The 1855 birth report to the state auditor for Morgan Co., Ky lists John’s birth twice, with different middle initials. On page 3 it records John A. Adkins, born 1 May 1855 on Sandy, father Mitchell B. Adkins, mother’s maiden name Sarah Rowe, and on page 7 it records John R. Adkins, born 1 May 1855 on Little Sandy, father M. B. Adkins, mother’s maiden name Sarah Rowe. These reports were compiled during the spring of one year for all births during the previous year, from lists that doctors, midwives, and other birth attendants would bring into the county clerk. Probably two different people reported the same birth, and the middle initial was miscopied in one of them.

1900 census of Elliott Co., Ky, Sandy Hook precinct, enumerated 11 June, lists on p. 9B as family #142/143:
Adkins, John A., 46, b. May 1854, farmer; Arvaline, wife, 43, b. Mar 1857, married 23 years, mother of 11 children, 8 living; Ollie, son, 17, b. Aug 1882; Luda, dau, 14, b. Aug 1885; Virgie, dau, 12, b. Mar 1888; Roy, son, 10, b. Aug 1889; Manda, dau, 7, b. May 1893; Luther, son, 4, b. Feb 1896; Mitch, son, 1, b. June 1898. Whitt, Martain, brother-in-law, 28, married 8 years, farm laborer.

John’s parents are recorded three households below. Although Martin Whitt is recorded as married, he has no wife in the household.