Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/266

Rh John Quincy Adams was the ablest and most learned man who had ever occupied the Presidential chair up to that time. Mrs. Adams was equally endowed with superior natural talents, nobility of character and rare accomplishments. And while they had appreciated the honors conferred upon them by the people of their beloved country, on account of personal bereavements and the onerous duties of public life they gladly retired to private life on the expiration of Mr. Adams' Presidential term. But they were not destined to enjoy private life long. The people of the Plymouth District insisted upon Mr. Adams representing them in Congress. He took his seat December 31. On account of advancing age they took little part in the gayeties of Washington, living quietly in their own house, on I street. In November, 1846, Mr. Adams suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never fully recovered. He, however, continued to discharge his duties, with intervals of protracted illness until the 21st of February, 1848. While in his seat in the House he had a relapse, and after being removed to the Speaker's room he lingered until the 23rd, when he passed away. Mrs. Adams, though very weak and ill, stayed beside her husband, soothing him until the last.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams had four children, three sons and one daughter: George Washington Adams, their eldest, born in Berlin, April 12, 1801; John Adams, born in Boston, July 4, 1803; Charles Francis Adams, born in Boston in 1807; Louisa Catherine Adams, born in St. Petersburg, August 12, 1811, and died there the following year.

After Mr. Adams' death Mrs. Adams returned to Quincy, Massachusetts, where she lived in retirement, surrounded by her children and relatives, until her death, on the 14th of May, 1852. She was buried beside her husband in the family burying place. She is remembered as one of the most remarkable women who has ever graced the White House