Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, December 9, 1798

fryday December 9 th [7] 1798 1

Dear William

Last Evening was marrid at the Seat of the President of the united
states, by the Revd mr Weld mr Ebeneazer Harmon to miss Abigail Hunt. 2 please to inform miss Rebecca Tirril of this
auspicious Event. as I am a great friend to Matrimony, and always like to promote it,
where there is a prospect of happiness & comfort, and as Nabby had lived with me—and
was about to marry the Brother of mrs Porter, I gave her the offer of being married in
my Family— which she thankfully accepted. there was present mr Harmon the Father—a very
respectable old Man, & 14 Brothers and sisters, which with my own Family made up a
Room full. 3 after the ceremony was over,
I regaled them with a Glass of wine, & some cake and Cheese, which having partaken
of they retired to the Farm House, where mrs Porter had prepared a supper of what was
intended for her thanksgiving faire. after supper, mr Richard tuned up, & they
closed with a dance. how long they kept it up, I do not know, for I retired to rest at
about nine, and with the pleasurable reflection of having made Several honest families
happy & pleasd I enjoyd a comfortable nights repose

I received your Letter of the 25 and was diverted with the
Govenours Zeal & sorry for his dissapointment, for as I was not of the party, I
should not have regreted an exhibition of the warm attachment of the state of Pensilvana
to the President & the Goverment I believe there is
much more of it in reality than formerly but none to spair—if all had been shown which
was real

you will have received a Letter from me before this, and I hope
Richard will also have arrived. 4 your
mother has written for Betsy Palmer & I suppose she will soon go. 5 she writes me that Abbes arm was much
Strengthend by Hughes ointment. I presume you had a numerous Levee on twesday. you
inquire for the card plate. it is upon the shelve behind the door in my writing
Room—

I believe some cards with it— I have no News to relate. no event to
amuse you I have not been further from Home than Milton, and feel a want of courage for
enterprize of any kind— these two or there cold days I have felt better, but all depends
upon a Suppression of the fever, and good rest. you must write me as often as you can,
& let me know what is passing

I am your affectionate

Aunt Abigail Adams