*5

IVEHSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 06445 8285

The Rev. Amos Adains,A.ii.( 1728-1775 )
and his American ancestry.
Robert Means Lawrence
Boston, 1912.

D

'&/ar. t/tegoumtiag of a College in this Colony"

Gift of 1912-

THE REV. AMOS ADAMS, A.M.
(1728-1775)

PATRIOT MINISTER
OF ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS

AND HIS AMERICAN ANCESTRY

BY
ROBERT MEANS LAWRENCE, M.D.

BOSTON 1912

The Parsonage of the First Church in Roxbury, Mass., 1912

All civic virtues, all the heroism and
self-sacrifice of patriotism, spring ulti
mately from the habit men acquire of
regarding their nation as a great or
ganic whole, identifying themselves
with its fortunes in the past as in the
present, and looking forward anxiously
to its future destinies.
William E. H. Lecky
History of England in the Eighteenth Century

The Rev. Amos Adams, A. M.
On the sole evidence of an ancient heraldic parchment-
roll of the time of Charles I, the pedigree of the Adams
family has been traced from a certain nobleman named
Ap Adam, who "came out" of the marches or borders of
Wales into Devonshire about the middle of the thirteenth
century. Henry Adams (first), of the sixteenth generation from
Ap Adam, was the great-great grandfather of John
Adams, second President of the United States, and also
of the Rev. Amos Adams of Roxbury, Mass. Henry
Adams came over from England about the year 1633,
with his eight sons and daughter Ursula, and settled at
Mount Wollaston, afterwards Braintree, where he was
alloted forty acres of land by the Boston authorities. He
was, we are told, a yeoman and maltster, a plain, un
pretentious man of tact and good ability. He died at
Braintree, October 6, 1646 
Lieutenant Henry Adams, (second), (great grand
father of the Rev. Amos Adams,) born in England, 1604,
came to this country in 1633. He married at Braintree,
Mass., November 17, 1643, Elizabeth, daughter of Moses
Paine. In 1646 he became a resident of Medfield, at
that time a part of Dedham, but incorporated as a separ
ate town in 1650. Lieutenant Henry Adams was the first
town clerk of Braintree and also of Medfield. He was a
representative to the general court four years, a member
of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and
the chief military officer, as well as a selectman, of Med
field. In the Medfield town records we find this item:
"Henrie Adams was slaine by ye Indians, Feb. 21, 1675-6."
The circumstances of this event seem to warrant a
somewhat detailed account, derived from various sources.
During King Philip's War, on the morning of Monday,
February 21, 1676, Samuel Morse of Medfield arose very

8
early, and going to the barn to feed his cows, discovered
an Indian hidden in the hay. With rare presence of mind,
he affected ignorance of the latter's presence, and hur
riedly turning out his cattle, hastened with his family to
the garrison. On his way thither, he saw the flames
arise from his burning buildings.1
Then were heard the yells of some three hundred cruel
savages, the shouts of alarmed settlers and the rattle of
musketry on the early morning air. The Indians, upon
a given signal, started fires in all parts of the town. While
many of the inhabitants were able to reach the garrison,
where thirty soldiers were stationed, eighteen persons
were shot down, as they rushed from their houses.
We quote here from "The old Indian Chronicle," p. 214:
"The Town of Medfield was begirt with a Regiment of
resolent Indians, who assail'd it so briskly that maugred
[in spite of] all the Resistance made by Capt. Jacobbs,
who was then Ingarrisoned there with a hundred Souldiers
for its security, the enraged Heathens never desisted
their desperate attempts, Battering the Walls, and power
ing Showers of Arrows into the Bosome of the Town,
[until] they had distroyed about 50 of her Inhabitants,
and burnt 30 of her Houses."
Lieutenant Henry Adams, a prominent citizen who
was said to have been somewhat "severe against the pray
ing Indians," and who commanded the train-band of one
hundred men, was killed at his own door.
Besides the train-band and a foot-company of eighty
men under Captain John Jacob, of Hingham, twenty
horsemen, commanded by Lieutenant Edward Oakes,
were quartered in the village. The main guard, posted
near the meeting-house, fired a cannon several times, and

1 Samuel Morse, a sou of Samuel the emigrant, was a younger brother of Joseph
Morse, who married Hannah Philips in Watertown, September 1, 1638. Their third
child, Sarah Morse, married, at Sudbury, Mass., March 13, 1660-1, Deacon Nathaniel
Lawrence, of Groton. She was therefore the great-great grandmother of Amos
Lawrence.

