Adams Family Correspondence, volume 14

Richard and John Adams to John Adams, 28 June 1800 Adams, Richard Adams, John (of England) Adams, John

Richard Adams and John Adams to John Adams

Dear Cousin Sheffield June 28th: 1800

Perhaps you will be surprized when you find a Letter directed to you in this Character from England, be it as it will I believe there is something in Reality in it. We are of the Family of Adam’s. My name is Richard Adam’s who is the Son of James Adam’s who was the Son of James Adams my Grand Father who, (my Father told me when he was alive) was your Fathers Brother, was born at a place called Ackeworth Moor Top near Pontefract Yorkshire, the same Farm being over since upon Mortgage from your Father to one Craper which hath held it over since in Possession for one Hundred Pounds as my Father told me, which my Father told me was worth betwixt Eight or Nine Hundred Pounds Tweny Years ago;1 He applied to an Attorney at Law about it Eighteen Years since to redeem the Mortgage but could not. he Wrote to you in America but never received an Answer so they just remain as they were at first.2 Know I have one thing to Require of you, that is, I have a Son about Fourteen Years of Age is Name is John Adams— Now lastly since he hath heard me talk of you in America he will not be satisfied while he comes into America to you he hath a Sharpe turn of Wit and I will do what lies in my power to give him Learning so that he may be fit for Business if you will be so Kind as to Favor us with a few Lines as 291 soon as Convenient for you I shall take it as a Great Favour from and by so doing / we shall Remain ever Yours with Constancy and Respect

Richard & John Adams

NB. Please Direct for Richard Adams Baker Yard Sims Croft Sheffield Yorkshire England3

RC (Adams Papers).

The family line of JA’s immigrant ancestor, Henry Adams, has been traced to John Adams (b. ca. 1505) of Barton St. David, Somerset, England, and thus has no known relation to this Adams family of Yorkshire (Bartlett, Henry Adams of Somersetshire , p. 27, 46, 58).

Not found.

No response from JA has been found.

Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 July 1800 Adams, Thomas Boylston Shaw, William Smith

Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw

Dear William Philadelphia 3d: July 1800

I enclose you a receipt from Watson for your last pr of Pentaloons, and Mr: Lynch’s receipt for the last quarter’s rent of the house; the last you will please to give to my Mother.1

Frederick, the Hostler, called on me some days ago, to give him a character, as a Coachman, saying that his own, was gone in his chest to Quincy, and praying me to write for it. I promised to do the latter, but was not so ready to certify for his ability and good conduct, which I knew nothing about. He was very importunate—plead poverty &ca: but I dissmissed him, none the better for me. Mr: Briesler will see that the Chest be returned & you will notify me when it is sent.

There is nothing new here, except a report, that the V. P. had suddenly departed this life, after 48 hours illness— The Aurora of this morning, says it is a federal bore, & a trick of a Baltimore Editor, to prevent the author of the American Declaration of Independence, from being toasted throughout the Continent, at the approaching festival— It Adds—Mr: Jefferson, was in perfect health, at his seat, on the 28th: ulto.— I never was the Dupe of this story, and suspecting it to be a sheer fabrication (for what purpose I knew not) I refrained from any hasty expressions, which fell from others—Such as, “too good to be true”; “no matter if it is”; & such like, which, when the Democrats are perfectly recovered from their consternation, we shall see detailed at large, in print.2

The weather continues fine & temperate here, and no alarm of fever yet exists— I never knew the streets & gutters more offensive both to sight & smell.

292

Remember me kindly to all friends; write me now & then and / Believe me always your

T. B. Adams.

Love & duty, to father & mother & Sister & Cousin—

Send me a newspaper, if anything clever appears—

RC (MWA:Adams Family Letters); addressed: “William S Shaw / Quincy”; internal address: “W. S. Shaw.”; endorsed: “Phila. July 3d / T. B Adams / rec 7 July / Ans 14.”

Enclosures not found. Charles C. Watson (ca. 1766–1853) was a Philadelphia tailor whose shop was located at 92 Chestnut Street. Philadelphia merchant Edward Lynch was a business partner of President’s House owner Andrew Kennedy, although the partnership was dissolved on 19 Aug. following Kennedy’s death (Philadelphia North American, 15 March 1853; Philadelphia Directory , 1800, p. 132, Evans, No. 38549; Philadelphia Gazette, 4 June 1800; Baltimore Federal Gazette, 17 Sept.).

The Baltimore Federal Gazette, 30 June, falsely reported that Thomas Jefferson had died after a short illness. The news was reprinted in Philadelphia but was soon discredited, the Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, 7 July, proclaiming, “JEFFERSON still lives” (Philadelphia Gazette, 2 July).