Robert Abell facts for kids

Robert Abell was born around 1605 in Stapenhill, Derbyshire, England. He moved to New England in 1630. This was part of the first big wave of settlers called the Great Migration. Robert was one of the first people to settle in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He first lived in Weymouth and later moved to Rehoboth. He passed away in Rehoboth on June 20, 1663.

Robert Abell's Family Background

Robert was the second son of George Abell (1561–1630) and Frances Cotton (born around 1573, died by 1646). His mother's family had a long history of important people. They were English, Norman, and French nobles and even royalty.

Robert's father, George Abell, started studying at Oxford University when he was 17. He went to Brasenose College in December 1578. By November 1580, he became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. He also joined a group called the Inner Temple.

Before June 1630, George planned for Robert to start an apprenticeship in London. An apprenticeship is like a training program for a job. But Robert decided to try his luck in the New World instead. His father did not like this idea, but he still paid for Robert's trip.

In his will, which was written on September 8, 1630, George Abell wrote about Robert. He said he gave Robert only "a Twentie shilling peece." This was because he had already spent money on Robert's training in London. He also paid for Robert to go to New England, where he hoped Robert was now.

Robert Abell's New Life in America

Robert Abell's first official action in America happened on October 19, 1630. He applied to become a freeman in the new village of Weymouth. A freeman was a person who had full rights as a citizen. They could vote and hold public office. On May 18, 1631, Robert took the freeman's oath.

While he lived in Weymouth from 1630 to 1643, Robert helped his community. He served on different types of juries. These included grand juries, petit juries, and coroner's juries. Records show that he also bought a small amount of land, about 7 acres.

Like many people who moved to America, Robert Abell did not stay in his first home forever. In 1643, he had a chance to join a new town. He followed Reverend Samuel Newman and most of his church members. They moved to a place the local Wampanoag tribe called Seekonk. Part of this area was later renamed "Rehoboth."

When Robert Abell died, he owned property worth about £354. This included his house and land, which was valued at £130.

Robert Abell's Children and Grandchildren

Robert Abell and his wife Joanna had ten children. After Robert died, Joanna married William Hyde. She passed away after 1682. Their children were Abraham (died 1639), Mary (1642–1724), Preserved (born around 1644), Caleb (born around 1647), Joshua (born around 1649), Benjamin (born around 1651), Experience (born around 1660), Samuel (1650-1698), James (1656-1724), and Mehitalbe (born around 1655).

• Around 1662, their daughter Mary married Reverend Samuel Luther (1636–1716). Samuel was the son of an adventurous sailor named Captain John Luther (died 1645). Captain John Luther was an important person in the colonies. Samuel Luther was famous in New England for something that happened when he was only nine years old. In 1645, he survived a terrible attack and was kidnapped by a small group of Lenape tribesmen. Later, in 1685, he became a highly respected pastor. He served the First Baptist Church in Swansea, Massachusetts, for 31 years. That church is still around today.

• Mary's sister Experience married Deacon John Baldwin (1654–1705) in 1680. John was an early settler of Lebanon, Connecticut. They had five children together.

• Robert's son, Lieutenant Preserved Abell (died 1724), was a soldier. He served under Major William Bradford (1624-1703) in King Philip's War. This was a major conflict between Native Americans and English colonists. Preserved also gave money to help support the war effort.

• Sergeant Caleb Abell (died 1731) moved to Norwich, Connecticut, in 1668. He held several important jobs in the town. He was a selectman in 1682, a constable in 1684 and 1706, and a townsman in 1689. In 1701, he was a Sergeant in the Norwich Train Band, which was a local militia. Caleb Abell owned a lot of land in Norwich.

• Joshua Abell (died 1725) was a constable in Dedham, Massachusetts. He was often chosen as a townsman there. In 1667, he moved to Norwich, Connecticut. He became a "considerable landowner," meaning he owned a lot of property.

• Benjamin Abell (died 1699) also owned a good amount of land. His property was next to or near his older brothers' land in Norwich.

All of Robert Abell's sons had large families, usually seven to ten children each. This helped the family name continue in New England. A family historian named Horace Abell wrote in 1940 that most Abells in New England today likely came from Robert's three sons: Preserved, Caleb, and Benjamin. His fourth son, Joshua, did not have any male children who continued the family name.