John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

13. It appeared scarcely possible that our Child should survive the tortures which she endured throughout this day— Her mother, fond, and affectionate by Nature, and attached to this child in particular as to an only daughter, affected in her own health very seriously by the revolution in her milk, consequent upon her sudden cessation of nursing, was this afternoon forced to quit the side of the Cradle which for three days and Nights before she had scarcely left a minute, and remove to another chamber, to be spared witnessing the last struggles of her expiring life— Catherine Johnson, and the Nurse remained with the infant. My own attendance was alternately between the Mother and the Child— In the intervals of the morning I read Sermons 1 and 2 Vol. 9. of the English Preacher—1. on Education; and 2. on the Importance of learning, to the Clergy.