Historical Wedding Bells Toll ~ for John and Abigail

On October 25th, wedding bells will toll for John and Abigail Adams two hundred and forty-three years to the day that John and Abigail married in Abigail's childhood home.  Although not in her home, this reenactment will take place at the First Church in South Weymouth - it's a wedding I will not miss.

The National Park Service and the Abigail Adams Historical Society are preparing a daylong series of activities designed to recreate the day the nation's second president and his bride were wed.  

"It was a love affair between two indiduals, not stagnant dead people from over 200 years ago", said Caroline Keinath, deputy superintendent Of Adams National Historical Park in Quincy.  "They were people who lived and breathed, who appreciated one another, who had dreams and used beautiful language to express their love for one another." 

Having read Lynne Withey's "Dearest Friend:  A Life of Abigail Adams" in August as well as my visit to the Adams' Historical Houses following the read I am enchanted and facinated with both the private as well as the public face of this eighteenth century woman.  She was incredibly devoted to her husband throughout their fifty-four year marriage despite their long term separations.  For the most part, Abigail stayed in Quincy while John was traveling first to Philadelphia and then to Europe on behalf of this young nation.  Through their letters, one senses a deep love and respect for one another.  I also admire how intelligent, resourceful and outspoken she was in the cause of slave emancipation and women's rights.  She perhaps is America's first feminist. 

 The re-enactment will begin at 10 a.m. at the Abigail Adams House at 180 Norton Street and continue to the First Church, where the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.  Seating there will be first come, first served.  I'm sure Abigail would have liked that arrangement!  A noon toast with cider and cake is planned for the couple at the John Quincy Adams birthplace in Quincy.