1From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that you have arrived safely at Princeton where may your health be perfectly restored—my kind regards to Mrs Boylston and to the young family—I am labouring & sorrowing according to the oracle and for nothing more than I know of than my distance from you—We go on here in a dull round—no news of any kind that is worth repeating. I am in a kind of solitary imprisonment to which I...
2From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 13 April 1826 (Adams Papers)
A thousand thanks to my ever dear Cousin, for his unbounded benevolence to me. The barrel of cider will last three of my lives, & the wine I presume is excellent for your wine is always Superlative. I am rejoiced that you and Mrs B are convalescent. George has done his duty in waiting upon you, and I hope he will do so as long as you live—Your kind and thankful friend Miss Smith sends her...
3From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
My anxiety for you is greater than, that for myself, I long to know the state of your Health, and I cannot longer forbare to send and enquire after it. my love to Mrs. Boylston, and Prayers for your health, and comfort—from your affectionate friend / and Cousin MHi : Boylston Family Papers.
4From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
I am suffering under a bitter repentance in neglecting to write & thank you for your last kind letter & for the valuable present of Cider whose only fault is that too good I am obliged to mix more than half water with it— I begin to look forward with great delight to the prospect of your return to Roxbury with Mrs Boylston, hoping that you both will come and see me before I go hence, to be...
5From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
Is not your lively imagination a little exalted, you certainly have exalted my name to a greater height than it would ever have arisen to, without your sublime compliment—I presume you have laid aside the thought of building an Hospital for despair on that height—I am sure my name ought not be associated with despair How I long to make you a visit, but I cannot get out of my Chamber yet, here...
6From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
I still breathe in great weakness, but in my latest breath I shall wish for your health and prosperity and that of all your family. As to giving you advice concerning your concerns at Harvard University—I am utterly incapable of it. The conduct of that beloved and venerated Seminary is too refined and sublime for my dullness to comprehend. I presume not to censure any of its acts, though some...
7From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 1 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a letter, but have not been able, and am not still able to acknowledge it—I am very low, but low as I am, I feel a longing to take a ride with you up your new road—to the top of Boylston Hill—Alias Waychusetts—But I might as reasonably wish to fly on a sunbeam to sirius the dog-star Our public affairs in this state go on pritty well but I am sorry for one event, the removal of Mr....
8From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 23 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received two kind letters from you not yet answered. Mr Curtis sent me the fish which I found very fine & I beg that you would not give yourself the trouble of sending me any such delicacies for I am not and never was much of an epicure. And now all kinds of food are much alike to me—my own beef & mutton are the best for me. My health about which you seem to be anxious would be best...
9From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I will not loose a second before acknowledgeing your favour of the 21st. which I received this minute—I wish I could send you a Copy of all the papers, that is the Deeds by which I have given to the Town of Quincy one hundred and sixty five Acres of Land. And my Library. For the purpose of building a Stone Temple, and a Stone Academy, that Academy to be built over the Cellar of the House in...
10From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 12 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Badinage Avaunt!!! I must now be very serious. I have recollected all I can of Homer Virgil and Shakespear—for you know I can read neither and I can recollect nothing comparable to your idea of a stone edifice on the top of Waychusetts Hill as an asylum for men and women in despair—it is in Milton only that I can find any thing approaching it, in sublimity. In humanity it has no competitor...