Episode 7: Peacefield
The long, close relationship shared by Abigail and John Adams ended with her death from typhoid fever on 28 October 1818. Abigail was almost 74 years old and had been married to John for 54 years. John corresponded with his son, John Quincy, and his old friend Thomas Jefferson about his profound sadness upon her death.
Excerpt from Letter from John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 November 1818
My ever dear, ever affectionate, ever dutiful and deserving Son,
The bitterness of Death is past. The grim Specter so terrible to human Nature has no sting left for me.
My consolations are more than I can number. The Separation cannot be so long as twenty Seperations heretofore. The Pangs and the Anguish have not been so great as when you and I embarked for France in 1778.
The bitterness of Death is past. The grim Specter so terrible to human Nature has no sting left for me.
My consolations are more than I can number. The Separation cannot be so long as twenty Seperations heretofore. The Pangs and the Anguish have not been so great as when you and I embarked for France in 1778.
Other Adams documents related to the events of Episode 7
- For Thomas Jefferson's sympathetic letter to John Adams after learning of Abigail's death:
"...I know well, and feel what you have lost, what you have suffered, are suffering, and have yet to endure" (from Letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 November 1818) - For John Quincy Adams's diary entry on 9 July 1826 upon learning of John Adams's death a few days previously on 4 July 1826:
"He had served to great and useful purpose his Nation, his Age, and his God. He is gone and may the blessing of Almighty Grace have attended him ...." (from John Quincy Adams diary 35, 1823-1826, (with additional entries for 1828 and 1844), page 331, entry for 9 July 1826 )