23511From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, in the afternoon, was committed to the Tomb, the earthly remains of our dearly beloved and venerable Mother. She died about One oClock, PM, of Wednesday the 28th: ult: after an illness of three weeks and three days; but we did not think her case dangerous until the last week. but Her decline from this day week was very rapid, and she sunk into the arms of the great destroyer without...
23512From Harriet Welsh to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 1 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
The few first days after I came to Quincy namely 19th. 20th. & morning of 21st—She was very weak but we had hopes which did waver much till Dr Holbrook came on Thursday he then declared that 24 hours were very important—that if the Bark did not produce some addition to her strength she must fail very shortly after—she did gain some strength but was uniformly of opinion that she should not...
23513To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
By a Letter from my Son John, I have this day been apprized, of that afflictive dispensation of Providence which has bereft you of the partner of your life; me of the tenderest and most affectionate of Mothers, and our species, of one whose existence was Virtue, and whose life was a perpetual demonstration of the moral excellence of which human nature is susceptible—How shall I offer you...
23514From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th. of last Month, has this day brought me the most distressing intelligence that I ever received; yet my dear John, if there was any thing that could soften its bitterness, it was that it should first come from a beloved and affectionate hand—Such it was coming from yours, and I thank you, for the kind and filial attention with which you immediately communicated the...
23515From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Harriet Welsh, 4 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Expecting constantly to hear from you my dear Harriet I have felt involuntarily inclined to procrastinate every effort to write on a subject which has filled all our hearts with the keenest sorrow—How can we sufficiently thank you for all your kind attention? My poor boys will have still to call on you for that kindness you have always chosen shewn them and which now will be doubly desirable...
23516From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not for me to complain that the private correspondence between you and me has ceased—for I find upon my files letters from you from N 27. Novr. 27. 1817 to N 32 May 19th 1818. the receipt of which I have not yet acknowledged—As for your letters, they went on brisk and punctual to N31. Feby 7—from which time commenced a hiatus to the 19th of May—on which day two letters filled with the...
23517From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 8 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your sudden silence after the affectionate and unremitted attention you shewed during your dear Grandmothers illness and the total want of information since on the subject of the family in general has occasioned both your father and myself much uneasiness and we are counting the mails every day to meet fresh disappointment Your Fathers Messenger has just been and I flew down in the hope of...
23518From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
The bitterness of Death is past. The grim Specter So terrible to human Nature has no Sting left for me. My consolations are more than I can number. The Separation cannot be So long as twenty Separations heretofore. The Pangs and the Anguish have not been So great as when you and I embarked for France in 1778. The Sympathy and Benevolence of all the World, has been Such as I Shall not live long...
23519Obituary Notice for Abigail Smith Adams, 12 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
In the death of Mrs. ADAMS, her friends and society lament no ordinary loss. The grave has closed over the mortal remains of one, whose character combined with as much practical wisdom and substantial virtue as have ever been possessed by any individual. Society is not adorned with a purer example; virtue had not a firmer prop; religion cannot number among its friends a more rational,...
23520From Thomas Boylston Adams to Ebenezer Francis Thayer, 12 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received a few more returns from the war Department, of Certificates for pension. Among others, one for old Mr Amos Thayer and one for Mr Solomon Thayer; I saw Dr Wild—one of your Selectmen on Tuesday and informed him as to Mr: Amos Thayer. He promised to call and take the Certificate, and when he does, I wish to know what compensation I shall demand for your services, in taking his...
23521Obituary Notice for Abigail Smith Adams in New England Galaxy and Masonic Magazine, 13 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
The late wife of the Ex–President Adams was a woman, whose talents and virtues will place her on the list of those, who have benefited their generation and honoured their country. She was the daughter of a New–England Clergyman, settled within a few miles of Boston—a man respectable in his holy office, and who educated his children in the best manner of the times; an unquestionable proof of...
23522From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday, that of the 9th: enclosing Mr Whitney’s funeral sermon, upon the decease of our dear & ever-to-be lamented Mother, (for which I beg you to thank him in my name,) reached me yesterday, together with a letter from my son George. I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness. A line from Hariet Welsh,...
