Quincy in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Abigail Adams Cairn
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
1. Abigail Adams Cairn Marker
From this spot, with her son, John Quincy Adams, then a boy of seven, by her side, Abigail Adams watched the smoke of burning Charlestown, while listening to the guns of Bunker Hill. Saturday, 17 June, 1775.
The Adams Chapter of Quincy Mass. of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution have caused this memorial to be erected June 17, 1896.
The day, perhaps the decisive day is come on which the fate of America depends. My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.
Abigail Adams, June 18, 1775
This Cairn, rebuilt with the original stones, rededicated by grateful citizens, as a symbol of indomitable human quest for freedom July 11, 2009
Erected 1896 by The Adams Chapter of Quincy Mass. of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #06 John Quincy Adams series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1775.
Location. 42° 14.031′ N, 70° 59.853′ W. Marker is in Quincy, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It is at the intersection of Viden
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston and specifically in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Adams National Historical Park (approx. half a mile away); President John Adams and President John Quincy Adams Birthplaces (approx. half a mile away); Liberty Tree Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Burns (approx. 1.1 miles away); Henry Adams (approx. 1.2 miles away); Colonel John Quincy (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hancock Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Men of Quincy, Mass. (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quincy.
Related markers.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
2. Lower Marker
Also see . . . National Park Service: Place; Abigail Adams Cairn; Adams National Historical Park.
The Abigail Adams Cairn is located in a neighborhood with limited parking. Please respect the neighbors property. Ground is slippery when wet.(Submitted on December 17, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
3. Third Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
4. Abigail Adams Cairn Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
5. Abigail Adams Cairn
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2014
6. Abigail Smith Adams
This 1800 / 1815 portrait of Abigail Smith Adams by Gilbert Stuart hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
“Mrs. John Adams felt that if we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women. Stuart's portrait, begun when the first lady was fifty-six, captures the patrician beauty of her straight nose and arched brows. The forthright painting also leaves little doubt about the force of character, intellect, and principles of this daughter of a Massachusetts minister.
This likeness was Stuart's only completed picture of Abigail Smith Adams. It and its companion piece of her husband, John Adams, were started in 1800 but not delivered until 1815. The Adams' eldest son and the future sixth president, John Quincy Adams, politely stated his family's attitude toward the artist's procrastination: Mr. Stuart thinks it the prerogative of genius to disdain the performance of his engagements.” — National Gallery of Art
“Mrs. John Adams felt that if we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women. Stuart's portrait, begun when the first lady was fifty-six, captures the patrician beauty of her straight nose and arched brows. The forthright painting also leaves little doubt about the force of character, intellect, and principles of this daughter of a Massachusetts minister.
This likeness was Stuart's only completed picture of Abigail Smith Adams. It and its companion piece of her husband, John Adams, were started in 1800 but not delivered until 1815. The Adams' eldest son and the future sixth president, John Quincy Adams, politely stated his family's attitude toward the artist's procrastination: Mr. Stuart thinks it the prerogative of genius to disdain the performance of his engagements.” — National Gallery of Art
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
7. Abigail Adams Cairn - Boston View Perspective
View of Boston to the right of the cairn from the top of the rocks.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
8. Abigail Adams Cairn - View of Boston
View of Boston to the left of the cairn from top of rock formation. John Quincy and Abigail Adams would have seen smoke rising from Charlestown in the distance from this spot on June 17, 1775.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
9. Abigail Adams Cairn Marker atop Penns Hill
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,225 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on May 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 24, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on August 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 24, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
