John Adams Sr.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the father and grandfather of two U.S. presidents. For the presidents, see John Adams and John Quincy Adams. For other uses, see John Adams (disambiguation).
The Reverend
John D. Adams.
Born(1691-02-08)February 8, 1691[1]
Braintree, Massachusetts Bay
DiedMay 25, 1761(1761-05-25) (aged 70)
Quincy, Massachusetts Bay
Occupation(s)Farmer and minister
SpouseSusanna Boylston
Children
Parents
  • Joseph Adams Jr.
  • Hannah Adams
RelativesAdams political family

John Adams Sr. (February 8, 1691 – May 25, 1761), also known as Deacon John, was an

shoemaker) for most of his life.[3][7]

Adams' descendants include many prominent persons in American history, and his home is a

National Park, the Adams National Historical Park.[8] Not only was he the father and grandfather of presidents; he also was a first cousin, once removed, of Samuel Adams
. He died six years before his grandson John Quincy Adams was born. [9]

Career

John Adams Birthplace, owned by John Adams Sr. from 1720 until his death

In 1720, Adams purchased a farm in what is now Quincy, Massachusetts (then called the "north precinct" of Braintree, Massachusetts).[10][11] The location of his farm, and where his children were born, is now part of Adams National Historical Park.[8] This saltbox house, a simple and common dwelling characterized by its sloping roof,[12] is operated by the National Park Service as the John Adams Birthplace (named after his son), and is open to the public. On December 19, 1960, the birthplace was designated a National Historic Landmark.[13][14] The future President lived here with his parents on the farm until 1764, when he married Abigail Smith. It is a few feet from the John Quincy Adams Birthplace (named after his grandson). Oddly, his house lay at an angle to the road.[12]

Adams was primarily a farmer during the growing season, and also worked as a shoemaker,[3][15] for which he earned "hard money" as a trade during the winters.[7] He was a freeholder, who owned rather than rented his land.[7] He was proud of being a landowner and felt that land was a good investment,[16] only once selling land: ten acres to pay for his son John Adams' Harvard education.[17]

Adams was also a

Puritan) deacon.[6] The younger John Adams wrote of the religion his father was so passionate for, "[they are] bearers of freedom, a cause that still had holy urgency."[21] The future president was first known by reputation as the "dutiful son of Deacon John".[22]

As a selectman or town councilman, for 20 years, he supervised the

Punkapaug and Neponset Indian chiefs.[26]

Adams attended Harvard College, and sent his eldest son there as well.[27] He did not want his son to be a farmer, but rather, a minister.[28]

Although he was a simple man who "never set foot outside of

will.[30] The president praised his father and paternal ancestors as "independent country gentlemen," who had not gone bankrupt, did not gamble, and had never committed fraud.[31]

Marriage and family

Adams married well, to

socio-economic status.[34] Since it is known that he and his sons read out letters to her, Susanna might have been illiterate, as were many women of her class and day.[7]

The Adams family "lived plainly."

Elihu Adams was a company commander in the militia during the American Revolution, who died from dysentery early in the war in 1775.[37]

Adams bequeathed his son the "humble notions of equality and fairness."

homeschooled his sons.[27] He later sent his son John to a private school run by Joseph Marsh.[38]

The senior John pressed upon his son to live up to his high

Harvard College, aged sixteen, his father expected him to become a minister, as the elder had done.[27][28][39] Adams was concerned that his son would become a mere farmer as he also had been, and had known how difficult a life it had been.[28][40]
However, younger John became a schoolteacher in Worcester in 1756 and, later, decided to study law in the office of James Putnam.

Adams died of influenza on May 25, 1761, at the age of 70,[41] and he was buried in Braintree.[11] His widow Susanna later married John Hall.[42] His son purchased his house and 53 acres after his death.[43]

References

  1. ^ "John Adams' Roots: The Parents Who Shaped a President – John Adams Historical Society". John Adams Historical Society – The Official Website. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  2. ISBN 978-0-471-46597-3
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-14-243778-0. Found online at Google Books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7434-9726-8. Found online at Google Books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  5. ^ a b McCullough, pp. 29–30.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0-06-113913-0. Found online at Google Books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g McCullough, p. 30.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7660-2183-9. Found online at Google books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  9. ISBN 978-0-7864-4379-6
    .
  10. ISBN 0-550-18022-2
    , page 8.
  11. ^ a b McCullough, p. 29.
  12. ^ a b McCullough, pp. 31-32.
  13. ^ "John Adams Birthplace". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  14. ^ Polly M. Rettig and Charles E. Shedd Jr. (March 5, 1975) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: John Adams birthplace, National Park Service and Accompanying 2 photos, exterior, from 1974.
  15. ^ McCullough, pp. 29, 30, 414, 460.
  16. ^ McCullough, p. 63.
  17. ^ McCullough, p. 35.
  18. ^ McCullough, pp. 30, 52, 73.
  19. ^
    ISBN 978-0-06-135412-0. Found online at Google books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  20. ^ McCullough, pp. 52-53, citing John Adams' obituary of his father.
  21. ^ John Adams, 1st Vice President (1789–1797)". From United States Senate website. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  22. ^ McCullough, p. 36.
  23. ^ McCullough, pp. 46, 52-53, 73.
  24. ^ McCullough, p. 46.
  25. ^ a b McCullough, p. 32.
  26. ^ McCullough, p. 72.
  27. ^
    ISBN 978-1-59869-258-7. Found online at Google Books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  28. ^ a b c McCullough, pp. 34, 36, 37.
  29. ^ McCullough, p. 23.
  30. ^ McCullough, pp. 30, 33, 52-53.
  31. ^ McCullough, pp. 36, 414, 453.
  32. ^ "Lycos.com website". Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  33. ^ "John Adams autobiography, part 1, "John Adams," through 1776, sheet 2 of 53 [electronic edition]". Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  34. ^ McCullough, p. 37.
  35. ^ "John Adams Biography: The Adams Family of Braintree".
  36. ^ "USA: Biography John Adams I". www.let.rug.nl. Archived from the original on 2006-07-20.
  37. ^ McCullough, p. 25.
  38. ^ McCullough, p. 34.
  39. ^ John Adams Library website Archived 2012-05-26 at archive.today.
  40. ISBN 978-0-452-27772-4. Found online at Google Books
    . Accessed February 28, 2011.
  41. ^ McCullough, pp. 52-53.
  42. ISBN 978-0-7864-4379-6
    .
  43. ^ McCullough, p. 64.

Sources

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