Adams Family Correspondence, volume 2

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 January 1777 JA AA

1777-01-24

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 January 1777 Adams, John Adams, Abigail
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Easton at the Forks of Delaware River in the State of Pensilvania, Jan. 24. 1777

We have at last crossed the Delaware, and are agreably lodged in Easton, a little Town, situated on a Point of Land formed by the Delaware on one Side and the River Lehi, on the other. There is an elegant Stone Church here built by the Dutch People,1 by whom the Town is chiefly inhabited, and what is remarkable because uncommon, the Lutherans and Calvinists united to build this Church, and the Lutheran and Calvinist Minister, alternately officiate in it. There is also an handsome Court House. The Buildings public and private are all of Lime stone.—Here are some Dutch Jews.

Yesterday We had the Pleasure of seeing the Moravian Mills in New Jersey. These Mills belong to the Society of Moravians in Bethlehem in Pensilvania. They are a great Curiosity. The Building is of Limestone four Stories high. It is not in my Power to give a particular Description of this Piece of Mechanism. A vast Quantity of Grain of all sorts is collected here.2

We have passed through the famous County of Sussex in New Jersey, where the Sussex Court House stands and where We have so often been told the Tories are so numerous and so dangerous. We met with no Molestation, nor Insult. We stopped at some of the most noted Tory Houses, and were treated every where with the Utmost Respect. Upon the strictest Inquiry I could make, I was assured that a great Majority of the Inhabitants are stanch Whiggs. Sussex they say can take Care of Sussex, and yet all agree that there are more Tories in that County than in any3 other. If the British Army should get into that County in sufficient Numbers to protect the Tories there is no doubt to be made they would be insolent enough and malicious and revengefull. But there is no danger at present and will be none untill that Event takes Place.

The Weather has been sometimes bitterly cold, sometimes warm, sometimes rainy and sometimes snowy, and the Roads, abominably 149hard and rough, so that this Journey has been the most tedious I ever attempted. Our Accommodations have been often, very bad, but much better and cheaper than they would have been if We had taken the Road from Peeks Kill to Morriston where the Army lies.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. John Adams Braintree To be left at Isaac Smith Esqrs. Queen Street. Boston”; docketed in pencil by AA.

1.

That is, “Pennsylvania Dutch,” or Germans.

2.

These famous mills were at Hope, near Oxford, in Sussex co., N.J. According to Bishop Kenneth G. Hamilton of the Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Penna., “the old stone buildings are still standing, and the grist mill is still a showpiece” (communication to the editors, 6 Aug. 1962).

3.

MS torn by seal.

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 January 1777 AA JA

1777-01-26

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 January 1777 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Adams to John Adams
Janry. 26 1777

Tis a Great Grief to me that I know not how to write nor where to send to you. I know not of any conveyance. I risk this by Major Rice who promisses to take what care he can to get it to you.

I have Received 3 Letters from you since you left me, 2 from Hartford and one from Dedham. Tis a satisfaction to hear tho only by a line.

We are told the most dissagreable things by use become less so. I cannot say that I find the truth of the observation verified. I am sure no seperation was ever so painfull to me as the last. Many circumstances concur to make it so—the distance and the difficulty of communication, the Hazards which if not real, my immagination represents so, all conspire to 1 make me anxious, as well as what I need not mention.2

I wish to Hear often from you and when a conveniant opportunity offers let me know how you like your waiter. Many reports have been circulated since you went away concerning him none of which I regard as I find no proof to support them. One is that he is a deserted Regular, a Spy &c. I find tis all Suspicion or else told with a design to make me uneasy, but it has not that Effect.

The family are all well, and desire Pappa would write to them.—I rejoice in our late Successes. Heaven grant us a continuation of them.

Your Mother desires to be rememberd to you.

I long to hear of your arrival and to get one Letter from Baltimore. The Situation will be new and afford me entertainment by an account of it. At all times remember in the tenderest manner her whose happiness depends upon your Welfare,

Portia 150

RC (Adams Papers); addressed in John Thaxter's hand: “To The Honble: John Adams Esqr. at Baltimore in Maryland”; endorsed: “Portia. Jany. 26.”

1.

Here and below, MS is torn by seal.

2.

AA was pregnant. On the following 11 July she was delivered of a stillborn daughter. See various letters in June and July, below, especially John Thaxter to JA, 13 July, and AA to JA, 16 July. CFA omitted the present letter from his editions of his grandparents' correspondence and, consistently and silently, all allusions to AA's “Circumstances” in such of the following letters as he did include.