Naomi Diamante

HIST 151

17 March 2017

Nano-History Research Paper

In this Nano-History research paper, I will be discussing Abigail Smith Adams.

According to firstladies.org, Abigail Adams was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth,

Massachusetts. Her father, William Smith was a congregationalist minister and her mother,

Elizabeth Quincy was born in 1721 in Braintree, Massachusetts. According to an article by

americanrevolution.org, she was the second of three daughters. She also never went to school.

She simply learned from reading and observation. Abigail Smith and John Adams were third

cousins and had known each other since they were children. The two happened to meet at a

social gathering in 1762. Three years later, they soon welcomed their first child, a daughter

named Abigail, in 1765. Their family continued to grow with the addition of John Quincy in

1767, Susanna in 1768, Charles in 1770, and Thomas Boylston in 1772. Sadly, Susanna died as a

toddler and later the family suffered another tragedy when Abigail delivered a stillborn daughter

in 1777. During the Revolutionary War, Abigail was often left to carry much of the burden at

home. She raised her children and took care of the farm at home. The couple remained close

through letters. It is said that they exchanged more than 1100 letters. According to a biography of

Abigail Adams from ducksters.com, In 1768 the family moved from Braintree to Boston. During

this time, American colonies and Great Britain were getting tense. Events such as the Boston

Massacre and the Boston Tea Party occurred in the town where Abigail was living. John began to

take a major role in the revolution. He was chosen to attend the Continental Congress in

Philadelphia. On April 19, 1775 the American Revolutionary War began with the Battle of
Lexington and Concord. According to firstladies.org, Abigail Adams is also famous for melting

down her pewter dinnerware and household items to make ammunition for the soldiers during

the Revolutionary War. Lastly, according to an article written by Elizabeth Miller, Adams

advocated for gender equality in public education and the need to pay attention to the social,

political, and educational needs of women. She also believed for the emancipation of African

Americans from slavery and, like her husband, firmly believed in dissolving the political union

with Great Britain. Today people continue to recognize Abigail Adams for her unique and

important role in American history.

Works Cited

"Abigail Adams." Ducksters Educational Site. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.

"Abigail Adams." George Washington's Mount Vernon. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.

"First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams." Abigail Adams Biography :: National First Ladies'

Library. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.

"Women of the American Revolution - Abigail Adams." Women of the American Revolution -

Abigail Adams. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.