Little is known about the real Samuel Adams. He may have been the son of Robert Adams Sr., who himself may have been an English or Scots Irish immigrant. He may have been born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, or else lived there prior to migrating to Western Pennsylvania. It is thought that he was also brother to Robert Adams Jr. of St. Clair Township, Bedford County.

Samuel is thought to have been the father of the following two children: James Adams and Archibald Adams.

In 1772 Samuel was taxed in Brother's Valley, Bedford Township, with 200 acres, of which five were improved (a new settlement), and two horses. He appears on the 1775 tax list of Quemahoning Township with 250 acres, eight of them under cultivation. He appears again on the 1776 and 1777 tax lists.

Due to the dangers of living on the frontier during the American Revolution, he moved into Ford Bedford for protection. However, caught in an Indian ambush while leading cattle to Ford Bedford, he and and an indian killed each other in a knife fight. They were buried in a common grave at the scene of their deaths on Sandy Run, about five miles east of the junction of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek Rivers.

An inventory of his estate dated November 5, 1781 is on file in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Two of his creditors were Robert and Solomon Adams. His widow was taxed as a non-resident in Quemahoning Township in 1780-1.

His widow is said to have remarried to Jesse Proctor and had more children. One of their great-grandchildren was named I. E. Roberts, and he resided in Johnstown. However, no record of a Jesse Proctor of Bedford County seems to exist. William Proctor was appointed to administor his estate in 1781, so it is thought that his widow's second husband was named William Proctor.

His son James married Hannah Adams, daughter of Elijah, who may have been his first cousin. James and Hannah are thought to have had at least one child: Ephraim. if he was the James Adams residing in St. Clair Township in 1800 and 1810, then they also had at least six daughters and another son, whose names are unknown.

His son Archibald was “adopted” by Elijah Adams. Archibald and Rachel may hae moved to Unity Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania shortly after their married. If so, it is thought they resettled in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA, because Archibald is said to have been a Johnstown resident for many years. Archibald died on December 4, 1860 in Yoder Twp, Cambria County at the ripe old age of 94. It is thought that he had a son named Samuel who married Susan and had these children: James, Allen, Charles, Robert, Sarah M. Archibald may have had other children.

Samuel's death has become local legend, and accounts as to the date and nature of his death vary. A few second- and third-hand accounts, and their sources, are reprinted below.

“About Dec. [1777] a number of families came into the fort from the neighborhood of Johnstown.  Amongst them were Samuel Adams, a man named  Thornton, and one Bridges.  After their alarm had somewhat subsided, they agreed to return for their property.  A party started with pack-horses, reached the place, and not seeing any Indians, collected their property and commenced their return.  After proceeding some distance, a dog belonging to  one of the party showed signs of uneasiness, and ran back.  Bridges and Thornton  desired the others to wait whilst they would go back for him.  They went back, and had proceeded but 200 or 300 yards, when a body of Indians, who had been lying in wait on each side of the way, but who had been afraid to fire on account of the numbers of the whites, suddenly rose up and surrounded them and took them prisoners.  The others, not knowing what detained their companions, went back after them; when they arrived near the spot, the Indians fired on them, but without doing any injury.  The whites instantly turned and fled, excepting Samuel Adams, who took a tree and began to fight in the Indian style.  In a few minutes however, he was killed, but not without doing the same fearful service for his adversary.  He and one of the Indians shot at and killed each other at the same moment.  When the news reached the fort, a party volunteered to visit the ground.  When they reached it, although the snow had fallen ankle deep, they readily found the bodies of Adams and the Indian; the face of the latter having been covered by his companions with Adams's hunting shirt.” (1)