9
this aroused the towns-people, who had fancied them
selves secure, in the presence of the armed forces as
sembled for their protection.
Soon after the assault, the wife of Henry Adams,
Elizabeth Paine Adams, who had taken refuge in the house
of the minister, Rev. John Wilson, Jr., was killed while
lying in bed in her chamber, by the accidental discharge
of a musket in the hands of Capt. Jacob .... The
people had ample warning, for a few days before the at
tack, Indians were seen on Mount Nebo, about a mile
eastward of the town, and on Noon Hill, to the south,
and the Rev. Mr. Wilson had charged his parishioners to
be vigilant against surprise. On their retreat, the red
men burned a bridge in the south-west part of the town,
and retired, to enjoy a barbecue and revel in savage glee
on a neighboring hill. The Rev. Daniel Clarke Sanders,
D.D., in a sermon preached at Medfield, January 5, 1817,
stated that King Philip himself was seen on that occasion,
riding upon a black horse, and exulting in the havoc he
was making.
Henry Adams, (third), grandfather of Rev. Amos
Adams, and seventh child of the preceding, born at Med
field, November 15, 1657, was the first town treasurer.
He also served as selectman eighteen years, and as repre
sentative to the General Court during several sessions.
He likewise held the office of town-clerk for a consider
able period. He married, December 19, 1679, Prudence,
daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Adams (Harding)
Frary, a woman of sterling traits, and "cherished mem
ory." He died in 1733, and his widow survived until
February 20, 1750 
Henry Adams, (fourth), youngest child of the above,
and father of the Rev. Amos Adams, was born at Medfield,
May 24, 1702. He married August 15, 1726, Jemima,
daughter of Hon. Joshua and Elizabeth (Penniman)

10
Morse, of Medfield. Like his forebears, he was a select
man, and was also appointed Coroner for Massachusetts
Bay by King George III in 1743. His Bible, published
in Edinburgh, Scotland, became the property of his great-
grandson, Henry S. Adams, of Paola, Miami County,
Kansas. Henry Adams died in 1782, and his wife
Jemima died February 15, 1785 
The Rev. Amos Adams, A.M., (eldest of eleven children
of Henry Adams, Esq., and Jemima Morse Adams; and
great-grand-father of William Richards Lawrence, Amos
Adams Lawrence and Susanna Lawrence Mason,) was
born in Medfield, Mass., September 1, 1728. Of his
boyhood we have no particulars, but his early education
was probably received in the schools of his native town.
At the age of twenty, he entered Harvard, being next to
the oldest of the thirty-two members of his Class. A
careful examination of the records of the College Faculty
during the years 1748-1752, reveals the fact that his name
does not appear in the long list of students who were fined
or otherwise disciplined for divers misdemeanors. From
this negative evidence it appears that his conduct during
his college course was exemplary. His name is to be
found, under date of October 10, 1748, in a list of Fresh
men who received Hebrew grammars, "by vote of the
President and Tutors." Amos Adams graduated at
Harvard in 1752 and later received the degree of Master
of Arts. At a meeting of the First Parish, of Roxbury,
Mass., holden February 28, 1753, the congregation unani
mously approved the choice of Mr. Amos Adams as pastor.
It was voted, moreover, to give him as a settlement
1200 pounds, old tenor, being £400 for each year, for three
years, and "£90 as a Sallery, with 20 cords of wood, and
that the loose money put into the box be annually granted,
so soon as he shall settle with us and have a family."1
1 Walter Eliot Thwing, History of the First Church in Roxbury, Mass.

