Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, was the second First Lady of the United States and spent time in the White House during its early years. She had mixed feelings about living in the Presidential residence, which was still under construction when they moved in.
Abigail appreciated the opportunity to be in the capital and actively engaged in political discussions, but she also faced challenges. She found the White House, then known as the President's House, to be somewhat uncomfortable and not fully finished. The lack of enough furnishings and privacy, as well as the isolation from family and friends, made her experience less than ideal.
One of her well-known reflections during her time in the White House was her concern about the unrefined nature of the atmosphere and the behaviors of some visitors. She famously described the house as “the palace” and noted that it was cold and lacking in some basic comforts.
Overall, while Abigail Adams recognized the importance of her husband's position and the historical significance of the White House, her firsthand experiences there were a mix of duty, frustration, and homesickness.