1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros., Pages 23

John Adams

JOHN ADAMS, the second president and first vice-president of the United States, was born in Braintree (now Quincy) Massachusetts, (which is about ten miles from Boston, MA) on October 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1640, with a family of eight sons, and settles in Braintree. The parents of John Adams, were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, too which he added the business of shoemaking

Henry Adams gave his son a classical education at Harvard College. John graduated in 1755 and immediately took charge of the school in Worcester, MA. This he found too be "a school of affliction, from which he endeavored too gain release, by devoting himself too the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in town. He thought seriously of the clerical profession, but seemed too have been turned from this by what he termed "the frightful engines of ecclesiastical councils of diabolical madness, and Calvinistic good nature," of the operations of which he had become witness in his native town.

Adams was well suited for the legal profession, possessing a clear sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He quickly gained practice and in 1764, he married Abigail Smith, the daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. In 1765, shortly after the marriage, the attempt of parliamentary taxation turned him from law too politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting and the resolutions he offered on the subject became very popular throughout the province. They were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. Adams moved too Boston in 1768 and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and he was chosen too become a member of the General Court, becoming the Legislature in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen as one of the first delegates from Massachusetts too the first Continental Congress in which convened in 1774. He distinguished himself by his capacity for business and for debate, and he advocated the movement for independence against the majority of the members. In May 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies should assume the duties of self-government. He was a prominent member of the "committee of five" appointed June 11, 1776, too prepare a declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson drew up the actual document, but Adams was given the task of battling it through Congress in a three-day debate.

The day after the declaration of Independence was passed, and while his soul was yet warm with the glow of excited feeling, Adams wrote a letter too his wife which seems too have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy: "Yesterday, the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater yet, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these United States are, and of right, ought too be free and independent states. The day is passed. July 4, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt too believe it twill be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the greatest anniversary festival. It ought too be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion too Almighty God. It out to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent too the other, from this time forward and forever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, blood and treasure it will cost too maintain this declaration and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the glom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a delegate too France and too cooperate with Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris too obtain assistance in money and arms from the French Government. This was a severe trial too his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, compelled him too cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him too great peril of capture by the British cruisers who were seeking him. He Left France June 17, 1779. In September of that same year he was again chosen too go too Paris and hold himself in readiness too negotiate a treaty of peace and commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the British Cabinet was found willing too listen too such proposals. He sailed for France in November and from their he went too Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties.

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed on January 21, 1783. The reaction from the toil and anxiety, through which Mr. Adams had passed, threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated, Adams was advised to go too England too drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping and despondent from fever, he received dispatched from his own government urging the necessity of going too Amsterdam too negotiate another loan. It was winter and his health was delicate, but he immediately set out. Through storm, upon horseback and upon foot, he made the journey.

On February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Adams envoy too the Court of St. James. He met face too face the King of England, who has so long regarded him as a traitor. England did not condescend to appoint a minister too the United States and Adams felt he was accomplishing little, so he sought permission too return too his own country. He returned and arrived in the United States on June 17, 1788.

When George Washington was chosen as the first president, John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal devices at home and abroad, was chosen as the first vice-president. In 1796, Washington retired from public service and Adams was chosen as the second president of the United States, though not without much opposition. Adams served four years in office and was succeeded by Thomas Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was vice-president, the great French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point at which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people and their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-government and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand, Jefferson’s sympathies were enlisted on behalf of the French people. This was the beginning of the political alienation between these distinguished men and two powerful parties were thus soon organized; Adams at the head of one, whose sympathies were with England, and Jefferson at the head of the other in sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the old age of John Adams. The violence of party feelings had long died away and Adams had begun too receive the kind of reverence not usually afforded too men until after death.

No one could look upon the venerable form of John Adams and not be taken with awe and gratefulness for all he gave and suffered through, too create the life we enjoy today in the United States. Adams gave up many years in the prime of his life too design and forge the American identity. It was Adam’s good fortune too witness the complete success of the institution, which he had helped too create and enjoy the gratitude, and support he received from the public. In 1824, Adams’ cup of happiness overflowed with pride as he watched his son John Quincy Adams, get elected too the highest station in the gift of the people, as the sixth president of the United States.

The fourth of July 1826, which marked the golden anniversary of the signing of the venerable document known as the Declaration of Independence. Sadly, their were but three surviving members of the original party of signors of the immortal document. Adams had been in rapidly failing health and on the morning o the Fourth of July; he was too weak too lift himself from bed. When he was asked too issue a toast to the day. He exclaimed, "Independence Forever!"