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Profiles in History
   
Historical Document Auction 63
3. Adams, John. Autograph letter signed (“John Adams”), 2 pages (7.6 x 9.25 in.; 193 x 235 mm.), 23 February 1814, Quincy, 
Massachusetts, to William Adams, Esq., of Chelmsford, Mass., a town some 45 miles northwest of Quincy, near Lowell. Some bleed-
through; overall, in good condition with minor age toning. 
Former President John Adams traces his family history back six generations to 1680!
My Father was John Adams, who died in 1761, his Father was Joseph Adams who died in 1737, his 
Grandfather was Joseph Adams who died at advanced Age about 1680, his great Grandfather was Henry 
Adams who came from England with Eight Sons…
Adams pens in full: Sir My late Neighbour, Mr. Caleb Hayden has presented me in your Name some handsome wheat of the growth of your Estate, 
and pray you to accept my best Thanks. If I live, I shall cultivate this wheat by way of experiment, according to the best of my knowledge, but have very 
little confidence in any skill in this Neighborhood in this kind of village. How is it that Quincy and Chelmesford should be Rivals? We thought ours was 
possession of the richest granite in the Country till you ‘drove us out of date.’ But enough of this. As I claim a relation of consanguinity to you, though it 
must be somewhat remote I should be glad to be informed of its degree. My Father was John Adams, who died in 1761, his Father was Joseph Adams 
who died in 1737, his Grandfather was Joseph Adams who died at advanced Age about 1680, his great Grandfather was Henry Adams who came from 
England with Eight Sons, one of whom returned to England, two of whom went to Chelmesford, four of whom went to Midfield, and Joseph the eldest 
alone remained with his Father in Quincy then called Mount Wollaston, I, the fifth generation am soon to be buried, with the four that preceded me, in 
this Town where I have already buried the Sixth and Seventh generation before me. Will you be so good as to inform me whether there are any Records 
of your Town, Precinct, Parish or Church, or any Family Deeds, Wills Contracts or traditions by which it can be ascertained. What were the Names of the 
two Brothers who went from Mount Wollaston or Braintree to Chelmesford, who built the first Church and the first Mills in that Town, and the date of 
the Erection of those Buildings? Twenty Eight years are too great an Age for Travel. Other wise I would make you a visit. You are young enough to travel 
with ease and pleasure. I should be happy to receive a Visit from you, and talk over all we know of Family Antiquities. I am, Sir, very respectfully your 
Relation And obliged humble Servant John Adams
The first Adams ancestor to arrive in the colonies was his great-great-grandfather Henry Adams, a farmer and brewer, who left 
Somersetshire, England, with his wife, Edith Squire Adams, and some nine children to settle in Braintree, Mass, by 1640. $6,000 - $8,000

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4. Adams, John Quincy. Presentation copy of his Eulogy on 
James Monroe signed (“J.Q. Adams”), Boston: J.H. Eastburn, City 
Printer, 1831, 100 pp. (6.25 x 9.5 in.; 159 x 241 mm.) The full 
title is Mr. Adams’s  Eulogy on the Life and Character of James Monroe, 
Fifth President of the United States. Delivered at the Request of the 
Corporation of the City of Boston, on the 25
th
 of August, 1831. By John 
Quincy Adams. Inscribed by Adams on the front wrapper, Dr. David 
Hosack With the Respects of J. Q. Adams. Separations on the original 
wrappers with scattered foxing. Housed in a custom linen slipcase. 
John Quincy Adams’ greatest diplomatic service was his role as 
Secretary of State during James Monroe’s two terms as President. 
In that role, Adams suggested and outlined the Monroe Doctrine, 
establishing one of the major foundations of all future American 
foreign policy. Adams’ views concerning territorial expansion 
guided President Monroe’s policies, including Adams’ brilliant 
diplomacy with Spain which led to the Adams-Onís Treaty of 
1819 which was largely responsible for the acquisition of Florida 
and the U.S. assumption of Spain’s claim to the Oregon country. 
$3,000 - $5,000
5. Adams, John Quincy. Autograph letter signed (“John Quincy 
Adams”), as U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1 page (7.8 x 
9.8 in.; 198 x 249 mm.), Washington, 19 December 1842, to the 
gentlemen of the Committee of the New England Society: Thomas 
Fessenden, Edward J. Gould, Lyman Draper, Edmund Coffin, and 
Elijah H. Kimball. Slight soiling; edges tipped to another border.
The Plymouth rock – reposing on the rock of ages – Fire Water 
and Acid proof
Adams writes in full: Fellow Citizens, My attendance on public duties 
assigned to me by the children of those pilgrims who in 1620 landed upon 
that wilderness, which they taught to blossom like the rose, deprives me of 
the pleasure, which your kind and cordial invitation tenders me, of writing 
with you, in that form of devotion to their memory and of reverence for 
their character which blends the generous dispensation of the hospitable 
board, with the enjoyment of convivial festivity. Gladly would I share it 
with you and propose as a sentiment congenial to the spirit of the day. The 
Plymouth rock – reposing on the rock of ages – Fire Water and Acid proof. 
Respectfully, your friend and fellow Citizen John Quincy Adams.
Stirring content from the 6
th
 President of the U.S., paying homage 
to our forbears, the Mayflower pilgrims. $800 - $1,200

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