Hi Mary, Here is someone who was one of the first ABEELs in America. His name was Stoffel Janse ABEEL. He was born in Holland in about 1622. He was 32 on 3 Feb 1665. He married Neeltje Jans Croon and had a daughter named Elisabeth who was born about 1666. Stoeffel's will is dated 4 Dec 1670. He is listed in Pearson's "First Settlers of Albany". Elisabeth married Evert Bancker. Richard