Abigail Adams was born in November 11, 1744 in Weymouth Massachusetts. She was encouraged by her parents to learn how to read and write. She was the daughter of a minister. She was interested in Shakespearean literature, letters and classics. Adams did not, however, attend school, which was common for girls at the time. In 1762 Abigail was reunited with her childhood acquaintance John Adams. He was impressed by Abigail’s knowledge of poetry, philosophy and politics. There was a strong connection and shared values between the two of them. John Adams and Abigail Adams married on October 25th, 1764. They had six children, Abigail, John Quincy, Susanna, Charles, Thomas.
John’s duties as a politician and Lawyer kept him away from Abigail Adams for long stretches. As a result, she was left to carry much of the burden at home, raising their children and caring for the family farm. They spent years apart, and yet it did not affect their relationship. John Adams was helping to format the revolution that would lead to independence, while he was away he constantly reported to Abigail through letters. It is believed that they exchanged more than 1,100 letters. Their letters show a great amount of affection and also show their relationship. In her letters Abigail Adams expressed concern about how the new government would treat women. In one of her many letters to her husband, she requested 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.” Abigail often expressed her thoughts on political matters with her husband. After the revolution, Abigail Adams joined her husband in France and