The legacy of the original ‘pioneer’ Joel Adams

The Adams Pioneer Farm was established in the spring of 1804 when Joel Adams of Brookfield, Massachusetts purchased a lot in Aurora, New York from the Holland Land Company. This choice lot was 360 acres of lush vegetation and gently rolling terrain bordered by Cazenovia Creek.  Joel and three of his sons, Enos, Luther and Erasmus were among the first homesteaders in the area, searching for fertile land to establish a farm.

A log cabin was built that first year and crops were planted and harvested. Unlike the other new settlers, who left in the fall, Joel and his sons remained on their property throughout the harsh winter.  As soon as roads were navigable in early spring of 1805, Joel and Enos set out for Brookfield to fetch the rest of the family.

In 1829 Enos erected a Federal style brick home. The bricks were made right on the property using Cazenovia Creek clay.  This home and a parcel of the farm were sold to the Hitching family around 1918.  The brick home still stands and is occupied by Hitching descendants.

The next generation of Adams’ constructed a 12-room Italian Renaissance home in 1872, pictured above, which has served as the Adams family homestead ever since.  The farm is currently owned by seventh generation descendant, Jon Quincy Adams and his wife Kay.