Other Notable Descendants
Abiel Abbot (1770-1828) "The youngest son of John & Abigail Abbot was born in Andover." "Two elder brothers - John, professor at Bowdoin College, Maine, and Benjamin, revered and beloved principal of Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire." He graduated from college "the second scholar in his class in 1792," and received and Honorary "Degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1821." "In 1795 he was ordained as minister of the First Church in Haverhill," where he remained for eight years. He next became pastor of "First Church in Beverly...for twenty-four years." "He was a man of simple, unostentatious manners, free from cant and bigotry, yet of a deeply religious spirit. He was unwearied in his labors for his people," according to Miss Sarah Loring Bailey from her publication entitled: "Historical Sketches of Andover, MA."(24) "He preached with great acceptance," "in the pulpit Dr. Abbot's manner was impressive to the last degree." "His voice was clear, strong and flexible, and his utterance was perfectly natural." "In his family and in all the relations and intercourse of society, Dr. Abbot, by his sweetness, gentleness, unselfishness of spirit, was constantly diffusing happiness, and in his cheerful, sunny temperament, received largely of the happiness which he gave. His home was rich in all that can make life beautiful." "Dr. Abbot added to his distinctively professional gifts that of superior musical taste and talent. He had the best voice in the congregation." "Of Dr. Abbot's creed, his brother minister and kinsman, Reverend, D.D., of Coventry, says: "He called no man master. He belonged to no sect but that of good men; to no school but that of Jesus Christ; and he was liberal in the best sense of the term." "For those who knew Dr. Abbot best it has been often said that they never knew his like, or, for his peculiar life work, his equal." "When Monroe, as President of the United States, was making his northern tour, he breakfasted with Israel Thorndike, and Dr. Abbot was one of the guests. Some time afterward the President said to a visitor that the best talker that he ever heard was a clergyman who breakfasted with him at Mr. Thorndike's." During his life, he also published many books and articles. He and his wife had nine children. (19)
Commodore Joel Abbot (1793-1855) "He was a Naval Officer who served 43 1/2 years, most notably in the War of 1812. He commanded a squadron during Commodore Perry's 1852 visit to Japan. Born in Westford, Massachusetts, son of Joel Abbot and Lydia Cummings. Abbot was ordered to enter the British lines as a spy and destroy a number of 'spars' [defined as "stout poles such as those used for masts"] which were being stored at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. For his success in this dangerous exploit, and for his bravery in the engagement at Cumberland Head on September 11, 1814, the young officer received a Sword of Honor from the United States Congress and was commissioned a Lieutenant. He died from malaria in Hong Kong in 1855." "Two ships in the United States Navy were named USS Abbot in his honor."
"USS Abbot (DD-184) Was a destroyer traded to the United Kingdom in World War II
USS Abbot (DD-629) Was a destroyer that served during World War II and Korea." [pictures on the bottom of page] (19)
Abigail Lovejoy Abbott (1699-1753) "Married Benjamin Abbot, on June 25, 1729, a descendant of George Abbot I, who was one of the first settlers of Andover in 1643. This union has been prolific of clergymen, lawyers, scholars, authors, soldiers, physicians, etc., among whom are Abiel Abbot, pastor in Beverly, MA; Benjamin Abbot, LL. D., leader of Phillips Exeter Academy, NH for fifty years; Abiel Abbot, D.D., pastor in Peterborough, NH; Reverend Jacob Abbot, Hampton Falls, NH; Ezra Abbot, D.D., the distinguished biblical scholar of Harvard University; General Henry Larcom Abbott, US Army, and son Major Henry V. Abbot, US Army; Edwin H. Abbot, President Wisconsin Railroad; Professor Joseph Hale Abbot of Boston; Abiel Abbot, M.D., Andover; Deacon Ezra and his brother Samuel Abbot, Wilton, NH, first manufacturers of potato starch in the United States; and Anna Wales Abbott, writer of children's books, Cambridge, MA." "Mrs. Abbott was a woman of marked individuality and character; of good understanding, sound discretion, active benevolence, and unfeigned piety." "She was one of the many grand women of the family who have not only been an honor to the female line of descent, but a blessing to all with whom they have come in contact, and to the world." "It is impossible to portray the nobility of heart and mind of such women, as words are inadequate to do it, they have been so Christ-like in their various methods of training the young and continually doing good to one and all with whom they come into contact with. They are the men's peers in good works, their superiors in loveliness of character and disposition, and adorn the very highest class of womanhood." (25)
