great-great-grandson, with the following inscription: "In Memory of HENRY ADAMS who took his flight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire in England, and alighted with eight sons, near Mount Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England, and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns; two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of Briantree, incorporated in 1639. This stone and several others have been placed in this yard, by a great-great grandson, from a veneration of the Piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance, of his Ancestors, in hopes of Recommending and imitation ot their virtures to their posterity. ... Erected December, 1823."6,15,11,16,1,12

Charts

   Ancestry of Robert Roy (#1)

   Ancestry of Robert Roy (#2)

   Ancestry of Robert Roy (#3)

   Ancestry of Robert Roy (#4)

Children of Henry Adams and Edith Squire

   Christopher Adams6

   Lt. Henry Adams+6,15,7,13,17,12 (1604 - 21 Feb 1676)

   Lt. Thomas Adams+6,15,7,13,17,18 (25 Mar 1612 - 20 Jul 1688)

   Capt. Samuel Adams+6,15,7,13,12,17,18 (1617 - 24 Jan 1688/89)

   Deacon Jonathan Adams+6,15,13,10,17,12,19 (1619 - 28 Jul 1690)

   Ursula Adams6,7 (19 Jul 1619 - 20 Feb 1679)

   Peter Adams+6,15,13,10,12,17 (1 Mar 1622 - 23 Oct 1690)

   John Adams+6,15,13,12,17,5 (4 Dec 1622 - Jun 1706)

   Joseph Adams+6,15,7,13,12,17,2 (9 Feb 1626 - 6 Dec 1694)

   Mary Adams+ (1628 - 11 Oct 1711)

   Ensign Edward Adams+6,15,7,13,20,17,19 (19 Apr 1629 - 12 Nov 1716)

Citations

   Bartlett, J. Gardner. "Notes", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume LXXIX (79) (April 1925).

   Burke's Peerage Limited. Burke's Presidential Families of the United States of America. New York: Arco Publishing Co., 1975.

   Ancestral File. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 1994.

   Hurst, Anthony, letter. 3 May 1994, from National Genealogical Echo, to Stevens, Tom. Personal Genealogical Collection; RR1, Box 308, Paw Paw, Morgan County, West Virginia.

   Fairbanks, Hiram Francis. "English Ancestry of Henry Adams of Braintree", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume LIX (59) (July 1905).

   Jameson, E. O. The Biographical Sketches of Prominent Persons and The Genealogical Records of Many Early and Other Families in Medway, Mass. 1713-1886. Providence, Rhode Island: J.A. & R.A. Reid Printers, 1886.

   Johnson, Hugh Albert. Norris, Hackett, Prescott and Allied Families Our Ancestors and Their Descendants. Annandale, Virginia: Charles Baptie Studios, 1975.

   Pope, Charles Henry. The Pioneers of Massachusetts. 1900. Reprint Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1981.

   Trask, William B. "Abstracts of Wills of the Early Settlers of New England", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume VII (1853).

   Crane, Ellery Bicknell. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts. New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1907.

   Bruce, William Downing. "Pedigree of the Adams Family, Originially Located at Braintree, Mass.", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume VII (1853). Much of this article is false, especially the earlier pedigree.

   Adams, Andrew N. A Genealogical History of Henry Adams of Braintree, Mass., and his Descendants also John Adams of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897. Rutland, Vermont: Tuttle Company, 1898.

   Thayer, Ephraim and Sarah. Family Memorial Genealogy of Fourteen Families of Early Settlers of New England. Hingham, Massachusetts: J. Farmer, 1835.

   Trask, William B.. "Early Records of Boston", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume IX (1855).

   Morse, Abner. Genealogical Register of the Descendants of The Early Planters of Sherborn, Holliston, and Medway, Massachusetts. Boston: Damrell & Moore, 1855.

   Pattee, William S.. "Quincy Inscriptions", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume IX (1855).

   Morse, Abner. A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Several Ancient Puritans. volume I. Boston: the author, 1857).

   Wyman, Thomas Bellows. The Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Massachusetts 1629-1818. 1879. Reprint Somersworth, New Hampshire: New England History Press, 1982.

   Tilden, William S. History of the Town of Medfield, Massachusetts 1650-1886. 1887. Reprint Medfield, Massachusetts: Medfield Historical Society, 1975.

   Muse, Jeanne. Family Group Sheets of the Ancestry of Jeanne Muse. Asheville, North Carolina: Jeanne Muse, 20 August 1995.

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Henry arrived in America in 1638 on the ship Mary & John with his wife, 7 sons and 1 daughter; son Jonathan emigrated in 1651.

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great-great-grandfather of 2nd President of the United States John Adams. See: https://books.google.com/books?id=tE1BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205#v...

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Henry and all his known ancestors were Yeomen famers from Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. Henry was also a maltster. Henry came to America with his wife and all but one (Jonathan) of his children in 1638. His son, Jonathan came in 1651. That Henry Adams came from Devonshire on the south coast of England, has become a current and fixed belief, from the fact that his great, great grandson, President John Adams, erected a monument to his memory in the old church yard at Quincy with the inscription, “In memory of Henry Adams who took his fight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mt. Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England; and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield, and two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left and, remained here, -- an original proprietor in the township of Braintree.” The monument commemorates “the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance” of the Adams ancestors.

