Adams Papers

John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 1773

John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch

[1773?]1

Dear Cousing

i thank you for your last letter i have <have> had it in my mind to write to you this long time but afairs of much leess importance has prevented me i have made But veray little proviciancy in reading [. . .]2 to much of my time in play [th]ere is a great Deal of room for me to grow better brother charls has got a very bad cold martha feild and [Naby?] curtis sends their love to you and sister Naby from your afftionate <broth> Cousing

John Quincy Adams

RC (MHi: Jacob Norton Papers); addressed apparently in AA2’s hand: “To Miss Betsey Cranch att Boston.” MS bears various later penciled notations not recorded here.

1The only clue to the date is the handwriting, which is distinctly less mature than that of JQA’s first dated letter known to the editors, namely that of 13 Oct. 1774 to his father, printed below. This earliest letter by JQA known to survive is printed as literally as possible.

2Two or three words torn away by seal. Perhaps “& have given.”

Index Entries