HISTORICAL NOTE 

Charles Edward Abbott, 1856-1931, was the beloved town physician of Andover for fifty years.  He was a native, descending in the eighth generation from George Abbott of Rowley.  He married in 1884, Frances Estelle Whipple, d. 1954, of North Andover.  They had no children.  The papers were given to the Society in 1946 by Mrs. Abbott. 

Almost all the material was collected by Dr. Abbott, not inherited.  Chiefly deeds, it consists largely of Abbott material of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century from the descendants of Jonathan (3) Abbott. 

Jonathan (3), 1687-1770, had among other children, Jonathan (4), 1714-1794, Nathan (4), 1718-1798 and Job (4), b. 1724.  In turn, Jonathan (4) had Jonathan (5), 1740-1821 and Job had Nathan (5), 1753-1801 and Job (5), 1755-1805.  Nathan (5) had many children, including sons Nathan (6), 1778-1837, Job (6), 1782-1802, Abel (6), b. 1786, Paschal (6), b. 1788, Amos (6), b. 1795 and Joshua, b. 1797.  The last two sons settled in Dexter, Maine.  His youngest child was a daughter named Lydia, b. 1800.  Nathan’s brother Job had an equally large family, including three daughters—Sarah, Mary and Lydia who married their first cousins, Nathan’s sons.  This Lydia, like her cousin, was born 1800. 

Other Andover Abbott families were represented by George (4) Abbott, 1724-1775, son of George (3), and Lydia (50, 1757-1826, daughter of Thomas (4). 

To confuse matters, descendants of George of Rowley intermarried with those of George of Andover.  In the fourth generation Zebediah Abbott had a Zebediah (5), 1739-1793, who served on the Convention for the Massachusetts Constitution.  Zebediah (5) had, among others, two sons Zebediah (6), 1769-1836 and Herman (6), b. 1771.  They both had large progenies.  Herman’s youngest daughter, born 1800 was named Lydia. 

Other unidentified Abbotts have material in this collection.  The Lydia Abbott who left Pembroke Academy in New Hampshire in 1819 may be the daughter of Nathan, of Job, or of Herman.  Judith W. Abbott, 1798-1845, wife of Dr. Joshua of Boston was almost certainly the mother of “Master”  Joshua, but their relationship to the Andover Abbotts is unclear. 

There is also material by members of other Andover families:  Barnard, Chandler, Hazen, Howarth, Phillips, Russell and by two outside families: Goodsell of East Haven, Connecticut and Winthrop of Cambridge, Massachusetts.  William Winthrops’, 1753-1825, only recorded tie with Andover was when his rich family hastily decamped here in 1775 at the news of the Battle of Lexington.  After a week they sent “Billy” back to Cambridge “like a dove from the Ark,” says Shipton in Sibley’s Harvard Graduates, and when they found all was well, went back.  Winthrop had a distinguished career as selectman, messenger between Harvard and John Hancock during the revolution, state Senator and gentleman farmer.  In 1822, Allegheny College of Meadville, Pennsylvania gave him an honorary MA as a benefactor.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

Dr. Abbott’s own material and that of his family has been placed first in the collection.  There are a few letters to him of no significance and his physician’s call book from 1884-1887.  Of more interest are his articles or lectures on Andover history.  There are also his nomination papers for the Board of Health in 1930.  Mrs. Abbott wrote an article on Phoebe Foxcroft-Phillips, which contains a pleasant anecdote, supplied to her by Charlotte Helen Abbott, about Mrs. Phillips’  bonnet.  There are a few items concerning her grandparents, the Charles Hansons of Lowell. 

William Winthrop’s papers consist of nineteen bills and receipts and his diploma from Alleghany College.  The bills include his washing bills from Harvard College; a receipted bill for travelling between Boston and Philadelphia for John Hancock; bills for work done at Governor’s Island during the Revolution and for a silver tankard, sold in 1788 by Ebenezer Stedman and engraved by Joseph Callender. 

The historical material, chiefly deeds, all of which have been registered, is not of the greatest interest.  Any researcher would have to go to the Registry of Deeds for other material.  Of some interest to historians of female education are sentimental farewell verses from the fellow students at Pembroke Academy in 1819, and the colored pencil drawing of a robin.  Nathan W. Hazen saved all material, from his passport to bills for the stagecoach and hotels from a European trip in 1839.  For some unspecified reason, someone made a copy of the 1629 Covenant of the First Church Salem and sent it to the Rev. Samuel Phillips, d. 1771.  Joel Russel died insolvent in 1839 and a complete inventory of his estate was made. 

Processed by Mary F. Morgan, February 1983.