Dear Abigail: The Intimate Lives and Revolutionary Ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters

by Diane Jacobs

For readers of the historical works of Robert K. Massie, David McCulough, and Alison Weir comes the first biography on the life of Abigail Adams and her sisters.

“Never sisters loved each other better than we.”—Abigail Adams in a letter to her sister Mary, June 1776

Much has been written about the enduring marriage of President John Adams and his wife, Abigail. But few know of the equally strong bond Abigail shared with her sisters, Mary Cranch and Elizabeth Shaw Peabody, accomplished women in their own right. Now acclaimed biographer Diane Jacobs reveals their moving story, which unfolds against the stunning backdrop of America in its transformative colonial years.

Abigail, Mary, and Elizabeth Smith grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the close-knit daughters of a minister and his wife. When the sisters moved away from one another, they relied on near-constant letters—from what John Adams called their “elegant pen”—to buoy them through pregnancies, illnesses, grief, political upheaval, and, for Abigail, life in the White House. Infusing her writing with rich historical perspective and detail, Jacobs offers fascinating insight into these progressive women’s lives: oldest sister Mary, who became de facto mayor of her small village; youngest sister Betsy, an aspiring writer who, along with her husband, founded the second coeducational school in the United States; and middle child Abigail, who years before becoming First Lady ran the family farm while her husband served in the Continental Congress, first in Philadelphia, and was then sent to France and England, where she joined him at last.

This engaging narrative traces the sisters’ lives from their childhood sibling rivalries to their eyewitness roles during the American Revolution and their adulthood as outspoken wives and mothers. They were women ahead of their time who believed in intellectual and educational equality between the sexes. Drawing from newly discovered correspondence, never-before-published diaries, and archival research, Dear Abigail is a fascinating front-row seat to history—and to the lives of three exceptional women who were influential during a time when our nation’s democracy was just taking hold.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Historical, Biography Memoir, American Revolution, American History

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Breck Baumann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched biographical account of a remarkable Founder and her two sisters through their letters and journals. Set in chronological order, it was fascinating to hear the early insights and mind of three women who were most definitely ahead of eighteenth-century standards. As Mary, Elizabeth, and Abigail grow up and begin new lives, their correspondence blossoms and is fortunately left to posterity, which Diane Jacobs revitalizes.

There are times when the book feels a bit slow, as the plot can be dry and not every page leaves you eager for the next. However, for an in-depth look on Abigail (Smith) Adams or for the Adams family aficionado, there is far more groundbreaking material as each chapter goes along. Apart from the typically referenced “Remember the Ladies” quote and letter to her husband, the reader gets a sense of loyalty and devotion to family with a range of discussions on love, marriage, religion, politics, war, sickness, death, and finances. The real highlights include Abigail’s descriptions of such famous elites as Benjamin Franklin, Charles Lee, Jefferson, as well as the culture of places such as France:

For while Mary socialized with old friends and Betsy stayed home with their father, with John in Philadelphia she alone was invited to have coffee with General Sullivan and tea with General Lee. Abigail found General John Sullivan, a lawyer and former delegate to the Continental Congress, "a Man of Sense and Spirit," while General Charles Lee (now second in command to Washington) lived up to his reputation for outrageous behavior...

Those expecting to find more on the maternal relationship between Abigail, her sons and namesake daughter will surprisingly be disappointed, as not much is discussed on Charles alcoholic descent or her emotions as Nabby experiences the pains of cancer. This is made up for by a non-deceiving title, as all three sisters do indeed receive their fair share in the spotlight, not just a focus on the First Lady to the President of the United States. The ending came quick as Adams concluded his final term in Office, with an epilogue on the last years of all three sisters. Nonetheless, it was just the right amount of closure needed for what felt like an already lengthy book. Illustrations are provided including portraits, as well as an extensive Family Tree.

[Julie]

After a very good start, I lost interest very quickly, as I wandered hither and yon throughout 18th century New England, searching for the Smith Sisters. I was interested in reading about the intimate lives and revolutionary ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters, but there wasn't much of that.

