The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Abel Conant was the 5th and last child born of Josiah and Katharine (Emerson) Conant.
On 1 May 1775, Abel enlisted as a Private for eight months in Captain Reuben Dow's company, under the command of Colonel William Prescott of Massachusetts Troops. During this enlistment, he was stationed at Court Bridge near Boston, and he was in the Battle of Bunker's Hill, where he lost a knapsack and tump line.
Before the close of Abel's 1st enlistment, he enlisted for the term of one year to commence on 1 January 1776 in Captain Morse's company, Colonel William Prescott's Regiment of the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army. During this enlistment, he was initially stationed at Sewell's Point near Boston until the British evacuated that City. From there, he went to New London, Connecticut, and then to New York City by water.
He was stationed in New York City for a short time and then at Governor's Island. While at Governor's Island, in the summer of 1776, he was sent to the City to work as a Carpenter building boats, etc. When the Continental Army left New York City, he went with them up the North River to Peekskill, where he was discharged on 1 January 1777. He then returned home to Hollis, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.
At Hollis, in March 1777, Abel enlisted as an Artificer in Captain Thayer's Company, Colonel Baldwin's Regiment. During this enlistment, he went to Fort Ticonderoga and back across Lake Champlain to Mount Independence. He was discharged from this enlistment at Albany, New York, on 1 January 1778.
On 6 August 1778. Abel was a Corporal engaged in Captain Daniel Emerson's Company, Colonel Moses Nichols Regiment of Volunteers, when they marched from New Hampshire and joined the Continental Army in Rhode Island. Abel and the other men serving in this company were discharged from this service on 28 August 1778. He was paid an additional two days for his travel home after discharge and 100 miles traveled.
Abel married twice, first to Margaret Jewett, on 20 November 1781, in Hollis, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, and they had four children:
Margaret (b. 1782).
Abel (1784-1875).
James (1786-1875).
Catharine (1787-1843).
After Margaret died, Abel married Lydia (Kidder) Thurston on 19 January 1790 in Temple, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. They had seven children:
Susannah (1791-1791).
Joseph (1792-1873).
Daniel (1794-1795).
Lydia (1796-1796).
Rebekah (1798-1859).
Moses Thurston (1801-1867).
John Calvin (1803-1890).
Sources:
Worcester, Samuel T., History of the Town of Hollis, New Hampshire. From its First Settlement to the Year 1879, 1879, page 370.
Revolutionary War Pension file W18964
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1901. Vol. III, Pages 871 and 896.
Hammond, Isaac W., The State of New Hampshire, Rolls of the Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, May 1777, to 1780, Vol. 15, New Hampshire. Concord: Parson B. Cogswell State Printer, 1885, pages 510, 743-744.
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