Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2

26th. JQA

1787-10-26

26th. Adams, John Quincy
26th.

We went and escorted a number of ladies to the packet: and by eleven o'clock, almost all the company was gone, and the town look'd as solitary as a deserted village.

I took a walk with Mr. Q. Thaxter,1 and Mr. Andrews down to Genl. Lincoln's Mills. It was half past twelve before I got back to Mr. Thaxter's. Of all the company that had been there Charles and I, only remained at dinner.

At about 2 we mounted, and arrived at Mr. Cranch's in Braintree at about half after three. The young ladies had got home before dinner, and were much fatigued. I was not so much so, as I 311expected to be, from keeping so constantly on the go, since the beginning of the week. In the beginning of the evening Judge Sargeant came in; he came from Taunton where the supreme Court have been sitting this week, and completed their business last evening.

1.

Quincy (1762–1837), brother of John Thaxter Jr. and cousin of AA.

27th. JQA

1787-10-27

27th. Adams, John Quincy
27th.

Judge Sargeant, went away this forenoon proceeding on his way to Cambridge.

Tom went to Lincoln. In the afternoon, I went with Charles and Kirkland to see my uncle Quincy.

Mr. Wibird was here in the evening.

28th. JQA

1787-10-28

28th. Adams, John Quincy
28th.

I attended upon Mr. Wibird in the forenoon. And pass'd the afternoon down at my father's library. W. Cranch came from Boston last evening, and returned there to'night after meeting. I was very much entertained in reading some journals of my father's, from 1769, to 1776.

29th. JQA

1787-10-29

29th. Adams, John Quincy
29th.

At about 10. o'clock Mr. Thaxter came in from Hingham on his way to Boston: he stay'd but a few minutes, and I set off with him. We got into Town before one. I dined with Miss B. Smith,1 who still lives in the house that was her father's. Mrs. Cranch was there, and went for Braintree soon after dinner. I went and spent the evening with Dr. Kilham at his lodgings: he has made himself rather unpopular, by opposing the submission of the federal Constitution, to a State Convention, and I think he is perfectly right, in preferring his independency to his popularity.

1.

Elizabeth (1770–1849), daughter of Isaac Smith Sr. and cousin of AA.

30th. JQA

1787-10-30

30th. Adams, John Quincy
30th.

Sauntered about town, the chief part of the day: attended in the gallery of the house of representatives but there was no matter of any great importance before them. Dined at Deacon Storer's with Mr. Thaxter, who is very busy in making prepara-312tions for his marriage. I drank tea at Mr. Dawes's, and pass'd the evening at Mr. Foster's with Dr. Tufts. Lodg'd at Mr. W. Smith's.