Book Summary of Abigail Adams
A Revolutionary American Woman, By Charles W. Akers
By phillir
The life story of Abigail Adams by Charles W. Akers, records the history about a woman who was an advocate for the rights of women throughout the American Revolution and the big part she played in the career of her husband that helped to persuade our society. The author opens up the story with giving readers information about two former United States Presidents, who both had family ties to Abigail. She was the biological mother to one of these powerful men and the spouse and helpmeet to the other. Readers find out that although she was known by her connection to these two authoritative males, this was a woman who was just as worthy to be known as the man she vowed a martial union with, and the one she brought into this world as her son. The writer then rewinds to ten years earlier before Abigail was born. It is here that we are introduced to Abigail’s parents. William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy who were united in Holy matrimony, and three daughters and one son were born to this union. Abigail was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Although Abigail did not go to school, she was taught at home with the help of closely related family members. During this time, the main role of women was to care for their home, husband, and children and not to get involved in the business matters pertaining to men such as, war, commerce, politics and other issues. Not much importance was placed on women receiving an education as it was for men in these times, but Abigail had a desire to learn more that was fueled by her love of reading. Abigail took advantage of her desire to learn more by regularly reading books she had access to from her father’s library. Her craving for more knowledge was successful and set Abigail apart from other women in her era. On October 25, 1764, Abigail became the wife of John Quincy Adams, and over a period of six years, six children were born to this union, two of them died at very early ages. John’s dedication to politics kept him away from home a lot, leaving his wife to raise the children (with help from her family) as she taught them about the religion and faith that she embrace growing up. Although Abigail and her husband did not like the fact of being away from each other for such long periods of time, this allowed Abigail to become a very independent woman, thus making her an example for the other women in the colonies. Abigail and John communicated through writing letters to one another and in many of these letters Abigail talked about some of the things that were going on at home as well as uplifting words that helped her husband feel at ease during those unsettling and distressing times he had to deal with in politics, it also through these many letters that she learned so much about political world. John greatly admired her intelligence and treasured her counsel. Abigail got pleasure from writing letters to her husband and family members, she used this as means of expressing her thoughts and ideas. In the one of these letters to her husband she beseeched that he “Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” John had complete confidence in his wife and allowed her have control over the entire household including finances, which was something that women did not dare to manage in these days. From the time that John Adams was a lawyer up until he became the second president of the United States, Abigail stood behind her husband. During times that John was away from home and while Abigail was carrying the couple’s second child, she begin reading two volumes of Sermons to Young Women, by James Fordyce, which stirred her even the more to become all the woman she could be while maintaining her designed role as mother and wife. Although Abigail recognized the lack of power, control, and influence that women held, however, she maintained that a woman’s role should be viewed as just important as the obligations of men, and that all females were worthy of an education and political and legal rights that would make it possible for every woman to accomplish and fulfill her ambitions without any restrictions. Because women were unable to speak about politics, Abigail exercised her influence concerning education for adolescent females, property rights of women, slavery, and against women being abused by their own husbands through John Adams. Even though the couple did not always agree on certain things, John had a great amount of respect for his wife and her opinions Because of Abigail’s words and influence, John put forth an effort in making her voice and concerns heard to make things better for all people involved. Abigail desires was that husbands and wives be treated fairly and that neither spouse would possess a greater power over the other.
Abigail and John were together in France and England during the time that he was the American minister to the Court of Saint James. While Abigail’s husband served as the vice president, she assisted Martha Washington with social events, but went back home to Massachusetts from time to time to take care of the couples business affairs. When Abigail’s husband became president, some people started calling her “Mrs. President because of the strong persuasion that she had over husband. Throughout Abigail’s lifetime she witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston Massacre, endured the loss of two of her children, abetted in the freedom of slaves, battled her own sicknesses and never gave up on what she believed to be equal and right for women and slaves. Abigail Adams is definitely a woman who can be considered as an achiever. Her many accomplishments throughout her lifespan are worth acknowledging and certainly earn her the right to be known as a revolutionary woman.