151From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have been prevented waiting you since my arrival in Connecticut by the increased weakness and inflammation in my eyes; & I am now under the necessity of employing an amanuensis. My needle, (in which I have taken so much pleasure), is now wholly laid aside, & even writing I have been obliged to give up for this last fortnight. You have daily lived in my remembrance my dear friend, & since I...
As the Galen is about to sail my dear Madam I hasten to inform you that we have at length received the Watches sent by Mr. Brooks at which we are much rejoiced as they have proved a source of great anxiety to the younger branches of the family. The fashionable Season being over I have little to communicate that can afford you amusement and Mr. Adams informs you so regularly of every event that...
Tomorrow we leave this place with the intention of visiting you in Boston if nothing should intervene and force us back again to Washington. We shall be in Boston the latter end of the next week as we propose to leave Philadelphia on Monday Morning—Our visit will necessarily be short Mr. A—— being obliged to return the beginning of next Month—we therefore wish to be as short a time on the road...
154From Elizabeth De Windt to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Nothing could compensate so much for the disapointment of my Son’s not bringing your Caroline with him as the flattering letter he brought me from you, I Cannot describe my feelings when reading it, your Sentiments of him coincided So much with mine, that I could not help exclaiming he is all that this good & venerable lady thinks of him, to hear him praised for qualities that grace human...
155From Ann Thompson Gerry to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received with much Gratitude my dear Madam your Affectionate, & condoling Epistle of the 8th. Dec. last, & should long ere this, have acknowledg’d your kindness, had not the situation of my mind, in addition to my ill State of health, rendered me unable to perform the task; you, my dear Madam I hope, will make Just allowance for me. I know no friends for whom my dear departed Husband felt so...
156From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Nothing further received from you, since I wrote you last week—My boys have returned to School; and to close their holidays I went with them to Drury–Lane Theatre, and saw the Tragedy of Richard the third—The part of this amiable hero, was performed by Mr Kean, who is now the reigning favourite of the Public—They have mutilated this Play so much in their manner of getting it up, that it is...
157From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
My daughter Cuthbert has written to me declaring her wishes to make me a visit this summer if one of her brothers can meet her at the lines, it is necessary for me to write immediately to her to settle the plan of meeting—I again solicit your good offices to send it to the gentleman who has been so good as to send others for me. I was paind to hear of the illness of yourself and my venerable...
158From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 5 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
We were highly gratified in receiving a few lines from our dear Susan, to whom my love & thanks are due. I was in hopes ere this to have been with & sympathize with you, for the departure of several of our valued Friends, since we last met; In particular your beloved Sister, whom I esteemed, & venerated. By the strong ties of nature which twines around my heart & draws me close to my Sisters,...
159From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter my dear Mother as well as that of my kind Sister call for an answer and although the effort is almost too much for me I will endeavor to controul the pangs of my bursting heart and entreat you to compassionate and not condemn a grief which is beyond my reason to subdue had you witnessed the horrid circumstances of my Angels death you would pity and forgive me my heart is...
160From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 December 1805 (Adams Papers)
I received some days ago your kind favour of the 29th: of last month; and since then my brother’s letter of the 4th. instt:—from the last of which I am made happy by the information that you and my children are well I have occasionally forwarded packets containing the documents which have been communicated to us from the President, and others which have occurred since the Commencement of the...
161From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr J. Sergeant, arrived in London last week, and delivered to me Letters from you, my father and my brother. Your’s is of 5. December—At that time, you observe, the Season with you, had become very cold—Most fortunately for this Country, there has been no cold weather this Winter, and scarcely any Snow. The verdure of the fields in this neighborhood, is like that of May—There are several...
162From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am here on a visit of a few days to my remaining parent, enjoying as much happiness as a son can, under her kind roof. I am sure it will afford you pleasure, madam, to hear that her health is perfectly good, and her situation in all things comfortable and happy. Hearing me say I intended to write to you, she requested that I would present to you her affectionate and cordial remembrance....
163From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Scarce a day now passes without the arrival of vessels laden with flour from the United States. I am informed from Liverpool that upwards of twenty-five thousand Barrels have already been received there since the opening of the Ports. We have had several days ago accounts from New-York, down to the 18th. of last Month; and on Saturday I received your kind Letter of 8. Jany.—There is an old...
164From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
It seems that I may again indulge my own feelings by intruding another letter upon you, without supposing that I have any thing to say that can interest You, except as coming from one to whom You have kindly offered a transfer of frendship long since cherished for a more worthy object now no more. Oh my dear Madam the months that have pass’d since the loss of that revered object have not...
After a most fatiguing journey in which I suffered grievously we arrived at half past nine o’clock last evening beaten and bruised and scarcely able to go through the additional trouble of undressing to go to bed—Not a single event has occurred worth detailing and I can only write you a short Letter as my shoulders are too stiff to admit of my saying any thing more than that we are alive and...
