, who was the second President of the United States
, and the mother of John Quincy Adams
, the sixth. She was the first Second Lady of the United States
, and the second First Lady of the United States
.
Adams is remembered for the many letters she wrote to her husband while he stayed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, during the Continental Congress
es. John frequently sought the advice of Abigail on many matters, and their letters are filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics. The letters serve as eyewitness accounts of the American Revolutionary War
home front.
Abigail Adams was born in the North Parish Congregational Church in Weymouth, Massachusetts
, to the Reverend William Smith and Elizabeth (née Quincy) Smith.
We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.
I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in this province. It always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me—to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have.
How difficult the task to quench the fire and the pride of private ambition, and to sacrifice ourselves and all our hopes and expectations to the public weal! How few have souls capable of so noble an undertaking! How often are the laurels worn by those who have had no share in earning them! But there is a future recompense of reward, to which the upright man looks, and which he will most assuredly obtain, provided he perseveres unto the end.
The reins of government have been so long slackened, that I fear the people will not quietly submit to those restraints which are necessary for the peace and security of the community.
I feel anxious for the fate of our monarchy, or democracy, or whatever is to take place. I soon get lost in a labyrinth of perplexities; but, whatever occurs, may justice and righteousness be the stability of our times, and order arise out of confusion. Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.
Shall we be despised by foreign powers for hesitating so long at a word?
Deliver me from your cold phlegmatic preachers, politicians, friends, lovers and husbands.