John Adams

So,  I already mentioned that I am related to two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence John Adams and John Hart.  It's funny as my Dad's middle name is also John and my name is the nickname for John.  I wanted to get to know these men better.  Funny thing is that just as I'm learning about all this a movie miniseries comes out called.... John Adams.  We got to watch this over the month we were in Boston to Washington D.C.  If you haven't seen it, do!  It's really a great way to learn not just about him but about everything from the Boston Massacre to the making of the Declaration of Independence to the founding fathers.

John Adams from my dad's mom's side of the family, we joke, would need prozac if he were alive today as he stressed a lot!   He also wasn't terribly popular because he worked long and hard and spoke his mind.  He was a great arguer and can become very frustrated with apathetic people...hmmmm.... wonder where I get that from?  He was very smart and a great lawyer and served his country by being a workaholic and dedicated servant.  He sacrificed a lot, including raising his own kids because he was sent to be the first ambassador to England.  He was far from his kids but did our country a great service.   He  and his cousin Sam Adams were really the driving force behind gaining our independence.  It was really interesting to see how just a few men who were brave enough to speak out and then actually work to do something about the problem made such a big impact.  They started the fire that got us into the Revolutionary War and gained our freedom from England's rule.  I wish more people today were like them and believe in their power to change things.  When you see something wrong, instead of just complaining... fix it! Do something to stop or change it! There's a famous quote..."You're either part of the solution or part of the problem." (Leroy) Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1998)  John Adams for all his faults at least tried to find a solution and DID things about it.  He served on 23 of 25 committees at the Continental Congress.  He was a do-er and accomplished a lot of great things including being president and vice president.  I am proud to have him as an ancestor.

John Hart, on my mom's and her mom's side of the family, was a civic leader and was known to all as "Honest John".  He was very active and held many positions in his state of New Jersey including: justice of the peace, county judge and colonial legislator.  During the years of 1774-1776 he was chosen to be in the Continental Congress as one of the delegates.  In disputes with the Royal Governor he opposed stationing of British troops being placed in the colonies and parliamentary taxation. Just after signing the Declaration of Independence he left to become speaker of the lower house of the New Jersey legislature.  When the British troops invaded his town and ruined his home and business he was driven into hiding into the Sourland Mountains and woods.   Later when there was a victory at Princeton and Trenton he came out of exile to find his ill wife had died and his family had scattered.  He went to sit again in the government but became ill himself and died the next year at the age of 69.  He is buried at the First Baptist Church in Hopewell.   


Do any of you have ancestors who signed the Constitution or Declaration of Independence?  Let me know!

Happy Trails!
Jack

Here are a few great John Adams quotes: when he is talking to the french about frivolities of music and art he said this..one of his few times of being diplomatic!

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
John Adams

Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.

No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.
John Adams