Pam, The only Dr. Joseph I know of was Dr. Joseph de Benneville Abbott 1866-1946 (of this family). This Joseph, husband of Anne Rickey, was a farmer on part of what once was a Watson plantation, coming, I think, from the land puchased by Mathew Watson, immigrant of 1682. Bill -----Original Message----- From: Jimmycoyot@aol.com [mailto:Jimmycoyot@aol.com] Sent: Monday, November 06, 2000 9:28 PM To: NJMERCER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: John Rickey of Trenton, late 1700's <SNIP> 1) Was this Joseph Abbott a doctor or physician? My grandfather's Aunt Lida has a letter referring to Joseph Abbott and bones buried in his backyard, which she said was common for doctors. Not to be gruesome, but she explained that doctors often purchased the bodies of deceased prisoners to learn more about anatomy and then buried the remains in their back yards. 2) My GGGgrandfather's (Thomas Sweeny) daughter, Matilda Sweeny, married an Abbott, but we don't know which one. Have you heard the name of Matilda Sweeny in your searches? 3) My GGgrandfather's (Joseph, son of Thomas above) wife, Martha Watson M(a)cdonald is said to be descended from a Joseph Abbott as well as Quaker colonist Isaac Watson. Does this ring any bells with you?