I have written three times to my Dear Mother since I received a line from her. A letter from Mrs Smith, to Caroline, this morning, informed me, that you, and Aunt Nancy, had been passing some time, at the Valley. I was rejoiced to hear, my beloved Mother, that you were so well, as to be from home, but I do most sincerely wish, I could hear from you more frequently: it is almost three months...
I have this moment received your letter, and hasten to inform you that the things are all ready. Mr Dexter procured a hogshead, quite large enough to contain all, and I have fixed every thing to the best of my ability; the desk I was fearful would injure the bed, I have sewed it in baize; the screws and key, are also sewed in the towel, I hope they will do no injury. the volume of Hume is...
3From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 3 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
It is more than a Month, Since a half finishd Letter has lain by, designd for you, and now it is like an old Almanac out of date, and lost its original value. I Shall therefore commit it to the flames, and begin a new Score. but Susan keeps you so constantly informd of all the events and transactions which transpire, and that in her own sprightly way, that She leaves me nothing to amuse you...
4From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was glad to learn through mr Johnson that you had an agreable journey home Your visit here seems more like a vision, than a reality,—and you hurried away so soon, that I had not half time enough to become acquainted with mr Johnson, to whom it was really doing an injury, for the more he was known, the more estimable he appeard I had not one half hours conversation with my Dear Abbe, by...
5From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped to hear from you by every post, and to learn how your Health is. I have not heard from the valley Since the 22nd of April. William’s account then of his Fathers Health left me anxious for him. he wrote me, that as soon as his Father was able, he designd taking a house, or lodging at Utica. he will then be near to you, and in the midst of a society, which may enable him to recover...
6From Charles Thomas Clark to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
You will (I hope) excuse me for addressing you openly and without preamble when informed of the subject—of the most interesting moment in the concerns of mankind. What I anxiously hope and now presume to ask for is no less than the hand of your daughter in marriage. A constant wish to appreciate justly a sincere and firm attachment returned, will be the unceasing spur to every exertion to...
It seems an age, since I have written, or heard from you, and I cannot allow another post to pass, without writing. I begin to fear that some of my letters to you have miscarried, as I have lost several, very lately, owing to the negligence of the Boston postmaster. Caroline, with her husband, Child and Cousin, have been with us nearly a fortnight, the babe, is a beautiful little creature, and...
I enclose a letter from Mr Clark to you, which he gave me yesterday. May we hope for your approbation and blessing? it is a subject, which I cannot write upon, at present. I feel very anxious to hear from you, my dear Parent and may your precious life be prolonged many years, to witness the happiness of your children. Most tenderly you daughter NIC .
9From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 28 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
Think not my Dear Daughter that I have been silent through want of feelings—I have sympathized with you under the repeated Shames you have been called to endure, in the last I have been no common sharer, I have wept with the relatives, over the remains of a Brave, unfortunate Benevolent Man, a kind affectionate & tender companion of her, whom he has gone to join in the World of Spirits,...
10From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 24 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
I this morning received your Letter, dated the 10th I sympathize with you, under the repeated Bereavements you have been call’d to Suffer. your graces, and your virtues, are now call’d into action. it is not Stoical indifference, but a christian Submission, and resignation to the all wise dispensations of your heavenly Father, which is required of you. alive to the tenderest sensibilities, you...
I have been expecting to hear from you every day, for this month past, but have not received a line. I have been in Boston, several weeks, and after my return was confined to the house with an inflammatory sore throat, or I should have written long before this. Mr Clark leaves us tomorrow, for Washington, and Georgetown. his Sister and Uncle reside there, and he will be absent more than a...
Your two kind letters of May 25th and June 1st received this morning, with the one enclosed, Oh my Dear Parent, how gratifying to me; is this assurance of your approbation, You think I have decided in favour of Mr Clark; indeed I have never given him any positive answer, but have invariably, requested him, to forbear urging me upon the subject, untill I heard more explicitly from you; Never,...
13From John Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 26 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
As the comfortable and reputable Establishment in Life, of my Grandchildren is very near my heart; your Letter of the 14th of this month could not fail to give me much pleasure. Yesterday the 25th. the anniversa r y, the 50th Aniversary of my own marriage, your Letter was brought to me from the Post Office. I devoutly pray that my lovely Abigail may be as happy in her marriage as I have been....
I can hardly believe, that such a length of time has elapsed since I have written, or heard from you; be assured, I should not have remained so long silent, but through necessity; for the last three weeks, I have been deprived of the use of my right hand, by a violent attack of the Rheumatism which settled there, and has rendered me absolutely useless. I have thought constantly of you, and...
The promptitude with which you, complied with my request, merits my warmest thanks, and I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your kind note, and its contents. I beleive I promised to inform you of this careless affair, which stands thus; I was playing with a ring, that had been placed upon my finger, and which I was to return, in three weeks, when unfortunately it fell from my hand, into the...