Disputed Parent

John and his brother Edward are frequently connected as sons of the author James Adair. There is no connection. James Adair lived with the Chickasaw Indians and had a Chickasaw wife. John and Edward Adair were white men from Ireland.

(Curator Note: this John Adair was not the man who wrote the history of the American Indians and had no known connection to him. HIcks and others make that claim. These two John’s are also often conflated with another Adair who lived in North Carolina based on some really bad genealogy books.)

Biography

John Adair is believed to be the son of James and Eleanor Adair, born in Northern Ireland about 1753. John emigrated to America with two brothers, Edward and James. All three settled in South Carolina where John and Edward began trading with the Cherokee. [1] According to grandson John T., James later returned to Ireland.

Grandson John Thompson Adair testified in June, 1887 “My grandfather John Adair had two families. His first wife was a Cherokee woman named Nancy Forster, the children of this marriage were Samuel Adair, Walter Adair, Charlotte Adair, Edward Adair, and John Adair, Jr., their children were all Cherokee. After the death of his first wife he went back to South Carolina and married a white woman named Jane Kilgore.” [2] Nancy had died by 1790 since John Adair and wife Jane appear on deeds in South Carolina in 1791. [3]

The children of John and second wife Jane were: Benjamin Franklin Adair. Charles Duncan Adair. Elbert Earl Adair. George Washington Adair. James Adair. John Alexander Adair. Margaret Jane Adair. Mary Ann Adair. Thomas Benjamin Adair. William Henry Adair. Although the children of John and Jane were white, three of them, Thomas, Benjamin, and John Alexander married Cherokee women. [4]

John died in 1815; his Will [5] said in part:

Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny. Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line. To my son Sam discharge from my book accompts. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect. Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live. To daughter Charlotte one heifer. To son John 224 acres purchased of James Baird. Son Edward owes me considerable sum. I also purchased note from James Head paid .00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands. This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B. I also give to my daughter Margaret a negro woman Peggy. To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan. To daughter Jane a negro woman Jenny. To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch. To son Charles D. a child of Jenny or Peggy. To son Washington, a negro man named Harry. Son Benjamin Franklin a child of Jenny or Peggy. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River. I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment. Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age.
Dated 4 Nov. 1815. Wit.: Samuel Boystun (Signed) Jno. Adair. Thomas Lanier.

N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt.David Sloan my executors. Proven 4 Dec. 1815.

Sources

1. ↑ Baker & Hampton, eds. Old Cherokee Families - Notes of Dr. Emmet Starr. Baker Publishing Co., Oklahoma City, OK, 1988. Vol. 1, p. 88 note B990.
2. ↑ Testimony of John Thompson Adair, Oklahoma Historical Society, Cherokee Citizenship Records. Roll CHN 51, Vol. 466: 81, image #833
3. ↑ Laurens County, South Carolina: Register of Mesne Conveyance: Vol. D: 1791-1793, Roll 4. South Carolina State Archives
4. ↑ Starr, Emmet. History of the Cherokee Indians. Oklahoma Yesterday Publications edition, Tulsa, OK. 1979, p. 403
5. ↑ transcribed at Cherokee Family Researcher, #15 (Summer 1996), p. 19-20. FamilySearch.

See Also with caution…
Hicks, James R. “Cherokee Lineages: Register Report of John Lightfoot, Cap” Genealogy.com, Sites.Rootsweb.com, 2023, https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0019...

Source:
__________

ADAIR, JOHN Ancestor #: A029605
Service: SOUTH CAROLINA Rank(s): PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Birth: ANTE 1755 IRELAND
Death: ANTE 12-4-1815 PENDLETON DIST SOUTH CAROLINA
Service Source: SALLEY & WATES, STUB ENTRIES TO INDENTS, BOOKS O-Q, P 203, LIBER P, #575
Service Description: 1) SUPPLIED SUNDRIES FOR THE MILITIA

RESIDENCE
Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:55.3, Updated: 2014-05-28 14:09:27.0, By: 1) District: NINETY SIX DIST - State: SOUTH CAROLINA

SPOUSE
1) NANCY FOSTER LIGHTFOOT GAHOGA
2) JENNIE KILGORE

Source: Daughters of the American Revolution, “Ancestor Database.” database, Genealogical Research System (http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/ : accessed 30 June 2023), ADAIR, JOHN Ancestor #: A029605
__________

(Curator Note: it appears that James Hi is has reversed the order of marriage of the wives as it is evident that

JOHN ADAIR, SR (JAMES ROBERT1) was born 1753.
He married (1) JANE KILGORE Aft. 1790.She was born Abt. 1770.
He married (2) NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT May 15, 1804, daughter of JOHN LIGHTFOOT, CAP.She was born Abt. 1760.

