Abigail Adams
Historical Society, Inc. Weymouth
This is the birthplace of Abigail Smith Adams,
and was constructed in 1685, where she would become the daughter
of Rev. William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy Smith, and when you
visit her "chamber", you can almost see her sitting at her desk
writing with a quill, to her future husband, the second
President of the United States, John Adams. In October, 1764,
when she was just twenty years old, Abigail would be married by
her father to "her best friend" at her childhood home. Abigail
would become the mother of another US President, John Quincy
Adams, and a life long correspondence between Abigail and John
would allow us today to learn more about this family and the
birth of a nation; ours. In 1947, the Abigail Adams Historical
Society would purchase the estate to restore, preserve and
maintain this historical treasure for all Americans to visit and
learn more about this woman and her contributions to this
country. It is furnished with 18th century materials, about the
time that Abigail lived in the house. Like many girls of that
period, Abigail wouldn't be able to get a formal education, so
she would read the books in her father's library, and study the
Bible, learning philosophy, essays, poetry and history. She would
learn the social skills from her mother and grandmother Quincy
who would also teach her homemaking and handiwork skills, that
would later enable her to become a keen political observer,
influential First Lady and prolific writer. Her marriage to John
would produce three sons and two daughters and last for over
fifty years. Abigail would have to endure alone, the wartime
shortages, difficult living conditions and lack of income, but
still, she would run the household, farm and take time to
educate her children; and write long, witty, supportive and
strong. These fantastic missiles have been preserved so that we
can learn about her life during these difficult times, and the
many dangers and challenges that she had to face as a young
nation fought for its independence and trials.
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