Ford, Abel

Birth

Abel Ford was born in Peekskill, Westchester Co., NY on August 28, 1745 a son of Jesse Ford and Mary Crooker. He was one of six children born to Jesse and Mary.
As a small child, Abel removed with his family to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, then to Connecticut where he lived until his father, Jesse, died when Abel was about 13 years old. The family then moved from Connecticut to Canaan, Columbia Co., NY

Military

In 1776, Abel enlisted at Canaan, Columbia Co., NY and was in Captain Ebenezer Benjamin Company. He went with the company to Fort Edward and from there he marched to Johnston. He was discharged in the fall after serving for at least one month.
In July of 1777, he was again called to service. He served as an Orderly Sergeant in Captain Benjamin’s Company. The lieutenant was Jonathan Ford (Abel’s brother); the 2nd lieutenant was John Muncey. One of the privates in his company was John Castle. In John Castle’s pension file, he remembers serving under Orderly Sergeant Abel Ford. He was discharged after serving for about a month.
In the fall of 1777, he was again called up and volunteered. He was sent to Bemis Heights where British General Burgoyne was poised to attack. He was engaged in the action at this time. In 1776, Abel was in Captain Ebenezer Benjamin Company. He went with the company to Fort Edward and from there he marched to Johnstown. He was discharged in the fall after serving for at least one month.
In July of 1777, Abel was again called to service. He served as an Orderly Sergeant in Captain Benjamin’s Company. The lieutenant was Jonathan Ford (Abel’s brother); the 2nd lieutenant was John Muncey. One of the privates in his company was John Castle. In John Castle’s pension file, he remembers serving under Orderly Sergeant Abel Ford. He was discharged after serving for about a month.
In the fall of 1777, he was again called up and volunteered. He was sent to Bemis Heights where British General Burgoyne was poised to attack. He was engaged in the action at this time. General Burgoyne eventually ended up in defeat and lost the battle. This helped Benjamin Franklin secure the cooperation of France to enter into the American conflict on behalf of the American colonists. Abel served during this time until two or three days before General Burgoyne surrendered.
Abel served at another time, again at Bemis Heights under Colonial Waterman.
In May of 1780, he served as a sergeant in Captain John Davis’ company. Abel served for at least another month during this time. Abel recalled that he went to Cherry Valley while under Captain Davis’ command.
At yet one more time, he served under Captain James Phelps Company for about two months. During this time, he was kept guard at a place between Kinderhook and Albany.

Marriage & Children

Abel married in Amenia, Dutchess County, NY on December 8, 1768, Abigail Skinner who was born in 1762 . Their known children were:

• Reuben Ford b. October 6, 1777, d. November 25, 1865 in Canaan, New York, married Eunice Parke, b. About 1775, d. 7-Jul-1857 in Preston Hollow, New York, both are buried in Scutt Cemetery in Preston Hollow, New York.
• Solomon Ford b. June 7, 1786 d. August 16, 1855 was buried in Scutt Cemetery in Preston Hollow, New York.

Death

Abigail predeceased Abel, she died on July 3, 1813 and was buried at the Scutt Cemetery in Preston Hollow. Abel died on May 31, 1835 and is buried next to Abigail and near their children.

Additional Media

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  First page of Abel’s declaration for his Rev. War Pension
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  2nd page of Abel’s declaration
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  3rd and final page of Abel’s declaration. Also contains the statement of Seth Paddock, a clergy and Sylvanus Parrington
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  Affidavit of Samuel Jenkins in support of Abel’s pension
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  Summary by the Dept. Of Interior of the known information about Abel Ford
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  1st page of the judicial summary of Abel’s declaration
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  2nd page of the judicial summary
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  3rd and final page of the judicial summary
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  Record of the granting of Abel’s pension

Sources

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