(34) Adams of Shercock

Adams of Shercock

The Adams family of Shercock in Co. Cavan trace their descent from Col. James Adams, who went to Ireland to fight in the Cromwellian army, and who was reputedly a Scot, originally of the name Adam.  He settled in Ulster, probably in Co. Down.  His grandson, James Adams (1673-1744) established the family at Corraneary House (Cavan).  This descended to his son Allen Adams (1708-55) and then his grandson, James Adams (1745-1809), whose elder brother, Richard Adams (1736-89), acquired Shercock House nearby; this passed to his son, Maj. Stuart Adams (1763-1809), but was subsequently abandoned and demolished when his children moved away from the area.  The site of Shercock House was sold and a new Roman Catholic church was built there in 1838.  Richard Adams' daughter, Joyce married her cousin John Adams (1785-1827), and they built a new house, Shinan House, west of Shercock village, probably soon after their marriage in 1806.  They had no children, and Shinan passed to John's brother, Capt. Charles James Adams (1792-1854), and then to his son, Benjamin Samuel Adams (1828-99), who owned an estate of 1,548 acres in 1876.  On Benjamin's death it passed to his son, Charles James Stuart Adams (b. 1864).  Rev. Samuel Adams (1788-1856), another brother of John and Charles James Adams, built Northlands, to the south of Shercock village, in 1822.  Samuel, who became Dean of Cashel in 1828, left the house to his eldest surviving son, John Hervey Adams (1818-71), and it passed in turn to his son, Samuel Allen Adams (1847-1927) and grandson, John Hervey Stuart Adams (1875-1949), who sold it.

Corraneary House, Cavan

Apparently built originally by James Adams (1673-1744).  It appears on maps as a substantial block consisting of two parallel ranges, but nothing is known of its architecture.  It was abandoned in the early 19th century, although remains could apparently still be seen in 1903.  A small house known as Corraneary Lodge now exists near the site. [Any further information or illustrations of this house would be welcome].

Descent: James Adams (1673-1744); to son, Allen Adams (1708-55); to widow, Martha Adams (d. 1807); to son, James Adams (1745-1809); ?to brother, William Adams (1746-1815), who perhaps demolished it.

Shercock House, Cavan

Shercock House was situated near the present village of that name, on the banks of the Muddy Lough. In the 17th century it was the residence of the Piers family, to whom Queen Elizabeth granted the manor of Pierscourt. In 1903 some of the garden wall stiil remained on the lake shore, to the rear of the market house; the drive has been incorporated into the road from Shercock to Canning's town. The house occupied the site of the present Roman
Catholic church, built in 1838. The mansion was allowed to go to ruin early in the
nineteenth century. [Any further information or illustrations of this house would be welcome].

Descent:  sold to Richard Adams (1736-89); to son, Maj. Stuart Adams (1763-1809); to widow, Catherine Adams (d. 1814), after which the house fell into decay and was demolished.

Shinan House, Shercock, Cavan

Shinan House, from a late 19th century painting. Image: Ruth Smart

Shinan House was built for John Adams (1785-1827) on a new site between Muddy Lough and Shinan Lough, probably soon after his marriage in 1806.  The house appears to have been abandoned after the First World War and has been demolished. [Any further information or illustrations of this house would be welcome].

Descent: John Adams (1785-1827); to brother, Charles James Adams (1792-1854); to son, Benjamin Samuel Adams (1828-99); to son, Charles James Stuart Adams (b. 1864), who probably abandoned it after the First World War.

Northlands, Shercock, Cavan

Northlands: the entrance front in snow. Image: Cavan Library Service

A simple two-storey three-bay late Georgian house with a projecting porch, built in 1822 by Rev. Samuel Adams (1788-1856), who became Dean of Cashel in 1828.  The house has been demolished although some outbuildings and remnants of planting remain. [Any illustrations of this house would be welcome].