• Starr lists John as being Scot/Cherokee but in the 1906 application of his grand-son, James Bell, he is listed as being born in Ireland.
• Abstracts of Old Ninrty-Six and Abbeville Dist Wills and Bonds As on file in the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse; Will of John Adair - pp 176-179:

Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny.Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line.Son Samuel. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect.Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live.To daughter Charlotte.To son John 224 acres on Conneross purchased of James Baird.Son Edward owes me considerable sum.I also purchased note from James Head paid $42.00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands.This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B.I also give to my daughter (did not name her) a negro woman Peggy.To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan.To daughter Jane (?) a negro woman Jenny.To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch.To son Charles D. To son Washington, a negro girl Susan.Son Benjamin Franklin. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River.I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment.Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age.

Dated 4 Nov. 1815.
Wit.: Samuel Boystun(Signed) Jno. Adair, Thomas Lanier
N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt. David Sloan my executors.
Proven 4 Dec. 1815

• Blood: Scot
• Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA
• Starr's Notes: B990

More About JANE KILGORE:

• Blood: Non-Cherokee
• Starr's Notes: B990

More About NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT:

• Blood: Full Blood Cherokee
• Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA
• Clan: Ani'-Kawi' = Deer Clan (Ga-ho-ga)

Children of JOHN ADAIR and JANE KILGORE are:

	i.	 	JAMES3 ADAIR, b. Abt. 1792.

4. ii. THOMAS BENJAMIN ADAIR, b. Abt. 1794.

	iii.	 	MARGARET JANE ADAIR, b. March 11, 1797; m. WILLIAM RICHARDSON NICHOLSON; b. Abt. 1790.

	iv.	 	WILLIAM HENRY ADAIR, b. Abt. 1798.

	v.	 	CHARLES DUNCAN ADAIR, b. Abt. 1800.

	vi.	 	GEORGE WASHINGTON ADAIR I, b. Abt. 1802.

	vii.	 	ELBERT EARL ADAIR, b. Abt. 1804.

	viii.	 	MARY ANN ADAIR, b. Abt. 1806.

5. ix. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ADAIR I, b. Abt. 1808; d. Bef. 1851.
6. x. JOHN ALEXANDER ADAIR, b. Abt. 1810.

Children of JOHN ADAIR and NANCY LIGHTFOOT are:
7. xi. SAMUEL3 ADAIR I, b. 1781, Adairsville, Bartow Co, GA; d. Abt. 1836.
8. xii. WALTER BLACK WATT ADAIR, b. December 11, 1783, Adairsville, Bartow Co, GA; d. January 20, 1835, CNW.
9. xiii. CHARLOTTE (LIGHTFOOT) ADAIR, b. Abt. 1785, Adairsville, Bartow Co, GA; d. September 1838, CNE.
10. xiv. EDWARD ADAIR, b. February 07, 1789, CNE [GA]; d. December 21, 1864, Adairsville, Bartow Co, GA.

	xv.	 	JOHN ADAIR, JR, b. Abt. 1790, Adairsville, Bartow Co, GA; d. Bef. 1838.

• John never married.After becoming a grown man he enlisted in the United States Army during the War of 1812 and after the great battle of New Orleans he was honorably discharged but he disappeared and was never heard of again.
• In Starr's unpublished notes, there is a notation next to John that states: "K at Battle of New Orleans"
• Note: It's possable that Starr has this John Adair confused with his cousin, James Adair, son of Betsy Scott and Edward Adair Sr.James Adair died of the effects of wounds he got at the battle of Horseshoe Bend.
• Blood: 3/4 Cherokee
• Clan: Ani'-Kawi' = Deer Clan (Ga-ho-ga)

Source: Hicks, James R. “Cherokee Lineages: Register Report of James Robert Adair, Sr” Genealogy.com, Sites.Rootsweb.com, https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0002...

