Abigail Adams, the wife of the second president of the United States,
is one of the most distinguished and influential of American first
ladies. Her courage was never more apparent than during the
Revolutionary War. While her husband was at the Continental
Congress, she was home alone caring for their four children and
their farm.
The battle raged nearby. In fact, Abigail could see the smoke above
Charleston from their home. ... [In a letter to her husband, she
shows her faith in God] "The race is not to the swift nor the battle
to the strong, but the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and
power unto his people." ...
John Adams wrote back to his wife, "It gives me more pleasure than I
can express to learn that you sustain with so much fortitude, the
shocks and terrors of the time. You are really brave, my dear, you
are a heroine. And you have reason to be. For the worst that can
happen, can do you no harm."
