A Love Story
John and Abigail Adams spent many years apart while he served his country. While her husband was away in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress, Abigail and her son John Quincy watched the Battle of Bunker Hill from near their home.
When the Continental Congress sent John Adams to Europe during the American Revolution to ask France to help the colonists fight the British, young John Quincy went with his father as his personal secretary. Abigail stayed at home where she mothered their other children and managed their farm. She was even able to purchase more land and expand the farm while her husband and eldest son were away.
After the American Revolution, John Adams went to London as an ambassador. This time Abigail joined him. Before they came home, they purchased this home in Quincy, which they later expanded. John Adams named the home Peace field.
Peace field is filled with items owned and used by John and Abigail Adams and their descendants. Every item inside the house today is original to the Adams family.
John and Abigail had a strong and loving relationship. They wrote more than 1,100 letters to each other, beginning with their courtship, continuing through the years when he was in France, and in other times when they were apart while he served his country during the Revolution. They were sometimes apart while he served as Vice President and President, so the letters continued then, as well.
Their letters, which have been carefully preserved, give insight into a sweet love story. Here are words from John to Abigail. The letter was addressed to “Miss Adorable.”
By the same Token that the Bearer hereof satt up with you last night I hereby order you to give him, as many Kisses, and as many Hours of your Company after 9 O’Clock as he shall please to Demand and charge them to my Account: This Order, or Requisition call it which you will is in Consideration of a similar order Upon Aurelia for the like favour, and I presume I have good Right to draw upon you for the Kisses as I have given two or three Millions at least, when one has been received, and of Consequence the Account between us is immensely in favour of yours, John Adams
And these are words from Abigail to John. It was addressed to “My Dearest Friend.”
I know from the tender affection you bear me, and our little one’s that you will rejoice to hear that we are well, our Son is much better than when you left home, and our Daughter rock’s him to Sleep, with the Song of “Come pappa come home to Brother Johnny.” Sunday seems a more Lonesome Day to me than any other when you are absent . . . I am now at Weymouth. My Father brought me here last night. To morrow I return home, where I hope soon to receive the Dearest of Friends and the tenderest of Husbands, with that unabated affection which has for Years past, and will whilst the vital Spark lasts, burn in the Bosom of your affectionate A Adams
He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22