Adam Runkle was of German descent, and Fisher stated that Adam's ancestry was probably related to the Runkels who lived in the Lahn Valley of Germany in the Middle Ages.  It is supposed that, when Adam was about sixteen sometime between 1735 and 1745, he emigrated from Germany to America.  Nothing much is known about Adam until about 1749, when Adam, already married to Mary YOUNGBLOOD, is found living with her on his father-in-law's farm in Old Amwell, New Jersey (near Wertsville).  Mary was the daughter of John YOUNGBLOOD, a prosperous farmer.  We have some information about John from his estate papers.

Sometime between 1755 and 1765, the Adam Runkle family moved to a farm in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  The deed to this 225 acre property, between Mahlon KIRKBRIDE and his wife Mary, of Makefield, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Adam "RUNCLE", was dated 15 Dec 1761.  A transcription of this deed is found in Fisher's book.  Their home still stands near Annandale.  See photos of the house Here.

Adam and Mary had eight children:

1. Mary RUNKLE; (b.c. 1750, Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey)
2. John RUNKLE; (b. 29 Aug 1752, Amwell)
3. William RUNKLE; (b. 1755)
4. Abraham RUNKLE; (b. 14 Jan 1757)
5. Sarah RUNKLE; (b. 15 Feb 1761)
6. Jacob RUNKLE; (b.c. 1763 or 1764, Annandale, Hunterdon County)
7. Margaret RUNKLE; (b. 1765, Annandale)
8. Adam RUNKLE; (b. 18 Jan 1766, Annandale)