Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
Abigail Smith was the daughter of a prominent New England family. Her father was a Congregationalist minister and her mother was a member of the well-known Quincy family. Although she is best remembered for her letters, Abigail had no formal schooling. She was taught at home by her mother and read widely from her family’s extensive library.
Abigail Smith and John Adams were third cousins and they knew each other as children. They were reintroduced in 1762 when John’s friend became engaged to Abigail’s sister Mary. As part of their courtship, Abigail and John began exchanging letters, a practice that would carry through the rest of their lives. They married on October 25, 1764.
Over the next twelve years, Abigail gave birth to six children. One child was stillborn, two died before the age of 11, and three lived into adulthood. Abigail was an advocate of Republican motherhood, a philosophy which promoted the mother’s role in shaping the next generation of patriots. Although Republican motherhood emphasized a woman’s place in the domestic sphere, it also elevated the traditional woman’s work of raising children and emphasized the importance of female education.
Abigail and John were separated for much of their long marriage. John was regularly away from home as he built his law career and later on, as he became one of the most prominent Founding Fathers. Meanwhile, Abigail managed their farm and their family finances. Through it all, they wrote letters. These letters are important historical records of both the politics of the day and how those political changes impacted everyday Americans.
Between 1784 and 1788 Abigail and John lived in Europe while John served as a diplomat. After their return to the United States, John was elected the first Vice President of the United States. Eight years later he was elected President.
Unlike her predecessor Martha Washington, Abigail took an active role in politics. She served as her husband’s closest advisor and occasionally as his go between. She was an outspoken defender of her husband’s policies, even controversial policies such as the Alien and Sedition Acts.
When the United States Capitol was relocated to Washington in 1800, the Abigail and John became the first First Family to occupy the White House.
John lost his bid for re-election bid 1801 and the couple returned to Massachusetts. Abigail continued to correspond with political leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Dolley Madison. She also helped to further the political career of her son John Quincy Adams.
Before her death, Abigail wrote a will leaving the majority of her possessions to her female relatives. This is noteworthy because as a married woman, Abigail’s property was legally controlled by her husband and most married women of the period did not write wills.
Abigail died in 1818. John Quincy Adams was elected president in 1824, two years before his father’s death. Abigail, John, and John Quincy Adams are all buried in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Past Cool Chicks from History posts about Abigail Adams can be found here. Past Cool Chicks from History posts about First Ladies can be found here. Past Cool Chicks from History posts about Women of the American Revolution can be found here.
