Robert Patten Adams (1831-1911), was born on 4 March 1831 at Martock, Somerset, England, the third son of James White Adams and his wife Mary Ann, nee Patten. For nearly two years, he practised as a conveyancer and equity draftsman in Chancery Lane, London. He decided to emigrate to Tasmania, and on 25 September 1856, he was admitted to the Tasmanian Bar and commenced to practise as a barrister. He was engaged in many leading cases tried by the Supreme Court. He subsequently became Chairman of Quarter Sessions and a Commissioner of the Court of Requests for the northern division of Tasmania. Adams died in his eightieth year at his home, Birlingham, Macquarie Street, Hobart, on 24 February 1911, and was buried in the Queenborough cemetery.