In the village where he was born his parents and ancestors had been honored members of the community since its founding. As a lawyer Adams began his career in Braintree writing wills and deeds and taking an interest in town affairs. His life was devoted to politics and serving his country. During the Revolutionary War he helped negotiate the treaty of peace. As chairman of the Board of War and Ordnance for nearly a year, Adams attempted to equip the army. His administration focused on France, where the Directory, had refused to accept the American envoy and had halted commercial relations. His inaugural address, tracing the progress of the nation, declared his faith in republicanism and called upon the people to end partisan politics. On November 1, 1800, just before the election, Adams arrived in the new Capital City to take up his residence in the White House. In January 1798 he proposed the creation of a navy department and asked for funds to put the military on a war footing.

Four bills to control subversion, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, were also passed. Adams retired to his farm in Quincy. Here he penned his elaborate letters to Thomas Jefferson. He became president of the Massachusetts Society of Arts and Sciences, of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, and of other societies. After his term, John and Abigail Adams lived a quiet life on the family farm in Quincy, Massachusetts. He died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson died the same day. He was the last Federalist elected President. Although he no longer participated in public life, he remained interested in the affairs of his country. The career of his son John Quincy Adams gave him pleasure, and he lived to see him elected president of the United States in 1824. He was the longest living president, and died at the age of 90. His last words are recorded to have been, "Jefferson still survives," referring to his fellow patriot, Thomas Jefferson. He did not know that Jefferson himself had died only hours before.