Abbot, Samuel (1732-1812)

Person

Dates

Existence: 1732 - 1812

Biography

Samuel Abbot, son of Mary Phillips and George Abbot (1692-1768), was born on February 25, 1732 in Andover, Massachusetts. At the age of fifteen, Samuel was apprenticed to his cousin, William White, who owned a retail store in Boston. After spending the required seven years with his cousin, Samuel opened his own business in Boston in June 1754. In January 1774, the partnership was dissolved, the store closed, and stock in the company was liquidated. Abbot removed first to Charlestown during the Siege of Boston, and then retired permanently from active business and returned to Andover. Kneeland remained in Boston and served as Abbot’s agent, managing his investments and the collection of debts owed to Abbot & Co. After his retirement to Andover, became a Justice of the Peace and Town Treasurer, and he was one of the founders of the Theological School in 1807. Samuel died in Andover on April 12, 1812.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Samuel Abbot business papers

FOUND IN: Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School

Collection Identifier: Mss:761 1754-1819 A122

Overview: Samuel Abbot, son of Mary Phillips and George Abbot (1692-1768), was born on February 25, 1732 in Andover, Massachusetts. At the age of fifteen, Samuel was apprenticed to his cousin, William White, who owned a retail store in Boston. George Abbot paid White almost £50 toward the cost of Samuel’s apprenticeship. After spending the required seven years with his cousin, Samuel opened his own business in Boston in June 1754. The Samuel Abbot business papers consist of 46 volumes of daybooks,...