John Adams's Law Office

John Adams's Law office in the John Quincy Adams Birthplace

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

141 Franklin Street, Quincy, MA

Significance:

As a young lawyer, John Adams used this space as his law office when he was home in Braintree. This room is where John Adams drafted the Massachusetts Constitution in 1779.

This room was originally the Hall of the John Quincy Adams Birthplace. In 1761, John Adams inherited the house from his father. He converted this room into an office and library for his burgeoning law practice in 1761. He likely added an exterior door to the room for use by his clients. When he moved his practice into this room, John wrote, “But I, as usual, expect great Things from this Chamber.” In the years afterwards, John Adams became one of the most prominent and sought-after lawyers in the colony of Massachusetts. In 1779, John wrote the Massachusetts Constitution in this room. This Constitution is still in use today and inspired the United States Constitution written in 1787. Today, the room houses a reproduction of the standing desk that John used in this room. The original desk is on display in the Stone Library at Peace field.