Ferdinando Adams (fl. 1636-1637) was a shoemaker and churchwarden in Ipswich who was excommunicated from the Anglican Church in 1636.^[1] Clement Corbet, Chancellor of Diocese of Norwich complained to Matthew Wren, Bishop of Norwich (5 December 1635 - 24 April 1638) that “There be too many Adames in that towne, both Ecclesiasticks and Laickes”. Adams emigrated with his wife Ann to New England, settling in Dedham, Massachusetts.^[1] Adams settled in Dedham in 1637.^[2]

Ferdinando Adams fulfilled the role of churchwarden - a lay official of the parish – at St Mary le Tower, Ipswich at a time when William Laud, as newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury initiated the Laudian reforms in the organisation of church space - for which the churchwarden was responsible.^[3] These reforms were contentious amongst puritans, for many of whom Ipswich was their home.^[4] Samuel Ward had been Ipswich Town Preacher - the most highly paid official of Ipswich Corporation since 1605.^[5]