The Death of a President's Son - Charles Adams' Alcoholism
Charles Adams was the third child of President John Adams.
Once upon a time, Charles was precious to John, but as an adult he became an alcoholic and their relationship was never repaired.
The Adams Family Opportunity
When John Adams was appointed as a Minister to France during the American Revolution, he saw an opportunity for his sons.
Wealthy young men generally went to Europe to pursue their studies. As a man from a middling background, the chance to give his sons a European education was something he never thought he could afford.
When he sailed for France, Adams was accompanied by John Quincy (age 12) and Charles (age 9).
Charles Adams
John Quincy would spend years in Europe, honing the skills that would have him playing a role in crafting foreign policy from the Washington through the Monroe Administrations, followed by his own term as President of the United States.
Charles, however, led a very different life.
Unhappy with life in the Old World, Charles was sent back to the United States just a year and a half later, crossing the ocean alone at 10 years of age.
He would begin studying at Harvard at just 15.
That is when the trouble began.
High Spirits
Charles was one of several boys caught streaking through Harvard Yard.
Funny as this sounds, the problem was that alcohol seems to have been involved.
Adams’ relationship with strong drink, and not his father, would be the one to define his life.
New York City
After college, Charles briefly apprenticed for Alexander Hamilton, though the later left to become Secretary of the Treasury.
Adams married and had children, but began to drink heavily.
Additionally, he started speculating on land, eventually losing his brother, John Quincy, a significant amount of money.
Possessed by the Devil
By 1798, John Adams, now President of the United States, had had enough.
The, “delightful little fellow,” whom he had once loved, “too much,” was now, “a Madman possessed by the Devil.”
Painful as it was, John disowned Charles.
”The Delight of My Eyes and the Darling of My Heart”
Charles, who by this time had abandoned both his family and career, dove heavily into drink.
Then, at just 30-years-old, Charles died of cirrhosis of the liver which had been caused by his alcoholism.
The news arrived just as President Adams was learning that he had been beaten by Thomas Jefferson in the Election of 1800.
The Patriot who had long sacrificed for the benefit of his country was heartbroken and quietly left Washington, D.C. early in the morning of his replacement’s inauguration.
John wrote to Jefferson about, “a Son who was once the delight of my Eyes and a darling of my heart, cutt off in the flower of his days, amidst very flattering Prospects by causes which have been the greatest Grief of my heart and the deepest affliction of my Life.”
John Adams has appeared in many articles I have written.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Dixwell the Regicide’s Grave - A Visit with Roger Sherman
John Adams Responds to the Ladies
Humphrey Plowjogger’s Secret Identity
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