Letters Of Love

Letters of Love

Now letter-Writing is, to me, the most agreeable Amusement: and Writing to you the most entertaining and Agreeable of all Letter-Writing. - John Adams

And - then Sir if you please you may take me. - Abigail Smith

Love is a deep feeling of profound passion and intimacy. The story between John and Abigail Adams is a warm and deeply moving love between two of America's most moving people. Their names are inseparably linked as those of any pair in history. The story of these amazing lovers, patriots, comes to life through their intimate correspondence. Through their numerous letters of communication, one can relive their thoughts and feelings as they strengthened their bond.

John Adams was born in Braintree, what is now Quincy, Massachusetts, on October 30, 1735. His father was a farmer, a deacon of the First Parish of Braintree, and a militia officer. John's mother came from a leading family of Brookline and Boston merchants and physicians. John studied hard in the village school. He was twenty three years old when he graduated from Harvard in the class of 1755. He began to practice law in Braintree in 1758. John and Abigail first met in 1759.

Abigail was only fifteen when they first met. Abigail Smith was born November 11, 1744 at Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her father was a minister in Weymouth. On her mother's side she was descended from the Quincys, a family of great prestige in the colony. Like most women of her time, Abigail had received little formal schooling, but she read constantly thanks to her father's library. Because of this she became one of the best informed women of her time. Her father often lent out his collection of books to friends and neighbors, which inevitably John and Abigail met. Through these books she learned Shakespeare, Milton and Pope, and even taught herself French, and many men were intimidated by a woman with her knowledge. John was captivated by it. By 1762 they were exchanging outspokenly affectionate love letters full of mischievous humor. John won Abigail's love for almost two years until they were married on October 25, 1764.

They were lovers, friends, counselors, and mentors to one another into old age. They had five children, two daughters and three sons. Abigail showed great ability in managing the farm and raising their family without him during his long absences on the nation's business. John took pride in her accomplishments. He told her she was so successful in budgeting, planting, managing staff, regulating live-stock, buying provisions, nursing and educating her children that their neighbors would remark on how much better things seemed to go in his absence.

John and Abigail played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. John's passion and expression convinced the colonists to fight the British, while Abigail supported John's efforts from the home front. She was a valuable partner to him as he developed his political career, leading him to the presidency of the United States. Abigail Adams helped "plant the seeds" that would start women and men thinking about women's rights and roles in a country that had been founded on the ideals of equality and independence.

Their story unfolded alongside many important events including the Boston Massacre and Tea party and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Independence was proclaimed, a Confederation was adopted, and treaties were negotiated to bring peace to a new nation. Through all of this, this amazing and strong woman stayed by his side. Their life together remains one of America's most enduring love stories that others could only dream of.

In a time where marriage is only kept fifty percent of the time, I found researching John and Abigail's relationship quite refreshing. I sat, read, and enjoyed many of the letters they had exchanged. The time period this couple lived through was hard and troublesome and one could almost visualize everything that they were going through and what was going on around them by reading these remarkable letters. I'm glad I chose this topic and took the time to research it. I end this paper with a piece of one of my favorite letters.

My dearest Friend, December 23, 1782

I have omitted writing by the last opportunity to Holland;