The Abbott Family Genealogy George Abbot I (1615-1681) He was born June 15, 1615 in Bishop’s Stortford, England. He was baptized at St. Michael’s, May 22, 1617. In 1637, it is believed that he emigrated to New England on a ship named “Arbella” (see Note #1 below) with the family of William Chandler, also of Stortford. The Chandlers had four children with them on the voyage. One of them, a girl named Hannah, born in May of 1630, was age 7 or 8 when they emigrated. She was to become George’s wife in 1846. The Abbots and the Chandlers first settled in Roxbury, Masschusetts. George lived a few years in Roxbury, but when a new plantation was planned in 1643 at Andover (see Note #4 below), originally called “Cochichawiche,” the land was purchased from Cutshamache, the Sagamore of Massachusetts (part of the Pennacook Confederacy who spoke the Algonquin language) for “6 pounds and a coat.” (5) This notable bargain is commemorated in Andover’s official seal. The settlement was incorporated as a town in 1646 and was most likely named after Andover, England, which is near the home of some of the first residents. George became one of the first proprietors and settlers of that town, #19 on the list. He first lived in the northern section of Andover. George and Hannah were married in Roxbury on December 12, 1646 in the First Church (see Note #2 below) by Reverend John Eliot, known as the “apostle to the Indians” (see Note #3 below). Shortly after they were married, George “received his bride into his humble cabin which was a garrison house for many years.” (4) About 1660, he established a farm in the South Parish. His home was a fortified garrison, built about 1673-75, where villagers would flee for protection against Indian attacks. “The house was built of heavy hewn or sawed logs with the corners securely fastened, the eaves extending out over the walls by two feet or more, so that in case of attack, the defenders could fire down upon the enemy or pour water to put out a fire if started.” “The garrison house was home to the family until 1704, when it was replaced by a structure which later became known as “The Old Red Abbot House”. This stood until 1858, when it was torn down to be replaced with the first section of a fine, large house.” George and Hannah had thirteen children (eight sons and five daughters) and eleven survived to maturity. The first child, John, was born March 2, 1648, he would later become the first deacon of South Church in 1711. The second child, Joseph, died when little more than a year old, the first recorded death in the town of Andover. The fourth child, also named Joseph, was killed by Indians. “The first violence and damage occurred on April 19, 1676. Mr. Ephraim Stevens discovered the enemy about a mile this side of Bidwell’s Ferry, but escaped upon his horse, and alarmed the inhabitants. The Indians pursued along the main road, without doing any mischief, till they came to the south part of town, where they killed Joseph Abbot and took Timothy Abbot. Joseph was stout and resolute, and probably made resistance; and there is tradition, that he killed one, or more of them, before he was slain. He was in his 24th year.” “After suffering great hardships at the hands of his captors, Timothy was returned by a squaw his grandmother had been kind to, in August, near the point of starvation.” (5) No picture or physical description of George has been handed down. “He was a man of some education; a deeply religious Puritan; and a successful businessman and farmer. His industry and judicious application of labor secured success in forming a good farm. His honesty, integrity, and wisdom secured the confidence and respect of the community. He was much employed in the business of the town, was the friend of the widow, the guardian of the orphan, and the helper of the poor. (1) He could read and write and was surveyor of highways in 1673, served on the Grand Jury in 1658 and in 1676; in 1658 was commissioner for Andover, in 1663 was Constable, in 1669 he was chosen arbitrator in a civil case, and brander of cattle in 1676.” At his death on December 24, 1681, at the age of 66, his estate was valued at 587 pounds, “6th highest in Andover.” In his will, dated December 12, 1681, 12 days before his death, he paid his wife Hannah a remarkably tender tribute: “Considering the great love and affection I bear unto my loving wife Hannah Abbot and also considering her tender love and respect she hath had to me and also considering her care and diligence in helping to get and save what God hath blessed us withal and also prudence in management of the same, I do therefore leave my whole estate to her.” (1) “At the time of her husband’s death, Hannah was fifty-two, had been married 35 years and borne 13 children, four of whom were still under age. Nine years later, in 1690, she married the pastor of the church, as his third wife, the Reverend Francis Dane (see note #5), her step-brother (Hannah’s mother married Francis’ father John Dane), likewise somewhat older than herself. She survived him by fourteen years, passing away June 11, 1711, at the age of 82 years. Her will, dated February 10, 1707, is also on record and is considered remarkable since it is said to be the only will of the time on record in which a woman alone conveys real estate after the death of her husband.” (1) “The descendants of George Abbott and Hannah Chandler are very numerous and most respectable, and possess a marked character of their own for industry, sobriety, economy, and for the peaceful, conscientious discharge of every duty as citizens.” “They were industrious, economical, sober, pious, and respected. With Christian fortitude and submission they endured their trials, privations and dangers, of which they had a large share. They brought up a large family well, and trained them in the way they should go, from which they did not depart.”
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 19:55:17 +0000