Elizabeth's parents were:

James O'Connor, b. 1800 in County Wexford, Ireland and d. 1872 in Santa Clara county, CA. &

Mary Ann Boots (or Bradley), b. abt 1810 (and died after 1860).

In the Jun. 12, 1860 U. S. census, 22 yr. old Elizabeth O'Connor, b. in Canada, was living in Gilroy, Santa Clara, CA. with her

60 yr. old (inferred) father, James O'Connor, a Farmer, b. in Ireland

50 yr. old (inferred) mother, Mary O'Connor, b. in England

20 yr. old (inferred) sister, Jane O'Connor, b. in Canada

17 yr. old (inferred) brother, Martin O'Connor, b. in Canada

16 yr. old (inferred) brother, Thomas O'Connor, b. in Canada

14 yr. old (inferred) brother, Patrick O'Connor, b. in Canada

12 yr. old (inferred) sister, Margaret O'Connor, b. in Canada

10 yr. old (inferred) sister, Catherine O'Connor, b. in Canada

7 yr. old (inferred) sister, Anastasia O'Connor, b. in Canada

James' personal estate was valued at $2,000

On Nov. 29, 1860, William A. (Laird) Adam, a resident of Watsonville & Elizabeth O'Connor, a resident of San Jose, Santa Clara county, CA. were married in San Jose, Santa Clara county, CA., according to CA. Marriages for 1859-1877.

William Laird & Elizabeth Adam's children were:

1. * William Connor Adam, b. Sep. 16, 1861 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, CA. and d. Dec. 16, 1944 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. William marr. Ada Vere Kelley in 1888.

2. * Mary Connor Adam, b. Mar. 4, 1863 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, CA. and d. Jan. 13, 1939 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. Mary never married.

3. * Isabel(le) "Belle" Adam, b. Mar. 21, 1864 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, CA. and d. Jul. 17, 1931 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, CA. Belle marr. Patrick Henry Sheehy.

4. * James Eugene Adam, b. Oct. 15, 1865 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA. and d. Aug. 9, 1910 in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA. James marr. Mary Aloysius Donovan.

5. * Charles Augustus Adam, b. Dec. 20, 1867 in Salinas, Monterey County, CA. and d. Aug. 21, 1923 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. Charles marr. Mary Jane Porter.

6. * Thomas Bernard/Basil Adam, b. Aug. 20, 1870 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. Oct. 12, 1940 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. Thomas marr. Grace Thornburgh.

7. * Anastasia "Anna" Adam, b. Dec. 26, 1871 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. Feb. 23, 1954 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. Anna marr. Isaac "Ike" J. Porter.

8. Margaret Adam

9. * Maggie Adam, b. 1873 and d. 1877.

10. * Kenneth Connor Adam, b. Feb. 7, 1875 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. Feb. 1, 1899 at age 23 of heart failure in Oakland, Alameda County, CA. Kenneth never married.

11. * Katherine Connor "Kate" Adam, b. Nov. 1876 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. Dec. 21, 1928 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Katherine marr. J. A. Rembusch

12. * Carlyle Alexander Adam, b. Mar. 5, 1881 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. May 4, 1952 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA.

13. * Infant Son Adam, b. 1882 and d. 1882.

14. * Infant Daughter Adam, b. 1884–1884

15. * Annie Elizabeth Adam, b. Jan. 1, 1886 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. and d. Nov. 9, 1959 in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA. Annie marr. Charles Leo Preisker.

"From their mother, Bessie Connor, the children received a much lighter heritage. She was an Irish Catholic woman, who was raised to serve and care for others. She was also a woman who brought the laughter, singing and lightness of spirit that was a part of her to the household and children. As a result of her influence, the Adam children gained a reputation for their wit, for their humorous cleverness. So, while William L. was away from the home, his family indulged in singing and laughter, but when he showed up, life once again became a serious business with no time for frivolity."

In the 1870 U. S. census, 31 yr. old Elizabeth Adam, b. in Canada, was keeping house and living in Township 3 (post office: Arroyo Grande), Santa Barbara county, CA. with her

33 yr. old (inferred) husband, Wm L Adam, a Dairyman, b. in Scotland

9 yr. old (inferred) son, William Adam, b. in CA.

8 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Mary Adam, b. in CA.

6 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Isabella Adam, b. in CA.

4 yr. old (inferred) son, James Adam, b. in CA.

1 yr. old (inferred) son, Charles Adam, b. in CA.

