Biography of William Henry Adams Sr., 1817-1898
File — Box: 1, Folder: 1
Scope and Contents
William Henry Adams Sr. was born in the town of Hythe, England, in 1817 to Mary Nash and John Adams. His father died before he was was born, and his mother then married William Gardner. Together they raised her son, and had a daughter they also named Mary.
William Adams Sr. was apprenticed to the mason's trade at eight, which he later put to use constructing buildings in Utah. In 1839, he married Martha Jennings in Dover, England and they took over her parents' grocery business. They joined the Mormon church soon after their marriage, and in 1847 emigrated to America with their children, William Jr. and Eliza.
The family arrived in the fall of 1847, and went directly to Council Bluff where they bought 160 acres of land to farm. In the spring of 1948, they left for the Salt Lake valley, in the company of Willard Richards, Brigham Young's cousin, and a contemporary of Joseph Smith.
The Adams arrived in Salt Lake City in October 1948, but in 1850, at the request of Brigham Young, William, Philo Farnsworth, and John Mercer went to Utah County to help found Pleasant Grove.
Martha died in 1852, and William was not only left with the children, but the hardships that followed. This included the beginning of crop failure in 1853, and the arrival of his mother and half-sister in the same year.
In 1858, the cycle of crop failure came to an end, and William married Ann Otten Crossland, who bore him three children. During this time, he helped build barracks at Camp Floyd for Johnson's Army, and served as treasurer and tax collector in Pleasant Grove. He died in 1898.
William Adams Sr. was apprenticed to the mason's trade at eight, which he later put to use constructing buildings in Utah. In 1839, he married Martha Jennings in Dover, England and they took over her parents' grocery business. They joined the Mormon church soon after their marriage, and in 1847 emigrated to America with their children, William Jr. and Eliza.
The family arrived in the fall of 1847, and went directly to Council Bluff where they bought 160 acres of land to farm. In the spring of 1948, they left for the Salt Lake valley, in the company of Willard Richards, Brigham Young's cousin, and a contemporary of Joseph Smith.
The Adams arrived in Salt Lake City in October 1948, but in 1850, at the request of Brigham Young, William, Philo Farnsworth, and John Mercer went to Utah County to help found Pleasant Grove.
Martha died in 1852, and William was not only left with the children, but the hardships that followed. This included the beginning of crop failure in 1853, and the arrival of his mother and half-sister in the same year.
In 1858, the cycle of crop failure came to an end, and William married Ann Otten Crossland, who bore him three children. During this time, he helped build barracks at Camp Floyd for Johnson's Army, and served as treasurer and tax collector in Pleasant Grove. He died in 1898.
Dates
- 1817-1898
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.25 Linear Feet (1 Folder)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Adams, Melissa Jane Caldwell, 1823-1869 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu