Individual Details

John Adamson has been suggested as a member of the Richland Monthly Meeting as early as 1692; having come from England to Quakertown, Bucks County PA in 1691; one source indicates he came with his brother Basil in that year. I have seen personally seen no evidence of any such arrival and various records referring to Basil would indicate he was certainly not a brother, perhaps not even the same generation.
Just for the record: Basil Adamson was born 1728 in Montgomery Co Maryland and died there 16 Nov 1785. He wife was Nancy Spiers. They did indeed have a son John born about 1748 in Prince George's County, MD - he died 10 Nov 1828 in Maryland and was married to Sally Boyd.

John and Ann declared their intention to marry at the Newton Monthly Meeting of Friends in West Collingswood, Gloucester County (now Camden) New Jersey. Newton Meeting became Haddonfield Meeting in 1721.
20 APR 1716 – John Adamson and Ann Skuse Announced Intention of Marriage
The earliest extant documentation from the New World that references John comes from the Newton Monthly Meeting Minutes dated the 9th day [20] of the 2nd month [April], 1716. At a monthly meeting held at Thomas Shackle’s house, John and wife-to-be, Ann Skuse, presented their intentions of marriage with each other. Thomas Stokes and Thomas Troth were appointed by the meeting to make enquiries regarding the couple’s good standing (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 35).
25 MAY 1716 – John Adamson and Ann Skuse Confirmed Intention of Marriage
At a monthly meeting held at Newton, the 14th day [25] of the 3rd month [May], 1716, John Adamson and Ann Skuse, the second time, presented their intentions of marriage with each other. When enquiries were made concerning their clearance, nothing stood against them, so the meeting consented to their marriage. Thomas Stokes and Samuel Lippincott were appointed by the meeting to attend their wedding (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 36)
Some marriage certificates for the Newton Quakers still exist, but apparently John and Ann’s certificate was not preserved as there is no trace of it among the Newton meeting archives. Even though their exact marriage date is unknown, it is known that Quaker marriages generally took place during the meeting for worship and within two months following the announcement of intent. Therefore, it is likely that John and Ann were wed around the 5th month [July], 1716. There is no trace of John or Ann’s presence in New Jersey prior to their marriage announcement
John received a certificate of transfer to Gwynedd Monthly Meeting at Upper Gwynedd Township, Bucks Co, 14 Jan 1725/6. On 31 May 1726, John, Ann and four children took a certificate from Haddonfield to the Gwynedd Meeting at Springfield, Bucks Co PA.
A record of John and Ann’s confirmed intention of marriage was also recorded in the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Women’s Minutes. Recorded the same day, the 14th day [25] of the 3rd month [May], 1716, John Adamson and Ann Skuse signified their continued intentions of marriage. When enquiries were made concerning their clearance, nothing stood against them, so the meeting consented to their marriage. Mary Haines and Elizabeth Braddock were appointed by the meeting to attend their wedding. Unlike the Men’s Minutes, the Women’s Minutes spelled Ann’s surname Skuce instead of Skuse (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Women’s Minutes: 1705-1769, p. 22).

29 SEPT 1716 – John Adamson Served on the Grand Jury at the Gloucester County Court
Members of the grand jury included: John Ladd (Foreman), Thomas Stokes, Samuel Dennis, John Matlack, John Shivers, John Gill, John Adamson, Alexander Morgan, Abraham Porter, John Inskeep, Peter Long, John Jones, John Cox, Peter Cox, Stephen Jones, Eric Wullaker, and Thomas Denny.

At a monthly meeting held at Newton, the 13th day [24] of the 3rd month [May], 1717, Thomas Stokes was appointed to buy a cow to lend to John Adamson on behalf of the meeting (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 42)

At a monthly meeting held at Newton, the 10th day [21] of the 4th month [June], 1717, as discussed in the previous month’s meeting, Thomas Stokes bought a cow for three pounds to lend to John Adamson. The upper meeting, Newton meeting, and meeting at Woodbury Creek arranged to reimburse Stokes for his purchase (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 43).

John Adamson next appeared as a member of the grand jury on 20/31 Dec 1720 (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 570). In this case, John Ashbrook filed a complaint that the taxes for his flat (the British term for an apartment or one-floor residence) had been over-assessed that year. The court decided to reduce the assessment by four shillings

At a monthly meeting held at Thomas Shackle’s house, the 11th day [22] of the 10th month [December], 1721, just three days before Christmas and two days after daughter Hester’s birth, Timothy Matlack, one of the overseers of the upper meeting, requested on John Adamson’s behalf, some financial assistance from the meeting. John Kay gave Matlack thirty shillings as a contribution toward John Adamson’s need. The amount of money contributed to John Adamson by John Kay was written in an accounting register within the records book used to keep track of contributions made by the meeting (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 23).

