1[April 1775] (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Strong all Day. At Night, a Man came in and inform’d us of the Death of Josa. Quincy.—Proh Dolor! First diary entry in a stitched booklet with marbled paper covers labeled by JA : “Account. 1775.” Not numbered by CFA in the sequence of JA ’s MS Diaries, this booklet has been assigned the number D/JA/22B by the present editors. It contains only two diary entries (30 April, 3 Sept....
2[1775. April 30th. Sunday.] (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Strong all Day. At Night, a Man came in and inform’d us of the Death of Josa. Quincy.—Proh Dolor! First diary entry in a stitched booklet with marbled paper covers labeled by JA : “Account. 1775.” Not numbered by CFA in the sequence of JA ’s MS Diaries, this booklet has been assigned the number D/JA/22B by the present editors. It contains only two diary entries (30 April, 3 Sept....
3[Daniel Smith’s Bill for Entertainment.] (Adams Papers)
Jno. Adams Esqr. To Daniel Smith Dr. 1775 £ s d May 13th. To Bottle Brandy 2 6 26. To Bottle do. 2 6 July 10. To Quart Spirits 2
4[J. Young Jr.’s Bill for Riding Equipment.] (Adams Papers)
John Adams Esqr. B ough t of J. Young Junr. 1775 June 14. To a new Pad and Double raind Curb Bridle £ 14 6 15. Mendg. an old Bridle 1 July 3. To a Cover for sword Scabboard 3 14. To a small pad for housings 2
5[Sarah Yard’s Bill for Board.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams Dr. To Mrs. Yard. 1775 Augt. 1st. To your Board & Lodging from the 10th May to this day 11 1/2 Wks.à 30s. per Wk. £17: 5 To your Servants Board for 7 Wks. 4 days à 15s. 5: 12: 6 To your Proportion to the Parlour and Candles 11 1/2 Wks. à 4s. 2: 6 To your proportion of the Liquor 13: 10 £38: 13: 6 38
6[Dibley & Stringer’s Bill for Care of John Adams’ Horses.] (Adams Papers)
1775 £ s d June 28 To hay for two Horses 3/ Oats 2/ 5: 29 To Ditto to July 2d. 3 days hay 9/ Oats 9/ 18: July 2 To hay 3/ Oats 1/4 4: 4 3 To ditto 3/ Oats 1/4 4: 4
7[Account with Joseph Bass.] (Adams Papers)
£ s d May 31. 1775 pd. Jos. Bass a Dollar 0: 6: 0 pd. him before 2 Dollars 0: 12: 0 pd. him before at Braintree a Guinea 1: 8: 0 Aug. 14. 1775. To ballance of your Acct. left at Philadelphia, as you recollect it if wrong to be rectified 2: 8:
8[Samuel Cooke’s Bills for Board.] (Adams Papers)
The Honble. John Adams Esqr. to Saml. Cook Dr. 1775 Augst. 24th. To Boarding your Lady & Self 3 days £0: 12: To 3 days Keeping yr. Horse 3: £0: 15: The Honble. John Adams to Samll. Cooke junr. Dr. To boardg: 6 days @ 2/ £0: 12. 0 To breakfasting & dining 4 persons @ 9/ 3. To keeping your horse 4 nights @ 1/
91775. Aug. 28. (Adams Papers)
Took with me £70:0:0 consisting in £62:10 Pen. Currency in Paper Bills and £20 L.M of Mass, in silver and Gold. This was the day JA set off from Braintree, but he went only as far as Watertown, where he stayed until at least the 30th, attending Council, before starting for Philadelphia. See Mass. Council Records, 17:61, 68, 69 ( M-Ar ). With Samuel Adams he left Watertown probably on 1 Sept.,...
10[Account with Massachusetts as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, August-December 1775.] (Adams Papers)
1775 Aug. 28th. £ s d pd. at Davis’s at Roxbury for Oats 0: 0: 8 pd. at Watertown for Horses Servant &c 1: 14: 2 pd. at Baldwins for Oats 0: 0: 8 pd. at Buckminsters at Framingham 0: 5: 0
11[September 1775] (Adams Papers)
At Woodstock. Heard Mr. Learned Leonard from Is. 32:16. The Work of Righteousness is Peace, and the Effect of Righteousness, Quietness and assurance forever. Archibald Bullock and John Houstoun Esquires, and the Revd. Dr. Zubly, appear as Delegates from Georgia. Dr. Zubly is a Native of Switzerland, and a Clergyman of the Independent Perswasion, settled in a Parish in Georgia. He speaks, as it...
121775 September 3d. (Adams Papers)
At Woodstock. Heard Mr. Learned Leonard from Is. 32:16. The Work of Righteousness is Peace, and the Effect of Righteousness, Quietness and assurance forever.