Ezra Abbot (1819-1884) He was born in Jackson, Waldo County, Maine and died in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was an "influential Biblical scholar. He was Principal of a public school in Cambridge, Massachusetts from1847-1856. From 1856-1872 was Assistant Librarian at Harvard. From 1872, until his death in 1884, he was Professor at the Harvard Divinity School." He was a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, class of 1840. (12)
Josiah Gardner Abbott (1814-1891) "Was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts General Court and as a member of the US House of Representatives. Born in Chelmsford, MA, he graduated from Harvard in 1832 with an LL.D. degree. He worked as a teacher and lawyer. In 1860, he declined an appointment to the US Supreme Court. He was a member of the Electoral Commission created by an act of Congress, approved January 29, 1877, to decide the presidential election of 1876. He married Caroline Livermore Abbot (1814-1887) and they had two children, Edward Gardner Abbott (1840-1862) and Grafton St. Leo Abbott (1856-1915). He died in Wellesley, MA and is buried in St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Newton Lower Falls, MA."(12)
Austin Abbot LL.D. (1831-1896) "He was a lawyer and academic, born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Jacob Abbot. He is probably best known as being the government assigned counsel in the trial of Charles J. Guiteau, for the assassination of President James Garfield. One of the first highly publicized uses of an insanity defense in the United States. He won the case, Guiteau was convicted and sentenced to death. He graduated from New York University in 1851. Became partners with his brothers Benjamin Vaughan Abbot and Lyman Abbott in the legal firm Abbot Brothers."
Gorham Dummer Abbott (1807-1874) "American clergyman, educator and author. Born in Hallowell, Maine, son of Jacob & Betsy Abbot. In 1826, he graduated from Bowdoin College and late attended the Andover Theological Seminary. On February 11, 1834. Ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church in 1837. Was the pastor of a church in New Rochelle, New York, from 1837-1841. In 1870 he retired to Natick, MA. He was also an author who wrote many books." (12)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) "Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Anna Matilda McNeill, second wife of his father, George Washington Whistler, a prominent engineer." "American born, British-based artist. Leading proponent of the credo Art for art's sake." "His famous signature for his paintings was in the shape of a butterfly with a long stinger for a tail. The symbol was apt, for it combined both aspects of his personality - his art was characterized by subtle delicacy, while his public persona was combative. Finding a parallel between painting and music, Whistler titled many of his painting 'arrangements,' 'harmonies,' and 'nocturnes,' emphasizing the primacy of tonal harmony." "He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for three years, his grades barely satisfactory. Superintendent Robert E. Lee "dismissed him for misconduct." "While living overseas in England, his father died of cholera at the age of 49. The family moved back to mother's hometown of Pomfret, Connecticut." "He moved to Paris in 1855 and never returned to the United States." The Whistler House Museum of Art is located in Lowell, Massachusetts.(12)
Commodore Joel Abbot (1793-1855) "He was a Naval Officer who served 43 1/2 years, most notably in the War of 1812. He commanded a squadron during Commodore Perry's 1852 visit to Japan. Born in Westford, Massachusetts, son of Joel Abbot and Lydia Cummings. Abbot was ordered to enter the British lines as a spy and destroy a number of 'spars' [defined as "stout poles such as those used for masts"] which were being stored at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. For his success in this dangerous exploit, and for his bravery in the engagement at Cumberland Head on September 11, 1814, the young officer received a Sword of Honor from the United States Congress and was commissioned a Lieutenant. He died from malaria in Hong Kong in 1855." "Two ships in the United States Navy were named USS Abbot in his honor."
