Elizabeth Quincy Smith, mother of Abigail Smith Adams, 2nd First Lady of the United States, was born 17 Dec 1721 in Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Colonel John Quincy (21 July 1689 – 13 July 1767), an American soldier, politician and member of the Quincy political family. His granddaughter Abigail Adams named her son, John Quincy Adams, in his honor. The city of Quincy, Massachusetts is named for him. Her mother was Elizabeth Norton (1696–1769) of Hingham, daughter of Rev. John Norton, founding pastor of Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts, and nephew of John Norton (1606–1663), Puritan divine, and one of the first authors in the United States of America. Her husband, the Reverend William Smith (1707–1783), was a liberal Congregationalist, and other forebears were Congregational ministers, and leaders in a society that held its clergy in high esteem. However, he did not preach about predestination, original sin or the full divinity of Christ; instead he emphasized the importance of reason and morality. Abigail Smith Adams was a sickly child and was not considered healthy enough for formal schooling. Although she did not receive a formal education, her mother taught her and her sisters Mary (1739–1811) and Elizabeth (1742–1816, known as Betsy) to read, write and cipher; her father's, uncle's and grandfather's large libraries enabled the sisters to study English and French literature. As an intellectually open-minded woman for her day, Adams' ideas on women's rights and government would eventually play a major role, albeit indirectly, in the founding of the United States. She became one of the most erudite women ever to serve as First Lady. The Reverend William Smith (1707–1784) was a supporter of the American revolution. Known as the father of Abigail Adams, father-in-law of President John Adams and grandfather of President John Quincy Adams. After he was married in 1742 to Elizabeth Quincy he fathered 3 daughters: one born in 1743, Abigail born in 1744 and another born in 1745. He was a Congregational Minister and presided over his daughter's wedding in 1764. He supported the revolution. In July 1775 his dear wife of 33 years died of smallpox. His granddaughter also had the disease but lived. He greatly admired his daughter and son-in-law's work for their country. He died aged 77 in 1784.