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| Born in England about 1613; died in Salem, Mass., about 1689-90. The place of birth of John Abbe, the founder of the American Abbe and Abbey families, is unknown, but every indication points to one of the interior and central counties of England as the home of the ancestors of the emigrant. It is not improbable that he was connected with the Abbye family of Staverton, Northampton. The parish registers of Stoke Bruerne, Northampton, show that there were many marriages of Abbyes recorded there during the 16th and 17th centuries. John Abbe, from the age as given approximately at his death, was born about 1613. The first mention which seems to be of this John Abbe is on a register of the names "of all ye passengers wch passed from ye Porte of London for a whole yeare endinge at Xmas 1635 - those underwritten are to be transported to Virginia imbarqued in ye Mercht bonaventure James Ricrofte Mr bound thither have taken ye oath of allegeance - Jo: Abby 22 yeares - " Although this statement says bound for Virginia, it is a well-known fact that many of the early ships destined for Virginia, landed many or all of their passengers at other ports, even in New England about that time. The above Jo: Abby does not appear in the records of Virginia, nor in the head Rights for lower Norfolk from 1637 to 1666. The abbreviation Jo: sometimes stood for Joseph, but there are proven instances where it was used for John. The first reference to the name in the Salem records is on page 11, volume 1, in 1637 or, according to the old method of marking time, 2d of the 11th month, 1636. "John Abbie is Recd. ffer Inhabitant & is to haue one acre lott for a house next beyond the Gunsmiths, and 3 acres of planting ground where the Towne hath appointed beyond Castle hill." There has existed some confusion regarding the various freemen of the name Abbey and Alby. Benjamin Albye was admitted freeman, May 18, 1642, and John Albye in Salem, May 10, 1643. These were, without doubt, the two Albys, John and Benjamin, mentioned in the early records of Braintree about this time. Benjamin Alby removed to Mendon and had numerous descendants, Whose names occasionally appear in printed records as Abbey. John Abbey, Sen., of Redding, freeman in 1634, may have been an Alby. On the 21st, 11th month, 1638, John Abby had a further grant of five acres, location not specified, but, as on the 15th, 2d month, 1639, this record occurs, "Granted unto John Abby 5 acres neere to Mr. Throgmortons Hoogehouse," it may be that the first was the grant and the second the location. Under date of the 25th, 10th month, 1637, it was agreed "the marsh and meadow lands that have formerly been laid in common to this town shall now be appropriated to the inhabitants of Salem, proportioned out to them according to the heads of families. To these that have the greates number an acre therof, and to these that have least not above half an acre, and to these that are between both three quarters of an acre, always provided and it is so agreed, that none shall sell away their proportions of meadow, more or less, nor lease them out to any above three years, unless they sell or lease out their houses with their meadow." Under the above division a list of the inhabitatns was taken, and the land divided. Jo: Abby is named in 1638 as having three in his family, and receives half an acre. On the 23d, 11th, 1642, ten acres are granted to John Abby together with several other ten-acre grants, all to be laid out near to Kings lot. This was on the Beverly side near Bass River, and on the 15th of the 12th month, 1642, it is voted "ordered that John Abby shall have 10 acres of land at Enon in exchange of 10 acres of land bounded out nere Basse River." The lot near Bass River was afterward granted to Michael Sallows. The record of the grants to Abbey show that he was of the same standing in the community as the great majority of the early inhabitants. The grants were in a great measure made with an eye as to the ability of the grantee to develop the land so granted, small grants to the poorer and larger grants to the richer sort. In 1642, Mr. Fiske organized a church at Enon and the following year the name Enon was changed to Wenham, while a permanent church organization was effected in 1644. In 1644, under date of the 13th, 6th month, it was agreed that John Abby "shall have all that wastground which lyeth between ye end of ye lott which he lives upon and ye meadow which belongs to ye town, leaving a poles bredth most convenient for a way." (Wenham town records, Worcester.) Under date of 1653 is a list of engagements with Goodman Haws about the mill, and "John Aby gives a day and a half of his labor toward its erection," and others contributed in like manner, some also giving the use of oxen. Mr. Fiske left the town in 1655 followed by a number of the church, and in 1657 Mr. Newman was procured as pastor. Under date of November, 1657, in a total rate of 42,19 pounds, divided among twenty-four persons, of whom five paid a total of 14 pounds, John Abey is assessed 1,5, which was about the sum paid by eleven other, but two being less. In 1659, twenty-seven pay a rate of 46,2, of whom sixteen pay 1 or a trifle over. Of these John Abey pays 1,5, as before, " in corne or cattle" In 1660 he was assessed as Goodman Abey at eight shillings toward a new meeting house or repairing the old one. The new house was built in 1663. Under date of 