ATC resident historian chiming in (even if my degree isn’t in US history): Abigail’s comments are, as with many of Edwards’ lyrics, derived from the letters between the Adamses. There was indeed a dysentery epidemic: little Thomas Adams had it, and survived; John’s brother Elihu and Abigail’s mother died in the dysentery epidemic that hit Braintree that summer. The line about smallpox was also relevant. That was spreading like wildfire throughout the colonies in 1774-1777. John had been inoculated (a painful experience); I think Abby was, too. But that summer on her own, she took the four kids to Boston to get them vaccinated against smallpox. Ben Franklin forever regretted he did not get his son inoculated; he would die of smallpox.
I might complain about Edwards’ line “What else is new?” as it makes John seem either uncaring or, in a kinder light, relentlessly focused on his mission, but Abby’s lyrics are sheer brilliance. This is what this woman was coping with: rampant infections, sick kids (and relatives), a failing farm, and an absent spouse. Props to Abby, props to Edwards for revealing that in a few short verses.
Laura |
