Manuscripts
Benjamin Adams and Thomas Adams collection
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Correspondence, Documents and Manuscripts, 1781-1807
Manuscripts
The majority of the material in the collection concerns the financial interests of Benjamin Adams and Thomas Adams in Jamaica. Benjamin Adams was owed a significant sum by Jamaican landowner George Noble. Upon Noble's death (ca. 1790), Adams entered into proceedings via attorneys James Corne Pownall and David Duncomb to recover this debt. The process was severely complicated by the revelation that the cane plantation overseen by Noble, known as the Lottery Estate in Trelawney, Jamaica, was not actually owned by him. After Benjamin Adams' death in 1792, the affair was taken up by the executor of his will, his brother Thomas Adams. The collection consists of autograph letters and copies, statements of bills and accounts, estate dealings and promissory notes; included is correspondence with, among others, William Cruden, William Morton Pitt and David Ross.
mssHM 83630-83688
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Thomas Adams papers
Manuscripts
The collection is made up of account books, notes, articles of agreement, and correspondence. The three account books include a postage posted volume and two cash account books (1764-1766). The three articles of agreement are drafts of agreements regarding land in Blanchland and Hexham (1772). Also included are 15 notes kept by Thomas Adams regarding his two favorite dogs: William the Lion and Sancho (1792-1806). There are ninety pieces of correspondence (1793-1795) between Thomas Adams, George Wood, Clayton & Walters, Kirton & Grey, Edward Blonk and Robert Hopper Williamson. The correspondence deals with the possible enclosure of Allendale and Hexhamshire Commons. The Crewe Trust (Adams was their lawyer, George Wood was their agent) was disputing this action and wanted to make sure they did not lose out when the lands were enclosed. Many of the letters deal with the attempt to bring all the parties together to discuss the subject, but to no avail. The correspondence includes the letters received by Adams, as well as kept drafts of his replies.
mssHM 81300-81396
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[Duncomb, David]. Letter to Thomas Adams, of Alnwick
Manuscripts
Kingston, Jamaica. (2 p.). Note: a copy in the hand of Thomas Adams; the original sent to William Tate, Mar. 15, 1797.
HM 83660
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Thomas Adams letter to Granville Sharp
Manuscripts
An autograph, signed draft letter from Thomas Adams to Granville Sharp; the letter is a retained copy, heavily corrected and annotated. An extensive letter which covers multiple topics including the militia, legal matters, political business, estate business (Adams lists the many trees he has planted on his Eshott Hall estate), and the African Prince John Henry Granville Naimbanna, who died in 1793.
mssHM 83693
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The history of William Adams, written by himself
Manuscripts
The autobiography traces Adams' youth in Ireland, his conversion to Mormonism, persecution against Mormons in Ireland, his departure from Liverpool and arrival in New Orleans (where he traveled on the steam boat "The Maid of Iowa," which he said was owned by Joseph Smith), persecutions against the Mormons in Illinois, a description of life of among the Mormons in Nauvoo, the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, the death of Joseph Smith, the Adams' overland journey to Utah, his missions in Iron County (Utah) and Pennsylvania, the Utah War, his separation from his first wife over his polygamous marriages, and daily life in Utah.
mssHM 52619
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John Adams, Philadelphia, letter to Abigail Adams, Braintree, Massachusetts :
Manuscripts
Letter regarding Adams' extended separation from his family in which he lists the multiple tasks involved in the founding of the new nation. Contemporary copy of a letter that was intercepted by the British.
mssHM 27214