1Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I hear by Dr Tufts that our Medford Farm will be greatly injured by the middlesex Canal being cut through the land— I am very sorry to have what little landed property I have destroyed— But I suppose it will do no service to object— People are so very economick, & publick spirited at this day, that every thing must be sacrificed to the common weal— But the President, & you my Sister know much...
2Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
A mind agitated by the Vicissitudes attendant upon the present juncture of publick affairs, & oppressed by a large portion of domestic concerns, cannot often be disposed, nor find leisure to delineate its feelings upon paper— To the almost impossibility of portraying the various sentiments, passions, & exercises of the heart which have been roused in the past winter, I attribute Yours, & my...
3Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
For the communications by Mrs Black, you have my grateful acknowledgements. She made me only a Vis—short, & sweet. I was very sorry she could not tarry longer. I rejoice to hear that after many dissappointments your Eldest Son, is at length made the happy Father of a living Child. May his & your joy be complete, by seeing it grow up, a comfort to its Parents, an honour & a blessing to the...
4Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
When your Son delivered me your kind letter, little did I think, it would be so long, before I should reply. But my youngest Girl went home the Saturday after, & I have had a round of heavy cares upon me eversince. It was ten weeks before we could get any other Girl, & in some of the worst cold weather, & dreadful Storms which has proved quite too much for Lydia & me. But it could not be...
5Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I hope my Dear Sister, has had her Cup of happiness filled, by having an amiable long absent Son, with his wife & little One, sit at her Thansgiving Table. I have not heard of his return from Washington, but presumed it would be an object with him, to be with his beloved Parents upon that Day. I thought of the pleasurable Circle, & sincerely wished myself one of the Affectionate Band, for I...
I have been gratified by receiving two kind letters from you. No circumstance of joy or sorrow that affects my Sisters, can be uninterresting to me; not from an idle curiosity, but a wish. to heighten the pleasures of life by participation, & lessen the misfortunes by sympathy & sincere affection. The same kind Parents nurtured our Infant Days, & taught us “all the Charities” of social life....