201From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 30 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I promised to write you what I considerd the State of Your Dear Mother. She has appeard since you left her to be mending Slowly, has Slept considerable at night. her Sleep has not been altogether quiet, a Groaning which you no doubt observed attended it. She had taken the Bask Several times, but yesterday was obliged to quit it, her mouth and Stomach being very Soar, and her Breast tight. her...
202From Abigail Smith Adams to Stephen Peabody, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
By the Agony of your own Bosoms you can judge of the affliction of mine, at the Sudden, and unexpected Stroke, which has deprived you, my Brother of the best of wives, and her dear Children of the most tender and affectionate of Parents. Her only Sister, of the last bond of union, of the ancient Stock; the last ligament which bound her to Earth. her Sex are deprived of one of the purest...
203From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, September 1811 (Adams Papers)
in replie to your inquiries I answer mrs Adams had a very bad night. at 2 oclock Nancy came to my Room to request that I would send for the doctor. he got here before day light and bled her, since which she has had some rest, altho much opprest & at times almost exhausted. discharges continue black, but the Soarness abated, and the dr says the pulse better—Mrs Smith by the use of the Mayweed...
204From Abigail Smith Adams to William Cranch, 17 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your dear Father has joind the Spirits of the Blessed made perfect, on saturday last he was taken sick, appeared as he frequently has upon former days was wandering in his mind,—but a general prostration of strength took place. He was sensible only for a few moments at a time; exhausted Nature sunk to rest, without pain or struggle, and heaven has been pleased to save him the anguish of...
205From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
The east wind of this day, will prevent the Sailing of the Galen, and it gives me the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of May 13th No 87; and the papers containing the Royal Marriage which came to hand last Evening: by the arrival of a vessel at N york; this interesting , and important intelligence, had been partially communicated to the publick a week before—Some...
206From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1808 (Adams Papers)
Those of the family who could not attend yesterday at Cambridge yesterday as well as those who did, are very desirious of reading the lecture. if you will be so good as to let William take it, to day, I will return it on Monday. I wish a few of the Reviews if you can spair them. I carried to Town yesterday your Shirt overalls & waistcoat & handkerchiefs which you left here. as mrs Adams was...
207From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
This is the House that Jack built And this is the curse that lay in the House &c Now George, I hear you Say, what in the world can Grandmother mean by this? why I am so joyfull, that I must Sport a little with you—but to explain, upon the 29th of June, arrived the Ship pacific at N york, from Liverpool 45 days passage and She brought news of the arrival at that place of the New packet from...
208From Abigail Smith Adams to Adelaide Johnson, 26 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter with the inclosures and have written and forwarded them by a vessel just going to St Petersburgh—since I wrote to you last I have received two Letters from my son, one dated 2 of october and the other 25th they had just removed from their Country residence into the city, and were all well much improved in their health from the Air of the Country through the hot months....
209From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Before I closed my Letter to you, I received this morning your Letter sent by mr Harris, of october 25th. I rejoiced to See your hand writing altho I read with trembling. I have participated in your greif, and shared your Sorrows. let not gloom and melancholy take root in your mind the wounded heart must have time to recover from the Stroke which has pierced it. there are Duties which you are...
210From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 21 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty of introducing to you and your good Lady, Leiut Clark, who is on his way to visit his Friends in Maryland. he can give you any information you may wish for, respecting your Friends in Quincy. you will recollect mr Clark is the Gentleman, of whom I asked of you, when he was a Stranger Some information respecting, his Character, and connections— I have not had any cause Since...
211From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 12 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have Sent the Shoe & Shall have a pr by Saturday—it is a folly to keep the Boots I Send—charles will out grow them—and as mr John wants to make money by them, his uncle consents to give him his price for them— osburn will call to day for the articles I Sent for—a line from you to Callender will get them for me. you will be so good as to pay him for them—I did not receive any Tea— The weather...
212From Abigail Smith Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
You justly appreciate the Sympathy of your Quincy Friends under the heavey affliction you have met with. they do in deed feel for you. when the Aged fall, it is the Curse of Nature, but when the young and promising are cut down e’er they reach the meridian of Life, we are led to inquire wherefore? and it is only in the belief of a “Being of unerring wisdom and goodness, that the from whom the...
