Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams (née Smith; November 22, [O.S. November 11] 1744 – October 28, 1818) was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams, as well as the mother of John Quincy Adams. She was a founder 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 to have been married to U.S. presidents and to have been the mothers of other U.S. presidents.
Abigail Adams | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Gilbert Stuart c. 1800-1815 | |
| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 | |
| President | John Adams |
| Preceded by | Martha Washington |
| Succeeded by | Martha Randolph (acting) |
| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role April 21, 1789 – March 4, 1797 | |
| Vice President | John Adams |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ann Gerry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Abigail Smith November 22, 1744 Weymouth, Massachusetts Bay, British America |
| Died | October 28, 1818 (aged 73) Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | United First Parish Church Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Parent(s) | William Smith (father) Elizabeth Quincy (mother) |
| Relatives | Adams political family Quincy political family |
| Signature | |
Adams's life is one of the most documented of the first ladies: she is remembered for the many letters she wrote to her husband John Adams while he stayed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Continental Congresses. John Adams frequently sought the advice of Abigail on many matters, and their letters are filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics. Her letters also serve as eyewitness accounts of the American Revolutionary War home front.
Surveys of historians conducted periodically by the Siena College Research Institute since 1982 have consistently found Adams to rank among the three most highly regarded first ladies by the assessments of historians.