July 12, 1998

In an attempt to confirm or deny the supposed parentage of Nathan Abbott of Gaysville, Vermont, I have recently accomplished the following research.  In spite of the abhorrence professional genealogists have regarding the use of gravestones as primary evidence, I have chosen to start with the gravestone of Nathan Abbott and Lydia Hatch since it is the only physical manifestation of their existence that is accessible for the world to see.

The headstone is located in the Abbott cemetery, 1.2 miles down river from the bridge over the White River in Gaysville, (Stockbridge township), Windsor County, Vermont.  The stone represents the earliest date of death in the cemetery, and reads:

Nathan Abbott
Died Oct. 1812
Æ. 69.
----
Lydia Hatch
Wife of
Nathan Abbott.
Died Feb. 1836,
Æ. 92.

Settled in Stockbridge, in 1787


Thus, based on this information alone, it appears that “our” Nathan was born about 1742 or 1743 and died October 1812, while his wife, Lydia Hatch was born about 1743 or 1744 and died February 1836.  Stockbridge, Vermont town records regarding the vital records for this couple are clearly documentation of the gravestone, providing no additional information. 

There is little doubt that Nathan Abbott and Lydia Hatch were husband and wife as indicated by the stone.[1]  In addition, there is little doubt that this is the Nathan Abbott and Lydia Hatch that were married in Sturbridge, (originally New Medfield) Massachusetts.[2]  To add some challenge to tracing Nathan’s ancestry, one of the Sturbridge documents indicates that he was from Woodstock at the time of his marriage.[3]

Family lore has indicated that Nathan was the son of Peter Abbott of Brookfield, Massachusetts.  Confirming or denying this has been challenging, to say the least, as there appear to have been several Nathan Abbotts (or one widely traveled polygamist.)  What follows are the various mentions of Nathan Abbott found in my recent research with the place where I located the reference in parentheses.

Major Lemuel Abbott notes that two Nathans were born to Peter and Lydia Abbott in Brookfield, Massachusetts, the first born March 8, 1731 and died January 16, 1742, and the second, a twin with his brother Jesse, born March 30, 1942.[4]  Brookfield Vital Records supports that date of birth.[5]  The next potential Brookfield possibility is for the marriage of a Nathan Abbott to Mercy Bannister found as a hand written record in a book located in the Congregational Church Library in Boston.[6]  This may be the source of Lemuel Abbott’s note “prob. m. Nov. 29, 1764, Mary Bannister …”

Sturbridge VR provides for the marriage of Nathan Abbott to Lydia Hatch (as well as the name of her father and two siblings)[7] and three of their children.  Following up on the possibility that the Nathan that married Lydia Hatch was from Woodstock, I checked the Woodstock, Connecticut Vital Records.  The Woodstock VR provides for a Nathan Abbott, including his marriage, family, and death[8].  From this it is seems very clear that the Nathan Abbott of the Woodstock VR is not our Nathan.  It is possible that our Nathan was also in Woodstock for a period of time, or the Woodstock referenced in the Sturbridge VR is somewhere other than Connecticut, although I was unable to locate any reference to a Woodstock in Massachusetts.

Mention is made of Nathan removing to Tyringham and then Stockbridge[9].  This seems very logical given that Peter Abbott’s daughter Lydia married Thomas Danforth and they apparently then raised their family in Tyringham, Massachusetts.  Following up on the possibility that Nathan also settled in Tyringham by a review of Tyringham VR provides a listing of children born to a Nathan, but the mother’s name is not provided.  The dates of birth conflict with the births listed in the Sturbridge VR for children born to Nathan and Lydia.  Other Tyringham and Monterey resources (Tyringham is considered part of Monterey, Massachusetts) indicate the Tyringham Nathan was a deacon in the church there[10] and left there in 1802 for New York[11] years after Nathan & Lydia had settled in Stockbridge, Vermont. 

