John Adams' Life

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Quincy, Massachusetts. He attended school at a local academy. When he was 16 he attended Harvard University and graduated in 1755. Adams began practicing law three years later. He married Abigail Smith in 1764. Together they had four children. In 1765 Adams wrote letters in the Boston Gazette protesting the Stamp Act imposed by the British Government that would tax public newspapers, playing cards, documents, licenses, and insurance policies. Adams was elected to the Congress in 1774 and served in that capacity until 1777. He established his reputation as a champion of individual rights. He was one of the first to favor independence from Great Britain and in 1775 he recommended George Washington to be commander-in-chief of the new Continental Army. He was appointed minister to the Netherlands in 1780. he successfully arranged loan and trade agreements between France, the Netherlands, and America. Adams traveled to Paris, France in 1782  to negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain, ending the Revolutionary War. He served as minister to Great Britain in 1785 until 1788 when he was elected Vice President.  Adams served as Vice President for two terms until he was elected President of the United States in 1797 at the age of 61. John and Abigail Adams were the first ones to occupy the White House. It was undecorated and littered with building debris. Adams served as President for only one term. He lost the re-election bid to Thomas Jefferson. He returned to Quincy, Massachusetts where he enjoyed reading and writing essays. He died there on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth approval of the Declaration of Independence. Note: John Adams was President from 1797 through 1801 and the Vice President was Thomas Jefferson.