Independence Day and Abigail

I love the 4th of July. No, not because of hot dogs, watermelons, and fireworks, although those are certainly lovely, but because I believe the founding of our country was miraculous and of tremendous import to both future Americans and numerous others of the world. I do not believe this to be jingoism on my part but is a conviction the study of world history confirms for me. You are welcome to think or believe whatever you want; but, for me, the founding of the United States, even with its warts and sins, was a providential event.

This weekend I began thinking about the book, John Adams, by David McCullough that was published over 20 years ago. I read it only a few years ago although it had long been on my reading list. McCullough’s books are always impressive, and the Adams book was amazing if you have an interest in detailed history. I came away from the book impressed, of course, by Adams but even more impressed by his wife, Abilgail Adams. What lives the women of the founding period of the United States led! What beings they were! What unsung heroes! “For such a time as this,” I believe Abigail Adams, in particular, must have been born.

For much of the time that John Adams was involved in the plans and diplomacy connected to the birth of the United States–the revolutionary war, the acquiring of support from foreign nations such as France, and the creation of foundational documents during his time in the Continental Congress, for example, he was away from home. He spent much time on treacherous journeys to Paris and later many weeks at a time in Philadelphia wrangling with representatives of the original colonies/states to set up a union that would over time become “more perfect.” During these extended separations, Abigail took care of their children, managed their farm in Braintree, Massachusetts, kept the wolf away from the door as their income had fallen significantly, wrote encouraging letters to her husband, and dealt with serious dangers at home.

To say that life was difficult in the late 18th century in the best of times is a gross understatement, but for Abigail to run a farm, maintain a family, and fear for her own, her husband’s, and their children’s lives and livelihood, essentially alone, took fortitude and courage. Her husband was a marked man. His outspoken leadership in the American cause set him at the top of the list of those the British wanted to capture. He was not a soldier but as a political and diplomatic leader, the gallows awaited him should he be taken by the enemy. For, our patriots were high traitors to the British.

Within this tense atmosphere, Abigail Adams and John Adams wrote constant letters. I find hers especially remarkable. They are the letters of a woman in love with her husband, devoted to her children, and seriously dedicated to her God and country. The following letter was written while John Adams was away in Philidelphia as a member of the Continental Congress:

Braintree, 16 October 1774

My much-loved friend,—-I dare not express to you, at three hundred miles’ distance, how ardently I long for your return. I have some very miserly wishes, and cannot consent to your spending one hour in town, till, at least, I have had you twelve. The idea plays about my heart, unnerves my hand, whilst I write, awakes all the tender sentiments that years have increased and matured, and which, when with me every day was dispensing to you. The whole collected stock of ten weeks absence knows not how to brook any longer restraint, but will break forth and flow through my pen. Make the like sensations enter thy breast, and (spite of all the weighty cares of state) mingle themselves with those I wish to communicate; for, in giving them utterance, I have felt more sincere pleasure than I have known since the 10th of August. Many have been the anxious hours I have spent since that day; the threatening aspect of our public affairs, the complicated distress of this province, the arduous and perplexed business in which you are engaged, have all conspired to agitate my bosom with fears and apprehensions to which I have heretofore been a stranger; and, far from thinking the scene closed, it looks as though the curtain was but just drawn, and only the first scene of the infernal plot disclosed. And whether the end will be tragical, Heaven only knows. You cannot be, I know, nor do I wish to see you, an inactive spectator; but if the sword be drawn, I bid adieu to all domestic felicity, and look forward to that country where there are neither wars nor rumors of wars, in a firm belief, that through the mercy of its King we shall both rejoice there together.

The letter goes on for some time–a wife pouring out her view of things to her husband–worrying that heaven may punish us (the people) for “our numerous offenses and for the misimpovement of our great advantages.” She says, “If we expect to inherit the blessings of our fathers, we should return a little more to the primitive simplicity of manners, and not sink into inglorious ease.” She ends her long letter with the following: “Your mother sends her love to you; and all your family, too numerous to name, desire to be remembered. You will receive letters from two who are as earnest to write to papa as if the welfare of the kingdom depended on it. If you can give any guess, within a month, let me know when you think of returning. ——-Your most affectionate Abigail Adams” (Adams, Charles Francis, ed. Familiar Letter of John Adams and his Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution.)

One of the letters written to “papa” as indicated in the letter from Abigail is that of their seven-year-old son:

Sir,–I have been trying ever since you went away to learn to write you a letter. I shall make poor work of it; but, sir, mamma says you will accept my endeavors, and that my duty may be expressed in poor writing as well as good. I hope to grow a better boy, and that you will have not occasion to be ashamed of me when you return. Mr. Thaxter says I learn my books well. He is a very good master. I read my books to mamma. We all long to see you. I am, sir, your dutiful son, John Quincy Adams (Adams, Charles Francis, ed.)

This is the stuff of our forebearers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adams, Charles Francis. ed. Familiar Letter of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution. Project Gutenberg. <gutenberg.org>

McCullough, David. John Adams. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.