Descent: Rev. Samuel Adams (1788-1856); to son, John Hervey Adams (1818-71); to son, Samuel Allen Adams (1847-1927); to son, John Hervey Stuart Adams (1875-1949), who sold in early 20th cent.

The Adams family of Shercock

Adams, Col. James (fl. 1645).  Believed to be the son of Charles Adam of Fanno and his wife Isabel Bisset.  Settled in Ulster (perhaps in Co. Down) in the early 17th century.  He married the Hon. Catherine, daughter of Arthur Magennis, 1st Viscount Magennis (d. 1629) and had issue including:
(1) Capt. James Adams (fl. 1690)
His date of death is unknown.

Adams, Capt. James (fl. c.1672-90).  Son of Col. James Adams (fl. 1645) and his wife, the Hon. Catherine, daughter of Arthur Magennis, 1st Viscount Magennis; perhaps born c.1650.  An officer in King William III's army at the Battle of the Boyne, 1690.  He married c.1672 and had issue:
(1) James Adams (1673-1744)
(2) William Adams (d. c.1730); married Joan [surname unknown] and had issue three sons and two daughters.
His date of death is unknown.

Adams, James (1673-1744), of Corraneary House.  Elder son of Capt. James Adams (fl. c.1672-90), born 1673.  He married 1694 Jane (d. 1752), daughter of William Allen of Kilmore (Monaghan) and had issue:
(1) Allen Adams (1708-55)
He purchased or built Corraneary House (Cavan).
He died 19 November 1744, aged 71, and was buried in the churchyard of the old church at Knockbride, near Corraneary.  His widow died 17 March 1752, aged 75.

Adams, Allen (1708-55), of Corraneary House.  Only son of James Adams (1673-1744) and his wife Jane, daughter of William Allen of Kilmore (Monaghan), born 1708.  He married c.1735 Martha (d. 1807), daughter of William Higginbotham esq. (d. 1760), and had issue:
(1) Richard Adams (1736-89) of Shercock House (q.v.);
(2) James Adams (1745-1809) of Corraneary House (q.v.);
(3) William Adams (1746-1805) of Castletown House, m.1, c.1769 Olivia, daughter of Neason Wildridge and had issue 3 sons and 1 daughter, and m.2, 1783, Anna, daughter of Robert Smith of Finglas and widow of George Macdonnell and had issue 1 daughter; died 28 February 1815, aged 69;
(4) Samuel Adams (1750-99) of Dublin, m. 1779 Elizabeth (d. 1802), daughter of Rev. Alexander Leslie and had issue 3 sons and 6 daughters; died 7 June 1799;
(5) Rev. Benjamin Adams (1756-1840) (q.v.);
(6) Margaret Adams, m. Foster Anderson MD (d. 1774) of Cootehill; died without issue;
(7) Jane Adams (d. c.1762), m. 1754 Thomas Bevan of Cootehill and had issue 2s.
He inherited Corraneary House from his father in 1744.
He died 15 December 1755, aged 47 and was buried at Knockbride.  His will was proved 24 January 1756 in Dublin.  His widow died in 1807, reputedly at the age of 105, although the dates of birth of her children suggest she was actually born about 1714, and was therefore about 93.

Adams, Richard (1736-89), of Shercock House.  Eldest son of Allen Adams (1708-55) and his wife Martha, daughter of William Higginbotham esq., born 1736. JP for Co. Cavan; High Sheriff of Cavan, 1783 and Monaghan, 1785.  He married 13 April 1761 Amelia, daughter of Thomas Cosby of Beeks Court (Cavan) and had issue:
(1) Joyce Adams (1761-1835), m. 1806 her cousin, John Adams of Shinan House (1785-1827) (q.v.) but died without issue;
(2) Stuart Adams (1763-1809) (q.v.);
(3) Rev. Allen Noble Adams (1765-1805), born 1765; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1781; BA 1787); ordained deacon, 1788 and priest, 1793; curate of Knockbride, 1788-99 and Killan (now Shercock), 1799-1805; founding Master of Carrickmacross Orange Lodge, 1798; m. June 1791 Isabella (c.1768-1852), daughter of John Battersby of Lakefield (Meath) and had issue 6 sons and 3 daughters including Richard Adams of Drumelton House (1792-1827) and Rear-Admiral John Adams RN (1793-1866); died at Shercock House, March 1805; buried at Knockbride;

