"In 1813 the court bound two orphans, Mordecai and Malthon Wilson, aged thirteen and fourteen, to Adam so that they could 'learn the trade of a potter'. Adam married Sabina Henkel, daughter of the Reverend Paul Henkel, the first Lutheran missionary …" [1]
Jacob Adam of Hagerstown, Maryland; New Market, Virginia; Point Pleasant West Virginia, and Fairfield County, Ohio, was a potter (1808-1827).
1810 Jacob Adam wrote a letter to Andrew Henkel [2]:
New Market Shendoah C. 8a June 1810 th
Mr Andrew Henkel Chembersburgh Pennsylvania
Dear friend, this evening setting in the room thinking about former times I thought (throuth)of my duty of recommending a few lines to you to inform you that I am well yet by this time hoping these fine lines may find you in the same. For the first part I will mention is that John Brausz was down in Hagerstown and found all our society girls in a your way of living and received some compliments (complyments) from them. Like wise have a received a letter from young men and with a great many swells in it, he tells me that the girls in Hagerstown gose regular to church. My so because W. Shafer is but a single man. He draws the attention of every girl in that place. I do really (raley) think (thing) my friend if it is so, we darst not go to that place any more for we do not have a half a chance by all accounts. I will leave of concerning that afares but will mention you concerning this place. Last sunday I was at meeting at W. Flicks (Klicks) where (were) there was a great number of people and a great many girls there was among them the Flame girl. I has a great notion to see her safe home but had no enough 'brafs' in me. Concerning you brother Solomon, he tells me that you must give a minister (miniyther). y of phel but no orts for that we will have some fun when we will see each other again (a gane), for all that comes here. To tell the real (rale) truth I am a studying too. I am learning (lerning) french of W. Watman and your brother Ambrose. Next week W. Brausz and Brother John (Brouse) is going to the new usn bus. Philin has not returned yet. We expected him this spring but I do not think that he will come now, not til Brause comes. But yesterday Brother John got fined (findat) for riding to fast through the streets but he was raving mad. Now I will tell you what I hear (here) just at this time. I hear a little dog bark. Just now W. Brausz went to bed and I will go to reck by to. Dear sir I have promised to you that I would write a letter as soon as I write an answer here but had a great many letters to write that I could not get time You will please to excuse me another more at present but my kind compliments, (complyment) to W. Brauszes family. Am myself sends our best love to you. So much of yours with sentiment and esteem.
Jacob Adam.
Write me an answer by the first mail (male) and just a good many swells in it.
1811 Jacob Adam and Sabina Henkel, daughter of Paul, were married on October 16, at Shenandoah, Virginia. [3]
1811 The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley reports the following [4]:
Jacob Adam purchased a New Market [Virginia] pottery from his brother-in-law John Brouse in 1811. Jacob worked in New Market but left the area in the 1820s. He sold his half of the New Market pottery to George and Jonas Bodell in 1837. Christian Adam had already moved from the area by then.
1815 A letter from Henry Adam in Hagerstown [likely Jacob's brother] was dated August 3rd 1815, to Jacob Adam in New Market VA (the letter is worn and stained some of the words are hard to read) [5]:
Our Brother (may be John Adam III he is talking about) sent your letter of 30th (can't read the month) and do hasten with to your answer. Cousin George W Binkly he says he will send him to "asulenly" in a week or two. He is a getting some plow made which he is awaiting for. But he says he would like to "bind" him awilly and those not know how you and him will come together. He still thought that you perhaps might come down if it had not bin for that he was doing (?). Would sent him before this "?". "?" in it cannot his will find ? against that time or comes with him if be possible him get that much time. He is agoing out to the Ohio state in a short time which him hopes will "ceps (keeps?) " him from coming with him but you may "an find" on George. I should like very much to git some hands as I am virtually out of hands at this time. Send a letter from Christian concerning some paragraphs he wrote. sent to "herfurs" buy for me with "I hows" not must for yet but will go for it in a few days. what is the "?" you any thing about "" other you "?" good "thurns" nothing "?" at present "?" my wife .... To you and your..... that when you "wtr" you do not "?" Yours in Christ you must "?" not "?"
