Second Generation

2. John Adamson was born between 1691 and 1695 in (Perhaps ) Northern England. He is shown in the quaker records **************
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). When appointed to make enquiries regarding a couple, appointees were expected to report their findings at the subsequent monthly meeting. To ensure couples were serious about a marriage commitment, Quaker overseers would request couples make their intentions of marriage known to the monthly meeting twice. At the second meeting, if a couple still expressed a desire for marriage, it was considered an affirmed public statement of their devotion toward each other. Also, Quaker couples could not marry without the consent of the meeting elders. When the initial marriage announcement was made, elders were assigned to make enquiries regarding what Quakers called, “clearance from others” to first, ensure that the couple was in good standing within the community, and second, that no one within the community had good reason to speak out against the marriage.
**

He is shown in the quaker records *******************
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, 20 April, 1716. They were both the first individuals present in New Jersey to carry the surnames Adamson and Skuse.

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).

Haddonfield Monthly Meeting
Women’s Minutes, 1705-1769
Arch Street Depository No. M16
Filmed 10/2/68
Swarthmore College Library Microfilm #: MR-Ph243
**
John Served on Grand Jury on 29 September 1716 in Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ***************
29 SEPT 1716 – John Adamson Served on the Grand Jury at the Gloucester County Court
There are no Adamsons present in any extant Gloucester County court documents until 18/29 Sept 1716, when John Adamson was recorded as a member of the grand jury for a murder trial (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 504). John and Ann were wed during the summer of 1716, so his jury service at the Gloucester County courthouse would have been just months after their marriage. In each court proceeding in which John was a juryman, his name was recorded as Addamson. This naming convention was quite common during the Early Modern Era and is frequently seen in countless English surnames. Some of the jurymen names listed in the original court documents were misspelled, so in this documentation, as many names as possible were corrected based on spellings referenced in reliable genealogical histories.

The court case, dated 18/29 Sept 1716, is included in the third volume of the Transcriptions of the Second Court Record Book of Gloucester County, New Jersey (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 504). The trial involved Samuel Harrison, who was accused of drowning Susannah Smith, and then placing her body on the property of Sarah Mickle. The end of the document states that the court was adjourned until 3:00PM (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 504). Unfortunately, since there is no further documentation of the case, it is not known how it ended.

The following justices of the peace were present on the bench: John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, Constantine Wood, Samuel Ward, and Amos Ashead (Coroner). William Harrison (Sheriff) and Thomas Sharp (Clerk) were the officers present. Constables representing the various Gloucester County townships were present: Joseph Knight (Waterford Township), Joseph Hinchman (Newton Township), Ralph Sutton (Gloucester Township), Joseph Liddon (Greenwich Township, lower part). Jeremiah Addams (Egg Harbor Township) and Peter Lock (Greenwich Township, upper part) did not appear, Michael Laikon (Deptford Township) was sick.

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.
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
24 MAY 1717 – Thomas Stokes Appointed to Buy a Cow to Lend to John Adamson
John Adamson was among the lower class of Gloucester County. The extent of his family’s hardships is evident in the entries recorded in the documents of the Newton Monthly Meeting Minutes. When a Friend came upon hard times, he could often rely on the Quaker community to provide some financial assistance.

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).
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
21 JUN 1717 – Thomas Stokes Bought the Cow to Lend to John Adamson
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 First Child, Thomas Adamson was born on 6 March 1718 in Newton Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ***************
6 MAR 1718 – John and Ann’s First Child, Thomas Adamson was Born
Around ten months into their marriage and while living in Newton Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Ann gave birth to their first child, Thomas on the 23rd day [6] of the 12th month [March], 1717/18 (Roberts, 1925, p. 44).
** He First Daughter, Betty Adamson was born on 20 August 1719 in Newton Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ************
20 AUG 1719 – John and Ann’s First Daughter, Betty Adamson was Born
While living in Newton Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Ann gave birth to their first daughter, Betty on the 9th day [20] of the 6th month [August], 1719 (Roberts, 1925, p. 44).
** He Served on Grand Jury on 31 December 1720 in Gloucester Co., New Jersey. **************
31 DEC 1720 – John Adamson Served on the Grand Jury at the Gloucester County Court
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 (Gloucester County Historical Project, 1939, p. 570).

