Adams Family Correspondence, volume 1

Abigail Smith to John Adams, 4 October 1764 AA JA Abigail Smith to John Adams, 4 October 1764 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Smith to John Adams
Sir Boston Octobr. 4. 1764

I am much obliged to you for the care you have taken about help. I am very willing to submit to some inconveniences in order to lessen your expences, which I am sensible have run very high for these 12 months past and tho you know I have no particuliar fancy for Judah yet considering all things, and that your Mamma and you seem to think it would be best to take her, I shall not at present look out any further.

The cart you mentiond came yesterday, by which I sent as many things as the horse would draw the rest of my things will be ready the Monday after you return from Taunton. And—then Sir if you please you may take me. I hope by that time, that you will have recoverd your Health, together with your formour tranquility of mind. Think you that the phylosopher who laught at the follies of mankind did not pass thro' life with more ease and pleasure, than he who weept at them, and perhaps did as much towards a reformation. Tis true that I have had a good deal of fatigue in my own affair since I have been in town, but when I compare that with many other things that might have fallen to my Lot I am left without any Shadow of complaint. A few things, indeed I have meet with that have really discomposed me, one was haveing a corosive applied when a Lenitive would have answerd the same good purpose. But I hope I have drawn a lesson from that which will be useful to me in futurity, viz. never to say a severe thing because to a feeling heart they wound to deeply to be 51easily cured.—Pardon me this is not said for to recriminate, and I have only mentiond it, that when ever there is occasion a different method may be taken.

I do not think of any thing further to add, nor any thing new to tell you, for tis an old Story tho I hope as pleasing as it is true, to tell you that I am unfeignedly Your Diana

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To Mr John Adams—att Braintree.”

Abigail Smith to John Adams, 13 October 1764 AA JA Abigail Smith to John Adams, 13 October 1764 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Smith to John Adams
Saturday afternoon Boston Octobr. 13. 1764

When I wrote you by the Doctor1 I was in hopes that I should have been out the next day, but my disorder did not leave me as I expected and I am still confind extreemly weak, and I believe low spirited. The Doctor encourages me, tells me I shall be better in a few days. I hope to find his words true, but at present I feel, I dont know how, hardly myself. I would not have the Cart come a tuesday but should be extreemly glad to see you a Monday.

Yours, A Smith2

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To John Adams Esqr. Braintree.”

1.

This letter has not been found.

2.

On Thursday, 25 Oct. 1764, John Adams “of Brantree” was married to Abigail Smith at Weymouth (Vital Records of Weymouth, Boston, 1910, 2:11; Cotton Tufts, MS Diary in MHi, under that date).

Abigail Adams to Hannah Storer Green, 14 July 1765 AA Green, Hannah Storer Abigail Adams to Hannah Storer Green, 14 July 1765 Adams, Abigail Green, Hannah Storer
Abigail Adams to Hannah Storer Green
My Good old Friend post 14 July 1765 1

How many months have passed away since I have either written or received a line from my Dear Caliope? What various Scenes have I passed thro? Your Diana become a Mamma—can you credit it? Indeed it is a sober truth. Bless'd with a charming Girl whose pretty Smiles already delight my Heart, who is the Dear Image of her still Dearer Pappa. You my Friend are well acquainted with all the tender feelings of a parent, therefore I need not apologize for the present overflow. I have many things to say to you. Gratitude demands an acknowledgment for your kind present to my Daughter. She I hope will live to make you some return for your unmerrited goodness to her.

Dft (Adams Papers, bound at back of M/JA/5, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 183.)

52 1.

Dated from its reference to the birth of the Adamses' eldest child, Abigail (AA2), 14 July 1765. On AA2, later Mrs. William Stephens Smith, see Adams Genealogy.