On March 4, 1801, John Adams rose before dawn. It was his last day as president, and he was leaving Washington in defeat.

Adams had no intention of staying for the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, his political rival whom he’d narrowly defeated four years earlier. He missed his wife, Abigail, who had already departed for their Massachusetts home, and he likely wanted to avoid public attention and questions from reporters. So he departed the newly built White House before first light.