(4) James Adams (1767-1815) of Down Lodge; Capt. in Cavan Regiment; High Sheriff of Cavan, 1810; died unmarried, October 1815; buried at Knockbride;
(5) Cosby Adams (1768-1805) of Drum (Monaghan) and later of Dublin; m. 1799 Dorothea (d. 1826), daughter of David Tighe Winslow (who m.2, 1806, Sterling Berry (d. 1828), and had issue), but died without issue;
(6) Amelia Adams (1772-1844), m. 1802 Capt. Robert Molloy Minnitt (d. 1831) and had issue 3 sons and 3 daughters;
(7) William Adams (1775-c.1823); Lt. in the Cavan Regiment (retired 1809); died unmarried about 1823 in Isle of Man;
(8) Alicia Adams (1777-1833), m. 1806 Francis Berry (d. 1864) of Eglish Castle (Offaly) and had issue 2 daughters;
(9) Jane Adams (1786-1801), died unmarried and without issue.
He purchased Shercock House from the Piers family, presumably c.176o-65.
He died after 22 September 1789, aged 53, and was buried at Knockbride.  His will was proved at Dublin 4 February 1790.  His widow survived him for some years, but her date of death is unknown.

Adams, Stuart (1763-1809), of Shercock House and Annaghlee.  Eldest son of Richard Adams (1736-89) and his wife Amelia, daughter of Thomas Cosby of Beeks Court (Cavan), born 1763.  Entered the army, 1780 (Lieutenant, 1782; half-pay 1783); Major and Paymaster in Cavan Regt.  He married 10 May 1789 Catherine (d. 1814), daughter of Hugh Leslie of Dublin, and had issue:
(1) Capt. Richard Stuart Adams (1790-1837) of Ackworth (Yorks), m. 1827 Jane Guest (d. 1837), daughter of Richard Hazelwood of Bridgwater (Somerset), but died without issue; buried at Ackworth;
(2) Catherine Adams (1791-1868), m. William Shepherd (d. 1867) of La Vallee, Bray (Wicklow) and had issue 1 son and 1 daughter; died 22 October 1868;
(3) Henrietta Maria Leslie Adams (d. 1874), m. 1817 William Young (d. 1863) of Copenagh, Tullow (Carlow) and had issue 3 sons and 8 daughters;
(4) Henry Adams (1798-1862) of Liverpool, born January 1798; married or partnered with Sarah Carter (1800-45) and had issue three sons and four daughters; died 9 March 1862.
He inherited Shercock House from his father in 1789, and apparently also owned or rented Annaghlee (Cavan).
He died at Shercock House in 1809 and was buried at Knockbride.  His wife died in Dublin in 1814 but was also buried at Knockbride.

Adams, James (1745-1809) of Corraneary House. Second son of Allen Adams (1708-55) and his wife Martha, daughter of William Higginbotham esq., born 1745.
He inherited Corraneary House from his father in 1755.
He died unmarried and without issue, 15 June 1809, aged 64, and was buried at Knockbride. His will was proved at Dublin, 16 August 1809.

