131Richard Cranch to John Adams, 24 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Sister Adams informs me that you complain that your Friends this way neglect writing to you. I believe a share of the Blame belongs to me, and shall now endeavour to make some amends. We have lately had several little Expeditions from this quarter against the Enemy, a particular account of which, as near as I can collect it from those who were present, I shall give you.—On the 11th. Inst. in...
132To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 24 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am this far arrived on my way Home. Give Me Leave to introduce to your Notice Mr. George Lux a Son of a Gentleman who is my particular Friend, a Man of the most worthy and amiable Character, he is bound for our Camp and would be glad to carry your Commands to any of your Friends. Mr. Cary, Mr. Hopkins and Smith, young Gentlemen of Balt. Town, are also for our Camp and worthy of Attention. I...
133Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of July 7 for which I heartily thank you, it was the longest and best Letter I have had, the most Leasurely and therefore the most Sentimental. Previous to your last I had wrote you and made some complaints of you, but I will take them all back again—only continue your obliging favours whenever your time will allow you to devote one moment to your absent Portia. This is the 25...
134Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 25 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you, nothing very important has occurd. The Skirmish near Long Island, You have already received an Accountt off by Mrs. Adams. A Party of Soldiers were employd last Week in removing Grain from Nantasket and having got off what was ripe, on Thursday they went in Whaleboats to the Light House, set Fire to it having first taken off the Lamps, 3 or 4 bbs. of oil and 1/2 bb....
135The Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Massachusetts delegates, 25 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 25 July 1775. FC ( M-Ar : Mass. House of Representatives Records, 57:263). As speaker, James Warren notified JA and the other members of the delegation of their election to the Council and expressed the wish that they would take their seats on the Council as soon as their duties in the congress permitted. Their election to the Council had taken place on 21 July. JA took his seat on...
136Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I forgot in my last epistle, to desire you to speak to the Phila. printer’s of the News paper’s generally sent this way for to send me One, weekly which as the posts are now regulated, comes here a Thursday Afternoon, the Hartford post arriving att Cambridge a Wednesday Night. Your two Peices Issue’d by your Congress meets with general Applause—but we want to see that to the King and as itt is...
137Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I do not feel easy more than two days together without writing to you. If you abound you must lay some of the fault upon yourself, who have made such sad complaints for Letters, but I really believe I have wrote more than all my Sister Delegates. Their is nothing new transpired since I wrote you last, but the sailing of some transports, and 5 deserters having come into our camp. One of them is...
138To John Adams from William Tudor, 31 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this Minute your Favour of 23d. July. We have had, Saturday Night and last Night much skirmishing between the ministerial and continental Troops. The Regulars attempted entrenching on Charlestown Neck Saturday Night, which produc’d a Brush Sunday Morning. They were obliged to desist by the Fire of our ranging Parties. It is said they lost seven and we two Men. There has been a...
139To John Adams from James Warren, 31 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favours of the 23d. Instant Yesterday. I am glad to find that you have appointed Thomas the first Brigadier this I think will satisfy both him and the Army. I have been Obliged to take pains to keep him in the Camp, he seldom talks Imprudently, and I believe has never done it on this Occasion. Spencer is a Man I have no knowledge of. He left the Camp on the first...
140To John Adams from William Tudor, August 1775 (Adams Papers)
You was inquiring the other Day into the Office of Judge Advocate. I will now acquaint you with some Particulars in that Department which will give you an Idea of that Officer’s Duty in the Continental Army. As Judge Advocate, I have his Excellency’s (the Commander in chief) Orders, in writing, “to attend every General Court Martial, not only those of the Line but of each Brigade throughout...
141[Sarah Yard’s Bill for Board.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams Dr. To Mrs. Yard. 1775 Augt. 1st. To your Board & Lodging from the 10th May to this day 11 1/2 Wks.à 30s. per Wk. £17: 5 To your Servants Board for 7 Wks. 4 days à 15s. 5: 12: 6 To your Proportion to the Parlour and Candles 11 1/2 Wks. à 4s. 2: 6 To your proportion of the Liquor 13: 10 £38: 13: 6 38
142To John Adams from Thomas Young, 2 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
To your request that I would give you my sentiments on the important subject of your Commission which so much interests the defence of these Colonies I answer. Of all pursuits that men have yet engaged in none is more subject to misfortune, imposition, and disappointment than that of minerals. Few are, or from the mysterious and complex nature of the thing can be judges of the matter. Few have...
