JOHN ADAMS BOOK
AIRED: Season 6, Episode 8
REPEATED: Season 7, Episode 7
THE DETECTIVE: Gwen Wright
THE PLACE: Boston and Quincy, Massachusetts
THE CASE:
A woman in Littleton, New Hampshire inherited her husband's aunt's belongings, which include a curious late-eighteenth century book titled "Trials of Patriots.”
It contains what appears to be President John Adams' signature in three places, and includes an inscription, “Charles Adams from His Father, 1794.”
The book is a collection of trial transcripts chronicling the sedition trials of Irish and Scottish radicals. If the book is indeed from Adams to his son, it could reveal pivotal clues about the inter-workings of this presidential family.
History Detectives examines the Adams family's correspondence and conflict as they balanced home life with public service.
Video: Watch an interview with Dan Coquillette
Gwen speaks to Dan Coquillette, Professor of History at Harvard, about the book John Adams gave to his son.
Think you have a case for the History Detectives? Send us your mystery here. 