Fact 1: Henry Adams was the great great grandfather of President John Adams, the second President of the United States.

Fact 2: Henry Adams was the great great grandfather of Samuel Adams, the great patriot and orator.

Fact 3: Henry Adams was the great great great grandfather of President John Quincey Adams, the President of the United States. Number of children: 9 Occupation: Farmer, malster

http://www.hannahdustin.com/short_adams.html

Adams History, by Andrew N. Adams 1898

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• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=nanbro&id...

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Henry came from Devonshire, England. He settled in Braintree, MA. "Early New England Settlers:. To his memory - erected in Quincy by his illustrious decencendant, John Adams, a monument with an inscription, from which the following is estracted: "In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the Dragon persecution, in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wollaston."

"Henry Adams, the progenitor in New England of a distinguished American family," ... "Neither from sceptred race of kings nor noble lineage of baronial castle was derived this Adams family in England. They were a race of sturdy yeomen who lived for generations in Barton St. David and its vicinity, subsisting by cultivation of lease hold farms and the raising of sheep and cattle, and residing in simple, stone, thatched cottages.".... After his marriage to Edith Squire in 1609, "...his residence continued for several years in his native ancestral parish of Barton St. David,"... "before 1622, he moved into the adjoining parish of Kingweston, Co. Somerset" ...

Henry Adams came early to our country, and tradit. says from Braintree, in Co. Essex in 1632, but widely diverse is the origin by ano. tradit. had gr. in Feb. 1641, of 40 acres by vote of Boston, of wh. Braintree was part, i. e. the portion for ten heads. Perhaps he was the first clk. of the town, after separat. from Boston, tho. more likely is it that his s. of the same name had the honor; and he d. or was bur. 8 Oct. 1646, leav. by tradit. eight s. yet only five are nam. in his will, 1646, pro. 8 June 1647, where appear Peter, John, Joseph, Edward, Samuel, and d. Ursula. Of this d. as tradit. took no notice, it may be that the number eight applied to s. means in truth ch. seven s. and one d. but names eno. for the s. may be seen, and certainly one s good, if not two beyond the deviees in the will, as Henry, Thomas, Jonathan, in some reports call. William. The inscript. on the monu. erect. by his descend, John Adams, sec. Presid. of the U. S. exhibits the popular story with characterist. strength: -In mem. of Henry Adams wh. took his flight from the Dragon persecution, in Devonsh. Eng. and alighted with eight s, near Mt. Wollaston. One of the s. ret. to Eng. and, after tak. some time to explore the country, four rem. to Medfield, and the neighb. towns, two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, wh. lies here at his left hand, remain, here; wh. was an orig, prop. in the townsh. of Braintree incorpo. 1639

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Henry came from Devonshire, England. He settled in Braintree, MA. "Early New England Settlers:. To his memory - erected in Quincy by his illustrious decencendant, John Adams, a monument with an inscription, from which the following is estracted: "In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the Dragon persecution, in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wollaston."

"Henry Adams, the progenitor in New England of a distinguished American family," ... "Neither from sceptred race of kings nor noble lineage of baronial castle was derived this Adams family in England. They were a race of sturdy yeomen who lived for generations in Barton St. David and its vicinity, subsisting by cultivation of lease hold farms and the raising of sheep and cattle, and residing in simple, stone, thatched cottages.".... After his marriage to Edith Squire in 1609, "...his residence continued for several years in his native ancestral parish of Barton St. David,"... "before 1622, he moved into the adjoining parish of Kingweston, Co. Somerset" ...

Henry Adams came early to our country, and tradit. says from Braintree, in Co. Essex in 1632, but widely diverse is the origin by ano. tradit. had gr. in Feb. 1641, of 40 acres by vote of Boston, of wh. Braintree was part, i. e. the portion for ten heads. Perhaps he was the first clk. of the town, after separat. from Boston, tho. more likely is it that his s. of the same name had the honor; and he d. or was bur. 8 Oct. 1646, leav. by tradit. eight s. yet only five are nam. in his will, 1646, pro. 8 June 1647, where appear Peter, John, Joseph, Edward, Samuel, and d. Ursula. Of this d. as tradit. took no notice, it may be that the number eight applied to s. means in truth ch. seven s. and one d. but names eno. for the s. may be seen, and certainly one s good, if not two beyond the deviees in the will, as Henry, Thomas, Jonathan, in some reports call. William. The inscript. on the monu. erect. by his descend, John Adams, sec. Presid. of the U. S. exhibits the popular story with characterist. strength: -In mem. of Henry Adams wh. took his flight from the Dragon persecution, in Devonsh. Eng. and alighted with eight s, near Mt. Wollaston. One of the s. ret. to Eng. and, after tak. some time to explore the country, four rem. to Medfield, and the neighb. towns, two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, wh. lies here at his left hand, remain, here; wh. was an orig, prop. in the townsh. of Braintree incorpo. 1639."

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GEDCOM Source

@R-1594052015@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.

