1Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
on the 17 of this Month cousin William wrote his uncle, that he had carried his cousin Tom Home to Braintree with the Symptoms of the Measles upon him; you will easily Suppose that I waited for the next post with great anxiety but how was I dissapointed last Evening when mr Adams returnd from Town, and the Roads being very bad the post had not arrived. I could not content myself without...
2Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
What a Succession of troubles have you had to incounter & not one of us to help you through them— I have been very anxious for you & was affraid by my not hearing sooner that something had happen’d— oh my poor Thomas how I pity him—his Patience & fortitude have been put to their trial— he has a great share of it I know, & he will find tis good to be sometimes afflicted he will feel more...
3Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 17 October 1791 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here last Night. my first inquiry was for a Letter from you, which I was happy enough to find, and great relief did it afford to my anxious mind. I sent to the post office to see if I could get any further intelligence last evening but was dissapointed. I am ready however to attribute it more to your not getting an opportunity of conveyance than to any unfavourable circumstance, and...
4Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you ten days ago and informd you that my Family were very sick. I did not then conceive it to be, what I have since found it the Influenza. I have got better, but my cough & some other complaints still hang about me. Polly Tailor is so bad with it, that if she is not soon relieved the concequences threaten to be fatal to her. Louissa is very sick confind to her chamber I keep a...
5Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 1-4 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
The dull weather of Last week has prevented sister Shaw from making her visit or she would have been here mourning with me the absence of our dear sister. I hope she will be here on Teusday if she is not I fear she will not come this fall— She has already put it of too long—the fine weather is all over. Doctor Tufts has taken the advantage of it & brought home his wife as snug as can be— Mrs...
6Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of May 16. and was very happy to find that you were all upon the recovery. we have daily mercies to be thankfull for, tho no state is exempt from trouble and vexation. the one which at present Torments me is the apprehension of a Removal from a very delightfull situation, to I know not where, and I am too short sighted, or too much blinded, to see any real advantage from...
7Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 18 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
This day fortnight the 2 of May we propose to set out on our journey to Braintree. it will be the middle of May I presume before we arrive there if we meet with no accident, So that I will thank you to attend a little to my Garden have Some sallid sewn and what ever else you think proper I wrote to you not long since requesting you to let me know what you thought I might want. you will not...
8Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 29 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
I left Philadelphia on twesday Noon the 24 of April. my first stage was only twenty miles. I bore it better than I expected. the next day rode only 18. Rain came on & the Roads were Miry indeed. we did not get to this place till fryday Evening. here I find a vacancy which cannot be supplied, tho all my Friends are good & kind. the first being who welcomed me to the House, and met me at the...
Justice & judgment are the habitation of thy throne, O my God! but thy mercy endureth forever— In the depths of Sorrow, I have lifted up mine Eyes, & felt some ray of comfort, when I saw this thy darling Attribute shining with distinguished lustre—“many, very many were the virtues of my Friend”— feign would I hope, they were such as would more than ballance his failings— feign would I hope...
I believe in one of my Letters I told you I had troubles of various kinds— I need to be possessed of more wisdom than the Serpent, joined to the innocence of the Dove, more meekness than Moses, more patience than Job—& to abound richly in the fruits of the Spirit— In one word our people have been very Jealous of me, they were conscious they had not used Mr Shaw well, & thought it imposible for...
11Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you and my dear Neice upon the late happy event in your Family. can you really believe that you are a Grandmamma? does not the little fellow feel as if he was really your own. if he does not now, by that time you have lived a year with him, or near you, I question if you will be able to feel a difference. have you been so much occupied by these New cares as not to be able to...
12Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16 October 1791 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last Sunday by Doctor Welsh & your son who were here & sent it to new-york where you now are I suppose. I hope you found the Letter when you arriv’d as your Sympathytick heart would be in some measure reliev’d by the favourable account I gave you of mr Cranchs Leg— since that time it has continu’d to descharge well the mortified parts have been seperateing from the sound flesh &...
13Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 30 October 1791 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you upon my journey whilst I was at Brookfield the sunday after I left you and was sorry to find by your Letter, that you had not received it. I wrote to you from N york but have been so engaged in moveing, & so embarressd with company in the midst of it, tho only a complimentary call, that I have had scarcly a moment that I could call my own. it was kind in you [to l]et mr Cranch...
14Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am quite discourag’d writing by the Post I know not if you have ever receiv’d one Letter Which I have sent by them I have sent two long ones the Last I put into the office a month ago last Saturday. I should have written oftener if I had not suspected that Letters directed to Mr Adams where taken out by somebody who had no right to them— I hope I am mistaken—but I cannot conceive why you...
15Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 October 1789 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a Letter last week, but as it did not get to the Post office, I have detaind it with an intention of sending you one of a later date. I believe I have received all your Letters. your last was dated Sep br 8th I have not written to any of my Friends so often as I ought to. you know very well that when a person is fixed to any particular spot, that very few subjects worth...
16Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received your two kind Letters of April 1 & 5 I am extreemly sorry to hear that mrs Norten is afflicted in the way that you write me she is, but tell her to keep up a good Heart. I can Sympathize in her Sufferings a Bath of Hot Herbs was the most salutary means made use for me. a poultice of Camomile flowers is also very good, but I hope she is relieved before this time. painfull experience...
17Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
do you not pitty me my dear sister to be so soon all in a Bustle? and wary of Removing again, as much Boxing and casing, as if we were removing to Europe. our furniture may well be stiled movables . the expence attending the various removals would very handsomely furnish one House. I feel low spirited and Heartless. I am going amongst an other new set of company, to form new acquaintances to...
18Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 18 December 1791 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 27 of Nov br but company comeing in call’d me from my pen, and I have not since had leisure to reassume it. I have so little Time that I can call my own whilst here that I think when I return to Braintree I ought without suffering from any reflections to be able to live retired. on Monday Evenings our House is open to all who please to visit me. on twesdays my domestick...
19Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 30 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
your kind Letter of various dates came safe to Hand. I was allarmed at not hearing from you, & feard that you were all sick. the disorder termd the Influenza has prevaild with much voilence, & in many places been very mortal, particularly upon long Island. not a Creature has escaped in our Family except its Head, and I compounded to have a double share myself rather than he should have it at...
20Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you last Sunday, and on Wednesday received your kind Letter. we have begun to pack up our furniture, and expect to get it on Board by the 20th perhaps we may make it later, but I hope not as the weather will every day become more & more uncomfortable. the Idea of going so much further from you is painfull to me, and would be more so if I did not hope to Spend the next summer with...
21Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 4 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
Mr Cranch has pack’d your things & sent them on Board Captain Barnard I hope they will go safe but since they were put on Board mr woodward has sent for the stone roler & says he lent it to mr Adams, that mr Borland sold it to him we sent him to the Doctor about it. If tis so I suppose it will be taken out—I told him you certainly suppos’d it purchase’d with the House or you would not have...
22Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 12 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I was just going to set down to write to you, when I received your Letter of I am sensible I was much in Arrears to you, as well as to some other of my Friend’s Since the Recovery of Thomas we have had Health in our dwelling, for which I have great reason to be thankfull. I have been happy with my three sons round me, but a sigh of anxiety always hung about my Heart, for mrs smith who ought to...
23Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 24 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this opportunity By my Brother to write you a few lines tho it is only to tell you what you would have learnt from him, Namely that we are all well. he is come in persuit of Betsy Crosby. how well the child might have been provided for if the dr had lived, I cannot pretend to say, but two thirds of her property is already consumed, every minutia being charged to her as the account...
24Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 19 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
This day is the Aniversary of my Landing in Boston and Tomorrow that of my departure from it. many are the mercies I have to be thankfull for through all my Perigranations, all the painfull scenes I have past through, has been the temporary seperation from my Friends, fatigue either of Body or Mind I scarcly name amongst them for I have my pleasures and gratifications which I set down as a...
25Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have been waiting with impatience to hear of your arrival in Philedelphia, your health was so poor that I want to know how your Journey affected you, I hope you have found an advantage from it, but the fatigues attending moving are not very pleasing to the Body or Mind. If there could be any advantage arising from it to you, there would be something to balance the trouble, but to be at such...
26Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25–29 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter of march eleventh yesterday. I wrote to you last week which was the first time I had been permitted to use my pen, or indeed was able too, for six weeks. I have not yet been out of my chamber. the weather has been very unfavourable this Month. I was to have tried the carriage to day but the weather is against me. I am so feeble & faint, if I move that I do not think...
27Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you from Providence some account of my polite reception there & closed my Letter just as I had accepted an invitation to dine with mr Brown & Lady. the forenoon was pass’t in receiving visits from all the principal gentlemen and Ladies of the Town, who seemed to vie with each other, to convince me that tho they were inhabitants of an Antifederal state. they were themselves totally...
28Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 12 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter by mr Brisler who reachd here on the 4th of july, Since which you will easily suppose I have been very buisily engaged in arraneging my Family affairs. this added to the intence heat of the season Some company (tho for three days I was fashionably not at Home,) and some visiting which was indispensable, having more than fifty upon my list, my Time has been so wholy...
29Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
I last Week receiv’d your Letter of the 20th & 21 d of March with cousin Louisias giving me an account of your sickness If I had receiv’d hers first I should have been distress’d indeed. but I had not a hint of your Illness till I receiv’d those Letters When you wrote before you told me you felt an attack of your intermiting Fever I have been anxious ever since. I dare not indulge my fears I...
30Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I have heard from you that I begin to be very uneasy I am the more so as I know it is about the time for mrs Smith to be confin’d & you did not give me the most favourable account of her health in your last letter. you I know feel all the anxeity of a tender mother for her but I hope to hear soon that She has presented you with a fine Grandaughter— my little Richard grows...
31Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5–6 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I promiss’d to write you by the Post when your Furniture Sail’d but Doctor Tufts Said he had done it— I hope you have it safe & that it has been more fortunate than in its last voyage— I heard you did not leave Providence till the monday after you left us. I want to hear of your arrival reception &c—how you found mr Adams mrs Smith & her little ones—whether she will continue in the House with...
32Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I can never Sufficiently express my thanks or my gratitude for your last kind & affectionate Letter & you must not laugh at me nor chide me when I tell you that I sat & weept over it as if it had brought me some evil tydings I felt the full force of that maxim of Solomons “It is more blessed to give than to receive” But my dear Sister you must forgive me if I tell you I cannot accept your...
33Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 9 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
If I should ask why I have not heard from my sister or Friends, for several weeks past, would she not answer me by retorting the question? in replie I could only say that I had designd writing every day for a long time, but we have had such a lassitude of weather, and such a long continuence of it, that I have really felt unfit for every thing which I was not necessitated to perform, & for...
34Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received your Letter of 28 th of Febry which relieved my mind from a great weight of anxiety. I do not think that I have been so long a period, without Letters from some, or other of my Friends Since I first came to Newyork, or elsse the anxiety I have been under for several weeks appeard to prolong the Time I have written to you 3 weeks Successively but you do not mention...
35Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
I was in hopes of hearing from you by last Nights post, as I am solicitious to learn how mrs Norten does. I had Letters from Thomas and find that he is returnd to Cambridge very well he says, and he gives me the agreeable News of his Aunt shaws having got well to Bed with a daughter added to her Family. I have been anxious for her; as her Health is so slender, and I know how to feel for you...
36Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I Received your kind Letters and meant sooner to have replied to them, but many avocations have prevented me. I am fully apprizd of all you mention in your Letter respecting your situation and wanted no apoligies for your conduct, but I still insist upon what I first wrote you, & it will pain me to hear you say any thing more upon the subject I never could apply it more to my satisfaction, I...
37Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last Week receiv’d your Letter date 15 th. of March in which you mention writing me three weeks successivly. I have receiv’d but one Letter before this since your Brother Adams brought me one I cannot think what is the reason I have not had them I have had that in which you mention the miss Palmers staying in your house. They offer you their most grateful acknowledgments for this favour, but...
38Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 9 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter of December 12th with one from my Nephew inclosing 4 Portraits I instantly recognized my worthy Brother Cranch and my dear sister together with our venerable uncle Quincy. the other not one of us have skill enough to find out, by which I judge it is not a likness the three first are admirably executed and I have to request that the same hand would take my Mother and...
39Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, [after 22] September 1790 (Adams Papers)
I beleive cousin Thomas has wanted his Trunk. I hear that Barnard did not sail till last week I hope your son has arriv’d safe but wonder that we have not heard from him. He promiss’d to write. The parting on our side was hard I cannot think of it without a Tear He had so indear’d himself to us all by his affectionate behaviour & amiable manners that he was to us a Son & Brother may a good...
40Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 25 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
I last week receiv’d your kind Letter of the 9th of this month & rejoice to here that you are all in so much beter health than when you wrote before. I feel more pleasure at the thought of seeing you here in the Spring than I dare venture to indulge I past by your House this afternoon & the thought of seeing it again inhabited by my dear Brother & Sister gave a chearfulness to its appearence...
41Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 11 December 1791 (Adams Papers)
I again take my pen to write to my dear sister tis a long time I know you think since you have heard from me. I have the same complaints to make of you, but once since you arriv’d in Philadelphia have I receiv’d a line from you— I know your time must have been much taken up in arranging your House & receiving company. this I hope & not sickness has been the reason I have not hear’d from you...
42Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 11 October 1789 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams Sets of tomorrow morning on a visit to Braintree. I would gladly have accompanied him, but so many difficulties arose in the way, that I gave up the Idea. if I had come we must have gone to housekeeping, & by that time I had got things any way convenient, I must have returnd, & that at a season of the year when it would have been cold & unpleasent travelling. I find myself attackd...
43Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I designd to have written to you by the Monday Post, but I was so very ill on Sunday that I could not set up. I have had the severest attack of the Rhumatism attended with a voilent fever which I have experienced for several years. I have not yet left my chamber, tho I am much releived. the weather has been uncommonly wet and cold, Snow we have had in the course of this fortnight more than...
44Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16–25 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last evening receiv’d your Letter without a date but believe it was your last as you mention Mrs Smiths removal want of some Furniture &c. mr Cranch will attend to the Packing & Sending them directly— I hope you have receiv’d my last letter. you will find by that mrs Norton for whome you have been so kindly anxious was much better & had escap’d what we so much feard but She is as thin as a...
45Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, October 1[5?]-25 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have at last receiv’d your Letter but never was poor creature more dissapointed I thought to be sure that it contain’d orders for me to get your house in order for your reception cousin John had not a doubt but you would come. Lucy was going to spend a week at Lincoln but as aunt adams was so soon to be here she desir’d to be sent for home Sister Shaw was comeing in expectation of seeing our...
46Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
A strange phenomanan has happend in our Family. I believe I wrote you that Louissa and John were both innoculated for the small pox but neither of their arms shew’d any proofs after the 2d Day. Louissa was soon seizd with the cold & Fever which has so universally prevaild here. upon the 10 day John was very sick apparantly the symptoms of the small pox, but they lasted only one day on the 17...
47Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
After I had closed my Letter to you this day fortnight, I retired to my chamber, and was taken with a shaking fit which held me 2 Hours and was succeeded by a fever which lasted till near morning, attended with severe pain in my Head Back &c the next morning I took an Emetick which operated very kindly and proved to me the necessity of it. on tuesday I felt better and went below stairs, but...
48Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I begin my Letter with the congratulations of the season, to you and all my other Friends & for many happy returns in Succeeding years. the New years day in this State, & particularly in this city is celebrated with every mark of pleasure and satisfaction. the shops and publick offices are Shut, there is not any market upon this day, but every person laying aside Buisness devote the day to the...
49Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 February 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter of dec br and sincerely congratulate you and my Neice upon the Birth of a son, tho I could have wishd it had been a daughter. I have had the pleasure of having mrs smith and William on a visit to me for 5 weeks. the col has been part of the time here & Charles spent a fortnight with me. they expect to leave me in a week or ten days. this would be but a small matter...
50Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter giving me an account of the distressd Situation of Sister Smith. I fear her disorder will terminate in a setled distraction Burrel Shall have the Room & bed Room for Mrs Smith at 12 Dollors a Year, but he shall have them only for her that is he shall not consider himself at Liberty to let them to any one else if she should not continue with him. I mention this...