The courtship of John and Abigail Adams is chronicled by correspondence that began with a facetious contract written three years after they met. "Miss Adorable," her admiring lawyer addresses her,

By the same Token that the Bearer hereof satt up with you last night I hereby order you give him, as many Kisses, and as many Hours of your Company after 9 O Clock as he shall please to Demand and charge them to my Account.

The 1,200 letters exchanged by Abigail and John Adams form the cornerstone of the Adams Family Papers—the largest and most important manuscript collection held by the Historical Society.