Calvinist Baptist Cemetery, Marker #6

(1846-1878)

Abel was born 8 Feb 1846 and died at sea 19 Oct 1878. His birth date is calculated from the age at death on his grave marker: 32 yrs, 8 mos, 11 days. On some early records his name appears as Ira Abel although in later life it appears he used Abel Ira which is the name found on his marker. There is an on-line source which says he was born in Meteghan River, Digby Co 8 Sept 1846. Although the date is likely incorrect, his father was a merchant in Meteghan River and his parents may have been living there when Abel was born. Another on-line source places Abel’s death in the province of Sulawesi Tengah in Indonesia. Both the place of birth and death need to be confirmed as well as the circumstances of Abel’s death. His occupation is given variously as shipwright, ship builder and ship carpenter.

Abel was the son of Joseph Robbins and Mary (Chute) Raymond. His mother is buried in the same cemetery near him. Six months following his mother’s death, Abel’s father remarried. We do not know his place of burial.

Abel married in Boston 18 Nov 1866 Ellen “Nellie” Cooper who appears in some records as Nettie Cowper. No information has been found about Nellie/Nettie or her family. Abel and Nellie had seven children, three of whom died at the age of two or younger. There is no indication they were buried in the Calvinist Baptist Cemetery.

Abel’s grave marker is one of only two in the Old Stones cemeteries that was made of what is often referred to as “white bronze” although the colour is blue and it’s made of zinc. The marker has the names of three brothers who died at the ages of 19, 20, and 32 between the years 1875 and 1879. The first to die was Herbert whose name appears on the back of the marker.

Abel is a Mayflower descendant. Through his father he is descended from Mayflower passengers Isaac Allerton, John Billington, John Howland, John Tilley and Richard Warren.

More about Abel and his family appears in the Old Stones Family Group Sheet Index.

Please leave a comment if you have any additional information particularly about his wife Ellen “Nellie” Cooper/Cowper; confirmation of the place of his birth and death, and the circumstances of his dying at sea at the age of 32.