John Adams, the second President of the United States, often stands in the shadow of more flamboyant figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. However, this Founding Father was a fascinating and principled man with a life full of surprising twists and turns. Beyond his pivotal role in the American Revolution and early republic, Adams possessed a character rich with intriguing details. Let’s delve into some Fun Facts About John Adams that reveal the lesser-known aspects of this key historical figure.
1. The Boston Massacre Defender
While John Adams was a staunch advocate for American independence and a critic of unfair British taxation, he was also a firm believer in the rule of law and justice. This commitment to principle was strikingly demonstrated after the infamous Boston Massacre in March 1770. Following the tragic event where British soldiers killed five colonists, Adams, a respected lawyer deeply involved with the Sons of Liberty, took on the unpopular task of defending the accused soldiers.
Understanding that every individual, even unpopular ones, deserved a fair trial, Adams volunteered his legal expertise. He argued that the soldiers acted in self-defense against a hostile and provocative crowd, famously describing it as a “motley rabble.” In a stunning outcome, Adams secured acquittals for seven of the nine soldiers, including Captain Thomas Preston, the officer in charge. The two soldiers convicted of manslaughter received lenient punishments – branding on their thumbs instead of imprisonment. This courageous act, though potentially damaging to his public image at the time, showcased Adams’ unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, even amidst intense political passions.
2. A Prolific Pen Pal
John Adams was not only a brilliant political mind but also a gifted and prolific writer. He understood the power of communication and diligently maintained correspondence throughout his life. Among his most treasured relationships was with his wife, Abigail Adams. Their enduring love story is richly documented through over 1,100 letters exchanged between them. Separated for extended periods due to Adams’ political duties, their letters became a vital lifeline, filled with personal affection, political insights, and intellectual discussions.
These letters, remarkably preserved in archives, offer historians an unparalleled glimpse into the personal and political landscape of the Revolutionary era and early America. In stark contrast, only a handful of letters from George Washington to his wife Martha have survived, making the Adams correspondence a uniquely valuable historical treasure. Their letters reveal not only the depth of their personal bond but also Abigail’s significant intellectual contributions and political acumen, solidifying her place as a remarkable figure in her own right.
3. Author of the World’s Oldest Constitution
John Adams’ legacy extends beyond the presidency to his profound impact on constitutionalism. He was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution, ratified in 1780, a document of enduring significance. Remarkably, it is the oldest written constitution still in active use in the world today. Adams meticulously crafted this document, structuring it into chapters, sections, and articles, a framework that later served as a direct model for the United States Constitution.
Furthermore, the Massachusetts Constitution’s Declaration of Rights was groundbreaking for its time. It meticulously listed individual liberties, including freedom of the press and freedom of worship. These rights were not merely abstract concepts but were explicitly articulated and enshrined in law, prefiguring the federal Bill of Rights and profoundly influencing the development of American civil liberties. Adams’ constitutional work in Massachusetts laid a crucial foundation for the principles of governance and individual rights that define the American republic.
4. First White House Resident
When the nation’s capital moved from Philadelphia to the newly established Washington, D.C., in 1800, John Adams had the unique distinction of being the first president to reside in the White House, then known as the President’s House. Arriving on June 3, 1800, Adams encountered a city still very much under construction. The President’s House was far from complete, initially forcing him to take temporary residence at Tunnicliffe’s City Hotel.
Finally moving into the White House on November 1, 1800, Adams found himself in a mansion still reeking of fresh plaster and paint. Despite the discomfort, he embraced his role as the first presidential inhabitant. Fireplaces blazed constantly to combat the pervasive dampness and cold, and First Lady Abigail Adams famously utilized the unfinished East Room to hang laundry. However, Adams’ tenure in the White House was brief. Defeated in the 1800 election, he resided there for just over four months, marking a symbolic but short chapter in the history of the presidential residence.
5. Survived a Nasty Presidential Campaign
Modern negative campaigning might seem harsh, but the 1800 presidential election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was arguably one of the most vitriolic in American history. The contest, pitting Federalist Adams against Democratic-Republican Jefferson, descended into deeply personal and slanderous attacks, far beyond mere policy disagreements.
