William (1755-1816) Smith to Abigail Adams, December 31, 1778
Boston 31st Decr. 1778 I have inclos’d two hundred & thirty six Dollars. The amount of the bills was £100. 16. The Cask of Wine gaug’d 30 Gallons. Deducting the…
Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. She is widely considered to be an influential figure in the founding of the United States, and was both the first second lady and second first lady of the United States, although such titles were not used at the time. She and Barbara Bush are the only two women in American history who were both married to a U.S. president and the mother of a U.S. president.
Boston 31st Decr. 1778 I have inclos’d two hundred & thirty six Dollars. The amount of the bills was £100. 16. The Cask of Wine gaug’d 30 Gallons. Deducting the…
Passy Jany. 1. 1779 I wish you an happy new Year, and many happy Years—and all the Blessings of Life. Who knows but this Year may be more prosperous for…
Passy Jany. 18. 1779 My dearest Friend A Gentleman, Mr. Boardman of Newbury Port, 1 is going, and by him I send you a few Lines. In England nothing is…
Passy Jany. 19. 1779 My dearest I can only tell you that I am not well. A bad Cold only. The others are all well. Not a Word of News…
[ Passy, February? 1779 ] 1 You are uneasy that I dont write enough. I understand you. You want me to unravel to you all the Mysteries of the Poli…
Feb. 20. 1779 A new Commission has arrived by which the Dr. is sole Minister. Mr. Lee continues Commissioner for Spain, but I am reduced to the Condition of a…
Passy Feby. 20th. 1779 Hond. Mamma I last night had the honour of reading a letter from you to my Pappa dated Jany. 4th. 1 in which you complain much…
Passy Feb. 21. 1779 My dear Yours by Mr. Williams have received. 1 The little Bill must be paid, but I confess it allarms me a little. The Expence of…
Feb. 26.1779 I have this day taken a long Ramble, with my son. The Weather is as delightfull as you can imagine. There is not in the Month of May,…
Feb. 27. 1779 The Weather continuing fine, I went to Saint Denis a little Village about Eight Miles from this Place, where are the Tombs of all the Kings and…
Feb. 28. 1779 This Day, the Chevalier D’Arcy, his Lady, and Niece, Mr. Le Roy and his Lady, dined here. These Gentlemen are two Members of the Academy of Sciences.…
Mar. 9. 1779 It is hardly necessary that I should tell the amiable Portia of my having within 4 days received a letter from her worthy Husband, as the date…
1 Nankin Jacket 1 Brown Coat 1 Flannel Drawers 1 Shirt 2 Stocks 1 Pr. Thread Stockings 1 Pr. Worstead Stockings 1 Beaver Hatt 1 Straw Hatt 6 Packets of…
Philadelphia July 19th. 1779 Your Favor of June 18/26 is this Hour come to hand. “Do I love the natural Sentiments of the Heart”? Yes, Amiable Correspondent, I truly love…
Boston 31 July 79 Mr. Saml. Adams and Mrs. Adams present their most friendly Regards to Mrs. Adams of Braintree. In Answer to her Message to Mr. A, he informs…
Eleriver August 6 1779 My Dear Friend “And are you sure the News is true, And are you sure He’s Come.” Beneath the shady Forrest of Ele River, while my…
Aug. 9th. [ , Start insertion, 1779 , End, ] Indeed, my lovely anxious Friend, you lead me to doubt whether Mr. A. is really on the Water: The Report…
11. Augst. 1779 My amiable Friend This Evening I have satisfactory Intelligence of the real Embarkation of your very dear Treasure at < , Start deletion, Nantes , End, >…
Boston Novr. 13. 1779 My dearest Friend I have just sent Mr. Thaxter, Johnny and Stephens with the Things on Board. I shall go with Charles at four O Clock.…
On Board the Sensible Novr. 14. 1779 My dearest We got all on Board last night, and began to make our Arrangements. Mr. Thaxter and Johnny, slept in a large…
Sensible off Cape Ann, Novr. 15th. 1779, two O Clock My dearest Portia We have a fine Wind, and in the Course of this Afternoon and Night expect to be…
Corunna 16th. Decr. 1779 Madam This Afternoon I visited one of the Churches in this place; and casting my Eyes into one Corner of it I spy’d one of the…
Boston Decr. 31st. 1779 Dr. Madm. Mr. Cranch deliver’d me your Letter with the five french Guineaus which at the Insurance Office I endeavord to hawk to the Money Voyagers.…
Jan. 6. 1780 You will see, lovely Woman, by the Papers which I have sent that we shall have more post Advantages of Communication than we have had for some…