Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams (née Smith; born November 22, 1744, Old Style November 11, 1744, in Weymouth, Massachusetts – October 28, 1818) was the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. She was a daughter of William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy Smith. Her maternal family was part of the prominent Quincy political lineage in Massachusetts, and her great-grandfather was John Norton, the founding pastor of Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Abigail was the second of four children in her family. Her father, William Smith, was a Congregational minister emphasizing reason and morality in his teachings. Her mother, Elizabeth Quincy, descended from the Quincy family, known for their political influence. The Smith family owned slaves, including a woman named Phoebe, who served as a caretaker for Abigail and later worked as a paid servant after gaining her freedom. Abigail's father and grandfather contributed to her education, although she did not receive formal schooling due to frequent illness during childhood. Her mother and family's extensive libraries allowed her to study literature in English and French. Additionally, her grandmother Elizabeth Quincy played a role in her early education.

In 1759, at age 15, Abigail Smith met John Adams during a visit to her family; John was then a young lawyer. They married on October 25, 1764, in Weymouth. The couple settled in Braintree, Massachusetts, in a saltbox house inherited by John Adams. Over the course of their marriage, they had six children: Abigail (1765–1813), John Quincy (1767–1848), Susanna (1768–1770), Charles (1770–1800), Thomas (1772–1832), and Elizabeth (who was stillborn in 1777). Abigail managed family and farm duties, especially during John Adams's travels and political commitments. Their marriage was documented through extensive correspondence, which reveals the mutual intellectual respect and emotional bond between them.

John Adams's political career prompted several relocations, including moves to Boston and back to Braintree. During this period, Abigail took on responsibilities for the family's financial affairs, including investments made through her uncle Cotton Tufts in debt instruments issued to finance the Revolutionary War. These investments contributed to family wealth and are considered a manifestation of her financial acumen.

In 1784, Abigail and her daughter Nabby traveled to Europe with her husband, who was serving as the first U.S. minister to France. Initially overwhelmed by the experience, she eventually adapted to life in Paris, forming friendships and engaging with cultural activities. She also served as the temporary guardian of Thomas Jefferson’s young daughter, Mary (Polly). After her husband's diplomatic tenure, the family returned to Quincy in 1788, where Abigail oversaw the enlargement and renovation of their home, Peacefield.

John Adams served as the second President of the United States from March 4, 1797, to March 4, 1801. Abigail was not present at his inauguration due to her duties tending to her late mother. During her tenure as First Lady, she hosted weekly dinners, participated in public entertainment, and involved herself actively in political affairs. Her engagement in politics was notable among first ladies, leading critics to nickname her "Mrs. President." She was often informed about affairs of state and advised her husband on political matters.

Abigail Adams passed away on October 28, 1818, at her home in Quincy. Her life is extensively documented through her correspondence with John Adams, which provides insights into the personal and political landscape of the American Revolutionary period and early national history.