John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, on October 30, 1735. He was named after his father, John Adams, who was a deacon and a farmer. He was also the cousin of Samuel Adams, a writer and revolutionist. Adams had two younger brothers, Peter and Elihu. He attended Harvard in 1751 and graduated 1755. Adams taught school and studied law in Worcester and Boston. In 1762, he began to practice law and became very successful. In 1764 John Adams married Abigail Smith, who was a well educated patriotic woman.
In 1761, John Adams wrote and acted against British measures that he believed infringed on the colonies' rights. …
