There is a very nice writeup in the Abbe-Abbey Genealogy, In Memory of John Abbe and His Descendants on pages 186 ~ 188 about his bravery & heroism in the beginning of this country.
354. DORREPHUS (6) ABBEY, son of Peter (5) and Hannah (Alden) Abbey, born July 13, 1792, in Suffield, Conn.; was hanged at Prescott, Canada, December 10, 1838, for his activities in the Patriots' War. He was a printer by trade, lived in Albany, N. Y., and later in Watertown and Oswego, at the time of his death was a resident of Pamelia, Jefferson County. In 1815 a monthly newspaper called '' The Friend'' was published by Dorrephus Abbey and his brother, Seth Alden Abbey, in Albany. Dorrephus Abbey was an early publisher of the Binghamton Republican Herald before 1822. In 1817 he was one of the founders of the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette at Watertown and in 1819 was instrumental in founding the Oswego Palladium at Oswego. He took an active part in the scheme in 1837 for freeing Canada from the English Government, known as the Patriots' War. Jefferson County was the scene of intense excitement at the time and "Hunter Lodges" were formed in every village to promote the Patriot cause. The real promoters of the scheme were too cowardly to take an active part in the expeditions and the punishment fell upon those who were conscientious in assisting what they believed to be a worthy cause.
There were some serious engagements between the troops or militia and the insurgents, and of these the most severe took place at Prescott, where the rebels had taken refuge in a stone wind-mill, from which they were ultimately driven by fire being set to the combustible matter in the lower part of the building. Many Americans who sympathized with the insurgents took part in the battle. An eye-witness stated that he counted 110 dead bodies on the snow, on the morning after the battle. Four of the officers of the expedition were captured, court-martialed and sentenced to be hung. Colonel Abbey is said to have met his death with great fortitude and the papers of the day reveal nothing but respect for his character and regret that his life should have been a sacrifice to an unfortunate cause.
The following letters written to his son and daughters on the eve of his execution have fortunately been preserved:
Fort Henry November 28, 1838.
My dear son:
I this moment received your letter by the hands of the sheriff. I am in want of nothing but what my friends at Watertown have already provided. Tell your dear sisters that one or both of them had better go to Oswego. As for yourself, take good counsel Whatever may be my fate, you must exercise firmness and resignation commensurate to the trial; we must sooner or later part; it is of no great moment when and in what manner I take my exit. If my life is sacrificed, I have the approbation of an approving conscience, having been governed by integrity of purpose.
Great delusion has, however, been entertained in relation to public opinion in Canada. They are not prepared for republican institutions. All governments should conform to the genius of the people.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
Mr. Abbey to his son:
Fort Henry, Tuesday night, Dec. 11, 1838.
Arm yourself my dear boy with fortitude, to hear the sad intelligence, that ere these lines meet your eye, I am numbered with the dead. My zeal in the cause of universal freedom has eventually cost me my life. But let it be remembered, that the unfortunate expedition I was engaged in, took a direction contrary to my views; but in this affair you can take no interest at present, or at any other time further than my reputation is concerned; time will develope facts, when my conduct and intentions will be known and appreciated.
When our condition became hopeless, I could then have taken opportunity to have made my escape across the line, but I could not bear the thoughts of deserting those brave, and many of them, worthy and amiable young men to destruction; life, thus preserved, would not be worth possessing.
In relation to my pecuniary affairs, you must be frequently with and advise with my friends' counsel, and also with Mr. Wiley, and if it should be necessary to sell any of my real estate, let the village property be sold if possible.
As regards yourself, cultivate your mind, associate with honorable men, aim high and let all your motives be of an exalted character; and now, my beloved son, I bid you adieu for ever.
Dorrephus Abbey.
To his daughters: December 11, 1838.
My dear Daughters:
Many severe trials have awaited you from your earliest childhood, but that which you have now to endure, will require all your firmness; you are now left without a parent. Tomorrow morning closes my earthly scenes. You have to bear up under the most tremendous ordeal that the mind of female sensibility ever endured. But I have the consolation to believe, that your fortitude is equal to every contingency and event of human life; without the exercise of such sentiments, existence would scarcely be a blessing. I leave you now orphans under the protection, I trust, of my relations and personal friends. I particularly commend you to a great friend of your mother, Mrs. Woodruff. Mr. Wiley will no doubt take much interest in your welfare. I write from a gloomy cell, lying upon a bed of straw; the guard will soon call for the light, and I must close. Since my sentence, I could not procure materials for writing, till this late hour of my existence, which have just been furnished me by an officer of the garrison, by direction of the sheriff.
