Now here’s where things start to get really exciting. John writes to her on his way down to Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. This is really the start of their long long (sometimes years-long) separations.
John to Abigail Prince Town New Jersey Aug. 28th 1774
We Yeaterday visited Nassau Hall Colledge [Note from Sheila: This was a featured Trivia Question here on this blog some time back.], and were politely treated by the Schollars, Tutors, Professors and President, whom We are, this Day to hear preach. Tomorrow We reach the Theatre of Action. God Almighty grant us Wisdom and Virtue sufficient for the high Trust that is devolved upon Us. The Spirit of the People wherever we have been seems to be very favourable. They universally consider our Cause as their own, and express the firmest Resolution, to abide the Determination of the Congress.
I am anxious for our perplexed, distressed Province [Boston] — hope they will be directed into the right Path. Let me intreat you, my Dear, to make yourself as easy and quiet as possible. Resignation to the Will of Heaven is our only Resource in such Dangerous Times. Prudence and Caution should be our Guides. I have the strongest Hopes, that We shall yet see a clearer Sky, and better Times…
Your Account of the Rain refreshed me. [In his absence, Abigail took complete charge of the farm, the finances, the help, along with raising their growing brood of children. It is speculated as well that without this “help”, John Adams might have run their finances into the ground. From his book allowance alone!! Heh. I relate. So her letters are filled with farm information, crop information, etc.] I hope our Husbandry is prudently and industriously managed. Frugality must be our Support…
The Education of our Children is never out of my Mind. Train them to Virtue, habituate them to industry, activity and Spirit. Make them consider every Vice, as shameful and unmanly: fire them Ambition to be usefull — make them disdain to be destitute of any usefull, or ornamental Knowledge or Accomplishment. Fix their Ambition upon great and solid Objects, and their Contempt upon little, frivolous, and useless ones. It is Time, my dear, for you to begin to teach them French. Every Decency, Grace, and Honesty should be inculcated upon them.
One of my favorite quotes from all of their letters is in this one: Fire them Ambition to be usefull. What an assignment. This is the assignment I try to give myself on a daily basis – to be fired with ambition to be useful.