The following justices of the peace were present on the bench: John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, and Amos Ashead (Coroner). The officers present were Josiah Kay (Sheriff) and Thomas Sharp (Clerk). The following constables representing the various Gloucester County townships were present: Samuel Holmes (Waterford Township), Arthur Powell (Newton Township), Will Clark, Jr. and Francis Jones (Gloucester Township), Job Whitall (Deptford Township), Henda Hendrickson (Greenwich Township, upper part), Andrew Matson (Greenwich Township, lower part), and Thomas Green (Egg Harbor).

Members of the grand jury included: John Gill (Foreman), Joseph Tindall, Joseph Knight, William Dennis, William Cooper, Robert Bryan, Isaac Homer, Thomas Stowe, William Ellis, William Warner, James Ward, John Cook, Samuel Sharp, John Adamson, and Thomas Bright.

Like John Adamson, John Gill served on the jury for this case as well as the 1716 murder trial. It is worth noting that some of the grand jurors present at this court proceedings had the very same surnames as those who served on the murder trial; all relatives of the previous jurors. The townships were still relatively small at that time, hence a smaller population to choose from for the jury duty selection process. In Old Gloucester County, it is not uncommon to see many of the same men serve on juries repeatedly.
** John Second Daughter, Hester Adamson was born on 20 December 1721 in Newton Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ***************
20 DEC 1721 – John and Ann’s Second Daughter, Hester Adamson was Born
While living in Newton Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Ann gave birth to their second daughter, Hester on the 9th day [20] of the 10th month [December], 1721.
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
22 DEC 1721 – John Adamson Requested Financial Assistance from the Meeting
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 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.

In addition to the account recorded in the Monthly Meeting Minutes, an entry documenting 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).
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
19 JAN 1722 – Confirmation That John Kay Contributed Money for John Adamson’s Use
At the next monthly meeting held at Newton, the 8th day [19] of the 11th month [January], 1721/22, John Kay signified that he had handed to Timothy Matlack thirty shillings to be paid to John Adamson (Haddonfield Monthly Meeting Minutes: 1710-1731, p. 78).
** John is shown in the quaker records ***************
25 MAY 1722 – John Kay Contributed Bushels of Rye to John Adamson
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.
** He Served on Grand Jury on 30 November 1723 in Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ***************
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. The purpose of this court session was not addressed in the document. The case is referenced on page 29 of volume three.

The following justices of the peace were present on the bench: John Kay, Samuel Ward, and Thomas Spicer. Josiah Kay (Sheriff), Amos Ashead (Coroner), and Thomas Sharp (Clerk) were the officers present. Constables representing the various Gloucester County townships were present: Samuel Dennis (Waterford Township), William Davis (Newton Township), Richard Valentine and Nathan Tylee (Gloucester Township), George Ward (Deptford Township), Thomas Holden (Greenwich Township, upper part), Andrew String (Greenwich Township, lower part), and Samuel Hareur (Egg Harbor Township).

Members of the grand jury included: Alexander Morgan, William Hampton, James Hinchman, Simon Breach, John Adamson, Jacob Matson, Richard Gray, Jacob Medcalf, Henry Sparks, William Ellis, Benjamin Thackara, Thomas Stokes, Hence Steelman, Samuel Burroughs, Daniel Hillman, John Eastlack, Nathan Champion, Jeremiah Bates, and Isaac Jennings. Alexander Morgan was the son of Griffith Morgan, an emigrant from Wales.

The men present at the court proceedings provide a diverse representation of some of the most notable families of the Gloucester community. Some were the first settlers of Gloucester County while others mentioned were their sons or sons-in-law. Thomas Sharp, Robert Zane, William Cooper, and John Gill were original founders of the Newton Township. John Mickle was the son of colonist, Archibald Mickle, who arrived at Newton from Antrim County, Ireland in 1681 (Clement, 1877, p. 141). Benjamin Thackara was the son of Newton colonist, Thomas Thackara, a Leeds, Yorkshire, England Quaker who relocated to Dublin, Ireland for a while before settling in Newton in 1681. The first Friends’ meetinghouse built at Newton stood upon lands conveyed by Thomas Thackara (p. 64). Both John Whitall and John Eastlack were brothers-in-law to Benjamin Thackara. William Ellis was the son of Simeon Ellis, a Yorkshire, England Quaker who relocated from the Burlington settlement to Newton (p. 181). Samuel Cole emigrated from Cole’s Hill, Hertfordshire, England (p. 201). John Matlack was the descendent of William Matlack who arrived in Burlington from Nottinghamshire, England (p. 232). John Hugg arrived in Newton in 1683 from Wexford, Ireland (p. 284). Thomas Stokes was from Middlesex County, London, England (p. 301). John Kay, son of Jarvis Kay, arrived in Newton from Yorkshire, England in 1684 (p. 168).
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
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).
** John is shown in the quaker records **************
FEB 1726 – John and Timothy Matlack Find John Adamson to Be Eligible for a Certificate
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.
** He is shown in the quaker records ***************
25 MAR 1726 – Joseph Cooper, Jr. Produced a Certificate of Removal for John Adamson
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.
** He Second Son, John Adamson was born on 26 April 1726 in Gloucester Co., New Jersey. ***************
26 APR 1726 – John and Ann’s Second Son, John Adamson was Born
While living in Newton Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Ann gave birth to their second son, John on the 15th day [26] of the second month [April], 1726.
** John is shown in the quaker records ***************
11 JUN 1726 – John Adamson Brought His Certificate of Removal to 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.

