This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Hellendrung Surnames: Abbott Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.stewart/6335.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello, The following court and probate records show that Thomas Abbott, Jr. was a son of George Abbott of Rowley. These records show clearly, strange as it seems, that the children of George Abbott of Rowley were: 1. Thomas Abbott, Sr. 2. George Abbott 3. Nehemiah Abbott 4. Thomas Abbott, Jr. Here is the information, and it is all direct quotes from Essex County, Massachusetts Court records: "Court held at Ipswich, 30 : 1 : 1647. Warrant for George Abott, Thomas Abbott, sr., Thomas Abbot, jr. and Nehemiah Abbot, about putting out one of the sons of George Abbot by the town of Rowley." "Court held at Ipswich, March 1647. Town of Rowley allowed to put forth Thomas Abott, jr., son of Georg Abott of Rowley, to be an apprentice to John Boynton (also Boyton) for seven years. Boynton to pay him 51i. at the end of his time. Case to be referred to next court, in order that the boy's father have opportunity to object." THE PROBATE RECORDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. PAGES 85 and 86 "Estate of George Abbot of Rowley. Marke Symonds appointed 28 : 7 : 1647, administrator of the estate of George Abott, late of Rowley. The will re- ferred to General Court. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 1, page 10." "Nuncupative will of George Abbott of Rowley sent here from General Court, 28 : 10 : 1647, ordered that it shall stand ; and after paying legacies to the children, the remainder shall remain in hands of Marke Simons of Ipswich, according to the will, to be disposed of to the children, who are to choose their guardians, etc. Marke Simons to have 4d. and the wintering of two cows. Salem Quarterly Court Records, vol. 2, page 224." "Inventory taken Aug. 30, 1647, by Sebastan Brigham, Thomas Barker, Mathew Boyes and James (his mark C) Barker : all his aparell, 1li. 10s. ; in silver. 1li. 3s. ; one Gold Ringe, 10s. ; two greene Coverings, 16s. ; one featherbed & two pillows & one Bolster, 1li. 9s. ; three flock bolsters,one Coverlett & one Blankett, lis.; two flocke beds,6s. ; seaven Sheets, two tablecloths, Seven pillowbers, nine napkins, two Aprons, 4 handkerchifes with other small linen, 41i. 6s. ; fower Course Sheetes, 7s. ; one Trunke, 5s.; two hogsheads & one Barrell, 5s.; one keUer, Is.; one kilne haire, 4s. ; one whip saw & one Croscutt saw, 8s.;two black Gownes, 12s. ; one Satten Capp & white thred, 4s.; one pillowbeere & other lininge, 6s. ; one Steele mill. 1li. 10s.;one Steele Trape, 10s.;three brand Irons, fower wedges, one fire shovell & other Iron, 1li.; two tramels, one bar of Iron & one Gridiron , 8s.; thirty eight pound of pewter, 1li. 128.; one silver ringe & spoone, 6s. ; two friing pans, 4s.; one brasse pott & one Iron pott, 15s. ; three kettles, 1li. 2s. ; one Skillet & two Chafing di! shes, 3s. ; one warming pan, 3s.; three paire of Scales & weights, 9s. ; one brasse morter & pestle, 58.; one Skimer, Is.; one paire of horse bits with buckles & furrells, 3s. 6d. ; one nest of boxes with things in them, 5s. ; one Little Gun with bandelers, 5s. ; one Spitt & one brush bill, 3s. ; one head peice & one axe with some other things, 5s. ; one bushell & half of oatemeale and one Tub,7s. ; one Chest & one Churne, 3s. 6d. ; one bowle, fowre trayes & one tunnell, 4s. ; one flockbed, two curtains & one pillow, lOs. ; one drinking pott & one Jugg, 3s. ; three Leather bottles, 5s.; thirty bookes,1li.lOs.; the dwelling house & land with the Apurtenances, 301i.; two black Steeres, 91i.; two younger Steeres, 61i.; one yearling Steere, 21i.; one Calfe, 1li. ; two Cowes, 91i.; all the Come & hay, 81i.; one Sow & three piggs, 1li. 10s. ; Some Land at Newbery, 21i. ; one yoake & chaine, 4s. ; one brasse Ladle, 8d. ; all the ffowle aboute the house, Is. ; all the hops & flaxe, 7s. 6d. ; one Chaire & two Cushions, 3s. ; one Short Sithe & old Iron, 2s. 6d.; total, 961i. 2s. 8d. Debt owing to the deceased, of Steven Kent of Newbery, 7s. Ipswich Deeds, vol. 1, leaf 61." "Humphry Eayner (also Eeiner) and Thomas Mighill were chosen guardians by the children of Georg Abott, late of Rowly, 28 : 1 : 1648. The overplus of George Abbot's chil- dren's estate is left in the hands of Marke Symonds, execu- tor of Georg Abott. