Letters written about John Adams

From Bpljohnadamsmss

(Difference between revisions)
Line 421: Line 421:
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available. In fragile condition.
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available. In fragile condition.
 +
 +
Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (17)
 +
 +
New Call #: Adams 384
Line 438: Line 442:
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affectionately your friend Portia.” Transcriptions available.
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affectionately your friend Portia.” Transcriptions available.
 +
 +
Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (18)
 +
 +
New Call #: Adams 385
Line 455: Line 463:
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.
Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.
 +
 +
Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (19)
 +
 +
New Call #: Adams 386

Revision as of 15:30, 26 February 2007

Abbreviations Used


AD: Autograph document

ADS: Autograph document signed

AL: Autograph letter

ALS: Autograph letter signed

ANS: Autograph note signed

DS: Document note

DNS: Document note signed

LS: Letter signed

TD: Typed document

TDS: Typed document signed

TLS: Typed letter signed




Date: May 15, 1773

Type: ADS

Creator: Hill, John.

Place of creation: [Boston, Mass.]

Recipient: Suffolk Sessions

Place of receipt: [Boston, Mass.]

Physical description: 1 item (2 p.) ; 19 x 16 cm.

Summary: Hill attests to his inability of attend the Plymouth county Court and of notification sent to Maccarthy who did not attend, nor did his lawyer, John Adams. Stored with various other items; on verso of ADS of deposition of Benjamin Church.

Former BPL Call#: Ch.A.4.72

New Call #: Adams 366


Date: Aug. 20, 1776

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Boston, Ma.

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Hingham, Ma.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 31 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (1)

New Call #: Adams 367


Date: Apr. 9, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Yorktown, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (2)

New Call #: Adams 368


Date: May 21, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Yorktown, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 33 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affectionate cousin, Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (3)

New Call #: Adams 369


Date: June 22, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Yorktown, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 20 x 16 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (4)

New Call #: Adams 370


Date: July 23, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 19 x 16 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (5)

New Call #: Adams 371


Date: Aug. 26, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Philadelphia, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 20 x 16 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (6)

New Call #: Adams 372


Date: Sept. 2, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Philadelphia, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 20 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (7)

New Call #: Adams 373


Date: Sept. 29, 1778

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Braintree, Ma.

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Philadelphia, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 21 x 17 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (8)

New Call #: Adams 374


Date: Jan. 18, 1779

Type: ALS

Creator: Price, Richard, 1723-1791.

Place of creation: Newington Green

Recipient: [Lee, Arthur]

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary: Includes messages to be conveyed to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Portrait of Richard Price stored in folder.

Former BPL Call#: Ch.G.2.32

New Call #: Adams 375


Date: Mar. 2, 1780

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Paris, France

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “A.A.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (9)

New Call #: Adams 376


Date: July 21, 1780

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Paris, France

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 24 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (10)

New Call #: Adams 377


Date: Dec. 8, 1780

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Paris, France

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Portion of Adams family crest is visible in wax seal. Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (11)

New Call #: Adams 378


Date: Feb. 5, 1781

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Amsterdam

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Portion of Adams family crest is visible in wax seal. Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (12)

New Call #: Adams 379


Date: May 23, 1781

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Amsterdam

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (13)

New Call #: Adams 380


Date: Dec. 7, 1781

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Amsterdam

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affection friend Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (14)

New Call #: Adams 381


Date: June 17, 1782

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Amsterdam

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (15)

New Call #: Adams 382


Date: July 18, 1782

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: The Hague

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 32 x 21 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (16)

New Call #: Adams 383


Date: Oct. 26, 1782

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: The Hague

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available. In fragile condition.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (17)

New Call #: Adams 384


Date: April 29, 1783

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Paris

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affectionately your friend Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (18)

New Call #: Adams 385


Date: July 1, 1783

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Braintree, Mass.

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 21 x 16 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Portia.” Transcriptions available.

Former BPL Call#: Ms.Am.229 (19)

New Call #: Adams 386


Date: June 7, 1784

Type: ALS

Creator: Norton, Elizabeth (Cranch), 1763-1811.

Place of creation: Braintree, Mass.

Recipient: Cranch, John.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (8 p.) ; 24 x 19 cm.

Summary: Norton discusses her family, including close family ties with John Adams and the rest of the Adams family. Stored in a folder with other letters unrelated to Adams.


Date: June 13, 1784

Type: ALS

Creator: Palmer, Joseph Pearse, 1750-1797.

Place of creation: Germantown, Mass. [i.e. Quincy, Mass.]

Recipient: Cranch, John.

Place of receipt: Axminster, [Devon, England]

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 21 cm.

Summary: Palmer comments on the difficulty John Adams may have in obtaining commercial treaty with Great Britain. Postscript by Elizabeth (Hunt) Palmer; postal markings.


Date: Oct. 11, 1784

Type: ALS

Creator: Cranch, Richard, 1726-1811.

Place of creation: Braintree, Mass.

Recipient: Cranch, John.

Place of receipt: Axminster, [Devon, England]

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 33 x 20 cm.

