Abigail Smith Biography

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

In 1796, my husband (John Adams) was elected president of the United States. This was a huge step for the whole family. As my husband was off making decisions for the country, I was stuck at home having to raise my children and take care of our farm. We were able to communicate with each other through letters we often sent each other. Equality for women...it was constantly on my mind. While I was back at the farm raising our children, my husband was off making very important decisions that would influence the entire country and I felt like I needed to help. From the start, I knew that women were equal to men and look at where we are now. Men are running the government and I don’t understand why we have to listen to them when they don’t ever listen to us. I believed that it was time for a change. During the letters I sent to my husband, I slipped in some suggestions that would benefit women as a whole. I remember in one of the letters I wrote to my husband I said, “...remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or