166From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
The with in I prepared with design to forward by your Son on his return from Barnstable Court, but he passed with out calling upon me. Since which I have delayed to send it as Mrs. Otis informed me that you intended writing me soon.—When you put in execution the kind intention, you will let me know whether you have heard from Mrs. Smith since she reached her distant dwelling, as I shall always...
In the utmost haste my dear Mother I write you a few lines merely to assure you of the health of the family many thanks for your very kind letter of the 15 of May which however would have made us all very unhappy had it not fortunately been preceded by one of the 12 of July brought by Mr Jones who likewise assured us you were recovered many many years are yet I hope in store for you and I...
168From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 21 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
I know you will rejoice with me that Mrs. Cranch is again the mother of a daughter. This event happend last Evening. Mrs. Cranch requests you to permit us to name her with your name, not only as a testimony of our gratitude to you r for all your kindness to us and our connections, but as an incentive to the little stranger to in imitate the virtues which she will hear recounted when she shall...
169From Ann Quincy Packard to Abigail Smith Adams, 18 March 1805 (Adams Papers)
And her only child! my Dear Madam from her heart thanks you, for the kind consoling letter, recieved a few days since. You Madam, who knew so long, and so intimately, my Dear Parent, will believe I am a mourner; but to those who did not, to say I am deeply wounded by the loss, would seem like regreting; the sun had set at its accustomed hour; or that the rich abundance of autumn, was succeeded...
I had the pleasure to receive your kind and friendly letter yesterday, and hasten to inform you, that my dear husband is better. He has had a sharp attack of billious fever, which left him weak and debilitated; and now a violent cough continues to harrass him day and night, and prevents his taking that kind of nourishment, which would most speedily restore his strength. Tomorrow will be three...
171From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Though I have received no reply to my last, I interrupt Mrs. Adams again on a subject that lays near my heart.—It was reported to me yesterday that my beloved Mrs. Smith was again attacked by a dreadful malady which she has once surmounted:—and that apprehension of its fatal & speedy termination she has sent for her mother. When I receive an answer to the above enquiry I most ardently pray...
172From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Last week I enclosed several numbers of Cobbett’s Register, as they are republished in open Sheets—Here are two additional numbers, with, an Observer where you will find an account of the late Riots in London, and an extract from a recent publication containing some interesting particulars about Napoleon at St Helena. The Ministerial daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly publications, the...
I received with joy your letter of the eighteenth a few days since as I had suffer’d considerable anxiety at not hearing any thing of my children it is true I have no right to urge any one on this subject but having been compelled to leave them I cannot command my feelings and must trust to your kindness to let me hear frequently— I am very sorry to hear that George still continues subject to...
I have been so occupied in writing for Mr. Adams ever since his indisposition that I have really not had time to answer your kind Letters and have brought myself in debt to all my Correspondents and they accumulate so much that I am unable to satisfy their demands. My Boys are also at home which is another ample source of occupation as Mr. Adams’s time is of too much importance to the public...
175From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
I will without delay thank you for the ind letter of the 5th, which was not received till yesterday. It has been my intention to ask after your health for some time, & that of your dear Sisters; My heart feels much for her sore bereavement, as her day is so may her strength be. To that great being in whom she confides I commend her, with her afflicted Husband. May he be more to them than sons...
176From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 26 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
A token of Love & Friendship .—What can be more acceptable to a mind of Sensibility?— Your every friendly Letter under date Decr 30th came safely to hand with its inclosure, within a few days after date, and would have been earlier acknowledged, but for intervening circumstances needless to relate.— I shall with pleasure wear the ring, as a valuable expression of your regard;—nor, will it be...
177From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for your last favor, and the congratulations of myself and family on the return of a new year, may it come fraught with the best of blessings to my distinguished and respected frends. It finds me surrounded with all the comforts I have ever enjoyed except my dearest and best frend, the blank made by his absence seems to be particularly felt at the recurrence of noted days and...
178From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
The day after I sent my last letter to you I received your interesting communication, most sincerely do I sympathize with Mr Adams and you this melancholy occasion, this is indeed a changing scene, a dying world, and I think the last six months has been a time of unusual mortality—your dear daughter we trust was made perfect through sufferings and is inheriting the promises, where sin and...
179From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
We have this morning recieved your kind letter my dear Mother and I hasten to write you a few lines by a Vessel which I understand will sail immediately Mr. Adams is very well but so much engaged it will not be in his power to write by this opportunity having only notice of it late last night Mr Harrod is not yet arrived but is hourly expected—I shall be extremely happy to see him and shew...
180From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
Daily and incessant engagements for the last five weeks at the supreme court of the United-states, the term not being yet ended; together with the necessity for some time before it came on of getting ready for the important business which it was to devolve upon me, have long cut me off from the gratification and advantage which I never fail to derive from the correspondence of your venerable...