Adams Papers
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John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams and John Adams, 28 July 1797

John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams and John Adams

London 28 July 1797.

My dear and Honoured Parents.

I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter, worthy as I fully believe of adding one to the number of those who already endear that relation to you.— The day before yesterday united us for life.1 My recommendation of her to your kindness and affection I know will be unnecessary. My sentiment of her merit, will not at this moment especially boast its impartiality, but if there be as I believe an inseparable chain of connection which binds together all the domestic virtues, I have the strongest pledge that she, who has in an amiable and respectable family, adorned the characters of a daughter and Sister, will prove an equal ornament to that of a wife.

In renewing to you, the assurances of my unalterable duty and affection, I would now join hers to them, but believe they will be more acceptable to you from her own hand, remaining your ever faithful Son

John Q. Adams.

The day before yesterday by uniting me to your beloved Son, has given me a claim to solicit your parental affection, a claim I already feel will inspire me with veneration to pursue the path of rectitude, and render me worthy as deserving of your esteem and tenderness, as those who stand in the same relation, my pride would be severely wounded to yield the palm in the fulfillment of my duties either as wife or daughter, to be respected in these characters, and to meet the approbation of my Husband, and family, is the greatest wish of my heart— Stimulated by these motives (your affection the reward) will prove a sufficient incitement, never to sully the title of subscribing myself your, / Dutiful Daughter

Louisa C. Adams

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed by AA: “J Q Adams / L C Adams. july / 28th 1797.”

1JQA described his wedding day: “At nine this morning I went accompanied by my brother to Mr: Johnson’s, and thence to the Church of the Parish of All Hallows, Barking, where I was married to Louisa Catherine Johnson, the second Daughter of Joshua and Catherine Johnson,—by Mr: Hewlett.— Mr: Johnson’s family, Mr: Brooks, my brother and Mr: J. Hall were present. We were married before 11. in the morning: and immediately after, went out to see Tilney House; one of the splendid Country seats for which this Country is distinguished.— We returned at about 4. P. M. The company before mentioned, and Mrs: Court a friend of Mrs: Johnson, dined with us.— The day was a very long one and closed at about 11” (D/JQA/24, APM Reel 27). JQA and LCA’s marriage certificate, along with a copy, are both in the Adams Papers. For LCA’s recollection of the wedding, see LCA, D&A description begins Diary and Autobiographical Writings of Louisa Catherine Adams, ed. Judith S. Graham and others, Cambridge, 2013; 2 vols. description ends , 1:50.

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