23501From Harriet Welsh to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your mother was pronounced so much better this morning that your father has resumed his book—or rather he is at ease enough to be read to—Mrs Greenleaf has come in to amuse him with the news of the day which gives me a few moments to write to you, Caroline, & to your children—As Mrs Adams gains a little strength she continues to interest herself in her affairs again—to day she desired I might...
23502From Harriet Welsh to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams remains very much the same not worse than the two days past—we have still hopes Another letter on Wednesday— MHi : Adams Papers.
23503From William Smith Shaw to Joseph Barlow Felt, 28 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
I had proposed to come & see you on Saturday last but hearing of the dangerous sickness of my Aunt Adams I was induced to visit Quincy. She has been afflicted with a violent bilious fever, which has left her almost prostrate. I came to town last evening. This morning Dr Welsh who stayed there yesterday came to town & informed me that the symptoms were little more favorable but I fear the...
23504Abigail Smith Adams, Obituary Notice, 28 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
This lady was not more elevated by rank, than eminent by her virtues. Of her sex, she was an ornament, not less pure, than it was brilliant. At once the charm and the pride of the domestic circle. Exemplary in the fulfilment of every social and religious obligation; and in the native ease and characteristic dignity, with which they were discharged. Presiding, in her family, as though its cares...
23505From William Smith Shaw to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 28 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
You will see by the papers the death of my Aunt Adams—The funeral to be on Saturday two Oclock—I wish by all means that both of you will be present—If you come to Boston, you can in company with Mr. & Mrs. Foster, come out to Quincy in one of the carriages which I have already engaged at the request of the P——t. & which would otherwise come out & return empty. In great haste your brother DLC :...
23506From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
Depart thou Sainted Spirit, Wing thy happy flight, To the bright realms of everlasting light; Yet fondly hover oer thy lonely friend, In nightly visions resignation send: Cheer his great mind attune his Soul to peace Till in this world his hopeless griefs may cease: And when his Spirit quits this mortal clay Lead him to heavenly bliss and guide him on his way. To bliss eternal guide him on his...
23507To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 31 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
The extreeme distress of mind under which Mr Adams labours in consequence of our dear Mother’s distressing illness, totally incapacitates him from writing to you on the subject which excites in us both the most painful anxiety—. Most readily will I set out to Boston if in any shape I can afford assistance, and I should delight in giving every testimony of dutiful affection and respect to our...
23508From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 31 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
The state of cruel anxiety in which we remain on account of your Grandmamma’s illness has occasioned my not writing to you as punctually as I otherwise should have done and I now do not feel in spirits to say more than that both your father and myself are greatly pleased at your affectionate attention in writing so frequently. I thank you for your translations which your father says are better...
23509Obituary Notice for Abigail Smith Adams, 31 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
On Monday last died at Quincy, Madam Abigail, the venerable consort of the immortal John Adams, late President of the United States, aged 74. Her funeral will be this day, at Quincy, the seat of this Patriarchal family. Madam Adams was a daughter of the Rev. William Smith, of Weymouth, then in the county of Suffolk, who died in 1784. He was a gentleman in his manners, and of reputation in his...
23510Peter Whitney, Funeral Sermon for Abigail Smith Adams, 1 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
In the wise and righteous purposes of Providence we have been called to commit to the grave one of the excellent of our Society; One whose virtues were numerous and whose Character was extensively known and admired. It is due to eminent worth, like hers to retain the remembrance of her virtues, to shew by the willing tribute of respect we pay to her Character the sense we feel of obligation to...