Adam, with his brothers and sisters, moved from Tippah Co, MS to Itawamba Co, MS in the late 1840's or early 1850's. It is unknown whether their mother, Isabella, accompanied them.

Adam served in Company D, 12th Battalion Mississippi Cavalry from September 7, 1862, to August, 1863. He joined at Warren's Hill, Itawamba County (Captain I J Warren's Company of Partisan Rangers).