Present me kindly to kindred and friends. I cannot discriminate; so farewell, my dear children.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
To Amelia Augusta and Arabella Abbey.
I slept soundly and quietly last night; I now feel as though I could meet the event with composure. The guard has not yet called. D. A.
--------------------------------------------------
Dorrephus Abbey married CATHERINE CLARK, who died 1837. Daughter of Sanford Clark of Herkimer, N. Y.
Children:
D. Clark Abbey. Went to Milwaukee and resided there about 1870. He was a Colonel. Married, as her second husband, Matilda Ormond Taylor, b. in Philadelphia, daughter of Tracy Taylor. She m. (1) in Philadelphia, Harvey Birchard of Milwaukee.
Amelia Augusta Abbey.
Arabella Abbey.
Contributor: Debe Hudson (48917069) •
354. DORREPHUS (6) ABBEY, son of Peter (5) and Hannah (Alden) Abbey, born July 13, 1792, in Suffield, Conn.; was hanged at Prescott, Canada, December 10, 1838, for his activities in the Patriots' War. He was a printer by trade, lived in Albany, N. Y., and later in Watertown and Oswego, at the time of his death was a resident of Pamelia, Jefferson County. In 1815 a monthly newspaper called '' The Friend'' was published by Dorrephus Abbey and his brother, Seth Alden Abbey, in Albany. Dorrephus Abbey was an early publisher of the Binghamton Republican Herald before 1822. In 1817 he was one of the founders of the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette at Watertown and in 1819 was instrumental in founding the Oswego Palladium at Oswego. He took an active part in the scheme in 1837 for freeing Canada from the English Government, known as the Patriots' War. Jefferson County was the scene of intense excitement at the time and "Hunter Lodges" were formed in every village to promote the Patriot cause. The real promoters of the scheme were too cowardly to take an active part in the expeditions and the punishment fell upon those who were conscientious in assisting what they believed to be a worthy cause.
There were some serious engagements between the troops or militia and the insurgents, and of these the most severe took place at Prescott, where the rebels had taken refuge in a stone wind-mill, from which they were ultimately driven by fire being set to the combustible matter in the lower part of the building. Many Americans who sympathized with the insurgents took part in the battle. An eye-witness stated that he counted 110 dead bodies on the snow, on the morning after the battle. Four of the officers of the expedition were captured, court-martialed and sentenced to be hung. Colonel Abbey is said to have met his death with great fortitude and the papers of the day reveal nothing but respect for his character and regret that his life should have been a sacrifice to an unfortunate cause.
The following letters written to his son and daughters on the eve of his execution have fortunately been preserved:
Fort Henry November 28, 1838.
My dear son:
I this moment received your letter by the hands of the sheriff. I am in want of nothing but what my friends at Watertown have already provided. Tell your dear sisters that one or both of them had better go to Oswego. As for yourself, take good counsel Whatever may be my fate, you must exercise firmness and resignation commensurate to the trial; we must sooner or later part; it is of no great moment when and in what manner I take my exit. If my life is sacrificed, I have the approbation of an approving conscience, having been governed by integrity of purpose.
Great delusion has, however, been entertained in relation to public opinion in Canada. They are not prepared for republican institutions. All governments should conform to the genius of the people.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
Mr. Abbey to his son:
Fort Henry, Tuesday night, Dec. 11, 1838.
Arm yourself my dear boy with fortitude, to hear the sad intelligence, that ere these lines meet your eye, I am numbered with the dead. My zeal in the cause of universal freedom has eventually cost me my life. But let it be remembered, that the unfortunate expedition I was engaged in, took a direction contrary to my views; but in this affair you can take no interest at present, or at any other time further than my reputation is concerned; time will develope facts, when my conduct and intentions will be known and appreciated.
When our condition became hopeless, I could then have taken opportunity to have made my escape across the line, but I could not bear the thoughts of deserting those brave, and many of them, worthy and amiable young men to destruction; life, thus preserved, would not be worth possessing.
