Adams became as astute an observer of the political system born out of the Revolutionary
War as any of her husband s colleagues. Although she never pushed the boundaries of
acceptable public behavior for women of her time, her determination to do what had to
be done, did indeed help to shift those boundaries (Lunardini, p.15).
What is actually known about Abigail and John Adams relationship came from
letters written by Abigail over the course of her life, both personal and political. The
political was filled with observations on the status of women in the eighteenth century.
She was very opinionated in her veiws about the wrongness of slavery. When a young
African-American servant boy requested to learn to read and write, Abigail sent him to
the local school (Lunardini, p.16).
Abigail believed as strongly in equal education for girls as she did in equal
education for African-Americans. She wrote often about her belief that girls should be
offered the same education as boys. She was critical of the legal and social status
ascribed to women. This was clearly part of her admonition to John to Remember the
Ladies, and be more generous and favourable 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. At the same time, it was not a plea to include women in public
life, rather to redistribute power within the family. Emancipating all nations, you insist
upon retaining absolute power over Wives. She went on to say that 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
(p. 16).
Abigail Adams undoubtedly thought it humorous to use the same rhetoric that
the Americans used in complaining to the English government, at least to one of the
founding Fathers. But her concerns about the right of women within the family were
serious, and reflected the concerns of may women in the revolutionary era (p. 16).
Mercy Otis Warren and Abigail Smith Adams never changed in their dedication
to the principles of freedom, to the rebellion against British oppression, despite the
ravages and sufferings of war. Mercy wrote to Hannah Winthrop in 1778 that the
capital friends of America in every colony look with indignation and disgust on a man,
whose prime object is the applause of the multitude, and whose vanity leads him to
sacrifice the best interests of his country at the shrine of flattery…While Caesar meditated
triumph over the citizens, and trampled on the liberties of Rome, he squandered gratuities
and scattered largesses among the people…Is not America tainted with all the vices that
stained that ancient Republic (Evens, p. 30)?
Not many women are known for their heroic roles in America s history. There
were many more whose acts have gone unmentioned. All of the women that have
contributed in the effort to bring independence to our country will never receive the
recognition that they were entitled to. Nevertheless, the ones who were documented will
always be prime examples of women s strength, courage, and will to survive.
344