Roger Atkinson Adams was born on July 22, 1846, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the son of Rev. Thomas Adams and Elizabeth Withers (1815–1871). After the death of his parents, he came under the guardianship of Dr. Thomas Withers (1808–1879). Both his mother and guardian are buried in Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia, where Roger would also later be laid to rest. He never married.
Adams attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) from 1862 to 1865. During the Civil War, he served as a cadet private in Company A and took part in the Battle of New Market in 1864. He remained with the VMI Corps of Cadets until it was disbanded, and by 1865 he had attained the rank of cadet sergeant. At the time the corps was dissolved at Alams House in Richmond, he was a second-class cadet.
Following the war, Adams entered the hardware business, working from 1865 to 1872 with the Baltimore firm of Hopkins, Harden & Kemp. In 1871, he also served as superintendent of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Baltimore. Struggling with poor health, he undertook a trip to South America in hopes of recovery. Sadly, he died there on September 9, 1871, at the age of 24. His remains were returned to Virginia and interred at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg.
Obituary for Roger Atkinson Adams
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. Roger Atkinson Adams, a young gentleman of promise and integrity, who passed away on September 9, 1871, while traveling in South America in search of improved health. He was only twenty-four years of age.
Mr. Adams was born on July 22, 1846, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the son of Rev. Thomas Adams and Mrs. Elizabeth Withers Adams. After the loss of his parents, he came under the guardianship of his kinsman, Dr. Thomas Withers of Petersburg, both of whom, along with Mr. Adams himself, now rest in Blandford Cemetery.
He received his education at the Virginia Military Institute, where he was a faithful and courageous member of the Corps of Cadets during the late war. As a Cadet Private in Company A, he took part in the Battle of New Market in 1864 and continued with the Institute until its disbandment in 1865, by which time he had attained the rank of Cadet Sergeant.
After the close of the war, Mr. Adams entered business life, joining the firm of Hopkins, Harden & Kemp, a respected hardware establishment in Baltimore, Maryland. He was also connected with St. Peter's Catholic Church in that city, serving as its Superintendent in 1871.
Mr. Adams was known for his honorable character, gentle disposition, and devotion to duty. His early death has brought sorrow to his many friends and to all who knew him. His remains have been returned to his native Virginia, where he now lies at rest in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg.
Though his life was brief, it was marked by service, faithfulness, and integrity — qualities that will long be remembered by those who had the privilege of his acquaintance.
Adams attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) from 1862 to 1865. During the Civil War, he served as a cadet private in Company A and took part in the Battle of New Market in 1864. He remained with the VMI Corps of Cadets until it was disbanded, and by 1865 he had attained the rank of cadet sergeant. At the time the corps was dissolved at Alams House in Richmond, he was a second-class cadet.
Following the war, Adams entered the hardware business, working from 1865 to 1872 with the Baltimore firm of Hopkins, Harden & Kemp. In 1871, he also served as superintendent of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Baltimore. Struggling with poor health, he undertook a trip to South America in hopes of recovery. Sadly, he died there on September 9, 1871, at the age of 24. His remains were returned to Virginia and interred at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg.
Obituary for Roger Atkinson Adams
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. Roger Atkinson Adams, a young gentleman of promise and integrity, who passed away on September 9, 1871, while traveling in South America in search of improved health. He was only twenty-four years of age.
Mr. Adams was born on July 22, 1846, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the son of Rev. Thomas Adams and Mrs. Elizabeth Withers Adams. After the loss of his parents, he came under the guardianship of his kinsman, Dr. Thomas Withers of Petersburg, both of whom, along with Mr. Adams himself, now rest in Blandford Cemetery.
He received his education at the Virginia Military Institute, where he was a faithful and courageous member of the Corps of Cadets during the late war. As a Cadet Private in Company A, he took part in the Battle of New Market in 1864 and continued with the Institute until its disbandment in 1865, by which time he had attained the rank of Cadet Sergeant.
After the close of the war, Mr. Adams entered business life, joining the firm of Hopkins, Harden & Kemp, a respected hardware establishment in Baltimore, Maryland. He was also connected with St. Peter's Catholic Church in that city, serving as its Superintendent in 1871.
Mr. Adams was known for his honorable character, gentle disposition, and devotion to duty. His early death has brought sorrow to his many friends and to all who knew him. His remains have been returned to his native Virginia, where he now lies at rest in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg.
Though his life was brief, it was marked by service, faithfulness, and integrity — qualities that will long be remembered by those who had the privilege of his acquaintance.
Bringing the