New-York tribune., 1896-12-12
ABIGAIL ADAMS'S LIFE.
MISS BEASTON GIVES AN INTERESTING
LECTURE ON COLONIAL TIMES.
THE DANES AND DAUGHTERS OF REVOLUTION
AIRY DAYs-THEIR coURTsHIP5 AND THEIR

THE DANES AND DAUGHTERS OF REVOLUTION
AIRY DAYs-THEIR coURTsHIPs AND THEIR
LOvE-LETTERs VALUE OF PINS.
Abigail Adams. upon whom Miss Beaston lectured
yesterday afternoon at the home OF Mrs. Jacob Hess
No. So West Sixty-ninth-s was the wife and mother
OF Presidents. John Adams being her husband and
John Quincy Adams her son. She was the daughter
OF a ewEngland minister. and was made TO suffer
rather severely. Miss Beason said. for the indiscre-
tons of Anne Hutchinson. for after her unhappy ex-
per!ence. the ministers decided tnat learning was
dangerous TO women. As their word was law. girls
were taught nothing after that bu; how 10 write md
read the Bibe-except in few unSodiy Instances In
which music was added 10 The list OF their accom-
plishments Abigail Adams even one OF the
exceptions. but her active mind could not be kept
from working. and afterward. when she was lady OF
inc White House Of all countries delighted
TO do honor to her intellectual powers.
when John Adams courting Abigail. con-
unued Miss Beaston. the neShbors regarded MIN
with great suspicion. and ~hen she announced her
engagement 20 him they did not hesitate express
their dlsapproval. for the young a lawyer.
ana they thought the minister's daughter ought TO
nave espoused member of that much-es,eemed pro-
iession' Accordingly. when her wedding day came
the minister chose for the his discourse: John
came neither eating nor drinking. and ye say he hath
a devil
For the marriage OF Abigail's sister. Mary. the
text was Mary hath chosen the better part. which
shall not be taken away from her."
When John Adams went to Philadelphia TO attend
the convention he kept up regular correspondence
with his wife. which is most Interesting They made
use OF such passionate expressions as MY esteemed
friend My honored wife" etc. while poor little
John Quincy addresses his father Sir" and hopes
he won't be ashamed Of him.
A large part OF this correspondence Is about pns
They were hard 10 obtain in those days and Abigail
begged her husband to send her a package from
Philadelphia. even II he had TO pay g. or SIS for
them. or course. the good John forgot the pins and
IL took several letters TO him TO a sense of
duty. Then ne bought not only the pins, but tea
pot and some tea. which was very expensive and
gave inem to a fellow townsman, who was return
ing. telling him 10 give them TO Mrs Adams
The man took them 10 Mrs Samuel Adams pre-
sented them with the compliments of 'kinsman'
and the hope that she would enjoy the tea and that
lady. suspecting nothing, accepted them with
thanks
When John Adams learned OF the mishap he wrote
Abigail, telling her that she must 20 to Mrs
Samuel Adams. explain the mistake and claim
property. ne couldn't do H.. OF course but he was
sure she could manage II beautifully. And here Miss
Beaston thought 1t best to drop veil
tion.
large part OF Johns letters was taken up with
accounts OF his social trumphs. and OF tho
taners mentioned Is Mrs Hancock or this lady he
expresses n very high opinion for she never talked
as any lady ought to be" This was gentle hint to
Abigail. for she did talk politics. bu, she paid
attention TO II. and continued not only TO talk. but
10 think and write politics.
Abigail Adams born In l1if and died in ISIS.
so that her fe includes the whole Revolutionary
period which included also in the lecture.
Among those present was great granddaughter
OF Abigail Adams. Mrs. Gabriel Furman.