Twas neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring. Among a smattering of history with which everyone is already familiar, and a smattering of quotes from the sisterly correspondence, there isn't much of a good historical account either: little tidbits and highlights from the big points of history.

I never got the sense that Jacobs had a true grasp -- or at least, a true affinity for her subjects.

This was a like making stone soup: throw in a bit of this, throw in a bit of that, and hope like hell that no one notices that the base is made from common rocks.

I did read more than half the book before coming to this disappointing conclusion. I will be on the hunt again for the real Smith Sisters ... so if anyone has any recommendations, ...

This review is riddled with foodstuffs, I just realized, and allusions to food. Twas probably because this book left me very hungry for a real meal on the intended topic.

[Don O'goodreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography for Jane Austen fans. Dear Abigail by Diane Jacobs reminds me of Jane Austen with its concern for courting and marriage during a period of primogeniture and limited opportunities for women outside of marriage. Even more is the multi-generational feminine point of view, and the women with self-awareness, intelligence, and wit. Abigail and her two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, could easily assume their roles in any Jane Austen novel. They are the women, all Jane Austen readers imagined to live during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Jacobs follows the sisters' lives through their correspondence from when Abigail Adam is 22 (1766) to when she is 57 (1801). As the sisters were well-educated, their correspondence covered much more than the women's issues mentioned above. The breadth of interests of these three women, give the is biography multiple layers.

In summary, this books is true to Abigail's admonition to her husband: "remember the ladies." The book is a wonderful history of the founding of the United States and the strong, intelligent women who we all always suspected must have taken a part in this history.

For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2014/0...

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway on January 20, 2014. I received the book on February 3, 2014.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of non-fiction, so I don't really have a good way to rate it, but this held my attention and grabbed my heart, and I figure that's enough for a high rating. Abigail Adams has long been one of my favorite historical figures, and I loved learning more about her here!

[Jaylia3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading historical biographies has become my favorite way to get the sense of an era, and for that the lengthy but aptly titled Dear Abigail: The Intimate Lives and Revolutionary Ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters Tells Part of the Story of the American Revolution has a lot to offer. Abigail Adams, the wife of the second US president John Adams, was the middle of three very close sisters who corresponded whenever they were apart, leaving plenty of source material about their lives.

Through those three thoughtful lively women Puritan beliefs and culture come to life in this book, including how attitudes about family, religion, and the role of women begin to change during the time surrounding the American Revolution. Abigail Adams traveled to New York, Philadelphia, London, Paris, and the brand new, just being built on a swamp Washington, DC, so the history, personalities, political climate, society, and ambiance of those eighteenth century cities become part of her story. The small town Massachusetts setting of her sisters' lives and the courtship trials of their daughters provide pleasures similar a Jane Austen novel. Informative and entertaining.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very, very good history book. Jacobs did a very good job of not forcing her slant and thoughts into the book most of the time. There were only a couple of points where I got the feeling she was trying to push anti-religion or opinions of intimacy where their was little to nothing back it up, but this is still one of the best books on Abigail Adams (and her sisters) I have ever read or think I will ever read. Highly recommend this book for older readers because there were a couple of mentions of references to physical intimacy, some understandable when talking about married couples, some the author seemed to want to interject. Nothing was described or overly offencive.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The history is phenomenal. The exchange throughout the book is exactly from the time it's set.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read a biography of John Adams, so when I saw this one, it seemed like a good choice.

Many of the same events were covered in Abigail's biography, but her perspective was different. There was less emphasis on what happened, and more on what she thought about it and how it affected her family and home life.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a few reasons that differ, I think, from other readers. First I enjoy history and reading about important and influential authors of history. Abigail Adams has influenced me since I read "John Adams" by David Mcullough. I have tried to find books that expound on her life in an interesting way and have failed until this book. Second, having 7 sisters myself, I wanted to learn from these revolutionary sisters. How great it is that they wrote each other as faithfully as they could manage. They preserved a window into their complicated, yet loving relationship as sisters. I can relate to the ups and downs of their sisterhood all the while knowing that they were some of the most important people to each other.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GoodReads FirstReads (ARC) book for me. I received an advanced uncorrected proof through the GoodReads giveaways.

