John Adams, the second President of the United States, fathered three children with his wife Abigail Adams. They were Abigail "Nabby" Adams Smith, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Boylston Adams. This overview states clearly how many kids did John Adams have and provides verified details on each child and their families.
John Adams's three children
Abigail "Nabby" Adams Smith
Born July 14, 1765, Abigail "Nabby" Adams Smith was the Adams's firstborn. She married William Stephens Smith and had four children. She died in 1813.
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams, born July 11, 1767, followed his father into public service, becoming the sixth President of the United States. He married Louisa Catherine Johnson and had two sons.
Thomas Boylston Adams
Thomas Boylston Adams, born September 15, 1772, pursued careers in law and diplomacy. He married Ann Harrod and had seven children.
| Child | Birth–Death | Offspring |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail "Nabby" Adams Smith | 1765–1813 | 4 children |
| John Quincy Adams | 1767–1848 | 2 sons |
| Thomas Boylston Adams | 1772–1832 | 7 children |
Biographical context and family background
John Adams and Abigail Smith married in 1764. Their children were born and raised amid the political turbulence of the Revolutionary era. John Quincy Adams is the most well-known, carrying the family legacy into the presidency. All three children married and established their own families, contributing to the broader Adams political lineage.
Common questions about John Adams's family
- Did John Adams have any daughters? No; all three of his children were sons.
- How many grandchildren did John Adams have? He had at least 13 grandchildren through his three children.
- Did John Adams survive his children? He and Abigail both lost children; Abigail "Nabby" died in 1813, and John Quincy Adams died after John Adams in 1848.
Legacy of the Adams family
The Adams family shaped early American politics across multiple generations. Understanding how many kids did John Adams have helps contextualize the roots of the influential Adams political family and its enduring impact on U.S. history.