In relation to my pecuniary affairs, you must be frequently with and advise with my friends' counsel, and also with Mr. Wiley, and if it should be necessary to sell any of my real estate, let the village property be sold if possible.
As regards yourself, cultivate your mind, associate with honorable men, aim high and let all your motives be of an exalted character; and now, my beloved son, I bid you adieu for ever.
Dorrephus Abbey.
To his daughters: December 11, 1838.
My dear Daughters:
Many severe trials have awaited you from your earliest childhood, but that which you have now to endure, will require all your firmness; you are now left without a parent. Tomorrow morning closes my earthly scenes. You have to bear up under the most tremendous ordeal that the mind of female sensibility ever endured. But I have the consolation to believe, that your fortitude is equal to every contingency and event of human life; without the exercise of such sentiments, existence would scarcely be a blessing. I leave you now orphans under the protection, I trust, of my relations and personal friends. I particularly commend you to a great friend of your mother, Mrs. Woodruff. Mr. Wiley will no doubt take much interest in your welfare. I write from a gloomy cell, lying upon a bed of straw; the guard will soon call for the light, and I must close. Since my sentence, I could not procure materials for writing, till this late hour of my existence, which have just been furnished me by an officer of the garrison, by direction of the sheriff.
Present me kindly to kindred and friends. I cannot discriminate; so farewell, my dear children.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
To Amelia Augusta and Arabella Abbey.
I slept soundly and quietly last night; I now feel as though I could meet the event with composure. The guard has not yet called. D. A.
--------------------------------------------------
Dorrephus Abbey married CATHERINE CLARK, who died 1837. Daughter of Sanford Clark of Herkimer, N. Y.
Children:
D. Clark Abbey. Went to Milwaukee and resided there about 1870. He was a Colonel. Married, as her second husband, Matilda Ormond Taylor, b. in Philadelphia, daughter of Tracy Taylor. She m. (1) in Philadelphia, Harvey Birchard of Milwaukee.
Amelia Augusta Abbey.
Arabella Abbey.
Contributor: Debe Hudson (48917069) •
There is a very nice writeup in the Abbe-Abbey Genealogy, In Memory of John Abbe and His Descendants on pages 186 ~ 188 about his bravery & heroism in the beginning of this country.
354. DORREPHUS (6) ABBEY, son of Peter (5) and Hannah (Alden) Abbey, born July 13, 1792, in Suffield, Conn.; was hanged at Prescott, Canada, December 10, 1838, for his activities in the Patriots' War. He was a printer by trade, lived in Albany, N. Y., and later in Watertown and Oswego, at the time of his death was a resident of Pamelia, Jefferson County. In 1815 a monthly newspaper called '' The Friend'' was published by Dorrephus Abbey and his brother, Seth Alden Abbey, in Albany. Dorrephus Abbey was an early publisher of the Binghamton Republican Herald before 1822. In 1817 he was one of the founders of the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette at Watertown and in 1819 was instrumental in founding the Oswego Palladium at Oswego. He took an active part in the scheme in 1837 for freeing Canada from the English Government, known as the Patriots' War. Jefferson County was the scene of intense excitement at the time and "Hunter Lodges" were formed in every village to promote the Patriot cause. The real promoters of the scheme were too cowardly to take an active part in the expeditions and the punishment fell upon those who were conscientious in assisting what they believed to be a worthy cause.
There were some serious engagements between the troops or militia and the insurgents, and of these the most severe took place at Prescott, where the rebels had taken refuge in a stone wind-mill, from which they were ultimately driven by fire being set to the combustible matter in the lower part of the building. Many Americans who sympathized with the insurgents took part in the battle. An eye-witness stated that he counted 110 dead bodies on the snow, on the morning after the battle. Four of the officers of the expedition were captured, court-martialed and sentenced to be hung. Colonel Abbey is said to have met his death with great fortitude and the papers of the day reveal nothing but respect for his character and regret that his life should have been a sacrifice to an unfortunate cause.
The following letters written to his son and daughters on the eve of his execution have fortunately been preserved:
Fort Henry November 28, 1838.
My dear son:
I this moment received your letter by the hands of the sheriff. I am in want of nothing but what my friends at Watertown have already provided. Tell your dear sisters that one or both of them had better go to Oswego. As for yourself, take good counsel Whatever may be my fate, you must exercise firmness and resignation commensurate to the trial; we must sooner or later part; it is of no great moment when and in what manner I take my exit. If my life is sacrificed, I have the approbation of an approving conscience, having been governed by integrity of purpose.