1825 Paul Henkel wrote a letter in German to Jacob Adam and Sabina Oct. 25, 1825, just before Paul's death. Translation [6]:
Mr. Jacob Adam Lancaster Ohio
Jacob Adam and Sabina,
Today Adam Zerkel was here with us which gives me the opportunity to write to you. By this you can see that we are still alive and also think about you. We have expected that you would still once more visit us while we are still living. Zerkel tells us he had heard you talking about visiting us. He does not know, however, what your reason was that none of you have come. I and Mama, Hannah and Henrietta are still generally healthy in body, except that I am still lame in my left leg (he had had a stroke) and also in my left arm so that I cannot carry on as strongly as before. Yet I am otherwise well, and so are the rest here, except Solomon who still complains. No more this time. Paul Henkel October 25, 1825. Page 2 We have arranged a special conference fore the first Sunday next May in case by that time you can come. I have written to Andrew and Carl that they should come.
Several letters, from Jacob and Sabina Adams have been translated and summarized by John Stewart, 326 Broadway Avenue, Broadway VA 22815. (Husband of Nancy Stewart New Market VA Historian). [7]:
1812 New Market, VA. November 1, 1812 to PAUL HENKEL, Mt Pleasant
"Dear Father and Mother"
1. Sabina was sick but recuperated
2. Daughter Melvina is well.
3. Ambrose (Henkle) lives in Solomon's (Henkle) house but pays rent.
Signed Jacob Adams/Sabina Adams1819 Lancaster, Ohio, January 4, 1819
"Dear Parents"
1. Sabina is sick.
2. Jacob reports about a five days business trip.
3. Business is good, they want to buy a new house.
4. Little Catherine can walk already.
5. New Years Poem composed by Jacob Adams.
"Ich wunsche Euch ein Neus Jahr" (I wish you a Happy New Year)
6. Gossip.
Additional note for Hanna Henkle concerning news of New Market emigrants who had moved to Lancaster.
Signed Jacob Adams1819 Lancaster, Ohio, February 24, 1819
"Dear Parents"
1. Little Catherine is sick
2. Other New Market, Va families have moved to OHIO.
3. Lots of gossip
Signed Jacob Adams
Added a short note signed by Sabina. She sends yarn to Henrietta and Hanna1819 Lancaster Ohio April 25, 1819 to PAUL HENKEL
1. Little daughter Catherine is not well.
2. Still working as a potter.
3. Business fairly good but people don't have money
4. Letter received from Hagerstown stating that brother Henry Adams has died.
5. Brother Christian in Hagerstown probably told you already about Henry's death.
Signed Jacob and wife Sabina Adams1820 Lancaster, Ohio, July 28, 1820
"Dear Parents"
1. Family needs to move because house has to be sold.
2. Reasons for staying in Lancaster Ohio.
3. Wants to sell his house in New Market, needs money.
4. Wants Ambrose and Solomon in New Market to collect notes due.
(persons and amounts are listed. Note against Christian Adams is scratched out.)
