Taken from the book THE CHISZ, A HISTORY OF THE CHISHOLME/CHISM FAMILY by John D. Chism, Jr. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 89-833324. Copyright 1989.

Adam Chisholme was born circa 1695 in Scotland. The year of his birth is derived from the fact that he was at least eighteen to twenty years of age at the time he fought in the battle, the "Fifteen", of 1715, between England and Scotland. He married several years after arriving in Virginia, sometime between 1723-1725. The long period between his arrival and marriage will be explained. He produced at least four children, and lived for more than sixty years. He was still alive as of August 12, 1756.

The years between 1600 and 1750 were years of much contestation between England and Scotland even though it was a period of reasonable peace. The question as to who would control the crown died a hard death. As a result of Scotland's desire to control the crown through the Stuart Monarchy there resulted at least two battles, one in 1715 and one in 1745. After the skirmish in 1715 England quickly recognized that the issue was not settled and very likely would not be resolved soon. In order to try and gain an advantage should the question arise in another confrontation, England quickly moved to seize an opportunity. Immediately after the skirmish of 1715 England gathered together a large number of the supporters of "The Old Pretender", a descendant of King James II and the Stuart family. Referring to them as "Jacobites" she labeled them "trouble makers" and deported them as prisoners to the "dumping grounds", the colonies in America and the Caribbean Islands.

During the skirmish of "The Fifteen", 1715, a large rebel force under the command of Thomas Forster gathered at Preston, Lancashire on November 9, 1715. The government forces advanced upon the town, as it was assaulted. On November 14, 1715, the rebel commander surrendered his army to the King's forces. Captured in that rebellion was 637 Scottish rebels.

Starting the following spring 639 Jacobite rebel prisoners were transported to the American Colonies and the Caribbean Islands. They were forced into an indenture, "white slavery", for a seven year period. Those who had not voluntarily accepted an indenture before leaving England was forced into one before allowed to leave ship in the colonies. This was and edit from the Crown and all Colonial Governors were so informed.

This was the first and largest group of Scottish citizen to enter the colonies. They would be joined later by still another group after the battle in 1745, the Battle Culloden. Still others followed them for either political or economic reasons.

One immediately notices that all these prisoners were sent to the southern colonies with most being sent to Virginia, South Carolina and the islands. (Keep in mind that Georgia was not yet settled. It was 1732 before King George granted a 21 year charter to settle the Georgia Colony.) For this there was a special reason. The southern colonies were in desperate need of white settlers especially North Carolina and South Carolina. (North Carolina had just become an independent colony. In 1712 she was divided from South Carolina). In South Carolina the black population far outnumbered the white. Also, the population had been ravaged by the Indian wars. Virginia was not in much better condition. As soon as the word was out that the prisoners were being deported the southern colonies started a campaign to acquire as many of these prisoners as possible. They almost begged for these men.

On the American side of the Atlantic, the issues and question between England and Scotland was of very little consequence. In America, there was no stigma associated with those men who were having to leave as a result of this bitter issue. As a matter of fact, the Governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, extended an open arms invitation to those men. As a matter of fact, he personally advised some of those men to come to America and specifically Virginia. One was indentured to him and he wrote letters of petition on behalf of others. To be departed under such conditions carried no disgrace with him.

The following is the listing of a Adam Chisholm who was deported and who arrived in the Virginia Colony in late 1716:

Adam Chisholm, Jacobite prisoner. Transported to Virginia on Elizabeth and Anne, exited Liverpool, 28 June 1716. (S.P./C; S. N. Q8, iv, 187).

Since the Elizabeth and Anne's destination was listed as Jamaica and Virginia its route is known. The normal route to the colonies via Jamaica was south from Liverpool, by the Mediterranean, and down along the coast of North Africa. From Africa, an arching course was set for the Caribbean Islands and Jamaica t6hen north to the colonial port at Charleston, South Carolina. The ship would then continue up the coast to Virginia. This route kept the ships close to a land mass and many good ports of call in case of an emergency or should supplies be needed. This route was established after the Carolina Colony was settled and became the predominate trade route for southern colonies. This route took approximately three months and would have had Adam Chisholm arriving in Virginia sometime in October of 1716, weather permitting.

After arriving in Virginia, it is uncertain as to who acquired Adam's indenture. It, however, is assumed to be Mr. William Morris, the man for whom he witnessed a will and was beneficiary of that will in 1745. He and Mr. Morris had to have had a special relationship for him to benefit from Mr. Morris' estate. Mr. Morris lived in Hanover County and it was there that Adam lived. It was here that he married, his children were born, and where he remained, from all evidences, for the remainder of his life. If Mr. Morris did not acquire Adam's indenture then it was most definitely someone of "means" and influence. Many of the Jacobite prisoners' indentures were bought by such men. Adam was believed to be among those fortunate prisoners. For him to succeed as he did, surely, he had this sort of help. He and his sons were men of "means". They were well educated and married into families of means. All of Adam's sons married women who were educated. They were even able to educate all their children male and female.

After Adam and his sons were first established, the question arose: Why did he wait so long after arriving before he married? From all indications he never married until about 1725 for his children were not born until 1725-1732. William was born about 1725-28 and Walter, the youngest, was born March 19, 1732. After it was proven that he was in fact indentured, then the question was answered. He arrived in Virginia in late 1716. He had to work off a seven year indenture, sentence. His indenture would have been served in the latter part of 1723. Thus, his marriage about 1725.

Adam Chisholme and his children and grandchildren are known to have lived in Hanover, Louisa, Loudoun, Albemarle, Lunenburg, Halifax, Goochland, Chesterfield and Charlotte Counties of Virginia. They clustered in the central part of the state and around Richmond, They did not particularly like the frontier of Virginia as did a different clan of "Chesham/Chishams".

Adam and his descendants consistently used the spelling of Chisholme, Chisholm, or Chisolm. For over 100 years, some members of his family tenaciously held to the "CHISHOLME" spelling; using the indicative "E" which separated them from the other Chisholm/Chisum family members. These Chisholme's were Adam, his sons, David and Walter, and many of their descendants. They even carried this spelling into South Carolina about 1908 where it was used solely by them for nearly fifty years.