The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]

18 February 1854

Sat (Saturday) 18 Pleasant—Reading & walking A.M. Reading & walking P.M. Out of the bill all this week. Visited the Theatre in the evening: last night of J. P. Addams who has been playing a round of Yankee characters during the past week—He is now about the best among those who style themselves Yankee Comedians—This being his benefit night he essayed tragedy—playing Sir Edward Mortimore [sic Mortimer] (Iron Chest) and doing it quite criditably [sic creditably] too—There was a very good house—C. F. Adams died in Washington city on the 9thUlt. (Ultimo Mense) of inflamation [sic inflammation] of the liver and dropy [sic dropsy] —He was a noble looking [sic noble-looking] fellow—possessed considerable talent and might have been a credit to himself and his profession had he not been unfortunate in his marriage. Adams was, at one time, a soldier in the United States army, where he rose to the highest rank attainable by an enlisted man: at the conclusion of his term of service he determined to essay the stage, making his first appearance as Virginius on the boards of the old Theatre in "Shires Garden"

—removethe Cincinnatti [sic Cincinnati] —the spot where the Burnet House now stands—The debut was successful: shortly after he joined the stock company at the National Theatre—then under the management of removeJ. W James Bates—to play "respectable utility"—from which position he worked removeup himself upward into that removeposition of "leading man"—He had no genius, yet Nature had blessed removehim (wonder if cursed would not be the better word in this caseexpand_less) him with a fine person—good voice, removeand good features and good sense; (not shown in his selection of a wife)—points which, when blended with energy—and application, will conduct a man to eminence in the Theatrical profession—Adams was one of the most nervous men I ever encountered. I have known him so affected by stage-fright as to be taken remove…illegible with a violent fit of vomiting just previous to entering on the scene.