Abigail Adams

Her grandfather was John Quincy – active in colonial govt and Speaker of the Mass Assembly for 40 years. Her firstborn son was named after him. She married John Adams when she was 19, and when he headed to Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress, they wrote letters which became historic correspondence. She was a key political advisor to her husband as many of the letters were intellectual discussions on government, politics, and eyewitness accounts of the American Revolutionary War home front.

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Abigail Adams learned to singlehandedly maintain the household and run their farm in Braintree during her husband's absences on the legal circuit. This independence and self-sufficiency served her well as John became increasingly busy with revolutionary politics. She personally educated all her children, ran the agricultural activities on their farm, arranged smallpox inoculations for the entire household, and kept track of finances. When the non-importation acts discouraged use of British textiles, Adams spun and wove her own fabric to make clothing for the family.

During the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill) on June 17, 1775, Abigail and son John Quincy Adams watched the fighting from Penn's Hill. He recalled watching his mother sob upon receiving the news that their close friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, had been killed in that fighting.

She is known in modern times for advocating women’s rights and education, however her letters come up often in the source links on lots of websites for eyewitness accounts to local events and surrounding characters. It was in her role as unofficial advisor that she made her greatest contributions to the early American nation. It is believed that Abigail and John Adams exchanged more than 1,100 letters.

In November 1775, she wrote a passionate letter to her husband John, incorporating some delightfully colorful imagery: “Let us separate, they are unworthy to be our Brethren. Let us renounce them and instead of supplications as formerly for their prosperity and happiness, let us beseech the Almighty to blast their councils and bring to Naught all their devices.”

Adams wrote her husband that she was "struck with General Washington," and that his appointment was received with "universal satisfaction." Adams further explained that Washington was marked by "Dignity with ease. . .the Gentleman and Soldier look agreeably blended in him."

Abigail was John's all-encompassing aide-de-camp, chief of staff, and brain trust. However, her influence was not appreciated by all, particularly those who scathingly called her "Mrs. President." Today people continue to recognize Abigail Adams for her unique and important role in American history, particularly in the founding era of the early American republic.

(See Grape Island for another excerpt from her letters)

This location at 23 Court St used to house the Adams Building, where Abigail lived with John from 1772-1774 so they could all be close to his work at the courthouse. The family kept both this property and the farm where they spent most of their time at 135 Adams St Quincy MA. Both properties went to John Quincy Adams at his father’s death. This location remained in the family until about 1900 where it was torn down. The current courthouse at 1 Pemberton Square is named after John Adams.

-Source Links-

https://www.ouramericanrevolution.org/index.cfm/people/view/pp0047

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/abigail-adams/

https://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/letter/

https://www.nps.gov/adam/learn/historyculture/john-quincy-adams-birthplace.htm (NPS Abigail’s Farm/Museum)

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-02-02-0002-0005-0001

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=334CD5B7-C193-E3BC-EABA08CCA1480169