Each time I read more of Abigail & John Adams, my admiration for this couple increases. They were prodigious letter writers to the delight of us in these days. Not perfect people, but great people as founders of our United States.

Ms. Jacobs does an admirable job on this book. If you have not read anything about the Adams this is a great place to begin. Very readable and interesting. I was hoping for more new insights on the Adams, and did learn more about her sisters. Well researched and worth your time reading.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a more difficult read with many hand written letters and resource references, and not a book you can fly browse. These women led fairly complicated lives, with many roles taken on for husbands that had to be else where for years at a time. And often with sickness within the family, a major concern or including repeated cases of tragic sadness and loss. And yet the energy levels, aspirations and physical world accomplishments!

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tedious reading exercise. After some reflection, I stand by my first comment. However, I will admit that there's a lot of really good content in this book. In my opinion, the author tried to include too much beyond the scope of the stated intent vis-à-vis the title of the book. Not only was the scope too wide, but the depth of information was too detailed. I learned way more about Parson Wibird, a very minor character, than I ever will need to know.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed book based on the letters written by Abigail Adams and her sisters discussing both their mundane daily struggles and their wider political and social views. It shows how the women evolved and grew in their viewpoints as they aged.

The book is VERY long but I was a bit disappointed at the end of the book because we had followed these women through their writings from the time they were young women that the author seemed to feel a good place to end was the end of John Adams presidency when the women had been drawn closer by age and tragedy. There was a summation epilogue but they still experienced some very significant events that I wish had gotten the same attention as the earlier events. Yes, the book would have been longer but you were so close to the end of the story, you may as well have kept going.

Sometimes, the author seemed to see a different tone to the words that she printed in the book than I saw. Now maybe that is because she saw all of the letters and she was just showing us a portion. But it made me wonder if there was a different interpretation.

Abigail often bore the hard work during the founding of this country because she was alone with the children trying to eek out a living, keep everyone alive, and take care of the farm while her husband galavanted around the world. While she believes women should be educated, she is in a world where a woman has no rights, is subservient to her husband and without a husband must rely on charity and John Adams, as much as he appreciates her education and counsel does not believe in educating women.

The book is generally well written and full of insight about our history.

[Chris Craddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey's Road

John Adams was the second President of the United States of America. Though his face isn't found on any of the coins of our realm, and doesn't grace any currency he was an important figure in the founding of our great nation. The faces of our first and third Presidents, Washington and Jefferson, can be found on our money. Other founding fathers were commemorated though they never reached the rank of President, such as Alexander Hamilton or Benjamin Franklin. But John Adams was nevertheless an important figure in our nation's history. This book tells the story of Adams and those tumultuous times not through the eyes of John Adams, but through the eyes of his wife Abigail, and her two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.

Abigail was the second oldest of three daughters and one son born to William Smith, a Parson. She was born on November 11th, 1744. The book begins on a hot July evening in 1766 when the sisters, all living in various small towns on the outskirts of Boston, are writing to each other. Mary and Abigail are both married, and Betsy is a teenager still living at home in Weymouth. Mary lives in Salem with her husband Richard Cranch, and Abigail is in Braintree with her husband, John Adams, a successful lawyer.

Since the sisters kept up a life long correspondence author Diane Jacobs was able to compile a chronicle of their remarkable lives and revolutionary ideas. How many how various how complicated were their sensations, to paraphrase one of their letters. It was a time of revolution in America and France, and the letters were concerned not only with family matters, husbands and household chores, raising children, and so forth, but with the ideas of Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke, and Hume. Abigail and her sisters were concerned with the role of women in our emerging democracy, and she would later concur with the views expressed in A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft in 1792, though her husband John Adams would argue against it in furious scribbles in the margins.

