Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-05-07
I remained out of town today to do business here. The weather was exceedingly warm and terminated in the evening with a slight shower. I walked to the Houses at the foot of Payne’s hill for the purpose of collecting the rents which have been due there for some time. Saw one of the Tenants and obtained a little, the others I did not see. From thence, I went to the Canal stopping on my way at Mrs. Adams’ to pay a short visit there. Mrs. Greenough a sister of her’s is with her.1 My business at the Canal was to inquire what would be the cost of Stone steps for the house in Court Street,2 which having ascertained I went on to Mount Wollaston. The Orchard looks barely alive, and the Tenants seem to do every thing they can to destroy it. I am still hoping however that in this case some good may yet come from my suggestions. The view from the hill as lovely as ever. I should delight in a house on this spot, but my means and my disposition are unequal to the thing.3 Returned home pretty well fatigued. Afternoon, Catalogue and a little of Horace. The time passes here very rapidly and yet very quietly. Conversation in the evening.
Mary Harrod of Haverhill was the second wife of William Greenough (
NEHGR
, 17 [1863]:168).
Shipment of granite from the Quincy quarries was a principal element in the commerce of the Quincy Canal Wharf.
The charm and the temptation exerted by Mount Wollaston on CFA and on other Adamses were deeply rooted; see vol. 3:268, 309–310; 4:362–363.
1833-05-08
The morning was bright and the weather continued exceedingly warm. I went to town, and my time was taken up in writing at my Office. I was more quiet today and yet no Applicants for the house came. Such is my fortune always. Mr. Tenny came and settled with me.
I called upon my cousin once Mrs. S. B. Clark now Mrs. Treadway. She is a bride at present on a visit here. I have not seen her for eight years1 and there seems no great prospect of it now for I have twice failed.
Returned to dinner. Afternoon, taken up with the Catalogue and copying for my father. Read one or two of the Epistles of Horace. Evening quiet conversation at home.
Susanna Boylston Adams, daughter of CA, was for fourteen years the widow of Charles Thomas Clark. Late in the preceding month Susanna had married William R. H. Treadway. For a time in JA’s last years she had lived at the Old House to care for him (vol. 1:32). On her and her husbands, see Adams Genealogy.
1833-05-09
Weather moderated and one of our Easterly winds. I rode to town. Busy at the Office. Mr. Treadway called to see me and spent half an hour. He is a law publisher in New York, and comes here partly as a Journey of pleasure for his bride and partly with views of his own.
Application for my house. I was so tired of it that I concluded to let it go although not much to my satisfaction. Returned home to dinner.
Afternoon, read an Epistle of Horace and was engaged in restoring some order to the chaos which my fathers books are in. This is likely to be a business of some length. A Letter from my Mother renders it probable that she may be here tomorrow.1 Evening at home. Our time goes on in so undiversified a manner that my dull record becomes supremely dull. There is no relief in it whatever.
Letter missing.