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CAPTAIN ALEXANDER ADAMS -
1780-1870
Married 1: a relative of Kalaimoku, who died in childbirth.
Married 2: daughter of Isaac Davis, Hawaii
Married 3: ? by whom he had 8 legitimate children.
Altogether he had 15 children.
Came to Oahu, Hawaii in 1811
in the American ship Albatross of Boston, under Captain Winship.
King Kamehameha I's "Little Fleet" was placed under his direction,
consisting of 9 square-rigged vessels and 15 smaller craft.
Kamehameha was kind and generous to him,
giving him one of his own lands, called Niu, and all upon it, situated a
little to the eastward of Diamond Hill; a survey of which is in the
Consulate and Land Commission. He retired to this property after serving
as Honolulu harbor pilot for nearly thirty years.
He was at Kailua, on the Island of Hawaii in 1820 when the first seven
pioneer missionaries with their wives and three Sandwich Islanders
arrived. That was a year after King Rio Rio {Liholiho } (Kamehameha II)
son and successor to Kamehameha I, had destroyed the idols and done away
with heathen tabus. He helped persuade the king to consent to the
missionaries taking up residence in Hawaii. He is said to have inspired
the design of the present Hawaiian flag, putting the Union Jack in the
upper corner.
"A Biographical Dictionary History Makers of Hawaii," by A. Grove Day,
March 1984 by Mutual Publishing of Honolulu states:
Adams, Alexander (1780-1870). Born in Forfarshire, Scotland, Adams went
to sea at the age of 12 and served in the Royal Navy until 1810, when he
arrived in Hawaii on the American ship Albatross. He took up residence
ashore and through the good offices of John Young was placed in command of
the small collection of vessels owned by Kamehameha I. Adams sailed the
king and crew of the brig Kaahumanu to Kauai in 1816 to expel the Russian
filibusters under Georg Anton Scheffer. Adams is supposed to have inspired
the design of the present Hawaii flag, putting the Union Jack in the upper
corner. On a voyage to China in 1817 with a cargo of sandalwood, Adams
was refused entrance to the harbor of Macao because the colors were not
recognized.
Along with Young, Adams advised Kamehameha II to allow the American
missionaries to remain in the kingdom. When the monarch left for England
in 1823, Adams was asked to act as pilot for the port of Honolulu, a post
he held for nearly 30 years. He then retired to his estate of more than
two thousand acres granted to him by Kamehameha I in Kalihi, Oahu. Adams
married three times, twice to daughters of John Harbottle, harbor pilot;
the sisters had been reared at the court of Queen Kaahumanu.
From the book The Builders of Hawaii:
"Intimate friend and confidential advisor of Kamehameha the Great, who
entrusted to him the command of the king's fleet, Capt. Alexander Adams,
the first regular pilot for the port of Honolulu, was one of the most
picturesque figures of that colorful epoch in Hawaiian history when a
pagan monarch ruled the islands in semi-barbaric splendor.
"For some thirty years Capt Adams and his family were close to the
reigning house and in recognition of his services to the crown he and his
heirs were granted a perpetual land holding by King Kamehameha I and his
queen, Kaahumanu, of more than 2,000 acres, extending from the mountains
to the sea, and embracing that portion of Oahu known as Niu, near
Honolulu. Much of this land was valuable, and with it were granted fully
and freely fish and water rights, all other rights, and the country home
of the king and queen. The land grant was still held intact in 1925 by
Mrs. Charles Lucas, a granddaughter of Capt. Adams.
"Adams took the king in the brig 'Kaahumanu' of 260 tons, 16 guns and a
crew of 48 men to Atooi, Kauai, to assist in expelling the Russians from
that island.
"Born in Forfarshire, Scotland in 1780, for 4 years, from the time he was
12 until he passed his 16th birthday, he served as an apprentice on the
brig 'Zephyr,' belonging to Husson & Co., of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He made
two voyages to Calcutta a little later, became second mate and served in
that capacity for eight years on the 'Lancaster.' In 1807 he was drafted
into naval service on the 'Elizabeth' and served on the coasts of Spain
and Portugal until 1810.
"War came between the United States and Great Britain, and refusing to
serve any longer under the American flag, Capt.Adams took up his residence
ashore at Hawaii in 1810 and became a friend of John Young, the favorite
and advisor of Kamehameha I. Shortly thereafter the king's little fleet
was placed under Capt. Adams' command, which during one period of the
sandalwood trade consisted of nine square rigged vessels and 15 smaller
craft.
