The New International Encyclopædia/Adams, John (mutineer)

For works with similar titles, see Adams, John.

ADAMS, John (1760-1829). The assumed name of Alexander Smith, one of the mutineers of the English ship Bounty. With eight sailors and some men and women from Tahiti he landed on Pitcairn Island and formed a government, of which he was the head. In 1800 he was the only surviving Englishman. He established worship and such a school as was possible. In 1808, Captain Folger, an American, landed there and brought the world the first news of this strange settlement. Adams had not heard a word from civilized countries for twenty years. England never sought to punish him, and he died in peace, leaving a prosperous and religious people. See Pitcairn Island).