Born: November 22, 1744 (Weymouth, Massachusetts)
Died: October 28, 1818
Biography:
Abigail Adams (née Smith; November 22, [O.S. November 11] 1744 October 28, 1818) was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams, as well as the mother of John Quincy Adams. She was a founder of the United States and was both the first second lady and second first lady of the United States, although such titles were not used at the time. She and Barbara Bush are the only two women to have been married to U.S. presidents and to have been the mothers of other U.S. presidents.
Adams’s life is one of the most documented of the first ladies: she is remembered for the many letters she wrote to her husband John Adams while he stayed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Continental Congresses. John frequently sought the advice of Abigail on many matters, and their letters are filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics. Her letters also serve as eyewitness accounts of the American Revolutionary War home front.
Abigail Adams was born on November 22, 1744, at the North Parish Congregational Church in Weymouth, Massachusetts, to William Smith (17071783) and Elizabeth (née Quincy) Smith. On her mother’s side, she was descended from the Quincy family, a well-known political family in the Massachusetts colony. Through her mother, she was a cousin of Dorothy Quincy, who was married to John Hancock. Adams was also the great-granddaughter of John Norton, founding pastor of Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts, the only remaining 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse in Massachusetts.
Adams’ father, William Smith, was a liberal Congregational minister and a leader in a Yankee society that held its clergy in high esteem. He focused his preaching on reason and morality rather than predestination or original sin. Adams grew up in this intellectual environment, which would shape her own views and beliefs later in life.
In July 1775, Abigail’s mother Elizabeth, with whom her father had been married for 35 years, died of smallpox. In 1784, at the age of 77, William Smith passed away. The Smith family were slaveholders and owned at least four people. One of these enslaved individuals, Phoebe, played a caretaking role in Abigail’s life and would later work as a paid servant for her after gaining freedom. As an adult, Abigail would come to express anti-slavery beliefs.
Abigail did not receive a formal education due to frequent illnesses, but she was highly intelligent and educated herself through extensive reading. She developed a lifelong love for literature, philosophy, and politics.
Abigail and John Adams married on October 25, 1764, and settled in Braintree, Massachusetts (now Quincy). They had six children, including future president John Quincy Adams. As her husband pursued his political career, Abigail managed their home and family. During John’s frequent absences, she acted as his trusted advisor, providing valuable insight and engaging in intellectual discussions about government and politics through their long correspondence.
During the American Revolutionary War, Abigail remained at home, raising their children and managing the family farm. Through her letters to John, she shared her observations and experiences, providing a unique perspective on the war and its impact on daily life. Her letters serve as important historical records and give voice to the concerns and struggles of women during this time.
After John Adams became the second president of the United States in 1797, Abigail served as the second first lady. While she did not take on as visible a role as later first ladies, she continued to be John’s trusted advisor and confidante. She used her position to champion causes important to her, including women’s rights and education.
Abigail Adams’s contributions to American society extended beyond her role as a supportive wife and mother. She was a prominent advocate for women’s rights and urged her husband and other founding fathers to remember the ladies when drafting the Constitution. Her letters and speeches reflect her belief in equal rights and opportunities for women, making her a trailblazer in the fight for gender equality.
Abigail Adams passed away on October 28, 1818, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual rigor and advocacy for the rights of women. Her letters continue to be studied and admired for their insight and historical significance. Adams’s enduring influence on American history and women’s rights make her one of the most influential and respected first ladies in U.S. history.