Auction Name: 2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 42098

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6331*42098

John Quincy Adams Autograph Note Signed ("J. Q. Adams"). Cut slip measuring 8 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches; [St. Petersburg]; [September 16, 1812]. Affixed to a display mat to an overall size of 18 1/2 x 12 inches.

A deeply personal note from John Quincy Adams to his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ann Harrod Adams, written in St. Petersburg the day after the death of his infant daughter, Louisa Catherine Adams II, who died of dysentery on September 15, 1812. At the time, Adams was serving as U.S. Minister to Russia, and his daughter was the first known American to be born in that country. Adams writes, in full:

"My dear Mrs. Adams,

Our dear child surrendered her spirit to her maker last evening at ten minutes before six o'clock. We propose to have the funeral at 3. o'clock on Saturday afternoon.

Your afflicted friend and brother
J. Q. Adams."

Condition: Very good, with light toning and expected folds. Affixed to the mat with linen tape on the verso; bottom right corner separated and reattached with archival tape on the verso. A nineteenth-century pencil annotation on the verso reads: "From J. Q. Adams to Mrs. T. B. Adams. Fanny Adams N." The writing and signature remain dark and highly legible.

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