143To John Adams from James Warren, 9 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have very Accidentally heard of this Opportunity by Mr. Brown and have so short Notice of it that I can do little more than Acknowledge the Receipt of your favour of the 26th. July, which I Received the day before Yesterday when my Mind was tortured with Anxiety and distress. The Arrival of powder in this manner is certainly as Wonderful an Interposition of Providence in our favour as used...
144Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
Tis with a sad Heart I take my pen to write to you because I must be the bearer of what will greatly afflict and distress you. Yet I wish you to be prepaired for the Event. Your Brother Elihu lies very dangerously sick with a Dysentery. He has been very bad for more than a week, his life is despaired of. Er’e I close this Letter I fear I shall write you that he is no more. We are all in great...
145[Samuel Cooke’s Bills for Board.] (Adams Papers)
The Honble. John Adams Esqr. to Saml. Cook Dr. 1775 Augst. 24th. To Boarding your Lady & Self 3 days £0: 12: To 3 days Keeping yr. Horse 3: £0: 15: The Honble. John Adams to Samll. Cooke junr. Dr. To boardg: 6 days @ 2/ £0: 12. 0 To breakfasting & dining 4 persons @ 9/ 3. To keeping your horse 4 nights @ 1/
146To John Adams from Joseph Frye, 25 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have taken leave to Send you Enclos’d herewith, a brief account of the Several Stations in which I have Serv’d my Country in a Military way—as a history of all occurrences and Personal Sufferings in that Service would have been too tedious for your Patience, I presum’d not to trouble you with it. Therefore Shall say no more here than that, any Notice you Shall please to take of me on your...
In 1745 He was an Ensign of a Company in Colo. Robert Hales Regiment at the Reduction of Louisbourg. In 1746, He was made a Lieutenant in Major Moses Titcombs Company in Brigr. General Waldo’s Regiment, design’d to Serve in an Expedition against Canada under the Command of General St. Clare Saint-Clair —but as the Expedition hung in Suspence, It was propos’d by the Government of...
148To John Adams from James Prescott, 25 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this minit received the Inclosed account and Imbrace the oppertunity of Conveying it to you by Mr. Pain. I am Sir your most obediant Huml Sert., NB: I find my Brother has not Been so perticuler as I Could have wished—he has not Given any account of his former Campain—he was an officer at the reduction of the Newtrel frinch at Noviscotia in the last war about two years. RC ( Adams Papers...
149To John Adams from William Prescott, 25 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Line from my Brother which informs me of your desire of a particular Account of the Action at Charlestown. It is not in my Power at present to give so minute an Account as I should choose being ordered to decamp and march to another Station. On the 16 June in the Evening I received Orders to march to Breeds Hill in Charlestown with a party of about one thousand Men consisting...
150To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 4 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
This afternoon came to Hand your Favour of August 26. May you ever have it in your power to expatiate this Largly on your own Happiness, but I would not have you Imagine when you in your sixteen hours Nap and Dreaming of the Feilds of Arcadia, and are Enraptured with the Happy Elisian and paridisaic scenes at Braintree that you are the only Happy Mortal among your Numerous Circle of Friends. I...
151John Adams’ Commission as Justice of the Peace in Suffolk County, 6 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 6 September 1775. Printed form with spaces filled in appropriately ( Adams Papers ); signed by Perez Morton, Deputy Secretary, and fifteen Council members; on the verso in an unidentified hand: “J. Adams Esq.”; docketed in later years by JA : “Commision.” This commission, listed in Council records under the date of 8 September, was approved at the same time as similar ones for John...
152Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since you left me I have passed thro great distress both of Body and mind; and whether greater is to be my portion Heaven only knows. You may remember Isaac was unwell when you went from home. His Disorder increasd till a voilent Dysentery was the consequence of his complaints, there was no resting place in the House for his terible Groans. He continued in this state near a week when his...
153To John Adams from James Warren, 11 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I please myself with the probability that before this you are safely arrived at Philadelphia, after having fine weather for Journeying. I hope you will not be disappointed in your wishes with regard to the Spirit and Temper of the Congress. I should have wrote you before if I had been well, but from A Cold I took in the long storm we had here, have been much Indisposed since you left us. Am...
154[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
155Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I set myself down to write with a Heart depressed with the Melancholy Scenes arround me. My Letter will be only a Bill of Mortality, tho thanks be to that Being who restraineth the pestilence, that it has not yet proved mortal to any of our family, tho we live in daily Expectation that Patty will not continue many hours. A general putrefaction seems to have taken place, and we can not bear the...
