TV series

The Adams Chronicles

Name: The Adams Chronicles
Released: 1976
Cast: Anne Howard Bailey

1976· 1 season· 50 min episodesTV-PG★ 7.4Ended

On PBS — From THIRTEEN

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Synopsis

Chronicles the story of the Adams political family over a 150-year span, including John Adams (drafter and signer of the Declaration, accomplished diplomat, and the 2nd President of the U.S.), his wife Abigail Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (acclaimed Secretary of State, the 6th President, and prominent abolitionist Congressman), grandson Charles Francis Adams, Congressman and Ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, and much-heralded members of the fourth generation Henry Brooks Adams, the historian and author of the novel Democracy, and Charles Francis Adams II, the industrialist.

Themes

miniseries period drama 18th century american revolution historical drama 19th century colonial america american history declaration of independence

Episodes

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E1 Chapter 1: John Adams, LawyerNext upJan 20, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
John Adams centers his ambitions on becoming a lawyer of repute and marrying parson's daughter Abigail Smith.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Smith), Michael O'Hare (Richard Cranch), John Tillinger (King George III), Kathryn Walker (Abigail Smith Adams), Curt Dawson (John Hancock), David Elliott (George Washington Adams)
E2 Chapter 2: John Adams, RevolutionaryJan 27, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
Adams returns to Braintree after successfully defending the Redcoats, but Hancock soon lures him back into politics.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Smith), Jean-Pierre Stewart (Alexis de Toqueville), Tim Wilson (Young John II)
E3 Chapter 3: John Adams, DiplomatFeb 3, 1976 · 57 min
Synopsis
Serving as a diplomat in France with Benjamin Franklin, Adams earns a reputation for rudeness.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Smith), Jean-Pierre Stewart (Alexis de Toqueville)
E4 Chapter 4: John Adams, Minister to Great BritainFeb 10, 1976 · 59 min
Synopsis
After nearly five years of separation, Adams' family joins him in Great Britian, where he has been appointed America's first ambassador.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Smith)
E5 Chapter 5: John Adams, Vice PresidentFeb 17, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
With General George Washington as President, Adams becomes Vice-President and head of the Senate. When Jefferson's Republicans and Hamilton's Federalists have strongly conflicting views over the French Revolutionary war, Adams finds himself in the middle.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), George Clooney (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams)
E6 Chapter 6: John Adams, PresidentFeb 24, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
Increasingly exasperating relations with France lead to the XYZ Affair, then the Quasi-War.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), W.B. Brydon (Samuel Adams), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Smith)
E7 Chapter 7: John Quincy Adams, DiplomatMar 2, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
In Ghent, Adams and his delegation struggle to negotiate an end to the War of 1812.
Guest stars: George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Thomas Stewart (Charles Francis Adams), Ken Kercheval (James Madison), Barton Heyman (Captain Beckford), John Horn (Lieutenant Mountgarret), Paul Sparer (Chancellor Nikolay Rumyantsev), Christopher Lloyd (Tsar Alexandre I)
E8 Chapter 8: John Quincy Adams, Secretary of StateMar 9, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
During the Seminole War, the executions of Arbuthnot and Ambrister in Spanish Florida create a diplomatic incident. The US and Britain consider making a joint statement on the wars in South America, but this evolves into the Monroe Doctrine. In the presidential election, Henry Clay is the kingmaker. Adams becomes sixth President.
Guest stars: George Grizzard (John Adams), William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), Tim Wilson (Young John II), David Elliott (George Washington Adams)
E9 Chapter 9: John Quincy Adams, PresidentMar 16, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
Hampered by negative press from Jackson's camp, Adams' single term is marked by frustrated efforts to institute national improvements.
Guest stars: William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Wesley Addy (Andrew Jackson), Thomas Stewart (Charles Francis Adams)
E10 Chapter 10: John Quincy Adams, CongressmanMar 23, 1976 · 58 min
Synopsis
Adams wins a seat in the House, where he serves with more success than he had as President.
Guest stars: William Daniels (John Quincy Adams), Allan Carlsen (John Adams II), George Hearn (Henry Clay), Pamela Payton-Wright (Louisa Catherine Adams), Jean-Pierre Stewart (Alexis de Toqueville), Thomas Stewart (Charles Francis Adams)
E11 Chapter 11: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great BritainMar 30, 1976 · 57 min
Synopsis
On the eve of the Civil War, Charles Francis Adams becomes the third generation in the Adams family to be appointed minister to Great Britain.
Guest stars: John Beal (Charles Francis Adams), Nancy Coleman (Abigail Brooks Adams)
E12 Chapter 12: Henry Adams, HistorianApr 6, 1976 · 57 min
Synopsis
The sons of Charles Francis Adams endeavor to make their own marks on the world.
Guest stars: Nicholas Pryor (John Quincy Adams II), John Beal (Charles Francis Adams), Charles Siebert (Charles Francis Adams II), Nancy Coleman (Abigail Brooks Adams)
E13 Chapter 13: Charles Francis Adams II, IndustrialistApr 13, 1976 · 57 min
Synopsis
While his brother Henry travels the world, Charles Francis II takes charge of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Guest stars: Nicholas Pryor (John Quincy Adams II), John Beal (Charles Francis Adams), Charles Siebert (Charles Francis Adams II), Nancy Coleman (Abigail Brooks Adams)