    “PETER GOUGHNOUR, who was born in Maryland in 1773 and died in Conemaugh Township, Cambria County, during the past year, 1855, left a statement of his early recollections of what was in old times called "the Conemaugh country," which statement is now before us. . . . Mr. Goughnour says that the first white settlers in the Conemaugh country were two brothers, SAMUEL AND SOLOMON ADAMS. At the time of their settlement, about 1785, the Indians who hunted and fished on the banks and in the waters of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek were quite numerous. Samuel Adams lived on Sam’s Run, about two miles south of the confluence of these two streams, and from him it derived its name. Solomon’s cabin was located about midway between the junction of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek and his brother’s cabin. Solomon’s Run took its name from him. Samuel Adams and an Indian warrior killed each other with their knives while fighting around a white-oak tree on Sandy Run, about five miles east of the junction of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek. Their bodies were buried in one grave under the tree.” (2)

    “Solomon Adams was a brother of Samuel Adams, Benjamin Adams and Rachael Adams, who settled on Stony Creek on the site of the present Seventeenth Ward of the City of Johnstown before the Revolutionary War, as the writer possesses a copy of an affidavit to prove. Samuel Adams was killed in a fight with an Indian in an ambush by the Indians, and the Indian was also killed, and both were buried close together, near Elton, this County, and Solomon Adams and Rachael Adams escaped to Fort Bedford, and John Cheney and Thornton Bridges were captured and carried either to Kittanning or Detroit, where they were kept prisoners for several years. Solomon Adams afterwards became a soldier - one report is a Captain, in the army of Washington; hence Cambria County had one Revolutionary soldier who lived within its border before the War of Independence.” (3)

