Abigail Adams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abigail Adams
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Abigail Adams by Benjamin Blythe, 1766
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| 2nd First Lady of the United States | |
| In office March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 |
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| Preceded by | Martha Washington |
| Succeeded by | Martha Jefferson Randolph |
| 1st Wife of the Vice President of the United States |
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| In office May 16, 1789 – March 4, 1797 |
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| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Martha Jefferson Randolph |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1744 Weymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay |
| Died | October 28, 1818 (aged 73) Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A. |
| Spouse | John Adams |
| Relations | William and Elizabeth Quincy Smith |
| Children | Abigail "Nabby", John Quincy, Susanna, Charles, Thomas,(stillborn) |
| Occupation | First Lady of the United States, Second Lady of the United States |
| Signature |  |
Abigail Smith Adams (born November 11, 1744 – died October 28, 1818) was a very important woman in early American history. She was the wife of John Adams, who became the second President of the United States. Later, people started calling the president's wife the First Lady. Even though she wasn't called that at the time, Abigail was the second First Lady of the United States.
Abigail was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She came from the famous Quincy family, who were well-known in Massachusetts.
She did not go to a formal school or college. Instead, she learned a lot by reading books from her father's large library. This made her one of the smartest women to ever be a First Lady.
She married John Adams in 1764. Over the next ten years, they had five children. One of their sons, John Quincy Adams, later became the sixth President of the United States.
In 1801, Abigail and John retired from public life. They moved back to Quincy, where they lived peacefully.
Abigail Adams passed away in 1818 at the age of 74. She died from a sickness called typhoid fever.
Contents
Abigail Adams' Early Life and Family
Abigail was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her parents were Rev. William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy Smith. Her mother's family, the Quincy family, was very wealthy and important in the Massachusetts colony.
Even though she didn't go to school, her mother taught Abigail and her sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, how to read, write, and do math. They also had access to many books from their father's, uncle's, and grandfather's libraries. This allowed them to study English and French literature. Because of all this reading, Abigail became one of the most educated women to serve as First Lady.
Marriage and Family Life
Abigail Smith married John Adams on October 25, 1764, just before her 20th birthday. John and Abigail Adams first lived on a farm in Braintree. This town was later renamed Quincy. They then moved to Boston as John's law career grew.
Abigail often took care of their family and home by herself. This was especially true when John traveled for his job as a judge.
Becoming Second Lady
The wife of the Vice President is known as the Second Lady of the United States. Abigail was the very first Second Lady. She became good friends with Martha Washington, who was the first First Lady.
Abigail was very helpful with official parties and events. She used her knowledge of manners and society from other countries.
However, after 1791, Abigail's health was not good. She had to spend as much time as possible at their home in Quincy.
Serving as First Lady
When John Adams was elected President of the United States, Abigail continued to host formal events. She was the first hostess of the White House, even though it wasn't fully built yet.
Abigail was very involved in politics and government decisions. She was so active that her political rivals even called her "Mrs. President."
The Adams family moved back to Quincy in 1801. This was after John Adams lost his election for a second term as president.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Abigail Adams strongly believed that married women should have rights to own property. She also wanted more opportunities for women, especially in education.
She felt that women should not just accept laws that didn't help them. She also believed women should not only be seen as companions to their husbands. Abigail thought women should educate themselves. She wanted them to be recognized for their intelligence. This way, they could guide and influence their children and husbands.
Views on Slavery
Abigail Adams, like her husband, thought that slavery was wrong. She also believed it was a danger to American democracy.
On March 31, 1776, she wrote a letter. In it, she said she doubted that many people in Virginia truly loved "Liberty." This was because they "deprive[d] their fellow Creatures" of freedom by keeping slaves.
Abigail Adams' Death
Abigail Adams died on October 28, 1818, from typhoid fever. This was several years before her son, John Quincy Adams, became president. She is buried next to her husband in a special room called a crypt. This crypt is in the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts. This church is also known as the Church of the Presidents. Abigail was 73 years old when she passed away. John Adams died at 90.
Her last words were, "Do not grieve, my friend, my dearest friend. I am ready to go. And John, it will not be long."
Abigail Adams' Legacy
There has been a suggestion to build an Adams Memorial in Washington, D.C. This memorial would honor Abigail, her husband, and other family members.
Near her home, there is a cairn. A cairn is a pile of rough stones. This cairn is on a hill where Abigail and her son, John Quincy Adams, watched the Battle of Bunker Hill. They also saw the town of Charlestown burning during the American Revolution.
The First Spouse Program creates special gold coins and bronze medals. These honor the wives of the U.S. Presidents. The Abigail Adams coin was released on June 19, 2007. It was so popular that it sold out in just a few hours!
Abigail Adams' Famous Quotes
- “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
- “Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.”
- “Great necessities call out great virtues.”
- "The habits of a vigorous mind are formed contending with difficulties."
- "If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?"
- "I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in this province. It always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me - to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have."
Interesting Facts About Abigail Adams
- Abigail's mother was part of Massachusetts's famous political Quincy family.
- Abigail had no formal education but used her father’s large library to learn.
- Abigail married John Adams when she was 19.
- She was the first "Second Lady" (wife of the Vice President) and the second First Lady (wife of the President) of the United States.
- Women's rights were important to Abigail, and she valued the education of women.
- Abigail was the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States.
Images for kids
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Abigail Adams school in Queens
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Abigail Adams Museum
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Living room in John and Abigail Adams Cottage, Quincy, MA
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Kitchen in John and Abigail Adams Cottage, Quincy, MA
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One of the last letters sent by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello to Abigail Adams, May 1817
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Abigail Adams First Spouse Coin, Obverse
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Abigail Adams First Spouse Coin, Reverse
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See also
In Spanish: Abigail Adams para niños
