Abigail “Nabby” Adams Smith
Encyclopedia
Abigail "Nabby" Adams Smith (July 14, 1765 – August 15, 1813) was the firstborn
of Abigail
and John Adams
, founding father
and second President of the United States
. She was named for her mother.
, on July 14, 1765, and was, her mother recorded, "the dear image of her still dearer Papa." She was the favorite child, showered with attention by her father and mother, for whom she was named. By the age of 10 she was a mature girl and helped her mother with farm chores while her father and brother were away on diplomatic missions.
. Her father thought she was too young to have a suitor, but he eventually accepted it. At one point the two were even engaged to be married. But John Adams, then the U.S. minister to the Kingdom of Great Britain
, eagerly called for his wife and daughter to join him in London
. For a time, Nabby maintained a long distance relationship with Tyler, but eventually broke off the engagement as Tyler became interested in other women.
Shortly afterward Nabby met Colonel William Stephens Smith, who was serving as her father's secretary and was 10 years her senior. They were married at the American minister's residence in London on June 12, 1786. Nabby's observations of European life and customs, and many of the distinguished statesmen of the day, were later published.
, in honor of George Washington
. They never lived there, but a carriage house on the property was later converted to a hotel and is now operated as the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum
.
William was involved in a series of speculative ventures
that led to financial and political difficulties. Nabby's parents used their influence when possible to obtain government jobs for William, but this did not keep their daughter from poverty. Although William was in debt, Nabby was devoted to him, and the couple had four children, three of whom survived childhood.
Their children were:
. The gruesome details of the surgery and the remainder of Nabby's life have been discussed by historians such as James S. Olson
. The cancer continued to spread throughout her body, and she died, aged 48, on Sunday, August 15, 1813.
, in which she is played by Sarah Polley
. The screenplay for that television drama shifted the date of her diagnosis to 1803 and altered many other details of her life.
Firstborn
Firstborn may refer to:* The first born baby in childbirth* primogeniture* bechor in rabbinical JudaismFilms and books* Firstborn , a 1984 film that stars Teri Garr, Peter Weller, and Christopher Collet...
of Abigail
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, who was the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth...
and John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, founding father
Founding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
and second President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. She was named for her mother.
Early life
Abigail "Nabby" Adams was born in Braintree, MassachusettsBraintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
, on July 14, 1765, and was, her mother recorded, "the dear image of her still dearer Papa." She was the favorite child, showered with attention by her father and mother, for whom she was named. By the age of 10 she was a mature girl and helped her mother with farm chores while her father and brother were away on diplomatic missions.
Romance and marriage
At the age of 18, Nabby met and fell in love with Royall TylerRoyall Tyler
Royall Tyler , American jurist and playwright who wrote The Contrast in 1787 and published The Algerine Captive in 1797. He wrote several legal tracts, six plays, a musical drama, two long poems, a semifictional travel narrative, The Yankey in London , and essays...
. Her father thought she was too young to have a suitor, but he eventually accepted it. At one point the two were even engaged to be married. But John Adams, then the U.S. minister to the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
, eagerly called for his wife and daughter to join him in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. For a time, Nabby maintained a long distance relationship with Tyler, but eventually broke off the engagement as Tyler became interested in other women.
Shortly afterward Nabby met Colonel William Stephens Smith, who was serving as her father's secretary and was 10 years her senior. They were married at the American minister's residence in London on June 12, 1786. Nabby's observations of European life and customs, and many of the distinguished statesmen of the day, were later published.
Family life and children
After their return from Europe, the Smiths bought land in what was then the countryside outside of New York City, and planned to build an estate, which they called Mount VernonMount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
, in honor of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. They never lived there, but a carriage house on the property was later converted to a hotel and is now operated as the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum is a former carriage house located at 421 East 61st Street, near the East River, in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Built in 1799 as a carriage house and stable, it was a hotel from 1826 to 1833, and then a private residence. It was purchased by a utility company...
.
William was involved in a series of speculative ventures
Speculation
In finance, speculation is a financial action that does not promise safety of the initial investment along with the return on the principal sum...
that led to financial and political difficulties. Nabby's parents used their influence when possible to obtain government jobs for William, but this did not keep their daughter from poverty. Although William was in debt, Nabby was devoted to him, and the couple had four children, three of whom survived childhood.
Their children were:
- William Steuben Smith
- John Adams Smith
- Thomas Hollis Smith
- Caroline Amelia Smith
Death
In 1810, Nabby was diagnosed with breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. The gruesome details of the surgery and the remainder of Nabby's life have been discussed by historians such as James S. Olson
James S. Olson
James Stuart Olson is an academic and Pulitzer Prize nominee author. In 1994 he was appointed Distinguished Professor of History at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas....
. The cancer continued to spread throughout her body, and she died, aged 48, on Sunday, August 15, 1813.
Depictions in popular culture
Nabby's death is a poignant part of the 2008 John Adams miniseriesJohn Adams (TV miniseries)
John Adams is a 2008 American television miniseries chronicling most of President John Adams's political life and his role in the founding of the United States. Paul Giamatti portrays John Adams. The miniseries was directed by Tom Hooper. Kirk Ellis wrote the screenplay based on the book John...
, in which she is played by Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley is a Canadian actress, singer, film director, and screenwriter. Polley first attained notice in her role as Sara Stanley in the Canadian television series, Road to Avonlea...
. The screenplay for that television drama shifted the date of her diagnosis to 1803 and altered many other details of her life.