From all this, I conclude that our Nathan is not the Nathan in Tyringham nor the Nathan in Woodstock, Connecticut.  Given the distance between Brookfield and Sturbridge, it is possible that our Nathan is the son of Peter Abbott.  This conclusion is not without significant risk, however, given the Nathan Abbott in West Brookfield who married Mercy Bannister in 1764.[12]  This is further complicated by a second entry in the same source showing the baptism of Nathan, son of Nathan in November, 1766.[13]  Thus if our Nathan is the son of Peter Abbott, he also had a cousin named Nathan in the area.  This would seem a possibility given that Peter’s older brothers Jacob and Moses, and younger sisters Sarah and Hannah also are known to have Brookfield area connections.  Unfortunately, a review of Lemuel Abbott’s book indicates Jacob died without issue and does not list a Nathan as one of Moses’ offspring. 

Another possibility for a second Nathan Abbott in the Brookfield, Massachusetts area would be if said Nathan was a descendant of George Abbott of Andover.  I’ve not yet researched that possibility.

At least one Stockbridge clue points towards the Peter Abbott connection.  One of the headstones in the Abbott cemetery is for Danforth Abbott.  His exact birth date and place of birth are unknown, but the gravestone gives his date of death as April 21, 1858 and his age at death as 73 years and 9 days (April 12, 1785).  There is an extensive listing of his children in the Stockbridge vital records, but minimal information regarding his spouse/s.  It would appear that Danforth is most likely one of Nathan & Lydia’s youngest offspring.  The use of the name “Danforth” was not noted in earlier Abbott generations.  It’s very possible that the use of this name is related to Lydia Abbott’s (Peter’s daughter) spouse, Thomas Danforth, thus pointing to Nathan as Peter’s offspring.

While the evidence is circumstantial, and there is considerable room for evidence resulting in a different conclusion, I continue to view the Peter – Nathan connection as being the most likely at this time.

The Sturbridge VR shows Daniel[14] born June 15, 1766;  John[15] born July 24, 1768;  and Thankful[16] born February 15, 1769 to Nathan & Lydia Abbott.  When you combine these three with the two from the Stafford, Connecticut VR, we have five children for Nathan & Lydia, with a 5.5 year gap between Thankful and Lydia and then an 8.5 year gap between Lydia and Danforth, assuming Danforth is in fact one of Nathan and Lydia’s offspring.  Given the frequency of births, it seems like Nathan and Lydia likely lived somewhere yet unknown after they left Sturbridge and before they settled in Stafford, Connecticut, and then somewhere else before settling in Stockbridge, Vermont.

There is yet another mystery regarding the name Nathan Abbott as it appears in Stockbridge, Vermont records.  While his place and date of birth are unknown, it is clear that a Nathan, junior existed in Stockbridge for a period of time.  Stockbridge property records exist signed by both Nathan Abbott and Nathan Abbott, jr.  Other records exist signed by Nathan Abbott in 1830, long after Nathan, senior, died.  I’ve not been able to locate any record of marriage or children, but in June, 1813 (8 months after Nathan, senior’s death) Nathan Abbott and his family were “warned out” of Stockbridge[17].  There is no indication in the record of where they went or when they left, given the property transactions in 1830.

In the fall of 2003, I received a couple e-mails from Doug Sinclair suggesting yet another option for Nathan’s parentage.  I’ve not researched this one, but it seems plausible, leaving me with niggling concerns about the appearance of the Danforth name in the family.

He said, “Nathan, son of Peter and Lydia, undoubtedly married Mercy Bannister in Brookfield, MA, where both families lived. Nathan who married Lydia Hatch was from "Woodstock," (undoubtedly CT), according to the marriage record in the Sturbridge vital records. This makes it quite possible that he was one of two Nathans born in Ashford, CT, in 1744. Here's the url of a page that gives the Ashford vital records.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/4791/barbourcollectionashfordabbeand.html

My half-sister is descended from Nathan of Brookfield, which is why I know any of this. There were a number of Nathans around from that generation - rather confusing. One of the Ashford Nathans was probably (given his age at death) the one buried in Woodstock who died in 1794, I think, with a Rev. War notation.

