Born on August 1, 1784, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Adams read law in 1810.
He was the United States Attorney for the District of Mississippi from 1830 to 1836.
[1] Adams was nominated by President Andrew Jackson on January 12, 1836, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi vacated by Judge Powhatan Ellis.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 20, 1836, and received his commission the same day.
[1] Following his resignation from the federal bench, Adams resumed private practice in Jackson, Mississippi from 1838 to 1844.