Felix Grundy Adams

b. 18 December 1812, d. 2 September 1889
  • Felix Grundy Adams was born on 18 December 1812 in Tennessee.
  • James H. Adams and Ann (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1830 in Dallas County, Alabama. Other (counted but unnamed) members of the household apparently included Felix Grundy Adams, Josephine Theresa Adams and (?) Adams. Included in the household were two males age 20-29 (likely James and Felix, although Felix would have been about age 18), one female age 20-29 (James' wife Ann), two females age 0-4 (likely Josephine and an unknown sister), and one male and one female age 10-14, apparently too old to be children of James and Ann, possibly siblings.
  • He and James H. Adams acquired property at Marengo County, Alabama, on 12 April 1834 from Christopher H. Taylor.
  • On 25 September 1835 Felix Grundy Adams received a grant of 40.07 acres of land from the US General Land Office in Marengo County, Alabama.
  • On 25 September 1835 Felix Grundy Adams and James H. Adams received a grant of 80.12 acres of land from the US General Land Office in Marengo County, Alabama. And on the same date they received a second grant of 80.12 acres adjacent.
  • He married Huldah Ann Shields, daughter of John Shields and Elizabeth Paulding, on 19 October 1837 at Perry County, Alabama, with H. McPhaill, Minister of Gospel, officiating.
  • Felix Grundy Adams and Huldah Ann Shields appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1840 in Dallas County, Alabama, enumerated next to John Shields.
  • 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.
  • Research Note: It is an educated guess that "F. B. Adams" in the 1850 household of Felix Adams is a nephew, possibly the son of his brother James H. Adams, and/or possibly Felix Van Buren Adams, ancestor of Austin Howell Adams (1840-1897).
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
  • The following appeared on 9 August 1850 in the Tri-Weekly Alabama Journal: (Advertisement) Notice to Cotton Planters. Cotton Gins! Cotton Gins! The undersigned respectfully announce to the people of Dallas and the neighboring counties, that they now are, and have been for more than 12 months, engaged in the manufacture of superior Cotton Gins, and, by reference to the subjoined testimonials, it will be seen that they have given unlimited satisfaction to all who have favored them with their patronage. They make but one kind of Gin, and that of a superior quality, and they are sold at but one price.
         Their Manufactory is seven miles West of Cahawba, on the Linden road. Orders from abroad will be promptly attended to. Address Cahawba. Campbell & Hesler . . .
         This s to certify that I purchased of Campbell & Hesler, of Dallas county, last fall, a Cotton Gin, which proved to be an excellent one. It gins rapidly, does not heat, runs light and makes a good sample of cotton, and gives general satisfaction. I take pleasure in recommending them to the public generally. Felix G. Adams . . .
         This is to certify that I purchased last fall, a Gin from Messrs. Campbell & Hesler, of Dallas County, Alabama, which afforded entire satisfaction, and I take pleasure in recommending them to the public generally. J. J. Pegues . . .
  • The following deed was dated 20 August 1866, Marengo County:
    I, Felix G. Adams of Marengo Co., Ala., desirous of making some provision for my daughter, Harriett, wife of John P. Walke, who is in debt, give her $3000.00, free of control of her husband, and empower him to use same in a mercantile business in Uniontown or elsewhere.
         Witnessed by L. A. Simms and J. H. 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 was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
  • Felix Grundy Adams became a widower at the 9 January 1867 death of his wife Huldah Ann Shields.
  • He married Sarah Elizabeth Powell, daughter of John Lewis Powell and Susan G. Orgain, on 16 July 1868 in Marengo County, Alabama.
  • Felix Grundy Adams and Sarah Elizabeth Powell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Linden, Marengo County, Alabama. Other members of the household included George F. Adams, Laura Shields Adams, Walter Benjamin Adams, Thomas Felix Adams and Powell Orgain Adams.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
  • David D. Yeager and Laura Shields Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Linden, Marengo County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Felix Grundy Adams, Walter B. Yeager, Josie Yeager and Walter Benjamin Adams. They were enumerated at the jail where David Yeager was sheriff, and also counted with the household were the deputy sheriff, cook, and prisoners. Apparently Felix' wife Sally was living in Waller County, Texas, but she is not enumerated with her sister Roberta.
  • Felix Grundy Adams died on 2 September 1889 at age 76 in Alabama.
  • He was interred at Old Linden Cemetery, Linden, Marengo County, Alabama.
  • Research Note: It remains to be verified whether Keziah Adams, Nancy Adams, Benjamin Adams, James H. Adams and Felix Grundy Adams are children of Howell Collier Adams and Nancy Rayburn. Research is ongoing. It may be significant that Howell Collier Adams' sister (who first married Nancy Rayburn's brother Thomas) Rebecca Adams Rayburn Gainer ended up in Monroe County, Mississippi, very near to the Alabama counties where the Adams siblings settled.
  • Research Note: Piecing together this generation of the Adams family is a work in progress. Connecting the Adams siblings Keziah, Nancy, Benjamin, James and Felix has involved a a close examination of others' family history records, family lore, census proximities, connections indicated by deeds, &c. A cooperative effort by some descendants of these likely siblings is under way, intent upon identifying new solid evidence of their relationships and discovering their Tennessee origins, looking particularly at Sevier County. We invite all with an interest in these individuals and their descendants to share information and opinions -- Always delighted to hear from cousins!
  • Last Edited: 18 Mar 2015

Family 1: Huldah Ann Shields b. 26 February 1820, d. 9 January 1867

Family 2: Sarah Elizabeth Powell b. November 1833, d. 16 November 1909