Adam Wayland was born 12 Apr 1723. There are many references to his birth of Culpeper County, but the County was not formed until 1749. Likely, he was born in Orange County, in what was later called Culpeper.

Son of Thomas Wayland (1681 Germany-1748 Virginia) and Maria Barbara Seppach (1696 Germany-about 1791 Virginia) who came to America in 1719, and was part of the Germanna Colony in Virginia. Some records states the family came as part of the 1717 Second Germanna Colony but likely in 1719. In 1725, most of the second colony moved 20 miles further west to the Robinson River area in what is now Madison County, Virginia. At the time, the land was free.
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At the time of Adam's will, he had six children of his first wife, Elizabeth Blankenbaker (1725-1775, md 1754 or before) and she was pregnant. Not long after Elizabeth's death, Adam remarried, Maria "Mary" Finks (born abt 1742 to 1758-1830). They had a boy and girl at the time of his death. Adam's first wife died of small pox during her pregnancy. These children are:

First wife, Elizabeth:
Elizabeth (ca 1749), who married Morton Christopher; John (ca 1751), who married Rosina Wilhoit; Mary (ca 1754), who married Godfrey Yager; Joshua (ca 1759), who married Rachel Utz; Lewis (ca 1762), who married Elizabeth Link; and Anne (ca 1768), who married Nicholas Yager.

Second wife, Maria Finks:
Son Adam Jr (b. Apr 12, 1777), married Judith; and daughter, Hannah, married David Jones.
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Adam was an officer of the Hebron Lutheran church building (see photo caption on the right) which was built in 1740 using a portion of the funds raised by the solicitors in Europe. It is located at 899 Blankenbaker Road in Brightwood, Madison County, Virginia and still in operation.

The Hebron baptismal register, one must look for Waylands which is used after 1782, and Weyland, which is generally used before that date. Adam Weyland and his wife Elizabeth, reoccur as baptismal sponsors for Christopher Blankenbaker.

Adam's signature is found in "October 22, 1776, Culpeper, German Lutheran Congregation, for exemption from future parochial charges except to support their own Church, stating they were not breaking from the established Church. They also asked permission to use own ministers.

Adam was in French and Indian War of 1758. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Culpeper Militia and "took the oath to his Majesty's person and government subscribed under Wm. Green Esq. their County Lieutenant, on 15 Sept. 1763."

Adam Wayland made his will May 16, 1775. He mentions wife Elizabeth and "all my children". Son John Wayland and Godfrey Yager are appointed executors. Adam had three separate tracts of land, slaves, and a personal estate.

At Adam's death, there was disagreement (over Adam's will) between the children of his first wife, and his second wife and children. Adam wrote his will on May 16, 1775 when his first wife, Elizabeth was still living (she died shortly thereafter but the will was not changed when Adam married second wife, Mary). Will mentions only his wife, Elizabeth, and "all my children." There is an unconfirmed report that Maria and Adam divorced not long before his death. As a result of disagreements between the two families there were multiple lawsuits and a famous Thomas Jefferson legal opinion on the matter dated August 16 1782. This can be found online.

So Adam's will was probated October 15, 1781, with final division of the estate in April 1788. Parts were given to John Wayland, Godfrey Yager (who md daughter Mary), Joshua, Anney, Lewis, Morton Christopher (who md daughter Elizabeth), his son Adam Wayland, and daughter Hannah.

Adam's death is often listed as 28 Oct 1781, but his will was not probated prior to his death. In Jefferson's legal opinion it is stated he died in 1781.
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NOTE: Locations changed names as more counties were added: Essex formed in 1692, Spotsylvania came from part of Essex 1721, Orange from part of Spotsylvania 1734, Culpeper from part of Orange 1749, Madison from part of Culpeper in 1749.