In a time when women were not allowed to vote or to contribute to state matters, John and Abigail were a rather different couple-their marriage was built on trust and respect. Adams was fond of his beloved wife who he referred to as Portia. The Adams constantly wrote each other letters when apart sometimes more than five letters a day. The letters, however, were not direct correspondence to each other due to the limitations of travel. Their preferred topics ranged from politics, economics, health, and even military strategies.
The Adams began writing letters to each other when John went to Philadelphia. John would send letters to his beloved posing questions regarding the political contentions in the year 1774. Abigail would respond by giving John advice on political strategies and her own reaction to the current news reports in the newspaper. The two would exchange different ideas but in a coded manner as they feared their letters would be read. When John became president in 1797, their correspondence continued. In one Abigail’s letters, she expressed her distresses about being the First Lady and the effect on their lives.
Their letters to each other continued throughout the four years in office. Abigail became famous for supporting her husband’s policies through her public letters. During this time the White House was still under construction, so Abigail became the first, First Lady to live in the White House.
