John, Jr. was the son of John Abel (1723-1773) of Ashfield, Massachusetts. He and three other siblings were baptized on February 26, 1773, and his father died five days later. On April 2, 1779, John, Jr. enlisted to fight in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) for three years or until the end of the war. He served in Elisha Cranson's Co., 5th Hampshire Co. Regt. He enlisted for another three years on May 16, 1781, with Capt. Bartlett's Co., Col. Wesson's Regt. He was described then as being age 19, standing 5 ft. 8 in. tall, with a dark complexion and dark hair. He gave his occupation as farmer.
Military Service
Sources Consulted
Ashfield, Massachusetts vital records
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, V. 1, pub. Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1891, p. 22