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"Henry Adams a founder of New England", "Henry of Braintree" Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States (1583 - 1646) HENRY**(1) ADAMS October 19, 1609 in CHARLTON MACKRELL, SOMERSETSHIRE, ENGLAND, son of JOHN**(-1) ADAMS and AGNES STONE. He was born January 21, 1582/83 in (1583) BAPT; BARTON ST. DAVID, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, and died October 06, 1646 in BRAINTREE, NORFOLK, MA; EMIG. 1638 TO NEW ENGLAND.

n 1609 Henry Adams was married in the parish church. In 1638, when he was aged 55, he travelled to America with his family. His great grandson was John Adams and his great-grandson was John Quincy Adams - the 2nd and 6th Presidents of the USA. A commemorative plaque is in the church's chancel.

ne of the most important of them was Henry Adams, who in 16I3 was a tenant holding 47 acres of glebeland in Charlton Mackrell. Adams was a man of some education, and in 1638, when he was 55 years of age, he, with his family, crossed the Atlantic in a small boat, and thereby established the illustrious family of Adams in the United States.

His great grandson was John Adams, who steered through Congress the Declaration of Independence, followed George Washington as President of the United States, founded the American Navy, and was their first ambassador to England. His son, John Quincy Adams was the sixth national President, and men of each succeeding generation of this family have left their stamp on the history of their country. Henry Adams married Edith Squire in Charlton Mackrell church, and her sister Anne had married Aquila Purchase, an ex-Dorchester schoolmaster, a parishioner and fervent supporter of the Rev. John White. Aquila's brother was an early settler in Brunswick, Maine. The sisters Edith and Anne Squire were granddaughters of the Rev. William Squire, rector of Charlton Mackrell, to whom reference has already been made.

I fathered ten children. Among my great-grandchildren were a young woman named Lydia, who married one of the Chase brood, out Newburyport way, and a young man named John, who was a delegate to the so-called Continental Congress in Philadelphia, helped to write the Declaration of Independence for the these colonies from Britain, and later served as the second President of the Republic he thusly helped to found. He came through Joseph, my second-to-last, born in 1625, and Lydia came through my second, Thomas, born 1612.

Christened 21 Jan 1583 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England.

Came from England in 1638, and settled in Braintree where he was granted 40 acres of land 24 Feb 1639-40 was a malster and yeoman. 3rd great grandfather of president John Adams.

The Adams name is thought to be of Welsh origin, originally Ap Adams(Ap meaning "son of" in Welsh), the Ap was dropped from the name as the Adams became more integrated into English culture and society.

Henry Adams

Henry Adams (1531-1596) lived all his life in Barton St. David. He was also a yeoman husbandman and became a bondsman. He served as a court witness on several legal matters. When he was 8 years old he may have witnessed the brutal public hanging, beheading, and quartering of Richard Whiting, the last of Glastonbury's Abbots in 1539. Henry Adams' wife was named Rose ___?*, and she is the mother of John Adams (1555-1604). Rose died in 1598. Henry died intestate, Administration was granted to his son on 12 Aug 1596.

suzysclanadded this on 20 May 2010

dorel341 originally submitted this to jgw on 15 Nov 2008

Henry ADAMS7,62 was born in 1531 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He died on 12 Aug 1596 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He was buried in Aug 1596 in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England, Barton Cemetery. Marriage 1: (Mrs.) Rose ADAMS b: 1536 in Barton St. David,Somerset,England

Ma rried: 1552 in Barton St. David,Somersetshire,England

Children:

John ADAMSb : 1 Jan. 1555 in Barton St. David,Somerset,England

Richard ADAMS b: 1552 in Barton, St. David, Somersetshire, England

Parents: John ADAMS and ALICE.

Spouse: ROSE. Henry ADAMS and ROSE were married in 1554 in Barton St David, Somersetshire, England. Children were: John ADAMS.

suzysclan added this on 19 Jul 2010

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lzrslong/b48.htm#P193222

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GEDCOM Note

Came from England to America

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GEDCOM Note

Henry Adams came to America 1630-38 with 8 children. Son Jonathan came after Henry's death.

Arrived at Boston about 1638. Given land at Mount Wollaston, later Braintree in 1638. Estate was worth about L 75. Adams book gives burial 10-8-1646. Henry Adams was the ancestor of Samuel Adams, President John Adams, President John Quincy Adams. Charlemagne was an ancestor of Henry Adams. Genealogy of Henry Adams, book by Barnett in 1927, gives date of emigration as 1638. On 2/24/1640, he was granted by the town of Boston a lot of 40 acres at Mount Wollaston (Braintree, now Quincy) for a family of 10 heads, for payment of 3s. per acre. The ten were himself, wife Edith, Henry, Thomas, Samuel, Peter, John, Joseph, Edward, and Ursula. His third son Jonathan remained in England a dozen years longer.

DEATH: Also given as 8 Aug 1646, probably due to reference to 8th month which was Oct with old calendar.