Adams, Rev. Benjamin (1756-1840), of Retreat (Cavan).  Fifth and youngest son of Allen Adams (1708-55) and his wife Martha, daughter of William Higginbotham esq., born 1756.  Rector of Killinick (Wexford).  He married 14 April 1777 Elizabeth (d. 1833), daughter of John Clark of Drogheda (Louth), and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Adams (1779-80), died in infancy;
(2) Elizabeth Adams (b. & d. 1780), died in infancy;
(3) Amelia Adams (b. & d. 1782), died in infancy;
(4) William Allen Adams (1783-84), died in infancy;
(5) John Adams (1785-1827) of Shinan House (q.v.);
(6) Very Rev. Samuel Adams (1788-1856) of Northlands (q.v.);
(7) Charlotte Adams (1789-90), died in infancy;
(8) Charles James Adams (1792-1854) of Shinan House (q.v.);
(9) Matilda Adams (b. & d. 1794)
(10) Caroline Adams (1796-1858), m. John James Archbold Leonard (d. 1858) of Clevemont, Wicklow and had issue 7 sons and 3 daughters.
He died at Retreat, 10 June 1840 and was buried in the old church at Knockbride, but a monument to his memory was erected in the new church.  

Adams, John (1785-1827), of Shinan House.  Eldest surviving son of Rev. Benjamin Adams (1756-1840) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Clark of Drogheda; born 16 May 1785.  High Sheriff of Cavan, 1811 and a JP for the county; Hon. Freeman of Drogheda, 1814.  He married 2 November 1806 his cousin, Joyce (1761-1835), daughter of Richard Adams of Shercock House (q.v.), but died without issue.
He built Shinan House at Shercock, probably soon after his marriage in 1806.
He died in February 1827 and was buried at Shercock.  His will was proved at Kilmore.

Adams, Very Rev. Samuel (1788-1856) of Northlands.  Third son of Rev. Benjamin Adams (1756-1840) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Clark of Drogheda; born 15 February 1788.  Educated at Portora School, Enniskillen and Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1808, MA 1829); JP for Cavan and Monaghan; honorary freeman of Drogheda, 1819; ordained deacon, 1812 and priest, 1814; curate of Dramgoon, 1812-14; rector of Aughrim, 1814; Dean of Cashel, 1829; author of A comparative view of the Anglican and Roman Churches, 1836.  He married 4 January 1809 Frances (d. 1869), youngest daughter of John Harvey of Killiane Castle (Wexford) and had issue:
(1) Dorothea Anne Adams (1810-64), m. 1833 Le Chevalier Charles Augustus Ludolf Zander of Munich and had issue 2 sons and 2 daughters;
(2) Elizabeth Frances Adams (1812-65), m. 1833 Lt. John J.D. Macdonald of 47th Regt. and had issue 1 son and 1 daughter;
(3) Caroline Matilda Adams (1814-67), m. 1837 Thomas R. Barry, Inspector in Royal Irish Constabulary, and had issue 1 son and 8 daughters;
(4) Benjamin WIlliam Adams (1816-22), died young;
(5) John Harvey Adams (1818-71) of Northlands (q.v.);
(6) Charles Stuart Adams (1820-76) of Glynch House, Newbliss (Monaghan), JP; m.1, Eliza (d. 1860), daughter of Charles McMahon of Rockfield (Monaghan) and had issue 4 sons, and m.2, 1862, Jane Henrietta (d. 1888), daughter of General Young and had issue 3 sons and 7 daughters;
(7) Rev. Dr. Benjamin William Adams DD (1827-86), rector of Santrey, m.1, 1854, Georgina Roberts (d. 1863), daughter of John Drew Atkin of Ballymore (Cork) and Castle Park, Dalkey  (Dublin) and had issue 1 son and 2 daughters, and m.2 Louisa Jane (d. 1930), daughter of William O'Brien Adams MD and had issue 2 sons and 1 daughter; died 26 June 1886.
He build Northlands at Shercock in 1822.
He died 7 December 1856, aged 68, and was buried in the old church at Knockbride; there is a white marble monument to him in Shercock (alias Killan) church.

