Solomon Adams (Robert, James, Robert³, William², Robert¹) was born 04 May 1778 in Fluvanna County, Virginia according to the family register. Later census records place his birth between 1778 and 1786. He was the son of Robert Adams and Lucy Williams By 1817 Solomon had moved to Union Township, Lawrence County, Ohio along with his father and other family members.

Lawrence County, Ohio borders the Ohio River at the Southern end of the state. The county was organized December 20, 1816 and the first Court of Common Pleas was organized March 4, 1817. The county held its first election April 7, 1817.

On April 15^th, 1818 Solomon was married to Susanna Roberts Overstreet by Thomas Templeton, Jr. in Lawrence County, Ohio. According to accounts Susanna was first married to John Overstreet, the son of John and Nancy Dabney Overstreet, on 3 November 1785 in Bedford County, Virginia. Mr. Overstreet was captured by Indians sometime during the War of 1812 and taken to Canada. He was sold to a tribe and having heard that Susanna had been killed by the Indians he married a Canadian woman having a child with her. He later returned to Virginia and heard that his wife having also thought him deceased had remarried in Ohio.

Susanna chose to return to John Overstreet who was a minister with the Methodist Church. A divorce was submitted by the attorney of Solomon Adams in Lawrence County Common Plea Court on November 24^th, 1827.

On the 14^th of February 1828, the date scholars note St. Valentine celebrations as early as the 1400's, Solomon Adams married 2^nd Rhoda Bagley. They were married in Lawrence County Ohio. Rhoda was born in1810. She was the daughter of John Bagley and Rhoda Ranselear.

If one is to follow the paper trail the formality of a final divorce decree for Solomon and Susanna did not occur until the April 8^th term 1828. During the Supreme Court session the minutes show that Susanna had a former husband to wit John Overstreet and that she left his bed and board without any just cause and was out of the state of Ohio for at least five years [circa 1823] and was guilty of adultery and thus the marriage should be annulled on the 24^th of November 1827.

It is apparent that Rhoda and Solomon were together prior to their marriage in February attested by the birth of their son John 18 August 1828. On 8 October 1829 a second son Ranselear was born.

Solomon and his family farmed in Union Township, Lawrence County. His life was not without strife. In 1836 small daughter Nancy died. In March 1837 Solomon had an injunction brought against the person of Francis Russell but the bill was dismissed. In 1839 toddler Cyrus Allen Adams died. By 1840 wife Rhoda had given birth to ten children. Eight living children needed to be fed and clothed.

Then on 24 May 1842 son Solomon died. Rhoda became pregnant again and Lewis was born July 1^st, 1845. Two years later in 1847, Solomon was once again told that Rhoda was with child. Both mother and child died during childbirth. Rhoda and her infant were buried together at Clark’s Mill, Union Township, Lawrence County, Ohio. In deed these must have been heavy burdens for Solomon to handle.

In December 1848, after the death of Rhoda, Solomon sold lot 1 range 16 to his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Hallick. The property had been encumbered by a mortgage that Solomon had with Mr. James Buffington.

Once again Solomon filed suit against Francis Russell in June 1850. Frances Russell was born December 5, 1814 in Cabell County, West Virginia and died in 1866 in Lawrence County, Ohio. He was the son of John and Hannah Rankin Russell who were early settlers of Wilgus, Aid Township, Lawrence County. Records do not indicate why Solomon filed these suits against Russell and by March 1851 the case once again was dismissed with Solomon paying the court costs.

Solomon Adams died October 1^st, 1856 and was buried at Union Chapel, Union Township, Lawrence County, Ohio. Solomon’s heirs finalized his property on April 3, 1860 involving 40 acres described as the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 19 township 1 range 16. Issues Martha Dotson, Mary Boyd and Ransalear Adams received $20.00 each.

Jeremiah Adams.  Jeremiah and brother John sold property to Frost & Harrison 4 July 1846 in Lawrence County, Ohio.

Solomon Adams, died 24 May 1842.

John Adams, born 18 August 1828.

Silas Adams, born 22 April 1831.

Nancy Adams, born 27 September 1836; died 27 September 1836.

Cyrus Allen Adams, born 10 January 1837; died 25 July 1839.

Menima Adams, born 16 December 1840; died 23 February 1907 in Lawrence County, Ohio; married George Ransbottom 27 December 1859 in Lawrence County, Ohio; born 26 May 1835 in Ohio; died 05 February 1918. The name Menima is a family name and researchers often thought that it was a mis-reading for Jemima but the correct name is as shown.

Infant Adams, born 1847; died 1847. Buried with mother.

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12/29/2004