I see your nice gravestone photos and have a comment about Nathan and Lydia's. This stone dates from Lydia's death (or after), not Nathan's. Given this, if Nathan was the son of Nathaniel and Esther (Lyon), b. in December 1744, he would have been 68 (in his 69th year) when he died. Whoever provided the information for the gravestone could easily have been off a year in his age when he died. Presumably it would have been one of their children, and at least 24 years after the fact.

Both Nathans born in Ashford are George of Andover descendants. I think their lines can be found at Familysearch, at least by searching from the parents backward. I think only one CT Nathan is in that database, but only in the IGI.”

And in a later e-mail, he provided even more information after I sent him my Nathan research from 1998 –

I looked at your report and it looks like you have everything nailed down well, and no wonder you were left with nothing!  I didn't notice the second Nathan born in Ashford (or at least recorded there) until the other day, when your genforum message came to my attention and I started snooping again.  I knew about Nathan, son of Nathan and Eunice (Marsh) of Ashford/Woodstock, from secondary sources, and the Brookfield family from that town's vital records.  The vital records (and cemeteries) for various Windham Co., CT, towns are online, so they filled-in some things.  I'd say there's little doubt that Nathan of Nathan and Eunice was the one who is buried in Woodstock, d. 1794.  That leaves Nathan of Nathaniel and Esther unaccounted for.  I haven't tracked Nathaniel or Esther after their children's births in Ashford.  They don't seem to have gravestones in Windham Co. and they aren't in Sturbridge vital records, but it seems a number of their children were married there, judging by what's in the Mormon IGI.  Son Nathaniel supposedly married in Brookfield to an Ainsworth (I don't find any other likely Nathaniels), while a Stephen Abbott, probably his brother, married an Ainsworth in Woodstock.  I haven't found a connection The between these women, though.

So, from this, it appears that I ought to add another Nathan from Ashford/Woodstock to my research, if I ever get around to it.

jrs


[1]      Review of deeds included what appears to be the earliest deed bearing Nathan’s name when he bought the westerly half of Lot 7 from Sylvanus How in July, 1799.  In October, 1814 we find a deed from Lydia Abbott to Danforth Abbott stating “Whereas I Lydia Abbott of Stockbridge in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont Administratrix of the Estate of Nathan Abbott late of Stockbridge aforesaid Deceased on the sixth Day of July AD 1814 received a Warrant from the Hon. Jesse William Judge of Probate for the District of Hartford impowering me to sell at public notice or otherwise as the law direct so much of the Real Estate of the sd Nathan Abbott…”

[2]      unknown - handwritten transcription of original church records, "New Medfield, Massachusetts Church of Christ records, 1736-1848," unpublished, pg. 42, Oct. 10, 1765 -- married -- Nathan Abbot / Lydya Hatch  and Elijah Carpenter / Elizabeth Cory. (NEHGS manuscript collection call number MSS C 3410)

[3]      Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths of the Town of Sturbridge from the Settlement of the Town to 1816, Sturbridge Vital Records,  (Published by Geo. M. Whitaker, Southbridge, Mass. 1879), pg. 68, "October 10, 1765  Nathan Abbott of Woodstock and Lydia Hatch." (NEHGS)

[4]      Abbott, Major Lemuel Abijah, U.S. Army, Descendants of George Abbott of Rowley..., (Published by the Complier, 1906), pgs 88 & 89.  (JRS collection)

[5]      Systematic History Fund, Vital Records of Brookfield, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849,  (Franklin P. Rice, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1909), pg. 9, Births,  Nathan Abbott, March 30, 1742. (Twin with Jesse.) (Family History Library - Mesa)

[6]      Church Records – 1789, is a hand written, leather bound book – shelved under “West Brookfield, Massachusetts” and contains baptismal, marriage, and “Persons admitted to full communion”, but does not include any death listings.  In the “marriages” section it notes:  November 29th, 1764 – Nathan Abbott & Mercy Banister  (Congregational Library rare book collection)

