(1860-1900)
He was born as the second son of the Right Honourable Adam of Blair Adam of the Scotland Privy Council. William married Jane Emily Leake (10/07/1888) in Perth. Jane was the daughter of George Walpole and Rose Ellen. William and Jane's children were Robert William Wylie (1889-1916) and Charles Keith (1891). William was a stock owner, with a partnership with Broderick from 1885-1887 and then a partnership with Walter from 1888-1889 in Bunbury, Australind and Blackwood. William died during the return voyage of the RMS Rome on 12 December 1900. He was recorded as sailing to Vasse from Fremantle in 1886. He was the Resident Magistrate of Katanning.
Plaque inscription:
In memory of William Keith Adam. B.A. the first Resident Magistrate of Katanning, second son of the Right Honourable W. P. Adam of Blair Adam, Scotland, He died at sea on December 12, 1900 in his fortieth year. Appointed to the office of Resident Magistrate in 1892 he did much to promote and foster the interests of the settlers in the district, and, in his discharge of his duties, secured the respect and confidence of all. After a visit to England, and on the return voyage he died on board the R.M.S. Rome between Colombo and Fremantle and was buried in latitude 35deg South and longitude 88deg East.
Marble tablet in the Katanning Agricultural Hall in memory of William Keith Adam 1901
Western Mail Sat 23 Nov 1901 Page 34
Photo courtesy of the National Library of Australia