I must have been twelve or thirteen
when I fell in love with John and Abigail Adams. It was early June, and we had
just moved into the rental cottage for the summer. It was right on the shores
of Lake Michigan. I don’t know how my mom found that old house, but we loved
it. It was big enough for all of us including grandparents and friends who
meandered up for part of the summer.
My mom gathered food staples all
winter so that we would just need to buy items like milk or eggs or fresh
vegetables. Actually, going to the grocery was second on the list of checking
in to that house. The first order of business was to take us to the library to
get our summer library cards. I don’t think there was programming at the
library in those days…probably not anywhere for the matter of fact, but all we
needed were library cards. We all scattered into all parts of the library
finding our books and being very quiet as well. There was also no talking in
the library in those days!
By the time I was a young teenager of
twelve or thirteen, I began to shift my reading into the adult section. It was
quite on accident that I picked up “Those Who Love” by Irving Stone. I really
didn’t know what the book was about, but I did like the title. I took it up to
the front desk where I was immediately sent back to the stacks to return it and
get a book more suitable for a young reader like me. Luckily my mom was right
behind me and stood up for me. I checked out the book.
After supper that night, when we all
headed to bed (with flashlights), I began reading the story of John and Abigail
Adams. I fell in love immediately. John was a stodgy young lawyer; Abigail was
the daughter of a New England preacher. When they fell in love and announced
they were to be married, it was rumored (and gossiped about heavily) that the
lovely Abigail was definitely marrying beneath her status. Love prevailed even
with a long engagement. They moved into a house next door to his mother in
Braintree, Massachusetts where John set up his law practice in a small room in
the house and Abigail set up house. But, she was more than a housewife, she was
his sounding board, his voice of reason. She was a scholar herself studying
religion and literature and languages in her own father’s study. Even though
women had no say in the early years, Abigail did. She clearly influenced John.
He was a brilliant young lawyer taking
on cases of controversy. They moved to Boston where he could do his best work
and give his all to this fledgling country. I could regale you with hours of
stories, but not now.
Letters between the two of them have
survived. One in particular Abigail asks John to “Remember the ladies and be
more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.” The letter is dated
March 31, 1776.
John became the second President of
the United States, and they were the first couple to eventually move into the
White House. On the night of his inauguration John went to bed early. Abigail
was unable to attend due to lack of funds and the roads were muddy making it
hard for travel on March 4, 1797. John wrote to her telling her of all the
details. He wrote, “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this
roof.”
He served just one term losing to Thomas
Jefferson and retired back to his beloved farm with his law books and Abigail.
When I closed that book as a young
girl, I knew I loved them, and I knew I loved history. In years since I have
traveled to Braintree and Boston to study in their libraries. I have told
stories and given speeches much akin to Abigail. If there was one woman I could
meet from history, it would be her. We would sit in this old house with candles
burning and a pot of fresh tea. She would push her hair back behind her ears as
she always did while listening to John and tell me her stories.
I know this much, my life changed
because of that book. I will always be grateful to Abigail Adams who once said,
“Remember the women.”
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