Although there have been three stories featuring various Adams families in this column in earlier years, there is information available on another family on the David Fannin Adams line. David who was born in Kentucky circa 1785, and his wife, Elizabeth who was born in 1787 in South Carolina had a son whom they named David Fannin Adams Jr. David Sr. may have settled his family first in Florida, but they had moved to Covington County, Ala., by 1840.

David Fannin Adams Jr. was born in 1808 before the family began their southern migration. He later was married to Margaret Ann “Peggy” Satcher who was born circa 1817 in South Carolina. The couple reared the following children: Joel Jefferson, b. 1835, d. 1889, m. Martha E. Martin; Nancy, b. ca 1837, m. Steve Lambert; David Fannin II, b. ca 1839, single; Newbenson, b. ca 1840; Amanda A., b. ca 1852; Margaret Ann, b. 1853, m. Rubin Fleming; Hulin Sr., b. 1854, d. 1906, m. (1) Margaret L. Fleming (2) Irene Rebecca Brewer; and Frances Ann, b. 1855, d. after 1933, m. Thomas H. Sansom.

The oldest son, Joel Jefferson Adams, served as Justice of the Peace for Beat Number Three in 1866. He was also the first postmaster of the Cross Trails Post Office, which was later called Pink for Pink N. Hickman. Even later it was changed to Kinston, and Joel served during the years of 1878 to 1890. In the 1870 census, he was listed as a school teacher.

Joel Adams was married to Martha E. (Martin), daughter of William and ? (Rolin) Martin. They reared the following children: Francis Marion, b. 1861, d. 1897, m. Barzella Ann Jones; Martha Jane, b. 1862; Margaret Ann Elizabeth, b. 1866, d. 1906; Mary Adeline, b. 1867, m. Daniel C. Morrison; Nancy Ellen Adams, b. 1868, d. 1937; Josephine, b. 1870, d. 1937; Joel Jefferson Jr., b. 1871, d. 1916; Amanda Emmaline, b. 1873, d. 1875; Laura J., b. 1875, d. 1932; Sarah M., b. 1878, m. Sell Mallet; John Samuel, b. 1879, d. 1908; and David F., b. 1881, d. 1948, single.

The youngest son, Hulin Adams Sr., was married first to Margaret L. Fleming, daughter of Elie and Elizabeth (Cassidy) Fleming. They had the following children: Hulin Jr., b. 1875, d. 1947; Frances Lucinda, b. 1878, d. 1945; Wiley Franklin Sr., b. 1879, d. 1931; David Alexander, b. 1881, d 1925; Margaret Ann, b. 1883, d. ca 1902; Newbenson, b. 1884, d. 1893; Henry Clay “Jack,” b. 1886, d. 1949; Tracey Mansfield, b. 1887, d. 1952; and Berry Lee, b. 1892, d. 1960.

The remainder of this story will focus on the daughter, Margaret Ann Adams who was married to Rubin Fleming. Her first son was Junior Ray Adams, b. 1875, d. 1945. Junior Ray married to Alabama Victoria Russell (1880-1968) with whom he had six children: Abigail, b. 1900, d. 1995; Alex Stanton Fred, b. 1903, d. 1975, m. Carrie Lucille Snowden (1906-1949); Hanna Victoria, b. 1905, d. 1981; Aaron Joseph, b. 1910, d. 1988; Julian Ray, b. 1912; and Kermit Russell, b. 1914.

The oldest son, Alex Stanton Fred Adams’s wife, Carrie Lucille Snowden, was the daughter of Preston J. Snowden (1876-1955) and Nellie Bell Sykes. Nellie Bell is reported to have been an Indian maiden whose father is said to have been an Indian Chief named Red Feather. (It would be interesting to know if this information might be documented and with which tribe they were associated.) Fred and Carrie reared four children: Fred Jr., m. Billie Jean ?; Charles, m. (1) Betty ? (2) Betty ? (both from England); Peggy Jo, b. 1927, m. James Victor May (1919-1988); and Douglas.

The oldest son, Fred Adams Jr., and his wife, Billie Jean, reared two children: Susan and Larry. The second son, Charles Adams, made a career in the US Air Force. He had special duty of flying on Air Force One Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. He was stationed in England at one time during the war and married a young lady named Betty. After her death, he was married a second time to a lady named Betty also. Even though he loved children, he did not have any of his own by either wife.

The daughter, Peggy Jo Adams, was married to James Victor Ray reared the following nine children—two sons and seven daughters: Melody Ann; Marion Lucille; James Victor Jr.; Mary Lynn: Martha Jacqueline; Marsha Gwen; Vivian Rebecca; Amy Loretta; and John Douglas. The first eight were born in Alabama, but the last son was born in Panama City, Fla. The first six were born approximately one year apart.

That meant Peggy Jo and James Victor had six children at home before the oldest could attend school. Just imagine the necessary laundry for such a growing family. Peggy Jo’s father, Alex Stanton Fred Adams, purchased the family’s first washing machine. Even though it was the old ringer style, it was a life saver for Peggy Jo, since she had been doing all the wash in a Number Three wash tub. Some of the children recall helping with the wash, but they were cautioned to work carefully and not let a finger, hand or arm get caught in the rollers of the washing machine.

Obviously this Adams household was quite active with so many young children. There was a large cast iron tub with claw feet in the bathroom. The children recalled how their mother would put all the children in the tub at the same time. They would all sit facing the side of the tub, and their mother would have them stand one at a time for her to bath them with soap. That one would sit down while she washed another child. After the last child, the water would be drained, and then she would rinse each one with a “cooking pot” full of fresh water. After getting out of the tub and drying off, the children would get dressed. There appears to have been some good organization and management in this happy home.

The source for this writing was Ancestry.com for the early generations and a family story by James Victor Ray Jr. of Panama City, Fla., which was published The Heritage of Covington County, Alabama. Also the family records of Doris Annette (Adams) Johns were helpful.

Anyone who might find an error in the above family history or who has additional information on any of the Adams families is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.