[7]      New Medfield, Massachusetts Church of Christ records, 1736-1848, unpublished, (handwritten transcription of original church records) in the baptisms section [the pastor didn’t include the wife’s name until about 1770]  (NEHGS manuscript collection call number MSS C 3410):  Jan. 15, 1737/8 – Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph & ___ Hatch.;  June 8, 1740 – Lydia, daughter of Joseph & ___ Hatch;  March 23, 1746 – Lydia daughter of Joseph Hatch

[8]      In “Vital Records of Woodstock (Connecticut) 1686 – 1854” I find:
Ellinor Daughter of Nathan Abbot by Anna his wife born April 5: 1747
Olliff Abbott daughter of Nathan Abbot by Anna his wife born May 31: 174[9]
Zebediah & [   ] Abbot son and Daughter of Nathan and Anne Abbot born [   ] 1750
Erastus Son of Nathan & Judith Abbot born June 25th 1790.
Nathan Son of Albee & Roena Abbott born December 14th 179[ ]
Nathan Abbot and Anne Leech Both of Woodstock Intend Marriage Entred April 15: 1746
Marriages by ye Revd Mr. A. Stiles Pastor In Woodstock Returned June 25:1747 and Entered By one H Bowen Town Clerk:  (includes) Nathan Abbot and Anna Leech both of Woodstock June 2nd 1746
Mr. Nathan Abbott Departed this life January 19th, 1794
Old Mr. Nathn Abbott Died at Capt Tuckers March 27th: 1798 Aged  (NEHGS – Boston)

[9]      William R. Cutter, AM, New England Families, Volume I,  (Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1913), pg. 289, "He removed to Tyringham, Massachusetts, and later to Stockbridge, Windsor county, Vermont." (Family History Library - Mesa)

[10]     New England’s Monterey;  Stories of The Town – It’s Church by Julius Miner & Margery Mansfield, Sponsored by the Monterey [Massachusetts] Congregational Church, 1955, pg. 69 lists Nathan Abbott as a deacon, but no dates.  (Congregational Library - Boston)

[11]     Tyringham, A Hinterland Settlement by Eloise Myers, published by Hinterland Press in 1989, pg. 9, “In 1802 David Talcott moved to Williston, Vt. and Nathan Abbott to Pompey, N.Y.”

[12]     Church Records – 1789, is a hand written, leather bound book – shelved under “West Brookfield, Massachusetts” and contains baptismal, marriage, and “Persons admitted to full communion”, but does not include any death listings.  In the “marriages” section it notes:  November 29th, 1764 – Nathan Abbott & Mercy Banister  (Congregational Library rare book collection)

[13]     Church Records – 1789, is a hand written, leather bound book – shelved under “West Brookfield, Massachusetts” and contains baptismal, marriage, and “Persons admitted to full communion”, but does not include any death listings.  In the “baptisms” section it notes, Page 6 – Nathan, son of Nathan was baptized Nov. 16th, 1766  (Congregational Library rare book collection)

[14]     Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths of the Town of Sturbridge from the Settlement of the Town to 1816, Sturbridge Vital Records,  (Published by Geo. M. Whitaker, Southbridge, Mass. 1879), pg. 18, I believe this represents a typo/reversal "June 15, 1766   Abbott.  Nathan s Daniel and Lydia." (NEHGS – Boston)

[15]     ibid, pg. 20, "July 24, 1768   Abbot. John s Nathan and Lydia." (NEHGS – Boston)

[16]     ibid, pg. 21, "February 15, 1769   Abbot.  Thankful d Nathan and Lydia." (NEHGS – Boston)

[17]     Vermont Warnings Out, Volume 2; Rollins, Alden M., CGRS;  Picton Press, Camden, Maine;  1997, pg 398 (JRS) – references Stockbridge VR, Volume 3.