Documenting the American South

Doc South header logo Home
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes banner

Source:  James Robert Adair Marker, Rowland. Photo courtesy of http://www.findagrave.com

  • Monument Name

    James Robert Adair, Rowland

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Colonial History

  • City

    Rowland

  • County

    Robeson

  • Description

    The marker is a simple granite slab with rusticated finish except for most of the front face which has a smooth finish with incised inscription.

    Images: Far-off view

  • Inscription

    JAMES ROBERT / ADAIR M.D. / PIONEER PHYSICIAN, / PATRIOT AND AUTHOR / OF “HISTORY OF / AMERICAN INDIANS,” / PUBLISHED IN 1775, / LONDON, ENGLAND. / THIS MARKER IS ERECTED / BY THE NORTH CARO- /LINA SOCIETY OF / COLONIAL DAMES OF / AMERICA

  • Custodian

    Ashpole Presbyterian Church

  • Dedication Date

    August 2, 1934

  • Decade

    1930s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    34.549740 , -79.310120 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      Adair, James. The History of the American Indians... (London: Edward & Charles Dilly, 1775) (accessed April 12, 2016) Link

      Smith, Maud Thomas. “Adair, James Robert,” NCpedia.org, (accessed April 12, 2016) Link

      “Dr. James Robert Adair,” Find A Grave, findagrave.com, (accessed May 12, 2023) Link

      “Marker to James Robert Adair to Be Unveiled at Rowland August 2,” The Robesonian (Lumberton, NC), July 23, 1934

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite

  • Sponsors

    North Carolina Society of Colonial Dames of America

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    Governor John C. B. Ehringhaus was scheduled to deliver the speech of acceptance and Dr. A.R. Newson was to deliver the keynote address.

  • Subject Notes

    James Robert Adair is famous for writing The History of the American Indians (first published in 1775), in which he tried to prove that Native Americans were the lost tribes of Israel. The marker also has Adair as a medical doctor but there is scant evidence that he actually practiced medicine.

    Ashpole Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located near Rowland, Robeson County, North Carolina. It was built between 1860 and 1865, and is a two-level, three bay by five bay, Greek Revival style frame church. Adair is buried somewhere near the church but the exact location of his grave is unknown.

    [Additional information from NCpedia editors at the State Library of North Carolina: This person enslaved and owned other people. Many Black and African people, their descendants, and some others were enslaved in the United States until the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865. It was common for wealthy landowners, entrepreneurs, politicians, institutions, and others to enslave people and use enslaved labor during this period. To read more about the enslavement and transportation of African people to North Carolina, visit https://aahc.nc.gov/programs/africa-carolina-0. To read more about slavery and its history in North Carolina, visit https://www.ncpedia.org/slavery. - Government and Heritage Library, 2023.]

  • Location

    The marker stands on the front lawn of Ashpole Presbyterian Church to the right of the front entrance. The church address is 192 Ashpole Church, Rowland, NC

Icon for reporting missing/incorrect information Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.