John Adams was born July 14, 1784, in Culpeper County, Virginia. His parents were Absalom Adams, Jr. and his wife, whose name is unknown. John's father was a farmer, and the family is believed to have attended the Baptist Church. By the time John was twelve years old, the family moved to Fayette County, Kentucky.At about this same time, Archibald Holtzclaw and his family moved from Fauquier County, Virginia, to Fayette County. It is not known when John Adams and Sarah Holtzclaw first met. The 1810 census of Fayette County shows that the Adams and Holtzclaw families lived not too far apart, and it is even possible that John and Sarah played together as children. By 1813, eighteen-year old Sarah, and twenty-nine year old John, had met. A marriage bond was issued on June 5th, 1813, and was signed by John Adams and Archibald Holtzclaw. John Adams and Sally Holtzclaw married on June 15th of that year.
John and Sarah had eight children in the next eleven years. We cannot be sure where they lived during that time. The 1820 census of Kentucky shows a John Adams in both Fayette and Gallatin Counties. We do know that John owned 103 acres in Owen County, Kentucky. It is believed that John and Sarah moved to the area that became Owen County before Rebecca's birth in July of 1820. Owen County was formed in 1819.
John's father, Absalom, died in late November or early December of 1823. Letters of Administration were granted to Abner Wilson on December 8, 1823, in which John Adams was listed as one of the heirs to his father's estate. On December 26, 1823, John attended the sale of his father's estate. He made several purchases, including a grubbing hole, 1.00, pewter, 4.00, spectacles, 6.50, and wagon gear, 63.00.
What terrible tragedy or illness befell John Adams in 1825, we will never know, but before August of that year he was dead. Sarah was left a widow with eight children . . . Elizabeth only a baby, and the oldest, Feathergill eleven. Her father, Archibald was appointed guardian of the children. Sarah probably returned to Fayette County, to the home of her parents. At the August 1825 term, the circuit Court of Owen County, directed that John Adam's land be sold. The land was offered for sale at public auction on September 27, 1825. The "highest and best bidder was James Clarke, who paid $161.00 for John's 103 acres.
The Holtzclaw families had probably already made the decision to move to Missouri, even before the death of John Adams. Kentucky newspapers advertised Missouri land for sale as early as 1823. It is possible that John and Sarah had planned to accompany them, but now Sarah and her children would be moving on alone, taking only the memories of their husband and father with them. At almost the same time that John Adam's land was being sold, they all left Kentucky.
On November 26, 1825, Archibald Holtzclaw purchased 320 acres in Clay County, Missouri. One would guess that Sarah and her children lived with her parents. She certainly needed lots of assistance tending for her eight children. Archibald was seventy-one, and Miriam, sixty-nine, so it could not have been a simple task for them. Sarah's brothers and sisters probably also helped in the care and support of Sarah and her family.
An indenture was filed by Abner Wilson in Fayette County, Kentucky on April 21, 1826. It purpose was to make clear title of land in the settlement of John's father, Absalom Adam's estate. It listed the heirs and representatives of John Adams, deceased, as one of the ten heirs of Absalom Adams.
After emigrating to Missouri, Sarah soon met Abraham Groom. Abraham and his family had moved to Clay County in about 1820, and he was a recent widower. It was extremely difficult in those times for either a father, or mother, to raise a family alone. Abraham and Sarah soon decided to marry.
John Adams, Descendants ADAMS
Back to Absalom Adams Jr. (Abt 1755) and wife ADAMS
Sarah Holtzclaw Adams (1795) and Abraham Groom ADAMS
Back to Archibald Holtzclaw (1764) and Miriam Hitt HOLTZCLAW
Back to Homepage HOMEPAGE
My Favorite Links
Email: barnold147@aol.com
