ELIZABETH HOLBROOK ADAMS FAMILY 309 Elizabeth Holbrook Adams was the second of thirteen known children born to Ezekiel Holbrook and his two wives. Elizabeth's mother was the first wife, Susannah Gross (Grose. Crouse). Born in 1823, Elizabeth was busy during her youthful years helping her mother care for and ever-expanding family. There is no doubt that Elizabeth became the number one helper in this home. Characteristic of the women of her day. Elizabeth received very little formal education. In fact, Elizabeth was eighteen years old before the first public school was organized in Wilkes County. The Wilkes County School Census of 1841 and 1842 show that Elizabeth, as well as six brothers and sisters, were enrolled both years in School District number sixty-two, which was located at Dockery. Since she was eighteen years old when she enrolled in school, she had little time to learn the basic educational skills taught in that day. Elizabeth Holbrook was married to William Rufus Adams 2 April t850, the ceremony taking place in the Adams home. Her husband, born 15 May 1828 to Sally Higgins and Chapman Adams, attended school in districts number twenty-seven. Since school sessions were never more than three months in any given year prior to the Civil War, it seems reasonable to assume that a working knowledge of the three R's was about all the education that both Elizabeth and Rufus were able to get during those difficult years. Elizabeth and Rufus lived to see nine of their eleven children reach maturity. They were, 1) Martha Jane Adams, born 4 May 1851, died 4 November 1924. She married William Johnson and had Cromie, who married Ennice Dowell; Plutina, who never married; Martha, who married Jim Felts; Mary, who married John Billings; Jane who married Curtis Burcham; Rhoda, who married Dock Harold; and John, who married Minnie HalI Shumate. 2) Celia Ann Adams was born 22 ApriI, 1852 married William Franklin Gregory (see William Franklin Gregory family). 3) Susie Adelaide Adams, born 2 April 1954 died 3 July 1929. She married Smith Ellis and had two children, Claude who married Etta McCader, and Sherman. 4) Rubin Oliver Adams, born 24 April 1858, married Selina Blackburn, daughter of James and Diana Waddell Blackburn. Their children were Shover, who married Millie Whitley; Ila, who never married; wheeler who married Lollie Whitley. Rubin Oliver Adams died 11 December 1940. His wife, Diane died 7 February 1948 and both are buried at New Covenant Church. 5) Franklin Verlin Adams, born 1860, married Launa Waddell and had the following children: Hester Ann who married Shober McQuary; Ivy who married Janie Maynard; Melvin who married Edna Taylor; Cuba, who married Kathrine Spangler; Talmage who married Roxie Harmon; Leavy, who married Willis Mahaffey; and Vert, who married first John Scott and second, Thurman Martin. All members of this family moved to West Virginia, except Hester Ann. 6) Huanzy Adams, born 26 October 1861, died 19 July 1953. He married Mary Ellen Hutchison, daughter of William E. and Martha Hall Hutchison and had the following children: Lona who married Monroe Billings; Ella who married Timothy Elledge; Walsie who married Iredell Watkins; Arthur who left the state; Mattie and Luellen who died young. 7) William Ansel Adams born 29 October 1863, died 3 January 1936. He married Martha Handy, daughter of Noel and Emily Waddell Gregory Handy and had the following children: Dona, who married a Mr. Craven and lived near Flint Hill; Tarnie who married Gertie Byrd, daughter of George and Polly Byrd and lived in Bluestone, West Virginia; Dewey who married and lived in Detroit; Odeti, who married Laura Martin and lived in Bluestone, West Virginia; Lessie who married Lynn Bauguess; Lora, who married Ernest Brewer; and Coy, who married Alma Gregory, daughter of John Franklin and LouEIlen Shepherd Gregory. 8) John Quincy Adams, born 1866, died 1960. He married Emma Miles and had no children. They lived and died in or near Statesville. 9) Mary Pauline Adams, the last child born, arrived 9 September 1869 and died 3 May 1953. She married Everette Hutchison, son of William E. and Martha Hall Hutchison and had the following children: Ronda, who married Grace Church; Hillery, who married Mae Bauguess; Crommie, who married Mattie Brown and was subsequently killed by Lewis Johnson: Mack, who married Rosa Adams; and Etta who married Laude Bowers and had nine children. Elizabeth Holbrook Adams and her husband, William Rufus Adams were hard working middle-class citizens. They lived on Shumate Mountain and spent their lives there conjuring out a living from the hills and valleys, which surrounded their home. Both Elizabeth and Rufus were very religious and both were active members of the church. Rufus joined Round Mountain Baptist Church 3 October 1896 where his membership remained until his death. His obituary, written in 1907, gives some of his last words and they speak of the faith of this Godly man" I have fought a good fight. I would not give the hope I have for ten thousand such worlds as this. I am going away to that glory land where friends will part no more”. Elizabeth Holbrook Adams died quietly in her home 24 February 1907 and her husband died 28 February 1907, just four days after his wife had passed away. Both were buried in the Miles Cemetery on the middle fork of Roaring River near the home of Reid Miles. Sources: Family Bible, personal interview with Ila Adams, granddaughter, Wilkes County marriage records, census records, Grave markers and personal knowledge. -- Paul W. Gregory The Heritage of Wilkes Co., North Carolina, Greensboro Public Library, Greensboro, North Carolina. NC 975.682, H54. 1 1