131775. Septr. 15. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Archibald Bullock and John Houstoun Esquires, and the Revd. Dr. Zubly, appear as Delegates from Georgia. Dr. Zubly is a Native of Switzerland, and a Clergyman of the Independent Perswasion, settled in a Parish in Georgia. He speaks, as it is reported, Several Languages, English, Dutch, French, Latin &c. —is reported to be a learned Man. He is a Man of a warm and zealous Spirit. It is said that...
141775 Sept. 16. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Walking to the Statehouse this Morning, I met Mr. Dickinson, on Foot in Chesnut Street. We met, and passed near enough to touch Elbows. He passed without moving his Hat, or Head or Hand. I bowed and pulled off my Hat. He passed hautily by. The Cause of his Offence, is the Letter no doubt which Gage has printed in Drapers Paper. I shall for the future pass him, in the same manner. But I was...
15[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
161775 Septr. 17th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Smith, Mr. Imlay and Mr. Hanson, breakfasted with us. Smith is an Englishman, Imlay and Hanson N. Yorkers. Heard Sprout Sproat , on 3 Tit. 5. Not by Works of Righteousness, which We have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, through the Washing of Regeneration and the Renewing of the holy Ghost. There is a great deal of Simplicity and Innocence in this worthy Man, but very little...
171775 Septr. 18. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning John McPherson Esq. came to my Lodging, and requested to speak with me in Private. He is the Owner of a very handsome Country Seat, about five Miles out of this City: is the Father of Mr. McPherson, an Aid de Camp to General Schuyler. He has been a Captain of a Privateer, and made a Fortune in that Way the last War. Is reputed to be well skilled in naval Affairs.—He proposes great...
181775 Septr. 19. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. Henry Hill with his Brother Nat. Barrett came to visit us. Paine introduced him to Mrs. Yard as one of the Poor of Boston. He is here with his Wife, on a Visit to her Brother. P. cries You H. Hill, what did you come here for? Who did you bring with you? ha! ha! ha!
191775. Septr. 20. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Took a Walk in Company with Govr. Ward, Mr. Gadsden and his Son, and Mr. S. Adams, to a little Box in the Country, belonging to old Mr. Marshall, the father of three Sons who live in the City. A fine facetious old Gentleman, an excellent Whigg. There We drank Coffee. A fine Garden. A little Box of one Room. Very chearfull and good humoured. This was Christopher Marshall (1709–1797) , the...
201775. Septr. 21. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
The famous Partisan Major Rogers came to our Lodgings to make Us a Visit. He has been in Prison—discharged by some insolvent or bankrupt Act. He thinks We shall have hot Work, next Spring. He told me an old half Pay Officer, such as himself, would sell well next Spring. And when he went away, he said to S.A. and me, if you want me, next Spring for any Service, you know where I am, send for me....
211775. Fryday. Septr. 22. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gordon spent the Evening here.
221775. Saturday. Septr. 23. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gordon came and told us News, opened his Budget.—Ethan Allen with 500 green mountain Boys, were entrenched half Way between St. Johns and Montreal, and had cutt off all Communication with Carlton, and was kindly treated by the French. A Council of War had been held, and it was their opinion that it was practicable to take Boston and Charlestown: but as it would cost many Lives, and expose...
23[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. Saturday. Sept. 22d. [i.e. 23d]. (Adams Papers)
S amuel A dams moved, upon Mifflins Letter, that a Sum be advanced from the Treasury for Mifflin and Barrell. Mr. E. Rutledge wished the Money might be advanced upon the Credit of the Qr. Mr. General. Wished that an Enquiry might be made whether Goods had been advanced. If so, it was against the association. Lynch wish’d the Letter read.— S. Adams read it. Jay. Seconded the Motion of E....
241775. Septr. 24. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Dyer is very sanguine that the 2 De Witts, one of Windham, the other of Norwich, will make Salt Petre in large Quantities. He produces a Sample, which is very good. Harrison is confident that Virginia alone will do great Things from Tobacco Houses. But my faith is not strong, as yet. Ld. North is at his old Work again. Sending over his Anodynes to America—deceiving one credulous American after...
251775. Septr. 25. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Rode out of Town and dined with Mr. Macpherson. He has the most elegant Seat in Pensilvania, a clever Scotch Wife and two pretty daughters. His Seat is on the Banks of Schuylkill. He has been Nine Times wounded in Battle. An old Sea Commander, made a Fortune by Privateering. An Arm twice shot off, shot thro the Leg. &c—He renews his Proposals of taking or burning Ships. Spent the Evening with...
An Uneasiness, among some of the Members concerning a Contract with Willing & Morris, for Powder, by which the House, without any Risque at all will make a clear Profit of 12,000£ at least. Dyer and Deane spoke in public, Lewis to me in private about it. All think it exorbitant. S. Adams desired that the Resolve of Congress, upon which the Contract was founded might be read: he did not...
