Abigail Adams Biography
My name is Abigail Adams and this is my story.
On November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, I was born to Elizabeth Quincy Smith and Reverend William Smith.
Like most girls of my time, I did not receive a formal education, but took advantage of my father’s library and studied the Bible, history, philosophy, essays and poetry. My mother and grandmother Quincy taught me social graces, as well as homemaking and handiwork skills.
On October 25, 1764 I married John Adams, a Harvard graduate pursuing a law career. My marriage was one of mind and heart, producing three sons and two daughters, and lasting for more than half a century. We first lived on John’s farm in Braintree, and later in Boston. Long separations kept us apart, when John traveled as a circuit lawyer and later, when John served as delegate to the Continental Congress, envoy abroad, and elected officer.
I struggled alone with wartime shortages, lack of income, and difficult living conditions. I ran the household, farm, and educated my children. My letters to John were thought to be strong, witty and supportive. The letters, which have been preserved, detail my life during revolutionary times, and describe the many dangers and challenges I faced as our young country fought to become independent. Most of all, my letters describe of my loneliness without my “dearest friend,” also known as my husband John.
I followed John to his posts in Paris in 1784 and Great Britain in 1785, always observing and commenting upon politics, customs and society. We returned to a newly acquired house in Braintree (now part of Quincy) that would remain my home for the rest of their lives. From 1789 to 1801, I, as wife of the Vice President and then as First Lady, became a trusted and influential political advisor to John, while I also fulfilled my role in official entertaining. My unwavering support and encouragement of my husband in his career was apparent, as I fearlessly expressed her opinions in private and in public.
John and I retired to Quincy in 1801, and for 17 years enjoyed the companionship that public life had long denied us. I died on October 28, 1818, and was buried in the United First Parish Church of Quincy beside my husband, who died on July 4, 1826.
On November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, I was born to Elizabeth Quincy Smith and Reverend William Smith.
Like most girls of my time, I did not receive a formal education, but took advantage of my father’s library and studied the Bible, history, philosophy, essays and poetry. My mother and grandmother Quincy taught me social graces, as well as homemaking and handiwork skills.
On October 25, 1764 I married John Adams, a Harvard graduate pursuing a law career. My marriage was one of mind and heart, producing three sons and two daughters, and lasting for more than half a century. We first lived on John’s farm in Braintree, and later in Boston. Long separations kept us apart, when John traveled as a circuit lawyer and later, when John served as delegate to the Continental Congress, envoy abroad, and elected officer.
I struggled alone with wartime shortages, lack of income, and difficult living conditions. I ran the household, farm, and educated my children. My letters to John were thought to be strong, witty and supportive. The letters, which have been preserved, detail my life during revolutionary times, and describe the many dangers and challenges I faced as our young country fought to become independent. Most of all, my letters describe of my loneliness without my “dearest friend,” also known as my husband John.
I followed John to his posts in Paris in 1784 and Great Britain in 1785, always observing and commenting upon politics, customs and society. We returned to a newly acquired house in Braintree (now part of Quincy) that would remain my home for the rest of their lives. From 1789 to 1801, I, as wife of the Vice President and then as First Lady, became a trusted and influential political advisor to John, while I also fulfilled my role in official entertaining. My unwavering support and encouragement of my husband in his career was apparent, as I fearlessly expressed her opinions in private and in public.
John and I retired to Quincy in 1801, and for 17 years enjoyed the companionship that public life had long denied us. I died on October 28, 1818, and was buried in the United First Parish Church of Quincy beside my husband, who died on July 4, 1826.