Born on November 11, 1744, Abigail Smith entered the world in the Massachusetts colony during troublesome time of England rule that was destined to end one day.1 Her family was well respected in the town of Weymouth, where she was born. Her father, William Smith, was a Congregational minister and her mother, Elizabeth Quincy, hailed from a prominent family in the colony.2 Abigail spent her time at her grandmother’s house where she was schooled in English, French, and history, meanwhile, gaining a well-rounded education from the many hours she spent in her father’s library. Her mother’s father, John Quincy, was a member of the colonial Governor’s council and colonel of the militia. He was also the Speaker of the Massachusetts Assembly, a post he held for 40 years until her death at age 77.3 His interest in government and his career in public service influenced her greatly, her grandfather died three years into her marriage to John Adams.
Married at the age of 22, Abigail and her new husband, John Adams, settled on a farm in Braintree, Massachusetts. John Adams was a recent graduate from Harvard and was eager to start his career in law. Despite the differences in their formal education, their marriage was a partnership of equal minds. With his growing interest in politics, he became a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774; this governing body of the colonies met regularly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With her husband’s new political responsibilities, Abigail was frequently alone on the farm to raise and educate their five children in addition to the management of all the business affairs on the farm.
Between the years of 1774 - 1784, Adams and her husband were separated more frequently and communicated m...
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...er. Web 17 Jan. 2012.
Lester J. Cappon, et al. The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson And Abigail And John Adams/ Edited By Lester J. Cappon. Chapel Hill: Published for the Institute of Early American History and Culture at Williamsburg, Virginia by the University of North Caroline press, c1988.,1988. UNIV OF LA VERNE’s Catalog. Web. 17 Jan. 2012.
The National First Ladies’ Library. Abigail Adams Biography. National First Ladies’Library. Web. 10 Jan. 2012.
Madeline. Women’s Hero Abigail Adams. The My Hero Project. 12 March. 2005. Web. 14 Jan. 2012.
Pearson, Judy C. Conflicting Demands In Correspondence: Abigail Adams On Women’s Rights. Today’s Speech 23.4 (1975): 29-33. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 17 Jan. 2012.
Stevenson, Keira. Abigail Adams. Abigail Adams (2005):1. EDS Foundation Index. Web 13 Jan 2012.
The early lives of John Adams and John Quincy Adams are different. John Adams?s father, who also named John, sent his son ? young Adams to Harvard College at age fifteen, and he expected him to become a minister. His father was working hard to make young Adams?s life different than his own which was to become an educated person. However, John Adams did not want to become a minister. After he graduated in 1755, he taught school for few years in Worcester, and that allowed him to think about his career choice. After much reflection, he decided to become a lawyer, and studied law in the office of James Putnam, a prominent lawyer in Worcester. In 1758, he was admitted to the bar. He put the skill to good use as a lawyer, often recording cases he observed so that he could study and reflect upon them. His report of the 1761 argument of James Otis in the superior court of Massachusetts as to the legality of Writs of Assistance is a good example. On the other hand, John Quincy?s father which is John Adams did not push him to become a minister. Moreover, John Adams brought young Adams to France (1778 ? 1779) and to the Netherlands (1780 ? 1782) to acquire his early education at institutions at the University of Leiden. John Adams let his son explored the world more than his own father did. At age fourteen, young Adams accompanied Francis Dana on a mission to St. Petersburg, Russia, to gain recognition to the new republic. He also spent time in Finland, Sweden, Den...
Abigail Adams an American Woman was written by Charles W. Akers. His biographical book is centered on Abigail Adams the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president. She was the All-American woman, from the time of the colonies to its independence. Abigail Adams was America's first women's rights leader. She was a pioneer in the path to women in education, independence, and women's rights.
On January 12, 1780, Abigail Adams, former First Lady, wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams, while he was abroad with his father and brother. Adams addressed to her son and future President to maintain his spirit to learn and grow. She expressed his purpose through her motherly tone, various religious and historical allusions, use of logos, rhetorical question with simple syntax and use of metaphors.
