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A few months ago all I knew about James Adair was that he was the father of Elizabeth Hobson Adair. Then I learned he had lived with Indians and written a book. The "story" on the various wives came from postings etc. on the net and had no confirmed source. Since then I have found little of his personal life but I have found the following from these sources: "The Encyclopedia of American Family Names", by H. Amanda Robb & Andrew Chester, 1995; "Who's Who in American History, The Historical Volume 1607-1896"; "Who Was Who in Native American History", by Carl Waldman, 1990; and "The Dictionary of American Biography", (which cited ""A History of the Upper Country of SC. by J. H. Logan, 1859; a letter in the "Nation", August 27, 1914, written by John Thomas Lee; manuscript notes supplied by Robert L. Meriwether; references in "Geo. Croghan and the Westward Movement, 1741-1782", 1926, by A. T. Volwriter; and "History of SC Under the Royal Government", by Edward McCrady, 1899) all contain information on the career of James Robert Adair. I've never read "Kinfolks", though I wish I owned a copy. I'd be grateful for any info anyone has from that source.
From the above sources we learn that James Robert Adair (1709-1783) came to America from Atrim Co., Ireland before 1735, probably through the port of Charleston, South Carolina; became a trader, reformer, anthropologist, diplomat, peace-maker, fighter, and author.
"History of the American Indian", was written by James Robert Adair and published in London in 1775. (I have seen several references to the book in recent (90s) articles that had to do with everything from linguistics to The Book of Mormon.) James' book, reprinted about 40 years ago, is in most university libraries and details the history, customs and language of the Indians and presents his theory that the American Indian descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Isarel.
"The Dictionary of American Biography" says, "...its depiction of scenes and its narration of incidents in his own eventful career, give it a permanent value. It is a record of close and intelligent observation and its fidelity of fact had been generally acknowledged."
To detractors of James' works, who think he may have been biased because of financial interests and political enemies, Lawrence Gipson, in a footnote (ch. 4, vol. 4) of his study of the colonial rivalry between England and France in North America, 1939, said he found no instance anywhere in the record of Adair telling anything but the truth.
James was an educated man and held a doctorate degree. (Don't know yet where he was educated or area of degree.) He spent nearly forty years of his life associated with the Indians. (In one account he was described as "cavorting" with them; whatever that means.) Between 1735-1744 (age 26-35) he traded with the Cherokees and Catawbs. From 1744-1750 (age 35-46) worked with the Chickasaws, whose villages were located at the headwaters of the Yazoo River in Mississippi. During this period he often visited the Choctaw to try to win them to British allegiance against the French. James moved to District 96 ,now Laurens Co, South Carolina.
This from a contact made with person who had postes an ancestor tree. The source given was, "A Mixed Bouquet" AA Instant Printer, San Angelo, TX : James built Fairfield, located near Ashpole in Bladen, now Robeson Co., NC about three miles from the line of the old Georgetown District. Fairfield is also the name of the CT town where he is said to have married Ann McCarty and where John and Elizabeth were born.
At this time, James resumed his trade with the Cherokees and was often called upon by the Royal Govenor of South Carolina, James Glen, in Indian matters; though they seldom agreed. James was sometimes involved in conflicts with the French and during the Indian War (1760-1761) he led a band of Chickasaws (age 50-51). He went to London, England where he oversaw he publication of his book. (I don't know how long he remained there.)
Hope this helps. Like you, I also would welcome any info on James. He certainly was a bundle of energy. I have an image of him in my mind as being much like Sam Houston (salute, ya'll)
I've been told that another researcher of our mysterious ancestor has hit "PAY DIRT" in CT and will soon (maybe this weekend) be posting her discovery and all her other info about James Adair to her web page. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!
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