1891From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 14 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I wrote the inclosed a few days Since, but not having an opportunity to Send it which I liked I have kept it for the memorandum which it contains—Louisa gets a little strength, tho She Swells and puffs in her feet and arms, no perspiration upon her. her appetite is better and She bears the Bark which is a good Symptom. these March winds are intolerable, worse than the coldest we have had...
1892From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
Returning the other day from Weymouth, upon entering my own House, I was presented with a Letter. my heart bounded when I saw the superscription was yours. I was not a little dissapointed when I opened it, and found it to be a duplicate of the first Letter you wrote at Sea, and the original of which I was fortunate enough to get last october. I submitted to this damper with patience,...
1893From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 21 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I shall make one effort more; to convey a Letter to you, and that by sending it to Ghent, where I really wish you were. Mr Adams has been detaind there; so much longer than he expeced that I feel very anxious for you; and for Charles, much more so, since I have learnt that mr and mrs Smith have also left you. through mr. Adams, I have heard oftner from you, than when you were both at St...
1894From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 9 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
I Suppose you will think that Grandmama might have written you a few lines. well you shall not be dissapointed altho I have much writing to do, as vessels are getting ready to go to Russia—Captain Bainbridge arrived from there, this week, and brought Letters. he saw your Father and Mother in october, and he Says in a Letter to your Grandfather incloseing those from your father “Sir your Little...
1895From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 2 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
An inflamation in one of my Eyes, will prevent me from writing more than to thank you for your last very flattering Letter; and to say that I place it amongst my richest treasures— The president was in Town last Saturday and brought out with him your son. he does not appear to me to be fit for Buisness. he is very lame, and full of Rheumatism yet. he wants a wife to Nurse and tenderly care for...
1896From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 8 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a Letter yet, but I promissed you one, and I now have the pleasure of inclosing a Letter from your Brother Charles to you. I had a Letter from your Father dated in Sepbr th 11: the day after your Sister was Baptized. she was call’d Louisa Catharine, the Rev’d Dr Pitt, Chaplain to the English Church in St Petersburgh performed the Service, and mr Harris our Consul there...
1897From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 16 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter: and was very glad to hear from you; I was the more gratified to hear from you because I had written to your Brother, and not to you. I thinke George ought to have written. to your inquiries how the Family are, I can give you but a poor account. I have been sicke and confined to my chamber ever since you went away, and your Aunt Adams has been, and still is sicke...
1898From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
Before I go into Bed, I must write you a few lines, after the agitation of the day—about Ten this morning Louisa announced a carriage & four comeing down the Hill. I ran to the door, it arrived in a few moments, the first who sprang out was John, who with his former ardour was round my neck in a moment. George followd half crazy calling out o Grandmother—o Grandmother. Charles half frightned,...
1899From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 18 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
While I am writing the loud Roar of the cannon announce the landing of comodore Bainbriddge from the fortunate frigate constitution. the account of the Capture of the Frigate Java I presume you will get, sooner than this Letter will reach you. She contended bravely an hour and 50 minuts untill masts spars and rigging were all gone and the ship a wreck. accordingly she was blown up by Commodore...
1900From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
The Children Say that they have your permission to come to Town to dine with Commodore Hull—and to Stay untill Saturday to visit the Carval I have accordingly let them take the Stage this morning—I think they had better accept mrs Fosters invitation & Lodge there, but that as you judge best; mrs Adams will be calld home, Elizabeth being again very sick—I hope to See you in Town tomorrow— yours...
1901From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 27 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
William left us on thursday, and on fryday set his face towards you. we parted with him, with much reluctance his whole conduct has been so Satisfactory to all of us, that our Blessings and good wishes will follow him, where ever he goes, or what ever his destination in Life may be. to the reading Law he appeard averse; and he offerd weighty reasons against it. the bent of his mind appears to...
1902From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr Gray had a vessel which Sailed last week direct for St Petersburgh. I was mortified that I did not know of it untill the day She went. Mr Grey is so much engaged in buisness that he does not always think of giveing his notice in Season when a vessel is going. as he wrote by the vessel, I fear you may think us neglegent. I wrote to you the week before by mr Jones who is going to Gottenburgh....
