SMITH FAMILY

Abigail Smith Adams, First Lady

Abigail Smith was born on 11 November 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her father, the Reverend William Smith, was the pastor of Weymouth's first church. Her mother, Elizabeth Quincy Smith, was from the famous and influential Quincy family.

Girls in that time were not sent to school for a formal education. Abigail was very bright, and educated herself in history, philosophy and the Bible by reading her father's extensive library. She also devoured essays and poetry.

Abigail married John Adams, a lawyer with a Harvard education, on 25 October 1764 at the age of nearly twenty. It was a loving marriage, and lasted all their lives. The couple were to have three sons and two daughters.

Abigail fully supported John, in his career as a diplomat and politician. She had a mind of her own, and strongly condemned slavery, and strongly supported education for girls.

John Adams served as the Second President from 1797 to 1801, and Abigail Smith Adams ably coped with the difficulties of official entertaining as a much loved and respected First Lady.

John and Abigail's son, John Quincy Adams, was later to serve as the Sixth President between 1825 to 1829.

Abigail died on 28 October 1818 and was buried at Quincy, Massachusetts. Eight years later, her husband John was buried alongside her.

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