1Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I this day receiv’d your kind Letter from Springfield. I Set you down in Brookfield in my mind that day however I think you did right to go on as fast as you could the President must want both you & mr Brisler & could I think you would have any rest after you arriv’d I should feel better about you. but I do hope you will not think of Staying thro the hot months your Life is of too much...
2Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hear by mr Smith & Cousin Louissa’s Letter to her Sister that your journey made you sick for several days I do not wonder at it. you was fatigued before you sat out & such bad roads to pass without more time to pass them in was enough to make you sick the weather has been very cool, uncommonly So here every thing but Indian corn grows finely notwithstanding. your Farms Would delight you....
3Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had a mantua makaker & a Tailor last week which keept me so fully imploy’d that I had not time to write I receiv’d your kind Letter by the Post a thursday & rejoice that you have got into such good order so soon. I do not rise quite so early as you but I should if I could get all my folks to Bed in season you do well to devote so much of the day to riding I hope the difficulty the bad roads...
4Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 27 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I never visit or pass your house but I think of that beautiful & simple Song in the Spectator The Rose Bush under your window is as full of bloom & fragrance I suppose as formerly. your Garden florishes & your Clover Field is delightful—but Should I tell you how the view of them affected me before I recieved your last Letter you might call me romantick— I pass’d them yesterday—went into your...
5Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I write my dear Sister with a hope that this letter will not find you in Philadelphia but as we have not heard that congress have risen I would not have you without a line of information that we are all well & that your chambers are ready the mason has promis’d to white wash the house & mrs Porter is waiting for orders to clean for your reception I have been fearful for your health & that of...
6Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 26 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
we have made every thing as ready for your reception as we can. but alass I fear we Shall not see you. I think it will not be possible under the present State of affairs for the President to leave with prudence the Seat of Goverment for So long a journey but I hope you will leave the city If you do not come you will be Sav’d the melancholy prospect of your ruin’d Barley field & distroy’d...
7Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter from worcester since that I have heard by the papers you have arriv’d in new-york. I hope Safe. you must have had bad weather some part of the way if Such as we had reach’d you. last Sunday evening we had a terrible Tempest of thunder Lightning & wind & rain the Lightning struck the house of cap n. J o. Baxter & every person in it reciev’d a Shock there were many...
8Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I last monday receiv’d your Letter of the 22 d of october it was a long time coming. I wrote to you as soon as I thought you had arriv’d at your Daughters you have receiv’d a Letter from me & sister Peabody too I hope. I shall write, always about mrs Smiths little Boys when I can get any news from them. Will m Shaw did not go home this vacation but stay’d at cambridge to study I have not heard...
9Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
That you have reciev’d but one Letter from me my dear Sister is not because I have not written I cannot think where they are detain’d— they were address’d to the President & to the care of charles Adams Counsellor at Law—as the President directed. I have sent three. I have not written So often as I would have done if I had not been much taken up with Company & Family cares.— I have been oblg’d...
10Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 15th of Nov br. before this I hope you have receiv’d another Letter from me but I shall be very cautious what I Say if tis liable to be inspected by the President without your leave he thought he must Say Something I suppose make his peace with me for taking Such libertys. I do not remember what I writ but I believe no treason. I am glad mrs Smith has heard...
11Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 17 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I design’d to have written you last week but was prevented by company I have receiv’d your Letter of November 28th & thank you for it I always wish to receive one a week at least but I have no right to expect it constantly as I know your time must be taken up with more important matters. I cannot myself write so often as I wish but be assur’d you shall hear from me often— I rejoice in your...
12Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have not been So shock’d for a long time as by the account of mr & mrs Halls death. Cousen Louisia mention’d it in her Letter to her sister which accompany’d yours to mrs Black. I sat down & wrote a Letter to her my Self to prepare her for what she was to find in yours & sent our Boy with it. the weather was So cold & I almost Sick with a cold that I could not go to carry the melancholy...
13Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I design’d to have written you by the friday mail but on Wednsday mr Norton came over to attend Abdys funeral (he dy’d on monday) & brought a chaise to take me back to spend a few days at weymouth. mr cranch went that morning to Boston So I thought I would go & return as soon as he would. but I was caught in a Snow Storm the first of any value we have had— by it I lost my chance of writing to...
14Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 20 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I wonder Sister Peabody Should trouble you about our Nephews concerns. the first Letter She wrote you She sent open for me to read. I had written her before desiring that mr Atwood would get all the Bills, his own, the Doctors & nursies with the funiral charges, & send them to mr Cranch with an account of what money Charles had by him. we Should then be able to write to his brother william...
15Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
what a feast you have sent us my good sister. for alhough it may be call’d a feast of bitter herbs yet I would not be ignorant from whence the Poison is extracted which is design’d to destroy our constitution this is evidently the design of those declamers. how can the People bare to see their members spending So much of the publick money to the very worst purpose. is it possible that they can...
16Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I write again my dear Sister because I know you love to hear from me, & not that I have any thing important to communicate I was disappointed by not having a line from you yesterday as you clos’d your last Letter of Feb. 1 d by Saying you had just receiv’d one from me which you Should reply to the next day I went to Boston a Friday with mr & mrs Black in their Sleigh & return’d with them the...
17Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I cannot enough thank you my dear Sister for your kind Letter its Sisterly contents Sink deep in my heart & draw tears from my eyes. happy happy woman! to have the ability & the Will to do So much good. yes my delight is to be you almoner I am always sure of a welcome wherever I go to distribute your bounty. mrs Smith dear creature what She must have Suffer’d I know her Silent manner of...
18Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I write now because I know how it feels to be disappointed not because I have any thing to communicate of importance. I receiv’d your kind Letter of the 13 th of this month what related to my dear Son has given me great pain tis no more than I have fear’d. but his Father Says if he can get over these difficulties he will be as cunning as the ——— he does not speak wicked words you know. my fear...
19Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 20th of march which I receiv’d yesterday & for the papers you sent mr otis & Harpers Speeches are much admir’d by one party & their Wit & Satire felt by the other. they “have bar’d the Breasts of those villains who are doing their utmost to ruin & degrade their country & have Strip’d the gilding from the Principle which they wish’d to establish.[ ” ] it had...
20Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I last week had to inform you of the Sudden death of my much value’d Freind Mrs Quincy I Now have to acquaint you that last Sunday afternoon in the midst of his Sermon Doctor Clark was struck with an apoplexy & fell down— after he was got into the carriage to be carry’d home he came a little to but Soon seem’d to fall asleep & into a Suoun out of which he never wak’d & ceas’d to breath about 3...
21Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 20 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have read the dispatches from the Envoys with as much astonishment as the Jacobins in congress heard them but not with those twinges of conscience which some of them must feel. those who by their false representations to that nation of the designs of the Government here & the spirit of the People in General, those who have known the truth & have ly’d to the publick, those who have been all...
22Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 23 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I write now merely to inform you that I have reciev’d your two Lettes of the 9th & 13th of this month & Shall answer them by the next mail. I reciv’d them both last Saturday with the instructions & dispatches— I do not wonder that the Jacobins in Senate house & every where else Should be Struck dumb.— do you really Suppose Galletan Sinscere in his declarations? & what says mr Nicolas?— the...
23Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am doom’d my dear Sister to be the messenger of death to you. I believe for five weeks past my Letters have convey’d you an account of the death of Some Freind or acquaintence & almost all of them Suddenly taken away the death of Sucky warner whos remains I yesterday Saw depositted by the Side of our dear Parents & much belov’d aunt. there to remain till the last trumpet Shall bid them...
24Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 10 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I can never sufficiently thank you for your Letters & the communications you so frequently Supply me with I am considered as the fountain head from whence truth is to be looked for. I have read parts of your Letters till I have them by heart & can preach very well without notes now— wherever I go I am Scarcly welcome without I bring my pocket full of Letters— I was last week Several days in...
25Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I too have taken my pen with the rising Sun. I have been so disturb’d with the account of the allarming riot before your Door on the fast day evening that I have not had a moments quiet sleep this night. I had no Idea the faction would have tried their Strength So oppenly I suppos’d the Letters which had been thrown into your house were mear threats. but I hope they have but Staid their time—...
26Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 25 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Vanity of vanity! & the conseiquenc of it is vexation of Spirit— who ever is inclin’d to live beyond their income let them enter the House where plenty hospitality & an appearence of wealth used to be display’d at the moment the mask is fallen of, & they will behold a Scene of distress & woe enough to tear the heart of love & Friendship I have long Suspected Doctor Welsh’s affairs were...
27Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday receiv’d your kind Letter of the 18th my Sons & mrs Johnson to you. you cannot think my Sister how much pleasure they gave me. I had one also from Nancy informing me that her Richard was broke out with the Small Pox & was like to do very well. he had about fifty Pustles & had been very Sick for two days before he broke out. mrs Cranch had inform’d me before of mr Johnsons...
28Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have at last heard from atkinson I had just Sent a long Letter to sister when I receiv’d one from her & another from Cousin Betsy— Sister is full of anxiety about her Daughter & well she may be—for by both the letters I think her in a fix’d consumtion— her cough is better but her Fever runs high & She has night Sweats & is So weak she can ride but a few miles in a day. Cousin Betsy Says She...
29Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 15 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been at hard work this morning & my hands tremble So, I can Scarcly hold my Pen, but if I do not write now I may be hindred as I was last post day & So not finish my letter to send till too late I was in the chaise for Boston Yesterday at 5. a clock. I found my Friends well, & Doctors Welsh’s Family gratified by your attention to Thomas. mr Smith Was bound for the payment of Tomas’...
30Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the House full of company for a week & have not been able to Steal a moments to write to you or to my dear children at Washington.— I have receiv’d yours of the 8th & 13th of June together with one from my Son to you & one for Doctor Tufts which I deliver’d immediately into his hands as he was present when I receiv’d it. He is at your House two or three times a week & always finds...
31Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but dire necessaty has prevented my writing as often as you could wish I do not always think it necessary to give you a list of the avocations which forbids my taking my Pen. but you know what it is to have ranting Boys to make & mend for & young men to pull about & leave upon tables chairs &C Books papers & clothes: I have no one to feel the propriety to keeping a house unincumber’d...
32Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
How did you live thro’ the heat of Monday & Teusday we could but just breathe the glasses Stood at a 100 at Boston I thought much of the inhabetants of our citys especially Philadelphia I hope you will not stay much longer in it I see the v President has ask’d leave of absence. is he gone to Secure his papers— we are rejoicing to see that a beginning to stop the mouth of Sedition has began at...
33Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I was very glad to hear by the Letter you sent me from Brookfield, that you had got Safely so far. the week prov’d so Stormy & disagreable I was affraid I Should hear you were Sick. this week has been in general So pleasant excepting one day very windy that I hope you are Safe at eastchester this evening, & that the President is recover’d from his cold. your children well & the Sweet Caroline...
34Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d your kind Letter of the 15 th yesterday & am glad to find you able to receive so much company tho I fear it will not be advantagous to your nightly repose I was in Boston last week & find the appointment of the Envoys is growing to be a very popular action Some extracts from Joel Barlows Letters has made the appointment appear an act of wisdom— these extracts were in John Russels...
35Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I feel an inclination to write you every week athough I have nothing new to inform you of I know you are as interested as I am in know the result of the present negotiation about mr Whitney we have so far gone on very Smoothly. The committee met as I told you they were to—nine of them—mr. Cranch mr Black, Cap t. Beal mr Spear & Cary: these were the old ones who invited mr whitney. to these the...
36Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am very much mortified that I have Sent so Many Letters to you burthen’d with Postage I thought mr cranch had frank’d them all by his name on the Letters as well as on the Post Bill—he thought the later was sufficient— I will take care for the future that they Shall be directed right I have reciev’d yours of the 18th & 22 d of December there solemn Subject has engross’d the thoughts &...
37Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d two Letters from you since I wrote last. one contain’d the Border & Lace for my cap, & a cap for Mrs Norton—for which We thank you. mrs Greenleaf also for hers— how you do love to dress up your Friends! there is certainly More pleasure in it than in adorning our own Persons— we cant wear our Blue ribbons yet we are all in mourning— not a person in our Meeting house but has Some...
38Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for two Letters which lay by me unanswer’d, I have had My hands full of business & my Head of care—& one of my hoarse colds to trouble me besides. mr Cranch is still confin’d with his, but I hope will not be quite Sick, on the ordination day I could not speak loud enough to be heard & was very much oppress’d at my Lungs—but I could not spare myself. I had the House full of...
39Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 23 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you so often as I wish’d to do for these Several weeks— I have not been free from company since ordination: our house has been like a Tavern Last week I receiv’d your kind present by General Lincoln for which I most Sincerely thank you tis very pretty—& very delicate Muslin.— mrs smith sent me the little Gown for a pattern to make it by. I like the Form all but the apron &...
40Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 14 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
There is a great deal of pain: taken to make mischief between you & Mr & Mrs Porter many wish for his birth but I am confident no one who has offer’d would take better care of your things in the house or to whom you could trust them with equal Satefy James Howard is very busy & very abusive, told mr cranch that he heard mr Porter was going, & that it was time he should— he knew his tricks: you...
41Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 3 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
you have not told me that the Lady in the undress who was presented at your Drawing Room had been connected with a Frenchman—but I suspect She had. I know not where else she could have got her impudence. a Shameless woman is a horrid sight. The frightful wigs the Ladies Wear here & cover up their own beautiful ringlets is an evidence of a great want of tast, but we are not yet so lost to every...
42Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 11 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
My fears are all alive. cousin Thomas wrote mr Cranch that his Mother was not so well as she had been. I have observ’d many threatnings for some weeks past, many cares upon the mind some perplexities—all to be revolv’d when the Head is laid upon the Pillow added to the Rhumaick affections which march generally produces— surely here are causes enough to make me fear that sickness is the cause...
43Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I know your impatience to hear frequently of your affairs here & I am as solicitous that you should— last week & untill this Morning it has not been in my power to write you more than a few lines— Mrs Norton came here with Edward & Thomas last thursday week for me to nurse her with the proper Influency she has been very ill a violent distressing cough, & not able to take the least care of her...
44Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
welcome thou best of women thou best of Sisters thou kindest of Friends the Soother of ever human woe to the city of Washington. welome to the best of men welcome to a Nephew & neice who Love honor, & respects you take their Sweet ofspring to your benevolent Bosom & say to thus would your Grandmama do if she could hold you in her arms.— I tremble I can scarcly hold my pen other must tell you...
45Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I last week receiv’d your first Letter from the city of washington. I began to grow impatient not to receive one Line neither from you nor My Son, but last thursdays mail brought yours & one from him to his Father. I had heard of your arrival by mr Brislers Letter to his wife. but I wanted to hear your own account of your journey. I receiv’d your two Letters Written upon the road & thank you...
46Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just clos’d a long Letter to sister Peabody from whom I reciev’d one last week— Tis the first I have written to her Since I was Sick She is well herself but mr Peabody has been More unwell than Since they were married ha Sore in his ear attended with great pain in his Neck he is better, & got out again— I hope you my dear Sister are well of your cold, but your troubles must be great...