23523From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday—That of the 9h. enclosing Mr. Whitney’s Sermon upon the decease of our dear and ever to be lamented Mother, for which I beg you to thank him in my name, reached me yesterday, together with a Letter from my Son George—I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness—A line from Harriet Welsh, received...
23524From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from my eldest Son, which informs me that in consequence of a difficulty which had taken place at College, the President at the request of my dear and honoured father had consented that he should retire to Quincy, till the fermentation, was over, where he should study something or other, till the class is re-organized. As my Son in the same Letter desires me to assure...
23525From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
What have you been doing? where has your reason flown? while your poor Grandmother was yet warm in her grave; while your own mother whose all of happiness in this world depends upon the good conduct of her children was confined to her bed with a fever, what were you doing? following the foolish example of a set of wild and unruly young men whom you had not fortitude to condemn tho’ you must...
23526From John Quincy Adams to Henry Coolman, 18 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Will Mr Coleman do Mr and Mrs Adams the favour of coming and dining with them, this day at five O’Clock—of if engaged this day, to-morrow? NNGL .
23527From Harriet Welsh to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your letters dear Mrs Adams have been very much neglected apparently by me—but my confidence in your knowledge of the cause of it has prevented any uneasiness on my part on this account—My mind & heart have formed constant occupation for the last month at Quincy & it—is yet difficult for me to fall into the train of the common & ordinary occurences of life— I too have met with a loss—which...
23528From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since writing my last, I have received your Letters of the 10th. and 15th. with the papers enclosed in them. The obituary notice of our dear and excellent Mother, which I mentioned to you as having been published in the Baltimore Newspapers was as I had supposed, written by Mr Colman—You have doubtless seen it. A short notice has also appeared in the Alexandria Gazette, written by Judge...
23529To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 10th. instant, and take great consolation in learning from yourself, as I had already, and have since again heard from others, that your characteristic fortitude has firmly stood the test of that greatest of bereavements, with which it has pleased heaven that you should now be afflicted Mr Colman of Hingham was here a few days, and upon my shewing him...
23530From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Harriet Welsh, 25 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your kind Letter in which you so feelingly lament the loss of Mrs. Adams—The loss to her family is irreparable and like yourself there is nothing I dislike so much as common public newspaper puffs which blazon virtues to the multitude who feel and respect them as little as if they never had existed and by whom they are no sooner read than forgotten—Hers were excellencies...
23531From Thomas Boylston Adams to Nathaniel Ruggles, 27 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Almost a twelvemonth Since I transmitted to the department of war, Section of bounty Lands, a claim of Charles Newcomb of Quincy, as legal representative of one Peter Ellino, a Frenchman who served during the revolutionary war, in a Company of which John Lillie was Capt: in Col John Crane’s Regiment, and received an honourable discharge under Genl Washington’s hand. The documents which I have...
23532From John Quincy Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 30 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your dear Mother not long since received a Letter from you, in which I read with great pleasure, that you get on at School pretty fast, and that in three weeks you hope to begin College Studies—As it is just three weeks since you wrote that Letter; if your hopes have been fulfilled you will this very day begin upon your College studies; and Oh! how happy shall I be, if you can hereafter write...
23533John Thornton Kirkland, Funeral Sermon for Abigail Smith Adams, November 1818 (Adams Papers)
1st of Corinthians, 7th.—29,30,31. But this I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth that they who have wives be as though they had none, and they that weep as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and they that buy as though they possessed not, and they that use this world as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away. Here is a...
23534From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 6 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received about a fortnight since a few lines from you so ill written that it was with difficulty that I could read them, and to my great surprize dated at Quincy, when I had expected you were assiduously pursuing your studies at Cambridge, after an interruption not less melancholy than indispensable—Your Letter barely hinted at the temporary dissolution of your Class, and by its brevity and...
23535From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, my dear Son, for your Letters and for the Presidents Speech, which is Consolation for all our Miseries for 60 Years. But I must have done with public affaires. Your Sons who behave well have been with Us last Week. They leave Us this morning for their School. Mr and Mrs Clark, and my little darling Susanna Maria were comfortably lodged last Night at Dedham on their Way to...