6th, 11th month, 1661, John Abbey, Sr., and Edward Waldron had a town grant of land to be equally divided between them. The use of the title Senior at this time helps to place the birth of the son John. In 1663 Goodman Abey, Sr., and John Clarke are chosen to join with the selectmen to make the minister's rate for the present year. In 1669 and in 1671 John Abbey appears as constable, and office of great local power and reponsibility. April 3, 1675, John Abbe deeded 10 acres of land to his son Samuel; Thomas, John, and Mary Abbe, being witnesses. John Abbe, sen., was a witness to the will of Edward Walden of Salem, 4th month, 1679 In 1683, John Abbey, who had been supporting his son Thomas, who lived with him and cared for him, dismissed Thomas on account of his bad behavior and called his son John, Junior, to take charge of him and his affairs. The son, John, proceeded early to build a new house, as the old one was unfit to live in. Know all men by these presents that I John Abbey (Senior) of Wenham in the County of Essex being sensible of my owne & my wives inability to carry on my affaires so as to prouid for our comfortable livelyhood by reason of our age & weakness of body attending us by reason thereof doe make choice of & request my son John Abbey as my ffeiofe in trust to take into his hands my house & all my lands in Wenham together with that right I have in that land which was sometime Richard Gooldsmiths, to ocquipie & improue for myn & his muttuall benifit so long as my wife & I or eyther of us shall live; & for his incouriagment to maniage my affaires as abovesaid & he provide comfortably for my owne & my wives maintenance I doe hereby give and bequeath to him my aforesaid ffeiofe all my houses & lands fforever except which I doe hereby give out of it to the rest of my childrin viz Samuell Sarah Marah Rebeca Obaida & Thomas & to each of them as followeth viz to Samuell I haveing alridy given his a Lell of land I give him one Shilling mor & to all the rest of my childrin above mentioned viz Sarah Marah Rebeca Obadia & Thomas two shillings a peice or to so many of them as shall sirviv at the deacease of my selfe & wife if his heires shall continue to maniage & carry on my affaires as my abovesaid ffeioffe ought to doe then they shall have the houses & lands abovesaid as therin ordvard & in confirmation of what is above written I have here unto set to my hand & seale signed seald & delivered August the 3, 1683 in the presence of John Abbey Sen. (seal) Thomas Ffiske his X mark Martha Ffiske John Abbey Sen. ded acknowledg this writing above written to be his act & deed August ye 3d; 1683 before me Samuel Appeton Assistant. On the outside of the above document is the inscription: John Abbey's Disposale of his Estate 1683 Recorded in Ips in ye Registrar's office for ye probate of Will for sd County of Essex Dec. 1702 p mee Daniel Rogers Registrar. Administration on the Estate of John Abbey Senjr of Wenham John Appleton Esqr. Commissionated by his Excellency Joseph Dudley Capt. General & Governr in Cheif in & over Her Majesties Counsell of said province for the Probate of Wills and Granting Letters of Administration. Within the said County of Essex &c. To Thomas Abbey of Enfield in ye County of Hampshire son to John Abbey senjr of Wenham - Deceased Intestate - Greeting - Trusting in Yr care and fidelity I doe by these presents comitt unto you full power to administer all & singular the Goods, Charttells, Rights & Creditts of the said Deceased & well & faithfully dispose of ye same according to law which to him while he lived & att ye time of his death did appeartain & belong, to aske sue for demand levy receive & recover and to pay all debts in which the deceased stood bound so farr as his goods Chattells rights & Creditts can extend according to the value thereof, and to make a true & perfect inventory of all & singular the goods Chattells rights and creditts of the deceased and to exhibit the same into the registry office of ye sd county att or before the last day of Oath att or before ye twentieth day of december which will bee in ye year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred & three - and I doe by these presents ordaine constitute and appoint you administrator of all & singular the good chattells rights & creditts of ye deceased aforesaid - In testimony whereof I have herunto sett my hand & caused the seals of said office to be affixed - Dated in Ipswich the 12th Day of December Anno. 1702 Annoq. R: Reginae Annae Angliae &C. Primo. Examined - 11 John Appleton Daniel Rogers Registrar Recorded Book 307, Page 456. Essex Probate Office Know all me by these presents, that we Thomas Abbey of Enfield in ye County of Hampshire as principle and Waltar Fairfeild Snj. & Thomas Edwards both of Wenham as sureties within His Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England are holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto John Aplleton Esquire Judge of the Probate of Wills and granting administration within the said County of Essex in the full sum of Two Hundred Pounds currant money in New England. To be paid unto the said John Appleton Esquire his successors in the said Office or Assignes. To the true payment whereof. We bind our selves, and each of us, our, and each of our heirs, executors and administrators, joyntly and severally for the whole and in the whole firmly by these presents sealed with our seals. Dated the Eleventh day of December Anno Domini. One