Adams, John Harvey (1818-71) of Northlands.  Eldest surviving son of Very Rev. Samuel Adams (1788-1856) and his wife Frances, daughter of John Harvey of Killiane Castle (Wexford), born 28 April 1818.  Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1834); called to the Bar, 1842; High Sheriff of Cavan, 1854.  He married first, 30 April 1846, Elizabeth Frances (d. 1867), daughter of Ambrose Going of Ballyphilip (Tipperary), and second, 24 September 1869, Sarah Mary, daughter of Lt. Col. Owen Lloyd Ormsby (who m.2, Edward Gibbs Poingdestre of Granville Manor, Jersey and had further issue 1 son), and had issue:
(1.1) Samuel Allen Adams (1847-1927) (q.v.);
(1.2) Ambrose Going Adams (1850-88), m. 1872 Anne Jane Foster (d. 1927), daughter of Rev. William Watkins Deering and had issue 2 daughters; 
(1.3) Margaret Maud Anne Adams (d. 1932), m. 1871 Ormsby Colville McClintock Jones (d. 1920), of Mount Edward (Sligo) and had issue 4 sons;
(1.4) Elizabeth Frances Harvey Adams (d. 1930), m. 1872 Robert Edward Follet Jones (d. 1940), son of Maj. James Jones, and had issue 4 sons and 1 daughter.
He inherited Northlands from his father in 1856.
He died 8 May 1871 and was buried in the old church at Knockbride.

Adams, Samuel Allen (1847-1927) of Northlands and Consilla Lodge.  Elder son of John Harvey Adams (1818-71) of Northlands and his first wife Elizabeth Frances, daughter of Ambrose Going of Ballyphilip (Tipperary), born 1 March 1847.  Served as Lt. in South Tipperary Artillery, 1869-71.  He married 13 June 1871 Frances Dorothea (d. 1926), daughter of Rev. Decimus William Preston, rector of Killinkere, and had issue:
(1) Emily Maude Elizabeth Adams (1873-91); died unmarried;
(2) John Hervey Stuart Adams (1875-1949), of Northlands (which he sold), born 30 December 1875; m. 21 May 1930 Louisa Peers (d. 1952), daughter of J. Craig-Bate de Lisle Adams, but died without issue;
(3) Samuel Allen Adams (1882-1916), Lieutenant in Royal Navy, born 11 April 1882; m. 1905 Eleanor Gibson (d. 1973) and had issue; killed in action, 1916;
(4) Felicia Preston Adams (d. 1887); died young;
(5) Frances Dorothea Kathleen Adams (b. & d. 1887), died in infancy;
(6) Rev. Ambrose Douglas Adams (b. 1889), born 9 May 1889; m.1, 1923 Ida Modwyn (d. 1926), daughter of Rear-Adm. Charles William Winnington-Ingram and m.2, 1941, Mabel Helen Joyce, daughter of Henry James Pierce of Christchurch, New Zealand, and had issue;
(7) Angelina Oliver Mildred Adams (d. 1964), died unmarried and without issue;
(8) Mary Henrietta Mabel Adams (d. 1946), m. 1914 Rev. Thomas Wills;
(9) Hazel Gertrude Adams (d. 1940), died unmarried.
He inherited Northlands from his father in 1871, but in 1903 was living at Consilla Lodge.  After his death Northlands passed to his eldest son, who sold it.
He died 29 August 1927.  His will was proved 4 February 1928 (effects £701 in England).

Charles James Adams (1792-1854)