Occupation: Farmer, maltster. Alt Death: 6 Oct 1646 Braintree, Norfolk, MA

The Ancestry of Henry Adams of Braintree, MA NEHGR 1931 Fam. Mem. & Gen. of Fourteen Families of the Early Settlers of N.E., Thayer N.E. Marr. Prior to 1700, Torrey LDS Archives. ______________________________ From NEHGR Vol 7, Jan 1853, Page 35: Will of Henry Adams of Braintree, 164 6, names sons, Peter, John, Joseph, Edward and Samuel and Daughter Ursula. Does not mention Henry of Medfield, who was slain by Indians in the attack on Medfield in 1676. Also Mary is not mentioned (wife of George Fair banks of Dedham). She may not be the daugter of these parents.
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11] HENRY ADAMS

Henry Adams, the emigrant ancestor of a numerous and distinguished American family, was born Jan. 21, 1583 in the Parish of Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England, the son of John & Agnes (Stone) Adams, grandson of Henry Adams & great grandson of John Adams, all of the same Barton St. David.

In 1638, Henry Adams and all his family, except his son Jonathan who remained in England 12 years longer, emigrated to New England. But the exact date of coming is not known and the earliest record of him is Feb. 24, 1639/40 when he obtained a grant of land from the town of Boston to forty acres at Mt. Wollaston for ten heads, which became his homestead and remained partially in the male line of descendants until about 1845 when the last occupant had removed to Bridgewater.

[12R] Henry Adams did not live long in New England, as he was buried at Braintree (now Quincy) (died Oct. 6, Reg. 85:384) Oct. 8, 1646, aged about 63 years. His will dated 1646, mentions his wife and children who are to share his property, but omits the three eldest sons who evidently had previously received something from him. The inventory totaled ,7 5/13/0, an average one for these days.

His widow Edith (Squire) Adams married about 1651, John Fussell of Weymouth, and removed about 1654 to Medfield where several of the Adams children resided. She died there Jan. 21, 1672/3 and he died there Feb. 21, 1675/6 when his house was burned by Indians.

Henry Adams was a husbandman, a farmer and maltster, an occupation continued by several of his descendants. For a full account of him see "The Henry Adams Genealogy" by J. Gardner Bartlett (1927). Also "Streeter - Adams records from a Streeter family Bible” in the Register vol. 85 pp, 382-5, for many early dates in this family.

[12] S.P. N.S. 1:429 Will of Henry Adams of Braintree 1646: Sons Peter & John & daughter Ursula shall have the ground in the neck, both upland & meadow, during the term I was to enjoy it, until it return to the town's hands again from whom I had it. Also the acre in the mill fields. Books to be divided among all my children, wife to have other goods as long as unmarried and if she marry Joseph, Edward & Ursula to enjoy all the ground in the field that lieth in the way to Weymouth ferry and my house lot with all houses and fruit trees and moveables at death or marriage of my wife, provided they and their mother pay my son Samuel what is due for ground I bought of him. But in case God should soe deal with my wife that shee be constrayned to make use of something by way of sale shee may.

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GEDCOM Note

Arrived Boston 1632 or 1633. Settled in Braintree, MA. Wife unknown. Arrived w/8 sons and 1 daughter.
Probably from Braintree, Essex England
Pres. John Adams was great grandson
4 sons went to Medfield, MA
Was probably part of Hooker's company that arrived from England around 1630.
Name may be Welsh.

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Henry Adams (1583 - 1646)

Henry Adams
Born 21 Jan 1583 in Barton St. David, Somerset, Englandmap
ANCESTORS ancestors
Son of John Adams and Agnes (Stone) Adams
Brother of Lucy (Adams) French, Thomas Adams, John Adams, Margaret (Adams) Warfield, Elizabeth Adams and Rose Adams
Husband of Edith (Squire) Adams — married 19 Oct 1609 in Charlton Mackrell ,Somerset, Englandmap
DESCENDANTS descendants
Father of Henry Adams, Thomas Adams, Samuel Adams, Jonathan Adams Sr., Ursula (Adams) Crafts, Peter Adams, John Adams Sr., Joseph Adams Sr. and Edward Adams
Died 6 Oct 1646 at age 63 in Braintree, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colonymap
PROBLEMS/QUESTIONSProfile managers: US Presidents Project WikiTree private message [send private message], Al Adams private message [send private message], Michael Thomas private message [send private message], Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree private message [send private message], and Rena Donze private message [send private message]
Profile last modified 6 Jan 2024 | Created 27 Jul 2010
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The Puritan Great Migration.
Henry Adams migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 2)
Join: Puritan Great Migration Project
Discuss: PGM
U.S. President Direct Ancestor
Henry Adams is an ancestor of a US President/Vice President
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Discuss: PRESIDENTS
Contents

[hide]
1 Biography
1.1 Origins
1.2 Disproven Ancient Ancestry
1.3 Emigration
1.4 Life in New England
1.5 Death & Legacy
1.6 Children
1.7 Selected Descendants of Note
2 Sources
Biography

This profile is part of the Adams Name Study.
Notables Project
Henry Adams is Notable.
Henry Adams is best known as the great great-grandfather of 2nd US president John Adams, and great great-great grandfather of 6th US president John Quincy Adams descended through his son Joseph's line.[1]

Three of Henry's known children were baptized in Barton St. David and Kingweston. There is a marriage record of Henry Adams to Edith Squire in Charlton Mackrell (next to Barton/Kingweston) on 19 Oct 1609.[2][3] Two of her sisters also married and emigrated to Massachusetts and future records indicate relations between Squire and Adams families. Their son Jonathan remained working on the farm of his Squire grandfather until about 1651. There are letters of attorney that describe a sibling relationship between this Jonathan and other of Henry's children. There are court docs in Massachusetts that also describe sibling relationships of Henry's children. And then there's Henry's 1646 will, which names his younger children-- the oldest probably having received their share at marriage. All these, combined, support the link to the Barton St. David family.