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 1, page 13." "Guardians, Humfrey Eeyner and Thomas Mighell, confirmed by Salem and this court. They acknowledged the receipt of 63Ii., the children's portions, divided as follows : George, 161i., Nehemyah, 211i., Thomas, jr., 161i. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 2, leaf 12." "On Mar. 28, 1654, Mr. Eeyner presented Nehemiah Abbott and Thomas Abbott, jr., who acknowledged that they had received satisfaction from Mr. Humphry Eeyner and Thomas Mighill, guardians to the children of Georg Abbott, for their portions. Thomas Abbott, sr., and Nehemiah Abbott testified that their brother, George Abbott, had satisfaction also. The guardians were discharged. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 1, page 45." "Nuncupative will of George Abbott of Rowley sent here from General Court. Ordered that it shall stand ; and after paying legacies to the children, the remainder shall remain in hands of Mattox and answer unto Mr. Percivall Lowle; dated Nov. 10, 1647.P. Curiam, Anthony Somerby.* John Pemberton,* constable,attached two houses in Newbury, with six and one-half acres of arable land, and two barns belonging, with nine acres of exchange land in " ye new Towne." "Essex Co. Probate Files, Docket 16,181.' "Estate Of Thomas Abbott Of Rowley. 'I Ezeakell Northen Being desired By Richard Swan father in Law to Thomas Abbott Lately deceased, to goc to the Said Thomas his House to desire him to make his will which is as followeth Inprimis I Giue vnto my Brother Gorge Abbott Ten Pounds, and vnto my Brother Nehemiah Abbott Ten Pounds, and my devission of land at meremacke: also I Giue vnto my Brother Thomas Abbott fiue pounds: The Rest of my Estate I Giue vnto my wife This was the will of the abouesaid Thomas Abbott vpon the last day of the sixt mounth in the yeare 1659' Witness: Ezeakell Northen, Gemima Burbanke." "'We whose Names ar vnder written Being with Thomas Abbott vpon the fift day of the seuenth mounth in the yeare 1659 Before seuen a clocke in the morneing he being then in his Right vnderstanding and memory he said vnto vs that he had bene perswaded to make his will and he was in such extreme pane when he did it soe as he did not consider the thing as he should haue done, and therfor vpon further conBideration ther was something in his former will he desired to alter which was this that haueing giuen his wife his wholle estat, the debts and legacyes being paid, as being his Nearest freind: Now considering that my Bretheren ar next vnto hir: doe therfor Giue my lands vnto my brethren in case that my wife die childless: to those Bretheren that haue childeren or may haue childeren furthermore I Giue vnto widdow Brocklebanke and hir Sons forty shillings.' Witness: maxemillion Jewett, John Tod, James Barker. Proved in Ipswich court 27: 7: 1659 by the witnesses." "Inventory: One Hare and one Mare fole, 24li.; One Cowe, 3li. 10s.; One oxe, 5li. 15s.; Two Hefers & one steare Calfe, 7li. 5s.; One Sowe & 4 pigs, Hi. 5s.; One Slede and one plow, 10s.; One Sith, 4s.; Two Yookes and one cheane, 10s.; One cart with boult & shakle and cart Roope, 2li. 10s.; One Raper with belt, 15s.; Three Yowes and three wethers, 2li. 10s.; Two litle Tubs and 3 trese, 4s.; Two pales, 2s.; Two bras kettles, 2 litle sclets of bras, one Irne sclett, one Irne poote, one candlstick, Hi. 8s.; earthen poots, 3s.; peuter and Tine things,. Hi.; cheares and stooles, 8s.; Bibles, 10s.; Aparel and Cloth for an aparell, 6li. 1Is. 6d.; Two Chists and 2 pounds of woole, 16s.; One warming pane and Heales 20s.; Quisings and one Irne huke, 3s. 6d.; One Lamp, Is.; More wood vesell, 14s.; Bridlebeets and lining Yern with other small things, 10s.; Coton and Sheepp woole, 6s.; One line wheele, 4s.; Two Sickles and one sith, 2s. 6d.; One trca, Is.; One sheet and one blankit, 7s.; ! One Tand Calfe skine, 2s. 6d.; Bags and hemp and a head peece, 4s.; Two