This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FdB.2ACE/412.417.418.1.1 Message Board Post: The James Adair I refer to was born in England ca 1709, son of Sir Robert Adair. As a younger son he could not benefit from primogeniture so apparently set off on his own for adventure in the colonies. He landed in Charleston SC in 1735. Now as to who he got his commission from in Charleston. SC was a royal colony with a "Royal Governor"--that is appointed by the Crown. While I could not find exact information I believe that this James Adair, who declared himself originally as a trader, was most like appointed by Governor Thomas Broughton but I am not absolutely sure of that. It would take a bit of research if you ever wish to establish the nature of the appointment.