Hi Guys! Adams is a common Melungeon surname and Wise,VA is a center of Melungeon life. I have sent Lisa the information that I have on the Melungeons. I will be glad to send information on these fascinating folks FREE and via e-mail to anyone who would like it. Just e-mail me directly please. NancyS THE MELUNGEON HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT NETWORK: http://www.melungeonhealth.org SPARKS Genealogy: http://SparksGenealogy.net

Adams is more likely a Scots/Scots-Irish name. But that may be several generations back. The name Adams does not appear on the 1857 Wise County, Virginia Land Tax List. [http://www.ls.net/~newriver/va/wise1857.htm] This may mean that they did not own taxable property or that they had not moved into the County yet. Are there any unique first names that might give a clue? Unfortunately, John Adams and, to a lesser extent, Mary Garner, are fairly common names. Phil