Women’s History Website #2. Jane Addams - Bibliographies. http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/addamsbiblios/index.htm>. Women’s History Website
It was because of these events that made Abigail Adams a respected woman in the light of the colonies. Bibliography Akers, Charles W. Abigail Adams: A Revolutionary Woman, 3rd Ed. New York, New York: Pearson Education, Inc, 2007.
Barry, Kathleen, Ph.D. “Susan B. Anthony: A Biography of a Singular Feminist”. New York: New York University Press, 1988.
In the early 1700’s Abigail Adams decided to write a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams, explaining why she was so insistent on him going to the voyage to France. She only knew that this trip would be beneficial for him as he already had an advantage for knowing the French language. In Abigail Adams’ Letter to Her Son, (1780) she argues that pushing him into going on this journey also made herself feel guilty, but knows that it will only give J.Q. Adams the great experience needed to grow and mature. She advises him on going by using her ‘motherly tone,’ comparing him to past authorities, such as great Cicero, as well as using his great nationalism to convince him even more that this trip is necessary for him.
In the cold mitts of January, 1780, 4 years after the Declaration of Independence was written, Mrs. Abigail Adams has wrote a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams. Mrs. Adams letter explains that during his trip he should try to gain knowledge and wisdom. She uses imagery, metaphors, and historical allusions to advise John Quincy Adams while he is abroad with his father. This letter shows how she is caring about her son and wants safety for him during the trip as well. She is also very strict with her motherly side in this letter.
Abigail Adams, a woman very well known today originally met her husband John Adams when she was 15 years old and later on became the first lady during his presidency. When she turned 11 she met with a college professor and started her education. Abigail was born on November 22, 1744 and died on October 28, 1818 (The World of Abigail Adams). Throughout her life she had many long lasting accomplishments and was a leader in her household and for women. She helped make the Americas what they are today and helped give rights to woman. Abigail Adams was an important figure because of her relation to John Adams, her religious views, her accomplishments, and how they had long lasting effects in the world and on the United States today.
John Adams responded to Abigail's letter in a mocking way (Doc C). He scorned her and laughed at how seriously she was taking the matter. Out of frustration, Abigail wrote to one of her close friends, saying, "I think I will get you to join me in a petition to Congress" (Doc D). The chain of letters reveals the beginning of a major change that will happen in the near future supporting the development of women's rights.
First is Jefferson’s introduction to the National scene between 1775-1776. Afterward, he served on a diplomatic mission to Paris (1784-1789), and it was during his stay with the French that he bore witness to the beginning of the French Revolution. Subsequently, between 1794 and 1797, the man resided in Monticello in semi-retirement before finally serving as the President of the United States between 1801 and 1805. Eventually, Ellis covers the last ten years of Jefferson 's life; thus completing the mentioned propitious
Wife of John Adams, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams was known to advocate education in public schools for girls even though she never received formal education; however, she was taught how to read and write at home and acquired the opportunity to access the library of her parents where she broadened her knowledge of philosophy, theology, government and law. The informal education provided her with a basis of political ideas influenced by her grandfather, John Quincy. Both his teachings and his interest in government moved Abigail towards the thoughts and ideals that she carried through her involvement in the early colonial government. Abigail Adams desired both boys and girls to have access to education. In addition
Skinner Keller, Rosemary. Patriotism and the Female Sex: Abigail Adams and the American Revolution. Brooklyn, New York: Carlson Publishing Inc., 1994.
Though quiet, sickly, and shy, Abigail Adams, the wife of second president John Adams, helped plant the seeds that eventually led to the concept of women¹s rights and women¹s equality with men. For a country which had been founded on the idea of independence for all, these concepts were still considered radical and even ridiculous.
November 11, 1744 was the date I came into the world. Abigail Smith was my maiden name and I lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts. I didn’t get an education in my early years, but I was taught how to read and write at home. I read as much as I could including works by William Shakespeare and John Milton. In 1762, I met my future husband at a social gathering; I was 17 years old at the time. On October 25, 1764, I married John Adams at the age of 19. Later, I gave birth to six children- three daughters and three sons. Abigail Amelia Adams (Nabby) was the first child I gave birth to in 1765. John Quincy Adams (future 6th President of the United States) was the first son in the family; born in 1767. Next came Susanna in 1768, Charles in 1770, and