James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
James Adam, born abt 1810 in Glasgow, Scotland. It is unknown precisely when James Adam and his brother and sister emigrated to America or if his parents came with them or not. However there is reference in one old letter suggesting that James' mother may have been in New York City and had her portrait made there. What her name was, or what became her, remains a mystery.
In 1845 James Adam was a widower with three small girls, Julia, Agnes and Louisa. His first wife's name is unknown to us. US Census records indicate that these children were born in New York. The girls married as follows: Julia married William O. Nesbett of Virginia, with issue. Agnes married John H. White of Virginia, with issue. It is unknown if Louisa ever married.
James Adam married Jannet Sinclair Sutherland, in New York City, on December 13, 1845 and soon after, they moved to Norfolk, Virginia. James opened up his own business in Norfolk. It was a bake house and store which he called the New York Bakery. There is mention in old letters that James' brother Richard Adam and his Sister Agnes Adam-Davidson were also in the Bakery business and had operating businesses in Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. Later in 1870, Agnes Davidson is a widow and operating another Bakery in Yonkers, New York.
James Adam and Jannet Sinclair Sutherland had two sons of their own, James and Sinclair, both born in New York City, 1845 and 1848 respectively. There are letters that suggest that since James was so busy with the bakery in Norfolk that Jannet went to New York to have the babies born in order to have the help from her family.
Gathering bits and pieces from multiple letters written by his wife Jannet to her family in New York City, apparently he worked very hard trying to make the bakery a success and put in many hours and lost much sleep. The 1850 Census lists three other Bakers living in his household. These may have been his employees.
She writes that his motto was "Work hard and hope long".
Jannet died of consumption at the age of 34 in Oct of 1855 in NYC. James probably sent her and the children to be with her family in New York to excape the Yellow Fever epidemic raging in Norfolk that Summer and Fall.
After Jannet's death, the boys went to be raised by their Aunt Jemima Sutherland-Payne, sister of Jannet, in New York City. There are letters between James' sister Agnes Davidson and Jemima discussing the children and that James wanted them back with him, but Agnes was very much against this.
After this time James Adam is nowhere to be found. No census listings can be found of him after 1850. Old family records or letters in my possession do not show any further information about him.
Of their sons James and Sinclair, they continued in New York City. James remained a bachelor all of his life and made a very good living in the real estate business. Sinclair Adam married in 1876, Mary Agnew McLeod, daughter of Rev. John Niel McLeod and Margaret Thompson Wylie, with issue. Of whom much is known.
Any information concerning this James Adam, or anyone else mentioned in this posting would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
My grandmother was Agnes Davidson Lathrop Paul. My middle name is Davidson. We are related to The Adam Bakery in Norfolk, VA. I think I have a photo of James Adam & the black bakery truck. I am related to James Reid and Lawrence Adgate Lathrop. I am looking for my relatives.
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Re: James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
My grandmother was Agnes Davidson Lathrop Paul. My middle name is Davidson. We are related to The Adam Bakery in Norfolk, VA. I think I have a photo of James Adam & the black bakery truck. I am related to James Reid and Lawrence Adgate Lathrop. I am looking for my relatives.
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Re: James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
Hello, I'm related to the people in your article. See the note below yours. I have some information for you. Shirley Boeker
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Re: James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
Shirley; I am very interested in communicating with you about your connection to the people in my post and what additional information you could provide to me. Please contact me at jdadam11@comcast.net. Thank you Jamie Adam
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Re: James Adam, Glasgow, Scotland; New York City, Norfolk, VA
Yes, I will contact you soon. I do know I am related to Agnes Davidson. I think she was James Adam sister. My family (Lawrence Adgate Lathrop ) ran the bakery maybe around the 1880's. I am seaturtle_ diver Shirley Boeker Contact me at boeker@prodigy.net
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