23536From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 7 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your father wrote you a Letter yesterday in which he desires you to remain with your Grandfather to which I readily consented although with a pang which has absolutely made me sick such delight had I in the anticipation of your visit—My duties as it regards my children have always by some circumstance or other been rendered particularly painful and the sacrifices required have been almost...
23537To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams yesterday received a Letter from you in which you are so kind as to send me a permission to write you confidentially as I used to do the last winter—Nothing but the fear of appearing obtrusive could have prevented my writing you sooner, and having obtained the permission to pursue the old form I will continue my journal writing according to the feelings of the moment; soliciting at...
23538To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
December 10 Recieved a charming visit from Mr. Bagot, who sat with me an hour and chatted very agreably. Not a word about Mrs. Hay—who is giving rise to a great deal of conversation about rank and station—She has assumed a tone with the Corps Diplomatique, which places them and herself in the most unpleasant disposition situation—I have been worried with enquiries about it, but have hitherto...
23539To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have been delighted in receiving your Letter of the 7th: instant, and am glad that you have seen Trumbull’s picture of Independence—I rejoice that the Picture has been painted—As a collection of likenesses taken from the life, of the founders of the greatest Nation, this Ball of Earth has seen or will see, which ours will certainly be, it has merit—As the Representation of the sublimest...
23540From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Harriet Welsh, 16 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I scarcly know how to apologize for my remissness in not writing to you sooner but did you know how I am teazed you would excuse most readily any apparent negligence and always assign some sufficient excuse for it Congress is come back and with it all the stormy passions jealousies and petty enmities which are so widely spread against those who either by talents or circumstances have risen to...
23541To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
17th So very cold remained at home all day and saw no one 18 The day still severely cold but was persuaded to go and drink Tea with Mrs. Frye but did not bring home Mary Buchanan fearful lest she might take cold on changing her bed in such weather—Parties tolerably violent on General Jackson’s affairs— 19 Dined at the french Ministers—Dinner and Ball in honor of the Dutchess of Angoulemes...
23542From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of 29th. Novbr.—4 and 5 Decemr. 6th. and 7th. December—numbered 5. 6. 8. 9. with the correspondence between you and the Society for the suppression of Intemperance at Hanover enclosed in number 6 and the copy of your Letter to Mr Rush, enclosed in number 9 which copy conformably to your request I herewith return.— Before receiving these last two Letters I had...
23543From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
your Letter has given me great delight Mrs Monroe has done herself great honour, and a durable Service to her Country, by the Example She has Sett by reversing the System of dissipation of her Predecessor. Madam Bingham and the Queen of France are not proper Models for a “Presidante” of the U.S. I most cordially approve of your Plan and that of your husband They wish him to Spend whole Nights...
23544From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 22 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
As I hear there has been a great fall of snow during the last week or two in Boston I suppose you have seen many of those booby huts which you wrote me about last winter and perhaps have rode in one—I am not fond of them for they are apt to make me sea sick and should like much better to have a pretty Russian Traineau— As it is also the season for skating I must renew my cautions both to John...
23545From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 22 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter of the 15 instt. and really can scarcely find an excuse for my long silence both to you and to Charles whose Letters afford me so much real pleasure—The Legacy of the picture must be very delightful to you, both as a proof of your Grandmothers kind and affectionate remembrance, and as a very good likeness of a father whose extreme tenderness and indulgence to...
23546From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 14th. found me deeply immersed in researches, not astromical or mineralogical or metaphisical; but after old Papers, Trunks Boxes Desks Drawers locked up for thirty Years have been broken open because the Keys are lost. Nothing Stands in my Way. Every Scrap Shall be found and preserved for Your Affliction for your good. I am now employed very anxiously and laboriously,...
23547To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 25 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
25 This being Xmas day received visits as usual from Mr. & Madame de Neuville—As I have just received your Letter my Dear Sir, though an answer to it is rather premature in this place, I must say a few words on the subject of Foreign Ministers; and though t it is impossible for me to deny what you observe regarding them, respect for the family into which I have entered, will not permit me to...
