Benjamin Adams (1749-1824) and His Relatives Who Fought in the American Revolution

Washington and Lafayette at the Battle of Brandywine. John Vanderlyn, early 19th century. Original in the collection of the Gilcrease Museum.

My 6x-great-grandfather twice over Benjamin Adams¹ was born about 1749 in Fairfax Co., Virginia, and married Henrietta Caudill (1753-1836). He was a Private in the 7^th regiment of the Virginia Continental Line. Though he was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, he fought in the Revolution until 1779. He is NSDAR Patriot #A002465.

Between 1810 and 1817, Benjamin and Henrietta relocated to Perry County, Kentucky, where he died in 1824.

And he wasn’t the only one in his family to serve in the Continental Army.

Benjamin’s brother Jacob Adams was born about 1753 in Fairfax Co., Virginia (d. 1833). Unlike his brother, he relocated prior to the war. He served in Maryland during the American Revolution and is NSDAR Patriot #A000511.

Jacob married widow Mary “Polly” (Stamper) Towson (1756-1823) in Rowan Co., North Carolina, in 1777. Their son John served under Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812.

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Benjamin’s brother-in-law Absalom Caudill was born October 7, 1757 (traditionally his birthplace has been Virginia). He was a Private in Captain Roan’s Company under Colonel Clark of North Carolina (NSDAR Patriot #A023690). He remained in North Carolina until his death in 1846.

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Benjamin’s daughter Sarah, who was born about 1777, was the second wife of a veteran of the Revolution, Stephen Caudill. Stephen had been born in Virginia in 1763 but served in two companies out of North Carolina. He is NSDAR Patriot #A023692. Stephen and Sarah relocated to Perry County, Kentucky, around the same time as Benjamin and Henrietta.

Stephen’s brother was also Benjamin’s brother-in-law - James Caudill, Jr. was born in Virginia in 1753 and married Mary Adams in North Carolina before the war. He then fought alongside his younger brother in two different companies out of North Carolina (NSDAR Patriot #A023691). They also relocated to Kentucky, likely part of the Spencer Adams wagon train (the undertaking of Benjamin’s brother).

1. Paternal grandmother’s line: Alice England, daughter of Silas England, son Sarah Holbrook, daughter of Benjamin Holbrook, son of Randolph Holbrook, son of Elizabeth Adams, daughter of Benjamin Adams. Paternal grandfather’s line: Alfred Prater, son of Dave Prater, son of Zilpha Jane Holbrook, daughter of Benjamin Holbrook, son of Randolph Holbrook, son of Elizabeth Adams, daughter of Benjamin Adams.