11Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 2 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
mr Blodget is going passenger in Captain Callihan and has offerd to take a Letter to you, who are his great favorite. he will be able to tell you that he has seen my little Grandson who was, not the first, but the 2d of April Born. we had him brought down on purpose that mr Blodget might report to you, that he is a fine Boy. His Mamma is as well as persons usually are she dinned below the day...
12Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 20 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
You will see by the inclosed that I wrote you a long Letter, and that it has lain some time without meeting any opportunity of conveyance. In the mean time, two kind Letters have reachd me from you. In the last you complain that I did not write you, but sure captain Callihan had a Letter for you. I had heard for some time that Cushing would not sail till March, and I have been absent at Bath...
13Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 11 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was doubly rejoiced to receive a Letter from you not only on account of the pleasure which I usually enjoy from your pen: but because it informd me of your recovery from a dangerous illness. In a Letter which I wrote you the latter part of December, I have given you a long lesson respecting your Health: which altho it might savor something of the Quack, and a little of the Authority of...
14Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 20 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I received, by Dr. W——, your kind letter of February 14th. He was very punctual to his commission. He has been three times to visit us. He came out this afternoon to let me know that he should leave Philadelphia on Tuesday. By him I have to thank my dear sister for three letters, and to confess myself much in arrears. ’Tis in vain to say that I have had a sick family; that I have had a large...
15Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 24 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mr jenks is suddenly obliged to return to America and I have only time to write you a few lines, to inform you of my Health. I yesterday heard that Captain Davis is arrived at Plimouth. By him I hope to hear again from all my Dear Friends. I have written you lately by mrs Hay who went to Newyork and by Captains Cushing and Lyde, all of whom I hope will arrive Safe. In the political World...
16Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, March 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was meditating a Letter to my dear Sister when her agreable favour reachd my Hands. Tho my own felicity is over cast, I can rejoice in that of my Friends and tis with pleasure I hear of your Health and happiness which are very dear to me. The Scene which I have had to pass through, and in which you so kindly sympathize has put to the full proof all my fortitude and patriotism, and required...
17Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 4 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I seldom feel a sufficient stimulous for writing untill I hear that a vessel is just about to sail, and then I find my self so deep in debt, that I know not where to begin to discharge the account. But it is time for me to be a little more provident for upon looking into my list I find I have no less than 18 correspondents who have demands upon me. One need to have a more fruitfull fund than I...
18Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, February – March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received a congratulatory Letter from you, upon the safe arrival of my dear Charles, an event which has relieved me from many anxieties and filld my Heart with gratitude to that gracious Being who protected him from the perils of the deep, and from the hostile foe, who raised him from Sickness and has restored him to his Native Land, undepraved in his mind and morals, by the...
19Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 8 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I do not expect to date you any more letters from this place. Delighfull and blooming Garden, how much shall I regreet your loss. The fish pond and the fountain is just put in order, the trees are in blossom, and the flowers are comeing on in succession. The forest Trees are new clad in Green, several beautifull rows of which form arched bowers, at the bottom of our Garden, the tops being cut,...
20Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 19 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for your kind Letter of March 18th and for the pleasing favourable account you have given of your Nephews. May they ever continue to deserve the approbation of their Friends. From an Eye so disserning as my sisters, I did not suppose that the fault which too easily besets a Young Gentleman, would long lie conceald. He might have informd You that his Pappa was often correcting...