John Adams: Lawyer, President, Patriot

Birth Date: October 30, 1735
Birthplace: Braintree, Massachusetts
State Represented: Massachusetts
Occupation: Lawyer
Age at Signing: 40
Death: July 4, 1826 at age 90
Quote: “The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know…Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.”

Summary: John Adams was born on a farm, a descendant of John Alden, a well-known and impactful pilgrim. By the age of fifteen, Mr. Adams was at Harvard, having rejected the life of a minister. He taught at a school for a year than continued on to become a lawyer. Mr. Adams married Abigail Smith, and they were an excellent pair, exchanging letters all through their married life and supporting each other in every endeavor.
Mr. Adams was an important part of the Continental Congress, a spokesman for liberty. He convinced many of the more reluctant delegates that the signing the declaration was the right path for America. John Adams traveled the world to find peace among other nation, and he was appointed America’s first minister to Great Britain. He became the first Vice President of the Unites States and the second President. Some of his last recorded words were, “Independence Forever!”


Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams: June 18, 1775

Dearest Friend,

The Day; perhaps the decisive Day is come on which the fate of America depends. My bursting Heart must find vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear Friend Dr. Warren is no more but fell gloriously fighting for his Country — saying better to die honourably in the field than ignominiously hang upon the Gallows. Great is our Loss. He has distinguished himself in every engagement, by his courage and fortitude, by animating the Soldiers and leading them on by his own example. A particuliar account of these dreadful, but I hope Glorious Days will be transmitted you, no doubt in the exactest manner.

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Trust in him at all times, ye people pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us. — Charlstown is laid in ashes. The Battle began upon our intrenchments upon Bunkers Hill, a Saturday morning about 3 o clock and has not ceased yet and tis now 3 o’clock Sabbeth afternoon.

Tis expected they will come out over the Neck to night, and a dreadful Battle must ensue. Almighty God cover the heads of our Country men, and be a shield to our Dear Friends. How [many have] fallen we know not — the constant roar of the cannon is so distressing that we can not Eat, Drink or Sleep. May we be supported and sustaind in the dreadful conflict. I shall tarry here till tis thought unsafe by my Friends, and then I have secured myself a retreat at your Brothers who has kindly offerd me part of his house. I cannot compose myself to write any further at present. I will add more as I hear further.

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams: July 17, 1775

My Dear,

It gives me more Pleasure than I can express to learn that you sustain with so much Fortitude, the Shocks and Terrors of the Times. You are really brave, my dear, you are an Heroine. And you have Reason to be. For the worst that can happen, can do you no Harm. A soul, as pure, as benevolent, as virtuous and pious as yours has nothing to fear, but every Thing to hope and expect from the last of human Evils.

Am glad you have secured an Assylum,tho I hope you will not have occasion for it.


The Letter above from John Adams is a piece of a long letter than he wrote back to her.

Response

  1. Fran Avatar

    I am really enjoying reading your blog on the different founders. I especially loved today’s on John Adams with snippets of the letters between John and Abigail. Such a good reminder of how much they sacrificed for freedom.😊

    Keep writing!❤️

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