ADAMS, Nicholas (c.1565-1628), of Peterchurch, Pemb.

Adams’s grandfather was the first recorded Member for Pembroke Boroughs. His father was also a Member for the constituency, and, as sheriff in 1588, must have been influential in securing his son’s return. The mayor of Pembroke at the time of the election was Adams’s future father-in-law, and Adams himself was still a student at the Middle Temple.

In May 1597 Adams obtained a 21-year lease from the commissioners for the forfeited estates of Sir John Perrot, of the house and lands of Haroldston as well as lands at Robeston in Pembrokeshire. In the following year he brought an action in the Exchequer against Thomas Canon, accusing him of ‘intrusion and ouster’ by detaining deeds of these lands. Seven years later, James Perrot recommended Adams as a suitable magistrate to examine the case of Thomas Canon, suspected of being implicated in the Gunpowder Plot, on the ground that he was one of those ‘least affected to’ Canon.2CSP Dom. 1595-7, p. 427; Augmentations, ed. Lewis and Davies (Univ. Wales Bd. of Celtic Studies, Hist. and Law ser. xiii), 489-90; Exchequer, ed. E. G. Jones (same ser. iv), 307-8; HMC Hatfield, xvii. 555.

Adams was still active in 1626, when the Privy Council instructed him among others to inquire into the use made of the sums levied in the county during the preceding eight years for soldiers sent to Ireland. He died on 22 Oct. 1628. His inquisition post mortem, taken at Pembroke on 2 Jan. 1629, lists Peterchurch and other properties inherited from his father.3APC, xli. 113-14; C142/446/63.