Prosperity from Humble Beginnings

Calvin Abbott (1788-1858) and Charlotte Clement (1794-1854)

Generation Five Family 1110

CALVIN ABBOTT (William4, Jeremiah3, Nathaniel2, George1), b. in New Hampshire, 3 Dec 1788 son of William and Bridget (Spaulding) Abbott; d. at Ogden, NY, 19 Nov 1858; (1) m. at Danville, VT, 4 Dec 1815, CHARLOTTE CLEMENT, b. at Danville, 12 Sep 1794 daughter of William and Abigail (Hill) Clement; Charlotte d. 12 Dec 1854.

Calvin was the seventh and youngest child of William and Bridget Abbott. Prior to his birth, Calvin’s parents and their six children were “warned out” of Townsend a procedure used by towns to remove newcomers who seemed unable to support themselves. There was this notice in Townsend: To notify and warn out - William Abbit & Bridget his wife together with there Children named Bridget, Jedethan, Sarah, William, Joshua & David who came last from Fitchburg in the county of Worcester to Townshend the Twenty fifth of February 1783. Dated Twentyeth day of February 1784. (2)

Despite the humble beginnings of his family, Calvin and his children went on to become prosperous and important members of their communities. Calvin was raised in Vermont, but after his marriage relocated to Ogden, New York where he was a farmer. Of Calvin and Charlotte’s eight children, only Edwin remained in Ogden, the rest of their children seeking their fortunes to the west including Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, and California. Son Clement was a prosperous farmer in Sheffield, Illinois. Son Cyrus rose from rank of private to lieutenant during the Civil War. Son Silas was known as the Yankee schoolmaster in Kentucky. Son-in-law Harvey Wesley Hardy was mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Calvin Abbott wrote his will 23 Sep 1854 and the estate entered probate 30 December 1858. (3) In his will, Calvin makes bequests to each of his eight children so that the total legacy received by each is $525. The older children already received $500 in cash and so have additional bequests of $25. The other children receive $525 with the condition that the two youngest children, Silas and Cyrus, will receive their legacies when they become of age. All the rest of the estate, real and personal, is bequeathed to his beloved wife Charlotte, and after her death the estate will be equally divided among the heirs. Son Edwin is named executor.

1. HANNAH ADELINE ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 20 Apr 1817; d. at Paw Paw, MI, 3 Jan 1895; m. 1st, ALVAH GREGORY BRACE, b. at Wilkes-Barre, PA, 11 Feb 1814 son of Chester and Asenath (Strong) Brace; Alvah d. at Grand Rapids, MI, 22 Feb 1867. After Alvah’s death, Hannah married Joseph Gilman as his second wife.

2. MARIA HILL ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 3 Mar 1821; d. at Wyoming, MI, 3 Nov 1858; m. about 1839, PHILIP FRANKLIN COVELL, b. at Cabot, VT, 12 Dec 1811 son of Philip and Lois (Nye) Covell; Philip d. in Kent County, MI, 3 Jul 1895. After Maria’s death, Philip married Sarah Thompson.

3. EDWARD D. ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 2 Aug 1822; d. at Ogden, 7 Jan 1892; m. about 1839, MARY COVELL, b. at Ogden, 6 Jun 1822 daughter of Edward and Mary (Gilman) Covell; Mary d. at Ogden, 13 May 1913.

4. CLEMENT W. ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 13 Dec 1825; d. at Sheffield, IL, 4 Oct 1910; m. 6 May 1857, MARTHA M. BATTEY, b. at Bristol, RI, 1836 daughter of Silas and Mercy (Bennett) Battey; Martha d. at Sheffield, IL, 22 Nov 1906. Clement was a farmer in Sheffield, Illinois and was prosperous. He served in several civic positions including assessor and the county board of supervisors. (4)

5. FOSTER ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 30 Aug 1828; d. 15 Apr 1890 likely in Michigan although there is a cemetery marker for him where his brother Cyrus is buried in California; m. before 1856, ELIZABETH ROSE, b. in New York about 1836 daughter of Harvey K. and Lucy (-) Rose; Elizabeth died after 1880 (living at the time of the 1880 Census in Michigan with Foster).

6. CHARLOTTE CLEMENT ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 6 Apr 1831; d. at Lincoln, NE, 19 Mar 1897; m. 6 Jun 1855, HARVEY WESLEY HARDY, b. at Perry, NY, 29 Oct 1825 son of Samuel and Polly (Parker) Hardy; Harvey d. Jan 1913. Harvey Wesley Hardy was twice elected mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska in 1877 and 1878. (5) He was also prominent in the temperance movement.

7. CYRUS HARLAN ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 30 Sep 1835; d. at Alameda, CA, 21 Jun 1923; m. about 1857, MARTHA ALICE GRUNENDYKE, b. in Monroe County, NY, 26 Oct 1835 daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Petty) Grunendyke; Martha d. at Stansilaus, CA, 11 Jun 1905. Cyrus served in the Civil War enlisting in Illinois as a private but ended with a rank of 1st Lieutenant. He filed his Civil War pension application in 1888. (6) He moved to California in 1872.

8. SILAS D. “S.D.” ABBOTT, b. at Ogden, 30 Sep 1835; d. at Shelby, IA, 13 Aug 1909; m. in Spencer County, KY, 8 Oct 1863, INDIANA “ANNA” HENRY, b. in Kentucky, about 1841 daughter of David and Hannah (Brown) Henry; Anna d. after 1900. Silas attended school in Hanover, Indiana and for eight years taught school in Kentucky where he was known as the Yankee schoolmaster. Due to his strong Union sentiments, he moved to Bureau County, Illinois where his brother Clement settled. Later, Silas relocated with his family to Shelby County, Iowa in 1882. (7)

Notes:

1) 1850 United States Federal Census, Year: 1850; Census Place: Ogden, Monroe, New York; Roll: M432_529; Page: 83B; Image: 173. Calvin Abbott was living in Ogden in 1850.

2) Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1621-1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).

3) Ancestry.com. New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, Wills, Vol 003, 1856-1860, Will of Calvin Abbott

4) Harrington, Bureau County, Illinois, p 540

5) Chapman Brothers, Lancaster County, Nebraska, p 637

6) National Archives. Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900. Abbott, Cyrus H. www.fold3.com/image/83019?terms=Cyrus%20Abbott&xid=1 945

7) State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Biographical History of Shelby, p 447