axes and two beetle hups and Irne weg, 4s.; flax and one sith, 6s. 6d.; Pincers and ould Irne, 2s. 6d.; The Crope of 8 ackers of land, 25li.; Heay, 6li. 10s.; House and hom lot, 30li.; Three Ackers o salt marsh with a poynt of upland and three ackers of fresh medow, 12li.; Thirteen Ackers of upland and medow, 100li.; gats, 2, 2li.; cours yearn for bags 15 pound, 8s.; In bedding & a gun & other things, 7li. 10s.; total, 234li. 15s." "Dorithy Abbott widow of Thomas Abbott testified that this was a true inventory of the estate of her late husband, in the Ipswich court Nov. 24, 1659." "The debts of Thomas Abott: to Elder Wheeples, 2li. 12s.; Mr. Pane, Hi. 4s.; William Law, 2li. 15s. 6d.; Thomas Wood, 8s.; John Grant, 6s.; Henery Ryly, 5s.; James Barker, 9s.; John Jonson, Is. 6d.; Goodman Porter, 15s.; Samuell Platts, 6s.; John Trumball, 2s. 8d.; John Borbanke, 6s.; Richard humbs, Is.; Docter ffuler, Hi.; Goodman Kinsman, 2s. 2d.; Samuell Plumer, 8s.; Ezesekell Northen, 2s.; Wiliam Tene, Is. 4d.; John Todd, 3li. 8s. 5d.; Mr. Crosby, Hi . 13s.; Joseph Trumball, Hi. 14s.; Samuell Sticknah, 6s.; Mr. Rogers, 5s.; Wiliam Boynton, 2s.; Mr. Jewet, 5li. 14s.; Thomas Abot brother to the deseased, 5li.; total, 29li. 17s. 7d." "Essex Co. Probate Files, Docket 137." "Administration on the estate granted 24: 9: 1659, to his widow Dorothy, his will naming no executor. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 1, page 83." Also on Nov. 25, 1659, Dorothy Abbott conditionally deeded the three bros. all the land left her by Thomas Abbott, Sr., including all he had purchased and that which formerly belonged to his father lying in the northeast field in Row- ley - the amount of which is not stated - together with all gates, commons or other privileges belonging thereto - except such as had been otherwise deeded ; the conditions being that they were to have possession after her d., provided she d. childless. On the same date, Nov. 25, 1659, George, Nehemiah, and Thomas Abbott, Jr., deeded to Dorothy Abbott certain property pertaining to the estate as follows : - "George Abbott &c. To Dorothy Abbott reed, on record, Feb. 22d,1 7 10/11. ' This Wittnesseth that whereas Nehemiah Abbott of Ipswich in the County of Essex have formerly bought a house and Lott of Ezekiel Northend [Northen] and Sold the Same house and lott to his Brother, Thomas Abbott, who is now Deceased and whereas by the will of the said Thomas Abbott he Did Conditionally bequeath his land to his three Bretheren vizt. George Abbott Nehemiah Abbott and Thomas Abbott we have come to an agreement with our Sister in Law Doro- thy late wife to our Brother Thomas Deceased Vizt. we doe by these presents grant and make over all our Right and Interest which we have vnto the house and Land before mentioned wherein the Said Dorothy now Dwelleth being in Rowly haveing the Street towards the East the land of Richard Longhorne north the land of Mr Samuel Phillips west and the highway South together with three acres of Salt Marsh neare to Sawyers Island bounded by the Marsh of Nicholas Jackson towards the Northeast the Marsh of John Pickard Southwest and a long Creek Southeast also three acres of Meadow in Crane Meadow of Lenard Herriman on the north a Brook on the East Mrs Rogers meadow South and upland west To Have and To Hold and quietly and peaceably to Enjoy all the Said house Barne Outhouses Yards Gardens fences together with the two parcells of meadow with all and Every the appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging vnto the Said Dorothy Abbott her heires and assignes for Ever without any Lett hindrance or molestation from us or Either of us or any of our heires Executors administrators or Assignes or any other Person or persons laying any Claime thereunto from by or under us or any of our heires &c. for Ever. In Wittness whereof we have hereunto Sett our hands and Seales the 25 of November 1659.' George Abbott & a Scale, Nehemiah Abbott & a Seale, Thomas Abbott & a Seale Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us Anthony Cross, Robert Lord "Wittness - George Abbott and Nehemiah Abbott EzeJiiel Northen Acknowledged this writeing to be their