thousand 701 Annoque Regni Reginae Annae primo. The condition of this present obligation is such, that if the above-bounden Thomas Abbey administrator to all & singular the goods, chattells, rights & credits of his father John Abbey Senjr late of Wenham Deceased to make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattells, rights and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of him the said administrator or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for him. And the same so made, do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the registry of the court of Probate for the aforesaid County of Essex at or before the last day of February next ensuing. And the same Goods, chattells, rights and credits of the said deceased, at the time of Death, which at any time after shall come into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for him do well and truly administer according to Law. And further do make, or cause to be made a just and true accompt of his said administration upon oath, at or before the Twentieth day of December which will be in the year of our Lord, One thousand 703. And all the rest & residue of the said Goods, chattells, rights & credits which shall be found remaining upon the said administrators accompt ( the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of Probate of Wills and granting administrations within the County of Essex aforesaid) shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively as the said Judge or Judges by his or their decree or sentance pursuant to law shall limit and appoint. And if it shall hereafter appear, that any last Will and Testament was made by the said deceased; and the executor or executors therein named do exhibit the same into the Court of Probate for the said County of Essex making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly. If the said administrator within bounden being thereunto required do render and deliver the said Letters of Adminitration (Approbation of such Testament being first had and made ) unto the said Court. Then the before written obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to abide and remain in full force and virtue Thomas TA Abbey (seal) Sealed and Delivered mark & seal in presence of Walter Fayerfield (seal) Francis Crompton Thomas O. Edward (seal) Daniel Rogers mark & seal This inventory of the Estate of John Abee Senior formerly of Wenham deceased about thirten yere since intestate we whom names are her unto subscribed on this twenty-fourth of Febuary in the yere of our lord 17 did at the request of Thomas Abee one of the sons of the decesed and administrator of his fathers estat or by his order vallew and aprise the said decesed his house and land in Wenham on which to our certain knowing he lived for many yers and dyed seased of the same as his owne estat of inheritance as we ever understod we being his nere neighbors for many yers the sayd decesed his homsted being about twenty and three acres of upland and medow together with the housing and fences ther on the apertenances ther onto belonging together with his right in the comon all which we vallewed at ninety and two pounds. We also being informed that the sayd decesed in his life-time did to acomodate his son Obadiah acording to his desire with a trad for his futer benifett when the sayd Obadiah was eighten yers old give to Richard Goldsmith three yers sarvit of his said son Obadiah and untill he was one and twentey yers ould to learne him to be a shoemaker and all the sayd time his sayd father did find his sayd son meat and drink and clothes washing and lodging which we doe judg to be worth thirtey pounds. The acount was settled betwen thomas Abee and his fathers estat by the children of the sayd decesed in our presants as witness our hands this 24 of the 12th month 1702/3 his Richard RH Hutton marke Joseph Fowler Aprisers The estate debtor to his sonn thomas Abee for severall things for which our sayd father John Abee Senor was indebted to his son thomas Abee before the death of our sayd father John Abee Senor the acount whereof was settled and alowed by use underwritten which debt is thirtey and two pounds as witness our hands this 24th Febuerary 1702/3 his Richard + Kimball for himself & Rebecc his wife mark her his Mary | Killam Thomas T Abbe mark marke May 18th 1703 Then ye above said Thomas Abbe made oath to this inventory before John Appleton (2) John Abbe Married (1) Mary. She was born in England about 1615 -20, and died in Wenham, Mass., September, 6, 1672. "Mary, the wife of John Abbey, senr. dyed the 9 Sept. 1672"; Wentham records. She was doubltess the mother of all of his children. Her name is given as Mary Loring, by Frederick Orr Woodruff, who says that the name was found on Enfield records by one who made researches for him there. John Abbe married (2) November 25, 1674, Mrs. Mary Goldsmith, widow of Richard Goldsmith, who was killed by lightening, May 18, 1674. She was living in 1683. " John Abbie and Marah Goldsmith maryed 25 of Novemb, 1674"; Wenham records. Children, probably all by first wife 1. John Abbe; b. probably in Salem, 1636 or 7; m. twice. 2. Samuel Abbe; m. Mary Knowlton. 3. Sarah Abbe; 4. Marah Abbe; m.Killam. 5. Rebecca Abbe; m. Richard Kimball. 6. Obadiah Abbe; m. Sarah Tibbais. 7. Thomas Abbe; m. Sarah Fairfield | ||||||||||||||
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| Last Modified 20 Jun 2005 | Created 19 Apr 2010 using Reunion for Macintosh |