1903From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Here we are, Seated by the fire Side, viz Sir myself and Louisa, Susan gone to her uncles, mrs Adams and mrs Stebins came for her this afternoon. now look in upon us, the Segar going, Louisa with her Needle, I with my pen, missing dear Harriet, and wishing She was with us. for want of her, I read loud Six weeks in paris , and made myself So hoars; that to day I am obliged to keep as close as a...
1904From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 24 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have had Such repeated melancholy tidings to communicate to you, Since your absence, and your own Bosom has been so often wounded, that I have felt loth to take up my pen to address you, upon an event which has plunged me in Greif, in which I know you cannot fail to participate. you knew—you loved, and you valued the dear departed Child whom I mourn. She is gone I trust to reap the Reward of...
1905From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I wrote you, or rather since I sent a Letter, for an unfinished one has lain by so long that like an old Almanack it is out of date. The writing Spirit is not always present, and it is shy and coy. If you do not frequently solisit it, neglect is sure to be followed by indifference, and indifference by disgust; I need not any other prompter at present than the desire I...
1906From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
My correspondents increase so fast, that it puts out my eyes to write to them all. I have employd all this rainy morning in writing to Caroline to Abbe Shaw and to John Smith, the last Mail, did not give me the opportunity of writing to you this morning. I think with you that mrs A’s is a very good correspondent. She feels, what I experienced when I was in her situation; all is ceremony, all...
1907From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 26 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of June 22d and rejoiced to find your Spirits So good. The Scriptures tell us to rejoice allways. this we cannot understand in a literal Sense, because we know that it is not consistant with reason, with our condition as human Beings, Subject to many calamities and by the Same Authority we are told, there is a time to mourn. we must therefore consider it as a direction...
1908From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 5 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last Mail your Letter of the 26th of April. the Severe weather of this week has made me almost Sick. it has brought an inflamation in my Eyes with Such a pain in the Eye Balls that I have not been able to turn them in my head. they are rather better than they were two days past, or I could not have written a line. my intention was to have gone into Boston with the Children,...
1909From Abigail Smith Adams to William Steuben Smith, 24 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity to congratulate you upon the Birth of a son, and to rejoice with you, in the safety of Mother and child—who I hope may live and prove worthy of his Ancestors—I was writing to your Brother whom I received your Letter, and I communicated to him the agreeable intelligence I should have sent Johns Letter for you to have a read , but I presumed you must have...
1910From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you upon the 14 of June, I knew that my Letter is gone upon a doubtfull journey; it had first to make its way through British Ships of the line & cruizers, to France, and then through a Country at war with Russia. it is almost a forlorn hope that it should ever reach you, unless if capturd; it Should meet with a Sir John & Sherbrook, who politely Sent s by a cartel from Halifax, a...
1911From Abigail Smith Adams to William Steuben Smith, 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able to answer a very pleasant Letter from your Father, which I received after I was sick. I am now something stronger, and my physician says, I shall get up again, but a small blast would blow me away.... You will be so good as to give me information of your Brother as soon as you hear. I have not any Letter of a later date than Novbr 7th. Remember me to Aunt Nancy when you...
1912From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I write to you by every opportunity altho I hope you will have left St Petersburgh before this can reach you, but as there admits of a possibility that you may be Still, there, I know it will be a great gratification to you to learn that your parents are Still living, and in health. your children too are well, and Good Children which is of more concequence than mere animal enjoyment. I have...
1913From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Altho I cannot have the pleasure of acknowledging any Letter from you of a more recent date than one by mr Forbes last Sep’br, I will thank you for that, altho only received a few days Since—I am happy that I can congratulate you upon a change in the aspect of publick affairs respecting our own County. Since that date—the return of peace was haild here by all parties, and the first Spontanious...
1914From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 23 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
If you find as many joyful faces to receive you, as you have left sorrowful hearts behind you, you will have no reason to complain. When upon former occasions you have been separated from me, it was always with the expectation of having you again with me; since I have considered you as mine, you have been to me one of the chief props and supports of my declining years. By your watchful...
1915From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I wish you was as far recoverd from your Sickness as I am from mine, altho I have not yet left my Chamber. the Sun has not Shone untill to day since the day I was in Boston. let me know how you are, whether you get Strength, and can use you Limb yet. do get some of Hughes ointment & rub your ancle; it will Strengthen it. I would have you let me know when you think You Shall be able to come out...
