Introduction
Volumes Published
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Microfilm Guide
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The Miscellany is a heterogeneous collection of manuscript material, very largely in the form of bound volumes, emanating from many members of the Adams family and from friends and connections of the family. Sometimes the same person used a book for different purposes, and sometimes two or more persons used the same book for similar or dissimilar purposes. The problem of arranging such an intractable mass of material so that it could be used with facility when reproduced on microfilm has therefore been formidable. It is here arranged as follows. The Adams family material is arranged by generations, from the first through the third respectively, counting John and Abigail Adams as the first generation. Under each generation the order is by sons from oldest to youngest, but with the wife of each son immediately following her husband. At the end is a supplement of non-Adams material that has come to rest in the collection and is arranged alphabetically by the last names of the authors.
In all cases where a member of the family left very extensive miscellaneous manuscripts, they are arranged in the following arbitrary order:
- Autobiographical material, including diaries (of the lesser Adamses), memorandum books, and the like
- Financial records of all sorts
- Legal papers (notes, briefs, fees received, and the like)
- Literary material, including student exercises, commonplace books, translations and original compositions
- Political writings
- Unclassified material (manuscripts not classifiable under any of the heads above)
Under each of the foregoing classes the manuscripts are arranged in chronological order whenever that order could be even roughly established. The single exception is that in John Quincy Adams' literary manuscripts two sequences will be found, resulting from physical problems in preparing the materials for microreporduction. The first sequence runs from Film No. 217 through No. 236, and the second from No. 237 through No. 243.
John Adams, Miscellany
Abigail Adams, Miscellany
John Quincy Adams, Miscellany
Louisa Catherine Adams, Miscellany
Thomas Boylston Adams, Miscellany
Ann Harrod Adams, Miscellany
William Stephen Smith, Miscellany
George Washington Adams, Miscellany
Charles Francis Adams, Miscellany
Elizabeth Coombs Adams, Miscellany
William Steuben Smith, Miscellany
George Beaufort, Miscellany
Thomas Callender, Miscellany
Thomas Baker Johnson, Miscellany
Elise Charlotte Otte, Miscellany
James Blake, Miscellany
Samuel Tucker, Miscellany
First Generation
John Adams, Miscellany
Reel
180. Autobiography
181.
Account book,
6, 9 July 1781;
Will, inventory, and estate papers, 1819–1831;
Blank notebook with fragment of French manuscript on cover
182.
Docket of
court cases, Jan. 1763–April 1770
183.
Docket of
court cases, Jan. 1771–July 1774
184.
Legal commonplace
book;
lists of actions, 1761–1770;
briefs and notes on admiralty cases;
four notebooks on Massachusetts cases (not in Adams' hand
185.
Briefs and notes on legal cases, 1761–1778, followed by others undated;
also some accounts and miscellaneous scraps relating to Adams' law practice
186. Notes on law cases, with some added notes in other hands, including that of John Quincy Adams
187. Literary commonplace book
188. Literary notes and drafts
189.
Copy of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, June 1776;
Facsimiles of the engrossed and signed text of the Declaration of Independence executed by Maverick (1817) and Stone (1823)
190.
Copies of instructions to Adams for negotiating treaties of peace and commerce, 1779–1780
191.
Copies of Massachusetts Bay charters and other state papers regarding boundaries, &c., furnished to Adams in 1780–1781
192.
Journal of bills of exchange in Holland, 1780–1784
193. Catalogue of his library, 1790
194.
Journal of executive actions, March 1797–March 1799
195.
Journal of executive actions, June 1799–May 1800
196.
John T. Kirkland, 2 manuscript funeral sermons on Adams, 23 July 1826
Abigail Adams, Miscellany
Reel
197.
Diary,
20 June–19 July 1784,
20–28 July 1787,
30 March–May 1788
198. John T. Kirkland, manuscript funeral sermon on Mrs. Adams, November 1818;
Another copy in another hand
Second Generation
John Quincy Adams, Miscellany
Reel
199.
Pocket memorandum
and commonplace book, 1782–1836 (scattered entries)
200.
Pocket memorandum
and account book, 1795–1824 (scattered entries)
201.
Memorandum
book ("The Chaos"), 1804–1827
202.
