William Adam (architect) - Family

Family

William Adam and Mary Robertson had ten surviving children:

• Janet ("Jenny") (b. 1717), born at Linktown, later managed their brothers' London business.
• John (b. 3 July 1721), born at Linktown, took over Blair Adam and the other family businesses, as well as practising architecture.
• Robert (b. 3 July 1728), born at Linktown, architect, and best known of the Adam brothers.
• James, (b. 21 July 1732) architect, business partner of Robert.
• William ("Willie") (b. 1738)
• Elizabeth ("Betty"), with Janet, managed their brothers' London business.
• Helen ("Nellie")
• Margaret ("Peggy")
• Mary, married John Drysdale, Minister of the Tron Kirk and one time Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, though now chiefly remembered for his friendship with economist Adam Smith.
• Susannah, married Sir John Clerk of Eldin, son of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik.

The birth dates of their five younger daughters are not recorded. In addition another son, named William, and two daughters died in infancy.

After William Adam's death, John inherited the family business, and immediately took his brothers Robert and James into partnership, which would last until the late 1750s when Robert established himelf in London. William Adam's obituary in the Caledonian Mercury noted that "it is fortunate he has left behind him some promising young men to carry on what he has so happily begun". John Adam passed Blair Adam on to his own son, lawyer and politician William Adam KC, whose descendants continue to own the estate, and have included several notable politicians, soldiers and civil servants.