The records for the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting were taken from Clarence Roberts’ 1925 book, Early Friends Families of Upper Bucks with Some Account of Their Descendents. As stated in his book, Roberts did not perform date conversions for his recorded dates, so I have taken the liberty to convert the dates to properly coincide with the Gregorian calendar. I have yet to locate the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting records that he referenced, so the accuracy of his dates has not yet been confirmed.
** He Purchased 150 Acres in October 1726 in Springfield, Pennsylvania. ***********************
Relocation to Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
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.

At the time, Ann was near due to give birth to their second son, John, and relocation to Pennsylvania would have been difficult for her, so the family remained in Newton until she was fit for travel. When June arrived, John, Ann, and the four children crossed the Delaware River into the area known as the Great Swamp or upper rich lands of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. During the move, newborn John was but a few weeks old. Thomas would have been age eight, Betty, six, and Hester, four.

The family settled onto 150 acres of farmland along the northern line of Richland Manor in what would become Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The land was patented to John by William Penn’s sons, John, Thomas, and Richard Penn.

The sons of William Penn inherited from their father land in the counties of Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, and Lancaster. The Penns encouraged rapid settlement of the colonies and made room for the influx of European emigrants by adding to their territory through continuous land purchases. To accommodate as many settlers as possible, the Penns updated the surveying procedures instituted by their father. Two categories of land were established to reflect land settlement up to that point: improved and unimproved land. During William Penn’s proprietorship, much of the land settlement was never recorded formally so squatting (occupying land the squatter does not own) was common practice. Land that had been settled under this policy was considered improved land. All other lands vacant were considered unimproved lands. In order to regulate the settling of their lands and to retrieve payment from squatters who settled before 1754, the Penns further updated the application system, which consisted of a series of documents including application, warrant, survey, and patent. These records documented the name of the person applying for the land, the number of acres desired, county and townships in which the land was located, and an actual drawing of the boundary lines (Documentary Families Project, 2011).

In 1735, the sons of William Penn sold around 4,000 acres of their best land in southeastern Pennsylvania by lottery. The area was over 3 miles long and 2 miles wide. 7,750 lottery tickets were issued at 40 shillings each (1 shilling was equal to 12 pennies). 1,293 lottery tickets were marked as award prizes of 25 to 3,000 acres. Holders of the tickets were allowed to locate the land indicated as the prize on the lottery ticket. Eventually, holders of lottery tickets were allowed to secure the deed to the land. These acres became known as the Lottery Lands of Springfield Township (Springfield Township, 2004). On 5 December, 1739, the deputy surveyor returned results of the survey to the Land Office. John Adamson received the land patent which entitled him to full ownership of his land.

John Adamson’s tract was located at the southernmost edge of what became Springfield Township in 1743. Just beyond his property’s southern boundary was Richland Township, which surrounded the boroughs of Quakertown and Richlandtown. To the northeast, ran Cooks Creek, part of the Highlands region which winds through 3.5 million acres of forests, farmlands, and rugged hills through southeastern Pennsylvania, and into New Jersey, New York, and parts of Connecticut. Rocky Valley, a dyke of igneous rock created by Triassic Period lava flows lay to the north. John’s neighbor to the west was Peter Ashton who came from Queene County, Ireland, in 1732, bringing a certificate of removal from Montrath Monthly Meeting. Peter and his wife Mary removed from Chester and Concord in Chester County until they finally ended up in Springfield, where they acquired 207 acres of land. Peter’s patent was not granted until the 8th day [19] of the 2nd month [April], 1745. John Adamson’s son, Thomas, along with neighbors George Vanbuskirk and Ebenezer Walker, were recorded witnesses to the wills of both Peter and Mary Ashton, written 21 September, 1758 and 6 October, 1758. In present time, John Adamson’s tract of land is bordered by Richlandtown Pike to the north and east, California Road to the south, and Keystone Road to the west. John’s son, Thomas signed a petition filed in court 15 September, 1743, for organizing Springfield Township.

