Diary of John Adams, volume 1

14 [i.e. 15] Thurdsday. JA 14 [i.e. 15] Thurdsday. Adams, John

14 i.e. 15 Thurdsday.

Wheeler and I breakfasted at Mr. Maccarty’s. Went to Mr. Dyers.1 Very warm. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, in conversation concerning Christianity. He is of Opinion that the Apostles were a Company of Enthusiasts. He says we have only their word, to 21prove that they spoke with different Tongues, raised the Dead, and healed the Sick &c.2

Joseph Dyer, “an excentric Character ... who had removed from Boston and lived on a Farm of Mr. Thomas Handcock, Uncle of the late Governor, and kept a Shop” (JA, Autobiography).

Putnam’s religious opinions are described more fully in JA’s Autobiography.

15 [i.e. 16] Fryday. JA 15 [i.e. 16] Fryday. Adams, John

15 i.e. 16 Fryday.

A Stormy Day.

16 [i.e. 17] Saturday. JA 16 [i.e. 17] Saturday. Adams, John

16 i.e. 17 Saturday.

A Stormy Day.

17 [i.e. 18] Sunday. JA 17 [i.e. 18] Sunday. Adams, John

17 i.e. 18 Sunday.

A Stormy Day. For these 3 days past there has been a severe N.E. Storm. Heard Mr. Maccarty. Spent the Evening at Major Gardiners.

18 [i.e. 19] Monday. JA 18 [i.e. 19] Monday. Adams, John

18 i.e. 19 Monday.

The Storm continues.

19 [i.e. 20] Tuesday. JA 19 [i.e. 20] Tuesday. Adams, John

19 i.e. 20 Tuesday.

A lovely Day after the Storm. Drank Tea at Major Chandlers. Walked with the Coll. to his Saw-mill Farm.

20 [i.e. 21] Wednesday. JA 20 [i.e. 21] Wednesday. Adams, John

20 i.e. 21 Wednesday.

Charming Weather. The Fields begin to look verdant. The leaves begin to shew themselves on the apple Trees, and Blossoms on the peach Trees. Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Spent the Evening at the Majors.

21 [i.e. 22] Thurdsday. JA 21 [i.e. 22] Thurdsday. Adams, John

21 i.e. 22 Thurdsday.

Cloudy, black morning. Cleared away very pleasant about 9. Dined at Capt. Stearns’s, with the Officers of the Militia in this Place. Spent the Evening at Mr. Greenes.

22 [i.e. 23] Fryday. JA 22 [i.e. 23] Fryday. Adams, John

22 i.e. 23 Fryday.

A pleasant Day. I can as easily still the fierce Tempests or Stop the rapid Thunderbolt, as command the motions and operations of my own mind. I am dull, and inactive, and all my Resolution, all the Spirits I can muster, are insufficient to rouse me from this senseless Torpitude. My Brains seem constantly in as great Confusion, and wild disorder, 22as Miltons Chaos. They are numb, dead. I have never any bright, refulgent Ideas. Every Thing appears in my mind, dim and obscure like objects seen thro’ a dirty glass or roiled water. Drank Tea at the Colonels. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams.