388120th. (Adams Papers)
I was up early in the morning, and mounted my horse at about seven. It was ten when I got into Boston. I went to Mr. Smith’s, and found my father was gone to Braintree but my Mamma was at the Governor’s: I immediately went there and enjoy’d all the satisfaction that can arise from the meeting so near and dear a friend after a long absence. We dined at Deacon Storer’s. Old Mrs. Edwards was...
388221st. (Adams Papers)
The weather was very warm. I went down to my uncle Quincy’s, and from thence on the shore. One lighter arrived in the afternoon, with part of the goods and furniture, and the other is expected to-morrow.
388322d. (Adams Papers)
Parson Wibird preached in his usual dull unanimated strain. Of late indeed he has lost it is said his only claim to merit by declining wholly to change with the neighbouring ministers. After meeting this evening, I went with W. Cranch down to Mrs. Quincy’s and drank tea. Mrs. Quincy of Boston was there, and very agreeable: I had never been in company with her before. Abigail Phillips Quincy...
388423d. (Adams Papers)
A second lighter came up this day with things from the ship. We were very busy in unpacking during the whole day. A bed was set up in the house in which I lodg’d, but we have done sufficient to make a great deal of work before we get at rights. There is yet a great deal to be done to the house. When I came from Newbury-Port, I intended to have studied as much here as I should have done there;...
388524th. (Adams Papers)
This day we got so far in order as to make a home of the house. I dined at my uncle Cranch’s. The remainder of the packages are expected to-morrow; but those that are already here, are not all unpack’d. Much damage was done on the voyage. JQA writes, in his line-a-day entry, “Folks got down to the house. I lodg’ dined out” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
388625th. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Shaw came in from Haverhill; they found us still in great disorder: we began this day to unpack the books; though we have at present no room to stow them in, properly. They were moist and some what mouldy, but not injured at all.
388726th. (Adams Papers)
We all dined at Mr. Cranch’s. Charles came from Cambridge to spend a day or two with us. I continued this whole day quite industriously, to unpack, and place the books, yet did not get half through with the business. There are a great many books which I wish very much to peruse, but I have not the time at present, and must certainly for some years be separated from them.
388827th. (Adams Papers)
The day was spent like the preceding ones. There was some company here in the afternoon. I give as much of the little lei sure time I have, as I can conveniently to some lectures upon History and general Policy a new publication of Dr. Priestley, whose literary powers may be truly called athletic. There are several other late performances, which I am desirous of reading, but more particularly...
388928th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Welch and Betsey Smith came from Boston this morning; we all went to Weymouth and dined at Doctor Tufts’s. In the afternoon I went over to Mr. Norton’s house; where in my Infancy I have spent many days, which I scarcely remember even as a distant dream; but before this day I had not been in the house these nine years. As I returned from Weymouth I was overtaken by the rain, and stop’d at...
389029th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at meeting and heard Mr. Wibird. The weather was rather dull and somewhat sultry. I am still undetermined whether to return this week to Newbury-Port, or wait till after Commencement: I believe however I shall determine upon the latter.
389130th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw return’d to Haverhill this morning: and this day I finished unpacking the books; which however must continue for some time in great disorder. At the bottom of JQA ’s line-a-day entries for June in D/JQA/13, he has written a phrase in shorthand, followed, on the line below, by the date “June 17.” The inscription is JQA ’s earliest recorded use of John Byrom’s shorthand system,...
3892[July 1788] (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
3893Tuesday July 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
38942d. (Adams Papers)
The weather was extremely warm. I amused myself part of the day in reading, and part in shooting. The cherry trees which are quite full at present, are so inviting to the birds that, there is very good sport with little trouble.
38953d. (Adams Papers)
Between nine and ten I went with my father from Braintree. We got into Cambridge at about twelve. After stopping a few minutes at College, we first went down and called upon Judge Trowbridge: He is very old; and although active for his years, yet the depradations of time are conspicuous upon him. We dined at Mr. Dana’s. Mr. and Mrs. Channing from Rhode Island, were there; they are agreeable....
38964th. (Adams Papers)
We left Cambridge by nine o’clock, and got into Boston in the midst of the bustle. We went immediately to Bracken’s tavern. After dressing, I walk’d out; and met with a number of my very good friends. At about eleven we went to the old South meeting house, and heard Mr. Otis deliver an Oration. The composition and the delivery were much superior even to my expectations, which were somewhat...