213From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your trusty driver took such care of your Letter that he kept it close in his pocket for a whole week after he returnd, untill ragged and dirty it reachd us last Evening 10 days after it was written. it was however very welcome, being the first intelligence which had reachd us of you, from the time you left us.— I requested your Brother to write to you to Philadelphia, as I was unable too,...
214From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
enclosed is Harriets account which I wish you to Settle when you go to Town. I have had it some time She received 15 dollers of you—Your Father has a Bill to pay to mr Cary—and the marble chimney peice is to be included—Both amount to 28 dollars.—I have his Bill. I beleive there is some money due in B office I presume there is also something due in Philadelphia, and as we can get flower here...
215From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 30 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
It is So long Since I heard from you that I am anxious to hear from your own pen, how you have got through the winter, and your good Father? For myself, I can Say that but little. I have had a very Sick time, ever since Jan’ry—I have not Sufferd much pain, but a great weakness and debility, like the breaking up of a constitution, never very robust, and very frequently assaild. With the...
216From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 11 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favour, with the Letters inclosed, and was gratified that the Sentiments which they contain’d met your cordial approbation, and exited congenial feelings in the Bosoms of your Sons—if I may judge from the marks which distinguish them— I have indeed great cause for pleasure and Satisfaction, in the ability, integrity, and fidelity with which my Son has devoted himself...
217From Abigail Smith Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 12 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
A seperate Letter my dear Child is due to you, not only as a reply, to one which you have written me, for which I thank you! but to assure you; that the improvements you have made, in your hand writing; and composition, have given me great pleasure. and also to congratulate you upon the arrival of your two Brothers in England, towards whom I hope you will find yourself allied, not only by the...
218From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a pattern of Ribbon of which I should like a peice if my wants have not already out now my Credit. if so only get me 8 Yds— I want to know how George & Susan succeeded, the morning was so dreary, that fearing worse weather the P. and Louisa were discouraged, and when G. and Susan determined upon going, Louisa was unhappy that she did not go in yesterday with her Brothers and have...
219From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 24 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I was rejoiced when I found the justice of Congress had made some necessary Provision for the office you now hold, altho they withheld a Clerk. I Should have been more gratified if their Liberality had extended to that, and an increase of the Sallery. the Duties of your office, must I am Sure, occupy the greater part of your time; but nothing is harder than to convince the purse holders that...
220From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 13 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill Saturday morning when I went to See my poor old domestic Pheby, that I learnt a word respecting my dear little Elizabeths Sickness—I carried up Abigail with to See you Supposing you had returnd, too much fatigued to call in the Evening. Inda then informd me that She heard by mr Saxon that She was very Sick. you may easily imagine how anxious I was untill mr Adams returnd in...
221From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
As my Husband has thought it proper to inclose a Letter, received from our Son to the president, which I presume you may read, I inclose one to me, for your perusal, the political part of which you may read to the president if you judge best; it is a more fre e expression of his feelings, and opinions, respecting the continuence of this farze of a negotiation on the part of the British...
222From Abigail Smith Adams to Dolley Payne Todd Madison, 14 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
My Grandson William Stuben Smith, having returnd from abroad, declines the honour which I have been informd, was intended him by the President, as secretary of Legation, to the Mission to England. His Brother, John Adams Smith, has written to me; to request of the President, the appointment, if he Should deem it proper to grant it to him. As Congress do not allow a private Secretary to their...
223From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Storer Green, 1809 (Adams Papers)
I know not how to acknowledge the date of your last Letter to me. one thing I know, that it is not so ancient as the date of our Friendship, that commenced with our first knowledge of each other, and has Subsisted undiminished through all the various Scenes through which each of us have passed I may add in a long Life in a checkerd State from the juvenile days of Caliope & diana, to the...
Ever since your letter to the President, of December last, I have had a great inclination to address a letter to Mr. Vanderkemp; and, being now confined to my chamber, by an attack of the rheumatism, I find a leisure hour to address my friend in his solitude. And in the first place, to put him perfectly at his ease, I assure him that I make not any pretensions to the character of a learned...
225From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 17 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter by mr Beals, and was very glad to learn that you and your Brother had enterd School you will very soon get familiar with it, and if you do as well as you know how, you will not be behind your Class. If Charles is really unwell; mrs Welsh will give him something to take, and he must restrain his appetite which was too keen for the season of the Year. I would have you call...