"Charlton Mackrell played an important part in pioneer migration to the New England States, especially over the period 1638 to 1650. This movement was inspired by certain religious principles, and a leading spirit in the West Country was the Rev. John White, of Dorchester, Dorset, who is said to have been responsible for over 20,000 emigrants to America. [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

Origins

Henry Adams (1583-1646) was born in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He was the youngest of 4 children of John Adams* (1555-1604) also of Barton St. David, and Agnes Stone* (___?-1615/16).

"Gentleman" Henry Adams (1582-1646), a farmer and maltster, was descended from English yeomen who had lived in Barton St. David for centuries.[citation needed]
Henry was a farmer who held land by the old English system of copyhold from the lord of the manor of Barton St. David about the year 1608 in the village of Charlton Mackrell on the river Cary in the heart of English Somersetshire. [19]

He was a maltster and, presumably, a husbandman like his father and grandfather before him. The earliest record of him is in 1604 when he was executor of his father's estate and the next on 19 October 1609 when he married Edith Squire in Charlton Mackrell, Somerset.

Only 2 other records (in England) have been found in which his name is mentioned: in 1609, when he was co-executor of the will of his brother John and an original parchment bond found in the Diocesan Registry showing that in 1614 he was living in Barton St. David. It contains the only known signature of Henry. At some time between 1614 and 1622 he moved to the adjacent parish of Kingweston where his youngest children were baptized, the last in 1629, and where he probably lived until his emigration in 1638.

President John Quincy Adams dissented from this opinion of his father that Henry Adams came from Devonshire.
After giving the matter particular and thorough investigation, both in this country and in England, he published it as his conviction that Henry Adams was from Braintree in the county of Essex, on the east coast of England. “The statement in the Alden Collection,” he says, “that the first Henry came from Devonshire was received the collector of epitaphs from my father; but I believe it was not from Devonshire but from Braintree in the county of Essex, thathe came. My father supposed that he formed part of the company that came with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, most of whom were from Devonshire. But at the time my father formed this opinion, Gov. Winthrop’s Journal had not been published.”
Winthrop’s Journal, I. 37, says, “1632: 14 Aug; The Braintree Company which had begun to settle down at Mt. Wollaston by order of Court, removed to Newtown. These were Mr. Hooker’s Company.” [20]
Hooker himself arrived in Sept. 1633, but his Company, which was mostly made up from Chelmsford – perhaps also from Braintree and other neighboring villages of Essex county, - had arrived the year before. Hence it appears highly probably that Henry Adams from Braintree in Essex joined Hooker’s Company and arrived in Boston in 1632. Dr. James Savage, author of the Genealogical Dictionary of early first-comers of New England, concurs in the opinion of President John Quincy Adams.[21]
Disproven Ancient Ancestry

The "Ap Adams" story is one of the most embarrassing nineteenth-century forgeries. It first appeared in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 7 (Jan. 1853) [wrong reference; that volume# and page publishes an abstract of Adams' will], claiming descent from a landed Adams family at Stoke-Gabriel, co. Devon. Because it claims grand ancestry, people have happily quoted it and copied it as gospel ("hey, it's in print, it has to be right"). Places that discuss this fraudulent genealogy include:
"Book Notices," in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 56(1902):211: referring to the pamphlet "The Ancestry of Henry Adams of Braintree, New England," by Rev. Hiram Francis Fairbanks, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1901, 8vo, pp 19.
G.E. C.'s 'Complete Peerage,' Vol. I., page 111,
NEHGS REGISTER, Vol. 37, pp 159-160, Mr. Jos. L. Chester produces proof of the 'forgery' of the portion connecting Henry Adams with Ap Adam.
NEHGS REGISTER, 34:432-433 (John Ward Dean)
NEHGS REGISTER, 31:333
In 1927, Josiah Gardner Bartlett published the known, documented English origins of Henry Adams, a yeoman farmer from Barton [St.] David (just south of Wells) and next-door Kingweston, Somerset, who married on 19 Oct. 1609 married Edith Squire, from neighboring Charlton Mackrell, Somerset. See Bartlett's book ("Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass.: His English Ancestry and Some of His Descendants" [New York, 1927]), also "Ancestors and Descendants of Jeremiah Adams, 1794-1883, of Salisbury, Connecticut, Sullivan County, New York, Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania and Vermilion, Ohio" by Enid Eleanor Adams (1974), p. 652, from which I quote:

