The family was a poor one with Thomas being a tenant farmer while Tabitha also came from a farming family. Thomas and Tabitha farmed near Launceston, Cornwall, and it was on Lidcott farm that John, the eldest of his parents seven children, was born. John Couch Adams was named after his mother's uncle, John Couch.
Ang pamilya ay isang maralita Thomas pagiging isa sa mga nangungupahan ng isang magsasaka habang Tabitha din ang dumating mula sa pagsasaka ng isang pamilya. Thomas at Tabitha farmed malapit Launceston, Cornwall, at ito ay sa Lidcott sakahan na John, ang pinakamatanda ng kanyang mga magulang pitong mga bata, ay ipinanganak. John Couch Adams ay pinangalanang pagkatapos ng kanyang ina ng tiyuhin, John sopa.