Abigail Adams, the First Lady of the United States from 1797 to 1801, was an intelligent and independent-minded woman who played a significant role in shaping the nation’s history. As the wife of President John Adams and the mother of President John Quincy Adams, she served as an unofficial advisor to her husband and provided him with invaluable support during his political career. Through their extensive correspondence, Abigail’s influence on her husband’s decisions and aspirations became evident, making her a trusted confidante and even earning her the nickname ‘Mrs. President’. Despite her lack of formal education, Abigail’s thirst for knowledge led her to become one of the most learned women of her time, thanks to the extensive library in her home. Her dedication to her family and her commitment to staying well-informed made her a remarkable figure in American history.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Abigail Smith
- Died At Age: 73
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: John Adams
- Father: William Smith
- Mother: Elizabeth Quincy Smith
- Siblings: Elizabeth, Mary, William
- Children: Abigail, Charles, John Quincy Adams, Susanna, Thomas
- Born Country: United States
- Quotes By Abigail Adams
- First Ladies
- Died on: October 28, 1818
- Place of death: Quincy, Massachusetts, United States
- Ancestry: British American
- Cause of Death: Typhoid Fever
- U.S. State: Massachusetts
Childhood & Early Life
Abigail Smith was born on November 11, 1744, in Weymouth, Massachusetts Bay to William Smith and Elizabeth (née Quincy) Smith. Her father was a liberal Congregationalist minister who emphasized reason and morality in his preaching. Abigail had one brother and two sisters. As a sickly child, she did not attend formal schooling but was taught to read and write by her mother. The family had a large library which allowed her to study English and French literature. Abigail grew up to be an open-minded and well-read young woman with a deep passion for books.
Later Life
Abigail married John Adams, a country lawyer, in 1764 and moved to Boston with him. John Adams was not only a lawyer but also an active participant in the American Revolution and Revolutionary War. The couple had several children and due to John’s busy schedule, Abigail took on most of the family responsibilities and also cared for the family farm. Despite being apart for much of the time, John and Abigail frequently wrote letters to each other, exchanging over 1,100 letters. After the revolution, Abigail joined her husband in France and later followed him to England where he served as the first American minister to the Court of St. James. When John Adams became the Vice President of the United States in 1789, Abigail supported him and took on additional responsibilities as the president’s wife. As the First Lady, she made a strong impression on the press and public with her outspokenness and advocacy for women’s issues and civil rights. Abigail and John Adams did not always agree on political matters, but they both supported the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. After John Adams left office in 1801, the couple retired to their family farm.
Personal Life & Legacy
Abigail and John Adams were third cousins and had known each other since childhood. They got married in 1764 and had six children. One of their sons, John Quincy Adams, would go on to become the president. Abigail’s family life was marked by tragedies as her son Charles died of alcoholism and her daughter Nabby died of cancer. Abigail suffered from ill health in her later years and passed away on October 28, 1818, at the age of 73. The Abigail Adams Cairn, named after her, marks the spot where she and her son John Quincy Adams watched the burning of Charlestown in 1775. Her letters with her husband were published in 1840 under the title “Letters of Mrs. Adams.” Abigail Adams has been honored with awards and recognition, including an award in her name by the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus and the issuance of coins and medals in the First Spouse Program under the Presidential $1 Coin Act. Mount Adams also has a sub-peak named after her.