John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Vv 
eight sons emigrated to Massachusetts in 1630, having buried 
his wife in England, and established himself at Mount Wollaston, 
then a part of Boston; and his maternal ancestor was John Alden, 
who was among the first one hundred and one, who landed at 
Plymouth on the 22d of December, 1620. He was in the third 
generation from the youngest of the sons above mentioned. He 
was born of John and Susannah Boylston Adams, in that part of 
Braintree which is now Quincy, on the 30th of October, 1735. 
His parents subsisted by the care and cultivation of a small 
farm, and were held in respect for their good sense and excellent 
qualities. The son of a New-England yeoman, of such a 
standing and character, would be trained, from his earliest age, to 
simple habits of living, and be accustomed, as he became capable 
of exertion, to regular employment, to attendance at school, and 
to religious observances in the family and at church. 
Possessing a healthy and active frame, and a relish of nature, 
Mr. Adams showed in boyhood a willingness to enter upon the 
vocation of a farmer. His father however saw indications of 
mental vigor and of a love of books, which pointed to a different 
walk of life, and encouraged him to go to College with a view to 
a liberal profession. The son readily acceded to the parental 
suggestion, and studied under Mr. Joseph Marsh, who kept a 
classical school in the neighbourhood, where some of the children 
of families of distinction were placed for instruction. With limited 
means, he accomplished his four years at Harvard College. 
During his connexion with the seminary he applied himself 
laboriously to his studies, without neglecting his health, held a 
distinguished literary rank, enjoyed the high esteem of the faculty 
and students, and formed some valuable friendships, which extend- 
ed to after-life. The prescribed course of study at a place set 