Memoranda
kept in St. Petersburg, 1810–1813
203.
Memorandum
and garden book, 1810–1845 (scattered entries)
204.
Pocket memorandum
book, 1815–1828, with diary notes for November 1824;
Pocket memorandum book, 1831
205.
Expense book,
1791–1802;
Accounts with the U.S., 1811-1812
206.
Accounts
with U.S., 1794–1801, 1809–1822;
Financial ledger, 1802–1813
207.
"Monies received,"
1798–1801, 10 Jan. 1804;
Daily expenses, 1798–1807
208.
Household
account book, 1799–1822
209.
Personal
financial record, 1802–1822
210.
Account book,
1809–1829 (scattered entries)
211.
Account book
and miscellaneous notes, 1810–1814
212.
Accounts
kept by Quinzard (Adams' cook), 1811–1813
213.
Accounts
with the Bank of the Metropolis, 1818–1847;
Checks drawn on the Bank of the Metropolis, 1818–1846
214. Legal memoranda, 1786 et seq.
215.
Legal accounts,
1790–1804;
Fee book, 1792–1809;
Notes on legal cases, Feb., Aug. 1802
216. Records of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy, 1802
217. Latin and Greek copybook, January 1781
218. Copy of Fables de Ph?dre, 1781, with Prologue, 1831
219. Poetical commonplace book, St. Petersburg, 1782
220. Literary commonplace book, St. Petersburg, 1782
221. Poetical commonplace book, St. Petersburg, 1782
222. Translation of Sallust, 1784
223.
Verse composition
book, 1784–1792
224. Quotations from Shakespeare
225. Translations from Tacitus
226. Translations of Jean Luzac, Oratio de Socrate Cive (Leyden, 1796)
227. Copy of his translation of Dietrich von B?low, Der Freistaat von Nordamerika . . . (Berlin, 1797)
228. Original poems and draft of translation of Wieland's Oberon
229. Translation of Wieland's Oberon;
Title-page of Adams' translation of Oberon as edited by A. B. Faust (New York, 1940)
230.
Literary
commonplace book and miscellaneous memoranda, 1803–1825
(scattered entries)
231.
Boylston
lectures on oratory (lacks Nos. 1, 13, 18, and part of 19),
1807–1809
232.
Boylston
lectures on oratory, continued (lacks No. 27), 1807–1809;
Drafts and notes for another series on the same subject, not
completed
233.
Transcripts
of Adams' letters to George Washington Adams on reading the
Bible, Sept. 1811–Sept. 1813
234.
Notes for
and drafts of his Report on Weights and Measures, 1819–1821
235. Partial draft of Report on Weights and Measures, 1820
236. Report on Weights and Measures (Washington, 1821)
237.
Collection
of poems and translations, 1780–1841, including draft and
copy of "Dermot MacMorrogh" and some miscellaneous memoranda
238. Collection of early translations and literary extracts in French, English, and Latin
239. Collection of early translations into French and English
240. Collection of early translations into French and English
241.
Collection
of his writings, literary notes, and extracts, 1787–1829
242. Collection of long poetical compositions, including a draft of his translation of Wieland's Oberon
243.
Miscellaneous
short poems, 1805–1846
244. Draft of "The Brevet, Observations on the claims to command of Brevet Major General Winfield Scott," 1828
245.
Another draft
(or copy) of the treatise on Brevet Rank, with supplementary
material, 1814–1828
246. "Answer to the Appeal of Certain Federalists. 1829";
"Parties in the United States," 1829
247.
"Alphabetical
Index to my files of Letters, papers and documents," 1794–1801
248. List of books sent from Europe, 1801
249.
List of U.S.
public documents, 1808–1822
250.
Weather record,
Washington, D.C., Jan. 1818–May 1825
251.
Presidential
Messages to the Senate and House, Dec. 1825–May 1828
252.
Executive
Record: Commissions signed, March 1825–Dec. 1828, and Acts
approved or disapproved, 23 Dec. 1825–3 March 1829;
Orders, 5 March 1825–3 March 1829;
Nominations, 5 March 1825–24 May 1828
253. Copy of proceedings of the special Senate session beginning 4 March 1825
254.
