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!
Under date of Jan. 28, 1777, he writes: "It is reported
that our Army of 12,000 New England Forces will endeavor to retake New
York, and plunder it Very much, as they judge no man that is true to this
country has any business there more than those that are Tories, against
whom they are much exasperated. Just this moment we received news that
Gen. Washington was beating all the King's Troops back to New York, and
hope in a short time to hear of their packing off and leaving us in quiet
possession of our Estates."
On Jan. 20, 1778, in a letter to his son, John, and his
son-in-law, Garret Abeel, after describing the privations he had endured
and the loss of his horse, stolen from the stable, he says: "I shall with
all humility wait till the spring to see you and look out for deliverance
from our cruel enemies; I hope and Trust the Lord will work a deliverance
in good time; I look nor wish for a patched up peace as my son John makes
mention of in his letters to me; if the weather be good in April, if the
troubles be not over sooner, I intend to come a foot to
pay you a Visit; horse I have none nor know where to buy one."
He arrived at the house of his son-in-law, Garret
Abeel, at Little Falls, N. J., where he died Monday, May 1, 1781, and was
buried near there. His, remains were subsequently removed to the family
Vault in the Middle Dutch Church, comer of Nassau and Liberty Streets.
Major Garret Abeel, by his wife Mary (Byvanck) Abeel,
had eleven children, only two of whom are married, viz: Jane, who was
married to Gasherie Brasher, son of Col. Abraham Brasher, who had served
with distinction during the Revolutionary war, and was also a member of
the Provincial Congress; and Garret Byvanck.
Garret Byvance Abeel, son of Major Garret Abeel, was born March 5,
1768. He continued the iron and hardware business of his father at
the corner
of James Slip and Cherry Street, until 1802, when he erected the building
on Water Street, adjoining the one on South Street, since occupied by the
Abeels and their successors. He died Dec. 21, 1829. He married Catharine
Marschalk, daughter of Joseph Marschalk and Mary Schermerhorn. His wife
died July 22, 1832. They had twelve children: Mary, married Edward
Dunscomb; Catharine Schermerhom, married Adrian H. Muller; Elizabeth,
married Albert W. Wright; Joanna, who remained single, died June 25, 1882,
in the sixty-sixth year of her age; Theodore, born Aug. 11, 1810,
graduated at Rutger's College, July 15, 1829, died Dec. 27, 1829; John
Howard.
John Howard Abeel, son of Garret Byvanck and Catharine (Marschalk)
Abeel, was born June 27, 1815, at No. 19 Park Place, New York City. He was
prepared for college at Borland and Forrest Academy, but after the death
of his father in 1829 he decided on a mercantile career. He entered the
silk house of Downer & Co. in Hanover Square, but after a little over a
year's experience he was induced to enter the employ of the old iron firm
then conducted by Alfred and
Edward Abeel. Edward died Jan. 18, 1832.
Alfred took his brother George into partnership, who
relinquished his law practice, having graduated at
Columbia College in 1822. In 1826 he was authorized to practice as
attorney-at-law, by Hon. John T. Irving, Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of the City of New York. The same year he was appointed attorney in
the Supreme Court, and in 1827 made solicitor by the Court of Chancery.
Alfred died Dec. 14, 1835, and 0n Jan. 1, 1836, George took his brother
John into partnership, and retired May 1, 1840, after which he spent most
of his time in travel; both at home and abroad. He died Oct. 26, 1884, in
the eighty-fourth year of his age. John Howard. conducted the business
alone for a few years, and as his sons became of age gave them an
interest.
He retired Jan. 1, 1870, leaving the business to his
four sons. He died April 19, 1896.
He married Jan. 18, 1838, Catharine Emeline, daughter
of Dr. John C. Strobel, an eminent physician of New York, who died of
yellow fever, Oct. 15, 1822, during the great epidemic of that year. Dr.
Strobel's wife was the daughter of Francis Marschalk and Sarah Butler; she
died Aug. 14, 1818. They had eight children: George, born Oct. 16, 1839;
John Howard, Jr.; Catharine, married Charles J. Canda, Assistant U. S.
Treasurer, New York; Louisa, married Dr. Samuel Kuypers Lyon, a prominent
physician; Alfred, born Oct. 14, 1844 (married Nov. 21, 1867, Rachel C.,
daughter of Ascher C. Havens; died May 8, 1871, leaving one son, Alfred,)
; Frederick H., born July 31, 1848, married Nov. 3o, 1880, Helen Douglass;
died Oct.. 7, 1887, leaving no issue.