271775 Septr. 26. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Wrote to Mrs. A. and Mr. and Mrs. W. The letter to AA is in the Adams Papers and is unpublished; those to James and Mercy Warren are in MHi and are printed in Warren-Adams Letters Warren-Adams Letters: Being Chiefly a Correspondence among John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Warren (Massachusetts Historical Society, Collections, vols. 72–73), Boston, 1917–1925; 2 vols. , 1:115–118.
281775. Septr. 27. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bullock and Mr. Houstoun, the Gentlemen from Georgia, invited S.A. and me to spend the Evening with them in their Chamber, which We did very agreably and socially. Mr. Langdon of N. Hampshire was with us. Mr. Bullock after Dinner invited me to take a ride with him in his Phaeton which I did. He is a solid, clever Man. He was President of their Convention.
29[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. Septr. 27. (Adams Papers)
Willing in favour of Mr. Purveyances Petition. Harrison vs. it. Willing thinks the Non Exportation sufficiently hard upon the Farmer, the Merchant and the Tradesman, but will not arraign the Propriety of the Measure. Nelson. If We give these Indulgences, I know not where they will end. Sees not why the Merchant should be indulged more than the Farmer. Harrison. It is the Merchant in England...
301775. Sept. 28. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
The Congress, and the Assembly of this Province were invited to make an Excursion upon Delaware River in the new Row Gallies built by the Committee of Safety of this Colony. About Ten in the Morning We all embarked. The Names of the Gallies are the Washington, the Effingham, the Franklin, the Dickenson, the Otter, the Bull Dog, and one more, whose Name I have forgot. We passed down the River...
31[October 1775] (Adams Papers)
Johnson. I should be for the Resolutions about Imports and Exports, standing, till further order. I should be vs. giving up the Carriage. The Grower, the Farmer gets the same, let who will be the Exporter. But the Community does not. The Shipwright, Ropemaker, Hempgrower, all Shipbuilders, the Profits of the Merchant are all lost, if Foreigners are our sole Carriers, as well as Seamen, &c. I...
32[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Oct. 3 [i.e. 4]. (Adams Papers)
Johnson. I should be for the Resolutions about Imports and Exports, standing, till further order. I should be vs. giving up the Carriage. The Grower, the Farmer gets the same, let who will be the Exporter. But the Community does not. The Shipwright, Ropemaker, Hempgrower, all Shipbuilders, the Profits of the Merchant are all lost, if Foreigners are our sole Carriers, as well as Seamen, &c. I...
33[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 5. (Adams Papers)
Gadsden. I wish we may confine ourselves to one Point. Let the Point be whether We shall shut up all our Ports, and be all on a footing. The Ministry will answer their End, if We let the Custom houses be open, in N.Y., N.C., the lower Counties and Georgia. They will divide us. One Colony will envy another, and be jealous. Mankind act by their feelings. Rice sold for £3—it wont sell now for...
34[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 6. (Adams Papers)
Chase. I dont think the Resolution goes far enough. Ld. Dunmore has been many Months committing Hostilities vs. Virginia, and has extended his Piracies to Maryland. I wish he had been seized, by the Colony, Months ago. They would have received the Thanks of all North America. Is it practicable now? Have the Committee any naval Force? This order will be a mere Piece of Paper. Is there a Power...
35[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 7. (Adams Papers)
Chase. It is the maddest Idea in the World, to think of building an American Fleet. Its Latitude is wonderfull. We should mortgage the whole Continent. Recollect the Intelligence on your Table—defend N. York—fortify upon Hudsons River. We should provide for gaining Intelligence—two swift sailing Vessells. Dyer. The Affair of Powder from N. York should be referr’d to the Committee. Hopkins. No...
36[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 10. (Adams Papers)
Who shall have the Appointment of the Officers in the 2 Battallions to be raised in New Jersey? Sherman. Best to leave it to the Provincial Conventions. Ward seconds the Motion. Chace. This is persisting in Error in Spight of Experience. We have found by Experience that giving the Choice of Officers to the People, is attended with bad Consequences. The French Officers are allowed to exceed any...
37[Notes of Debates, Continued] Oct. 12. (Adams Papers)
Report, on Trade, considered in a Committee of the whole. Lee. It has been moved to bring the debate to one Point, by putting the Q. whether the Custom houses shall be shut up, and the officers discharged from their several Functions. This would put N. York, N.C., lower Counties and Georgia upon the same Footing with the other Colonies. I therefore move you, that the C ustom Houses be shut,...
