John Adams (mutineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Adams
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John Adams
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| Born | 4 July 1767 |
| Died | 5 March 1829 (aged 61) |
| Occupation | Sailor |
| Spouse(s) | Teio, Vahineatua |
| Children | Dinah, Rachel, Hannah and George Adams |
John Adams, also known as Jack Adams, lived from 1767 to 1829. He was the last person alive from the famous Bounty mutiny. He settled on Pitcairn Island in January 1790. This was the year after the mutiny happened. His real name was John Adams. But he used the name Alexander Smith for a while. He was discovered in 1808 by Captain Mayhew Folger. Captain Folger was from the American whaling ship Topaz. John Adams' children later used the last name "Adams".
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Life on Pitcairn Island
The mutineers from Bounty and their Tahitian friends settled on Pitcairn Island. They burned the Bounty ship there. Today, only some heavy stones from the wreck remain in Bounty Bay. The settlers learned to live by farming and fishing. However, their first years on the island were very difficult. There was a lot of conflict among the group.
Building a Peaceful Community
After some time, John Adams and another mutineer named Young took charge. This was around 1793. They decided to use the ship's Bible as a guide. They wanted to create a new, peaceful society. Adams and Young became Christians. They taught the children to read and write using the Bible.
Young sadly died in 1800 from a sickness. But Adams kept working to educate the women and children. The people of Pitcairn Island became Christians. Later, in the 1890s, they changed their Christian beliefs to Adventism. This happened after a successful mission visited the island.
Rediscovery and Forgiveness
The American ship Topaz was the first to find Pitcairn Island again. This happened in 1808. John Adams was later given amnesty for his part in the mutiny. This meant he would not be punished.
On December 17, 1825, Adams married a woman named Teio. She was also known as 'Mary'. Teio had already given birth to Adams' only son, George Adams, in 1804.
John Adams' Legacy
John Adams' grave is on Pitcairn Island. It is the only known grave of a Bounty mutineer. His original grave marker was made of wood and covered in lead. It was taken to Britain. You can now see it at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. A new headstone was placed on his grave.
The main town and capital of Pitcairn Island is named after him. It is called Adamstown.
Images for kids
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Descendants of the mutineers John Adams and Matthew Quintal on Norfolk Island, 1862. From left to right: John Adams (1827–1897), son of George Adams; John Quintal (1820–1912), son of Arthur Quintal; George Adams (1804–1873), son of John Adams; Arthur Quintal (1795–1873), son of Matthew Quintal
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1831 engraving of John Adams' Wooden House Pitcairn Island
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1849 painting of John Adams' Wooden House and grave Pitcairn Island
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1908 photograph of Wooden House Built by the Mutineers of the 'Bounty,' Pitcairn Island
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The grave of John Adams on Pitcairn Island
