DEACON
WILLIAM CLARK ADAMS
1813-1893
William Clark Adams was born in Barnstead August 26, 1813, the son of William and Hannah (Jacobs) Adams. His father was from Newington. William had three brothers, John, Samuel and Alfred.
Little is known of his early life. Presumably he attended local schools. On July 25, 1844 he married Elizabeth W. Taylor of Londonderry. The couple had two children, Austin Winslow Adams, born in Barnstead October 7, 1845, and William Patterson Adams, born in Pittsfield May 16, 1855.
In
adulthood Austin apparently moved to Boston, where he was residing at
his father's passing, and thus made little impact on
the local community in New Hampshire. However, his brother William
became a well-known community leader marrying Emma L. Hartwell in
January of 1880 and fathering 13 children. Like his father, he became a
Deacon in the Congregational Church.
Mr. Adams came to Pittsfield about 1850. In May
of that year he purchased land from
Simon Green on the southerly corner of Green and Chestnut Streets for
$250. Presumably within a short time he erected a house that became the
family homestead and remained in the family until 1970. It is likely
that he constructed the building himself, as he was a carpenter and
machinist by trade.
Deacon Adams
On July 5, 1851 Mr. Adams was admitted to membership in the Congregational Church. In 1856 he was elected Deacon but tendered his resignation in 1861 during the controversy between Reverend Hood and the Burleigh Family. It was not accepted however, and he continued to serve until his death, a total of 37 years. While a member of the church he served as treasurer for at least 15 years and likely more. He also served on the Committee on the Poor for many years and on the Committee to Visit the Sick.
Deacon Adams was also somewhat active in the Congregational Society. He served as moderator of a meeting in April of 1867 and was elected a warden during 1869 and 1873. In 1876 he was chosen to be a member of the Building Committee to plan for the new church after the tragic fire on Valentine's Day that totally destroyed the old wooden building.
Upon his passing, October 16 1893 at the age of 80, he left money that was used to finish the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary. The records of the Church document the esteem in which he was held.
It is with profound sorrow we record the death of Dea. Wm. C. Adams who has been a member of this church since July 5th 1851 over 42 years. He was elected Deacon in 1856 serving in that capacity for 37 years. His life has been one of continued service for the Master. It was very seldom he was absent from the church prayer meeting. The memory of his loving words of advice speaking as he did from a long life of Christian experience will be cherished by all. He was a (sic) earnest and devoted Christian a great worker and giver for missions. He will be greatly missed by all the members of the church.
Deacon Adams is buried in Floral Park Cemetery alongside his
beloved wife Elizabeth who had predeceased him in 1888 at the age of 71.
His son William P. Adams is also buried on the lot along with his wife
and two of his children.
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SOURCES |
Biographical research and written profile by Larry Berkson, Historian, Pittsfield Historical Society |
Adams, Andrew N. Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Massachusetts, and His Descendants; also John Adams of Cambridge, Massachusetts 1632-1897 (Rutland: The Tuttle Co., 1898), pp. 415, 435.
Early Vital Statistics, Pittsfield, New Hampshire, in the possession of the Pittsfield Historical Society. Floral Park Cemetery Records, in the possession of Larry Berkson.
Manual of the Congregational Church, Pittsfield, New Hampshire, May 1, 1899, no place, no publisher, pp. 13-14,37.
Merrimack County Registry of Deeds, Concord New Hampshire, Vol.105, p. 35, May 2, 1850 and Vol. 1081, p. 222, October 16, 1870.
Merrimack County Registry of Probate, Concord, New Hampshire, William C. Adams, 415556. Merrimack County Registry of Probate, Concord, New Hampshire, William P. Adams, 439234.
Records of the Congregational Society of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Book beginning April 19, 1860, in the possession of the Congregational Church.
Records of the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Book beginning January 1, 1855 and book beginning January 1, 1875, in the possession of the Congregational Church.