Great delusion has, however, been entertained in relation to public opinion in Canada. They are not prepared for republican institutions. All governments should conform to the genius of the people.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
Mr. Abbey to his son:
Fort Henry, Tuesday night, Dec. 11, 1838.
Arm yourself my dear boy with fortitude, to hear the sad intelligence, that ere these lines meet your eye, I am numbered with the dead. My zeal in the cause of universal freedom has eventually cost me my life. But let it be remembered, that the unfortunate expedition I was engaged in, took a direction contrary to my views; but in this affair you can take no interest at present, or at any other time further than my reputation is concerned; time will develope facts, when my conduct and intentions will be known and appreciated.
When our condition became hopeless, I could then have taken opportunity to have made my escape across the line, but I could not bear the thoughts of deserting those brave, and many of them, worthy and amiable young men to destruction; life, thus preserved, would not be worth possessing.
In relation to my pecuniary affairs, you must be frequently with and advise with my friends' counsel, and also with Mr. Wiley, and if it should be necessary to sell any of my real estate, let the village property be sold if possible.
As regards yourself, cultivate your mind, associate with honorable men, aim high and let all your motives be of an exalted character; and now, my beloved son, I bid you adieu for ever.
Dorrephus Abbey.
To his daughters: December 11, 1838.
My dear Daughters:
Many severe trials have awaited you from your earliest childhood, but that which you have now to endure, will require all your firmness; you are now left without a parent. Tomorrow morning closes my earthly scenes. You have to bear up under the most tremendous ordeal that the mind of female sensibility ever endured. But I have the consolation to believe, that your fortitude is equal to every contingency and event of human life; without the exercise of such sentiments, existence would scarcely be a blessing. I leave you now orphans under the protection, I trust, of my relations and personal friends. I particularly commend you to a great friend of your mother, Mrs. Woodruff. Mr. Wiley will no doubt take much interest in your welfare. I write from a gloomy cell, lying upon a bed of straw; the guard will soon call for the light, and I must close. Since my sentence, I could not procure materials for writing, till this late hour of my existence, which have just been furnished me by an officer of the garrison, by direction of the sheriff.
Present me kindly to kindred and friends. I cannot discriminate; so farewell, my dear children.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
To Amelia Augusta and Arabella Abbey.
I slept soundly and quietly last night; I now feel as though I could meet the event with composure. The guard has not yet called. D. A.
--------------------------------------------------
Dorrephus Abbey married CATHERINE CLARK, who died 1837. Daughter of Sanford Clark of Herkimer, N. Y.
Children:
D. Clark Abbey. Went to Milwaukee and resided there about 1870. He was a Colonel. Married, as her second husband, Matilda Ormond Taylor, b. in Philadelphia, daughter of Tracy Taylor. She m. (1) in Philadelphia, Harvey Birchard of Milwaukee.
Amelia Augusta Abbey.
Arabella Abbey.
Contributor: Debe Hudson (48917069) •
354. DORREPHUS (6) ABBEY, son of Peter (5) and Hannah (Alden) Abbey, born July 13, 1792, in Suffield, Conn.; was hanged at Prescott, Canada, December 10, 1838, for his activities in the Patriots' War. He was a printer by trade, lived in Albany, N. Y., and later in Watertown and Oswego, at the time of his death was a resident of Pamelia, Jefferson County. In 1815 a monthly newspaper called '' The Friend'' was published by Dorrephus Abbey and his brother, Seth Alden Abbey, in Albany. Dorrephus Abbey was an early publisher of the Binghamton Republican Herald before 1822. In 1817 he was one of the founders of the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette at Watertown and in 1819 was instrumental in founding the Oswego Palladium at Oswego. He took an active part in the scheme in 1837 for freeing Canada from the English Government, known as the Patriots' War. Jefferson County was the scene of intense excitement at the time and "Hunter Lodges" were formed in every village to promote the Patriot cause. The real promoters of the scheme were too cowardly to take an active part in the expeditions and the punishment fell upon those who were conscientious in assisting what they believed to be a worthy cause.
