John Adams Sr.

[6] This saltbox house, a simple and common dwelling characterized by its sloping roof,[11] is operated by the National Park Service as the John Adams Birthplace (named after his son), and is open to the public.

[11] Adams was primarily a farmer during the growing season, and also worked as a shoemaker,[3][14] for which he earned "hard money" as a trade during the winters.

[16] Adams was also a deacon in his church, a lieutenant in the Massachusetts colonial militia, a tax collector, and a selectman of the Town of Braintree (for 20 years).

[8] The younger John Adams wrote of the religion his father was so passionate for, "[they are] bearers of freedom, a cause that still had holy urgency.

[4][22] His wife forced him to resign as selectman after a "family row" over his taking in a destitute young female.

[23] A leading local man, other men would stop by "Deacon John's house" to discuss business or religion.

[29] The president praised his father and paternal ancestors as "independent country gentlemen," who had not gone bankrupt, did not gamble, and had never committed fraud.

Elihu Adams was a company commander in the militia during the American Revolution, who died from dysentery early in the war in 1775.

When his eldest son went to Harvard College, aged sixteen, his father expected him to become a minister, as the elder had done.

[27][39] However, younger John became a schoolteacher in Worcester in 1756 and, later, decided to study law in the office of James Putnam.