13 Facts About Newton Adams

Newton Adams was an American missionary and doctor who worked in southern Africa.

Newton Adams was later ordained and established a mission at Adams Mission, where he taught and preached in addition to providing medical care.

Newton Adams was born in East Bloomfield, Ontario County in New York on 4 August 1804.

Newton Adams attended Hamilton College and subsequently practised medicine in New York City for around two years.

Newton Adams was appointed physician to a mission sent to work amongst the Zulu and Matabele tribes.

Newton Adams left the US from Boston on December 3,1834, accompanied by his wife who came from Ohio.

Newton Adams ran a school and printing press at Umlazi and received permission from Zulu King Dingane to practise medicine and print pamphlets in the Zulu language.

Newton Adams was assisted by Mbalasi who was the widow of a Zulu chief.

Newton Adams's school provided an education to 100 pupils at a time and his medical skills were sought out by British colonists, Boers and indigenous peoples alike.

Newton Adams became known to the Zulus as "the teacher with three coats" for his practice of changing his clothes to suit his differing areas of work.

Newton Adams moved his mission to a location near Amanzimtoti in 1847 and the settlement that grew around it would later become known as Newton Adams Mission.

Newton Adams was appointed in 1847 as a mediator on the Natal Land Commission set up to establish native reserves in the country.

Newton Adams died at Newton Adams Mission on September 16,1851; his funeral was attended by many of Durban's most prominent residents and military officers.