Adams County, Location

Adams County

Formed 10 July 1797, 587 square miles
Parent counties: Hamilton, Washington

Evolution of county from date of formation until it assumed its final form
10 Jul 1797: Erected and organized
20 Aug 1798: Diminished by formation of Ross
1 Sep 1798: Part of Hamilton attached
1 May 1803: Diminished by formation of Scioto
1 May 1805: Diminished by formation of Highland
1 Feb 1815: Diminished by formation of Pike
1 Mar 1817: Diminished by formation of Brown

Adams was the first county formed in the Virginia Military District of Ohio, and was the third formed in the state. Adams lost land to Brown, Highland, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Gallia counties. 

The original county seat was located in Manchester but there were no court facilities. The first official county seat was located in Adamsville in 1798. In 1804 the county seat was removed to West Union. A courthouse fire in 1910 did not destroy all the records. Some of those saved date back as early as 1796.

Federal Population schedules extant from 1820 - 1940 (1890 missing) 

Non-population schedules:
1820 Manufacturers; 1850 Agricultural; 1850 Industry; 1860 Agricultural; 1860 Mortality; 1870 Agricultural; 1870 Industry; 1880 Mortality

Townships:
Byrd, Eagle, Franklin, Green, Huntington, Jefferson, Liberty, Manchester, Meigs, Monroe, Oliver, Scott, Sprigg, Tiffin, Wayne, and Winchester.

Archival District: University of Cincinnati, Archives & Rare Books, Blegen Library

Courthouse:
110 W. Main St., West Union, Ohio 45693
http://www.adamscountyoh.com/


Adams County Historical Society:
507 N. Cherry St., West Union, Ohio 45693
937.544.8522

Jana Broglin, CG, OGSF
Swanton, Ohio
mailto:jana@janabroglin.com