"When the first missionaries from New England arrived in Hawaii in 1820
they were met by a group of the king's followers, including Capt. Adams.
The monarch was much adverse to allowing the missionaries to land, but was
finally persuaded to do so by Capt. Adams and John Young. He remained in
command of the royal fleet until Kamehameha II sailed for England in 1823,
when the captain was asked to stay in Hawaii, assist the governor and act
as pilot for the port of Honolulu. He held the post for nearly 30 years.
After retirement, he lived at Kalihi, Honolulu, and cultivated fruit.
"He married three times, two of his wives being the Harbottle sisters, who
were reared by Queen Kaahumanu and were favorites at court. According to
his personal account, he was the father of 15 children, eight of whom were
by his third wife. Among his children were Mrs. George Gray, Mrs. William
Auld, William and Isaac Adams, Mrs. C.Phelps, and Mrs. Andrew Bannister."
From the Hawaiian Gazette, 1871, Nov. 1, pg. 2: Adams, Alexander, Capt.:
Died at his residence on Hotel Street, Honolulu, Oct. 27, 1871. Aged
nearly 92 years, native of Scotland, Resident of these islands since
1810. In employ of Kamehameha I and took his brig, the Forrester to China
with Sandalwood. First pilot of Honolulu 1817-1844. Oldest foreign
resident and formerly in the British Navy.
From the Hawaiian Gazette, 1896, June 5 pg. 6: First wife died in child
birth and a relative of Karaimoku (Kalaimoku). Second wife a daughter of
Isaac Davis. Separated after eight years. Third wife (name not given)
still living. Fifteen children, 10 still alive. Testimony of Capt. Adams
before the Land Commission of 1848. Note: Home formerly on corner of
Hotel Street and Adams Lane."
From the family information of Marjorie Kahookele (naia7@hawaii.rr.com)
Occupation: Brig Pilot for the Kaahumanu, formerly the Forrester,
purchased by King Kamehameha in 04-16-1816
Education: 1st Pilot of Honolulu 1817-1844
Note: Capt. Adams left Scotland age 12, worked 4 years aboard "Zephyr"
belonging to Husson & Co. Newcastle on Tyne England. Age 16, left Zephyr,
joined "Calcutta" on the Lancaster for 2 trips. Drafted into Naval service
aboard "Elizabeth" during the Sea battle of Trafalgar, 1805. Possibly
arrived in Hawaii 1809. Anchored in Kawaihae Bay on 01-21-1816, aboard
"Forrester". Purchased with Sandlewood, King Kamehameha made trade with
Adams, and Capt. Ebbetts. Purchase had to be done with the condition that
Adams command the ship. The Forrester's name was changed to "Kaahumanu".
It was mostly a cargo and dispatch vessel. He served for the Hawaiian
Government under Kamehameha, and in 03-07-1817, King Kamehameha Sent Adams
to China on a Sandlewood voyage, crewmembers died while in route due to
changes in climate. While in China, ordered to pay $3000. in port charges.
Upon returning 10-05-1817, Hilo , and hearing of the charges Adams had to
pay, King Kamehameha ordered Hawaii do the same. After 30 years of
piloting, Adams retired, resided in Kalihi and was great host to many.
Adams kept a journal which his notes were taken from and printed in
Honolulu Star Bulltein 05-04-1935. He is noted for the controversy on the
making of the Hawaiian flag and the british jack in the flag. He had three
wives, Sarah "Sally" Davis, daughter of Isaac Davis, Sarah Harbottle
separated after 8 years. Third wife, Charlotte Harbottle(d.09-23-1893),
still lived at the time of his death. He had 15 children and at the time
of his death, 10 were currently alive. Last address was the corner of
Hotel St andAdams Lane in Oahu. Advertiser: 08-27/30-1927 "The Journal of
Alexander Adams "Testimony Before The Land Commission of 1848 Hawaiian
Gazette 1896 June 5, P6. C1.Brittish in Hawaii by Chris Cook Honolulu Star
Bulletin 05-04-1935 p4 "Adventures in the History of Hawaii No.5 Adams,
the "Auld" pilot Hawaiian Gazette 1871 Nov. 1 p2c4
Thanks to
Sandra DiNanni for this information |
