Adam Todd was born in New York City, New York, on 2 June 1746. His father was Adam Todd, who was a Highlander from Scotland, and his mother was Sarah Cox. He was the third child of five children. His father died when he was 18 years old in 1764. 

At the age of 22, on 31 January 1769, he was named a Freeman, Joiner, and worked as a cabinet maker. His health did not allow him to continue in this profession, so he later went to sea. During the Revolutionary War, Todd applied this skill working on the Hudson River aboard the frigates Congress and Montgomery in Poughkeepsie, New York. On 25 September 1776, he was tasked by Governor George Clinton with the task of rebuilding the Fire Sloop Joanna. The Joanna had burned to the waterline, most likely on the night of 16 August 1776, in an attempt to burn the British warship Phoenix when it was anchored at Tappen Bay. Todd later commanded a store ship that was lying at the village of Esopus when British General Vaughan advanced up the Hudson River in General Clinton’s attempt to relieve General Burgoyne at Saratoga. While Vaughan was unsuccessful in relieving Burgoyne, he did make it to Esopus. The village, along with all of the American ships moored there, which included Todd’s ship, were burned on 13 October 1777.

From here, Captain Todd went to Fort Pitt for a period of time, perhaps as a Private in the New York Line. He returned to New York in June 1783 before the final evacuation of the British. He worked running the Hudson bringing back families who had been in exile. One day after his ship had been cleared by the Custom House, a Mr. Duryea came to send an African-American upriver. Todd initially refused, but Duryea insisted that the man had been cleared. When off the Battery, a gun was fired, which brought him to, and Todd was arrested for carrying away an African-American without authority. Todd was replaced in the Provost Jail and suffered under the tutelage of the notorious Cunningham until the final British Evacuation in November 1783. While in jail, he contracted “Jail Fever” and spent some time there after the evacuation. When he finally came to his senses, he found that the jailors had gone, and the cell and doors had been left open.

Todd married Margaret Dodge, who was born in 1745. They were the parents of seven known children: 

• Adam was born on 20 November 1767
• Margaret was born in October 1769
• William
• Marcia
• Sarah was born on 31 December 1778
• William Whetten was born on 7 April 1781
• James Hallock was born on 20 August 1783

After the war, Todd worked the St. Thomas trade as either the owner or part owner of the “Polly.” The “Polly” eventually floundered within 48 hours after leaving New York harbor. Todd then commanded the Hannah, which was partly owned by Bonaventure Sire. Todd was member number 950 of the Marine Society of the City of New York in the State of New York, becoming a member on 13 June 1789. He is listed in the New York City Directory variously as a Sea Captain, sailing master, and ship master with various residences on Queen Street and Pearl Street from 1789 until his death. Captain Todd died on his vessel, the “Hannah,” in Havana, Cuba in 1798. His Letters of Administration were proven on 23 April 1802 by his son William Whetten Todd (Liber 7, page 213, Bond Book 0)