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John Adams Born
John Adams was born on October 30, 1735. He was born to Deacon Adams and his wife, Susanna Boylston Adams. P5 -
John Adams Attends College
He went to Harvard College. He attended from 1751 to 1755. P15. -
Taught School in Worcester
He arrived at Worcester in the summer of 1755. He lived with the town's families. P21. -
Began to Practice Law
He returned to Braintree, Massachusetts to practice law. He stayed with his parents. P23. -
John Adams is Married
John Adams was married on October 25, 1764. He was married to Abigail Smith. P34. -
Boston Massacre
John Adams was the defense attorney for the British soldiers. He began to take part in the growing patriotic movement. P43. -
Attended First Continental Congress in Philadelphia
In the summer of 1774, Adams was asked to join the Continental Congress. He was one of four representatives from Massachusetts. P45. -
Defended Declaration of Independence to Congress
Adams was appointed by the second Continental Congress to serve on a committee to draw up the Declaration of Independence. His job was to defend the Declaration before congress. P50 -
Headed Congressional Board of War During Revolutionary War
He did great quantities of committee work and paperwork in Philadelphia. One of his acts was to recommend George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. P52. -
Went To France To Make Treaties and Trade Agreements
After only a few months at home in Braintree he was asked to go to France. He could only take his son John Quincy with him. P55. -
Negotiated Loan with Dutch Government
He negotiated a treaty in which Holland recognized the independence of the United States. He also managed to get a loan for the new country from the Dutch Banks. P60. -
Helped Make Peace Between England and the United States
The treaty negotiations were held in Paris and most of the details had been worked out by November of 1782. Adams' major contribution was the clause that gave the Americans the freedom to fish in the fishing-grounds off Newfoundland. P62 -
Served as First American Ambassador to England
He received his wish and became the first American ambassador to England. However, he did not especially enjoy his time in England. -
Vice-President
Served under George Washington as first Vice-President of the United States. When he returned home from England he was regarded as a important public figure which helped him when he was running. -
Elected as Second President of the United States
During his Presidency he made peace with France and established Department of the Navy. He was the first president to live in the White House. -
Lost Re-election
He came in third in his attempt for a second term. He was blamed for the break up of the Federal Party. -
Wife Passes Away
The hardest blow that Adams experienced in his later years was the death of his wife Abigail. She died when she was 54 years old. -
His Death
He died on July 4, the 50th anniversary of the country. He died on the same day as Thomas Jefferson. John Adams last words were "Thomas Jefferson still lives."
