John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts. His father was John Adams and his mother was Susanna Boylston Adams. He was a brilliant thinker and he played a highly important role in the establishment of our country.  Mr. Adams was a graduate of Harvard College and he served as our nation’s 2^nd President from March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1801. He sought to be re-elected in 1800, but his good friend and Vice-President, Thomas Jefferson narrowly defeated him.

     Mr. Adams was a lawyer. He was also a member of The Continental Congress, Commissioner to France, Minister to The Netherlands, Minister to England and the first Vice-President of The United States, under President George Washington.

     John Adams married Abigail Smith in 1764. They had five children: Abigail, John, Susanna, Charles and Thomas. Their first-born son, John Quincy Adams, would grow up to become our sixth President. The Adams family was the very first to live in The White House. President Adams was the great-great-grandson of Pilgrims, John and Priscilla Alden, who had landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. He was one of only two future Presidents to have actually signed The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

     President John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – the 50^th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence. He was 90. His last words were: “Thomas Jefferson survives!”