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.

In 1712, Peter Lester of Leicestershire, England, with his wife and children, John Ball, a son-in-law of Lester’s, and other families were the first Friends to settle in the Great Swamp area. They became members of the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, but since the meeting in Philadelphia County was so far away, the monthly meeting authorized Peter to hold a meeting for worship at his house. Meetings were held at Peter’s house until 1723, when a small, log meetinghouse was erected at the intersection of the Road to Philadelphia and present-day Station Road; about a mile south from the site of the present meetinghouse. The first meetinghouse was built on a triangular lot of five acres of land donated by Everard Bolton.

On the 27th day [8] of the 4th month [July], 1725, the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting authorized the creation of a preparative meeting. Friends found that the land surrounding the meetinghouse was too rocky for use as a burial ground, so by November, 1725 they began searching for a more suitable location. Furthermore, as more and more Friends settled in the area, it became necessary to relocate to a new, larger meetinghouse. In 1730, a new location was found and the new meetinghouse was built near the center of the Great Swamp settlement at Richland Centre (Quakertown). On the 1st day [12] of the ninth month [November], 1742, the Quarterly Meeting held at Philadelphia granted the creation of the Richland Monthly Meeting to be held the fifth day of every month. Richland, like the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, was under the guidance of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The first meeting of the Richland Monthly Meeting was held the 20th day [31] of the 11th month [January], 1743. An addition to the meetinghouse was completed in 1749. Further additions to the meetinghouse were made in 1762 to accommodate the women’s meeting and a school. A wall was built around the burial ground of the meetinghouse in 1792. Yet another addition to the meetinghouse was made in 1795 and a date stone bearing this year is still preserved in the meetinghouse. The present stone meetinghouse was built in 1862 from the structure of the old meetinghouse and stands on the same site. It is located at 200 South Main Street, Quakertown, Pennsylvania, 18951, at the intersection of Mill Road and South Main Street. The Friends’ cemetery is located beside the meetinghouse.

Gwynedd Township was founded 10 March, 1697, when Welsh Quakers, William John and Thomas Evans purchased 11,449 acres of land from Robert Turner. The land was given the Welsh name, “Gwynedd,” (pronounced ‘Gwyneth’) meaning “White Fields,” because the first Welsh emigrants were from the Afon Tryweryn valley in Gwynedd County, Wales. The township was later split into Upper and Lower Gwynedd in 1891.

In 1699, meetings for worship were originally held in the homes of John Hugh and John Humphrey. The first meetinghouse was built of logs in 1700 and was under the care of the Haverford Meeting. The second meetinghouse at Gwynedd was built in 1712 and made of stone. The Gwynedd Monthly Meeting was officially established in 1714 out of the Haverford (later, Radnor) Monthly Meeting, and included both the Gwynedd and Plymouth Monthly Meetings. Friends who held meetings for worship in the Oley Valley, under the care of Gwynedd, established the Oley Monthly Meeting (later, Exeter Monthly Meeting).