156To John Adams from James Warren, 19 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had fixed a determination in my own mind to omitt no Oppertunity of writeing either to you, or my Friend Mr. S. Adams, but I have Indeed so little to say at this time, that I should have thought it hardly worth while to trouble you with a Letter had it not been to Inclose one from Mrs. Adams, who with the Children I had the pleasure Yesterday to hear were recovered. I have been much...
157To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 22 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
Under my adverse Circumstances, I stood, and still stand in great Need of your Advice; and am therefore, very sorry I had not an Opportunity to converse with you, before your Return to the Congress. Your kind Letter of July 29th is now before me. Were my Abilities equal to my Inclination, you would be amply assisted, in giving Birth to a Revolution, which, I think with you, “seems to be in the...
158Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I set down with a heavy Heart to write to you. I have had no other since you left me. Woe follows Woe and one affliction treads upon the heal of an other. My distress for my own family having in some measure abated; tis excited anew upon the distress of my dear Mother. Her kindness brought her to see me every day when I was ill and our little Tommy. She has taken the disorder and lies so bad...
159Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favour of the 17. It was a Cordial to my dejected Heart to see and hear of your safe arrival in good Health and Spirits. Many are the Mercies of Heaven towards me. Tho I feel myself severely chastned yet I would not be unmindful either of the favours or frowns of him who hath said that he doth not afflict willingly.—Tis allotted me to go from the sick and allmost dyeing...
160To John Adams from William Tudor, 30 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
The manoeuvers of the Camp have afforded Nothing important for a month past. The Works at Plough’d Hill are finish’d, but are useless, because we have not Powder to annoy the Enemy and if we had, it would be an idle Expence of it to expend it in Cannonading at such a Distance. The Enemy have fir’d from their different Works 2000 Cannon Balls and 300 Bombs, without killing ten men of ours. When...
161To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, October 1775 (Adams Papers)
The extensive system of policy which must engross your thoughts, and the vast field of business in which you are engaged, is such that I feel some checks whenever I call of f your attention for a moment on anything so unimportant as a letter of mine. Yet I cannot find myself willing to give up the pleasure of corresponding with a gentleman, I hold in high estimation, both as a defender of the...
162Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Have pitty upon me, have pitty upon me o! thou my beloved for the Hand of God presseth me soar. Yet will I be dumb and silent and not open my mouth becaus thou o Lord hast done it. How can I tell you (o my bursting Heart) that my Dear Mother has Left me, this day about 5 oclock she left this world for an infinitely better. After sustaining 16 days severe conflict nature fainted and she fell...
163To John Adams from James Warren, 1 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
An Event has lately taken place here, which makes much Noise, and gives me much Uneasiness not only as it Affects the Character, and may prove the ruin of a Man who I used to have a Tolerable Opinion of, but as it may be the Cause of many suspicions and Jealousies and what is still worse, have a Tendency to discredit the Recommendations of my Friends at the Congress. Dr. C——h has been detected...
164John Thaxter to John Adams, 4 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since your absence your family has been visited with such a scene of sickness, as, I believe it never before saw. Mrs’s. Adams, Tommy, Copeland, Susy and Patty have been sick with the disorder which began to rage when you left Braintree; but they have all recovered saving Patty who Yesterday lay at the point of death. Little Tommy, whom I affectionately love, had it so severely, that his life...
165To John Adams from Charles Lee, 5 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
As you may possibly harbour some suspicions that a certain passage in your intercepted letters have made some disagreeable impressions on my mind I think it necessary to assure You that it is quite the reverse. Untill the bulk of Mankind is much alter’d I consider your the reputation of being whimsical and eccentric rather as a panegyric than sarcasm and my love of Dogs passes with me as a...
166Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have not been composed enough to write you since Last Sabbeth when in the bitterness of my soul, I wrote a few confused lines, since which time it has pleased the great disposer of all Events to add Breach to Breach— “Rare are solitary woes, they Love a Train And tread each others heal.” The day week that I was call’d to attend a dying parents Bed I was again call’d to mourn the loss of one...
167To John Adams from James Warren, 12 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have only a Minute to Cover the Inclosed Letters. I have been on an Excursion to Plymouth for a Week and returned Yesterday with Mrs. Warren. On our way we Called a little while on Mrs. Adams as you may well suppose, have the pleasure to Inform you we left her well, and hope to see her here in a few days. The rest the Inclosed will tell you. We Condole with her, and you on the great Loss...