"In 1853...an Adams pedigree purporting to show that Henry Adams, English emigrant to New England, was a descendant of one Sir John ap Adams and his wife Elizabeth de Gurnay, heiress to estates in Somersetshire, Dorsetshire and Gloucestershire, was published and has been reprinted and quoted from frequently ever since. J. Gardner Bartlett, in his 1927 history of Henry Adams, stated unequivocally that the alleged connection of Henry Adams with the Ap Adam family of Beverstone and Tidenham rested on forged evidences. In proof [the Ap Adam chart from The Complete Peerage, vol. 1 (1910), pp. 179-81] was given in the Bartlett book. It shows conclusively that the Adams line issuing from Elizabeth de Gurnay ended by an heiress in 1424, 159 YEARS PRIOR TO Henry Adams's birth! [The last male Ap Adams died in 1424, with his nephew John Huntley appar. sole heir.] Moreover, although Sir John Ap Adams acquired vast estates in Gloucestershire and Somersetshire, he never had the manor of Cherleton-Adam."
Mr. Bartlett's book (1927) has numerous photographs of the Saxon church at Barton [St.] David, bonds and other documents signed by, or associated with, the real Henry Adams, his wife, and their ancestors. Miss Adams's treatment (1974) of Henry and his English background is also excellent.[citation needed]
Emigration

Henry arrived in America in 1638 on the ship Mary & John with his wife, seven sons. and one daughter; son Jonathan followed in 1651. Around the same time Henry's wife's sister, Margaret (Squire) Sheppard, her husband Thomas Sheppard, and their children also emigrated, joining a third Squire sister, Anne (Squire) (Purchase) Oliver, who had come to New England in 1633 with her then-husband, Aquila Purchase.

Life in New England

Henry was one of the earliest settlers of Mt. Wollaston, incorporated in 1640 as Braintree, MA and included what is now Quincy, Braintree and Randolph, MA. He received a land grant of 40 acres for 10 people at "The Mount" 24 Feb. 1641 in a vote at Boston, of which Braintree was then a part. He settled on that land which became a part of Quincy in 1792. This land remained partially in the male line of descendants until about 1845 when the last occupant had removed to Bridgewater.

The location of the grant was long unknown to modern descendants, but it is now known that the house stood on present Elm street, Quincy, near South street & close to the town brook.
Henry Adams was known popularly as The Founder of New England, probably because of the extraordinary number (89) of his grandchildren. Apparently, Henry Adams was influenced by Aquila Purchase, Master of Trinity School at Dorchester, who in 1613/14 married Anna Squire, sister to Henry's wife, Edith Squire*, both daughters of Henry Squire*. Henry Squire had three daughters who married and went to New England, all seemingly associated with a group known as the Dorchester Adventurers, led by the Rev. John White, whose first group of Dorset Pilgrims arrived in New England on the ship Mary& John in 1630. This group was largely absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in later years, and by the time Henry Adams came in 1638, many of the original Dorset Pilgrims, particularly those who would not take religious oaths as a prerequisite for citizenship, had moved well into the interior settling around river valleys in MA and CT along the Indian or Dutch territorial frontiers. Windsor CT was one of the principal settlements.
Henry Adams with his large family seems to have preferred settling near the coast and thus stayed in Braintree MA, which is now known as Quincy MA. Henry Adams' biographers do not associate him with the more radical and religious Puritans, nor with the liberal and outlawed Pilgrims, but rather see him and other followers of Rev. John White as adventurers, seeking a new world where the boundaries of a class society could be overcome.[citation needed]
He was made constable at Braintree and took his oath Dec. 5, 1643[22]

In October, 1645 thirty-two residents of Braintree petitioned the General Court regarding a grant of land and among the names were Henry Adams, Sr. and Jr., Thomas, Samuel, John and Christopher, the latter likely an error for Peter Adams. This accounts for all the sons except Jonathan, still in England, and Joseph and Edward who were still minors.

Death & Legacy

Henry died 6 Oct. 1646 and was buried 8 October. His will is dated 1646 and was proved 8 June 1647. It mentions wife Edith [not per Register 7(1853):35; that extract names children, but only refers to "my wife"] and all but the 3 oldest children; a copy of the will is printed in the NEHGS "Register," Vol 7, page 35.

The will mentions: sons Peter, John, Joseph, Edward, Samuel; daughter Ursula; and "my wife"[23]
S.P. N.S. 1-429 Will of Henry Adams of Braintree 1646
Sons Peter & John & daughter Ursula shall have the ground in the neck, both upland & meadow, during the term I was to enjoy it, until it return to the town's hands again from whom I had it. Also the acre in the mill fields. Books to be divided among all my children, wife to have other goods as long as unmarried and if she marry Joseph, Edward & Ursula to enjoy all the ground in the field that lieth in the way to Weymouth ferry and my house lot with all houses and fruit trees and moveables at death or marriage of my wife, provided they and their mother pay my son Samuel what is due for ground I bought of him. But in case God should soe deal with my wife that shee be constrayned to make use of something by way of sale shee may.
For moveables Peter & John shall have an equal share with my sons Joseph & Edward and daughter Ursula. Witnesses: Benjamin Allbe, Richard Brackett.
2-32 8:4:1647 Inventory £75/13/ Deposed in court 8 (4) 1647
House & barn & ground about them £26. Doesn't say who took it.
Somme ground within the fence leading to Weymouth ferry £10.
The estate inventory, dated 8 June 1647, revealed that he had a house and a barn, a cow and a calf, some pigs, furniture and utensils, and three beds. More noteworthy and probably relics of the old days in England were a silver spoon and some old books. His estate was worth about 75 pounds.[19]

A monument was erected by his grave by his descendant, John Adams, second President of the United States, inscribed as follows: "In Memory of HENRY ADAMS who took his flight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire in England, and alighted with eight sons,near Mount Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England, and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns; two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies hereat his left hand, remained here, who was an original proprietor in the township of Briantree, incorporated in 1639. This stone and several others have been placed in this yard, by a great-great grandson, from a veneration of the Piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience,temperance, frugality, industry and perseverance, of his Ancestors, in hopes of Recommending and imitation of their virtues to their posterity. ... Erected December, 1823" President Adams did not have the place of Henry's origin quite correct, as Henry came from Somerset, the county east of Devon. His son John Quincy, 6th President, was even further off, believing, unlike his father, that Henry was more likely from Braintree, England and that he came with Thomas Hooker's company to New England in 1632.

