Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2
1788-07-20
I tarried at home this forenoon, in order to write a Letter to my Sister.1 In the afternoon I attended at meeting.2 Went up to Mr. Cranch's after meeting and pass'd an hour there. I took my leave of them, and went home to prepare for returning to Newbury-Port. I know not that I ever left Braintree with so much regret. I have past my time most agreeably here these five weeks, and have had almost all my nearest connexions and dearest friends about me: but otherwise, almost all the Time has been lost to me, and I must return to those pursuits which are to be the support of my future Life. In the winter I hope, to spend some weeks here, and then I shall endeavour to join the utile dulci.
Letter not found.
“Heard Parson Wibird” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).
1788-07-21
This morning I left Braintree in company with my brother Tom, who was going to Haverhill; and in order to have company, so great a part of the way, I determined to go there with him. We stopp'd a short time at Cambridge, and I went to Dr. Rand's to take a Letter from Miss Newhall, as I had promised her at Commencement. She was gone out but had left the Letter. We dined in Wilmington, and got to Haverhill between seven and eight o'clock.1 In Woburn, we saw young Bartlett who had thoughts some time since, of opening an office in Braintree, but got discouraged there and finally determined upon Woburn, where from the appearance of the place, I should doubt somewhat of his succeeding very much; but in the present state of the profession, there can be but little choice of place for a young man.
JQA adds, in his line-a-day entry, a reference to Mr. Shaw, at whose house he presumably stayed (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).
1788-07-22
I went to see Leonard White this forenoon. His father has been unwell for some days past. His complaints are of a lethargic nature, and his habit is such, that such disorders must probably prove in the end fatal to him. He now sleeps as much as half his time, and is consequently half dead. I went to see Mrs. Bartlett, and saw Mr. S. Blodget there: his brother Caleb, and young Mr. 434Breck I met with yesterday on the road from Boston; at the tavern, and they came forward before us. I pass'd the afternoon at Mr. Thaxter's, and the evening at Mr. Shaw's.