Biography: Rev. Samuel Mernary Adams born Dec. 10, 1853

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SAMUEL MERNARY ADAMS

BIOGRAPHY and GENEALOGY

(b. Dec. 10, 1853 – d. aft. 1900)

Dallas, Shelby and Chilton County, Alabama

Samuel Mernary Adams, a Baptist minister, was born at Summerfield, Dallas County, December 10, 1853, the son of Alford A. Adams and Elizabeth (McGough) Adams and grandson of Samuel M. Adams and Elizabeth Adams, the former coming when a small boy from South Carolina to Alabama, and of James McGough, of Irish descent, and who, after some years in Alabama removed to Arkansas. Alford Adams enlisted in 1863 in Capt . M. M. Burks’ Co. F, Eighth Alabama cavalry regiment, C. S. Army, and died in 1864. Alford and his wife Elizabeth had at least four known children: M. Elvira Adams born 1848 AL; Samuel Mernary Adams born Dec. 10, 1853 AL; Mary Adams born 1856 AL; and William H. Adams born 1860 AL.

Rev. Mr. S. M. Adams had very limited educational advantages, attending the country schools and only a few weeks at Howard college. He entered upon the ministry in the Missionary Baptist church, by ordination in March 1881, preaching continuously and serving churches in Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Dallas, Perry and Shelby Counties; was a representative from Bibb County in the legislature 1888-89 as a Democrat. He moved to Chilton and elected probate judge of that county, August 1891, serving six years; joined in the organization of the Populist party, and became one of its leaders, 1890; was president Alabama State alliance, 1887-93; and a Mason.

He married: December 24, 1873, at Montevallo, to Martha J. Whatley, (b. 1854) daughter of Elisha Whatley, and wife Epsa M., and granddaughter of Rev. Enoch Hays.

Their children:

1. Enoch Adams born 1874 AL
2. John B. Adams – May 1875
3. Hardy Adams – born 1876 AL
4. Lillie Adams born July 1882 deceased before 1917
5. Leila Adams born July 1882 deceased before 1917;

His last known residence was Thorsby, Chilton County, Alabama.

SOURCES

1. 1850, 1860, 1870 Alabama census
2. History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume 3 By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen

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