1From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 24 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
how shall I address you. how offer the consolation I need for myself upon an occasion which has torn my heart with anguish, filld my Bosom with Greif, and so overwhelmd me by the magnitude of the Bereavement, that I cannot utter my feelings The Stroke was so unexpected to me who had calculated upon going myself to the world of Spirits before him, and that he would be the Friend, to administer...
2From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 13 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have been sick almost ever since I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of May, but in sickness or health my mind has been with you. not a day has past that I have not visited your Bereved habitation and sat with you disconsolable and mourning, the recollection of the kind tender and affectionate Physician who has so often releived my pains and sufferings who cheered me by his Smiling...
3From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 7 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
“The Chamber where the good Man meets his fate is privileged beyond the common walk of virtuous Life, quite in the verge of heaven” Your Letter my dear Madam of June 23d, afforded me that painfull pleasure which we feel in contemplating the virtues, the tallents and the endearments, which altho the dear possessor is no longer with us, the sweet remembrance still remains, and will bloom arround...
will you give me leave to introduce to your acquaintance the Rev’d mr Coleman, a gentleman who is setled in a Neighbouring Town my Neighbourhood, and who is travelling for his Health. both the president and myself your Friend have a high Respect and esteem for this Gentleman, who is what every Clergyman ought to be a liberal Christian, a Gentleman of Science taste & literature—and what I know...
Since my last Letter to you I have been call’d to drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction—my dear and only daughter mrs Smith, died here the last month. You will recollect that by the advice given her, two years since by our late Dear Friend, She underwent an opperation for a cancer. it Succeeded so as to remove all our fears—but early in the last year she was attacked with voilent pains in...
6From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 15 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I should not so long have delayd to thank you for the freedom of your communications made to me in your Letter of Sep’br which were was an agreable proof of your Friendship, and a testimony that you considerd me what I really am your interested Friend, interested in all that communicates pleasure and happiness to the Bosom Friend & companion of him whose memory we cherish and whom we can never...
your Letter found me this morning rising from the Bed of Sickness, to which I have been for three weeks confined by a dangerous Lung fever. I am much reduced, and weakened by the voilent cough which has accompanied it. my Symptoms, are now favorable my Physician assures me: but it is easier to pull down an old Building, than to repair, or rebuild to it and I must Sensibly feel my weakness. but...
8From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 6 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter, and one which you forwarded for mrs Cuthbert, which I gave my Friend, who will be punctual to deliver it to the House, who transmit it. I hope for its safety and find a pleasure in being instrumental in bringing together long absent Friends. If your son or daughters should any of them travel this way, I hope they will not fail to visit, the Ancient Friends of their...
9From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 23 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
It is a very long time Since I have had the pleasure of hearing from you; but I have not been unmindfull of you or of yours. I have had much anxiety for the valuable Life of the Attorney General, and have now, many congratulations to offer you upon the prospect of his recovery. This is my first Subject, of congratulation— “Friends, Country first, and Then all Human Race” And what Nation, or...
10From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 15 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you, for two very kind Letters The first, was written after my Grandaughter miss de Wint, had made you a visit. I ought to have inform’d you, how much She regreted, that it was not in her power to repeat it, and writing to me upon her return, that She was gratified in having visited a Lady, whom She knew; was much esteemd by her Grand Parents: as well as by her own Father, and...