At a monthly meeting held at Haddonfield, the 14th day [25] of the 3rd month [May], 1722, John Kay contributed nine bushels of rye to John Adamson (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 82).
Notice that the location of the monthly meeting is now Haddonfield. During the 12th month [February], 1721/22, the Newton Monthly Meeting removed to the Haddonfield meetinghouse and its name was changed from the Newton Monthly Meeting to the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting. The Haddonfield meetinghouse accommodated both monthly and quarterly meetings. Previously, monthly meetings had been held alternately at Newton and at the house of Thomas Shackle.

30 NOV 1723 - John Adamson Served on the Grand Jury at the Gloucester County Court
John Adamson’s final time served as a grand juror in Gloucester County was on 19/30 Nov 1723 (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 29). By early 1726, he and his family would move to Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

21 JAN 1726 – John Adamson Requested a Certificate of Removal to Pennsylvania
At a monthly meeting held at Haddonfield, the 10th day [21] of the 11th month [January], 1725/26, on John Adamson’s behalf, Thomas Stokes requested a certificate of removal for transfer to the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania. John and Timothy Matlack were appointed to make enquiries regarding John Adamson’s eligibility for transfer, and were to make their answers known at the next monthly meeting (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1431, p. 111)
At a monthly meeting held at Haddonfield, the 12th month [February], 1725/26, John and Timothy Matlack reported to the monthly meeting that following enquiries, they decided John Adamson was eligible for a certificate of removal, and that Joseph Cooper, Jr. should draw up his certificate.
At a monthly meeting held at Haddonfield, the 14th day [25] of the 1st month [March], 1725/26, Joseph Cooper, Jr. produced a certificate of removal on behalf of John Adamson which had been signed and approved.
On 25 March, 1726, the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting in Gloucester County, New Jersey, granted John Adamson a certificate of removal to the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania. The Gwynedd meeting was located in Philadelphia County (now Montgomery County) Pennsylvania, but John’s transfer implied removal to the meeting at the “Great Swamp” settlement in the Bucks County rich lands, which was under the auspices of the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting.

On the 31st day [11] of the third month [June], 1726, John Adamson brought a certificate of removal from the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting in New Jersey to the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania (Roberts, 1925, p. 44). In 1726, John purchased 150 acres of land in Springfield Township, Bucks County, PA. His tract was located on Springfield’s south border, and extended beyond the Richland Township line. Adjoining John’s property to the west was Peter Ashton who arrived in Springfield from Ireland in 1732. To the north of his property ran Cooks Creek.
It is said John bought about the 150 acres in Springfield, 5 Jan 1730/1 from John, Thomas & Richard Penn, which ran along the lines of Richland Manor and Peter Ashton.
John deeded his land to son Thomas Jan. 1, 1753 and probably lived with his family after that year.

Since a Springfield meeting for worship had not yet been established, John and his family attended Friends’ meetings at Quakertown, in the heart of Richlandtown. It was not until the second month [April], 1743, that Friends in Springfield were granted permission to hold meetings. The meetings at Springfield were held at the houses of Joseph Unthank and John Dennis until 1755, when Joseph Unthank removed to North Carolina. The meeting previously held at his house was ordered to be held at Thomas Adamson's. From 1755 to 1757, Friends’ meetings were hosted alternately between the homes of Thomas Adamson and John Dennis, and after that, at Adamson’s alone (Roberts, 1925, p. 16).

The area of Richland and Milford was first known as the “Great Swamp.” Shortly after 1720, it was called “Rich lands,” for the fertility of its soil, and then eventually, “Richland.” The township was originally established by English Friends in the early eighteenth century, but by the 1750s, German emigrants began to assimilate into the township, and eventually became the dominant ethnic group. Richland was the only township in Bucks County laid out in lines corresponding with the cardinal points of a compass.
Richland Township was established in 1734. Quakertown borough occupies its center, at the juncture of roads leading to Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and Newtown, and is about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. The name, “Quakertown” did not officially come about until 1801, and the first post office bearing its name opened in 1803. During America’s fight for independence, the Liberty Bell was concealed behind Richland’s Liberty Hall, on its way to be hidden in Allentown. John Adamson was one of thirty-five early residents near Richland to sign a petition for the formation of the Swamp Road (later, Doylestown Road) in 1730.