38[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 13. (Adams Papers)
R. Livingston. Hopes the whole Matter will be putt off. Is willing as it seems the general sense, that all should be put upon a Footing. Gadsden. Hopes it will not be putt off. S. Carolina will be in the utmost Confusion if this matter is not decided. Let the Continent determine. Stone. Can see no particular Inconvenience to Carolina. 2ds. the Motion of Mr. Livingston, for postponing the...
39[John Tyler’s Bill for Repairing A Pistol.] (Adams Papers)
To Cleaning a pistol 0: 2: 0 To one side pin 0: 0: 9 To two small screws to the Lock 0: 1: 0 To a new tumbler to ..... Do. 0: 3: 0 £0: 6: 9 M-Ar
40[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Oct. 20. (Adams Papers)
Deane. Their Plunder only afforded one Meal of fresh meat for the privates. All the rest was reserved for the Officers and their Friends among the Inhabitants. I would have Traders prohibited from importing unnecessary Articles, and from exporting live Stock, except Horses. Gadsden. If we give one leave when there is 100 who have an equal Right, it will occasion Jealousy. Let each Colony...
41[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 21. (Adams Papers)
Zubly. We cant do without Powder, Intelligence, Druggs. Georgia must have an Indian War, if they cant supply the Indians. The Creeks and Cherrokees are in our Province. We must have Indian Trade. Four Millions have been spent in 6 Months. We have been successfull. But We have gain’d little. All the Power of G.B. it is true, has gained very little. N. England has been at great Expence, so has...
42Octr. 25th. 1775. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Duane told me at the Funeral of our late virtuous and able President that he, Mr. Duane, had accustomed him self to read the Year Books. Mr. De Lancey who was C hief J ustice of N. York he said advised him to it, as the best Method of imbibing the Spirit of the Law. De Lancey told him that he had translated a Pile of Cases from the Year Books, altho he was a very lazy Man. Duane says that...
43[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. Octr. 27. (Adams Papers)
R. R. Livingston. Cloathing will rise tho Provisions will fall. Labourers will be discharged. One Quarter Part of R. Island, N. York, and Pensylvania depend upon Trade, as Merchants, Shopkeepers, Shipwrights, Blockmakers, Riggers, Smiths, &c. &c. &c. The 6 Northern Colonies must raise 9 millions of Dollars to support the Poor. This Vote will stop our Trade for 14 months, altho it professes to...
441775. Octr. 29. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Paine brought in a large Sample of Salt Petre, made in this City, by Mr. Ripsama. It is very good, large and burns off, when laid upon a Coal like moist Powder. I tried it. Heard Mr. Carmichael, at Mr. Duffils, on “Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall you dwell in the Land and verily thou shallt be fed.”
Ross. We cant get Seamen to man 4 Vessells. We could not get Seamen to mann our Boats, our Gallies. Wythe, Nelson , and Lee for fitting out 4 Ships. From D/JA/25, which then has a gap until 24 Jan. 1776. The present fragment is from a debate on resolutions, agreed to this day, to fit out four armed vessels for Continental service. Another resolution added JA to the committee to execute this...
46[November 1775] (Adams Papers)
At the Rising Sun in Second Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. 2 ozs. Cinnamon £0: 6: 0 1 oz. Turkey Rhubarb 2: 6 1 oz. Cloves 2: 1 oz. Pink Root 1: £ 11: 6 M-Ar : vol. 210. A printed form filled in. £ s d
47[William Smith’s Bill for Sundry Medicines.] (Adams Papers)
At the Rising Sun in Second Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. 2 ozs. Cinnamon £0: 6: 0 1 oz. Turkey Rhubarb 2: 6 1 oz. Cloves 2: 1 oz. Pink Root 1: £ 11: 6 M-Ar : vol. 210. A printed form filled in.
48[Ann Smith’s Bill for Laundry. ] (Adams Papers)
£ s d Novr. 29 For washing of Seven doz. and 4 pieces of Lining at 3/6 per doz 1 5 4 For mending 0 3 9 1 9 1 M-Ar : vol. 210. Endorsed by JA .
49[List of Persons Suitable for Naval Commands, November 1775] (Adams Papers)
Captn. Isaac Sears Thos. Randall John Hanson Christopher Miller John Harrison. Dudley Saltonstall Eseck Hopkins. Abraham Whipple. Souther. James Dougherty Thomas More. Reed. Charles Alexander. Michael Corbitt. Davinson. Clement Lempriere. S.C. Obrian. Carghill. John Lawrence. Alexander
50[John Stille’s Bill for Clothing.] (Adams Papers)
John Adams Esqr. To John Stille Dr. 1775 June 24th. To makeing Suit of Nankeen 0: 6: 0 3 3/4 Y ard s of Linnen @ 3/6 0: 13: 1 1/2 Buttons 0: 2: 7 Thread 1/6 Silk 3/ hair 2/ Buckram /3 Staying 1/6 0: