John Quincy Adams & Davenport's Newbury MA

In the John Quincy Adam Papers there are a few journal entries mentioning Newbury and the Davenport's.

On March 12 1788 I Dined with Townsend at Mrs. Hooper's. Amory went to Portsmouth on Monday, with several of his friends. They return'd this day to dinner at Davenport's. We called to see them; and sat with them drinking and singing till five o'clock, when they went for Ipswich. I pass'd the evening with Pickman, at Doctor Smith's. Townsend, went there with us, but found himself so unwell, that he went home very early. His cough has return'd, with several disagreeable symptoms. I fear exceedingly, that he is not long for this world.

We play'd whist an hour or two at Dr. Smith's and between 10 and 11. retired.

John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts in 1767. His early education,which he received from his Father was mainly in the subject of mathematics, languages, and the classics. He graduated from Harvard College in 1787 and studied law in Newburyport, Massachusetts under the guidance of Theophilus Parsons. In 1790 he began the practice of law in Boston. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1802. He left his pipe in Newburyport by Jack Garvey

March 19 1788

The weather was dull, gloomy, and part of the day rainy. Amory invited me to dine with him and Stacey and Azor Orne at Davenport's, but I did not feel inclined that way. I call'd at Mrs. Hooper's in the evening and spent a couple of hours with Townsend. The lads who dined at Davenport's warm'd themselves so well with Madeira, that at about seven o'clock this evening, they all set out upon an expedition to Cape-Ann, to attend a ball there this night. Twenty seven miles in such weather and such roads after seven o'clock at night, to attend a ball, would look extravagant in a common person; but it is quite characteristic of Amory.

November 5 1787 

I attended at the Office. Amory was there. Return'd yesterday from Salem. Townsend went to Boston last week, and has not yet return'd. In the afternoon, we attended the funeral of Mrs. Davenport a sister of Mr. Parsons. She died of a consumption a few days since. Little, and Thomson pass'd an hour with me in the evening, after which, I went with the latter to Mr. Atkins's. Thomson was much affected, on hearing of the death of one of his school-boys; who died of the Scarlet fever, after a very short illness. I cannot write yet in the evening, for want of fire.

Judith Parsons (Theophilus Parsons' sister) was married to Anthony Davenport, son of William Davenport and Sarah Gerrish Davenport.

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John Quincy Adams From the original painting by John Singleton Copley, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Autograph from
the Chamberlain collection, Boston Public Library.