(1744–1818). As the wife of President John Adams and the mother of President John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams strongly favored American independence and universal liberty. She wrote many letters that show that she had a strong personality and a deep understanding of the political issues of the day. She was also determined to overcome the limitations that were placed on women at the time.

Early life

Abigail Smith was born on November 22, 1744 (November 11 according to the calendar used at the time), in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She was one of four children of William Smith, a Congregational clergyman, and his wife, Elizabeth Quincy Smith. Both her parents came from highly respected New England families. Her father encouraged her to read and study the books in his large library. Women could not go to college in those days, but Abigail and her sisters received a good education at home.

In 1759 Abigail met the young lawyer John Adams. He was nine years older than she, but they shared interests in reading, writing, and politics. They were drawn to each other immediately. They were married in 1764 and settled on a farm in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts. They had five children. One died while still a baby, but Abigail, John Quincy, Charles, and Thomas survived to adulthood.

Career

John Adams' law practice, and his duties later on as a member of the Continental Congress, kept him away from home much of the time. For long periods Abigail was left to run the farm and raise the children on her own. A good manager, she made enough money to buy a large house in the town. Later, the family would move to this mansion.

Abigail Adams stayed in touch with her absent husband, and with others such as her sister Mary Cranch, by letter. Her letters are full of her opinions on the important issues of the day. This was during the time when the American colonies began to fight for independence from Great Britain. She was strongly in favor of independence, and she praised the Declaration of Independence. Like her husband, she also firmly believed that slavery had no place in a country dedicated to freedom.

Abigail Adams did find it necessary to urge John to “remember the ladies” as he helped to plan the new government. All through his career, John Adams drew much benefit from his wife's advice. But he paid a political price for this. His enemies argued that her influence was improper or simply made fun of them both.

John Adams went to Paris without Abigail in 1777 to line up foreign support for the American Revolution. He returned in 1779 but was sent back to Europe after a few months. Abigail joined him there in 1784. Soon after, John Adams was named the first U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.

In 1789 John Adams became the first vice-president of the United States. Eight years later he became the country's second president. Even during his terms in those offices Abigail was often in Massachusetts running the farm. While at her husband's side, she used her European experience as an ambassador's wife to entertain. In 1800 the Adamses became the first presidential family to occupy the White House, which was not yet finished when they moved in.

Later life

When Thomas Jefferson was elected president in 1800, the Adamses returned to Quincy. Both Adamses enjoyed their years of public service, but they settled comfortably into retirement after so many years of being at the center of national events. They lived in the mansion that Abigail had purchased years earlier. Abigail died on October 28, 1818.