topic Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE in Community Chat

YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Oznell — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:27:35 GMT

Here's a letter from little John Quincy Adams, *age 9* and future president, to his father--

What a creditable letter for a 9 year old to write, whether 18th century or not! The eagerness to learn and to improve, the deference toward his father and desire to receive instruction from him as to how to better "proportion my Studies and my Play", is such a testatment to his upbringing and general expectations. Inspiring and adorable.

The only picture I could find of him as a child was this one of him at 16:

Great things were teeming around in that noggin.

He began translating Virgil's Eclogues at age 10, and translated other ancient works from Aristotle, Plato, Horace, oh my!

A superb and precocious American figure.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

We rescue cats — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:42:38 GMT

Amazing youngster who became an accomplished man. When I lived in Hartford we visited Quincy to see the Adams home.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Sooner — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:02:02 GMT

My unsolicited opinion only and not to a specific person or poster or relative of such:

I don't think we ask enough of kids today. Too many sports, too little real education.

This public service announcement has now ended.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:58:24 GMT

Parents are ALWAYS the first and possilby the most important educators of children.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Oznell — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:40:02 GMT

@We rescue cats , oh, I envy you getting to see the home! I bet it was a fascinating experience.

@Sooner and @FancyPhillyshopper , we are in total agreement!

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

gidgetgh — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:01:04 GMT

I grew up in Quincy. Our church was United First Parish Church (Unitarian). Both John and John Quincy Adams and their wives are buried in the Church. We used to go "visit" their tombs each Sunday before Sunday school. There was a pew in the church reserved for them.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

stevieb — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:41:34 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
My unsolicited opinion only and not to a specific person or poster or relative of such:

I don't think we ask enough of kids today. Too many sports, too little real education.

This public service announcement has now ended.

I agree we don't have high expectations, but I'd include parents and schools in that, regardless of how much money we throw at the latter. I don't think sports are the issue, I think accepting the lowest common denominator is.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Mz iMac — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:16:35 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

Parents are ALWAYS the first and possilby the most important educators of children.

@FancyPhillyshopper This was so true in the 20th century as well as the Baby Boomer generation. Remember the 3 Rs?

21st century technology is now the most important education of childrens education. AI is the new parent/educator currently.

Private education w/humans as educators is slowly fading away sadly.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Oznell — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 02:05:05 GMT

Wow, @gidgetgh , that must have been super interesting. And an old historic church like that, I'd love that! I always seem to end up in modern-ish churches with blonde wood pews, and abstract stained glass, etc..... but the ancient ones are so appealing.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

jubilant — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 02:17:15 GMT

Wow, some deep thinking for a 9 yr. old. and quite cute in some of the things he says! I liked that he said, "Mama has a troublesome task to keep me steady. I owned that I am ashamed of myself". Quite an insight for a 9 yr. old.

Re: YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENT, IMPRESSIVE

Oznell — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:28:37 GMT

Great point, @jubilant , I was struck by that too-- at that age, he was thoughtful and deferential toward both parents, knowing that his mother might have a hard row to hoe with his youthful shenanigans, such as they are-- "running after birds eggs, play and trifles"!

The personal letters of key figures in history are a fantastic way to try to understand, and enter into the spirit of their times...