How long was abigail adams a teacher

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Abigail Adams brought more intellect and ability to the position of first lady of the United States than any other woman. President Harry Truman once noted that Abigail "would have been a better President than her husband. Abigail Adams struggled her whole life with the limitations that society placed upon her dreams.

Despite these hardships, she found a way to use her talents to serve her nation by assisting and advising her husband, President John Adams, and teaching and guiding her son, President John Quincy Adams.

Throughout her seventy-four-year life, this American heroine was an invaluable contributor to the founding and strengthening of the United States.

Her father was pastor of Weymouth's North Parish Congregational Church and one of the best educated and most prosperous citizens of the community.

As a religious man, he taught Abigail to respect God and help others in any way she could. Abigail's mother, Elizabeth, spent much of her time visiting the sick and bringing food, clothing, and firewood to needy families. From the time she was a young woman, Abigail accompanied her mother on these visits and put into practice the lessons her father taught her about helping those who were less fortunate. New England schools of the time usually admitted only boys; girls were primarily instructed at home.

Few people believed that woman needed much learning. Such limitations did not satisfy Abigail, and she began to educate herself by reading the books in her father's library. She read all about different subjects and was probably one of the most well-read women in eighteenth-century America.

Abigail regretted, however, that she did not have the opportunity to pursue a formal education, which was reserved for men. Abigail also learned a great deal during her frequent stays with her grandfather Colonel John Quincy, who was one of the most important citizens in the colony of Massachusetts.

He served in several positions throughout his career, including as a colonel in the militia and as speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Colonel Quincy's sense of public service and active concern for the community helped to shape young Abigail's values and provided her with a sense of public duty. He and his guests made the future first lady aware of the importance of freedom and Americans' aspirations to control their own destiny.

As a woman of the s, Abigail could understand her nation's thirst for independence because she longed for it herself.

She knew that her life would be decided by her choice of a husband. Abigail wanted a husband who was her intellectual equal and one who would appreciate her accomplishments. Abigail met such a man in John Adams, a young lawyer from nearby Braintree. During their two-year courtship the young couple spent long periods apart and relied upon writing letters to keep in touch.

On October 25, , Abigail's father presided over their wedding. The young couple moved into the house John had inherited from his father in Braintree today a part of the National Park Service, Adams National Historical Park and began their life together.

John and Abigail's marriage was successful from the outset. Abigail proved to be exceptionally capable of managing the family's finances and household. Meanwhile, John's career took a dramatic turn for the better. He began to ride the court circuit traveling from one district to another building a successful law career. John's frequent absences from home and family were prelude to more painful separations in the years ahead, but the young couple was willing to endure personal hardships for the good of their family and nation.

On July 14, , in the Adamses' little farmhouse, John and Abigail's first child, Abigail, was born. In the spring of the following year, John Adams moved his family to Boston because his work was located there. But soon there was little time for socializing as dramatic events in Boston overshadowed other concerns. Abigail's loyalty to her husband was tested by one such event, the Boston Massacre on March 5, At the risk of his own popularity and career, John Adams chose to defend eight British soldiers and their captain, accused of murdering five Americans.

Although John was an ardent patriot and favored independence, he felt the soldiers had acted properly and been provoked into firing by an unruly mob. Also, he felt it was important to prove to the world that the colonists were not under mob rule, lacking direction and principles, and that all men were entitled to due process of law. Most Americans, driven by emotion, were angry with Adams for defending the hated "redcoats," but throughout the ordeal Abigail supported her husband's decision.

In the end, Adams was proved correct and all nine of the men were acquitted of the murder charges. After learning that her husband would serve on the committee that would draft the Declaration of Independence, Adams admonished him to: "Remember the Ladies Abigail was John's all-encompassing aide-de-camp, chief of staff, and brain trust. However, her influence was not appreciated by all, particularly those who scathingly called her "Mrs. In , she carefully handled the complex role of wife of the first United States Minister to Great Britain.

And later she was wife of the first U. Vice President, and wife of the second U. President, serving as First Lady from March 4, to March 4, A granddaughter of pre-revolutionary era politician John Quincy, and the daughter of a Congregationalist minister, Abigail married John Adams in October at the age of nineteen. Abigail's lifelong enjoyment of philosophy, theology, ancient history, government, and law, which was championed by her grandmother and other relatives, helped both Abigail and the young American nation chart a new course.

Abigail played a vital role in America until her passing in Today people continue to recognize Abigail Adams for her unique and important role in American history, particularly in the founding era of the early American republic. She is remembered on a ten dollar gold coin in the First Spouse coin series by the United States Mint.

She receives special mention in the Boston Women's Heritage Trail. She continues to be the subject of numerous articles and books. Bober, Natalie S.