Registers
of letters received, March 1825-Oct. 1827, Nov. 1827–Feb.
1829;
Lists of Congressional resolutions, Dec. 1825–March 1827,
Dec. 1827–Feb. 1829
255.
Scrapbook
of mounted clippings relating to Adams' western trips, July–Aug.,
Sept.–Nov. 1843;
Collection of newspaper notices (transcripts) relating to the
same
256.
Transcripts
of letters and documents from various sources relating to political
and diplomatic affairs, 1782–1831
257.
Copy of the
executive proceedings of the U.S. Senate, May 1789–March
1801
258.
Copy of the
executive proceedings of the U.S. Senate, March 1801–March
1811
259.
Copy of the
executive proceedings of the U.S. Senate, Nov. 1811–April
1814
260.
Copy of the
executive proceedings of the U.S. Senate, Sept. 1814–May
1820
261.
Copy of the
executive proceedings of the U.S. Senate, March 1825–March
1829
262.
Copy of the
Journal of the Hartford Convention, 1814–1815
263. William P. Lunt, manuscript funeral sermon on Adams, March 1848
Louisa Catherine Adams, Miscellany
Reel
264.
Diary, 22
Oct. 1812–15 Feb. 1814,
24 Jan.–25 March 1819;
Also poems and a dramatic composition
265.
Diary, 6
Dec. 1819–8 Jan. 1824;
"Record of a Life, or My Story," begun 23 July 1825
266.
Diary, 19
July–19 Aug. 1821
267.
Diary, 17
Aug.–27 Sept. 1821
268.
Diary, verse
compositions, and prose reflections, 1835–1841;
"Narrative of a Journey from Russia to France, 1815"
269. Autobiographical sketch, "The Adventures of a Nobody," begun 1 July 1840
270.
Diary, 12
April 1843–28 Aug. 1847;
Poems, 1842–1849
271.
Poetical
compositions and commonplace book, 1816–1835
272.
Poetical
compositions, 1816–1835;
Collection of copies of poems, chiefly by John Quincy Adams,
in his wife's hand, 1816–1843
273.
Translations
and poems, 1825–1847
274. Prose composition, "The Metropolitan Kaleidoscope or Varieties of Winter. Etchings by Rachel Daub . . . 18 D. 1827" (2 manuscript texts)
275. Verse composition book
276. Dramatic composition, "Juvenile Indiscretions or Grand Papa a Farce in one Act."
277. Dramatic composition, "Suspicion or Persecuted Innocence. A Tragedy," and a fragment entitled "Lenora Vernon"
278. Dramatic compositions: "The Wag or Just from College" and "The Captives of Scio or The Liberal Americans"
279. Dramatic compositions: "The Innocent Convicted" and other fragments
280. Literary compositions and translations
Thomas Boylston Adams, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
281.
Diary, 15
Sept.–23 Oct. 1794
282.
Diary, 24
Oct. 1794–14 April 1796
283.
Expense book,
1794–1797
Ann Harrod Adams, Miscellany
(Mrs. Thomas Boylston Adams)
Reel
284.
Family record,
1806–ca. 1825
285.
Verses by
members of her family and others, ca. 1820–1840
William Stephens Smith, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
286. Proceedings of the American Commissioners of Inspection during the British evacuation of New York, 1783
Third Generation
George Washington Adams, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
287.
Diary, 1–23
Aug. 1825; Autobiographical essay, 1825
288.
Letterbook
and copybook, 1814–1817
289.
Account book,
1823–1824
290. Legal commonplace book, with added entries in another hand
291.
Poetical
and prose compositions, 1817–1820
292.
"Records
of the Dramatic Society," 1819–1823 (in various hands)
293. Poetry notebook
294. Literary commonplace book;
Also drafts of speeches and other writings by Charles Francis Adams
295. Literary commonplace book, with further entries by Charles Francis Adams
Charles Francis Adams, Miscellany
(See also Reel Nos. 294 and 295)
Reel
296.
Reminiscences
of his mission to Great Britain, 1861–1862, begun 1 Sept.
1867
297.
Accounts
as manager of J. Q. Adams' finances, 1828–1846, with earlier
entries by G. W. Adams, 1824
298.