Act and Deed November 25, 1659. Before me Daniel Denison" " Thomas Abbott Acknowledged this writeing to be his mutuall Act and Deed with his other Brothers mentioned June ye 13, 1683. "Before me Nathaniel Saltonstall Assist." Ipswich, Massachusetts Court. Records i : p. 232 and 233. Essex So. Dist. Reg. of Deeds, xxiii : p. 47. The three brothers also conditionally deeded [Nov. 25, 1659]. several pieces of plow, meadow, bastard and upland pertaining to their deceased brothre's estate,formerly their father's, amounting in all to about 15 acres, with all the privileges, gates, commons, etc. belonging thereto, to Ezekiel Northen of Rowley, for 50, possession to be given on the death of Dorothy Abbott, provided she she d. childless. (Ipswich Rec. at Salem, Mass., i : p. 233.)" It seems very strange that George Abbott would name two sons Thomas.I believe that this is what has lead to the confusion and mystery about Thomas Abbott, Jr.'s parentage.But the court records are very clear. I've also looked at the published work of two early Abbott genealogists to see what they say. An early Abbott genealogy book, " The Abbott Genealogy" published in 1847 and written by Rev, A. Abbott and Rev. E. Abbott lists just three sons for George Abbott of Rowley, Thomas, George and Nehemiah. They credit the Thomas Abbott who died childless in 1659 as the son of George Abbott of Rowley. They make no mention of the court records and no mention of the two Thomas'; Thomas, Sr. and Thomas, Jr. In a later chapter in the book they list Thomas Abbott married in Andover to Sarah Steward with unknown parentage. Then I looked at the two volume 1906 work: "Descendants of George Abbott, of Rowley, Mass., of his joint descendants with George Abbott, sr., of Andoer, Mass.; of the descendants of Daniel Abbott, of Providence, R. I.; of some of the descendants of Capt. Thomas Abbott, of Andover, Mass.; of George Abbott, of Norwalk Ct.; of Robert Abbott, of Branford Ct.; with brief notes of many others of the name, original settlers in the United States. By Major Lemuel Abijah Abbott ..1906" This author addressed the issue of George Abbott of Rowley having two sons named Thomas by stating "The supposition is that one or the other of the two children named Thomas in George Abbott's family was an adopted son....The elder was known as Thomas, Sr., and the younger as Thomas, Jr. The following from the Ipswich, Mass., court records indicates that the latter was not a son of George Abbott." AND the author then cites the following two court records as proof that Thomas, Jr.was not a son of George Abbott : "Court held at Ipswich, 30 : 1 : 1647. Warrant for George Abott, Thomas Abbott, sr., Thomas Abbot, jr. and Nehemiah Abbot, about putting out one of the sons of George Abbot by the town of Rowley." Court held at Ipswich, March 1647. Town of Rowley allowed to put forth Thomas Abott, jr., son of Georg Abott of Rowley, to be an apprentice to John Boynton (also Boyton) for seven years. Boynton to pay him 51i. at the end of his time. Case to be referred to next court, in order that the boy's father have opportunity to object." The author's argument that this is proof that Thomas, Jr.is not a son of George Abbott is that only Thomas, Jr. was apprenticed out and not the other brothers!!!!!!! The author goes on to state: "The will of Thomas Abbott, Sr....and other legal papers in the settlement of his estate are of special interest. They show that the pioneers in this branch of the Abbott family used two t's in spelling the name; they also show who Thomas Abbott's wife was, and that his father had a fourth son (prob. an adopted or step-son) also named Thomas. In order to distinguish them, these two sons were known as Thomas, Sr., and Thomas, Jr., one of whom is the subject of this sketch; the other was at Concord, Mass.,in Dec, 1659, and afterwards settled in Andover, Mass., where Dec. 15, 1664, he m. Sarah Steward of that town." I believe that we can stop looking for Thomas Abbott's father in the US and start looking for the birth records of the children of George Abbott of Rowley in England. Nancy Downey Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.