Barton St David, a small village in Somerset, can trace its lineage to five US presidents. Henry Adams, born in the village in 1583, was the great, great, great grandfather of both John Quincy Adams (sixth president) and John Adams (second president of the US). Emigrating to the US with other puritan pilgrims, Adams settled in Braintree, Massachusetts after being taken to court by a landowner in Barton St David for failure to pay a debt of animals after his father had died in the village.
Another branch of the family tree can be traced through Henry Adams’ marriage to Edith Squire, the daughter of Henry Squire, and the daughter of a reverend in Charlton Mackrell. Twelve generations later, the lineage leads to Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States. Anne Squire, Edith’s sister, married Aquilla Purchase, leading to Millard Fillmore, the 13th president. Margaret Squire, another sister, married John Shephard, leading to William Howard Taft, the 27th president.
Barton St David has a population of around 600 people and a 12th century church. It receives various requests from Americans with the surname Adams, looking to visit the village and see the plaque that celebrates the two men who once lived there. Despite the family’s notable achievements, their ancestor Henry Adams was merely a tenant farmer who had lands in Barton St David and Charlton Mackrell.
John Adams is considered one of the Founding Fathers and the first vice-president of the United States. He campaigned heavily against slavery and was the first occupant of the White House. Despite his significant placement in US history, his connection to Barton St David and the four other presidents on his family tree are an unusual footnote in the family’s story. King George III’s infamous quip “John Adams? Good luck!” from the musical Hamilton highlights the president’s often-overlooked role in American history
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