His widow Edith (Squire) Adams married about 1651, John Fussell of Weymouth, and removed about 1654 to Medfield where several of the Adams children resided. She died Jan. 21, 1672/3 and he died there Feb. 21,1675/6 when his house was burned by Indians.

Children

Henry Adams and Edith Squire had 9 children:[24]

Henry Adams, Jr. (1610-1675), emigrated with his parents to Braintree MA. Henry was appointed Clerk of Writs at Braintree MA on Nov. 4, 1646. He was a founder of Medfield MA and a Lieutenant in King Philip's War. He was killed in his doorway in an Indian attack, Feb. 21, 1675/6. Henry Adams, Jr. m. Elizabeth Paine (1620-1675), on Nov. 17, 1643, in New England. She was bap. July 23, 1620 in Tenderton, Yorkshire, England, the daughter of Moses Paine and Elizabeth ___? Henry, Jr. and Elizabeth had 8 children.
Thomas Adams* (1612-1688); baptized at Barton David 25 Mar 1612, m. Mary Blackmore* (1613-1694/5)
Jonathan Adams (1614-1619), the only child of Henry and Edith to remain in England when his parents came to America on 1638. Jonathan came to America later, in 1651. He m1. Joane Close on Feb. 7, 1638/9. She may have died prior to Jonathan's emigration in 1651. Jonathan and Joane had at least 3children, born in England. He m2. Elizabeth Holman in c1665. She was born May 19, 1644, in Cambridge MA, the daughter of William Holman and Winnifred ___? Jonathan and Elizabeth had 6 children.
Samuel Adams (1616-1688), a Freeman of the Mass. Bay Colony. He constructed and erected mills in Lowell MA (part of Chelmsford). He is bur. in Charlestown MA. Samuel and his 2nd wife, Rebecca Graves are progenitors of John Calvin Coolidge, Jr., 30th President of the U.S. Samuel m1. Mary Eglesfield in c1646. She was the daughter of Emanuel Eglesfield and Susanna Gray of London. Susanna was the daughter of Thomas Gray and Katherine Miles. Susanna was the sister of Parnel Gray(b. c1601), wife of the Hon. Increase Nowell, and also the sister of Katherine Gray (b. c1604), the wife of Capt. Thomas Graves. Mary d. in 1650. Samuel and Mary had one child, Samuel, b. July 3, 1647, Charlestown MA, who died young. Samuel m2. Rebecca Graves (b. c1631), daughter of Capt. Thomas Graves and Katherine Gray and a niece of Samuel's first wife, Mary. Rebecca d. Sept. 8, 1664, Chelmsford MA. Samuel and Rebecca had 8 children. Samuel m3. Esther Sparhawk (1636-1692) on May 7, 1668 in Chelmsford. Esther is the daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Sparhawk and Mary Angier of Cambridge MA. Samuel and Esther had 4 children.
Ursula Adams, b. c1619; m1. Stephen Streeter in c 1640. He was from Charlestown MA. Ursula and Stephen had 7 children; m2. Samuel Hosier of Watertown MA, on Oct 13, 1657; m3. William Robinson, Dorchester MA, in c1666; m4. Griffin Craft, of Roxbury MA, on July 15, 1673.
Peter Adams (1621-1690), freeman of the Mass. Bay Colony; m. Rachel ___? and had 10 children.
John Adams (1622-1706), baptized 21 Dec 1622 at Kingweston, England, apprenticed as a millwright. Became known as John Adams of Menotomy, (now Arlington MA); m. Anne ___?, and had 7 children.
Joseph Adams (1626-1694), the progenitor of Pres. John Adams and John Quincy Adams; m. Abigail Baxter; b. Sep. 1634, Roxbury MA; d. Aug. 27, 1692,Braintree MA. Abigail is the daughter of Gregory Baxter and Margaret Paddy.
Edward Adams (1629-1716); bap. Apr. 19, 1629, Kingweston, England. He was Rep. to MA General Court, 1689, 1692, & 1702. He d. Nov. 12, 1716, Medfield MA. Edward m1. Lydia Penniman; bap. Feb. 22, 1634/5, Boston MA, daughter of James Penniman and Lydia Eliot. [Some say this is not fully proven.] She d. Mar. 3, 1675/6. Edward and Lydia had 14 children, many of whom died in early infancy. Speculation indicates that Edward and Lydia had incompatible blood types. Edward m2. Abigail (Craft) (Ruggles) Day; b. Mar. 28, 1634, Roxbury MA; d. Jan. 19, 1706/7, daughter of Lt. Griffin Craft, and widow of John Ruggles of Roxbury, and widow of Ralph Day of Dedham MA. Edward and Abigail had no children. Edward m3. Sarah Taylor on Jan. 6, 1709/10 in Medfield MA.
Selected Descendants of Note

