Early settler of Obion County, Lysander ADAMS was a prisoner of war on Johnson’s Island in Lake Erie until 1865 and then returned to Troy. His older brother, Aaron ADAMS, is living with him at the time of the 1850 census.

Their father, Aaron ADAMS, was a Revolutionary veteran who fought with the Green Mountain Boys in Vermont. Aaron died in 1833 and is buried in Campgound Cemetery, Obion Co TN. Marion ADAMS, eldest of Lysander the older, moved to Texas during the 1850’s. Both Aaron and Lysander, the older, are listed on an historical quilt now on display at the Matagorda Museum in Texas. This 1850’s quilt is owned by his Lysander’s descendant, Mrs. M. F. Lanigan of Texas.

This ADAMS family history extends back to members of the Mayflower and the ADAMS of Massachusetts. On 16 March 1825 Troy was located by Rice Williams, John Parr, William Terrell, Joseph Taylor and G. W. ADAMS, commissioners to fix Obion County Seat. Connection of G. W. ADAMS to Lysander & Aaron has not been established. Although, the first store was opened in Troy by Col. Lysander ADAMS, an honored and prominent citizen for more than fifty years. Lysander was heavily engaged in various business enterprises and shipped the first bale of cotton and first hogshead of tobacco from Obion County.

1830 Census: ADAMS, Lysander 20001200001-0100100001

1840 Census: ADAMS, Lysander 0110001-200101

1850 Census (6th Civil Dist. Troy)
ADAMS, Lysander 51 M, NY, Miller
… Lydia 44 F NC
… Marion 23 M TN, Engineer
… Lysander 16 M TN, none
… Sarah 13 F TN
… Henrietta 11 F TN
… William 9 M TN
… Theodore 6 M TN
… Johnathan Coleman 23 M TN, laborer
… James Minton 24 M SC, laborer
… Aaron ADAMS 65 M Vermont, none
… Cyrus Strayhorn 25 M TN, laborer
… Thomas Edwards 18 M TN, laborer