While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
Son of Capt. David,
Son of Johannes (1), Son of Christopher
Garret Abeel, Patriot of the Revolution, son of David and Mary (Duyckinck)
Abeel, was born in New York City, May 2, 1734. He was educated both
in Dutch and English, and on May 1, 1751, was apprenticed to Gulean
Verplanck, a wholesale merchant. After serving his time he entered
the employ of James Napier, Esq., Director of the British General
Hospital
at Albany. He left his position in
1757, and returned to New York, where he was induced to accept a
better position in the same service in charge of the New York stores
for the supply of other hospitals.
He
refused in Dec., 1770, to go to the Army, then at Boston, and was
dismissed from the British hospital service, receiving from Gen.
Gage a certificate for past faithful service. In 1765 he joined his
brother-in-law, Evart Byranck, Jr., in the iron business, continuing
until Aug. 24, 1774, when his partner withdrew and he
Garret Abeel
continued the
business alone till 1776, when, owing to the occupation of New York
by the British, he was obliged to leave with his family, and located
at Little Falls, N. J.
On Feb. 14, 1755, he was appointed by James De Lancey,
Esq., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief in
and over the Province of New York, and the territories depending
thereon in America-Ensign of the company of militia foot of the city
and county of New York, whereof David Abeel was Captain, and on
April 15, 1760, he was appointed Lieutenant of the same company. In
1772 he was appointed Captain in place of his father, who resigned on
account of advanced age. When troubles began with the mother country, he
immediately resigned his commission and offered his services to his native
State, and Nov. 3, 1775, he was appointed Major of First Regiment, New
York City Militia, Col. John Jay commanding. He was a member of the New
York General Committee, Aug. 28, 1775; Chairman, 1776; Member of New York
Committee of Safety, 1776; Member of New York Provincial Congress, 1776-7.
In a letter to his wife under date of June 19, 1776, he says: "The public
have this day forced me into Congress, where I am to sit the second
Tuesday of next month."