    “The best proof that is now obtainable leads to the conclusion that Samuel, Solomon, and Rachel Adams were the first white people to locate, improve and till the soil on land within the limits of Cambria county. It seems that the Adams family came from Berks county some time prior to 1774, and improved the Peter Snyder tract of land, which later became the Horner estate in the Seventh ward. The exact date cannot be fixed, but it was not prior to April 3, 1769, as, by the act of the provincial authorities, no white man was permitted to locate on land which had been reserved by treaty with the Indians for their exclusive use; however, it was prior to 1771.
    "It will be observed that Charles Campbell took out a warrant on April 3, 1769. It is probable that the Adamses did the same then, or soon thereafter; at least, the deeds show that in 1774 Peter Snider took out a warrant for the "Solomon Adams Improvement" on "both side, of Solomon's Run" (in the Seventh ward). The records do not show that Solomon Adams took out a warrant; but that, he occupied it and made improvements on it there is no doubt.
    "During this period (1769-1774) the white man and the red man were in a war, which had practically been circumscribed to the territory between Bedford and Pittsburg, and especially in and around Bedford, Ligonier, and points between them. The near-by forts were at Bedford and Ligonier, and one was at Fort Palmer, a few miles south of Lockport and near Covodesville. When danger from the warlike Indian was apprehended the Adamses would flee to one of these points.
    "In 1777 the Tull family, who resided on the mountains six miles west of Bedford, consisting of father, mother, nine daughters, and a son, were massacred, excepting the son, who was absent. The hill is yet known as the Tull Hill on account of the terrible vengeance of the Indians on this occasion.
    "Sherman Day gives an account of the courageous action and death of Samuel Adams as follows: 'About December of the same year [1777] a number of families came into the fort [Bedford] from the neighborhood of Johnstown. Amongst them were Samuel Adams, a man named Thornton, and one Bridges. After their alarm had somewhat subsided they agreed to return for their property. A party started with packhorses, reached the place [now Johnstown], and, not seeing any Indians, collected their property and commenced their return. After proceeding some distance [about four and a half miles] a dog belonging to one of the party showed signs of uneasiness and ran back. Bridges and Thornton desired the others to wait whilst they would go back for him. They went back, and proceeded but 200 or 300 yards, when a body of Indians, who had been lying in wait on each side of the way, but who had been afraid to fire on account of the numbers of whites, suddenly rose up and surrounded them and took them prisoners. The others, not knowing what detained their companions, went back after them. When they arrived near the spot the Indians fired on them, but without doing any injury. The whites instantly turned and fled, excepting Samuel Adams, who took a tree and began to fight in the Indian style. In a few minutes, however, he was killed, but not without doing the same fearful service for his adversary. He and one of the Indians shot at and killed each other at the same moment.
    "'When the news reached the fort a party volunteered to visit the ground, and when they reached it, although the snow had fallen ankle deep, they readily found the bodies of Adams and the Indian; the face of the latter having been covered by his companions with Adams' hunting shirt.'
    "The place where this sanguinary duel took place between the pioneer and the Indian is on the farm of William Cole, in Richland township, four and a half miles from Johnstown. It is on Sandy Run, near the head of Solomon's Run. The path from the Adams place was up Solomon's Run and then along Sandy Run. The grave where Samuel Adams and the Indian were buried is but a few hundred yards from the home of Mr. Cole, at the angle of the Geistown and Elton, or the "Hollow" road. The facts of the manner and place of the death of Samuel Adams are fully sustained by tradition, by stories from persons who were companions of Adams, as well as the grave that held the bodies of the representative of the white man and the red race, side by side, who were combatants in a cause in which each believed he was in the right.
    "The above, as has been noted, is the version of Historian Day, and while in the essentials it agrees with, yet in many points it differs from well authenticated local tradition concerning the same incidents. Probably the best of these local stories is that of Edwin A. Vickroy, a son of Thomas Vickroy, a surveyor, of Alum Bank, Bedford County.
    "Thomas Vickroy was a neighbor of the Adamses, and, of course, knew them well, and Edwin A. Vickroy, also a surveyor, knew Archibald Adams, a son of Samuel Adams. From these gentlemen he procured his information, which was substantially this.
    "That Samuel Adams, just previous to his death, lived on the place formerly owned by Louis von Lunen, but he did not own it, as in a contest with William Barr it had been lost. It is now mostly in the Seventeenth ward of the city. When the Indians became troublesome he took his wife and children to Fort Bedford for safety and came back for his cattle. While collecting them the Indians observed his movements, and when he and his brother Solomon, John Bridges, and Thomas Cheney had started with the cattle toward Bedford, the Indians went around them and ambushed at the crossing of Sandy Run and fired on them. Solomon escaped and ran to Bedford and gave the alarm. The next day a party came over and found Samuel Adams and an Indian, both dead, and both were buried near where they fell.
    "No tidings could be had of Bridges and Cheney for a long tinge, but they finally returned and told of the attack; that they began to fight Indian style, each man getting behind a tree, but that they were overpowered, and had been taken prisoners and conveyed to Canada. But Adams had killed an Indian and was himself dead, before they were taken away. Bridges resided on the place known as Samuel Blough's.
    "Archibald Adams, the son of Samuel Adams, was born in 1764, and died in what is now the Eighth wand of the city of Johnstown in 1859. A short time before his death he spent the day with Mr. Vickroy, and then said that he was about seven years of age when his father was killed, which would make his death about 1771. Sherman Day states that it was about 1777, but it seems that our authority is the better. We know that the Adamses had improved the John Horner farm prior to 1774, as it was warranted as the "Adams Improvement." Jesse Proctor, the great-grandfather of I. E. Roberts, of this city, married the widow of Samuel Adams.
    "There is, as a matter of fact, no doubt of the death of Samuel Adams and of the Indian combatant substantially in the manner set forth, nor of the time nor of the place, and that this historical event is so well authenticated ought to be a matter of satisfaction to the people of the county in which Samuel Adams was undoubtedly the first settler, in the days when every man was a hero. This theory rests upon authority from the lips of persons who were companions of the Adamses, two of whom were John Grosenickel and Peter Goughnour. The late Isaac Hershberger, who was born in 1811 and resided until his death on his farm a short distance from where Samuel Adams died, knew John Grosenickel very well and heard him relate the Adams incident, along with other things occurring at that time, in 1777. Shortly before his death he stated that Grosenickel came from Lancaster county and settled on the farm now occupied by Samuel I. Hershberger, near Geistown, on the Bedford road. The log house occupied by Grosenickel and his family, which was erected before the death of Samuel Adams, is still standing. It was used as a dwelling until 1895 and now does duty as a home for Mr. Hersbberger's chickens. When the trail between the Adams improvement and Geistown was opened, Grosenickel built another log house near the trail, which was used as a lodging place by many a weary traveler. The Adamses were also frequently entertained therein. This house is about three-fourths of a mile east of Geistown on the Bedford road, and was recently occupied by 'Squire McVicker.
    "In the latter house John Grosenickel died about 1826. His youngest daughter, Salome Grosenickel, married Justus Varner, who later lived in Adams township, but both have been dead many years. A number of their children, however, are now residing in Richland and Adams townships.
    "Hannah Grosenickel, a daughter of John Grosenickel, married John Miller, who was an uncle of Isaac Hershberger. They resided on a farm now occupied by Joseph S. Blough, a mile and a half south of Geistown. Mr. Miller moved to the "Miami" country in Ohio, and afterward to Iowa, a good many years ago.
    "Peter Goughnour, Daniel and Christian his brothers, lived above Solomon's Run. Isaac Hershberger was intimate with Peter Goughnour, and in referring to the early days of pioneering, told him that on one occasion, he, with some of his neighbors, went east to procure provisions and were unavoidably delayed, and when the party returned Goughnour's family were living on nettles and potato stalks, which they cooked as greens.
"RACHEL ADAMS.
    "Tradition has it that Rachel Adams was also killed by the Indians, and this is authenticated by the word of Peter Goughnour and Thomas Vickroy, the surveyor. These gentlemen frequently told Mr. Hershberger how Samuel, Solomon, and Rachel Adams started from their home to go to Bedford over the Geistown trail; that they remained at Grosenickel's over night and started at an early hour next morning with some horses. After proceeding a few miles something occurred that required the brothers to return, and they left Rachel in charge of the horses for what they expected would be a brief absence. Before their return, however, the Indians appeared, captured the horses, and killed Rachel Adams. This occurred near Elton, in Adams township, at a small stream which has since been known as Rachel's Run, named by the woman's brothers, it is said, in commemoration of the horrible deed. In her memory also was named Rachel's Hill, a prominence a short distance east of Geistown on the Bedford road.
    "In connection with the death of Samuel and Rachel Adams, tradition says that their brother Solomon was also killed by the red man, but there is no authentic, or reasonably authentic, information that such was the case. The probabilities are that it is not true, as we have record testimony in the colonial archives that in 1787 Solomon Adams was appointed by the Provincial Council as one of the Viewers to locate the Frankstown road, and acted in that capacity, as appears by his report when the duty was performed.” (4)

