Abigail Adams: Life Before the White House

Abigail Smith was born on November 11, 1744, in Weymouth Massachusetts to William Smith, a minister and farmer, and Elizabeth Smith, who was formally a Quincy. The Quincys were a well known political family in the Massachusetts colony. Abigail was often sick as a child, and this was one of the reasons she didn't attend school although later in life she stated that it was also because of the fact that girls at that time were rarely given the opportunity to receive a formal education. She was educated at home though by her mother who taught her and her sisters to write, read, and cipher. Abigail also liked to read, studying French and English literature through her families extensive collection of books, and studying works by people like William Shakespeare and John Milton.

When Abigail was 11 years old, she and her sisters began being tutored by Richard Cranch, whom Abigail's older sister, Mary, later married. In 1762 Richard Cranch brought a friend by the name of John Adams to a social event where he met the then 17 year old Abigail, and they fell in love. On October 24, 1764, they were married after a long engagement insisted upon by her mother who didn't approve of the country lawyer. The newlyweds then went to live in Braintree, Massachusetts, where John's father had left him a small cottage and farm.

The couple had six children over the next 12 years. The first, Abigail or "Nabby", came just nine months after they were married. After that there was John Quincy Adams in 1767, Grace Susanna "Suky" in 1768 who died as a toddler in 1770, Charles in 1770, Thomas Boylston in 1772, and Elizabeth who was born stillborn in 1777.

Because of his work John was often forced to leave Abigail at home to care for the farm and their financial matters. They constantly corresponded, it is estimated they sent at least 1,100 letters. In these letters they spoke often of political issues, and Abigail was known to be her husbands closest adviser. She was an outspoken woman, and advocated for women's rights.

She joined her husband at his post in Paris, and later London between the years 1784 and 1788. She enjoyed her time in Paris, but didn't have many friends in London. However one bright spot was that she formed a lifelong bond with Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Mary (Polly). In 1788 she and John came back to Quincy and moved into a house called the "Old House", which she enlarged and remodeled. The house still stands, and is open to the public at Adams National Historical Park.

The next year John Adams was inaugurated as the second president of the United States.