Joseph Adams (1764-1856) was the son of Rev. Amos Adams, who served in the Revolutionary War. Joseph Adams moved to Litchfield from Roxbury, Mass., in 1790 and established himself as a cabinet maker. A chest of drawers signed by Joseph Adams and Silas E. Cheney is in the Society's collection. He was Litchfield borough clerk, 1818-1823 and 1824-1838, and borough president, 1839-1842. He also served as constable for six years, lister or rate-maker (functioning as assessor) for twelve years, grand juror for six years, a director of the Litchfield Savings Bank, and a surveyor. He married Deborah Marsh in 1792 and they had eight children.