Abigail Adams: Influencing The American Revolution

Abigail Adams was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts on November 11, 1744. In a prominent and wealthy family descended from Puritan leaders, as well as successful merchants (Parks 1). She had not formal schooling because of illnesses and the limited options to females during Colonial times. How Abigail learned was from her family’s library, the company of relatives, visitors, and the guidance of her grandmother. Her vast knowledge comes from studying Shakespeare to Locke, from Plato to French (Parks 1). During this time period like Abigail picked up two habits: letter-writing and Congregational faith. Letter-writing would be essential in influencing the American Revolution. At the bottom is an image of Abigail Adams birthplace and childhood home.
Their absence from each other made the heart grow fonder for each other because of this separation. The time I want to focus on with the letters is when John and 10 year old son, John Quincy, accompanied his father to France early February, 1778. At the bottom is a map of France before the revolution and the arrival of John Adams as a diplomat. Credit image to http://slantchev.ucsd.edu/courses/ps143a/readings.html.
What is surprising with the letters is they survived the times and through someone’s writing you understand how they feel about issues. The historical significance of these letters correspond with the times and show how influential Abigail was on her husband. During John Adams time in France Abigail would write letters to John. However, the letters would take weeks to arrive because it had to travel across the ocean. John was paranoid that his letter would get intercepted by the British and published so he wrote very little. For example, in one letter Abigail said, “Let me entreat you to write me more letters….. They are my food by day and my rest by night”. Also some of the letters were about hardship of the farm and with the war she wanted him to send luxury items. Abigail wanted to sell the goods from France so she could make a profit in Massachusetts. All of the letters were not all about good times and she was not afraid to speak
When John become president in 1797, Abigail arrived in Philadelphia in early May and held a reception as first lady. John Adams discussed nearly every important problem with her and most often would follow her advice. During this time Abigail would write letter to friends and they would ask her to be their voice. In addition, Abigail would help her husband to support what they were going through and send letters about managing the farm to her sister Mary Cranch. At the bottom is an illustration of one of the letters. Credit image to