Alexander Adams

Rev. Alexander Adams was of English descent. He was born in Bedford county, in 1776, removed to Westmoreland county, where he remained until 1823, when he came to the mouth of Cowanshannock Creek (above Kittanning) and engaged in milling. He afterwards removed, about 1849, to Butler county, in which he died in September, 1859, aged eighty-three years. He was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and lived an exemplary Christian life. He married Esther Armantage, who was a daughter of Benjamin Armantage, of Bedford county, and died in January, 1828, aged thirty-eight years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and left, at her death, a family of ten children.

Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong Counties, 1891, pages 478

Rev. Alexander Adams located in Armstrong Co., Pa. above Kittanning, near the mouth of Cowanshannock Creek, where he engaged in milling. He followed the trade of milling during the week, and on Sundays preached the Gospel. He had been converted to Methodism, and acted as a Lay, itinerant minister. He was very fervent in his belief, and there is a tradition in the family that he traveled around the country on horseback, and often held services in a grove under the trees. Rev. Adams and his wife Esther brought up their children to love the Bible and worship God. 

His wife's surname was "Armitage" not "Armantage" as reported by Wiley. Wiley states that Esther Armitage was born in Bedford County, the daughter of Benjamin Armitage. In fact, she was the daughter of John Armitage of Huntingdon County, Pa., and a descendant of Benjamin Armitage. Esther Armitage was married to the Rev. Alexander Adams prior to 1806, when their first child was born. 

From: My Armitage Family, by Mrs. Raymond (Ruby) Ralston, pub. by the author, Slippery Rock, Pa., April 1986, pp. 145, 146.