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Not a known son of James Adair of Bladen County

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A Patriot of the American Revolution for SOUTH CAROLINA. DAR Ancestor # A029605

ADAIR, JOHN Ancestor #: A029605
Service: SOUTH CAROLINA Rank(s): PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Birth: ANTE 1755 IRELAND
Death: ANTE 12-4-1815 PENDLETON DIST SOUTH CAROLINA
Service Source: SALLEY & WATES, STUB ENTRIES TO INDENTS, BOOKS O-Q, P 203, LIBER P, #575
Service Description: 1) SUPPLIED SUNDRIES FOR THE MILITIA

RESIDENCE
Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:55.3, Updated: 2014-05-28 14:09:27.0, By: 1) District: NINETY SIX DIST - State: SOUTH CAROLINA

SPOUSE
Number Name

Created: 2002-03-27 23:17:13.16, Updated: 2002-03-27 23:17:13.16, By: Conversion 1) NANCY FOSTER LIGHTFOOT GAHOGA
Created: 2002-03-27 23:17:13.16, Updated: 2002-03-27 23:17:13.16, By: Conversion 2) JENNIE KILGORE

Source: https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/default.cfm...
__________

According to Emmet Starr, "____ Adair (had sons) John Adair m. Jennie Kilgore (and) Edward Adair m. Elizabeth Martin." [Emmet Starr, "History of the Cherokee Indians and their Legends and Folklore," (Oklahoma City, OK: The Warden Company, 1921), p. 403]

Notes

From https://www.geni.com/discussions/179495?msg=1209169

The origins of the Cherokee Adair family are murky. Starr listed no parents for brothers John and Edward Adair, the two men who begin the Cherokee Adair family. Later records said that John was born in Scotland or Ireland. What is known for sure is that John had at least five children by a Cherokee woman named Gahoga or Nannie Foster (some believe her father was a white man named Lightfoot, Foster was her first husband) and ten more by a white woman, Jane Kilgore. He left property to both sets of children in his will, and three of Jane's children married Cherokee.

Gahoga was married only twice: to James Foster and to John Adair.

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Are parents shown below proven?

From http://www.myfamilysearch.net/getperson.php?personID=I4610&tree=200...

The following genealogical summary of the family of James Adair was provided to me from Shawn Potter Aug 2015. Shawn and his wife Lois are the authors of a book to be published sometime in the future entitiled "Chickasaw Wife and Family of James Adair, Author of the History of the American Indians."

"James Adair was born probably in Ireland say about 1714. He immigrated to America before 1735. James married Eleanor of the Chickasaw Nation in about 1744. Eleanor was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1726. She was a member of the Panther clan. James died probably in Laurens County, South Carolina, after 25 Feb 1784 and before 12 Feb 1796. Eleanor died probably in Laurens County after 3 Jan 1803.

James and Eleanor were the parents of the following children:

3. John Adair was born in the Chickasaw Nation say about 1754. He married first Ga-Ho-Ga of the Cherokee Nation probably in Laurens County say about 1780. Ga-Ho-Ga was born in the Cherokee Nation say about 1760. Ga-Ho-Ga died perhaps in Laurens County after 7 Feb 1789. John married second Jane Kilgore probably in Laurens County say about 1790. Jane was born probably in Laurens County say about 1773. John died in present-day Oconee County, South Carolina, after 4 Nov 1815 and before 4 Dec 1815. Jane died perhaps in present-day Oconee County after 4 Dec 1815.

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Notes for JOHN Adair, SR: Starr lists John as being Scotish/Cherokee but in the 1906 application of his grand-son, James Bell, he is listed as being born in Ireland. ****************************** Abstracts of Old Ninrty-Six and Abbeville Dist Wills and Bonds As on file in the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse; Will of John Adair - pp 176-179: Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny. Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line. Son Samuel. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect. Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live. To daughter Charlotte. To son John 224 acres on Conneross purchased of James Baird. Son Edward owes me considerable sum. I also purchased note from James Head paid $42.00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands. This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B. I also give to my daughter (did not name her) a negro woman Peggy. To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan. To daughter Jane (?) a negro woman Jenny. To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch. To son Charles D. To son Washington, a negro girl Susan. Son Benjamin Franklin. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River. I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment. Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age. Dated 4 Nov. 1815. Wit.: Samuel Boystun (Signed) Jno. Adair Thomas Lanier N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt. David Sloan my executors. Proven 4 Dec. 1815 More About JOHN Adair, SR: Blood: 1/2 Cherokee, 1/2 Scotch Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Starr's Notes: B990
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.JOHN2 ADAIR, SR (JAMES ROBERT1) was born 1753.He married (1) JANE KILGORE Aft. 1790.She was born Abt. 1770.He married (2) NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT May 15, 1804, daughter of JOHN LIGHTFOOT, CAP.She was born Abt. 1760. Notes for JOHN ADAIR, SR: Starr lists John as being Scot/Cherokee but in the 1906 application of his grand-son, James Bell, he is listed as being born in Ireland.

