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John Adams

Position: Federalist

State: Massachusetts

Occupations: Teacher; farmer; lawyer; surveyor; selectman; writer

Background: John Adams was born in October 30, 1735 in Braintree (now known as Quincy), Massachusetts. Adams could trace his ancestry to some of the first people to come to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This reinforced a standard Adams felt he was to live up to despite a modest economic background. Adams’ father was a farmer and deacon, and desired for his son to pursue a clerical position after gaining a BA from Harvard (left for school at 16). Adams would have no part in that and instead pursued a career in law after a short season as a teacher. Adams would become a prominent lawyer and played possibly the largest role in setting the colonies on a revolutionary path. Adams’ preamble to the constitution set the stage for the Declaration of Independence. Adams was neither present at the Philadelphia Convention nor the Massachusetts State Ratifying Convention. His absence was due to years spent in Europe negotiating treaties and would become the first U.S. minister to England. However, Adams would write supporting the intent to strengthen government through the Philadelphia Convention and would come back home eager to play a role in this new government.

References: Abigail Smith Adams George Washington Thomas Jefferson

Sources: "The Federalist (Dawson)/50." - En.wikisource.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013 "John Adams Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. "Miller Center." American President: John Adams: A Life in Brief. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. Smith, Carter. Presidents: All You Need to Know. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. Print.