There were some serious engagements between the troops or militia and the insurgents, and of these the most severe took place at Prescott, where the rebels had taken refuge in a stone wind-mill, from which they were ultimately driven by fire being set to the combustible matter in the lower part of the building. Many Americans who sympathized with the insurgents took part in the battle. An eye-witness stated that he counted 110 dead bodies on the snow, on the morning after the battle. Four of the officers of the expedition were captured, court-martialed and sentenced to be hung. Colonel Abbey is said to have met his death with great fortitude and the papers of the day reveal nothing but respect for his character and regret that his life should have been a sacrifice to an unfortunate cause.
The following letters written to his son and daughters on the eve of his execution have fortunately been preserved:
Fort Henry November 28, 1838.
My dear son:
I this moment received your letter by the hands of the sheriff. I am in want of nothing but what my friends at Watertown have already provided. Tell your dear sisters that one or both of them had better go to Oswego. As for yourself, take good counsel Whatever may be my fate, you must exercise firmness and resignation commensurate to the trial; we must sooner or later part; it is of no great moment when and in what manner I take my exit. If my life is sacrificed, I have the approbation of an approving conscience, having been governed by integrity of purpose.
Great delusion has, however, been entertained in relation to public opinion in Canada. They are not prepared for republican institutions. All governments should conform to the genius of the people.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
Mr. Abbey to his son:
Fort Henry, Tuesday night, Dec. 11, 1838.
Arm yourself my dear boy with fortitude, to hear the sad intelligence, that ere these lines meet your eye, I am numbered with the dead. My zeal in the cause of universal freedom has eventually cost me my life. But let it be remembered, that the unfortunate expedition I was engaged in, took a direction contrary to my views; but in this affair you can take no interest at present, or at any other time further than my reputation is concerned; time will develope facts, when my conduct and intentions will be known and appreciated.
When our condition became hopeless, I could then have taken opportunity to have made my escape across the line, but I could not bear the thoughts of deserting those brave, and many of them, worthy and amiable young men to destruction; life, thus preserved, would not be worth possessing.
In relation to my pecuniary affairs, you must be frequently with and advise with my friends' counsel, and also with Mr. Wiley, and if it should be necessary to sell any of my real estate, let the village property be sold if possible.
As regards yourself, cultivate your mind, associate with honorable men, aim high and let all your motives be of an exalted character; and now, my beloved son, I bid you adieu for ever.
Dorrephus Abbey.
To his daughters: December 11, 1838.
My dear Daughters:
Many severe trials have awaited you from your earliest childhood, but that which you have now to endure, will require all your firmness; you are now left without a parent. Tomorrow morning closes my earthly scenes. You have to bear up under the most tremendous ordeal that the mind of female sensibility ever endured. But I have the consolation to believe, that your fortitude is equal to every contingency and event of human life; without the exercise of such sentiments, existence would scarcely be a blessing. I leave you now orphans under the protection, I trust, of my relations and personal friends. I particularly commend you to a great friend of your mother, Mrs. Woodruff. Mr. Wiley will no doubt take much interest in your welfare. I write from a gloomy cell, lying upon a bed of straw; the guard will soon call for the light, and I must close. Since my sentence, I could not procure materials for writing, till this late hour of my existence, which have just been furnished me by an officer of the garrison, by direction of the sheriff.
Present me kindly to kindred and friends. I cannot discriminate; so farewell, my dear children.
Your affectionate father,
Dorrephus Abbey.
To Amelia Augusta and Arabella Abbey.
I slept soundly and quietly last night; I now feel as though I could meet the event with composure. The guard has not yet called. D. A.
--------------------------------------------------
Dorrephus Abbey married CATHERINE CLARK, who died 1837. Daughter of Sanford Clark of Herkimer, N. Y.
Children:
D. Clark Abbey. Went to Milwaukee and resided there about 1870. He was a Colonel. Married, as her second husband, Matilda Ormond Taylor, b. in Philadelphia, daughter of Tracy Taylor. She m. (1) in Philadelphia, Harvey Birchard of Milwaukee.
Amelia Augusta Abbey.
Arabella Abbey.
Contributor: Debe Hudson (48917069) •
Inscription
Dorrephus Abbey
Died Dec. 12, 1838
Aged 47 years
Gravesite Details
ABBEY DORREPHUS J 37 01R 1791 1838
Family Members
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