23548From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Baker Johnson, 27 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of 28. November condoling with me, on the distressing event of the decease of my beloved mother, is entitled to my sincere and grateful acknowledgments—The loss to me is such as can never be repaired in this world; and its heaviest aggravation is in the consciousness of its tenfold weight upon the declining days of a yet surviving Parent—The affection of sympathizing friends,...
23549From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Journal to the 20th has Sett me on fire. Give my respectfull Compliments to Mr Clay and tell him that I Sincerely Unite with You—in Your request that he would bring in a Bill to Settle the Ettiquette of the United States. The debates in Congress Upon that important Subject, will amuse, divert, instruct and edify me to the End of my Life. I pitty Mrs Monroe; I pitty Mrs H; but above all I...
23550From John Quincy Adams, 1818 (Adams Papers)
Abigail Smith Daughter of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife, was born November 11. 1744. Mary Smith Daughter of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife was born Decr. 9. 1741. William Smith, Son of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife was born Decr. 6. 1746. A purpose of Marriage between Mr Richard Cranch of Braintree and Mrs Mary Smith of Weymouth Dated...
23551To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
I must begin this Sheet by observing that I have touched rather more largely upon political occurrences than is perhaps prudent considering how little I understand the subject—But the wish to amuse and interest you must be my apology and if the sentiments expressed are erronious they can do no mischiefs as they have no weight in themselves and can never be considered any thing more than the...
23552From Thomas Boylston Adams to Alicia Darrow Boylston, 3 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Mr and Mrs Adams, Miss Cartwright, with Miss Adams & Brother accept with pleasure the polite invitation of Mrs Boylston, for tuesday evening. MHi : Boylston Family Papers.
23553From John Quincy Adams to Barnard,, 4 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Adams request the Honor of Capt Barnard’s Company at Dinner on Monday the 4h of January at 5 o’Clock The Favor of an Answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.
23554From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 6 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
You Letter was brought two days since, and I should have received it with the same pleasure your Letters have always given me, had I not perceived a great falling off in the hand writing, which surprized and grieved me a little; as I had always flattered myself that with due attention and constant practice, you would write a very handsome hand and with great facility—do not my dear child by a...
23555From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Accept my sincere thanks for your very kind Letter, and your still more kind wishes on the return of the Season of congratulation, which are reciprocated by us all with the utmost pleasure—Many, many years of unmixed felicity I trust are yet in store for you, to be enjoyed in the bosom of your family—I am sorry my Sister has been so long unwell; but these colds attended with Sore Throats have...
23556From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 8 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 25th of December has given me new life You know not how much I have suffered from your long and total silence If you have not christened my dear little GGD by the name of Susanna Maria I shall be disappointed and greived I cannot bear Susan Maria Susan! It is worse than Sukey or Sue Susanna Maria sounds melodiously in my ear In this horrid blot see another proof of the...
23557To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
8th. The morning very stormy and a heavy fall of snow sent to decline an invitation to a Ball given by the Officers of the Marine Corps at the Barracks—Went to the Presidents to dine and finding the weather quite clear sent word to Miss Buchanan to make ready to accompany us to the Ball notwithstanding our Apology—The company were nearly all assembled when we arrived—The Vice President and...
23558From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter of the 1st Jany. and cannot account for the length of time it appears to have been written, before I received it; more especially as it contained news to me very afflicting concerning your Brother Charles’s health, from whom, or of whom I have not since heard. I am very anxious on his account as well as on yours, and request you to be particularly careful of...
23559To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
15 February January —Waked so ill with cramps in my Stomach as to be unable to rise and continued so all day and towards evening was obliged to send for the Doctor who gave me opium the only thing which could afford me relief— 16 Rose much better though still suffering from a stricture across the breast—Remained at home receiving visits until three o’clock—Mr Bailey and Mr. Forbes passed the...
23560From Harriet Welsh to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
My negligence about writing to you has arisen not so much from the want of something to say as from the number of materials which I found in my mind for a long letter—. in despair of ever finding time to say all that I have at various times wish’d to—it is my conclusion to give you only the thoughts of the passing moment—the minister of State can scarcely number up— more daily employments than...