151Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 14 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
I quitted you with a heavy heart with many reflections upon my mind known only to myself. You ask me why I choose to be separated from my children? To see my children happy around me would be a felicity to me which Providence does not see fit to grant me— Some are called to act their part in a foreign land— Others are destined to live at a distance where our intercourse must be chiefly by...
152Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
This day compleats Ten weeks, since you sailed and I have had no opportunity before this, by Captain Scott, of writing to you, unless by way of Amsterdam, where I have little hope of finding you. The Arms of France have proved so powerfull, and their victorys have been so rapid, that I should not be surprized to learn, that they had renderd your commission Nul & void, by overturning the...
153Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 5 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favour by captain Folger came safe to Hand, and brought me the agreeable intelligence of my Eldest sons having received His degree, and performed his part to the satisfaction of his Friends, and his own credit. you know Sir from experience, that there is no musick sweeter in the Ears of parents, than the well earned praises of their children. I hope he will continue through Life...
154Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 15 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Storer says the ship in which he is to embark will go down to day and that he shall go on Board tomorrow. I cannot let him depart without a few lines to you tho I wrote you so lately by Captain Lyde that I have nothing New to add. I have not been lately either to Court or the Play. I have made some visits into the Country to a couple of families who have been very polite to us. When we...
155Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
When I have written to your Brother I feel as if I had exhausted all the subjects which it is proper for me to write upon, but as your Hand writing allways gives me pleasure tho I see it only upon the superscription of a Letter, or in a few Promissory lines in the cover, I judge you will allways be gratified with a few words from me tho they contain no more than a Bullitin of our Health and...
156Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 12 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter was handed me, on my return from a journey into Devonshire. it was one of the most agreeable excursions I ever made. The Season was delightfull, and we performd our journey by easy Stages, always sure to find good accommodations at the Inn’s. The whole country through which we travelled was like a Garden, and the cultivation Scarcly admits of an other improvement; I wish I...
157Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 30 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I know you will rejoice to hear that we are so far on our journey without meeting any accident my Quincy Friends and Neighbours who accompanied us as far as Westown could tell you that they parted with us in as good Spirits, as the peculiar circumstances which preceeded our leaving home would admit. we reachd Williams’s and lodgd there. it was fortunate that mr Brisler was with his wife, for...
158Abigail Adams to Elias Boudinot, post 15 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Son having Sent me a coppy of your valuable Book, the President has read it with great satisfaction and pleasure; I have not as yet been able to go through the whole of it, myself having resignd it into the hands of miss Hannah Adams the Authoriss of a Work entitled “a veiw of Religious opinions.” She is about republishing the third Edition of that Work with considerable additions, and Some...
159Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 12 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have sent by Captain Scott the Books you wrote for, and if there is any thing else in which I can serve either you or my cousins, I shall be happy to do it— it is with much pleasure I learn that my cousin W.S. is like to be so pleasingly connected, and with a family to whom both you, & my Late parent, were much attached by a long accquaintance, and established Friendship. Educated under...
160Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 6 – 30 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have been 16 days at sea, and have not attempted to write a single Letter; tis true I have kept a journal when ever I was able, but that must be close locked up; unless I was sure to hand it you with safety. Tis said of Cato the Roman censor, that one of the 3 things which he regreted during his Life, was going once by sea when he might have made his journey by land; I fancy the philosopher...