Accounts
as manager of J. Q. Adams' finances, 1837–1847, with earlier
entries by G. W. Adams, 1823-1824
299.
Accounts
as manager of J. Q. Adams' finances, 1838–1842, with records
of G. W. Adams' estate and expenses, Jan.–Feb. 1824
300.
Accounts
as manager of J. Q. Adams' finances, 1842–1845, with earlier
entries by G. W. Adams, 1823–1824
301.
Financial
ledger, 1846–1851
302.
Financial
ledger, 1852–1868
303.
Account book,
1829–1844
304.
Accounts
as agent of trust for benefit of Mary Louisa Adams, 1852–1857
305.
Financial
records, receipt book, and family accounts, 1834–1859
306. Bank deposit book, Metropolitan Bank, New York City, 1854, with 12 checks
307.
Travel expenses
in Europe, Dec. 1871–Feb. 1872, kept by E. Giorgi, Adams'
courier
308.
Travel expenses
in Europe, May–Sept. 1872, kept by L. Perrini, Adams' courier
309.
"Book of
Possessions" (records of Adams' property), 1853, with other
materials, including a fragmentary diary of John Quincy Adams,
3 Feb.–14 Nov. 1803
310. Legal commonplace book, 1825
311.
Legal commonplace
book, 1827–1829
312. Literary commonplace book, 1822
313. Theme book
314.
Lecture notes,
ca. 1823–1825
315.
Composition
book (drafts of political writings), 1828–1830
316.
Composition
book (drafts of reviews and legislative papers), ca. 1843–1845
317.
Literary
miscellany (reviews, lectures), ca. 1827–1846
318.
Literary
miscellany (lectures, addresses, &c.), 1841–1875
319.
Political
writings and speeches, 1832–1837
320.
Political
writings and speeches, 1837–1876
321.
Scrapbook
of his newspaper articles, 1832–1835
322.
Scrapbook
of his newspaper articles, 1835–1836
323.
Scrapbook
of his newspaper articles, 1835–1850
324. Scrapbook of his newspaper articles, 1836
325.
Scrapbook
of newspaper articles by various writers relating to the slavery
issue, &c., 1848–1860
326. Catalogue of J. Q. Adams' pamphlet collection, 1833
327. Transcripts from the family papers made in 1833, with reminiscences of John Adams by various hands
Elizabeth Coombs Adams, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
328.
Scrapbook,
sketchbook, and autograph collection, 1770–1899
William Steuben Smith, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
329.
Diary, 24
Jan.–22 Sept. 1814
Non-Adams Miscellany
George Beaufort [i.e. Samuel Cooper Johonnot], Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
330.
Journal,
14 Nov.–9 Dec. 1779, kept on board the Sensible
Thomas Callender, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
331.
Memorandum
book, 1804–1820, kept principally in Princeton, New Jersey
Thomas Baker Johnson, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
332.
Diary, 31
Dec. 1807–1808,
24 July–Nov. 1827,
14–16 Feb. 1837
333.
Diary, 16
Dec. 1828–28 April 1829
334.
Diary, May–3
June 1829,
13 April 1836,
May–June 1836
335.
Diary, 10
Aug. 1836–13 Feb. 1837
336.
Diary, 14
Feb.–30 May 1837
337.
Diary, 30
May–14 Aug. 1837
338.
Diary, 14
Aug.–17 Dec. 1837
339.
Diary, 18
Dec. 1837–-20 May 1838
Elise Charlotte Ott?, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
340. Diary, July 1843, Tour through northern New York and Canada to Niagara Falls with J. Q. Adams and the Grinnell family
James Blake, Miscellany (formerly attributed to Stephen Peabody)
Note of Identification
Reel
341.
Diary, 5
Aug. 1769–6 Nov. 1771
Samuel Tucker, Miscellany
Note of Identification
Reel
342.
Journal,
11 Feb.–6 Sept. 1779, "An Abstract of a Journal . . . ,
on board the Contl. Frigate Boston"
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Online:
Adams Time Line
Adams Genealogy
Biographical Sketches
Quotations
Selected Manuscripts
Adams Electronic Archive
JQA: One President's Adolescence
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