John and Abigail Adams

Lacy J. Rowan 

18th February, 2017 

Professor Michael Lee 

American Literature 

John Adams and Abigail Adams 

The letters sent between John and Abigail Adams show an inside look at the life of American influencers during the revolution. Their letters serve as a reminder not only of a couple in love, but also as a reminder of our independence and the sacrifices that had to be made to get there. 

John and Abigail Adams often discussed politics and government. Their letters give great insight into life at the time and a firsthand account of what it was like to be an American during the American Revolutionary War. John and Abigail Adams married in 1764 and had 6 children over the course of 12 years. John Adams was a key part of the development of the constitution and Abigail was his key advisor during the revolutionary war and through his presidency. Their letters show the dialogue between two lovers living in and influencing the future of America. 

I read the letter sent from Abigail Adams to John Adams on March 31st, 1776 as well as the for letters sent before and after it. In the letter, Abigail asks John to write frequent and longer letters. He frequently writes very short summaries of the work he is doing in Philadelphia and she wishes he would write longer. Because of this, Abigail develops a pattern in her writing. She often writes very long letters describing what is happening around her, as well as her thoughts, feelings, politics, and inquiries about his work. What's intriguing about his, is that after each letter, she often ends her writing with a cliffhanger of sorts. In the letter sent on the 31st of March, she ends the letter saying "Your Brothers youngest child lies bad with convulsion fits. Adieu. I need not say how much I am Your ever faithful Friend" (Abigail Adams). One might assume that she just wanted to squeeze in as much updates as she can in a single letter and that happened to fall at the end, but I think it has a greater meaning. She likely did this so that John would be inclined to respond faster. Since he is very busy, he often does not have time to wrtie and if he does its very short. So she started leaving the biggest news she has at the end of her letters to encourage him to write back faster.  

Perhaps the most interesting part off the letter however, is her address of woman suffrage during the time. She asks John to "Remember the ladies" when considering the constitution. She also says "Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands" saying that "all Men would be tyrants if they could" (Abigail Adams). I found this especially interesting because not only is she describing a problem that some would argue we still struggle with today, but also because this opens up insight into a very interesting view into how her and John write to each other. In the letters, you can tell that even though they were in the 1700's, John does not belittle Abigail but rather treats him as an equal and often discusses politics with her. She was his key advisor and often had a influence on John Adams. In one letter she states "If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation" (Abigail Adams). This comment opens up a conversation about politics regarding the sexes. John finds it to be a funny idea for women to form a rebellion but he also says that he essentially hasn’t thought about women in that way and that’s it is news to him that women want more rights. However, Abigail may have been considered progressive for her time, she was not insisting that women and men be equal per say, but rather that women simply get more rights than they currently had, which isn't necessary an outlandish request. The discussion between the two shows that they were very honest with each them. They had the same dialogue in the letters that they probably would have had had they been sitting at the dinner table together. 

John Adams's letters convey a sense of urgency in forming America into an independent nation. He almost exclusively writes about the work he is doing and the progression in the formation of the constitution. Although, he does often say that he is anxiously awaiting letters from Abigail, whom he frequently gets political advice from. Through the letters he also morns the death of Governor Ward, who had smallpox. He writes that "He was an amiable and a sensible Man, a steadfast Friend to his Country upon very pure Principles" (John Adams). While John doesn't write very much, in his letters you can tell they are rushed. He wrote "How I find Time to write half the Letters I do, I know not, for my whole Time seems engrossed with Business" (John Adams). The letters John Adams sends to Abigail show an inside look at the amount of dedication and work the founding fathers had. They left their families and risked their reputation to benefit the peoples of America. His letters are a reminder of the dedication and hard work it took for form and independent nation. 

Thorough the letters, it's easy to pick up on certain phrases they use together as well as the tone of the writing. I noticed that in their letters, they frequently refer to each other as "friend". They use this in place of when we might say "boyfriend" "wife" or "fiancé" and the other such terms we use to describe our significant others. I think this is due to the fact that they seem to value friendship and appreciation over love or infatuation. It's obvious in the writing that they love each other, after all they are husband and wife. But they obliviously appreciate each other beyond superficial or social reasons. John appreciates Abigail's intelligence and attention to politics, and Abigail appreciates Johns service to the country. They also use nicknames for certain people when conversing through the letters in fear that they may get caught. At the time, even meeting to discuss the constitution was highly illegal. So they were careful not to get caught, but were still willing to take the risk to write to each other. Abigail Adams even said in one letter "I wish you would burn all my Letters" (Abigail Adams). The tone in their letters is one that conveys some anxiety. Especially when you get further into when John was away. They definitely missed each other very much. Abigail was home trying to take care of the house and also trying to tend to the farm which is very difficult for her to do alone. You can sense in some part of the writing that Abigail gets a little annoyed that John is too busy to write back since she is busy to, yet finds the time. In the letters they certainly share a concern for the future of America. She wants updates on how things are progressing and he continually provides them.