Summary: Richard Cranch comments on the probably failures of importing beer, and sends greetings to John Adams. Stored in folders with other letters from Cranch, unrelated to Adams.


Date: Oct. 13, 1784

Type: ALS

Creator: Palmer, Joseph, 1716-1788.

Place of creation: Germantown [i.e. Quincy, Mass.]

Recipient: Cranch, John.

Place of receipt: Axminster, Devon, [England]

Physical description: 1 item ( 4 p.) ; 23 x 20 cm.

Summary: Palmer notes Adams’s short stay in London, opportunities for lawyers in America, and financial losses caused by the Revolution.


Date: Mar. 20, 1785

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Auteuil, France

Recipient: Thaxter, John.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary: On various subjects, including the Revolutionary War and her husband, John Adams. Signed, “Affectionate friend Abigail Adams.” Transcriptions available.


Date: June 15, 1785

Type: ALS

Creator: Cranch, John 1751-1821.

Place of creation: Axminster [Devon, England]

Recipient: Cranch, Richard, 1726-1811.

Place of receipt: Braintree, Mass.

Physical description: 3 items (22 p.) ; 22 x 19 cm. (max.)

Summary: Relates news of Mr. Clapcott and John Adams.


Date: Mar. 13, 1793

Type: AN

Creator: Jones, Joseph, 1727-1805.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: None

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (2 p.) ; 33 x 27 cm.

Summary: Contains references to John Adams, Franklin, and others. Spans Dec. 14, 1782-Mar. 13, 1793.


Date: Dec. 31, 1796

Type: ALS

Creator: Ebenezer, Seaver, 1763-1844.

Place of creation: Boston, Mass.

Recipient: Foster, Dwight, 1757-1823.

Place of receipt: Philadelphia, Pa.

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 25 x 21 cm.

Summary: On personal matters and the election of John Adams.


Date: July 8, 1797

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Philadelphia, Pa.

Recipient: Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814.

Place of receipt: Cambridge, [Ma.]

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 26 x 21 cm.

Summary: Discusses politics and her husband, John Adams.


Date: May 24, 1799 – March 5, 1801

Type: ALS

Creator: McHenry, James, 1753-1816.

Place of creation: Baltimore, Md.

Recipient: King, Rufus, 1755-1827.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 5 items (26 p.) ; 33 x 20 cm. (max.)

Summary: Discusses the election of 1800, including John Adams, General Cotesworth Pickney, and Thomas Jefferson.


Date: May 22, 1800

Type: ALS

Creator: McHenry, James, 1753-1816.

Place of creation: Philadelphia, Pa.

Recipient: Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 27 x 21 cm.

Summary: On President Adams. In a folder with other letters by McHenry unrelated to Adams.


Date: March 2, 1803

Type: ALS

Creator: Adams, Abigail (Smith), 1744-1818.

Place of creation: Unidentified

Recipient: Adams, Thomas Boylston, 1772-1832.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (1 p.) ; 25 x 20 cm.

Summary: Abigail mentions a pamphlet John Adams received and translated into French, and which she would like to send to Thomas.


Date: Sept. 15, 1826

Type: ALS (copy)

Creator: Kirkland, John Thornton, 1770-1840.

Place of creation: Cambridge, Mass.

Recipient: Jay, Peter A.

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 25 x 20 cm.

Summary: Jay asks for his father’s recollection of John Adams’s theory of legislation.


Date: Sept. 26, 1830

Type: ALS

Creator: Harris, Thaddeus Mason, 1768-1842.

Place of creation: Dorchester, [Ma.] (i.e. Boston)

Recipient: Everett, Edward

Place of receipt: Charlestown, [Ma.] (i.e. Boston)

Physical description: 1 item (4 p.) ; 25 x 20 cm.

Summary: Harris requests copies of Everett’s publications not appearing on the attached list and notes that the catalogue of John Adams’s library does not contain works of Andrew Fletcher. Wax seal on back.


Date: Sept. 30, 1847

Type: ALS

Creator: de Wint, Caroline Amelia.

Place of creation: Cedar Grove

Recipient: “Dear Sir.”

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (3 p.) ; 18 x 12 cm.

Summary: de Wint values too highly the letters of her grandfather, John Adams. Mentions his and Abigail’s published letters.Also in folder: portrait of Charles Francis Adams and two other letters, one from de Windt and one from CFA.


Date: ca. 1906 (or later)

Type: TLS

Creator: Adams, Charles Francis, 1835-1915.

Place of creation: Boston, Mass.

Recipient: Unidentified

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 1 item (1 p.) ; 14 x 21 cm.

Summary: Fragment letter discussing the Adams bookplate. Stored in a folder with other letters from CFA unrelated to John Adams.


Date: 1952

Type: ATM Creator: Haraszti, Zoltan, 1892-1980.

Place of creation: Boston, Mass.

Recipient: Unidentified

Place of receipt: Unidentified

Physical description: 2 boxes ; 24 x 28 cm.

Summary: Final typescript, with author’s manuscript corrections and printer’s marks, of John Adams and the Prophets of Progress (Harvard UP, 1952).

Note: Shelved in original place with MSS.

Personal tools