Signed Jacob Adams and Sabina Adams
1825 Jacob Adams purchased land from Andrew Crockett and wife Elizabeth. The land was in Lancaser, Fairfield County, Ohio. [8]
1826 Jacob Adams purchased land from Samuel Carpenter. The land was in Carpenter's Addition, Lancaser, Fairfield County, Ohio, perhaps forty seven. [9]
1826 Jacob Adams and wife Sabina sold land to Frederick Sheaffer. The land was in Lancaser, Fairfield County, Ohio. [10]
1830 Jacob Adams lived in Lancaster Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio in a household with males: 1 (under 5), 1 (5 thru 9), 1 (10 thru 14), 1 (15 thru 19), and 1 (40 thru 49); and females: 2 (10 thru 14), 1 (15 thru 19), 1 (40 thru 49), and 1 (60 thru 69). [11]
1838 Jacob Adams and wife Sabina sold land to Christian Laughman. The tract was lot 47 in Carpenter's addition, Lancaser, Fairfield County, Ohio. [12]
1840 Jacob Adams lived in Montgomery County, Ohio in a household with males: 1 (5 thru 9), 1 (15 thru 19), and 1 (50 thru 59); and females: 2 (5 thru 9), 2 (20 thru 29), and 1 (50 thru 59). M. Henkel was listed adjacent. Andrew Henkle was listed on the same page. [13]
1846 Luther M Adams [perhaps their son], Private, Company G, 150th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, was buried at Arlington, Fort Myer, Virginia. He died on May 20. [14] [15]
1850 Jacob Adams (age 49, born in Maryland) lived in Perry Twp, Montgomery County, Ohio, in a household with Sabina Adams (age 42), Melvina Adams (age 39), George Adams (age 29), Andrew Adams (age 21), Mary Adams (age 18), Ann Adams (age 14), Edwards Murphey (age 29), John Bauchman (age 21), Daniel Olewine (age 25), and Michael Shaner (age 23). Jacob Adams's occupation was farmer, Agriculture. [16]
There are 2 plausible marriage listings for daughter Mary Amanda:
1853 William Libley and Mary A Adams were married on February 14 in Montgomery County, Ohio. [17]
1856 J C Heidinger and Mary Amanda Adams were married on May 13 in Montgomery County, Ohio. The names of several of the children (Luther, Sabina) match names of Mary Amanda's family. [18]
1860 Jacob Adams (age 74, born in Maryland) lived in Perry Twp, Montgomery County, Ohio, in a household with Soloma Adams (age 72), Melvina Adams (age 47), Margret Adams (age 21), John C Hidinger (age 30), Amanda Hidinger (age 25), Clara M Hidinger (age 4/12), and John Winters (age 68). Jacob Adams's occupation was hotel keeper. [19]
1868 John Christian Luhrs and Anna Margaret Adams were married on December 31 in Montgomery County, Ohio. [20]
1869 Jacob Adams died on March 14, in Farmersville, Ohio. He was buried at the Germantown Cemetery. [21]
1870 Margaretha Luehrs (age 30) lived in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio with Christian Luehrs (age 28, born in Hanover, tailor) and Charles Luehrs (age 1/12) and Sabina Adams (age 81). [22]
Research Notes:
There may have been more than one Jacob Adams married to Sabina in Ohio at this time:
1840 Jacob Adam lived in Seneca County, Ohio in a household with males: 1 (20 thru 29); and females: 1 (15 thru 19). [23]
1848 Jacob Adams and Sabina Fouchaver were married on May 6 in Seneca County, Ohio. (FHL film 000388635).
1869 Christine Adams, widow of Jacob Adams, late of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, renounced administration of the estate in Clevelan. Frederick Weidenhopf was appointed executor. This appears to be a different Jacob Adams. [24]
[1] Harold Eugene Comstock, The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region (1994), 357, [GoogleBooks].
[2] Handley Library, Pennsylvania, transcribed by Joan Massman Wardzala.
[3] Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, [FamilySearchRecord].
[4] Vase attributed to Jacob Adam, [URL].
[5] Handley Library, Pennsylvania, transcribed by Joan Massman Wardzala.
[6] transcribed by Joan Massman Wardzala.
[7] Courtesy of Joan Massman Wardzala.
[8] Recorder of Deeds, Fairfield County, Ohio, Deed O-333, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[9] Recorder of Deeds, Fairfield County, Ohio, Deed P-8, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[10] Recorder of Deeds, Fairfield County, Ohio, Deed P-18, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[11] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[12] Recorder of Deeds, Fairfield County, Ohio, Deed 3-415, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[13] United States Federal Census, 1840, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[14] U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[15] U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[16] United States Federal Census, 1850, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[17] Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[18] Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[19] United States Federal Census, 1860, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[20] Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[21] Newspaper, Dayton Daily Journal, March 17, p3c4.
[22] United States Federal Census, 1870, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[23] United States Federal Census, 1840, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[24] Ohio, Will and Probate Records, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].