William Adams was born about 1785 in St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert Adams, a pioneer white settler of Bedford County. His mother's name is not known, but it is thought to be Mary. (1) William grew up on his father's farm in St. Clair Township.

William and his wife, whose name is not known, had the following children: Mary (Adams) Dull, Betsey Adams, Linda, Adams Solomon Adams, Catherine (Adams) Fair, Anna (Adams) Lamar, Robert Adams, William Adams, and George Washington Adams. (1)

In 1810, he and his wife resided near his father and siblings in St. Clair Township. He was newly married with one young daughter.  (2)

In 1820 he and his wife resided in Bedford Borought with 4 daughters and 1 son. (2)

In 1830 he and his wife resided in Napier Township. They had two sons and two daughters. It is believed that their daughters, Betsey and Linda, and sons, Robert and William, all died young. (2)

His son George's obituary states that George was born in Hollidaysburg, Blair County in what was then Huntingdon County. However, no evidence exists to support this statement. Since George may have lived there as a young man when he worked for the Portage Railroad and Canal, his nephew, who supplied the info for the obit, may have thought he was born there as well.

William died in St. Clair Township in 1855. (1) it is not known when his wife died. It is not known where William or his wife are buried.

1. History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, Pa.  (1884).  Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., P. 289.
2. 1810, 1820, and 1830 US Censuses. Bedford County, Pennsylvania.