Capt. Adams was born in Bellemenagh, Northern Ireland. He was a soldier of the American Revolution, having enlisted at Sugar Creek while living in the area of the Waxhaws. He joined in July of 1778 and served under Capt. Henry Coffee and Gen. Thomas Sumter. He also served under Capt. Marshall Jones and Lt. James Craig. He fought in the battles of Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock, Black River, Granby, Wright's Bluff, and the siege of Charleston. He was serving under Col. Bratton at Four Holes and was discharged during September or October, 1781.

He married twice. His first wife was Margaret McGhee, who he married on November 1, 1781. She was born August 12, 1764, and died in Kershaw County, South Carolina, on June 20, 1814. They became the parents of 11 known children. The following was gleaned from the Francis Adams Family Bible and personal research.

1. Rachel Adams, born in Kershaw County, South Carolina, on October 10, 1785, and died in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, on February 8, 1858. She married Parmenio Rodgers on April 17, 1817.

2. Jane Adams, born in Kershaw County on June 21, 1787. She married John Rodgers on January 15, 1805.

3. Elizabeth Adams, born in Kershaw County on December 26, 1788. She married James Rodgers on March 3, 1814.

4. Abram Adams, born in Kershaw County on January 15, 1791, and died in Noxubee County, Mississippi, on August 4, 1869. He married Nancy Gooch Morgan on January 25, 1821.

5. Margaret Adams, born in Kershaw County on March 2, 1793, and died in Highland Home, Alabama, on March 6, 1868. She married Dr. Alexander McQueen on February 4, 1813.

6. Eleanor Welsh Adams, born in Kershaw County on December 13, 1794, and died in Belltown, Lancaster County, South Carolina, on December 20, 1876. She married Nelson Bell on April 18, 1822.

7. Samuel McGhee Adams, born in Kershaw County on September 16, 1796.

8. Francis Adams, Jr., born in Kershaw County on February 20, 1798.

9. William Earl Adams, born in Kershaw County on October 17, 1799, and died in Highland Home, Alabama, on March 23, 1869. He married Margaret Hamm on February 20, 1823.

10. John Adams, born in Kershaw County on February 23, 1802, and died in Waxhaw in Lancaster County, South Carolina, on August 28, 1875.

11. Joseph T. Adams, born in Kershaw County on February 24, 1802 (twin to John). He died on November 27, 1813.

After Margaret died in 1814, Francis married Mary Ryan on November 27, 1817. Mary was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina, on May 6, 1785, a daughter of William Farrell and Agnes Carson. She was widowed at the time, her deceased husband being Michael Ryan. Francis and Mary had at least 6 children:

1. Mary Clarissa Adams, born June 18, 1819. She married Samuel M. Adams on July 17, 1843. She died just two and a half months later on October 1, 1843.

2. Franklin Monroe Adams, born March 29, 1823, and died in Lafayette County, Arkansas, in 1888. He married Asalean Cochran on July 11, 1844. She was born December 4, 1826, and died November 9, 1847. He then married Eliza Ann Cornish on May 8, 1851.

3. Agnes J. Adams, born January 22, 1828. Died young.

4. John Quincy Adams, born on November 22, 1829. He died in Lafayette County, Arkansas, on December 2, 1889. He married Louisa Fuller.

5. Araminta Adams, born June 23, 1832. Died young

6. Mary Z. Clementine Adams, born on March 5, 1839.

Francis is either buried here or in Salem Cemetery.