    “Samuel, Rachel, and Solomon Adams settled near Elton in 1769 the first year that white settlement was opened up in the region. . . . Joe Wipey, who was described as a friendly Delaware Indian, was cruelly murdered by two renegade white men while he was fishing from his canoe on the Conemaugh River. Wipey lived in a cabin a few miles west of Johnstown and often visited Solomon and Samuel Adams. along with other families of settlers. The men and women known collectively as the “founding fathers” displayed tremendous courage as they left the relative safety of the larger settlements and crossed over the frontier in an attempt to establish the farms, mills and towns that comprised early Cambria County. For Samuel Adams, and his sister Rachael, the outcome was death by Indian attack.” (5)

    “Samuel’s land lay on what is now referred to as “Sam’s Run,” about two miles south of where the Conemaugh and the Stony creek Rivers meet, in what is now Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, and he and his brother Solomon were regarded as the first white settlers in that county. Due to the dangers of living on the frontier during the Revolution, he moved into Ford Bedford from the neighborhood of Johnstown, about December 1777. However, caught in an Indian ambush while leading cattle to Fort Bedford, he and an Indian killed each other and were buried in a common grave on Sandy Run, about five miles east of the junction of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek. The year of his death is uncertain, but in 5 November 1781, an inventory of his estate was made in Bedford County.” (6)