Letters of Mrs. Adams, the Wife of John Adams, Vol. 1

Through her letters, Abigail comes across as a strong, independent, and articulate woman who played a crucial role in shaping the early United States. Her intelligence, wit, and compassion shine through in every correspondence, offering readers a deeper understanding of the complexities of her personality and the historical context in which she lived.

Charles Francis Adams, Sr. has done a commendable job in selecting and organizing these letters, providing valuable insight into Abigail’s relationships with her husband, children, and the political figures of her time. The volume is not only a treasure trove of historical information but also a touching tribute to a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on American history.

Overall, “Letters of Mrs. Adams, the Wife of John Adams, Vol. 1” is a captivating read that will appeal to history buffs, fans of personal correspondence, and anyone interested in learning more about the influential women of the past. Abigail Adams’ letters are a testament to her enduring legacy and serve as a poignant reminder of the power of individual voices in shaping the course of history.

Book Description:
Abigail Adams lived the American Revolution as the wife of one of its central figures–John Adams. Her family correspondence, published along with a memoir by her grandson, Charles Francis Adams, brings that era into eloquent focus. What was it like to hear the cannon’s roar from your window? to face pestilence? food shortages? rampant inflation? devalued coinage? to raise four children alone–and earn the money to keep your household afloat, while your husband was engaged in politics and diplomacy miles and oceans away . . . for years at a time? It’s all there in her private letters, letters that were never meant for public eyes, letters that she repeatedly asked to be burned!

Writing to her husband, Abigail expressed anguish at nearby fighting: June 18, 1775, “Charlestown is laid in ashes . . . How many have fallen we know not. The constant roar of the cannon is so distressing, that we cannot eat, drink, or sleep.” Yet, she displayed constant fortitude: August 5, 1777, “It is almost thirteen years since we were united, but not more than half that time have we had the happiness of living together. The unfeeling world may consider it in what light they please. I consider it as a sacrifice to my country . . .”

And she enlivened her writing with pithy accounts of Revolutionary doings: July 31, 1777, “You must know that there is a great scarcity of sugar and coffee . . . An eminent, wealthy, stingy merchant had a hogshead of coffee in his store, which he refused to sell . . . under six shillings per pound. A number of females . . . assembled with a cart and trucks, marched down to the warehouse, and demanded the keys, which he refused to deliver. Upon which, one of them seized him by his neck . . .” The women “then opened the warehouse, hoisted out the coffee themselves, put it into the truck and drove off. . . .A large concourse of men stood amazed, silent spectators of the whole transaction.”