226From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
dissapointment after dissapointment—no Letter not a line from Dear Caroline. it cannot be that she has not written. She knows how anxious her Friends here must be to hear from her: I strive to imitate her even and quiet temper, when dissapointments of a Similar kind occured to her can you tell whether the carriage which took them on, is returnd may hap. the Man might have a Letter, and forget...
227From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter of July 18th on Saturday 25th. It was a great damper to me, who had been pleasing myself with the expectation of Soon Seeing you, and my Son—nor can I now relinquish the hope, that the impediments you mention, may be so accommodated as to give mr Adams a few weeks respite at least. From the account you give of your health, I Should think you would be benefited: by a...
228From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Send Some old Maderia & Sherry, the & the Curtains. I grieve that I cannot personally assist in nursing my dear Sister whom I pray God to comfort Sustain & Support under weakness her weakness, and trying afflictions. what I ever I have or can procure for her, I beg I may be calld upon for inclosed is a Small pecuniary aid. Sickness is chargeable in all families—I Send you a cheese and a...
229From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
This mornings post, brought your Letter of march 3d with the inclosure, which I shall forward by the next mail, I thank you for the entertainment it afforded, it will answer a two fold purpose, that of letting me know the incidents of your journey, and your progress through it, and afterwards—giving a similar gratification to the Friends at the Valley, I beleive I must agree with you to...
230From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 25 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I thank you my dear George for your Letter. I was glad to learn that you had such an agreable Ride to Atkinson, and that the objects of Nature presented themselves in Such pleasing coulours to you The contemplation of nature, and its history fills the mind with the greatest variety of Ideas, and never brings weariness or disgust, and as an Elegant writer expresses it “The Study of Nature like...
231From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I know how good a recent date is from a far country. accordingly my heart leaped with joy at receiving a packet the other morning dated in June, without recollecting that it was now only july, and that I could not get a Letter in so short a space of time, and 1812 Soon convinced me of my mistake. it came as usual with a patch upon the Seal, altho not endorsed, and if you turn to the date, you...
232From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 19 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
If the Sympathizing Tear’s of Friendship could assuage the agonizeing Bosom of my Friend; freely could I pour them there. I cannot Say how much I was shockd the last Evening at receiving a Letter from Louissa from Boston, informing me of the Sudden Death of your dear daughter Hellen O! my Friend this is indeed a trial. what can I Say, or how administer comfort? The circumstances attendent upon...
233From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have already written to you by the Galen, my Letter was anteriour to the calamity which the inclosed papers will full soon, inform you of.—what can we Say? but Lord thou destroyest the hopes of man. I know not how to describe the Gloom which has overspread the public mind—To departed worth, the tear of Friendship flow’s. Party Spirit is Silent, and drops her veil, and bows acknowledging...
234From Abigail Smith Adams to William Cranch, 26 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr W S Smith with Mrs Smith are upon a visit to her Relations in Washington. he is desirious of paying his Respects to you, as a Relation, and as a desendent of the Venerable Characters, whom he remembers with Respect and veneration— He is desirious of obtaining employment under the Government. in what Capacity I do not know. His being So nearly Related to me, deprives him of all the advantage...
235From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 7 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Dexter went on Sunday morning to your House, as she promissed me she would on Saturday. the Children all dined with me on Sunday— I have had such a Succession of company yesterday and to day that I have not been able to get out untill this Evening, when I went up to See the children and found them all happy and at play, mrs Dexter at her spining wheel—I read her that part of your Letter...
236From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Send you some oranges and Lemmons. the last night was a trying one to those who were not very Sick: I was myself so faint as Scarcly to feel able to draw my Breath—I think it equally relaxing to dog days—I hope it will clear up for the benifit of the Sick. does the Dr think your mothers fever came to the height Mrs Smith is very well unwell. I hope it is only a bad cold, but She has been...
237From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 10 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
I will write you a line the first I have attempted, to tell you I am getting better I hope tho very slowly. I am very weak, and not a little anxious to hear how my dear Abigail is. sick as I have been I regret that she is from home, tho I doubt not you will receive every attention and kindness, but you must das assistance, and have a home, more particularly so in Sickness—as soon as you think...
238From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 15 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
If I had known the Messenger who left the Letter from your Neice, communicating to me the death of your beloved Husband, would have called upon his return, I should not have delayed. to have assurd you how sincerely I feel your Sorrow, or how pathetically I mourn our own loss. For to your dear departed Friend, we have reason to say, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. To feel and...
239From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your Theological queries, you must consult with your Learned minister. I am not able to solve them. there is certainly a difference in the two tables, in the new Testament. I do not recollect but one reference to the ten Commandments That is in the tenth chapter of Luke, when the Lawyer consulted our Saviour, asking what he Should do to Inherit Eternal Life verse 26 & 27 & 28th He said unto...
240From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 19 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
The weather has been so Boisterous to day that not one of us have ventured out to meeting. I have written a long Letter to Caroline, and I Send you her two last Letters and return those of mr Everets, with thanks. I think them full as entertaining as Eustices Letters classical Tour. I laughd heartily at the attack of the young Lady who insisted upon Waltz waltzing with the Gentlemen. The other...
I write a line to enclose a Letter from Harriet. George has been so steady at Cambridge that I have had but one visit from him since he went there. I expect Him and his Brothers to keep thanksgiving with us; there is then a vacation of nearly a week—.John will want an additional pr of pantaloons. he is such a wrestless active Being that he is always in motion and his blews which he has worn so...
242From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening I received your Letter with the inclosurs. I wrote to you on fryday, but the post did not go, and the Letters were taken in yesterday mor’g by Thayer: I presume you got it after you had written to me— Mr Adamss Letter was written the day the peace was signd. it contains this passage which I should like to have inserted in the paper, as an extract from one of the Ministers to his...
243From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have just closed one Letter to you which is to go to Lisbon from thence to the care of mr Beasley. this is to go to France. upon the 30 of August I wrote you a melancholy Letter nor will this be less So. it is allotted to me to be the maven who is to convey to you all the Calamities which afflict our family and they have rooled in wave after wave, the Death of your Dear and only Sister who...
244From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 13 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you for a long time. I heard from you through your Brother, who kept Sabbeth with us this day week. Mr and mrs de Wint have past 5 weeks with us and I have had a large family, which you know brings much care. They left us last week—Caroline Spoke often of you, and desired me to give her Love to you. She was not well, and went out very little while She was here. the death...
245From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 1811 (Adams Papers)
How are your dear Parents your Father I learnt when I returnd from Boston was very Sick. I have feard it for more than a week. is he as he used to be, or more lost? this terrible hot weather I fear will be too much for my dear Sister, and your Fathers illness added. your call is great for firmness and fortitude, as your day is So may your Strength be, and God knows what is best for us. to him...
246From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 21 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have been for near two months confined to my chamber, and much of that time unable to write or read or my pen would not have been So long dorment. when I had but partially recoverd, my best Friend was taken Sick with a Similar complaint of the Lungs and fever, which has so affected his Eyes that, as yet he can only write a few lines at a time, and those with pain th my dear Madam join our...
247From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Louisa is just gone to Bed, She has not been So well to day. her flesh all rises upon her in puffs, & her feet swell, cough is better. but her limbs pain her Sadly She cannot take a mouthful Bread, tried it—to day & worried her Sadly—dr forbids her—I have fears for her which I do not express. I Send the Review, but have not had time to looke into it, you will return it me when you please Mr Mc...
248From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 19 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
The Horace arrived last week after a passage of 85 days—I hope she brought Letters for you. as I learn the captain was charged with dispatches for the President. I inquired if there was any thing for you; but could not find that there was, as vessels Saild at the same time for Baltimore. perhaps mrs Adams made use of that conveyance I have a Letter from her of 2d June, and one from him of the...
249From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Self, Self, is very often the first consideration I therefore begin my Letter by Saying I have had three good Nights. the Tincture of essence of hops, has contributed to them but it gives me the head ache. the weather is so worse than wintry, that I dare not encounter it abroad, so am deprived of exercise I ought to take.—the P has been Sick ever since Saturday with a most sad cold, taken on...
250From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod, 19 February 1805 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening your Letter by the hand of mr Adams, and the little matters accompanying it. you executed my commission quite to my satisfaction. accept my thanks in return. I have regreted that you have had such wet Streets in Town, after having experienced so much confinement at Quincy. To know that we can go, and come at our pleasure, is a privilege, even when we do not use it, and...