11From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 19 June 1808 (Adams Papers)
Here we are Sitting by a good fire in the parlour, and wearing, our winter coats to meeting, whilst our windows are coverd with a profusion of roses, our Wall’s decorated with flowers expanding their Beauties to the cold Northern blast, which rudely lacerates their delicate texture, unmindfull of their Beauty; and headless of their fragrance. I rose the other morning delighted with the visit I...
Through Caroline De Wint, I was last Evening informd that your Mother has had a return of the complaint which so much allarmd Us, when She resided here.—Caroline supposed mr Johnson has or would write to inform us of it. but as we have not received any information from any other quarter, I would fain flatter myself that your Dear Mother is better. I have not acquainted Susan, as I wish much to...
The weather has been so intensely cold for near a Month past that I have not taken a pen or attempted to write a Letter, nor have I acknowledged yours of Janry 15th received a fortnight ago, nor Johns bearing date 1st of Jan’ry. without any snow upon the ground we have had a Month of the coldest weather I recollect to have experienced Since the year your Father and Brother saild for France....
I began a Letter to you on Sunday last in which I informed you that your Sister S. Adams and Abbe arrived here the week before in good health & spirits, that they left your Mother Sisters & Son well. John has written me a Letter by them which is the first I have received from them him, tho he frequently writes to his Grandfather. I shall not fail replying to him. Susan has been a month at...
To cheer the gloom which, in despite of my efforts to dispel, will hang about my heart upon the return of this day, which used to be endeared to me by the presence of your brother, I must have recourse to my pen and write about him, whilst my imagination follows him upon the ocean, sometimes wafted by gentle gales, and sometimes buffeting the winds and the waves. You, too, have your anxieties...
16From Abigail Smith Adams, Receipt, 2 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
Balance due upon a former re paid Jobe Tinil for a Small trunk Lock and Key for John 1 33 paid Louisa Dexter knitting one pr Socks 25 100 11 30 Received in full 100 5 MHi : Adams Papers.
William has been so punctual in writing to you every week, that I have been more remiss. I cannot write in an Evening; the only time in which I feel a disposition to use my pen is the forenoon. You know how buisily that is generally occupied, and more so now Louisa is in Boston, and the Farm buisness is just commencing. mrs dexter is going to housekeeping. I know not where to supply her place,...
18From Abigail Smith Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 14 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to your Request we have concluded to Send you the picture. Mr Adams has been So occupied by public Buisness that he has not given any directions respecting it.—but as we know it will receive the greatest care from you; we have concluded to commit it to you; relying upon the promise given, that you will deliver it to our Son John Quincy Adams, when ever he calls for it— With...
Your Letter of Sepbr 25 together with Carolines came safe to hand, but I have been in a kind of Turmoil ever since, and never felt retired, or quiet enough to sit down to my pen. It is a great misfortune to me that I cannot see to write in an Evening, without injury to my Eyes. your Aunt Cranch’s sickness has lain heavey at my heart. She is I hope recovering, but she has been much broken down....
20From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 23 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
mr Dexter will come to Boston tomorrow for the Trunks you must go with him to mr Crufts who when you pick out the Trunks will deliver them—I See that nobody here will attend to them if I do not—they are lodged at mr Thorndikes Store Custer lies very dangerously sick your GM MHi : Adams Papers.