John Howell Adams

John Howell Adams

• Father: Felix Grundy Adams b. 18 December 1812, d. 2 September 1889
• Mother: Huldah Ann Shields b. 26 February 1820, d. 9 January 1867

• John Howell Adams was born on 18 December 1838 in Alabama.
• Felix Grundy Adams and Huldah Ann Shields appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Athens, Dallas County, Alabama. Other members of the household included John Howell Adams, Harriet Elizabeth Adams and Felix Paulding Adams. It is an educated guess that 14-year-old "F. B." Adams is Felix Paulding Adams, and that he was a nephew of Felix Grundy Adams.
• Felix Grundy Adams and Huldah Ann Shields appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in McKinley, Marengo County, Alabama. Other members of the household included John Howell Adams, Harriet Elizabeth Adams, George F. Adams, Laura Shields Adams, Walter Benjamin Adams and Thomas Felix Adams.
• He married Roberta C. Powell, daughter of John Lewis Powell and Susan G. Orgain, on 20 April 1869 in Marengo County, Alabama.
• John Howell Adams and Roberta C. Powell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Linden, Marengo County, Alabama, and also domestic servant Celia Adams, age 15. They were enumerated next to Thomas Adams, age 31, apparently unrelated.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
• John Howell Adams and Roberta C. Powell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Hempstead, Waller County, Texas. Other members of the household included Samie W. Adams and Walter Clifton Adams.
• He was a deputy marshal, according to the 1880 census.
• John Howell Adams died on 6 November 1880 at age 41 in Hempstead, Waller County, Texas, shot and killed in the line of duty while making an arrest.
• His wife Roberta C. Powell became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at Hempstead Cemetery, Hempstead, Waller County, Texas.
• The following appeared on 7 November 1880 in the Galveston Weekly News: (Hempstead, Nov. 6) About 9:30 to-night J. H. Adams, assistant city marshal, was shot by Peter Moore, an ex-State convict. The ball entered just over the left eye, breaking the skull and causing the brain to protrude from the wound. Adams is at this writing alive, but must die. The cause of the shooting is not known. Adams was an efficient officer, and leaves a wife and two children without any means of support.
• The following appeared on 11 November 1880 in The Galveston Weekly News: (Hempstead, Nov. 8) City Marshal Adams died on Saturday night and was buried yesterday. A great deal of excitement is prevailing. Two meetings of citizens were held yesterday and last night, the last a select session. Rumor on the streets to-day is that a vigilance committee has been organized. All officers of the law and lawyers were excluded from the last meeting. Peter Moore is under arrest and proof is positive that he shot Adams. Moore waived examination to-day, and was refused bail and remanded to jail. He will be taken to Brenham for safe-keeping.
• The following appeared on 14 April 1881 in The Galveston Weekly News: (Hempstead, April 12) Peter Moore, this morning, was arraigned for the murder of J. H. Adams, and pleaded not guilty. At 5:30 this afternoon court adjourned having secured eight jurors -- six colored and two white. Three venires, embracing 130 persons, were exhausted. Many of our best citizens disqualified themselves because of preconceived opinions, impressions or prejudices. Very few colored jurors excused themselves. This case is a sad commentary upon our jury system, and upon the practical effects of the opinion rendered in the Rothschild case. In the Moore case the State is represented by District Attorney Hannay, County Attorney Lipscomb and A. J. Harvey. The defense is represented by H. M. Brown.
• The following appeared on 21 April 1881 in The Dallas Weekly Herald: (Hempstead, April 14) The jury in the case of Peter Moore, after a retirement of fourteen hours, this morning brought in a verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree, and gave him seven years in the penitentiary. . . .
• In May 2005, the name of John Howell Adams was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, at the request of past Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas and past Hempstead Chief of Police Royce Glenn Smith.

• Last Edited: 22 Apr 2016

• Charts: Descendants of ADAMS Felix Grundy & Huldah Ann Shields