Quick Facts
Aquarius
Biography
Joel Adams (February 4, 1750 – July 9, 1830) was a prolific planter and soldier from lower Richland County, South Carolina. Adams was a leader of South Carolina Militia forces during the American Revolution and also served in the Continental Army. Joel married Grace Weston, daughter of William Weston, and they had seven children.
Adams was instrumental in the successful agricultural development of central part of South Carolina in the 18th century, and was influential in the political structure of the state being centered in Columbia, South Carolina at the time. He was a strong proponent of education, and of military and political service to state and to country.
Two of his sons, Joel Adams II (1784-1859) and William Weston Adams (1786-1831), graduated from Yale University and served in the South Carolina House of Representatives. His grandson, James Hopkins Adams, graduated from Yale University, and was the 66th governor of the South Carolina from 1854-1857. His grandson, James Uriah Adams (1812-1871), was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and a graduate of Yale University. Joel's grandson James Pickett Adams (1828-1904) was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and was Major in the Confederate States Army. His descendants Henry Walker Adams (1852-1903) and Edward Clarkson Leverette Adams (1876-1946) also served in South Carolina House of Representatives.
His grandson Robert Adams II was a captain in the Confederate States Army, and his story was made into a feature film The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams.
Joel's great grandson Warren Adams (1838-1884) was a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate States Army and was in command of the First South Carolina Infantry Regiment at Battery Wagner. Warren graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 1859, where he was the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets.
His descendant Weston Adams (ambassador) served in South Carolina House of Representatives, and also served as a United States Ambassador.
Joel is buried at St. John's Congaree Episcopal Church, Congaree, South Carolina.