John Adams

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American President 1797-1801 after two terms as the first Vice-President under George Washington. A Federalist, Adams played a leading part in the fight for independence. Graduating from Harvard in 1755, he taught school for three years until being admitted to the bar. In March 1770, he was elected to the Continental Congress. After an illustrious political career, he was elected Vice President under George Washington in 1788. Elected President in 1796, he was sworn into office on 4 March 1797. Adams was the first president to reside in the White House, 1800. He retired from the presidency on 4 March 1801, passing the torch to Thomas Jefferson. Adams married New England socialite Abigail Smith in 1764: they had three sons and three daughters. He was widowed on 28 October 1818. He died on 4 July 1826, Quincy, MA, age 90, on the same day as Jefferson. David McCullough's biography "John Adams," 2001, has extensive references to personal letters and documents and in regard to the Declaration of Independence, while Adams wrote passionately and in detail about the events of July 2, the only notation her made about July 4 is that he took time off to shop for ladies' gloves and a new thermometer. Adams wrote that on 2 July 1776, Congress convened its final discussion and reading of the Declaration. At about 11:00 AM the debate closed and a vote was taken. Twelve colonies voted affirmative, while John Dickinson of New York was absent. Congress ordered the document authenticated and printed but it was another month before it was actually signed by the delegates. On August 2, the actual signing took place by some of the delegates. The last delegate, Thomas McKean of Delaware, did not sign until January 1777. Link to Wikipedia biography