• ***************************** Abstracts of Old Ninrty-Six and Abbeville Dist Wills and Bonds As on file in the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse; Will of John Adair - pp 176-179: Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny.Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line.Son Samuel. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect.Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live.To daughter Charlotte.To son John 224 acres on Conneross purchased of James Baird.Son Edward owes me considerable sum.I also purchased note from James Head paid $42.00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands.This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B.I also give to my daughter (did not name her) a negro woman Peggy.To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan.To daughter Jane (?) a negro woman Jenny.To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch.To son Charles D. To son Washington, a negro girl Susan.Son Benjamin Franklin. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River.I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment.Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age. Dated 4 Nov. 1815. Wit.: Samuel Boystun(Signed) Jno. Adair Thomas Lanier N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt. David Sloan my executors. Proven 4 Dec. 1815 More About JOHN ADAIR, SR: Blood: Scot Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Starr's Notes: B990 More About JANE KILGORE: Blood: Non-Cherokee Starr's Notes: B990 More About NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT: Blood: Full Blood Cherokee Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Clan: Ani'-Kawi' = Deer Clan (Ga-ho-ga) http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0002-...

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Notes for JOHN Adair, SR: Starr lists John as being Scotish/Cherokee but in the 1906 application of his grand-son, James Bell, he is listed as being born in Ireland. ******************************

Abstracts of Old Ninrty-Six and Abbeville Dist Wills and Bonds As on file in the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse; Will of John Adair - pp 176-179: Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny. Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line. Son Samuel. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect. Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live. To daughter Charlotte. To son John 224 acres on Conneross purchased of James Baird. Son Edward owes me considerable sum. I also purchased note from James Head paid $42.00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands. This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B. I also give to my daughter (did not name her) a negro woman Peggy. To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan. To daughter Jane (?) a negro woman Jenny. To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch. To son Charles D. To son Washington, a negro girl Susan. Son Benjamin Franklin. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River. I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment. Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age. Dated 4 Nov. 1815. Wit.: Samuel Boystun (Signed) Jno. Adair Thomas Lanier N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt. David Sloan my executors. Proven 4 Dec. 1815 More About JOHN Adair, SR: Blood: 1/2 Cherokee, 1/2 Scotch Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Starr's Notes: B990 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.JOHN2 ADAIR, SR (JAMES ROBERT1) was born 1753.He married (1) JANE KILGORE Aft. 1790.She was born Abt. 1770.He married (2) NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT May 15, 1804, daughter of JOHN LIGHTFOOT, CAP.She was born Abt. 1760. Notes for JOHN ADAIR, SR: Starr lists John as being Scot/Cherokee but in the 1906 application of his grand-son, James Bell, he is listed as being born in Ireland.

• ***************************** Abstracts of Old Ninrty-Six and Abbeville Dist Wills and Bonds As on file in the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse; Will of John Adair - pp 176-179:

Wife Jean to have negro man Friday and woman Old Jenny.Land at Flat Shoal Little River below Fish Trap called Walters Trap, joins Kye's line.Son Samuel. Son Walter to have one third of debts due me in the Cherokee Nation which he is about to collect.Walter to make title to Thomas B. for plantation where I now live.To daughter Charlotte.To son John 224 acres on Conneross purchased of James Baird.Son Edward owes me considerable sum.I also purchased note from James Head paid $42.00 for relapsing and carrying through some lands.This I request him to make title to my son Thomas B.I also give to my daughter (did not name her) a negro woman Peggy.To son James land where I now live, joining Cane Creek, John Moore and Sloan.To daughter Jane (?) a negro woman Jenny.To son William Henry land on Rusk's Still House Branch.To son Charles D. To son Washington, a negro girl Susan.Son Benjamin Franklin. Son John Alexander to have negro boy Peter and land in fork between Cane Creek and Little River.I owe debt to Adam Tunneau. My still and property to be sold for money sufficient to release negro Harry from Thomas Reid from the present embarrassment.Furniture and stock kept together and plantation cultivated for support of children until they marry or come of age. Dated 4 Nov. 1815. Wit.: Samuel Boystun(Signed) Jno. Adair Thomas Lanier N. B. I appoint Joseph Reid, Esq., and Samuel Boydston and Capt. David Sloan my executors. Proven 4 Dec. 1815

More About JOHN ADAIR, SR: Blood: Scot Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Starr's Notes: B990 More About JANE KILGORE: Blood: Non-Cherokee Starr's Notes: B990 More About NANCY GA-HO-GA LIGHTFOOT: Blood: Full Blood Cherokee Burial: Rome, Floyd Co, GA Clan: Ani'-Kawi' = Deer Clan (Ga-ho-ga) http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0002-...

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