Little is known about the real Solomon 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.

Around 1771 Solomon Adams married Rachel Kinton, the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Carson) Kinton. Their adult children were thought to be: Elijah Adams, Abner Adams, and Levi Adams. In 1790, there were twelve people living in their househould, eight males and four females, so it is likely that they had more than three children. In 1800 their household consisted of five males and four females, and in 1810 they were living with one teenage girl.

In 1820 Solomon and Rachel resided next to their son Levi, who was married with a son and a daughter.

They may have had a son named Solomon Adams who married Catherine Hiner. However, Robert Adams Jr. had a son named Solomon, and there is also speculation that his son was the Solomon who married Catherine Hiner.

In 1768 Solomon was taxed as a single freeman in Bedford County, PA. He (now probably married) was also taxed in 1772 in Brother's Valley, Bedford County, with 200 acres, of which only three were improved, one horse, and one cow. The 1775 tax list of Quemahoning Township, Bedford County, lists 280 acres of John Muser's land as late the property of Solomon Adams.
 
During the American Revolution, Solomon served as a Captain of the Bedford County Militia. In 1778 Solomon was Captain of the 4th Company, 3rd Battalion of the Bedford County Militia/Continental Line, which is thought to have included his brother Robert. In 1781 he was Captain of the 6th Company, 3rd Battalion. “Captain Solomon Adams in 1781 had charge of a company of Rangers who were located somewhere in Brothers Valley, most likely in the vicinity of Johnstown, where he made his home. His company belonged to the Third Battalion of the Bedford County Militia, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Barnard Dougherty, and of which John Woods was major. . . There was another company of Bedford township of which Solomon Adams was chosen captain. On September 29, 1781, the sub-lieutenant for Bedford county directed that an election be held to select officers, the result of which was: Solomon Adams, captain.” (1)

On June 14, 1785 Solomon applied for 50 acres, including an improvement on the southwest and west side of and adjoining Thomas Kinton's land, on the north and northeast side of James Maxwell's survey, and on the east side and adjoining Juniata Creek in Bedford Township. On November 29, 1787 he applied for 200 acres on the waters of Stoney Run on the northwest side of Wills mountain, adjoining lands of Thomas Highton and Peter Work, in Bedford Township, he received a warrant of 200 acres in Bedford County on January 5, 1788. He applied for 60 acres adjoining land of Thomas Kinton's, beginning at a corner near the Glade Road, from there to a (pine?) corner, and from thence to a black oak corner of John Kinton's on the north side of Raystown Branch, and including both sides of said branch to an elm corner near the mouth of a run, then to join his other land in Bedford Township for a price of 50 shillings per 100 acres; he received the warrant on September 13, 1794. In 1796 he was assessed on 410 acres, 20 of which were cleared, 1 house, 0 barns, s. mill, 3 horses, and 2 cows at a total value of $2,266.

"In 1787 Solomon Adams was appointed by the Provincial Council as one of the Viewers to locate the Frankstown road [in Johnstown], and acted in that capacity, as appears by his report when the duty was performed.” (1)

In 1805 Solomon and Rachel sold the land they owned in Cambria County, Pennsylvania and resettled in Napier Township, Bedford County. (Vol.4 pg.390, filed 23 March 1805, Solomon Adams & wife Rachel, of Bed.Co.,Pa. Whereas the commonwealth by a Pat.12 Nov.1802, granted to Solomon Adams, tract "Hermitage" sit. in the forks of the Paint Creek, formerly in Quemahoning Twp., now Conemaugh Twp., 238 acres, for $404.00, part (202 accres) is being sold to Christian Troyer, signed by Solomon Adams,Rachel Adams, wit.David Reiley & Jacob Bonnett, Recorded 30 Nov.1807. Bedford County, PA. (2)

Solomon resided in Napier Township at the time of the 1820 census. He last appears on the tax rolls for Napier Township in 1823. It is thought that he died in 1823 or shortly thereafter.

In 1830 a woman named Margaret , who was between the ages of 60 and 70, was head of a household in Napier Township in 1830. Rachel may have died before Solomon, and he may have remarried to Margaret. However, he and Margaret may have been living and removed from the area to live with a son or daughter.

It is not known where Solomon and Rachel are buried.


Sources
1. Storey, Henry Wilson.  (1907).  History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I.  New York: The Lewis Publishing Company.
2. Bedford County Courthouse. Bedford County, PA.