Jefferson’s campaign unleashed a barrage of propaganda, labeling Adams a “hideous hermaphroditical character” and absurdly accusing him of importing prostitutes and plotting to marry a son to a daughter of King George III to establish an American monarchy. Adams’ supporters retaliated with equal fervor, branding Jefferson a coward, a radical French sympathizer, and an atheist who would confiscate Bibles and allow “the refuse of Europe” to overrun America. Abigail Adams herself lamented the campaign’s poisonous atmosphere, fearing it would corrupt the very moral fabric of the nation. This election serves as a stark reminder that mudslinging in politics is far from a modern invention.
6. Blamed Defeat on a Day of Fasting
John Adams, a man of strong opinions, even had a unique theory for why he lost the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson. He attributed his defeat, at least in part, to his proclamations of national days of fasting and prayer in 1798 and 1799. In an 1812 letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, Adams explicitly stated, “The National Fast, recommended by me turned me out of office.”
His reasoning was that such proclamations were misconstrued as government endorsement of a particular religion, specifically Presbyterianism, even though Adams himself was not Presbyterian. He believed this perception fueled a backlash among voters who feared government overreach in religious matters. While blaming an election loss on a proclamation might seem unconventional, historical analysis suggests it might not be entirely unfounded. As David McCullough noted in his biography of Adams, a mere shift of 250 votes in New York City could have changed the election outcome, suggesting that even seemingly minor issues could have swayed the results.
7. Died on the Same Day as Thomas Jefferson
In a remarkable and poignant historical coincidence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two towering figures of the American Revolution and former political rivals, died on the very same day: July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document both had signed. After years of political opposition, they had rekindled their friendship in their later years, exchanging thoughtful letters and reflecting on their shared history.
On his deathbed, the 90-year-old Adams uttered his last words, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” Unbeknownst to him, Jefferson had passed away just five hours earlier at Monticello at the age of 83. The simultaneous deaths of these two Founding Fathers on such a significant anniversary captivated the nation, symbolizing the end of an era. With their passing, only one signatory of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll, remained alive.
8. Wanted a Royal Title for the President
In the early days of the presidency, even seemingly minor details like the president’s title sparked significant debate. John Adams, serving as Vice President under George Washington, believed that the office of the president required a grand title to command respect on the world stage, comparable to European monarchies. He famously suggested titles like “His Majesty the President” or “His Highness, the President of the United States of America, and Protector of the Rights of the Same.”
However, in a nation that had just overthrown a monarchy, such regal titles were met with considerable resistance. Many Americans found them far too reminiscent of royalty and incompatible with republican ideals. Congress ultimately decided on the simple and unadorned title “The President of the United States.” Adams’ suggestions were mocked by his political opponents, who derisively nicknamed him “His Rotundity,” playing on both his preference for grand titles and his physical stature.
9. Founded a Top Scientific Society
John Adams was a man of intellect and deeply valued education and knowledge. A Harvard graduate, he strongly believed in the importance of science and the arts for a thriving republic. This conviction was reflected in the Massachusetts Constitution, which he drafted, explicitly including public support for scientific and artistic pursuits.
In 1779, further demonstrating his commitment, Adams proposed the establishment of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This institution, which still flourishes today, serves as a prestigious forum for intellectual exchange and a catalyst for innovative ideas across diverse fields. According to Tom Shachtman’s book “Gentlemen Scientists and Revolutionaries,” Adams considered the founding of the academy to be one of his proudest achievements, highlighting his dedication to fostering intellectual and scientific progress in the new nation.
10. No Monument in Washington, D.C. (Until Recently)
Despite his significant contributions to the founding and early development of the United States, for a long time, John Adams lacked a dedicated monument in Washington, D.C., unlike his presidential predecessors and successors, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. While authorized by Congress in 2001 to construct an Adams Memorial to honor the second president and his family, including his son, sixth president John Quincy Adams, the project faced numerous hurdles.
Site selection, design approvals, and fundraising efforts proved to be lengthy and complex. However, after years of planning and advocacy, the Adams Memorial is finally moving forward. While it wasn’t a reality for many years, plans are now in motion to erect a monument that will properly recognize the Adams family’s profound impact on American history in the nation’s capital.
Conclusion
John Adams’ life was filled with fascinating details that go beyond the standard textbook portrayal. From his courageous defense of British soldiers to his vast correspondence with Abigail, from his constitutional authorship to his unique perspectives on politics and religion, Adams emerges as a complex, principled, and deeply human figure. These fun facts offer a glimpse into the man behind the historical figure, revealing why John Adams remains a compelling and important figure in American history. To delve deeper into the lives of US Presidents, explore documentaries and series available on HISTORY Vault.
