The news of Adams’s death reached Boston by the end of the day. The Columbian Centinel (Boston, MA) was aligned with Federalist sentiment in the Federalist Era and used mourning bars, large dark lines to signify mourning for former president Adams in its July 8, 1826 edition. Mourning bars have been used by newspaper publishers as early as the 17th century to communicate to readers that someone has died. According to newspaper reports, Adams’s last words were, “Jefferson still lives.” In the course of a few days, news of Jefferson’s death arrived from Virginia and the next issue of the Columbian Sentinel included the headline, “Another GREAT MAN is No More! and our columns again are shrowed in respectful mourning.”
Death of Thomas Jefferson
The Constitutional Whig (Richmond, VA) published news of Jefferson’s death in its July 7, 1826 issue.
Death of Jefferson and Adams
The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware Advertiser (Wilmington, DE) published news of both Jefferson’s and Adams’s deaths in its July 13, 1826 issue.
After the deaths were announced, eulogies were pronounced across the country, and commemorations were printed in newspapers. Statesman Daniel Webster’s eulogy for Adams and Jefferson spoke to the point that many people believed: That something other than coincidence was involved. Yet another odd coincidence: Exactly five years later, on July 4, 1831, former U.S. President James Monroe died.
Discover more:
- Search Chronicling America* to find more newspaper coverage of the deaths of Adams and Jefferson, subsequent funerals, and more.
- Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (2017) by Gordon S. Wood.
- An address delivered at Charlestown, August 1, 1826: In Commemoration of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (1826) by Edward Everett.
- A Funeral Sermon on the Death of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Ex-Presidents of the United States, Preached on Sunday Evening, July 16, 1826, in the First Unitarian Church, Washington City, (1826) by Robert Little.
*The Chronicling America historic newspapers online collection is a product of the National Digital Newspaper Program and jointly sponsored by the Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Follow Chronicling America on Twitter @ChronAmLOC.
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Comments (14)
The July 4, 1826 deaths of Jefferson and Adams was just one of a series of ‘coincidences’ to be established for the births and deaths of US presidents and vice presidents.
* Of the first 22 presidents, 12 died in June and July whereas about 4 could have been expected by chance.
* Of the first 22 presidents, only one (John Quincy Adams) was born in the five months May to September (significant p < .001).
* All US presidents elected in a 0 ended year between 1840 and 1960 died in office, giving rise to the famous 20 year death cycle.
* Five vice presidents were elected in the 12 year cycle and died in office. All died in the four weeks to November 25.
* Combining the 12 and 20 year election cycles gave a complex 60 year cycle of US leaders participating in presidential elections and subsequently dying in office (significant p < .01).
(PDF) 12 & 20 year US presidential death cycles. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333194553_12_20_year_US_presidential_death_cycles [accessed Feb 12 2023].
What a splendid piece this was. Our friend David in the comments seems to have unfortunately eschewed his medication for numerologification. If only people read more rather than typing. And certainly rather than noting p-values when no statistics were quoted.
I thank you, Miss Paranick, for your lovely and concise article. I shared it with my fourth grader and he was fascinated! The coincidence of these men’s death, and the resurrection of their friendship, is both fantastic and makes me a bit weepy when I’m feeling particularly patriotic. This certainly gave me more ornaments to embellish the telling of my favorite Independence Day factoid :)
A wonderful factoid from two giants of American history. It harkens to a time when even the deepest personal and political divisions could be remedied through respectful correspondence. And how a simple gift, well-wishes to one’s families and a New Year’s Greeting can rekindle a lost friendship. Happy 4th of July, America. – Warmest wishes from Belgium
This was such a great historical report. I appreciated reading and disecting information I’ll share with my prayer team.Noting bond’s of friendship is very important to wellbeing of our lives Thanks so much
“Jefferson died shortly after noon at the age of 83 in Monticello, Virginia. Several hours later Adams died in Quincy, Massachusetts at the age of 90. … The news did not travel fast during this time and the former presidents were not aware of each other’s deaths.” This needs tweaking. It is impossible for the two to have been unaware of each other’s deaths. Only Adams could theoretically have been aware of Jefferson’s death, not vice versa.
“ Statesman Daniel Webster’s eulogy for Adams and Jefferson spoke to the point that many people believed: ***That ^something^ other than >coincidence< was . Yet another odd coincidence: Exactly five years later, on July 4, 1831, former U.S. President James Monroe died.”
Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY my fellow AMERICAN CITIZENS
What a way to further the LEGEND of GREAT EXPECTATIONS for this
LAND, where the MUTUAL BEELIEF OF THE AMERICAN DREAM unites our GENETIC DIVERSITY into the CONSTRUCT of a COUNTRY.
Lol.
Such incredible history
America🇺🇸 is blessed
May you not depart from the commands of God
Greetings from Ghana🇬🇭
Happy 4th July🇺🇸
Today is Independence Day, 2023. My family gathered at home today, and like many Americans, we celebrated the holiday with a meal and memories of those who left us too early. My family has a long history of military service spanning time back to the Revolutionary War. My youngest granddaughter is a 4th grader this year and had many questions about President Thomas Jefferson. She was delighted to learn about President John Adams and Jefferson’s friendship. Thank you for presenting a well-researched article for us to share with generations that just now expressing an interest in our history.
I think that what John Adams meant when he said “Thomas Jefferson survives.” was that Thomas Jefferson had appeared to John Adams and John Adams was expressing his reaction.
This is a cool comment
i think there is value in the numbers that David stated.
They open our minds to “low probability events happen….but I cant imagine this to be a miracle.”….ie we see other low probability events that we could imagine a Divine Being orchestrating…..but actually low probability things happen all the time….
like you reading my comment :) what are the odds of that?
And don’t forget, Calvin Coolidge was BORN on July 4, 1872
Jefferson and Adams were kindreds. Differing opinions at times but still the same coin, same cut of cloth. They are missed. I look at our upcoming election here in the U.S. and alas, I have to say – we don’t have a choice. I can’t vote for either one. How far we have fallen. As humans we keep doing the same circle, making the same mistakes. I so wish that we didn’t worship our psychopathic leaders like we do. It will be our undoing.
There’s a reason there’s no mention of Thomas Jefferson’s last words.