Adams, Charles James (1792-1854), of Shinan House.  Fourth and youngest son of Rev. Benjamin Adams (1756-1840) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Clark of Drogheda, born 29 April 1792.  Entered the Royal Navy, 1807 (mate, 1813; half-pay Lieutenant, 1815) and saw extensive action in the Mediterranean; honorary freeman of Drogheda, 1819; High Sheriff of Cavan, 1833.  He married 29 September 1821 Anne Jane (d. 1834), daughter of Capt. William Foster of Dowdstown (Louth), and had issue (with three children who died in infancy):
(1) Rebecca Horatia Adams (c.1822-86), m. 1841, Maj. Thomas Coote (d. 1858) of Brandrum (Monaghan) and had issue 5 sons and 2 daughters;
(2) Elizabeth Adams (c.1823-88), m. 1841 Rev. William Watkins Deering (d. 1870) and had issue 4 sons and 4 daughters;
(3) Caroline Martha Adams (d. 1877), m. 1851 Edgar Robert Bredin (d. 1878) of Ontario Lodge (Cavan) and had 5 sons and 4 daughters;
(4) Benjamin Samuel Adams (1828-99) (q.v.);
(5) Anne Jane Adams (d. 1900), m. 1853 Rev. Stephen Radcliff and had issue 5 sons and 4 daughters;
(6) William John Adams (1831-52), died unmarried;
(7) Charles James Adams (1832-57), of Farm Hill (Monaghan); died unmarried.
He inherited Shinan House from his elder brother in 1827.
He died suddenly, while walking before dinner in the garden at Shinan House, 23 August 1854, aged 62, and was buried in the old church at Knockbride.

Adams, Benjamin Samuel (1828-99), of Shinan House.  Eldest son of Charles James Adams (1792-1854) and his wife Anne Jane, daughter of Capt. William Foster of Dowdstown (Louth), born 22 June 1828.  Entered the Army, 1847 (Lieutenant, 1852; retired, 1856), and served with distinction in Kaffir War.  High Sheriff of Cavan, 1866.  He married first, 10 September 1856, Georgina Charlotte (d. 1871), daughter of Rev. George Hickson, vicar of Magheraclooney, and second, 17 September 1873 Jeanie Holmes (d. 1876), daughter of Dr. George Montgomery of  Dublin, and third, at Neuchatel (Switzerland), 26 November 1877, her sister Elizabeth Stanley (1850-88), daughter of Dr. George Montgomery, and had issue:
(1.1) Charlotte Adams (1859-60), died in infancy;
(1.2) Charlotte Georgina Adams (1860-80), died unmarried, 28 August 1880;
(1.3) Charles James Stuart Adams (b. 1864), m. 1890 Amy Breda, youngest daughter of William Baring Stevenson of Balladoole (Isle of Man);
(1.4) Anna Sophia Adams (b. c.1865), m. 1885 Alexander Nixon Montgomery of Dublin
(1.5) Georgina Charlotte Adams (c.1867-94), died unmarried 18 March 1894;
(1.4) George Hickson Adams (b. 1868);
(1.5) William John Adams (b. 1870).
(2.1) Azaline Elizabeth Montgomery Adams (d. 1876), died young;
(2.2) Jane Holmes Montgomery Adams (1877-88), died young;
(3.1) Caroline Elizabeth Stanley Adams;
(3.2) Mona Adams;
(3.3) Richard Allen Alexander Adams (1886-1918), served in WW1 in Manitoba Regt., Canadian Infantry; killed in action 11 April 1918.
He inherited Shinan House from his father in 1854.  At his death it passed to his eldest son, who subsequently sold it.
He died 3 June 1899.  His will was proved at Dublin, 5 September 1899 (effects in England £2,049).

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Rear-Admiral John Adams

Charles James Adams

The owner of these two portraits of Charles James Adams (1792-1854) and Rear-Admiral John Adams (1793-1866) no longer requires them. If any member of the family would like to acquire them, please get in touch with me using the contact form in the right-hand side bar and I will put you in touch with the owner.

Sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1925, supplement, pp. 1-2; M.R.W.P. Adams, A genealogical history of the family of Adams of Cavan etc., 1903; M. Bence-Jones, A guide to Irish country houses, 2nd edn, 1988, p. 226; http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/cgi-bin/viewsite.cgi?siteid=5754

Where are their papers?

Adams family of Northlands: no significant archive is known to survive.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 5 May 2013, and was revised 6 June 2017, 4 September 2019, 9 June and 16 November 2021, and 24 September 2023. I am most grateful to Sandra Frankle, Gerry McKenna and Jonathan Smyth for additional information, and to Ruth Smart for the picture of Shinan House.