Adams Family Correspondence, volume 1

Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 31 January 1767 AA Cranch, Mary Smith

1767-01-31

Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 31 January 1767 Adams, Abigail Cranch, Mary Smith
Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch
My Dear Sister Braintree Jan'ry. 31 1767

I have just returnd from Weymouth, where I have been for a week past. It seems lonesome here, for My Good Man is at Boston; after haveing been in a large family, for a week, to come and set down alone is very solitary; tho we have seven in our family, yet four of them being domestick when my partner is absent and my Babe a sleep, I am still left alone. It gives one a pleasing Sensation my Dear Sister, after haveing been absent a little while to see one's self gladly received upon a return, even by one's Servants. I do not know that I was ever 61more sensibly affected with it than I was to Day; I could behold joy sparkle in the Eyes of every one of them as I enterd the House, whilst they unaffectedly express'd it some to me and some to my Babe.—One runs to the Door, O Mam, I am glad to see you come home again, how do you do? Whilst an other catches the child, and says Dear creature I was affraid she would forget me, and a third hovers round and crys Nab, do you know Polly, and will you come to her?—These little instances shew their regard, and they endear them to us.

Thus far I wrote last fryday. But my good Man arriving with the News papers, put an end to writing any further at that time. However I have now reassumed my pen, tho I am something tierd, haveing dined Nine Gentlemen to Day. When I set down with such a friendly circle, I always look round and wish that the company was not incompleat by the absence of two Dear Friend's. Here now sets our Sister Elizabeth, and we both of us haveing been talking and wishing for you. She will leave me to morrow, tho She came but to Day, and has not been here since She came from Salem, before now. Father, the Doctor and Mr. Wibird (who made three of the company to Day) tell me that they all of them design for Salem to morrow. I know how rejoiced you will be to see them. I feel glad for you, but methinks so many good Friends ought not to go together—if they went but one at a time I should chance to hear three times from you which would as Sarah Cotton used to say make me three times glad.—I sent your Camblet to Unkle Smiths last week, and hope it has reach'd you before now. The coulour I know you will not like. I do not think Dawson used me well, tis a discourageing thing, when one has tried to have a thing look well and done their part towards it, then to have it ruined in the dying or weaveing, is very provoking, but if Mr. Cranch dislikes it, I would not have you think yourselves under any oblagation to take it, for I shall not be any ways troubled if you send it back again.—I have a couple of Books, which when I have read thro I design to send to you, for your perusal—they are called Sermons to young women.1 I cannot say how much I admire them, and should I attempt to say how justly worthy they are of admiration I fear I should not do justice to this most Excellent performance.—My Letter will be a mess medly in Spite of any efforts to the contarary—for from Sermons I must desend to Cards and tell you I should be glad, Mr. Cranch would send me a pair.2 Nabby sends her Love to her cousin Betsy and would be very glad of her company, to tend Miss Doll, who is a very great favorite of theirs.—I send you a little yarn for a pair of Stockings and a little flax for some thread—because I know you seek wool and flax, and 62work willingly with your hands. Accept of them with my sincere regards to you and yours From your affectionate Sister,

Abigail Adams

P.S. You must burn this for it is most dismal writing.

RC (MeHi); addressed: “To Mrs Mary Cranch Salem”; docketed in an unidentified hand.

1.

By James Fordyce, D.D., London, 1765; fourteen editions had appeared by 1814 (BM, Catalogue ).

2.

For use in combing wool. Richard Cranch advertised himself as a cardmaker as well as watchmaker.

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 September 1767 AA JA

1767-09-13

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 September 1767 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Adams to John Adams
My Dearest Friend Sunday Eveng. Weymouth Sepbr. 14 i.e. 13 1767 1

The Doctor talks of Setting out tomorrow for New Braintree.2 I did not know but that he might chance to see you, in his way there. I know from the tender affection you bear me, and our little one's that you will rejoice to hear that we are well, our Son is much better than when you left home, and our Daughter rock's him to Sleep, with the Song of “Come pappa come home to Brother Johnny.”3 Sunday seems a more Lonesome Day to me than any other when you are absent, For tho I may be compared to those climates which are deprived of the Sun half the Year, yet upon a Sunday you commonly afforded us your benign influence. I am now at Weymouth. My Father brought me here last night. To morrow I return home, where I hope soon to receive the Dearest of Friends and the tenderest of Husbands, with that unabated affection which has for Years past, and will whilst the vital Spark lasts, burn in the Bosom of your affectionate

A Adams

PS Poor Mr. Gridly died a thursday very suddenly, we hear and was yesterday buried.4

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To John Adams Esqr. att Worcester.”

1.

This Sunday fell on 13, not 14, September. JA was attending a session of the Superior Court at Worcester.

2.

A district, later a town, in the western part of Worcester co.

3.

John Quincy Adams, 2d child and eldest son of JA and AA, was born at Braintree on 11 July 1767. See Adams Genealogy.

4.

Jeremiah Gridley (1702–1767), Harvard 1725, long the leading lawyer in Boston and a kind of patron to JA during his first years in practice, died on 10 Sept. and was given elaborate Masonic funeral honors two days later (Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates , 7:518–530, esp. p. 527–528).

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