John Adams and his Homes

In 1789, John Adams entered “the most significant office that ever was the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived,” --- that of the Vice-Presidency. During his terms with George Washington, two distinct political groups emerged; the conservative Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Nominally a Federalist himself, and partial to the “rich, the well-born, and the able,” Adams nevertheless feuded with Federalist leader Alexander Hamilton.

In the presidential election, Adams defeated Thomas Jefferson (who became his vice-president) by 71 to 68 electoral votes in 1796 when Washington refused to serve a third term. Opponents to Adams, disappointed by the election, disparaged him as “President by 3 votes. When Adams suggested establishing an elaborate title for the Presidency, like that of European royalty, he was mocked as "His Rotundity.”

Still, when the 61 year-old Adams was sworn in on March 4, 1797 at Philadelphia, then the nations capital, the ceremony demonstrated to the world that the new republic could change chief executives in an orderly, peaceful manner.

One of Adams' greatest mistakes was that he carried over into his administration all the members of Washington's Cabinet; men not of his choosing or he theirs. Consequently, his four years in office were scarred by intrigues, which embittered all his later life. Some of his Cabinet members turned to Hamilton rather than to him for political leadership, deepening the breach.

The most serious was the crisis in relations to France. In an undeclared warfare action, the U.S. Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), the United States and the Constellation, cleared the sea-lanes of French privateers. The Alien and Sedition Acts empowered the federal government to imprison aliens and citizens who threatened or opposed it. When Adams used these acts as an opportunity to frustrate his enemies at home, and especially when he made peace overtures to France, Hamilton circulated a letter to Federalist leaders declaring Adams to be unfit to continue in office. This certain sabotage along with Jefferson's popularity ended Adams' chance for a second term.

In spite of the controversy, Adams can be respected as a President who steadfastly did what he believed was right, regardless of popularity, and who saved the United States and France from the devastation of a full-scale war.

John Adams lived 90 years and 8 months, longer than any other President until Ronald Reagan surpassed him recently. In retirement Adams spent much of his time writing. He penned many an elaborate letter to Thomas Jefferson, his rival but close friend. John Adams died on the Fourth of July, 1826, and (some say) from his deathbed whispered, “Jefferson lives.” However, unknown to Adams, Thomas Jefferson had died earlier this same day, on the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Homes of John Adams

The Adams National Historic Site

John Adams, the second President, and his son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth President, both were born in adjacent houses on Franklin Street in Quincy, which at the time of their births was known as Braintree.

The house at 133 Franklin Street, shown herein, is a New England “saltbox” building with multiple fireplaces around a central chimney.

Originally it consisted of two upper and two lower rooms, but rooms were added to both floors. The house dates to about 1680 and thus is the oldest existing of all the Presidential birthplaces.

Upon his father's death, John Adams (the future President) inherited a similar house next door that became his home and law office, and the birthplace of his son, John Quincy as well as the Massachusetts State Constitution. Both houses are typical of those built in the late 17^th century by New England carpenters. The houses were framed with huge beams that were secured with wooden pegs, floored with wide planks, and covered with clapboard siding over brick-filled walls to help with the cold New England winters.

John Adams spent much of his time in Europe in his various diplomatic positions. During this time, his wife, Abigail, purchased, sight unseen, a farm and house less than two miles away from Franklin Street. Major Leonard Vassall, a wealthy West India sugar planter, had built this house in 1731.

This house, called Peacefield, or commonly known as The Old House, consisted of six rooms and a kitchen wing. Just as Adams was preparing to settle into his new home, he was called away by George Washington to serve as his vice president. Thus, it would be twelve years before he would retire there, serving eight years with Washington, and another four as president. During the twelve years he was away, his wife Abigail was busy overseeing major improvements to the house that included doubling the capacity with an addition of an east wing in 1800. Years later, her great grandson Henry Adams recalled the following about The Old House:

“The Old House at Quincy was 18^th century. What style it had was its Queen Anne mahogany panels and its Louis XV chairs and sofa. The panels belonged to an old colonial Vassall who built the house; the furniture had been brought back from Paris in 1789 or 1801 or 1817, along with porcelain and books and much else of an old diplomatic remnants; and neither of the two 18^th century styles...was comfortable for a boy, or for anyone else. The dark mahogany had been painted white to suit daily life in winter gloom.”

Finally at long last, John joined Abigail and he began to enjoy the gardens, his books, and his children and grandchildren.

Over the years since he lived there, much has changed at Peacefield, but the present-day garden and beauty offer a link to the serenity of the earlier times. A white York rose brought to Peacefield from England in 1788 survived and still thrives today. As one walks the gravel paths through the orchards and gardens today give a renewed sense of the history, tradition and quietude of Peacefield.