The Federalist Papers also provided subjects for debate. Publius was the pen name for Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay when they wrote the Federalist Papers. It is also the name of the journalist who was all set to reveal a scandal on the show, Scandal, that would bring down the White House. Since reading this book, I now know the background behind this name, and why it was appropriate for a political journalist to use it.

Speaking of scandal, there was a bit of it in this book, though nothing approaching the scale of the gladiators in suits on that over the top television program. More like the impropriety of a friendship with a man who used an obscene hieroglyph in a letter that was exposed to the public by the British. I didn't quite get what was meant here, and would have liked for Diane Jacobs to explain it a bit clearer. This was a momentary lapse in what was otherwise a most lucid account.

In summation, this was a well researched and detailed book on the founding fathers told through the eyes of the founding mothers. Abigail Adams had a most positive effect on her husband. He sometimes lacked faith in the ability of people to govern themselves, and would otherwise have been an even bigger wet blanket on our experiment in Democracy.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I am a big fan of Abigail Adams (I won almost every book on her). This was a great read, but quite dense. It rook me a longer time to finish the book. Set in the Revolutionary era, we see three Smith sisters of Weymouth, Mass., were inseparable growing up under their minister father and thrifty, charitable mother, and they were remarkably well-educated, as demonstrated by the copious, frequent letters they exchanged throughout their long lives. The letters allow readers to plunge into the voices and milieus of these lively characters, who nonetheless were relegated to the sidelines, observing the great events of the new nation unfold while their husbands got to strut about the stage—underscoring how important it was to marry well.

Mary, the oldest sister, caught the interest of the girls’ tutor, Richard Cranch, due to her “intelligence—not to mention her beauty and goodness,” and “their passion quickened as he took it upon himself to initiate all three young women into the pleasures of Enlightenment philosophy, epistolary novels, Milton, Pope, Shakespeare, and also some French.” Youngest sister Elizabeth, of “keen sensibility and high spirits,” was fairly beaten down by her marriage to drunkard Calvinist John Shaw. Abigail, in contrast, married the imperious fireball John Adams, not exactly handsome but brilliant and ironically humorous and with wit to match Abigail’s own; her feminist writing, both to husband and sisters. I look forward to adding this book to my library.

[Cheyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is more than just an annotated collection of letters. While the correspondence between Abigail Smith Adams and her sisters and other family members provides the principal source material, Diane Jacobs has shaped this material into a charming group biography of Mary, Abigail and Elizabeth and their spouses and children, all of whom emerge as unique individuals. The family story also reflects the events, large and small, that shaped their society and era: from the American Revolution and the XYZ Affair to the search for a new Congregationalist minister for the town of Quincy; from the grueling hardship of trans-Atlantic crossings and the tragedy of early death by "consumption" to feminine fashions and popular novels. Most of all, the lifelong bonds of the Smith sisters and their shared intellectual life speak from the page.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe of the research Jacobs did for this lengthy volume. So many letters to read--letters between the sisters primarily but also Abigail's correspondance with John Adams, her children, nieces and nephews, and others. I find it reassuring in this difficult time for our country that there were other times of great division and the young republic survived. I also am so thankful for modern medicine when one reads about the dangers of childbirth, breast infections, smallpox, tuberculosis, and a broken leg. Plus supposedly a familial tendency to alcoholism. Reading the last chapter and epilogue is sobering as one by one the family members die.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, amazing women.

Mary, Abigail, and Elizabeth Smith were women before their time. Mind you, they would have been amazing if they lived in any time period, and I can only imagine what they would have been like in the 21st Century. I am a great fan of the epistolary style, and I was not disappointed in how the author wove her book around the letters exchanged by the three sisters. The story of the young United States is also told here, and the sisters and their families play important roles in living history. The ups and downs of life, their strength of character, and the ability to live to the fullest all come together to depict a fascinating story. Excellent.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, as easy to read as a novel. A glimpse into the time of the American revolution, George Washington, and of course John Adams' presidency, as well as life in New England in general at the end of the 18th century, through the eyes of three strong, intelligent women (who wrote a lot of letters!).