A meeting for worship was organized under Gwynedd Monthly Meeting for the Richland Friends in 1721. During this time, Richland Friends held meetings in their homes until 1725 when a small log meetinghouse was built. A preparative meeting referred to as, “The Swamp,” was established the 29th day [10] of the 4th month [July], 1725. In 1742, both the meeting for worship and preparative meetings separated from Gwynedd Monthly Meeting and were transferred to form the Richland Monthly Meeting. At this time, several Gwynedd families transferred to Richland, Providence, and Exeter Monthly Meetings.
** He Third Daughter, Ann Adamson was born on 6 December 1728 in Springfield Township, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ********************
6 DEC 1728 – John and Ann’s Third Daughter, Ann Adamson was Born
While living in Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ann gave birth to their third daughter, Ann on the 25th day [6] of the ninth month [December], 1728.
** John Recorded as Resident near Quakertown Borough in 1730 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ***************
1730 – John was Recorded as a Resident Near the Quakertown Borough, Pennsylvania
In J.H. Battle’s 1887 book, History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, John Adamson was listed as one of the people who resided in the vicinity of the Quakertown borough in 1730. Additional residents recorded that year were Hugh Foulke. John Lester, Arnal (Arnall) Heacock (Hancock), John Phillips, William Morris, John Richards, William Jamison, Edmund (Edmond) Phillips, John Ball, John Edwards, Thomas Roberts, William Nixon, Arthur Jones, and Edward Roberts.
** He Signed Petion for the "Swamp Road" to be built on 28 September 1730 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ***************
28 SEPT 1730 – John signed a petition for the “Swamp Road” to Be Built
Prior to organization by the court in 1734, Richland Township had a quasi existence and was simply known as “rich lands.” John, and thirty-four other residents in and adjacent to what would become Richland Township, signed a petition for the “Swamp Road,” later, Doylestown Road, to be built (Roberts, 1925, p. 10). The road would extend from the new meetinghouse to the county line near William Thomas’ house and would serve the purpose of traveling to Philadelphia via the Montgomery road. Up to the point of the road’s construction, Richland inhabitants reached Philadelphia using the York road, which was ill-designed for carts and loaded horses. The petition was presented to the court, 17/28 September, 1730 and was signed by Hugh Foulke, John Lester, John Adamson, Arnall Hancock, John Phillips, George Phillips, Sr., William Morris, Johannes Landis, John Greasley, Edward Roberts, Arthur Jones, William Nixon, John Ball, John Edwards, Thomas Roberts, Joshua Richards, William Jamison, David Jenkins, Edmund Phillips, George Hicks, Johannes Bleiler, Michael Everhart, Joseph Everhart, Abraham Hill, Jacob Klein, John Jacob Klemmer, Jacob Musselman, Jacob Sutar, Peter Cutz, Jacob Drissel, Henry Walp, Samuel Yoder, John Jacob Zeits, and Heinrich Ditterly (Davis, 1876, p. 462).
** He Fourth Daughter, Susanna Adamson was born on 17 November 1730 in Springfield Township, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ***************
12 NOV 1730 – John and Ann’s Fourth Daughter, Susanna Adamson was Born
While living in Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ann gave birth to their fourth daughter, Susanna on 1st day [12] of the 9th month [November], 1730.
** John Third Son, Simon Adamson was born before 6 October 1733 in Springfield Township, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. **************
1733 – John and Ann’s Third Son, Simon Adamson was Born
While living in Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ann gave birth to their third son, Simon in 1733.
**

He is shown in the quaker records ***************
6 OCT 1733 – John Adamson’s Wife Died Leaving a Young Child to Nurse
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).
** He Warrant to have Land Tract Surveyed was issued on 16 November 1737 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. **************
16 NOV 1737 – A Warrant to Have John’s Land Tract Surveyed was Issued
On 5/16 November, 1737, John filed an application to the Land Office so a warrant could be issued for a survey of his land.
** John Received deed for the land on 16 December 1739 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ***************
16 DEC 1739 – John Received the Deed for His Land
On 5/16 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 (Springfield Township, 2004). Below are the warrant register and patent details taken from the Records of the Land Office at the Pennsylvania State Archives:

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

The following excerpt from genealogist, Sharon Cook MacInnes’ website, Ancestor Tracks, a site dedicated to using maps to track ancestors, describes the process of land acquisition in eighteenth century Pennsylvania:

“The process for obtaining land in Pennsylvania involved a three-part process: (1) the prospective landowner had to file an application for land in fairly specific terms. When the Land Office received the application, they issued a warrant, or an order to have the desired tract surveyed. The applicant had to pay a fee for this warrant and became known as the warrantee. The loose warrant was copied into a ledger called a Warrant Register. (2) The next step was to pay a fee for the survey and wait until a deputy surveyor could be assigned to do the work. The results of the survey were returned to the Land Office with a precise description and map of the tract, nearly always including the names of the neighbors who owned the adjacent tracts. These loose surveys are on file at the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg and have been copied into Survey Books. (3) The last step was to pay yet another fee to the colony or state and receive the final title which was called a patent. This is the official deed transferring ownership from the colony or state to the individual. He or she now became the patentee. Again, the patents were copied into ledgers called Patent Registers. Sometimes, many years passed between the three steps (MacInnes, 2011).”
** He conveyed land to son Thomas on 12 March 1753. **************
12 MAR 1753 – John Conveyed His Land to Son, Thomas Adamson
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). Gruber was a grist and saw mill builder who arrived in Bucks County around 1743. On 14 [25] January, 1743/44, a land warrant to accept a survey (a warrant that accepts an already existing survey on a tract land) was issued to Gruber for a 150-acre tract of land in Bucks County. Gruber applied for a warrant on an additional 50-acre tract of land, but ended up forfeiting it.

