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John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree (now Quincy), [[Massachusetts]]. His father was also named John, his mother was Susanna Adams and one of his sons was [[John Quincy Adams]], a later president in his own right.  

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree (now Quincy), [[Massachusetts]]. His father was also named John, his mother was Susanna Adams and one of his sons was [[John Quincy Adams]], a later president in his own right.  

   

   

Adams attended [[Harvard]] and, after a stint as a schoolmaster in Worchester, Massachusetts, took up the practice of law in [[Boston]]. In 1765, Adams wrote tracts such as the Braintree Instructions, which argued against the [[British Stamp Act]]. His cousin, [[Samuel Adams]], attracted far more notice during the Stamp Act crisis, leading demonstrations and using far more colorful language (there would later be some confusion regarding John and Samuel. When John was sent to [[France]] by the [[Continental Congress]] on a diplomatic mission, the French initially thought he was the "famous Adams," that is, Samuel Adams).  

Adams attended [[Harvard]] and, after a stint as a schoolmaster in Worchester, Massachusetts, took up the practice of law in [[Boston]]. In 1765, Adams wrote tracts such as the Braintree Instructions, which argued against the [[British Stamp Act]]. His cousin, [[Samuel Adams]], attracted far more notice during the [[Stamp Act]] crisis, leading demonstrations and using far more colorful language (there would later be some confusion regarding John and Samuel. When John was sent to [[France]] by the [[Continental Congress]] on a [[diplomatic mission]], the French initially thought he was the "famous Adams," that is, Samuel Adams).  

In the wake of the [[Boston Massacre]] in 1770, Boston's leaders prevailed on Adams to represent the British troops. He did so, arguing that all Englishmen deserved a vigorous defense.  He pleaded self defense, and won the case.  He argued that Boston would be better served if many guilty persons escaped unpunished than if one innocent one suffered. It was, he maintained, of more importance to the community “that innocence should be protected, than...that guilt should be punished.”  

In the wake of the [[Boston Massacre]] in 1770, Boston's leaders prevailed on Adams to represent the British troops. He did so, arguing that all Englishmen deserved a vigorous defense.  He pleaded self defense, and won the case.  He argued that Boston would be better served if many guilty persons escaped unpunished than if one innocent one suffered. It was, he maintained, of more importance to the community “that innocence should be protected, than...that guilt should be punished.”