The Adams Family

The Parish Registers show that two Thomas Adams's died in the early years of the 19th century in 1805 and 1809. A Will (transcribed by Steve Adams) shows that it was Thomas (born 1750) who died in 1809. It is therefore probable that the elder Thomas died in 1805 and would have been over 70 years of age.

In his will of 1808, Thomas leaves his holdings in land and property to his wife Mary for her life and to her heirs and assigns for ever and to bring up and educate his children. He mentions his stock as a farmer and dairyman. He also leaves two hundred pounds each to his sons, John and Thomas and one hundred pounds each to his daughters Elizabeth and Ann. These are to be paid when Thomas reaches 21 years old. A codicil to the will written on 5 Dec 1809, five days before Thomas' burial, adds further properties and pieces of land bought by Thomas. Mary Adams was appointed to be the sole executrix of the estate. However when the will was proved on the 12 May 1810 it was by Mary Line. It is to be assumed that the widow, Mary remarried soon after her husband's death.

In the 1841 and 1851 censuses, the younger son, Thomas (born 1804), is found with his wife, Mary nee Hyde, and children at Kiln Farm, Bragenham. Bragenham, a small hamlet, is equidistant from Great Brickhill, Linslade and Soulbury. It is recorded in the Leighton Buzzard census area but all the family's baptisms and marriages are in Great Brickhill.

John (born 1800), the elder brother of Thomas (born 1804), is shown at various times as publican and farmer. Records of The Old Red Lion Inn date from 1771 and show that it had a shoemaker's shop, a yard, a brewhouse, a barn, a stable and two gardens. John Adams was landlord and farmer from 1842 to 1854. John married Frances (Fanny) Leaberry, a farmer's daughter from Water Eaton in 1832. A grave in Great Brickhill churchyard shows that their two sons, John and Thomas, died in 1836 and 1837. The stone reads:

In Remembrance of
Thomas and
John Leaberrly Adams
Sons of
John and Frances Adams
John Leaberrly died Nov 25 1836
Aged 2 yrs 6 mths
Thomas died Feb 28 1837
Aged 1 yr 6 mths

The family is recorded in the Great Brickhill 1841 and 1851 censuses. In 1841, John, aged 40 a farmer, his wife and 2 daughters, Frances and Elizabeth Mary were recorded at Cross End. In 1851 they were at a farm next to the Curate's house. The farm was 150 acres and there were 2 servants present plus a lodger.

In the 1847 directory of Bucks, John was the proprietor of the Red Lion Inn at Great Brickhill. The present day pub has a history of its owners and landlords on the wall that includes John Adams. The same directory shows a village population of 721. Philip Duncombe Pauncefoot Duncombe was Lord of the manor. The Duncombes have continued there until recently (maybe still!) The Reverend Henry Foulis (Fowlis) Bart. is shown as Rector in 1847 and 1851 and appears in the registers throughout many of the christenings, marriages and burials of the Adams family.

1600's . . 1700's . . 1800's - The Farmers . . 1800's - The Labourers . .
1850's - The Farmers in London . . 1900's - Will Adams

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Last updated February 2001