William's parents were both of foreign birth.

William's real estate was valued at $1,750 and his personal estate at $825.

*30 yr. old Alexander Adam, a Farmer, b. in CA., was living next door.

In the 1880 U. S. census, 39 yr. old Elizabeth Adam, b. in Canada, was keeping house and living in Guadalupe, Santa Barbara county, CA. with her

48 yr. old husband, William Adam, Stockkeeper and Farmer, b. in Scotland,

18 yr. old son, William Adam, b. in CA.

17 yr. old daughter, Mary Adam, was disabled in some way, but was attending school, b. in CA.

16 yr. old daughter, Isabella Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

14 yr. old son, James Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

12 yr. old son, Charles Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

9 yr. old son, Thomas Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

7 yr. old daughter, Anastaria (Anastasia) Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

6 yr. old son, Kenneth Adam, attending school, b. in CA.

3 yr. old daughter, Catherine Adam, b. in CA.

Elizabeth's father was b. in Ireland and her mother in England.

William Sr.'s parents were both b. in Scotland.

1898: Last Sunday Mrs. W. L. Adam was suddenly stricken with an attack resembling paralysis and is yet in a very dangerous condition. Her children were summoned at once to her side. We would be glad to report an improvement in her condition, but the family give little hope as they report her as gradually sinking.

The Morning Press (Santa Barbara, CA.), P. 5, Col. 2

Thu., May 26, 1898

A PIONEER GONE

Santa Maria Mourns the Death of Mrs. Adam

Santa Maria, May 23

Today witnessed the burial of another pioneer, Mrs. Elizabeth Adam, wife of W. L. Adam, passed to the world beyond Saturday at the family residence west of town after an illness of but a few days, caused by a stroke of paralysis. Mr. and Mrs. Adam were among the first settlers of this valley, and have been prominent factors in its development.

Mrs. Adam was a devout member of the Catholic Church, kind and noble in character, and though of a reserved nature was esteemed by all. She leaves a husband and a large family, most of whom have reached their majority, to mourn their loss. Thus the familiar faces, those to whom we turn for counsel, pass from our midst and leave us to plod the doubtful way.

The Santa Maria Times (Santa Maria, CA.), P. 2, Col. 4

Sat., May 28, 1898

ADAM - Died, at her residence near Santa Maria, Saturday, May 21, 1898, Elizabeth O'Connor beloved wife of William Laird Adam, aged 60 years, 2 months and 15 days.

Mrs. Adam was a native of Frampton, Province of Québec, Canada. She was married to W. L. Adam at San Jose in 1859, and came to this valley ten years later, where she has resided ever since, blessed with a large family of children, of whom ten survive her.

In all the varied relations of life - as wife, mother, friend and neighbor - Mrs. Adam was ever true to a high conception of womanhood, possessing in a marked degree those lovable qualities of disposition which endeared her not only to her own family but to all who were fortunate enough to know her as a friend. Her passing away (due to a paralytic stroke) was calm and peaceful, a fitting ending to a life like hers.

Her funeral took place from the family residence Monday afternoon, and the large attendance testified to the high esteem in which she was held. The deep sympathy of this community goes out to Mr. Adam and his family in their irreparable loss.

One who knew and loved Mrs. Adam well has sent the following as a tribute of affection:

"Light rest the turf above thee,

Friend of my early days;

None knew thee but to love thee,

None named thee but to praise."

Two years after Elizabeth died, in the Jun. 9, 1900 U. S. census, her 63 yr. old husband, a widower (and head of household), Wm L Adam, a Landowner, b. Aug. 1836 in Scotland, was living in a home he owned free and clear in Township 7, Santa Barbara county, CA. with his

37 yr. old unmarried daughter, Mary Adam, b. Mar. 1863 in CA.

29 yr. old unmarried son, Thomas A Adam, a Farmer, b. Aug. 1870 in CA.

22 yr. old unmarried daughter, Kate Adam, b. Nov. 1876 in CA.

19 yr. old son, Carlyle Adam, attending school, b. Mar. 1881 in CA.

14 yr. old daughter, Annie Adam, attending school, b. Jan. 1886 in CA.

William emigrated to the U. S. in 1850 and was now a naturalized citizen.

William's parents were both b. in Scotland.

The mother of all the all of William's children, was b. in Eng. spkg. Canada.

Three years later, on Dec. 14, 1903, Elizabeth's husband, William Laird Adam, died in San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA.