Nathaniel Abner Abbey

Nathaniel Abner Abbey was born in 1797 in Dutchess Co., NY, and died March 1849 in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West, at about age 52. He was the son of Nathaniel Abbey of Dutchess County, Province of New York, and Mary (Unknown) of Dutchess County, Province of New York.

Mary "Polly" Nugent was born about 1810 in County Cavan, Ireland, and died 1888 in the Village of Millbrook, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada, at age about 78. She was the daughter of Francis Nugent and Mary Barrett, both of County Cavan, Ireland.

Abner and Mary were married August 5, 1833, in St. John's Anglican Church, Port Hope, Durham Co., Upper Canada.

Abner and Mary had  seven children: 

1. Isaac Abbey: Born 1838 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Upper Canada; Died October 9, 1865, in Mobile, AL (about age 27). Never married.
2. Wellington Abbey: Born April 22, 1840, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Upper Canada; Died September 23, 1901, in Fond du Lac, WI (age 61). Married March 28, 1866, in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, to Laura Estella Watrous: Born November 5, 1845, in Genesee Junction, Monroe Co., NY; Died July 9, 1921, in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac, WI (age 75).
3. Elizabeth Abbey: Born 1842 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West; Died February 17, 1873, in Welcome, Hope Twp., Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (about age 31). Married about 1865 in Canada to James Deyell: Born about 1828 in Cavan Twp., Peterborough Co., Upper Canada; Died Unknown. It is presently undetermined if he was ever convicted in Canada of murdering his wife, Elizabeth.
4. Sarah Ann Abbey: Born February 22, 1844, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West; Died October 15, 1927, in Paynesville, Stearns Co., MN (age 83). Married October 7, 1859, in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, to John B. Harris: Born December 20, 1830, in New York; Died May 17, 1899, in Regal, Kandiyohi Co., MN (age 68).
5. Orrin Abbey: Born April 22, 1847, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West; Died October 5, 1905, in Artesia, Eddy Co., NM (age 58). Married (1) February 22, 1872, in Dodge Co., WI, to Adelia Corey: Born about 1845 in Randolph Twp., Crawford Co., PA; Died about 1893 in Freedom Twp., Republic Co., KS (about age 48). Married (2) January 25, 1894, to Margaret Ann Kneale: Born February 12, 1857, on the Isle of Man, United Kingdom; Died February 10, 1947, in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA (age 89).
6. Francis F. Abbey: Born January 1848 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West; Died about April 1925 in Nebraska (about age 77). Married about 1877 to Mary J. (Unknown): Born October 1855 in Illinois; Died after 1930 in Nebraska.
7. Abner Nathaniel Abbey: Born August 15, 1849, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West; Died September 26, 1929, in the City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND (age 80). Married  July 29, 1884, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, to Emma Gilby: Born January 9, 1848, in St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England; Died July 19, 1928, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND (age 80).

After Nathaniel Abner Abbey died, Mary "Polly" (Nugent) Abbey married Barnabus "Barney" Eatcher/Edger/Etcher.

Barnabas "Barney" Eatcher/Edger/Etcher was born 1810 in England and died after 1881 in Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Unknown.

Barnabas was first married to Mary Bayse.

Mary "Martha" Bayse was born 1814 in Ireland and died about 1853 in Ontario, Canada, at about age 39. She was the daughter of Unknown.

Barnabas Etcher and Mary Bayse were married about 1828 in England.

Barnabas Etcher and Mary (Bayse) Etcher had eight children:

1. John Etcher: Born 1829 in England; Died June 8, 1889, in Turnberry, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada (age 59). Married about 1856 in Ontario, Canada, to Lavina Unknown: Born about 1830 in Ontario, Canada; Died October 21, 1898, in Bluevale, Turnberry, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada (age 68).
2. Barnabus Etcher: Born 1833 in England; Died after 1891 in Ontario, Canada. Married to Ann Unknown: Born 1836 in Ontario, Canada; Died Unknown.
3. Unknown Daughter Etcher: Born about 1837 in England; Died Unknown.
4. William Etcher: Born March 15, 1839, in Cobourg, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada; Died June 29, 1928, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (age 89). Married January 23, 1878, in Haldimand, Ontario, Canada to Cassandra Deplacy Blodgett: Born May 22, 1852, in Haldimand Twp., Ontario, Canada; Died August 30, 1934, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (age 82).
5. Rebecca Etcher: Born 1841 in Ontario, Canada; Died October 27, 1906, in Port Hope, Hope Twp., Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (age 65). Married to John Thomas Jeffery: Born 1847 in England; Died March 22, 1915, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (about age 68).
6. Mary Etcher: Born 1846 in Ontario, Canada; Died Unknown.
7. Martha Etcher: Born August 20, 1849, in Ontario, Canada; Died about 1930 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (about age 81). Married (1) March 11, 1868, to Johnathon Brown: Born 1836 in Unknown; Died January 20, 1882, in Unknown (about age 46). Married (2) July 3, 1894, in Canton, Hope Twp., Durham Co., Ontario, Canada, to Phillip Strongman: Born August 20, 1832, in England; Died March 8, 1911, in Lot 12 Concession 4 Hope Twp., Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (age 79). Emigrated to Canada in 1884.
8. Esther Etcher: Born 1852 in Ontario, Canada; Died September 14, 1942, in Port Hope, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada (about age 90). Married to John Wood: Born October 20, 1855, in Unknown; Died December 27, 1908, Unknown (age 53).

TIMELINE

Nathaniel Abner Abbey was born in 1797 in Dutchess Co., NY.

Mary Louisa "Polly"  Nugent was born about 1810 in County Cavan, Ireland.

Abner Abbee made a Land Petition in Durham County in 1840.

In 1848 Abner Abbey was living in Concession 5 Lot 2 in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Ontario, Canada.

The 1851 Canadian Census shows Sarah Nugent ( age 23) born in Canada is living in Hope Twp., Ontario, Canada. Leigh Larson note: Sarah is the youngest sister of Mary (Nugent) Abbey.

The 1861 Canadian Census shows Mary Etcher (age 20) born in Canada is the Head of Household living in the 10th Concession, Hope Twp., Durham Co., Ontario,, Canada.

"Oliver" Abbey

Elizabeth Jemima NUGENT. Not much is known from our parts of the family about the Nugent history. Descendants of Elizabeth's siblings provide the following combination of the research of many of them. There are still many 'maybes' &/or unknowns. If you can verify anything or contribute anything in the way of corrections, photos, stories, etc. be sure to let me know.

Francis NUGENT was born in 1780, probably in No. Ireland. He died 18 October 1835 in Hope Township, Ontario, Canada & is buried at St. Mark's in Port Hope (known then as St. John's Anglican). His obituary from the Christian Guardian Paper states "Francis Nugent of the township of Hope, while assisting at the raising of a barn for John Heaton, was struck in his side by a falling log and died the next morning."

His wife Mary BARRETT was born about 1780, possibly also in Ireland or No. Ireland. They came to Ontario about 1826-27. Francis & Mary had 8 children & there are varying stories about how many & which ones were born before leaving for Canada. It is likely that the first 7 children were born in North Ireland. My own family notes say Elizabeth was born in Londonderry, North Ireland, but also say she was born in Ontario near Millbrook. Mary died February 1865 in Cavan Township, Ontario, Canada.

The following passages are from the "Descendants of John Abbe" publication by Cleveland Abbey, found under disconnected lines:

Nathaniel Abbey, born in Canada, whither his parents, whose names are not known had removed from Dutchess Co., NY shortly after the Revolution. He died in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, March, 1849, and is buried in the old cemetery near where he resided. He was a carpenter by trade, but also followed the occupation of farming. He was a man of quiet and retiring disposition, but won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He is said to have had a brother, Orrin.

Married in Canada, Mary Nugent, a native of County Cavan, Ireland, who in early life migrated to Canada. After her husband's death, she became a resident of Wisconsin, locating in Sheboygan Co., where she purchased a claim. For two years she made her home on the farm, then sold her interests and returned to Canada, where she spent the remainder of her days. She died at her home in Millbrook, Ontario, in 1888, and is buried beside her husband. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and a woman greatly beloved.

The land claim by Lewis Grant which was subsequently purchased by Polly Abbey and then Polly's brother-in-law Orrin Abbey.

After Orrin's father's death in 1849 in Canada, Orrin's mother, Mary (Nugent) Abbey, became a resident of Wisconsin, locating in Sheboygan Co. with her children, where she purchased a claim. For two years she made her home on the farm, then in 1851 his mother sold her interests and returned to Canada with all of her children except Wellington, where she spent the remainder of her days. She died at her home in Millbrook, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada in 1888, and is buried beside her husband.

WELLINGTON ABBY, Sec. 20, P.O. Byron; born in Canada West in 1840; son of Mary and Abner Abby, a carpenter and joiner and farmer; he was educated in the public schools; in the year 1850, went to Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1852, came to Fond du Lac Co.; from that time he lived part of the time in Canada and part in this country, until 1861, when he joined Co. A, 14th W. V. I., and went to war and served through the entire war; was mustered out in 1865. Married in Byron, in the spring of 1866, to Estella L., daughter of Louisa and Russell Watrous, a carpenter and joiner living in Oakfield. He owns 120 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre. They have three children---George W., Burt and Edith M. Mr. A. is politically a Greenbacker. 

Nathaniel Abbey, the father of the family, was a carpenter by trade, but in connection with that business followed the occupation of farming. His death occurred in the month of March, 1849, and he was buried in the old cemetery near where he resided. He was a man of a quiet and retiring disposition, but received the respect of all who knew him. His wife survived him for many years. After the death of her husband she became a resident of Wisconsin, locating in Sheboygan County, where she purchased a claim, which had been entered by a Mr. Grant.

For two years Polly Abbey made her home upon that farm, when, selling her interest to Orrin Abbey, her deceased husband's brother, with her remaining family except for Wellington Abbey she returned to Canada, where the remainder of her days were passed. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and was beloved by all who knew her. She died in 1888 at her home in Millbrook, Ontario, Canada and was laid to rest in the burying ground in that city.

Wellington Abbey spent his early life in his native land. His father dying when he was but nine years old, and there being five younger children in the family, he was early thrown upon his own resources, and is truly a self-made man. When but fifteen years of age he began earning his own livelihood, and from that time has been dependent upon his own efforts. Of a hopeful and energetic disposition, he never gave way to the trials and difficulties with which he was surrounded, but pressed steadily forward to the end. His educational advantages were necessarily very limited, but possessing a retentive memory and an observing eye, he has largely supplemented the knowledge acquired from text books in his early years. Much of his leisure time has been spent in study, and in his home will be found a good library, together with many of the leading periodicals and papers. Few men are better informed on the issues of the day, or have a more extensive knowledge of the general affairs of the country. With the family Mr. Abbey left his native land, and in 1849 removed to Sheboygan County, Wis., where he resided until becoming a resident of Fond du Lac County in 1851. The greater part of his life has here since been passed, and he has been prominently identified with the history and progress of the community.

The 1871 Canadian Census shows Barnibes Eatcher (age 60) born about 1811 in England with Church of England Anglican religion is the Head of Household and is a Carter (Carpenter?) living in Cavan, Durham East, Canada.

Also living in Cavan but not in Barnibes' household: Mary Eatcher (age 25) born about 1846 in Ontario.

The 1871 Canadian Census shows Mary Edgar (age 60) born about 1811 in Ireland with Reformed Presbyterian religion is not the Head of Household and is living in Cobourg Town, Northumberland West, Canada.

The 1881 Canadian Census shows Barney Edger (age 83) born in England is a Carpenter and is living in Millbrook, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada. Living with him is Mary Edger (age 76) born in Ireland. Also living there is Mary A. Edger (age 30) born in Ontario, a Spinster.

Mary "Polly" (Nugent) (Abbey) Etcher died 1888 in the Village of Millbrook, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada, at age about 78.