Boston: In the aftermath of the Boston Massacre - a deadly street confrontation between American colonists and an occupying British brigade - John Adams, a farmer/lawyer who has moved his family into Boston to establish his legal career, takes an unpopular stand by agreeing to serve as defense attorney for the accused British soldiers.

A new period of separation from Abigail looms when Adams is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France along with Benjamin Franklin.