1916From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Galen, Capt Tracy, is ready to sail, and by her I write you a few lines altho much in haste. to say that we are all well, and preparing your sons; to send to you, in the crew packet. Captain Branson for Liverpool; he is from Hingham, and well known by the Children, which renders it much more agreable to them, than going with a Stranger. I hoped to have heard from you again, before we sent...
1917From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 1806 (Adams Papers)
we have not washd this week. I hope mr Adams has things enough. if the weather Should be good I can Send him Some on wednesday, if you can send me word whether he wants them—and he will also let me know when to Send the Horse and chaise for you—Sister cranch is better than she was She looks quite paled down. My Love to your Sister / from / your affectionate / Mother thank miss white for the...
1918From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 24 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am not conscious that I have been deficient in a return to all the Letters you have written to me, and I now acknowledge your last, july 31st you have had a long vacation—I hope it has not all been Spent in amusement, and dissipation—you knew I used to wish you back to your School; when the vacation was only a fortnight. you sometimes used to think hard of it. you will not think so, when you...
1919From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Sermon’s were returnd without my thanks which should have accompanied them, with expressions of pleasure confirmation and improvement, which I derived from the perusal of them. they discover a maturity of thought reflection, and research which do honourto the writer. Your society have every prospect, of consolation from the Character, tallents, and Superiour endowments of their present...
1920From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 10 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your two last letters of March 10th and 23d, came safe to hand. They gave me great pleasure, not only from learning by them that you enjoyed good health, but your spirits were more animated from your little excursions from home, and from your prospects with respect to your family. I most sincerely rejoice in any event which looks like prosperity. Your trials have been many and various. You...
1921From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have now received all the Letters you have written to me, except No 4. up to No 8. altho they have not come regularly they have found their way, first or last, and in good order. No 6 I received a few days since, together with one for your Brother, one from your wife to mrs T B A, one from Willliam to his Mother, and one for Mrs Hellen, which I had the melancholy office of transmitting to...
1922From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
your Letters of April 30th of May 28th of June 27th a duplicate, So faint a press coppy that but little of it could be read, and your originals of July 8th and August 10th have all safely arrived, the two last upon the 19th of this Month with Letters to your Father, of nearly the Same date, but which I find he has not acknowledged in his Letter to you of this Day. your last Letters gave us...
1923From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 21 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
It was with a heavy heart and trembling hand, that I yesterday broke the seal of your letter to your uncle. I knew that he was gone to Boston, and as I had not any letter myself, I could not wait in such suspense; the contents of the letter has left me little expectation of hearing that the lamp of life is not nearly extinguished. I had written thus far, when Louisa brought me the paper, with...
1924From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
The account of your Health and your debility gives me much concern. the frequent bleedings your Physician thinks Proper for you, quite allarms me. I am sure Louisa could not have Survived, if any blood had been taken from her. for more than a month, She could not rise from her Bed: to Sit while it was made, without fainting, and looking as if she could not be yet back alive. She has now So far...
1925From Abigail Smith Adams to E. Miller, 15 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Will you permit Listen to a Friend to your Reputation to your rising prospects, to your rising prospects, to your future pursuits and to the happiness of your family to tender you some advice, nor deem it an intrusion? It is a Subject of much delicacy which I scarcely know how to begin yet such is the partiality I have entertained for you from the amiableness of your manners and the good...
1926From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 17 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
My dear Daughter Survived but a few hours after you left us—She lay much in the Same State untill twelve oclock when after a few Struggles her Spirit was releasd to join those of your dear Parents and many others of the just made perfect—whilst I mourn for her I bless God, that her Sufferings were not greater, and pray for divine Support MWA .
1927From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your very kind Letter, in which you take so great interest in my health, that I am bound to say much of myself in return; for I have profited by your admonitions and those of my other Friends.In the first place, I indulge myself in the morning, and seldom rise before the sun I use no more exercise than I think my health requires—altho I frequently hear, o do not go there, do not do...
