Hugh Mc Adams

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Hugh Mc Adams lived in Albany during the late 1770s and early '80s. The existence of a number of same-named contemporaries complicates our ambition to definitively profile his life. His Scottish surname, however, does provide a place to start.

Revolutionary War rosters include the name of "Hugh Mc Adam" as an enlisted man in the third regiment of the Albany County militia.

In March 1779, his personal property was valued at the end of the assessment roll for the second ward. On the October tax list for that year, his personal property was valued substantially and he was among those assessed for a "hired house" as well.

This individual is said to have married Catharina Gerritsen at the Albany Dutch church on May 6, 1780. The only actual record for them in the printed records was of a daughter who was christened there in August. Another daughter was baptized at the Dutch church in Saratoga in 1790.

In 1781, he was among those newcomers who purchased the freedom to do business in the city. At that time, he was identified as a merchant.

Although in Albany during its lifetime, the only reference to "Hugh Mc Adam" in the records of the Albany Commissioners is to an undated account due to him for thirty-two pounds. Many of the other newcomer merchants had more extensive and unpleasant experiences with that wartime organization.

After that his name appears to have dropped from city-based rolls.

In March 1782, he is said to have witnessed the will of Barnet H. Wemple. At that time, he was identified as a Revolutionary war soldier. Over that winter, Mc Adam had a business account with William Duer.

In 1790, the household of Hugh Mc Adams was configured on the census of Saratoga. In 1794, he was identified as owing more than twenty-four pounds to the estate of the late William Shepherd of Albany.

We seek information on the later life and passing of Hugh Mc Adams. For now, too many un-resolved questions prompt us to move on.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Hugh Mc Adams is CAP biography number 7091. This sketch is derived chiefly from community-based and external resources.
Perhaps this individual had roots in New Jersey.





first posted: 6/20/10; last updated 1/8/12