Charles ADAMS

Charles ADAMS

Male 1770 - 1800  (30 years)

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  • Name Charles ADAMS  [2
    • 2nd son of the second President of the United States, John Adams, and his wife Abigail Smith Adams. Charles' early life was adventuresome, as he traveled abroad with his father and older brother John Quincy, even returning on his own and becoming "lost" for a period of time. He was trained as lawyer, attending Harvard, and set up practice in New York City. He married Sarah Smith, the sister of his brother in law, William Smith, who had married Abigail "Nabby" Adams. He became involved in dubious business dealings, and many written articles question various aspects of his life, relationships, and dealings. As with others in the family, he relied upon alcohol to divert himself, eventually succumbing to its effects. He and Sarah had two daughters, Susannah and Abigail. Charles father ahborred Charles' lifestyle and its affects, and near the end of Charles' life, wrote him off as unworthy of his attention, love and respect. Charles died in despair at the young age of 30. Estranged from his family due to his father's opinions, he was not allowed to be buried in the family plot, as it was preferred that he simply be put to the past and forgotten. Another Find-A-Grave Memorial indicates burial at the family plot in the Hancock Cemetery in Quincy, MA, which is incorrect. An account of his death at the time [ W. W. (Wesley Washington) Pasko. Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City] indicates that he was buried on 2 Dec 1800, with full military honors, in the "Old Presbyterian Burial Ground". This is assumed to be the original location of the First Presbyterian Church at 5 Wall Street, NYC. The church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1835, and remains were re-interred at other locations, many being moved to Green-Wood Cemetery. His present burial site is unknown, though we continue to search so that he may be properly remembered.

      Bio by: Peter Jennings Talbot [1]
    Birth 29 May 1770  Boston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    Death 30 Nov 1800  Manhattan, New York Co., New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Burial First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, New York Co,. New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Person ID I01384  Main Tree
    Last Modified 17 Oct 2021 

    Father Pres. John ADAMS, Jr.,   b. 19 Oct 1735, Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 04 Jul 1826, Quincy, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 90 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Abigail SMITH,   b. 23 Nov 1744, Braintree, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Oct 1818, Quincy, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 25 Oct 1764  Weymouth, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Family ID F10837  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah SMITH,   b. 06 Nov 1769, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 08 Aug 1828, Utica, Oneida Co., New York Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 58 years) 
    Marriage 29 Aug 1795  [2
    Family ID F11152  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 17 Oct 2021 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 29 May 1770 - Boston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Charles Adams
    Charles Adams
    Charles Adams in his youth. He is the 2nd son of Pres. John Adams and Abigail Smith. His wife is Sarah Smith.

    Photo added by: SJ Cororan

  • Sources 
    1. [S12689] Find A Grave: Bio of Charles Adams.

    2. [S3931] Andrew N. Adams, A Genealogical History of Henry ADAMS of Braintree, Mass., and His Descendants; Also John ADAMS, of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897.

    3. [S02329] Find A Grave Website.

    4. [S5405] Gar Boyd Roberts, "Ancestors of American Presidents", (New England Historic Genealogical Society - 2009).