Abigail Adams

Women of the American Revolution - Abigail Adams



Abigail Smith Adams was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth to Elizabeth Quincy Smith and Rev. Williams Smith, pastor of Weymouth's First Church.  Like most girls of her time, Abigail didn't receive a formal education, but took time to study her father's library, studying the Bible, history, philosophy, essays, and poetry.  Abigail's mother and grandmother Quincy taught her social graces, as well as homemaking and handiwork skills.  Such a background helped make her a keen political observer, prolific writer, and influential First Lady. 

On October 25, 1764, Abigail married John Adams, a Harvard graduate pursuing a law career.  Their marriage was one of mind and heart, producing three sons and two daughters.  Their marriage lasted for more than half a century.  They first lived on a farm in Braintree and later in Boston.  Long separations kept them apart, when John traveled as a circuit lawyer, and later when John served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, envoy abroad, and elected officer.  Abigail alone struggled with wartime shortages, lack of income, and difficult living conditions.  She had to run the household, farm, and the education of her children.  Abigail would write letters to John.  Many of her letters were published.  Her grandson, Charles Francis Adams, published most of the letters that she wrote from 1741 to 1776. 

Abigail also had a notable influence on her husband's career.  She went with him on journeys in Europe.  She would give him advice and would give him advice at times by writing to him when she was not with him.

Abigail Adams died on October 28, 1818.  She is buried next to her husband in the United First Parish Church.  She is remembered for many things.  She is known as the Second Lady of the United States due to John Adams being the second president of the United States.  She was also the mother of the sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams.  She also helped people think about "women's rights" and "women's roles" in society.  She believed women weren't treated as well as men were.  There's more to the story of Abigail Adams on the link above.