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Abigail was immensely interesting to read. The excerpts from the Smith sisters' letters, strung together so nicely by Jacobs' commentary, make early American history all the accessible. Like any history book, it could be slow at times, but it is definitely worth the read.

[Rachella Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DID NOT LIKE THIS BOOK,I JUST COULDNT GET INTO READING IT AFTER A COUPLE CHAPTERS,I HAVE PASSED IT ON TO SOME FRIENDS I HOPE THEY ENJOY THE BOOK.I RECIEVED THIS BOOK THROUGH THE GOODREADS FIRST RAD GIVE A WAY PROGRAM

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow read but interesting. Just not a book you devour. I did more skimming than reading.

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library Hardcover

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it, dry.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth "Abigail" I own. Her sisters, not as famous of course, nonetheless had their own dreams and talents in addition to the 18th. century chore of married life. If some I see found the books a tough read, perhaps because it relies heavily upon letters and the actual words of the protagonists. Not just the three sisters but John and JQ Adams and cousins... It was a time of upheaval. Homes were rattled by distant cannon fire. Disease-dysentery, smallpox, yellow fever and even the smallpox inoculation-threatened lives. I was struck by the classical learning of these people and of their love of writing. The same for their love of nature and the land-the changing seasons and loving the fruits and vegetables of their labors. What we have lost in our techno age! This book stands as testament to meeting the challenges of life in time lacking our creature comforts. Their travels-from one town to another, or across the Atlantic-were a struggle. (Familiar to us is the struggle with depression and alcoholism-and unhappy marriages!) Yet they remained wedded to the beauty of language and of nature.

[Skylar Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this book five stars, because I realize how much research and editing the author must have done to create this work. I did learn quite a bit about history from this book. For instance, those who say political divisiveness, press abuses (fake news), and public protest are new to a previously united America, are not speaking factually. I learned quite a bit about the role of women in the early history of the United States and how women were ambivalent about those roles. I was reminded about how fragile life is while reading of the many losses of children that Abigail and her sisters suffered. I also learned that psychosomatic illness and true disease was rampant during this period of history, and that men as well as women succumbed to stress induced disease.

So, while this book is excellently researched, and it provides many insights, reading it is a slog! It took me over a year to get through, and I read very quickly!

[Charaity Hubbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book really got sidetracked half way through by the politics of war and John Addams nation building. The focus seemed to shift from Abigail and her sisters to her husband and then to other people in their political circle. Very few chapters were devoted to her time as First Lady and then came a surprisingly quick wrap up of the lives of her, her sisters and their remaining families. Some times, when the book was going into detail about the American or French Revolutions, I became bored. I don't need to read about the war. That's not why I chose this book and that's not what I was looking to read about.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary, Abigail & Elizabeth, three sisters who shaped the lives of their family, community, country and world. Often with great sacrifice. The book's foundation is the letters the sister's exchanged from the Revolution to John Adam's time as president. They shared responsibilities from taking care of one another, raising children and educating their children. No matter where Abigail Adams was, she knew her family would help her and she would do the same in return. Amazing women who strongly advocated to educate their daughters and pushed their children to unseen heights. It was not all success, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to quit reading this one. Just to dry for me. I am not a big non-fiction reader so I need to make that clear. However, I had wanted to try this title because of my admiration for Abigail Adams. I also thought how unusual, in her times, to have sisters who were advanced thinkers such as she and wondered how did that happen? Who influenced them to be such prolific writers and who challenged them and urged them to speak their minds?
Unfortunately for me, I found reading it difficult. Again, the burden lays on me not the author. The research is impeccable and the writing is clear and well structured. The language of the day was tedious for me and couldn't hold my interest.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at women at the beginning of our country

I enjoyed this story of Abigail Adams and her sisters. It was especially interesting to look back at the founding of this country and it’s constitution during this era. Like a lot of people who hold bold ideas outside of the current norms, Abigail and her sisters opinions weren’t always consistent. Yet they clearly had keen intelligence and talent. My only wish is that there were more of their letters. The author quotes only portions of their letters in her narrative.