Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams-November 11, 1744-October 28, 1818. She was the wife of John Adams, who was the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth. Abigail was the first Second Lady of the United States, and the second First Lady of the United States.

In ten years Abigail gave birth to six children:

Abigail (1765-1813)

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

Susanna Boyleston (1768-1770)

Thomas Boylston Adams (1772-1832)

Elizabeth (stillborn in 1777)

...Abigail Adams on Women's Rights

Abigail Adams was an advocate of married women's property rights and more opportunities for women, particularly in the field of education. Women, she believed, should not submit to laws not made in their interest, nor should they be content with the simple role of being companions to their husbands, They should educate themselves and thus be recognized for their intellectual capabilities, so they could guide and influence the lives of their children and husbands. She is known for her March 1776 letter to John Adams and the Continental Congress, requesting that they, " 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 forment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no choice or representation."

Unfortunately, John declined Abigail's "extraordinary code of laws," but acknowledged to Abigail, "We have only the name of masters, and rather than give up this, which would completely subject us to the despotism of the petticoat, I hope General Washington and all our brave heroes would fight."

Excerpt from Abigail Adams-Wikipedia