James Adair (historian)

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James Adair (circa 1709-1783) was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, who came to North America, and became a trader with the Native Americans of the southern states. He resided in their country forty years, beginning in 1735, and was almost entirely cut off from the outside world, and from the year 1744 he resided chiefly among the Chickasaw.

In 1751, Adair moved to Laurens County, South Carolina. He published a very elaborate work on their manners, endeavouring to prove them descended from the Jews. It is entitled The History of the American-Indians, particularly those Nations adjoining the Mississippi, East and West Florida, South Carolina, &c. London, 4to. 1775; but the work has been distrusted, although Dr. Boudinot, in his Star in the West, has adopted its views.

[edit] References

1. Rose, Hugh James [1853] (1857). A New General Biographical Dictionary, London: B. Fellowes et al.

• Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1967.