Some well known descendants include:

2nd US President John Adams (see relationship)
6th US President John Quincy Adams (see relationship)
30th US President John Calvin Coolidge (see relationship)
Katherine Hepburn (see relationship)
Flora (Adams) Darling, one of the founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution in the late 19th century (see relationship)
Sources

↑ John Hamilton Adams, History of Our Branch of The Adams Family, 1886-from FT Wayne library.
↑ Somerset : Charlton Mackrell : Virgin Mary : Register of unspecified type : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581859eee93790eb7fa38a3e : viewed 13 Dec 2022) marriage Henry Adams to Edith Squire 19 Oct 1609
↑ Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812. https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/60856/engl78030_d-p-cha-ma-2-1...
↑ George Norbury MacKensie, editor, Colonial Families of the US, 1966-vol VI p311, Findlay library
↑ Mary E. Mayo, editor, 1600 Lines to Pilgrims-lineage book III,
↑ Gary Boyd Roberts, "NS sons/daus of Pilgrims (1982), OGS English Origins of NE Families," in New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 2nd Series in 3 Vols-vol (1985), p3; this has English background & Braintree information
↑ Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages prior to 1700, 1985
↑ Sir John Bernard Burke, Prominent Families in America with British Ancestry-The Landed Gentry, (1971)
↑ William R. Cutter & William F. Adams, Genealogical & Personal Memoirs relating to families of Massachusetts, 1910, vol III, p. 533
↑ Frederick A. Virkus, "Immigrants to America before 1750," in Magazine of American Genealogy (1965)
↑ R. V. Jackson & Mrs. A. Polson, American Patriots-relating to lineage of John Quincy Adams, (1981)
↑ Burke's Presidential Families of USA [and?] Burke's Peerage, London, England 1st edition (1975)
↑ Charles H. Browning, Americans of Royal Descent, 7th edition (1986)
↑ Charles H. Pope, Pioneers of Massachusetts-from records of colonies, towns, churches & other documents, 1965
↑ Mary C. Crawford, Famous Families of Massachusetts, volume 1 (1930)
↑ Frank R. Holmes, Directory of Ancestral Heads of New England Families 1620-1700 (1964)
↑ J.G. Bartlett, Henry Adams of England and Massachusetts: His English ancestry & some of his descendants (1927); A VERY comprehensive genealogy on Henry
↑ Author?, Descendants of Robert Adams, vols 7, 9, 11, 35 or 36, 48; (1847-1853-1855-1857-1882-1894)
↑ 19.0 19.1 Pedigree of Henry Adams c1583-1646, archived website
↑ See Family Memorial by Elisha Thayer; Note p. 38
↑ Henry Adams of Braintree (web site)
↑ Records of Court Assistants, Vol. 1
↑ Will of Henry Adams, of Braintree. 1646, in "Abstracts of Early Wills," in NEHGS Register, 7(1853):35; https://www.americanancestors.org/DB202/i/11688/35/0 (by subscription)
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[https://archive.org/details/henryadamsofsome00bart/page/50 Bartlett, Josiah Gardner, Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass.: His English Ancestry and Some of His Descendants, (New York, 1927, privately published), on p. 51, cites bishop's transcriptions from Wells for the baptisms of three of the children, as noted. Unfortunately, parish records and transcripts that likely included the baptisms of the other children have been lost, as discussed by Bartlett; their birthdates have been estimated by various genealogists based on grave records and normal birth sequencesSee Also:Andrew N. Adams, (1898) A genealogical history of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and his descendants : also John Adams, of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897, Salem, Massachusetts: Higginson Book Company Archive.orgBoston Town Records. Second Report of the Record Commissioners in the City of Boston, Containing the Boston Records 1634-1660 and the Book of Possessions. Boston: Rockwell & Churchill, City Printers (1881), 2nd ed, p. 49.J. Gardner Bartlett (compiled for Edward Dean Adams), (1927) Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass., New York: privately printed HathiTrust.org.Rev. Darrell & Sallyann Joiner, Cary Family HistoryWaldo Chamberlain Sprague, Genealogies of the Families Of Braintree, Norfolk, Mass., 1640-1850, AB Publication: Including the modern town of Randolph & Holbrook and the city of Quincy, after the separation from Braintree in 1792-3Suffolk County WillsFrank Thistlethwaite, (1993) Dorset Pilgrims, Interlaken, NY: Heart of the Lakes.Henry Adams of Braintree Descendants - Generation I & II (web site)Ray, Peter, (2010) A History of The Families of Edward Tinsley and Isabel Douglad Curtis, Vol 2. Lahaska, PA: (Pages 14-15)Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635Fairbanks, Hiram Francis. The English Ancestry of Henry Adams of Braintree, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass.,1905). Vol 59, Pages 320-322.Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11014343/henry-adams : accessed 9 February 2022), memorial page for Henry Adams Sr. (21 Jan 1583–6 Oct 1646), Find A Grave: Memorial #11014343, citing Hancock Cemetery, Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Wilhelmina (contributor 47171985) .http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11014343https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Adams_%28Braintree%29