Aaron Abbott

Aaron Abbott - born a slave in Middlesex county, Virginia, in April 1796, is the son of Maniel and Dafny Abbott. His wife, Harriet Jones, also a slave, is a native of Clarke county, Kentucky, born June 10, 1813; her parents were Robert Canon and Jane Jones. She has had four children: Baisil, born September 3, 1854, deceased; Evaline, December 15, 1857, deceased; Samuel J., September 3, 1860, resides in Blue Creek township. Mr. Abbott’s first marriage was with Charity Abbott; her children were: Lewis, born March 5, 1829; Henry, May 8, 1831; Caroline, August, 1833; Anthony, deceased; Charles, January 8, 1842; Mary, 1844, deceased; Martha, June, 1848; Margaret, May 13, 1850, deceased. Mr. Abbott purchased his own freedom for $1,050; also his first wife for $500; his second wife for $650; his children, the eldest, nineteen years of age, for $700; the second, also nineteen years of age at time of purchasing for $850; and his son Anthony for $700. He was hired out by his master to an iron company for seven years; he performed extra labor during the time to the amount of $920, and secured credit for the balance. After paying for his children he bought a farm in Powell county, Kentucky; became a successful farmer and stock raiser, and finally owned a distillery. He had two trades; molder and stone mason. His son Charles enlisted at Covington, Kentucky, August 7, 1864, in the 117th United States Colored Infantry, Company C, commanded by Captain E. H. Morris; was in the siege of Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia; was discharged August 10, 1867; was on garrison duty in Texas two years, two months and ten days. He is now a farmer. Address, Pleasant Point, Paulding county, Ohio.