Joel Adams (February 4, 1750 – July 9, 1830) was an American planter and soldier from Richland County, South Carolina.

[1] He was a strong proponent of education, and of military and political service to state and to country, and served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

His grandson, James Uriah Adams (1812–1871), was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and a graduate of Yale University.

Joel's grandson James Pickett Adams (1828–1904) was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and was Major in the Confederate States Army.

Joel's great grandson Warren Adams (1838–1884) was a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army and was in command of the First South Carolina Infantry Regiment at Battery Wagner.