ABIGAIL ADAMS

Description:

ABIGAIL ADAMS
(1744 - 1818) Wife and closest advisor of John Adams, as well as the mother of future president John Quincy Adams. She was a founder of the United States, and was the first second lady of the United States and second first lady of the United States. She is remembered for the many letters she wrote to her husband while he stayed in Philadelphia during the Continental Congresses. Adams frequently sought the advice of Abigail on many matters, and their letters are filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics. Her letters also serve as eyewitness accounts of the Revolutionary War home front. Rare fine content A.L.S. 'Abigail Adams', 1p. 4to., Quincy, July 15, 1814 to her sister on John Adams' health and retirement from public duties. In part: '...I find him in better health and spirits than for some time past, but old Age creeps upon us with rapid strides; and a sincere indisposition takes us down without the youth free power of renovation. We are all laid prostrate, this I see in my dear partner, & feel in myself. However grant that we may so minister our Days as to apply our Hearts into wisdom. By a friendly invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Deseter to take a family Dinner with them in Boston we were prevailed upon to go to Town and dine with them. The president has not been in Town before for six months. He last year resigned all his offices as president of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the Agricultary Society, and all other public offices. I had formerly objected when he talked of it, but now I did not, for I think it a matter of wisdom to retire from the world, before you are wisht out of it. It is greatly wise to know our own infirmities, and to submit with Dignity to them, before to arrive to that period where we are only tolerated. I [?] however for the few faculties we yet retain, one of which is our hearing, and our delight in social pleasures...' A very old repair to a seal hole at the blank left margin, light toning, and some offsetting to the text from a portrait of Adams which laid upon the letter but does not greatly detract from the wonderful content. Abigail was writing to sister Elizabeth Smith Peabody in New Hampshire, who would die less than a year later in New Hampshire.