On November 1, 1800, 65-year-old President John Adams took up residence in the unfinished Executive Mansion in Washington, DC, only a few days before the quadrennial election.

The White House…

 …was neither “white” (it was sandstone), nor would it be formally called The White House for another century.

Nevertheless, it was the largest private residence in the country at the time, and despite the mud and the bricks and the wood and the workmen and the dogs, cats and pigs roaming about, a leaky roof and drafty fireplaces, it promised to be a very nice place. But not then.

President John Adams had been temporarily living at Tunicliffe’s City Hotel in Washington for a few months, punctuated by several weeks back in Massachusetts. On his second lonely night in the President’s Mansion, JA wrote to his wife Abigail (due to arrive sometime later), ”I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under this roof.”

Wagons of personal furnishings had arrived, and more would follow, since Presidents were expected to bring their own furniture, along with their personal belongings. Once Abigail Adams arrived, it began to look more comfortable, despite its inconveniences, which she duly outlined to her daughter, all the while cautioning her not to share those matters with others.  

The Adamses only lived there until March 4, 1801. The beleaguered President had staked his reputation on avoiding a war with either England or France, opting instead to strengthen naval resources as a long-term protection. History acknowledges the effort and the wisdom, but the voters of 1800 did not grant Adams a second term.

Vice President Thomas Jefferson was elected the third US President. 

The Bitter Winter

The four months of the Adams’ residence were not happy ones. The election was not even close and Jefferson, a close friend for two decades, had served as Vice President for the past four years, despite many personal and private political differences. JA had truly tried to act consistently in the country’s best interest.

Abigail’s nephew William Shaw moved in to serve as Adams’ secretary. Sickly, but considered a brilliant intellectual, Shaw inherited the Adams-Smith acerbic disposition, but did an decent job, despite his problem with alcohol. 

The Adams’ eldest son John Quincy Adams, newly married and about to be a father, was still in Europe. Their second son, Charles, had died a pathetic death a year earlier at only 30 (of alcohol and depression), leaving his wife and two small daughters to fend for themselves. Abigail took them in, and they were living back in Quincy. Their third son, Thomas, having become a half-hearted attorney, was floundering. Their only daughter, Nabby, was in a difficult marriage.

Nevertheless, the “people” had spoken, and the Adamses were obliged to bite their lips (always difficult for both), and be gracious. They continued to represent the Presidency, and entertain politicians and diplomats as expected. Among their personal possessions brought to the mansion were the fine dinner service, flatware and glassware they had purchased during their time in Europe, a dozen years earlier. They would always do their duties.

The Touchy President

John Adams was an inveterate diarist. It was a lifelong habit, shared by all who bore the Adams name – for four generations. Both John and Abigail Adams documented their thoughts and emotions to the private eyes of their silent ”correspondent.” Happily, most of those diaries, along with letters and other documents, have been preserved for posterity.

Ah, but in reading those diaries (in particular), one realizes how sensitive John Adams was to a) all his long list of perceived faults, and b) his poor perception by his fellow citizens – especially when compared to others.

He never completely rose above his envy of the two tall, better looking, patrician, and physically imposing Virginians who were then and inexorably, linked with him. George Washington was six-foot-one (or two), solidly built with a commanding presence. Thomas Jefferson, a few years younger, was also over six feet tall, slender, good looking, with an elegant, classic bearing.

Poor John, perhaps 5’7, portly and balding, was no Adonis. He was never more than middle class. And elegance was not a word associated with any Adams.

And now, in 1801, Jefferson, his close companion and ”one of the choice” (according to Abigail), had practically siphoned his presidency away from him. Adams had lost not only the election, but a good friend.

New Year’s Day, 1801

Twelve years earlier, George Washington, a brand new President of a brand new Country, established a tradition that lasted 150 years. On New Year’s Day (and 4th of July, too!) the doors of the Presidential Mansion would be thrown open to any and all (who were properly dressed and well behaved) and wished to shake the President’s hand and pay respects. It had become a popular tradition, worthy of being continued. Adams had been happy to receive well-wishers at his rented mansion in Philadelphia for three New Years Day receptions.

Now the first lame-duck president, John Adams continued the tradition, opened the doors of the uncompleted Executive Mansion in the Federal City that bore Washington’s name, and greeted citizens who were willing to stand in line, despite the cold, the mud, and the other inconveniences of a building-in-situ. 

Epilogue:

In 1945, another President, popular, but in failing health, beleaguered by a Great Depression and a Great World War, had John Adams’ prayer etched into the fireplace in the State Dining Room.

Sources:

Ellis, Joseph J. – Passionate Sage – W.W. Norton Co., 1993

McCullough, David – John Adams – Simon & Schuster, 2001

Shepard, Jack – The Adams Chronicles – Little Brown, 1975

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/white-house-tour/state-dining-room

https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/john-adams

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/john-and-abigail-adams-a-tradition-begins