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Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in [[London]], [[England]] to American-born merchant Joshua Johnson and his English wife, Catherine Nuth Johnson. Louisa was the second of nine children; she had seven sisters and one brother.<ref name="firstladies"/> Her father served as U.S. Consul in England after 1790. The Johnson family moved to Nantes, [[France]] in 1778 due to the American Revolution.

Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in [[London]], [[England]] to American-born merchant Joshua Johnson and his English wife, Catherine Nuth Johnson. Louisa was the second of nine children; she had seven sisters and one brother.<ref name="firstladies"/> Her father served as U.S. Consul in England after 1790. The Johnson family moved to Nantes, [[France]] in 1778 due to the American Revolution.

She was educated at a [[Roman Catholic]] convent school in Nantes from 1781 through 1783, where she learned to speak French proficiently. She also learned how to play the harp and piano as well as sing. She attended an English boarding school from 1783 through 1789, where she studied mathematics, philosophy, embroidery, needlework, stitching, and drawing. She and her sisters were brought home around 1789 and tutored privately until 1793. <ref name="firstladies"/>

She was educated at a [[Roman Catholic]] convent school in Nantes from 1781 through 1783, where she learned to speak French proficiently. She also learned how to play the harp and piano as well as sing. She attended an English boarding school from 1783 through 1789, where she studied mathematics, philosophy, embroidery, needlework, stitching, and drawing. She and her sisters were brought home around 1789 and tutored privately until 1793.<ref name="firstladies"/>

Louisa followed the Roman Catholic faith while the family lived in France. When the Johnson family returned to England, they worshiped at an [[Anglican]] church. Louisa was baptized into the Episcopal faith in 1837. <ref name="firstladies"/>

Louisa followed the Roman Catholic faith while the family lived in France. When the Johnson family returned to England, they worshiped at an [[Anglican]] church. Louisa was baptized into the Episcopal faith in 1837.<ref name="firstladies"/>

== Marriage and family ==

== Marriage and family ==

Twenty-seven year old John Quincy Adams met Louisa in 1794 at a party held at her family home in London.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/louisaadams Louisa Catherine Johnson]</ref> Although they became engaged in 1796, Adams had many reservations, in part due to his mother, [[Abigail Adams]] reminding him about how poor choices would affect his future. <ref name="firstladies"/> During the year they were engaged, Adams wrote several harsh letters to his fiancée about her expected behavior as his future wife. <ref name="firstladies"/>

Twenty-seven year old John Quincy Adams met Louisa in 1794 at a party held at her family home in London.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/louisaadams Louisa Catherine Johnson]</ref> Although they became engaged in 1796, Adams had many reservations, in part due to his mother, [[Abigail Adams]] reminding him about how poor choices would affect his future.<ref name="firstladies"/> During the year they were engaged, Adams wrote several harsh letters to his fiancée about her expected behavior as his future wife.<ref name="firstladies"/>

Louisa Johnson and John Quincy Adams married on July 26, 1797 in London. [[John Adams]] had been president for four months by then, and the marriage of his son to a British-born woman attracted media attention in the U.S. <ref name="firstladies"/>

Louisa Johnson and John Quincy Adams married on July 26, 1797 in London. [[John Adams]] had been president for four months by then, and the marriage of his son to a British-born woman attracted media attention in the U.S.<ref name="firstladies"/>

== References ==

== References ==

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{{DEFAULTSORT: Adams, Louisa}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Louisa}}

[[Category:England]]

[[Category:England]]

[[Category:First Ladies]]

[[Category:First Ladies]]