II
Mr. Adams did not long delay his compliance with these
terms. For on September 12, 1753 he was admitted to
full Communion and ordained pastor. And on October
18, following, he married Elizabeth, fifth child of Deacon
Henry and Elizabeth (Rand) Prentiss, of Cambridge,
Mass. They had eight children, of whom the youngest,
Sarah, was born at Roxbury, March 26, 1769. She mar
ried Giles Richards, at Pepperell, Mass., October 6, 1789,
and their eldest child, Sarah Richards, (who was born in
Boston, July 25, 1790,) married Amos Lawrence, June 6,
181 1.1 The first wife of Amos Adams died August 10,
1769, (soon after the birth of her daughter Sarah,) and he
married (2) February 15, 1770, the widow, Abigail Mears,
who survived but a short time.
Mr. Adams married (3) July 16, 1771, Sarah, the young
est child of the Rev. Charles Chauncy, D.D., of Boston.
She died at Cambridge, Mass., in July, 1799. During a
pastorate of twenty-two years Mr. Adams ministered
faithfully and acceptably to his people, and was favorably
known in the Community. As his family grew larger, he
found his salary insufficient, and was constrained to ask
that it be increased. In a letter to the members of his
church, under date of March 29, 1762, he wrote: "would
it not be hard, in so antient and able a parish as this, to be
obliged to live in a pinching manner, and notwithstanding,
be unable to lay up anything for my family ? Forgive the
Tho't; I am persuaded you are unwilling this should ever
be the Case." In consideration of the prevalent high cost
of provisions, the parish voted to give their pastor an ad
ditional £10, and £16 for firewood. Owing to his ability
as an orator, it was natural that Mr. Adams should be
prominent on public occasions. He preached the Artil
lery Election Sermon in 1759. And in the Harvard
College Book, No. 7, is the following entry: "At a meeting
1 Further particulars regarding the Adams and Richards families may be found in
the writer's volume, "The Descendants of Major Samuel Lawrence." pp. 29-40.

12
of the Trustees of the Dudleian Lecture, Oct. 3, 1769,
the Sd Trustees now brought in their written Votes for the
Person that should preach the next Dudleian Lecture,
viz.; on the Seeond Wednesday of May next, the fourth
Lecture on the Validity of Presbyterian ordination;
whence it appeared that the Rev. Amos Adams of Rox
bury was chosen to preach Sd Lecture." This he did,
styling his discourse "Diocesan Episcopacy." The manu
script of this address is preserved in the College Library.
Mr. Adams was noted for his energetic and faithful dis
charge of the various duties which devolved upon him
during the trying period before the Revolution. He
never wavered in his patriotism and it was said of him
that "he could both pray and preside at meetings of the
townspeople and militia." While regarded as an accom
plished and forcible preacher, his great plainness of
speech sometimes occasioned resentment, which the
length of his discourses did not tend to abate. "To
speak with such pitiless directness against each human
sin, must occasionally make the hearer feel that the
preacher is unpleasantly personal." Mr. Adams was
steadfast in his principles, and conspicuous for unselfish
devotion in striving to cheer and comfort his people in
those days of gloom and anxiety. And what more could
any man do ? Who more deserving of honor than such a
patriot ? Until the outbreak of the war, he occupied,
with his family, the parsonage, on the north side of Eliot
Square, which was built in 1750. A bronze tablet placed
upon the house in 1905 by the Sons of the Revolution,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bears the following
inscription :
"This tablet marks the site of the house built by the
Rev. Oliver Peabody, for the Parsonage of the First
Church; occupied by the Rev. Amos Adams, patriot
minister of the Church; Chaplain in the Continental

*3
Army; Scribe of the convention of ministers at Water-
town, whose appeal to the people was for war 
For more than a century and a half the abode of high
ideals in learning, patriotism, and righteousness."
Upon the beginning of the Siege of Boston, Mr. Adams
and his family were obliged to leave the parsonage, which
was then occupied by General John Thomas as his head
quarters. Meeting House Hill was an important strategic
point, and the church was used as a signal station by the
soldiers. No religious services could be held there while
the British forces were in Boston. The meeting-house
was a prominent target for their artillery, and suffered
considerable damage therefrom. The pews and bell had
been removed, and the Communion Service was carried
to Medfield by Mr. Adams. The brave, militant pastor,
whose people were widely dispersed by the exigencies of
warfare, served as chaplain of the ninth regiment of the
Continental Army. He regarded the soldiers who were
stationed in the neighborhood, as his parishioners, and
ministered to them unweariedly. His zeal in this service
overtaxed his strength. The fatigue and exposure of
preaching to the soldiers in the open air, in addition to
his usual parochial work, rendered him the more sus
ceptible to an attack of typhus fever, then prevailing as
an epidemic. His death occurred October 5, 1775. In
the Meeting-House of the First Parish, at Roxbury, a
memorial tablet bears the following inscription;
AMOS ADAMS
Scholar, Patriot, Man of God
Led his flock through stormy days preceding the
Revolution.
Reproved, rebuked, exhorted, with all long-
suffering and doctrine.
Death came from exposure in preaching to the
army in front of the church.
Born 1728 Ordained 1753 Died 1775

H
About a dozen of Mr. Adams' sermons were published.
Following are the titles of some of the more important
ones:I. The Expediency and Utility of War, in the present
State of Things, Considered.
A DISCOURSE
Before, and at the
Desire of the
Ancient and Honourable
Artillery Company
at Boston.
June 4, 1759.

