If you find as many joyful faces to receive you, as you have left sorrowful hearts behind you, you will have no reason to complain. When upon former occasions you have been separated from me, it was always with the expectation of having you again with me; since I have considered you as mine, you have been to me one of the chief props and supports of my declining years. By your watchful...
112From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I wish you was as far recoverd from your Sickness as I am from mine, altho I have not yet left my Chamber. the Sun has not Shone untill to day since the day I was in Boston. let me know how you are, whether you get Strength, and can use you Limb yet. do get some of Hughes ointment & rub your ancle; it will Strengthen it. I would have you let me know when you think You Shall be able to come out...
113From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 21 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
It was with a heavy heart and trembling hand, that I yesterday broke the seal of your letter to your uncle. I knew that he was gone to Boston, and as I had not any letter myself, I could not wait in such suspense; the contents of the letter has left me little expectation of hearing that the lamp of life is not nearly extinguished. I had written thus far, when Louisa brought me the paper, with...
114From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
The account of your Health and your debility gives me much concern. the frequent bleedings your Physician thinks Proper for you, quite allarms me. I am sure Louisa could not have Survived, if any blood had been taken from her. for more than a month, She could not rise from her Bed: to Sit while it was made, without fainting, and looking as if she could not be yet back alive. She has now So far...
delightfull praise! like summer Rose that brighter in the dew drop glows— they were Sweet Drops from the heart to the Eyes both of your grandfather & grandmother when I read to him the two Letters to your Father and uncle this day in praise of your Mother. you could not have offerd a Sweeter incence to your Grandfather— to know that flowing from the hand of Friendship in a Strain of Sincerity...
116From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Cutter is very desirious that you and any person we may agree upon Should go to medford and take a survey of the Barn and agree to build one, either by contract or as would be best, by employing Cutter to undertake it. I have agreed with Mr Foster to go up in my behalf, when ever it will be convenient for you to accompany him. Cutter should be informd when—the size and dimensions of the...
I write you a few lines just to say that I send your mother a century Sermon, preached in this town when your Grandfather was about four years old. He says he recollects the day—as his mother carried him to meeting and pointed out to him the old lady Penniman mentioned in the Sermon said to be near an hundred years old—The Sermon had got out of print—A number of persons who wished to preserve...
118From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith, 22 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
Words cannot describe to you how Sincerely I participate in your trouble? can I in any way render you any Service. I Send Richard to Town. the cards inclosed you will have naild upon any trunks you may wish to Send to my care—as Mr Adams left some things at your House, I presumed I might make use of his Name—Send me any of the Children you may wish to have out of the way at this time. I will...
119From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 18 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your good uncle Cranch is gone. heaven has Saved him the greatest anguish he could experience in this Life. the following her to the Tomb, She is still living, which is all we can say. The family requested me to notify you that the funeral will be on Saturday at 2 oclock—the Corpse to be carried to the meeting House. I will thank you to lend me if you can without inconvenience to yourself 30...
120From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams Smith, 8 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
If your Sister had not been So constant & punctual a correspondent with you, I Should have been more Solicitious myself, but hearing from you So often I have not thought it needfull to put you to the trouble of answering my Letters. She has kept you informd of all occurencs here, but now She is absent in Boston, having been led there under the Influence of Hymen to the Celebration ceremony...