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Abigail Adams biography for kids
Date: 1744 – 1818 (74 years old)
Who was Abigail Adams ?
Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States. She was also the mother of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. Abigail was known as “Mrs President” because her husband often asked for her advice when he was in office.
This helped the First Ladies who came after her to be more involved in politics.
Abigail and her husband wrote over 1000 letters to each other. These letters are important eyewitness accounts of what life was like during the American Revolution.
Download this biography for kids
Five Facts about Abigail Adams:
- During the revolution, Adams made bullets for the American cause
- John and Abigail exchanged over 1100 letters
- She was an early women's right advocate
- John and Abigail really hated Alexander Hamilton
- She was the first presidential wife to live in the white house
Inspirational Quotes from Abigail Adams:
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
“My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.”
“I hate to complain...No one is without difficulties, whether in high or low life, and every person knows best where their own shoe pinches.”
Biography:
Abigail’s Childhood
Abigail was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She had an older brother and two younger sisters.
Her father was William Smith, a church minister. He had a large library that many clergymen and students would visit. This made Abigail appreciate a good education.
But Abigail didn’t go to school, like many girls at the time. Her mother, Elizabeth Smith, taught her to read and write.
Abigail was very bright. She knew a great deal about poetry, philosophy and politics.
Marriage
Abigail and John Adams were third cousins and knew of each other since childhood. John fell in love with Abigail when she was 17. He was impressed by her beauty and her brains.
Two years later they were married. They soon moved to Boston, where John made his name as a lawyer. They began a family and had three sons and two daughters.
The American Revolution
Shortly after they married, the American Revolution began to take shape. Both Abigail and John wanted America to be free from British rule.
In 1774, John was sent to Philadelphia to serve in the first congress. Abigail stayed at home to raise the children.
Abigail shared control of the family’s money and property. She bought more land for their farm. This amount of control was rare for a woman at the time.
The couple had never been apart before and began writing letters to each other. John would ask Abigail for advice on his work in congress. Abigail would report back with news on the American Revolution and how the people of Boston were reacting to policies.
In 1776, Congress began debating the Declaration of Independence. This was an important decision if the colonies were to become a nation in their own right.
Abigail urged her husband to make sure that any new laws gave women equal rights to men. She famously told him to “Remember the ladies.”
John wasn’t persuaded, but her letters stand out today as some of the earliest known writings on women’s rights.
War and Peace
When the Revolutionary War began, Abigail wasn’t far from battle. Soldiers hid in her home and trained in her yard.
The war ended in 1783 after many battles, and America became a free nation. John was in Europe at the time working as a diplomat.
Abigail continued to keep him informed of news back home, before joining him in 1783. She explored France and even met the King of England.
They returned to America in 1788. John was elected Vice-President under George Washington.
Abigail served her duties as Second Lady, but worried about the farm back home. She was a strong woman, but didn’t enjoy being in the public eye.
First Lady
In 1796, John became President. Abigail though their main duties were to host visitors and help the needy. Even then, she still influenced John’s decision-making!
She spoke her mind on many subjects, but worried this would get her into trouble. She opposed slavery and didn’t like having slaves in the Presidential home. She championed equal education for girls.
In 1800, Abigail became the first First Lady to live in the White House. She lived there for four months,before Thomas Jefferson was elected President.
Later that year, her son died of alcoholism. Charles Adams was just 30 years old.
Abigail Adams by Gilbert Stuart
Retirement
After John lost the election, the couple retired to their farm. They lived a quiet life for many years. Abigail was happy to be out of the public eye.
After suffering a stroke, Abigail died on October 28, 1818. Seven years later, her son became president.
Abigail Adams is remembered today as a champion of equality, for women and African-Americans. In modern America, the First Lady can give her husband political advice without fear of getting into trouble. This is all thanks to Abigail Adams.
