A genealogy of the Charles Adams family of Durham New Hampshire as extracted from the History of Durham New Hampshire and other sources.
Charles Adams, born about 1623, bought land at Oyster River of John Ault, 10 April 1645. He was taxed in 1648, and took the oath of fidelity 21 June 1669. Constable in 1662. He and fourteen others of his household were slain in the massacre of 1694, and his house was burned. The mound of earth marking their graves is very near the Mathes burial place, at Durham Point.
- Deliverance, named in Court record, 1679.
- Charles b. 1668; m. Temperance Benmore.
- Mary m. William Tasker.
- Sarah m. Henry Nock, 10 Jan. 1691/2, (2) Eleazer Wyer.
- Samuel, slain with wife and children in 1694.
- Mercy, or Ursula, b. 13 March 1674; captured 1694; baptized in Canada 6 April 1697, when she was recorded as daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Smith) Adams of Oyster River. She m. Charles Brisebois and d. before 1732, leaving at least two children.
- Charles Adams (Charles), born 1668, administered his father’s estate 1 April 1695, and the inventory of his own estate was rendered 9 Nov. of the same year. He married Temperance, daughter of Philip Benmore, who married, 28 Sept. 1669, Rebecca, widow of Thomas Nock, whose maiden name was Tibbetts. He left two daughters.
- Rebecca m. Joseph Duda, or Durrell.
- Esther m. Thomas Bickford.
Hello, I am distantly related to Charles Adams (8xGrandfather…)…in researching my mother’s French Canadian side of the family I stumbled upon my 7xgrandmother in Quebec Mercy Ursalle (Adams) Brisebois….the English name confused me initially until I found out about her father Charles Adams and mother Rebecca Smith of Durham NH….what a sad story. I have often wondered how Charles came to NH….what ship?….so curious. Any information is helpful…are there any artifacts of that Adams family? Anyway, thank you, Lynn Coleman (California)
Hi there,
I believe Mercy Adams is my 7th great grandmother. (I believe she was baptized Catholic and given the name Marie Ursula)
This is the info I have for her husband:
Charles Rene Dubois dit Brisebois II
B:5 Dec 1680 Ste Famille, Ile De Orleans, Quebec, Canada
D:9 Jan 1747 Yamaska, Quebec, Canada
It is a sad story. A strange coincidence is that I now live in Durham, the town in which her family was massacred.
I think about her all the time.
Renée Mercier
Durham, New Hampshire