Abigail Adams to Esther Black

I embrace the earliest opportunity after my last Letter, to inform you that on Saturday last Mr Black sent the Baby to me. I Should have known it to belong to the Family, let me have met with it any where. it is inded a Lovely Babe. I felt a compassion for it almost to tears, it is Eleven Weeks old and has already cut one tooh. I do not believe that either, Mr Black or you will ever have a Babe to resemble you more; its features are small, its Eyes a fine black, it is plump and appears to be very well nursd, the Woman a decent respectable looking person, who can feel for the Child she has, having lost both a Brother and Husband with the fever and having a child of her own, 5 Months old. She has been four years in the Country. I think she calld her Name Elenor McHoney the Baby has been Christiand by the Name of Nancy.

I rejoice that amidst the Gloomy picture I have been obliged to draw to you, it is enlivend by the Health and Beauty of the Lovely Infant, who I hope will find Patronage and protection from its Relations—

I am dear madam affectionately Your / Friend