Individual Details

Thomas may have been called Byrd Adamson. Some researchers have solved the question of his name by simply giving him two given names as "Thomas Byrd". He is said to have lived in Surry Co NC before moving to Jefferson Co TN. He is believed to be a son of Simon Adamson, and brother to Jonathan,

A book called The Adamson Source Book: A Genealogy of the Descendants of Rachel Williams Adams (1776-1850) of Surry Co NC, Jefferson Co TN, and Lawrence Co, IN, by Ben F. Dixon and Alice Louise Dwelle Dixon, published in 1942, claims that Rachel married a Byrd D. Adamson, son of an Alexander from Wales. Obviously they never found Rachel's marriage record from Jefferson Co, TN - to Thomas Adamson - nor did they find the will of Thomas, naming Rachel as his wife. Therefore, this book is greatly in error. There is no indication the Adamson brothers in Jefferson Co TN were sons of an Alexander and that given name doesn't occur anywhere among their descendants.

30 Dec 1797. Simon Adamson bought from John Adamson, 75 acres in Jefferson Co TN where he was then living. Witnessed by Thomas Adamson. DB D, p.178

Jefferson Co TN, DB I, p.133 [notice this deed made 6 Dec 1800, but not proved in court until 1808]
6 Dec 1800 Jeremiah Horn of Willson Co TN. Appoints Jonathan Harrold of Jefferson Co TN his attorney to execute deeds of conveyance to Simon Adamson Senr and Thomas Adamson. 100 acres in Sinking Cane Valley, draught of Beaver Creek. And to Elisha Harold, 200 acres adj the said 100 acres. To Morgan Thornburgh, 100 acres. Being tract of 400 acres surveyed for me on 17 Aug 1793 by Joseph McCulloch, Warrent from John Carters Office No 1834, dated 6 Oct 1779. Which obligations by assignment are now in the names of the aforesaid persons, to wit Simon Adamson Senr and Thomas Adamson to 100 acres. Elisha Harold to 200 acres. Morgan Thornburgh to 100 acres. My deeds not coming to hand yet but there being a prospect at present that I shall soon obtain one. Whenever my attorney shall be in possession of my deeds that he should execute deeds of Conveyance to the before named persons. . Signed: Jeremyah Horn. Wit: Joseph thornbrug Sr, Joseph Thornbrugh, Junr. Proved in Court July Session 1808.

4 May 1809. Simon Adamson Jr. & Thomas Adamson witnessed a deed of Jonathan Adamson, Jefferson Co TN. DB J., p.174

18 Jan 1810 Simon Adamson bought 15 acres in Jefferson Co, adjoining Simon Adamson, witnessed by Thomas Adamson & David Adamson who signed with his mark, DB J, p.161
[I believe this is likely David, eldest son of Jonathan Adamson]

18 Feb 1810 Thomas Adamson purchased land in Jefferson Co adjoining Simon Adamson Jr., wit by Simon Jr and David Adamson. DB J, p.183

The oldest child of Thomas & Rachel was only about 15 when Thomas wrote his will. He appointed two of his brothers as executors and two of the other brothers witnessed the will. Probably all five were living in Jefferson Co TN at the time.
Jefferson Co TN Will Book 2, p.33
I Thomas Adamson of the County of Jefferson and state of Tennessee being very sick and weak but in perfect mind and memory thanks to given to God, Calling unto Mind the mortality of my body and noing that it is apointed for all men once to die do make and Ordain this My last will and testament and as touching such worldly Astates wherewith it hath pleased god to bless me in this life. I give and Devise and Dispose of the Same in the following Manor and form and first of all I give and bequeath to Rachel my beloved wife and with all the land together with all my house hold goods debts and Moveable effects to Mantain my Children upon during her widowhood all and Singular My lands Messuages and tennaments by her freely to be possessed and injoy during her widowhood but if Said Rachel Adamson Shall marry again then only to have a Childs parts of My Estate & the Rest of my astate to be equally divided amongst My Children and I do hereby utterly disallow revok and disanul all and every other former testaments wills and legaces bequeath and Executors by me in any ways before Named willed and bequeathed ratifing & conforming this and no other to be my will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto Set My hand and Seal this 15th of the 2nd [or 9th] month 1812, further I apoint John Adamson and Jonathan Adamson My Brothers My Executors of My astate. Signed, Sealed, published pronounced declared by me Thomas Adamson as his last will and testament in the presants of us who in his presants and in the presents of Each Other have hereunto Ascribed our Names the Year and Day above riten.
Signed: Thomas Adamson
Wit: Simon Adamson, Enos Adamson.

Rachel, along with her children, settled in Lawrence Co IN in 1817 as pioneer settlers.

The birthdates of the children are from a Bible record found in a grandson's Bible. Blanch (Cox) Baker found it in the bible of her father - Henry Cox, son of Alec Cox and Zibeah Adamson.

Birth	Abt 1775	Orange County, North Carolina
Marriage	6 Aug 1796	Jefferson County, Tennessee - Rachel Williams
Death	Bef Sep 1812	Jefferson County, Tennessee

Spouse	Rachel Williams (1776 - 1830)
Child	Alice "Alsey" ADAMSON (1797 - 1854)
Child	Edmund ADAMSON (1798 - 1840)
Child	William W. ADAMSON (1800 - 1896)
Child	John Wesley ADAMSON (1802 - 1881)
Child	Jesse ADAMSON (1804 - )
Child	Harmon ADAMSON (1806 - )
Child	Nancy ADAMSON (1806 - )
Child	Ira ADAMSON (1808 - )
Child	Zibeah ADAMSON (1810 - 1891)
Child	Ivy ADAMSON (1811 - 1842)

Father	SIMON ADAMSON (1733 - 1817)
Mother	?Mary T. [Adamson] ( - )
Sibling	Jesse T. ADAMSON (1759 - 1825)
Sibling	Enos ADAMSON (1761 - )
Sibling	Simon ADAMSON Jr. (1763 - 1814)
Sibling	John N. ADAMSON (1767 - 1828)
Sibling	JONATHAN ADAMSON (1771 - 1835)
Sibling	David Adamson (1775 - 1850)