Herbert Abbott (1871-1930)
Herbert was born on August 30, 1871 in Natick, Rhode Island. He died on August 25, 1930. Relatives report “he died from sugar diabetes. It was believed that oranges would help treat the disease and Herbert could be seen each day walking to the bus eating oranges.” (Quote from grandson Arnold Abbott.) Natick is a village in West Warwick, Rhode Island “that was based on the operation of the B.B. and R. Knight mills which were located along the west bank of the Pawtuxet River”. He worked in the “tap and dye” (according to1885 Census) factories, eventually moving to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to work the mills along the Blackstone River, of which, there were many. He married Gertrude “Kate” Thompkins on July 31, 1900. She was born in England in 1879, emigrated to the United States in 1890, and died in 1948. They had four children, 2 boys and 2 girls. They are buried, along with Herbert’s parents, in the Walnut Hill Cemetery located on Armistice Boulevard in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
List of Children:
- Ruth, born May 13, 1902, died March 25, 1962. First marriage to a man last name unknown, they had two children together, Helen and Dick. Second marriage to a man last name Smith, they had two children Jeannie and Norma.
- Frederick Herbert, born May 20, 1905, died September 1, 1952, wife Gertrude Mary Jackson, born 1906, died unknown, they had 3 children
- Gertrude Francis, born April 20, 1910, died May 15, 1983, husband Robert Allard, 1898-1979, they had 3 children, Sandra, Ken & Barbara.
- John Robert, my grandfather and our next heir, born January 12, 1915, died December 31, 1989, married Eleanor Arnold on November 25, 1937, she was born on August 1, 1919 and died October 28, 1999. They are buried in the Buttonwoods section at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in Johnston, Rhode Island.