II. Songs of Victory directed by human Compassion,
and qualified with Christian Benevolence.
A SERMON
Delivered at Roxbury,
October 25, 1759.
On the general Thanksgiving for the Success of His
Majesty's Arms, more particularly in the Reduction of
Quebec, the Capital of Canada.
Extracts fjom the above-named Sermon.
"It is not unlawful for a people to rejoice when God has
given them Victory over their Enemies  It is so
far from being sinful to rejoice in the Ruin and Downfall
of an unreasonable and implacable enemy, that 'tis our
Duty to praise God when we are able to set our Feet upon
their Necks  [But] we must not be glad when our
Enemies fall, merely from the Hope and Desire of enrich
ing ourselves with their Spoils."

i5
III. Religious Liberty an invaluable Blessing.
Illustrated in two Discourses
Preached at Roxbury, Dec. 3, 1767.
Being the Day of general Thanksgiving.

IV. A concise, historical View of the perils, hardships,
difficulties, and discouragements, which have at
tended the planting and progressive improvements
of New England; with a particular account of its
long and destructive wars, expensive expeditions,
etc. with reflections, principally moral and re
ligious.
Two Discourses Preached at Roxbury on the Gen
eral Fast, April 6, 1769, and published at the
general Desire of the Hearers.
Republished in London, Eng; 1770.

[In manuscript]
V. Diocesan Episcopacy, as Founded upon the Supposed
Episcopacy of Timothy and Titus.
A SERMON
preached at
Harvard College.
May 9th, 1770.
At the Lecture Founded
By the Hon. Paul Dudley, Esq.
By Amos Adams, A.M., one of the Trustees of said
Lecture.

1 6'
VI. A Sermon upon the Death of Mrs. Lucy Dudley,
Relict of the Honourable Paul Dudley, Esq.;
who died October 24, 1756, Aet. 72.
Preached at Roxbury, October 31, 1756.
Boston. Printed and Sold by Edes and Gill.

VII. A Sermon preached at the Ordination of the Rever
end Mr. Samuel Kingsbury to the Pastoral Care
of the Church at Edgartown on Martha's Vine
yard, November 25, 1761.
Boston, New England. Printed by J. Draper,
1762.

VIII. A Sermon preached at the Ordination of the
Reverend John Wyeth to the Pastoral Care of
the Third Church in Gloucester, February 5,
1766. By Amos Adams, A.M. Pastor of the
First Church in Roxbury.
James III, I. "My Brethren, be not many
Teachers, knowing that we shall receive the
greater Condemnation."
Boston. New England. Printed by Richard
and Samuel Draper. 1766.

IX. The only Hope and Refuge of Sinners, and a Strong
Consolation for the Heirs of Promise, pointed out
in a Sermon preached at Roxbury, February 22,
1767. "Turn ye to the Strong Hold, ye Prisoners
of Hope."
Boston. N. E. Printed and Sold by Kneeland and
Adams at their Printing-Office in Milk Street.
MDCCLXVII.

J7
X. Ministerial Affection, recommended in a Sermon
preached at Roxbury, October 25, 1769, at the
Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Caleb Prentice.
2 Cor. VI., 11. "O ye Corinthians, our heart is
enlarged." Boston, New England. Printed by Thomas and
John Fleet. 1769.

From the New England Chronicle or Essex Gazette,
October 12, 1775.
"Last Thursday morning, after a short Illness, died at
Dorchester, the Rev. Amos Adams, Pastor of the First
Church of Christ in Roxbury, in the 48th Year of his Age,
and the 23d of his Ministry. In this Gentleman were
united the obliging Friend, the affectionate Husband, and
the indulgent Parent.
Having in early life devoted himself to the Work of the
Ministry, he laboured in it to the last with unabating
Vigour. He was fervent in Devotion, and his Discourses, al
ways animated by a lively and expressive Action, were
calculated to warm the Heart and persuade the Judg
ment; nor was he less remarkable for the Pathos with
which he uttered divine Truths, than for his Sincere and
Stedfast Principles, unwearied Industry, universal Bene
volence, and an amiable Disposition. As he lived, so he
died, the Ornament of Religion and Friend of Mankind."

K»