38975th. (Adams Papers)
We called this morning at Dr. Welch’s, and at Mr. Guild’s; but left town at about ten o’clock: It was almost one when we got to Braintree. I amused myself as I could in the afternoon: Mrs. Warren, with her son Harry stop’d here this night on their way to Plymouth; to which place General Warren has removed back, after living about eight years at Milton. He was formerly a very popular man, but...
38986th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was rather disagreeable in the morning, and Mrs. Warren was disposed to stay and pass the Sunday with us. But her Son was so anxious to get home, that she finally determined to go; and they went away at about nine. I attended at meeting, and heard Parson Wibird dose over a couple of Sermons. There is none of my time that I regret more than that I spend in hearing him: were it not...
38997th. (Adams Papers)
W. Cranch went to Boston this morning; and I suppose, I shall have but very little of his company for the Future, as he is to be fixed henceforth for some time to his office. I amused myself as I have done for several days past, in diverse manners. In the evening my two brothers arrived from Cambridge; having obtained leave to be absent till friday when the scholars will all be dismiss’d.
39008th. (Adams Papers)
I past the greater part of the day in gunning, with my brothers. The weather was as it has been for several days past extremely warm; and the fruits of the earth at present greatly require heat. “Shooting robins” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
39019th. (Adams Papers)
Doctor Leonard came here in the morning: this gentleman came as a passenger with Callahan. He underwent a violent prosecution two or three years ago in England, for endeavouring to come to America with some models of manufacturing machines. But after being two years in prison he was released and immediately resumed his original intentions; but he is now come over without his models; and he...
390210th. (Adams Papers)
George Warren came over from Milton this forenoon, and paid us a visit. He opened an office in Milton last winter, and has done as much business, as a lawyer generally does for the first six months after he begins; but the prospects are far from being encouraging. When I am in spirits this circumstance strikes me only as an incentive to more strenuous exertions: and at such times I feel such a...
390311th. (Adams Papers)
This day completes my twenty first year; It emancipates me from the yoke of paternal authority which I never felt, and places me upon my own feet, which have not strength enough to support me. I continue therefore still in a state of dependence. One third of the period of my professional studies has also now elapsed; and two years more will settle me, should life and health continue; in a...
390412th. (Adams Papers)
In the diverse amusements of reading, of shooting birds, and playing upon our flutes we past the present day. The weather is and has for a fortnight past been such that fatiguing occupations cannot be attended to: I read very little; and that of a light kind which does not greatly engage the mind; and as for writing, I have so much abandoned it that I have not written three pages since I left...
390513th. (Adams Papers)
Weather still extremely warm. I heard Parson Wibird. Mr. Q. Thaxter was at meeting in the forenoon; and went and dined with us. In the afternoon, Madam, went down to my Uncle Quincy’s, and I drank tea with my brothers at my Uncle Adams’s. And we bath’d at the creek in the evening. JQA notes, in his line-a-day entry, “Parson Wibird all day,” presumably referring to his attendance at meeting in...
390614th. (Adams Papers)
Ben Beale came from Taunton this morning; he did not stop, but promised to come and see us ere long. When I came in from shooting, which still continues to be my sport and my occupation, I found a Parson West here, an old gentleman, who was three years in college with my father, and at that time very intimate with him. He is very sociable and very sensible. He spent the day here, and passes...
390715th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West went away this morning; My Father and my brother Charles, went to Boston; whence they will proceed tomorrow to Cambridge. Beale came here this forenoon, and took a dinner with us. He is studying law, with Mr. Barnes at Taunton, but spends much of his time at home. Mr. Wibird pass’d the afternoon and evening here. Dr. Tufts called here on his way to Boston, and my brother Tom went to...
390816th. (Adams Papers)
Commencement day. I mounted my horse, somewhat early, and arrived at Cambridge by nine o’clock. The first Salutation I received as I was going into the College yard was “repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” It was a crazy man; but without any great share of enthusiasm, for that sentence was the only thing he said; and he repeated it every two or three minutes during the whole...
390917th. (Adams Papers)
The young gentlemen who graduated yesterday were. Benjamin Abbot Solomon Adams Thomas Adams Thomas Bancroft Oliver Barron Stephen Baxter Joseph Brigham Joseph Cabot George Caryl Edward Clarke Oliver Dodge James Gardner Adam Gordon William Hill Charles Jackson Abner Lincoln Henry Phelps John Phillips James Prescott
391018th. (Adams Papers)
Upon the warmest day we have had this Summer I was obliged to go to Boston, upon a hard trotting horse; with the Sun blazing in my face all the way. I do not know that I ever suffered more, from the heat. And when I got into Boston I was obliged to bustle about almost all the day. I had to call three times at Mr. Green’s Store before I could get the payment for a bill of exchange, which I...