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A lawyer and fiercely independent man who had a reverence for the law and personal liberty. A delegate to the first and second Continental Congress and the leading advocate for independence, Adams was a man marked by contradictions. His Yankee humility and frugality were at odds with his ambition and desire for renown, and his commitment to intellectual rigor was sometimes at odds with his zest for life. His ally in all of his endeavors was his wife and closest confidante Abigail, who raised their four children. Adams was named Minister Plenipotentiary to France and America's first Minister to the Court of St. James's; elected the first Vice President and second President of the United States; and, incredibly, died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence - the same day as Thomas Jefferson.

John Adams' beloved wife and indispensable advisor for 54 years. Educated entirely at home, she was intelligent, tender, sensible, and as avid about learning as her husband. During Adams' long absences, the devoted, courageous Abigail managed the family, farm and finances under the duress of wartime. She joined her husband for a time in Europe, where she delighted in the arts and culture and formed a close bond with Thomas Jefferson. Abigail abhorred slavery and the inequality of women and proved to be one of the most involved and effective first ladies ever.

A delegate to the first Continental Congress from Virginia. Washington was nominated to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army by Adams, and subsequently led the Americans to victory over the British after the long, costly struggle of the American Revolutionary War. Elected the first President of the United States, Washington set the standard for America's Chief Executive and provided an all-important symbol of unity in a time of growing political divisiveness. During his presidency, Washington often consulted Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, but to his great frustration, usually ignored Adams. He left the Presidency after two terms to return to his home at Mount Vernon.

Anne-Catherine de Ligniville d'Autricourt married the philosopher Helvétius in 1751. She was a descendant of Austrian nobility known by her married name, Madame Helvétius. Outgoing, exuberant and earthy, she maintained a salon which featured many of the great figures of the Enlightenment for over five decades.

Daughter and eldest child of John and Abigail Adams. Wise and mature, Nabby provided comfort and support to Abigail during Adams' frequent long absences. Married Col. William Smith, a former officer in the Continental Army and private secretary to John Adams during his service as first ambassador to the Court of St. James's.

Adams's cousin and the leader of the rebellious pro-independence Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams recruited John Adams to the "great and common cause" of American liberty. He joined his cousin as one of the delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence.

A delegate to the second Continental Congress and, at Adams' insistence, author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, too, was a man marked by contradictions. His attraction to the sophisticated offerings of European cities was at odds with his belief in the yeoman farmer as the wellspring of virtue; his instinctive support of rebellion was at odds with his tendency to avoid personal conflict; and his aristocratic upbringing and his position as a leading Virginia landowner and slaveholder were at odds with his belief in individual rights and equality. He grew apart from Adams as their beliefs on the direction of America's government diverged, and served as Adams' contentious Vice President and as the third President of the United States.

Timothy Pickering was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles, most notably as the third United States Secretary of State, serving in that office from 1795 to 1800 under Presidents George Washington and John Adams. After disputes with President John Adams over Adams's plan to make peace with France, Pickering was dismissed from office in May 1800.

Eldest son of John and Abigail Adams. A very intelligent boy, he traveled with his father to France and the Netherlands during the Revolution. At age 14, John Quincy was selected to serve as an interpreter for the American emissary to the court of Catherine the Great at St. Petersburg. Trained in the law, he served as: ambassador to the Netherlands under George Washington; United States Senator; Secretary of State; and sixth President of the United States.

Tory Attorney General for Massachusetts colony and a long-time friend of Adams. Impressed with Adams' defense of the British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre trial, Sewall offered him a position with the crown, which Adams refused. Sewall left for London at the start of the Revolution. He never returned to America.

Represented Pennsylvania in the first Continental Congress. A learned and respected Philadelphia attorney, Dickinson strongly supported colonial rights, but was also the leading advocate of reconciliation with Great Britain. He was Adams's chief opponent in the debate over independence. After independence was declared, Dickinson served as an officer in the Continental Army.

A Pennsylvania delegate to the second Continental Congress, the witty and politically shrewd Franklin helped Adams steer the colonies toward a unanimous declaration of independence from Great Britain. As ministers to France however, Franklin and Adams often clashed over their negotiating strategy and style, leading to Adams' departure from the French Court. Franklin's enormous popularity continually aroused Adams's jealousy.

Served as George Washington's aide de camp during the Revolutionary War. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was President Washington's closest political and military advisor. Hamilton advocated the establishment of a strong central government, a national bank and the formation of an American army. His frequent clashes with Thomas Jefferson over the most fundamental political questions led to the establishment of the two-party system in American politics. His vitriolic attack on Adams during the 1800 election may have cost Adams the presidency.

Physician, writer, educator, and Humanitarian, Rush was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a strong proponent of Pennsylvania's adoption of a new federal Constitution in 1787. Today, Rush is best known as the man who helped reconcile Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in 1812.

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Nabby Adams / Abigail Adams Smith

Played by Sarah Polley

About the Series

John Adams (HBO)

Featured Characters

See All

John Adams

Abigail Adams

George Washington

Madame Helvétius

Nabby Adams / Abigail Adams Smith

Sam Adams

Thomas Jefferson

Timothy Pickering

John Quincy Adams

Jonathan Sewall

John Dickinson

Benjamin Franklin

Alexander Hamilton

Dr. Benjamin Rush

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