1928From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 28 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Cushing came last fryday to make me a visit, so that I have not been able to write a line She left me to day about noon, when I received a note from You with Carolines and mr Lymans Letter. it took us Some time and trouble to decypher it, but finally we made out to read & reread it. The president thinks it the best and most accurate account of the State of Literature & the Learned...
1929From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 21 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are two Letters for you & family or to Speak more correctly one for you, and one for Mrs Cranch— I was anxious to hear from you, as I had heard of Nortens Sickness. he has a Billious constitution, and Slender health. I hope it will become firmer. we have indeed so wet a season that the fruits of the Earth are decaying for lack of Sun Shine. let us acknowledge our intire dependence...
1930From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of Feb’ry 19th inst, was rejoiced to find you writing again. It was my intention Sooner to have replied to you, but your own experience under Similar Circumstances will allow for my omission, when I inform you that Louisa was Suddenly seizd with bleading, like that which has twice attackd you, and this from being a large vessel in the Stomack, was so profuse, as to...
1931From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
There are two vessels up, one for St Petersburgh & one for Gottenburgh. by both of which I propose to write. My last Letter was dated in Jan’ry No 1, and the last received, from you then, was of Sepb’r but yesterday Commodore Bainbridge arrived, and forwarded your Letters of October 2d a press coppy of No 25 not yet arrived, and an original of october, 24 & 25—No 26—your Father will write, and...
1932From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 13 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I write again. I am yet among the Living, of which last Monday morning I had no expectation, but thanks to a kind providence I am yet Spaired for Something, and may I be finally found with the wise virgins, my Lamp trimmed. The Severe Snow Storm of yesterday has so Blockaded, the Roads that I know not when they will be passable—no opportunity of sending you Carolines Letter to day, or Letters...
1933From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
I fully designd writing to you so that my Letter should have reachd you at Washington, but ten days of very severe sickness has prevented me from holding a pen, and now I do it against many expostulations. I duly received your two kind Letters, and thank you for them. Mrs Adams Caroline and the two Boys made me a very pleasent visit of a fortnight. I enjoyd their society in my usual health,...
1934From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wait this mornings post with much anxiety a report yesterday reachd us, that mr Dexter died at Troy this week by an aploplexy—if true the papers will this morning inform us, to our great grief and mourning— Henry Marston who took the Letters to you, said he would deliver the Letters in the morning. he is usually punctual to his word—I inclose you one since received which you will return on...
1935From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of June the 7th, tho not by Mrs Perkins, for she has not yet arrived—I thank you for the information which it afforded me. your Letters are a treat from which I derive pleasure uncloyed—I can return you only the passing scenes of domestic and rural Life, interesting only for their connection with the Family Circle.— Two of your Neices, and my Granddaughters,...
1936From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 13 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
True my dear Sister, “our Sweetest comforts have their alloy” my dear Caroline left me yesterday. no former separation from her equaled this. upon former occasions she was not the principle, and I looked forward to times, when she would be again with me as a resident; now I have relinquished her, and given her to an amiable Man, who will know her value; and strive I trust, to make her happy,...
1937From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 14 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind inquiries after my Daughter Smith. She is, and has been as well, the Physicians Say, as any one could expect, after Such an Operation, as She has endured—to me it was agonizing—She Sustaind it with firmness, and fortitude The wound has been intirely healed for this month, but the mussels from the Arm, which communicate with the part affected, were necessarily laid So...
1938From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 21 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
delightfull praise! like summer Rose that brighter in the dew drop glows— they were Sweet Drops from the heart to the Eyes both of your grandfather & grandmother when I read to him the two Letters to your Father and uncle this day in praise of your Mother. you could not have offerd a Sweeter incence to your Grandfather— to know that flowing from the hand of Friendship in a Strain of Sincerity...
1939From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Received Quincy September 14th: 1814 of Thomas B Adams Esqr: Twenty-one Dollars and eighty seven Cents, for one quarter’s interest due on JQ Adams’s note due August 1st:— $21.87 MHi : Adams Papers.
1940From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I write to you, altho it is really with the hope that you may not receive my Letter. I would fain believe that you will be upon Your passage Home long before this can arrive in St Petersburgh, but as there is a possibility that you may Yet be there, I would not omit informing you of the health of your parents and Children, nor of their anxious desire to see you again Safe in your Native...