The first of this Abbott Family was one George Abbott who was born probably in England and d 1647 in Rowley,Essex Cty,Mass. He, with his family, came from England about 1642 and settled in Rowley; they were some of the earliest settlers in Rowley. The early records of Rowley are missing; as such, many of the early details of this family are missing. Rowley was founded in 1639 by Rev Ezekiel Roger son of Rev Richard Roger of Weathersfield, Essex, Eg. Rev Richard, a distinguished Puritan, after graduating from Cambridge Univ., was called to a public charge in Rowley, Yorks. After 17 years, he was, due to religious persecution, forced to leave with several of his "hearers" for New England. They landed at Salem in the Fall of 1638 and following, in Apr 1643, they founded a new town of Rowley with act of incorporation being 4 Sep 1939. A survey was conducted with lots being assigned to the new settlers. The size of the lot was correlated to the amount of money contributed. Those who were unable to contribute were assigned 1 1/2 acres with 1 1/2 "gates"; other sizes were 2 acres with 4 1/2 gates, 3 acres with 13 1/2 gates and four acres with 22 1/2 gates. The number of gates refers to "gates to the common pasture which extended five miles from town in any direction where the company owned property". The list of the 59 to whom house lots were assigned was headed by George Abbott who received two acres. Subsequent lists of land records showed him with 21 1/4 acres though this was really only a fraction of the land owned by Abbott. The death of his wife, some say Jane Brock- lebank with no proof, is unknown due to illegible records. The post mortem inventory of our George Abbott showed an estate of 95 pounds 2 shilling 8 pence. Records showed only seven settlers in the Rowley area to own more land than George Abbott. His sons for that time period were well off. George Abbots's progeny include some of the most emminent of their day in all fields of art, science, business, religion and government.

George Abbott Jr, 2nd son of the above George Abbott, was born about 1631 in England. He came with his family above, lived at Rowley until 1655 and then moved to Andover. He married in Ipswich, Essex County, Mass. 26 April 1658 Sarah Farnum who was probably born in Mass in 1638, the youngest of five children of Ralph and Alice Farnum of Andover. He is known as "Jr." to dist- inguish him from a different George Abbott who had settled in Andover in 1643. George Jr was a husbandman and a tailor. He had extensive land holdings. He was financially well off, being per the tax list, one of the five wealthiest man of Andover. He was a member of the Miltia, made a freeman 19 May 1669, and an elected Constable; for many years he had charge of the North Meeting House. It was the custom at one time to beat the drum for the signal for service and daily labor. "None but a sober and very industrious man could be chosen for such duties". Our George had charge of this duty for a large number of years. George Abbott Jr died intestate in Andover 22 Mar 1688. His wife married 2ndly Sgt Henry Ingalls and she died 1728 ae 90 yrs.

Nehemiah Abbott, 3rd son and 5th child of George and Sarah Abbott was born 20 Jul 1667 in Andover. He married there 06 Apr 1669 Abigail Lovejoy born 20 Jul 1667, dau. of John and Mary(Osgood) Lovejoy of Ipswich,Mass. Nehemiah and Abigail lived their lives in Andover; he died 16 Sep 1750,ae 83;she died 21 May 1747 ae 77.

Nehemiah was the most successful in life as a whole, of any of the descendents in the third generation. He received his share of his Father's estate, continue to buy and sell land, and one day became quite prosperous. He was Corporal in the Militia, tith- ingman, fence-viewer, a 10 year Selectman, highway surveyor, long time member of committee for allocating land, member for defence at the Inferior Court located at Newbury,Mass, and many other sundry responsibilities.

This Dea. Nehemiah Abbott descent is probably the most distin- guished of any bearing the surname in any line in his generation of any of the American pioneers.

Abiel Abbott, the 2nd of seven children, was born in Andover on 10 Aug 1693; married in East Windsor,Hartford,Conn. 9 Jan 1718 Abigail, dau of Samuel and his 2nd wife Grace(Minor) Grant. Abigail d in E. Windsor, 22 Aug 1724, ae 28 yrs; Abiel m 2nd Abigail Field; Abiel d in E. Windsor 21 Jan 1758, ae 64.

Abiel lived in Windsor, a was carpenter and joiner, a properous yeoman, and probably was the most wealthy person there. He was a man of influence and social standing with the records noting him as "Gentleman". Most of the oldest houses along the beautifully embowered streets of South Windsor were erected by his workmen under his supervision. He was a Freeman in 1734, collector of taxes, a selectman for 5 years, and very active in the affairs of the Church.

Abiel was buried 22 Jan 1758, by the remains of his first wife in the cemetery of East Windsor Hill. An elaborate monument of red sandstone stnds over his grave. The epitaph over Abigail's grave reads "Heare Lieth Ye Body of Mrs Abigail, The Wife of Mr Abiel Abbott, Who Depare This Life Avgst the 22 1724 In The 29 Year of Of Her Age Thovgh Now She Doth In Silence Lye These Vertves Speek Her Memory Wisdom Pity Prvdnc(Providence) Ingty(Integrity)"

Abigail Abbott, the 1st of three children of Abiel and Abigail, was born 25 Nov 1718; m in East Windsor 26 Feb 1746 William Wolcott, Lawyer. William d 22 May 1799 and Abigail d 12 Oct 1763 ae 45, both in Windsor,Conn. Her epitaph reads "In Memory of Mrs Abigail, the wife of Willm Wolcott,Esqr. She died 12 Oct 1763, in ye 45th year of her age. In virtues that become her still; Life's various parts she acted well; And clos'd at Death, such peace was given;Like rest in sleep, to wake in Heaven." Ref AN # See Walcott for William above.