Abigail Adams – American First Lady

Abigail Adams was American First Lady. She is considered a remarkable woman for her times. She had a notable influence on her husband, John Adams, second President of the United States. She strongly favored American independence and universal liberty.
Abigail Smith Adams was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her mother, Elizabeth Quincy Smith, was related to the Bay Colony’s Puritan leadership. Her father, Reverend William Smith, was minister of the North Parish Congregational Church of Weymouth. Abigail was educated at home and as an adult, she was for equal education for women.
On October 25, 1764, Abigail married John Adams, who was nine years her senior. The couple had three sons and two daughters, and their family union lasted over 50 years.
In the fall of 1775, an epidemic of dysentery hit Braintree and neighboring towns. Abigail and her son, Thomas, took ill, but slowly recovered.

In her letter of March 13, 1776, Abigail suggested to her husband that women be taken into consideration.
In February, 1778 John Adams and his son left Braintree for France as John was asked to replace the Paris commissioner. This separation from her husband was very hard for Abigail.
In September, 1783, a treaty between England, France, Spain, Holland, and the United States was signed. Shortly after, John Adams was to negotiate a treaty of commerce with Great Britain. Abigail joined her husband and sons in Europe bringing her daughter, Nabby, with her. In April 1788 the family went home.
In March of 1789 John Adams became the first vice president of the United States. John Adams was in Philadelphia, and Abigail in Quincy, so the couple once more began their correspondence. Their letters now openly discussed political situations.
In 1797 John Adams became a president and asked his wife to join him in the capital city. Adams discussed important problem with her and most often followed her advice.
In 1800, after the capital was moved to Washington, Abigail Adams became the first hostess of the White House.
Abigail died on October 28, 1818.
Abigail Adams is the only woman in the United States who was the wife of one president (John Adams, the second president of the USA) and the mother of another (John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States).