In the book titled "Douglas County Missouri in 1860" by Nancie Todd Weber, she mentioned that on February 28, 1851, Adam adopted his children.  That was the first time that I had heard or read of an adoption.  I searched the web for an email address for Nancie Todd Weber and found one.  I wrote to her and asked for the source of her information.  She was kind enough to tell me her source.  She told me that it was from the 16th Missouri General Assembly Record of Laws of the State of Missouri 1850-51, page 623.  With that information I contacted the Missouri Legislative Library and they faxed me the following page from their records.  The adoption information is at the bottom of the document and I have it highlighted in a red box.  The children listed in the adoption have always been listed with him on census records.

AN ACT for the benefit of Isaac Fleetwood, and others.

§ 1. Adam Fleetwood authorized to adopt certain persons as his legal heirs.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

     1. Adam Fleetwood, of the county of Ozark, is hereby authorized
and empowered to adopt Isaac Fleetwood, Adam Fleetwood, Sarah
Fleetwood, Jackson Fleetwood, John Fleetwood, Mary Fleetwood,
William Fleetwood, and Marion Fleetwood, as lawful heirs of the same
Adam Fleetwood; and these shall hereafter enjoy and be entitled in all
the rights and privileges as the natural heirs of the said Adam Fleetwood.
     2. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved February 28, 1851.

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