In The Ballous of America, it states that Jesse adopted the three children of his friend, Abigail Cook, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Slack. Jesse died 16 March 1800 in his 59th year, and his widow, Elizabeth (Pitts) Ballou died 16 March 1841, in her 94th year. Per this, he was not married to Abigail Cook, only befriended her by adopting her 3 children. It goes on to say, " perhaps a better woman than some of better fame and fortune. The most high Father judgeth all justly.