Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both died on July 4th, 1826.
Adams was 90, Jefferson, 82.
They had been friends, foes, then friends again much of their adult lives.
Adams was the one who coaxed Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence insisting, he was the better writer of the two.
So at 33 years-old, Thomas Jefferson penned our nation’s greatest document, ratified on July 4th, 1776, now resting nobly at the National Archives in Washington D.C. with 56 humble signatures poignantly attached.
They weren’t religious men, Jefferson a deist, believing in a creator based on reason rather than the supernatural. He was a scientist after all, while Adams believed in Unitarianism, one God for all. One could say, Tom was the more lighthearted of the two, a liberal in his day, while his pal, in comparison, was buttoned-up in his beliefs.
In other words, Tom could be the life of the party.
After both being president, what would they have to say to what’s going on today?
Jefferson would no doubt take it better, reminding us we’ve weathered worse and this too shall pass.
Adams, on the other hand, would be crunching Tums complaining to his wife Abigail, especially about the children being separated from their parents.
Abigail, the Hillary Clinton of her time, would remind him, she too was separated from her eldest son, John Quincy, that would shut John up pretty fast being the one who took him away from her.
“I was very stoic John, but broken-hearted.”
Who’s she kidding, Hillary, I mean Abigail, was tough as nails and pushed John Quincy to go, priming him for greatness, that we of course benefited from.
Speaking of Mrs. Adams, she was the one who brought about the reconciliation with Jefferson, launching a golden correspondence that can be read today, revealing in their twilight years, how life’s minutiae just doesn’t much matter at its end.
Adam’s last words were, Jefferson survives, even though unbeknownst to him, his friend had already taken flight.
No one was quite sure of Jefferson’s last words, but clearly his room was ready first, no surprise there. Maybe he’s at the Jefferson Hotel in D.C. named for him, and John, the Hay Adams, named for his great-grandson, Henry.
Hey, stranger things have happened.
Happy Independence Day Tom and John, wherever you happen to be.
John Adams Thomas Jefferson
SB
Susannah, I enjoyed your comparisons. Made me remember how much of politics repeats itself. Let me know if you come across any patriotic spirits. Have a happy fourth and try to stay cool.
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Wouldn’t that be something, to have Tom or John appear in your living room to discuss a few things. When asked to give a quote to commemorate the 4th a few days before he died, Adams said…Independence forever.
Despite everything Skinny, we’re still the luckiest people on the planet to live in such a glorious, free country. It doesn’t matter who’s at the helm. Happy 4th to you and Pookie=Pie.
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No doubt John and Tom have been spinning in their graves for some time now. I’m encouraging them to do a good old-fashioned haunting down in D.C. Happy 4th of July Grasshopper!
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To you too Top. I’m sure they haunt those hallowed halls of Congress, twisting arms quietly. In any event, let’s hope so, and furthermore, let freedom ring.
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I think it’s time to turn it up a notch..lol!
Ring on is right.
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I love that song. Google, if you will, Crosby Stills and Nash singing My Country Tis of Thee. You’ll get chills.
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Have a great 4th Susannah! It’s swamp ass hot here so I’m keeping it on the down low. 200 frog eggs in my pond. Obviously this heat is good for something! 🙂 Hail to John and Tom! (and Hillary oops Abigail!)
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To you too Kate. Hot here too but there’s a breeze blowing. I see cats and frogs in bikinis. 🙂
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Wow, I loved this. What a coincidence that they died the same day, on the 50th anniversary of the country. You really make history come alive with your posts, especially those on the presidents. Hope you had a good day yesterday.
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It’s remarkable, isn’t it? The two rainmakers of the Declaration of Independence checking out together. There’s a great book by Andrew Burstein called American Jubilee that recaps beautifully their final hours. Thanks for reading it David. You know how much I love history.
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