In 1784, Thomas and his son, John took a certificate of removal from the Richland Monthly Meeting to the Westland Monthly Meeting and settled on a 250-acre property adjoining Fort Swan in Washington County (now Greene County), Pennsylvania. The land warrant for Thomas’ Washington County property was issued on 15 December, 1784 and was returned by the surveyor on 6 November, 1789. The patentees for the property were Thomas’ sons, John and Joseph Adamson. Below are the details taken from the Records of the Land Office at the Pennsylvania State Archives:

Records of the Land Office (RG-17), Warrant Registers, 1733-1957 [series #17.88]. Pennsylvania State Archives, Bucks County Warrant Register
No. of Warrant: 68
Name of Warrantee: Adamson, Thomas
Description of Warrant: Survey
Quantity (acreage): 100
Date of Warrant: 27 DEC 1751
Date of Return: 20 NOV 1776
Acres Returned: 100.36
Name of Patentee: David Reeser
Where Recorded (patent book and page number): Vol. AA, No. 14, Page 375 (Patent Book AA-14, page 375).
Where Survey is Copied (survey book and page number): Book Q, page 71, Springfield (Survey Book Q, page 71 at Springfield).

Records of the Land Office (RG-17), Warrant Registers, 1733-1957 [series #17.88]. Pennsylvania State Archives, Washington County Warrant Register
No. of Warrant: 14
Name of Warrantee: Adamson, Thomas
Description of Warrant: Survey
Quantity (acreage): 318
Date of Warrant: 15 DEC 1784
Date of Return: 6 NOV 1789
Acres Returned: 250.123
Name of Patentee: John & Joseph Adamson
Where Recorded (patent book and page number): Vol. P, No. 18, Page 202 (Patent Book P-18, page 202).
Where Survey is Copied (survey book and page number): Book A82, page 156 (Survey Book A-82, page 156).
** He died () after 12 March 1753 at the age of 62 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. ***************
1753 – John Adamson’s Death
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. For the Quaker way of life, fancy headstones were too closely associated with the prideful pomp of the vain, secular world. As meetinghouses were erected, burial grounds were laid out beside them. In some Quaker communities, graves included primitive headstones upon which the initials of the deceased were inscribed. Eventually, Quaker headstones with fully inscribed names become the norm.

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.
** ***************
One of the first men of the name ADAMSON that we can identify as being one of our ancestors was John Adamson, a Quaker of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was said to have been born in England and traveled to this land as a follower of William Penn.
Genetic Testing has proven that This John Adamson is not related to John Baldwin Adamson of Maryland. Many family trees on the internet have made this bad assumption.
********************

John Adamson and Ann Skuse / Skuce were married after 25 May 1716 in Old Gloucester County, New Jersey. Ann Skuse / Skuce died () before 6 October 1733 in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. "John ADAMSON's wife is dead leaving a young child to nurse, being unable to help it for want of assistance". A subscription of forty shillings was contributed for their relief. Please Note: Ann Skuse / Skuce is not the same Ann as was mis-reported on genforum.generalogy.com on 20 November 1998 by Ruth Adkinson and again on 21 July 2000 by Harry Eagan Adamson Jr.
They purported that this Ann was daughter of Johan Skute and Armegot Garretsson.
The Skute family is of Swedish Lutheran belief, and no daughter would have been involved in Quaker activities alone the marriage to a Quaker man as was John Adamson. Swedish Records of the Gloria Dei Church shows the Johan Skute Family in 1698. There is no evidence that Johan Skute had a daughter named Ann.
This second posting was withdrawn on Gen Forum on 12 May 2004 and on the Rootsweb Mail list on 3 April 2004 by Harry Eagan Adamson Jr.
Several researchers have accepted the first posting as their lineage and without any other proof and either missed or ignored the redaction. If you have any tangible proof regarding the parents of Ann Skuse / Skuce many descendants would appreciate hearing from you.

Please review the following postings:

http://genforum.com/adamson/messages/68.html -dated November 20, 1998 by Ruth Adkinson

http://genforum.genealogy.com/adamson/messages/370.html - dated July 21, 2000 by Harry Egan Adamson Jr.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/adamson/messages/870.html - dated May 12, 2004 by Harry Egan Adamson Jr.

http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.adamson/400/mb.ashx - dated April 3, 2004 by Harry Egan Adamson Jr.

http://genforum.com/adamson/messages/1010.html - dated November 11, 2010 by Ruth Adkinson

John Adamson-19 and Ann Skuse / Skuce-18 had the following children: