The Adams Chronicles is a thirteen-episode miniseries byPBS that aired in 1976 to commemorate theAmerican Bicentennial.^[3]

The series chronicles the story of theAdams political family over a 150-year span, includingJohn Adams (drafter and signer of the Declaration, accomplished diplomat, and the 2nd President of the U.S.), his wifeAbigail Adams, his sonJohn Quincy Adams (acclaimed Secretary of State, the 6th President, and prominent abolitionist Congressman), grandsonCharles Francis Adams, Congressman and Ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, and much-heralded members of the fourth generationHenry Brooks Adams, the historian and author of the novelDemocracy, andCharles Francis Adams II, the industrialist.

The most prominent role in the series is John Adams, played byGeorge Grizzard.^[4] His views dominate the series even after his death on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the passage of theUnited States Declaration of Independence. As a result of his achievements during the Revolution and afterwards as vice president and president of the U.S., subsequent Adams generations have a hard time dealing with this legacy of public service and accomplishment and frequently wonder if they are measuring up to their distinguished ancestry. In the end, the members of the fourth generation come to believe that the time during which the Adams family could play a prominent role in the affairs of the nation has passed.

Chapter I: John Adams, Lawyer

John Adams, as a young man, makes the decision to become a lawyer, which gets off to a rocky start, and he retreats back to the small town farm left him by his father, contrary to the advice of his cousinSamuel Adams. He meetsAbigail Smith, a parson's daughter, whom he courts and marries. Despite the death of one daughter, his family grows and he moves to Boston becoming a respected attorney, while also becoming more involved in politics as British policy becomes increasingly repressive. After theBoston Massacre he is engaged to represent the British soldiers who fired into a protesting mob.

Chapter II: John Adams, Revolutionary

Having gotten most of the soldiers acquitted, with only two suffering minor charges for manslaughter, John Adams finds himself the subject of insults by many in Boston, so he moves Abigail and the children back to the farm and commutes for business. He regains his reputation among those advocating against the crown's further actions by a newspaper article asserting the colonists rights. After theBoston Tea Party, the British blockade the harbor until the destroyed tea is paid for, and the colonies set up theContinental Congress to provide relief to Boston and negotiate with England. Adams is sent to Philadelphia as one of the representatives of Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Abigail has to confront an outbreak of dystentry that sweeps through their home. When colonial troops fire on the British at theBattles of Lexington and Concord, heralding the beginning of the American Revolution, Adams wants to join and fight, but is persuaded that he is needed in Congress. He disappoints friendJohn Hancock by passing over him to appointGeorge Washington as commander of the army. One of his letters to Abigail complaining about other congressmen is intercepted by the British and published. Deprivations of imported goods become worse. John Adams asksThomas Jefferson to write theDeclaration of Independence.

Chapter III: John Adams, Diplomat

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin refuse British terms offered byLord Howe, as the United States want independence and will not return to being colonies in exchange for pardons. AfterSilas Deane, the American commissioner in Europe, is charged with embezzlement, Adams is asked by Congress to replace him. Initially he refuses, but Abigail persuades him to accept and take their sonJohn Quincy Adams with him. Adams finds that his provincial manners, lack of languages, and temperament bring him little diplomatic success in France, where Franklin has become a celebrity. France, despite being America's ally, wants peace negotiations with Britain to conform to France's interests. However, Adams is able to negotiate a large loan in the Netherlands from the Dutch government to the nascent United States. John Quincy Adams is dispatched to Russia as a diplomat's secretary due to his great facility for languages. Adams concludes theTreaty of Paris.

Chapter IV: John Adams, Minister to Great Britain

Chapter V: John Adams, Vice President

With Gen. Washington as President, Adams becomes Vice-President and head of the Senate. When Jefferson's Republicans and Hamilton's Federalists have strongly conflicting views over theFrench Revolutionary war, Adams finds himself in the middle. Adams is elected second President of the United States.

Chapter VI: John Adams, President

Increasingly exasperating relations with France lead to theXYZ Affair, then theQuasi-War.

Chapter VII: John Quincy Adams, Diplomat

InGhent, Adams and his delegation struggle to negotiate an end to theWar of 1812.

Chapter VIII: John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State

During theSeminole War, the executions ofArbuthnot and Ambrister inSpanish Florida create a diplomatic incident. The United States and Britain consider whether to make a joint statement on the wars in South America, but this evolves into theMonroe Doctrine. In the presidential election,Henry Clay is thekingmaker. Adams becomes sixth President.

Chapter IX: John Quincy Adams, President

Chapter X: John Quincy Adams, Congressman

Chapter XI: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain

Chapter XII: Henry Adams, Historian

Chapter XIII: Charles Francis Adams II, Industrialist

Adams family

• George Grizzard asJohn Adams (Chapters I–VI, VIII–IX)
• Kathryn Walker asAbigail Adams (Chapters I–IV)
• Leora Dana asAbigail Adams (ages 44–74) (Chapters V–VI, VIII)
• Addison Powell as Reverend William Smith (father of Abigail Adams) (Chapter I)
• Nancy Marchand as Elizabeth Smith (mother of Abigail Adams) (Chapters I–II)
• J.C. Powell asCharles Adams (boy) (Chapters II–III)
• Philip Anglim asCharles Adams (Chapter V)
• Tom Tammi asThomas Adams (Chapters V–VI)
• Marcel Trenchard asJohn Quincy Adams (boy) (Chapter II)
• Steve Austin asJohn Quincy Adams (youth) (Chapter II)
• Steven Grover asJohn Quincy Adams (youth) (Chapter III)
• Mark Winkworth asJohn Quincy Adams (Chapters IV–V)
• David Birney asJohn Quincy Adams (Chapter VII only)
• William Daniels asJohn Quincy Adams (Chapters VIII–X)
• Pamela Payton-Wright asLouisa Catherine Adams (Chapter VII)
• Katherine Houghton asAbigail Adams II (Chapters IV, VI)
• Richard Cox as ColonelWilliam Stephens Smith (husband of Abigail Adams II) (Chapter IV)
• Maureen Anderman as Mary Catherine Hellen (wife of John Adams) (Chapters VIII–X)
• Steven Krey asCharles Francis Adams (boy) (Chapter VII)
• Thomas A. Stewart asCharles Francis Adams (Chapters VIII–X)
• John Beal asCharles Francis Adams (Chapters XI–XIII)
• Nancy Coleman as Abigail Brown Brooks Adams (wife of Charles Francis Adams) (Chapters XI–XIII)
• Peter Brandon asHenry Adams (Chapters XII–XIII)
• Charles Siebert asCharles Francis Adams II (Chapters XII–XIII)
• Nicholas Pryor asJohn Quincy Adams II (Chapters XII–XIII)
• Patricia Elliott as Minnie Adams (Chapters XII–XIII)

U.S. politicians

• W. B. Brydon asSamuel Adams (cousin of John Adams) (Chapters I–II)
• Curt Dawson asJohn Hancock (Chapters I–II)
• William Shust asPatrick Henry (Chapter II)
• John Wylie asJohn Dickinson (Chapter II)
• Robert Symonds asBenjamin Franklin (Chapters II–III)
• Albert Stratton asThomas Jefferson (Chapters II, IV–VI)
• James Congdon asJames Lovell (Chapter III)
• James Tripp asFrancis Dana (Chapter III)
• David Hooks asGeorge Washington (Chapter V)
• Jeremiah Sullivan asAlexander Hamilton (Chapters V–VI)
• Michael Egan asGeneral Knox (Chapter V)
• Karl Light asSenator Izard (Chapter V)
• Ken Kercheval asJames Madison (Chapters V, VII)
• Henry Butler asJames Monroe (Chapters V, VII–VIII)
• Frederic Warringer asSamuel Otis (Chapter V)
• Tom Aldredge asJames McHenry (Chapters V–VI)
• Reid Shelton asTimothy Pickering (Chapter VI)
• David O'Brien asOliver Wolcott (Chapter VI)
• Josef Sommer asCharles Lee (Chapter VI)
• John Braden asJohn Marshall (Chapter VI)
• John McQuade asGeneral Pinckney (Chapter VI)
• Tom McDermott asEldridge Gerry (Chapter VI)
• Robert Prosky asBenjamin Stoddert (Chapter VI)
• Stephen Strimpell asAmes (Chapter VI)
• George Hearn asHenry Clay (Chapters VII–X)
• Michael Wager asAlbert Gallatin (Chapter VII)
• Robert Moberly asSenator Bayard (Chapter VII)
• Wesley Addy asGeneral Andrew Jackson (Chapters VIII–IX)
• Robert Phalen asJohn C. Calhoun (Chapter VIII–IX)
• Roger Alan Brown as Pinckney (Chapter X)
• Stephen D. Newman asAbraham Lincoln (Chapter XI)
• Alexander Clark asWilliam Seward (Chapter XI)

British dignitaries, politicians, others

• John Tillinger as KingGeorge III (Chapters I–IV)
• James Noble asJonathan Sewall (Chapter I)
• Patrick Horgan asLord Howe (Chapter III)
• Ed Zang as English Tailor (Chapter IV)
• Don McHenry asSir Clement Cotterell Dormer (Chapter IV)
• Jack Gwillim asLord Carmarthen (Chapter IV)
• Robert Gerringer asBurrill (Chapter IV)
• Thomas Barbour asBishop of St. Asaph (Chapter IV)
• William Roerick asLord Gambier (Chapter VII)
• George Pentecost asHenry Goulburn (Chapter VII)
• Emery Battis asLord John Russell (Chapter XI)

Foreign dignitaries, politicians, others

• M'el Dowd asMadame Brillon (Chapter III)
• Guy Sorel asComte de Vergennes (Chapter III)
• Taina Elg as Comtesse de Vergennes (Chapter III)
• C. K. Alexander as The Dutch Banker (Chapter III)
• Cavada Humphrey asPrincess of Orange (Chapter III)
• Lance Davis asLouis XVI (Chapter III)
• Louis Turenne asM. Hauteval (Chapter VI)
• Christopher Lloyd asTsar Alexandre I [sic] (Chapter VII)
• Paul Sparer asChancellor Rumyantsev (Chapter VII)
• Michael Kane as General Caulaincourt (Chapter VII)
• Valerie French as Countess Rostov (Chapter VII)
• Osvaldo Riofrancos asDon Luis de Onis (Chapter VIII)
• Jean-Pierre Stewart asAlexis de Tocqueville (Chapter X)
• Norman Bush asCinque (Chapter X)

Other Americans

• John Houseman as Justice Gridley (Chapter I)
• Reno Roop asJosiah Quincy (cousin of John Adams) (Chapter II)
• Alfred Hinckley as Captain Hay (Chapter IV)
• Robin Pearson Rose asPolly Jefferson (Chapter V)
• Donald C. Moore asSparhawk (Chapter IV)
• Edwin Owens asRussell Jarvis (Chapter IX)
• Jerome Dempsey asLewis Tappan (Chapter X)
• Tom Hulce as Student (Chapter X)
• Bernie McInerney asRoger Sherman Baldwin (Chapter X)
• Ronald Dawson asChief Justice Taney (Chapter X)
• John Ramsey asHenry James (Chapter XII)
• Paul Hecht asJay Gould (Chapter XIII)
• James Broderick as W.H. Holcomb (Chapter XIII)
• Barton Heyman as Captain Beckford (Chapter VII)
• John Horn as Lieutenant Mountgarret (Chapter VII)
• Susan Bjurman

• "The Liberty Song" (Chapter II)
• "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms" (Chapter VIII)

The Adams Chronicles won a number of Emmy Awards for television excellence. These included:

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama or Comedy Series – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Alvin Colt, Costume Designer

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –William C. Knight, Lighting Director;George Riesenberger, Lighting Director

Outstanding Achievement in Tape Sound Mixing – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Emil Neroda, Sound Mixer

Outstanding Art Direction or Scenic Design for a Drama Series – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Ed Wittstein, Production Designer

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Fred Coe, Director

Outstanding Limited Series – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –James Cellan-Jones, Producer;Fred Coe, Producer;Robert Costello, Coordinating Producer;Virginia Kassel, Series Producer;Jac Venza, Executive Producer

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series – 1977

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Tad Mosel, WriterThe Adams Chronicles – PBS –Roger O. Hirson, Writer

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Ed Wittstein, Art Director

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Alvin Colt, Costume Designer

Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Girish Bhargava, Graphic Design;Bill Mandel, Graphic Design

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Billy Knight, Lighting Director;Dick Weiss, Lighting Director

Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Leonard Chumbley, Technical Director;Walter Edel, Cameraman;John Feher, Cameraman;Steve Zink, Cameraman

Outstanding Achievement in Video Tape Editing for a Series – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Girish Bhargava, Editor;Manford Schorn, Editor

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –George Grizzard

Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Performance – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Kathryn WalkerThe Adams Chronicles – PBS –Pamela Payton-Wright

Outstanding Limited Series – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Paul Bogart, Producer;Fred Coe, Producer;Robert Costello, Producer;James Cellan Jones, Producer;Virginia Kassel, Series Producer;Jac Venza, Executive Producer

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series – 1976

The Adams Chronicles – PBS –Sherman Yellen, Writer

The series uses the historically correct pronunciation/ˈkwɪnzi/ for Quincy, rather than the more common/ˈkwɪnsi/. (See relevant discussionhere.)

The Adams Chronicles series was released on DVD byAcorn Media on May 13, 2008.^[3]

• List of films about the American Revolution
• List of television series and miniseries about the American Revolution

• The Adams Chronicles atIMDb

• Adams family
• Television series about the American Revolution
• 1970s American television miniseries
• American biographical series
• American English-language television shows
• Films about presidents of the United States
• Cultural depictions of John Adams
• Cultural depictions of John Quincy Adams
• Cultural depictions of Samuel Adams
• Cultural depictions of George III
• Cultural depictions of George Washington
• Cultural depictions of Louis XVI
• Cultural depictions of Benjamin Franklin
• Cultural depictions of Abraham Lincoln
• Cultural depictions of Andrew Jackson
• Cultural depictions of Thomas Jefferson
• Cultural depictions of James Madison
• Cultural depictions of James Monroe
• Cultural depictions of Patrick Henry
• Cultural depictions of Alexander Hamilton
• Cultural depictions of John Hancock
• Cultural depictions of Henry James
• Peabody Award–winning television programs
• Television series by WNET
• United States Bicentennial
• 1976 American television series debuts
• 1976 American television series endings

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• Use mdy dates from March 2025