"USS Abbot (DD-184) Was a destroyer traded to the United Kingdom in World War II
USS Abbot (DD-629) Was a destroyer that served during World War II and Korea." [pictures on the bottom of page] (19)
Abigail Lovejoy Abbott (1699-1753) "Married Benjamin Abbot, on June 25, 1729, a descendant of George Abbot I, who was one of the first settlers of Andover in 1643. This union has been prolific of clergymen, lawyers, scholars, authors, soldiers, physicians, etc., among whom are Abiel Abbot, pastor in Beverly, MA; Benjamin Abbot, LL. D., leader of Phillips Exeter Academy, NH for fifty years; Abiel Abbot, D.D., pastor in Peterborough, NH; Reverend Jacob Abbot, Hampton Falls, NH; Ezra Abbot, D.D., the distinguished biblical scholar of Harvard University; General Henry Larcom Abbott, US Army, and son Major Henry V. Abbot, US Army; Edwin H. Abbot, President Wisconsin Railroad; Professor Joseph Hale Abbot of Boston; Abiel Abbot, M.D., Andover; Deacon Ezra and his brother Samuel Abbot, Wilton, NH, first manufacturers of potato starch in the United States; and Anna Wales Abbott, writer of children's books, Cambridge, MA." "Mrs. Abbott was a woman of marked individuality and character; of good understanding, sound discretion, active benevolence, and unfeigned piety." "She was one of the many grand women of the family who have not only been an honor to the female line of descent, but a blessing to all with whom they have come in contact, and to the world." "It is impossible to portray the nobility of heart and mind of such women, as words are inadequate to do it, they have been so Christ-like in their various methods of training the young and continually doing good to one and all with whom they come into contact with. They are the men's peers in good works, their superiors in loveliness of character and disposition, and adorn the very highest class of womanhood." (25)
Ezra Abbot (1819-1884) He was born in Jackson, Waldo County, Maine and died in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was an "influential Biblical scholar. He was Principal of a public school in Cambridge, Massachusetts from1847-1856. From 1856-1872 was Assistant Librarian at Harvard. From 1872, until his death in 1884, he was Professor at the Harvard Divinity School." He was a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, class of 1840. (12)
Josiah Gardner Abbott (1814-1891) "Was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts General Court and as a member of the US House of Representatives. Born in Chelmsford, MA, he graduated from Harvard in 1832 with an LL.D. degree. He worked as a teacher and lawyer. In 1860, he declined an appointment to the US Supreme Court. He was a member of the Electoral Commission created by an act of Congress, approved January 29, 1877, to decide the presidential election of 1876. He married Caroline Livermore Abbot (1814-1887) and they had two children, Edward Gardner Abbott (1840-1862) and Grafton St. Leo Abbott (1856-1915). He died in Wellesley, MA and is buried in St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Newton Lower Falls, MA."(12)
Austin Abbot LL.D. (1831-1896) "He was a lawyer and academic, born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Jacob Abbot. He is probably best known as being the government assigned counsel in the trial of Charles J. Guiteau, for the assassination of President James Garfield. One of the first highly publicized uses of an insanity defense in the United States. He won the case, Guiteau was convicted and sentenced to death. He graduated from New York University in 1851. Became partners with his brothers Benjamin Vaughan Abbot and Lyman Abbott in the legal firm Abbot Brothers."
Gorham Dummer Abbott (1807-1874) "American clergyman, educator and author. Born in Hallowell, Maine, son of Jacob & Betsy Abbot. In 1826, he graduated from Bowdoin College and late attended the Andover Theological Seminary. On February 11, 1834. Ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church in 1837. Was the pastor of a church in New Rochelle, New York, from 1837-1841. In 1870 he retired to Natick, MA. He was also an author who wrote many books." (12)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) "Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Anna Matilda McNeill, second wife of his father, George Washington Whistler, a prominent engineer." "American born, British-based artist. Leading proponent of the credo Art for art's sake." "His famous signature for his paintings was in the shape of a butterfly with a long stinger for a tail. The symbol was apt, for it combined both aspects of his personality - his art was characterized by subtle delicacy, while his public persona was combative. Finding a parallel between painting and music, Whistler titled many of his painting 'arrangements,' 'harmonies,' and 'nocturnes,' emphasizing the primacy of tonal harmony." "He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for three years, his grades barely satisfactory. Superintendent Robert E. Lee "dismissed him for misconduct." "While living overseas in England, his father died of cholera at the age of 49. The family moved back to mother's hometown of Pomfret, Connecticut." "He moved to Paris in 1855 and never returned to the United States." The Whistler House Museum of Art is located in Lowell, Massachusetts.(12)