Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, December 8, 1800

Washington 8 December 1800

my dear Sister

I know My Much loved Sister that you will mingle in my
Sorrow, and weep With me over the Grave of a poor unhappy child who cannot
now add an other pang to those which have peirced my Heart for several years
past; cut off in the midst of his days, his years are numberd and finished;
I hope my Supplications to heaven for him, that he might find Mercy from his
maker, may not have been in vain— his constitution was so Shaken, that his
disease was rapid, and through the last period of his Life dreadfully
painfull and distressing; he bore with patience & submission his
Suffering’s and heard the prayers for him with composure; his Mind at times
was much deranged thro his sufferings, and through a total want of rest; he
finally expired [wi]thout a groan on sunday week. Mrs smith & sally have
had a [di]stressing Scene to pass through, yet I cannot be thankfull enough
that Mrs smith got home when She did, and that She took him into her care—
She has a satisfaction in knowing that She Spared no pains to render his
last moments less Distressing to his Parents and relatives than they could
have been else where— I was Satisfied I had seen him for the last time when
I left him. three weeks only has he been really confined, but his
constitution was broken down food has not been his sustanance; yet he did
not look like an intemperate Man— he was bloted, but not red— he was no Mans Enemy but his own— he was beloved, in
spight of his errors, and all spoke with grief and sorrow for his
habits—

afflictions of this kind are a two edged sword— the
scripture expresses it as a mitigation of Sorrow , Start deletion, that , End, when we do not sorrow as those who
have no hope— 1 the Mercy of
the almighty is not limited; to his sovereign Will I desire humbly to
submit—

Mr Cranch in the cover of his Letter refered Me to one
written to his son for the state of your Health mr cranch did not get the
Letter, So I have not heard—but I know I should see your own hand writeing
if you were able I have not been well my self for the Week past. I have been
afflicted with a loss of voice & a sad cough— it is not Worse— I hope is
going off— the President is well and has been so ever Since we have been
here. your son dinned with us yesterday he and family were well— pray
remember me kindly to all our Friends and let me hear of or from you as
often as possible—

I am my Dear Sister Your / truly affectionate / but
afflicted Sister

A Adams—