Richland Monthly Meeting Births and Deaths About 1750 – 1805 181 pp, & Index 17 pp. Feb. 19, 1948 Quakertown, Bucks County, PA
Courtesy of Richland Monthly Meeting Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Microfilm #: MR-Ph555 Title Page Page 31 Births
Thomas Adamson, son of John and Ann, his wife, born 12th month, 23rd day, 1717. (Although recorded in the Richland records, he would have been born, Newton Twp, Gloucester Co NJ.
Betty Adamson, born 6th month, 9th day, 1719. (Also born in Gloucester, NJ.)
Hester Adamson, born 10th month, 9th day, 1721. (born Gloucester, NJ)
John Adamson, born 2nd month, 15th day, 1726. (last child born in New Jersey)
Ann Adamson, born 9th month, 25th day, 1728. (Springfield Twp, Bucks Co, PA)
Susanna Adamson, born 9th month, 9th day, 1730. (Springfield Twp, Bucks Co, PA)


At the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, the 25th day [6] of the 7th month [October], 1733, the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting Minutes recorded that John’s wife, Ann died, leaving a young child (presumably Simon) to nurse. Being unable to properly care for him, John requested assistance from the meeting. The meeting agreed to contribute forty shillings for their relief (Roberts, 1925, p. 44).

On 16 November, 1737, John filed an application to the Land Office so a warrant could be issued for a survey of his land.
On 16 December, 1739, the deputy surveyor returned results of the survey to the Land Office. John received the land patent which entitled him to full ownership of his land. Purchasing land involved locating a tract, securing a warrant for its survey, and acquiring a patent deed

Records of the Land Office (RG-17), Warrant Registers, 1733-1957 [series #17.88]. Pennsylvania State Archives, Bucks County Warrant Register
No. of Warrant: 11
Name of Warrantee: Adamson, John
Description of Warrant: Survey
Quantity (acreage): 150
Date of Warrant: 5 NOV 1737
Date of Return: 5 DEC 1739
Acres Returned: 150
Name of Patentee: John Adamson
Where Recorded (patent book and page number): Vol. A, No. 10, Page 66 (Patent Book A-10, page 66).
Where Survey is Copied (survey book and page number): Book A59, page 297 (Survey Book A-59, page 297).

Records of the Land Office (RG-17), Patent Indexes, 1684-1957 [series #17.147, 154 & 155]. Pennsylvania State Archives
Date of Patent: 3 DEC 1739
Page: 66
Patentee: Adamson, John
Acres: 150
Warrantee: John Adamson
Date of Warrant: 5 NOV 1737
County: Bucks

On the 1st day [12] of the 1st month [March], 1753, John Adamson conveyed his 150-acre plantation to his oldest son, Thomas who had already filed an application for a 100-acre tract of land in Springfield Township, Bucks County. The issuance of Thomas’ land warrant on 27 [7] December/January 1751/52 was recorded at the Land Office. On 20/1 November/December, 1776, the deputy surveyor returned results of the survey for Thomas’ property to the Land Office. It is not known where in Springfield Thomas acquired this additional 100 acres of land, but it is thought that it adjoined his father’s 150-acre plot. The patentee on the 100-acre plot was David Reeser, a relative of Abraham Reeser, who owned a tract of land nearby.
Thomas and his family lived at his father’s homestead until 12 April, 1775, when he sold the 150-acre estate to Austrian born emigrant, Hans Peter Gruber (Gruver), Sr. (Bucks County Deed Book Vol. 18, p. 126).

A recorded date for John’s death and place of burial has yet to be found, and no extant will or testament exists. Since John conveyed his land to son, Thomas on 12 March, 1753, it is surmised that he may have died shortly afterwards. During this time period, it was customary Quaker practice to bury the deceased without headstones. Quakers affiliated with a particular meeting were buried within the burial grounds of the meetinghouse. It is possible that John was buried in an unmarked grave within the grounds of the Richland Monthly Meetinghouse in Quakertown.

Birth	Abt 1691 - 1695
Marriage	Abt 1715	Haddonfield, New Jersey - ANN Skuse
Death	Aft Jan 1753	Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Spouse	ANN Skuse ( - 1733)
Child	Thomas ADAMSON (1717 - 1790)
Child	Betty ADAMSON (1719 - )
Child	Hester ADAMSON (1721 - )
Child	John ADAMSON (1726 - 1810)
Child	Ann ADAMSON (1728 - )
Child	Susanna ADAMSON (1730 - )
Child	SIMON ADAMSON (1733 - 1817)

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