Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams was a unique women because she had an education and

an interest in politics. She learned how to read and write and

enjoyed poems most. She was also very resourceful by helping her

husband on difficult problems.

Abigail was born on November 11 on the Julian calendar, or

November 22 on the modern Gregorian calendar. Abigail had two sisters

named Mary and Elizabeth or Betsy. She had one brother named William

or Billy. Abigail's name was originally Abigail Smith. Each baby was

baptized on the first Sabbath of its life and was recorded in their

parish records. Abigail live in a comfortable house. When Abigail

was sixteen, her father added a wing that was bigger than the original

building to make room for the children, servants, and visitors. When

I say servants it means that they were probably slaves but were called

servants to avoid the dehumanizing effect that the word 'slave' can

English: One of the last letters between former Pr...

Abigail Adams by Benjamin Blythe, 1766

English: "Abigail Smith Adams," oil on canvas, by ...

mean. Their house was a sight of luxury in the eyes of the common

folk in the parish. Though they lived well, the Smiths had no

fortune. Abigail's father often worked with his own hands, planting

corn and potatoes, gathering hay, sowing barley, or making sure that

his sheep received proper care. Abigail, with the help of her family

grew a very religious bond between each other and a long lasting

friendship.

Abigail never went to a real school because of poor health. So,

she learned at home. Her father's library was not big, but she still

went to it to read books. Abigail's favorite books were novels by

Samuel Richardson. Abigail's father knew John Adams by working with

him and she grew rather close to him starting a wedding. This now

made her name Abigail Adams. Their wedding was held on October 25,