Mrs. A. The Outspoken

Most historians concur that Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was a woman far ahead of her time. Born to a Congregationalist minister and his better-pedigreed wife, the Smiths were well regarded and middle class; certainly not wealthy or well-propertied. Diligence, hard work, patience and forbearance were some of their highest virtues.

Abigail Smith was a sickly youngster, but availed herself of her father’s excellent library. In a day when most women woman were barely literate past some scripture and writing their names, Abigail was a rare scholar. 

She certainly knew her scriptures, but she also knew Latin and some Greek, opening the doors to the classic histories and literature. This included political theory. And, even more rare, she was openly vocal in expressing her opinions. Those opinions included an abhorrence of slavery and a growing impatience with the relationship of the Massachusetts Colony with Great Britain, the mother country. She also had strong feelings regarding the lesser regard men paid to women.

She met her true soul mate in John Adams, nine years her senior, who espoused the same virtues and opinions. He also appreciated a find mind when he found it, and if that mind lodged in the body of a (gasp) woman, sobeit. He welcomed her input, and invariably credited her as his best and wisest advisor.

Adams and Washington

It was actually John Adams who helped promote George Washington into fame and glory. In the fall of 1774, the First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia to discuss grievances and alternatives regarding the American Colonies and Great Britain. Adams (MA) and Washington (VA) had been elected as delegates from their respective states. 

They got on amiably, and dined together on several occasions. Adams, an attorney by profession and a voluminous talker by nature, usually dominated the conversation. Washington, an ex-militia colonel and current wealthy planter whose lack of formal education made him reticent by nature, mostly listened. 

In April, 1775, the Battles of Concord and Lexington in Massachusetts demanded a Second Continental Congress, and both Adams and Washington were re-elected as delegates. Forming a Continental Army to defend against invading British soldiers was on everyone’s agenda. 

It was John Adams who nominated George Washington to be its General. Wealthy Bostonian John Hancock had expected the position, but Adams, reasoning that Virginia was the largest and wealthiest of the colonies, believed strongly that a Virginian should be at the head of it. Also, the ex-colonel had spent eight years in the Virginia militia – far longer than anyone else. In June, Congress commissioned George Washington as commander-in-chief, and the Virginian departed for Massachusetts immediately. He did not return to his beloved Mount Vernon plantation for eight years. 

The General: A Visit to Braintree

In addition to the multiple responsibilities of the new General-in-Chief, there was one more: that of politician and quasi-statesman. It was essential for the General to be in close touch with the movers, shakers, and well-moneyed citizens wherever he was positioned. They needed to sign on to the cause of independence, heart, soul and purse. Who better than one of the foremost citizens of Virginia to advocate to their pockets? Washington’s years as a delegate to the Colony’s House of Burgesses prepared him nicely for the “statesman” role. 

With John was spending most of his time in Philadelphia, their modest house-farm in Braintree was the permanent residence for Abigail and her four small children under ten. She maintained it herself, with no outside help other than a couple of farm hands (in season), and perhaps a day-girl from time to time to help with the heavy work. 

Between the housework and cooking, the children and their basic schooling, the day-to-day farm care, the sewing and handwork projects, and mild socializing with neighbors, mostly at church services, Abigail had little time for herself. About the only personal pleasure she truly enjoyed was her correspondence with her husband. They wrote to each other often, usually diary-style, since postal services were spotty. Delegate Adams was never shy in praising his wife for her intelligence and insightful observations, and all who knew him in Philadelphia were aware of her virtues.

So when General Washington asked to pay a personal visit, likely as a courtesy to his fellow delegate, Mrs. A. was delighted for the honor of his company. According to Mt. Vernon records, the General came to tea, and they exchanged pleasant conversation for an hour. At the end of the visit, Washington asked Mrs. Adams if there was anything he could do for her. 

Aye, there was, according to Mrs. Adams. The correspondence between her and her husband were ties that truly bound them together, and perhaps the General might expedite a small packet of letters. He agreed, offering to include them in his official correspondence with Congress, which was always sent via personal courier. 

So What Did She Think?

While John Adams was favorably impressed with him, his wife was not disposed to think highly of George Washington – a Virginia aristocrat and slave holder – far from her own comfort zone.

But after meeting him, she wrote to John saying “I was struck with General Washington. You had prepaired [sic] me to entertain a favorable opinion of him, but I thought the one half was not told me.” She added and that his appointment was received with “universal satisfaction.” Dignity with ease, and complacency, the Gentleman and Soldier look agreably [sic] blended in him.”

Abigail Adams would have many more opportunities to observe (and assess) President Washington in later years. That opinion would only grow and strengthen. When he died in 1799, the now-First Lady insisted that their guests wear proper mourning, and later wrote to her sister Elizabeth “Never before has this country been call’d to lament the loss of so distinguished & illustrious a character; the death of one man has made mourners of a whole nation.”

Sources:

Levin, Phyllis Lee – Abigail Adams – St. Martin’s Press, 1987

Massachusetts Historical Society – Letters from Abigail to John Adams, 13-14 July, 1776

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/abigail-adams/

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/john-adams/

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/abigail-adams