168To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 12 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Write again from Waterton, where I Arrived Yesterday with your Excelent Friend who has been so much Engaged by his Necessary Attention to public affairs that he has had time since you Left us only to run to Plimouth four days ago and bring back your Correspondent to this Crouded inconvenient place, where the Muses Cannot dwell, or the Graces of Elegance Reside. Yet the feelings of Real...
169[John Tyler’s Bill for Repairing A Pistol.] (Adams Papers)
To Cleaning a pistol 0: 2: 0 To one side pin 0: 0: 9 To two small screws to the Lock 0: 1: 0 To a new tumbler to ..... Do. 0: 3: 0 £0: 6: 9 M-Ar
170To John Adams from The Intelligencer, 16 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been here, almost ever since I had the Pleasure of seeing you at Fairfield, and have attentively observed the Conduct of these People’s Leaders; and, according to the best of my slender Judgement, think that their Councils are stampt with Folly, Timidity, and Treach ery. But to trace the whole Labyrinth of their Inconsistency and Perfidy, would be irksome and endless; therefore I shall...
171To John Adams from The Intelligencer, 18 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since I closed my last, of this Morning, I have been inform’d of a most curious Motion that was made in Committee, last Evening, by a Member of our Congress, on Mr. Tryon’s last Requisition. It was, that they should not only protect him, and his, from any Attempt which may be made by Individuals &c. but that they should give him Notice if any Order of the Continental Congress came to Hand for...
172To John Adams from James Warren, 20 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
After an Interval much longer than I ever designed should take place, I now set down to write again. The Multiplicity of Business, and the Croud of Company here must be my Excuse, every Body either Eats, drinks or Sleeps in this House, and very many do all, so that for A week past I could get no opportunity to write Morning, Noon, or Night. The Committee of Congress Arrived here last Sunday....
173Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Tis ten Days since I have wrote you a line; I have received one Letter since dated 27 of Sepbr. You do not mention having heard from me altho I have wrote six Letters. I thought I should have heard oftner from you in this absence than I had ever done before, but it has been quite otherways. I never found the communication so difficult, and tis only in my Night visions that I know any thing...
174To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 21 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I must acknowledge myself culpable, by a Breach of Orders, should not have neglected writing, but for an almost invincible Disorder in My Hands which has deprived me of their Use for two Months, am now almost recovered. Many things have happened during the Season which I should have transmitted had it been in my Power. The State of our Army you doubtless Sir are as well acquainted with as...
175Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Lorthorp call’d here this Evening and brought me yours of the 1 of October a day which will ever be rememberd by me, for it was the most distressing one I ever experienced. That morning I rose and went into my Mothers room, not apprehending her so near her Exit, went to her Bed with a cup of tea in my hand, raised her head to give it to her, she swallowed a few drops, gaspd and fell back...
176To John Adams from William Heath, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor of the Receipt of yours of the 5th. Instant, and shall think myself fortunate if by writeing or Otherwise, I can in the least Contribute to the Good of my Country, or Advantage of my Native Colony. It is not Surpriseing that Jealousies do Subsist, and that Misrepresentations have been made, respecting our Colony by some , But Such will be despised, by the Wise...
177To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Without apologizing for interrupting you a short Moment I have to inform you that Genl. Frye not receiving any Intelligence respecting himself, and being informed that Genl. Washington had received Word from the Honorable Congress that the Appointment of another Brigadier was suspended for the present, he left us about the 10th of Octr. unable to account for his not having any particular...
178To John Adams from Artemas Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, a week after the arival of Mr. Lynch, although I had been twice in his company be fore. I have indeavoured to treat the Gentlemen Committe with Decency and Politeness, I invited them to Roxbury twice. The day after I invited them Mr. Lynch came to Roxbury, but did not dine with me, he being Ingaged to dine with Genl. Washington as he...
179To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been long waiting for an opportunity to communicate some intelligence worthy of your notice, but nothing very important has taken place since you left the Camp; and every action with the Enemy has been published in the Newspapers, which has superseded the necessity of communicating those events by Letter. The general face of our public affairs both civil and military appear much as they...
180To John Adams from John Thomas, 24 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, am Pleased to hear the Unanimity of the Colony’s Increase, as the Salvation of our Country Depends on the United Efforts of the whole. Altho: our Number of men in the New England Colony’s may be Sufficient to Repell any Force the Ministry may be able to Send; Yet the Expence of Such an Army as is Necessary to be kept up for that purpose, would be...