George Abbott III, the venerable ancester of a vast line of descendants, is believed to have come from Yorkshire, England about 1640. His parents were George Abbott II and Elizabeth Abbott. His grandparents were George Abbott I and Bridget Wylley of Bishop's Strotford, Herts, England.

George Abbott III was one of the first settlers of Andover, Massachusetts, in 1643, and one of the towns proprietors. He lived and died on a farm which in 1847 was owned by John Abbott, one of his descendants of the seventh generation.

During the period of Indian troubles his house was a garrison and was used as such many years after his death. A garrison house was a home that was built a bit larger and more secure than the average homes of the time. The towns people would flock to garrison houses when under attack.

On 12 Dec 1646 he married Hannah Chandler, daughter of William Chandler and sister to Thomas Chandler and William Chandler who were also very influential men in the community. George and his wife were both industrious, frugel, and of pious mind. He died December 24 1681, and his widow married a second husband, Rev. Francis Dane. She died in Andover on June 11 1711, aged eighty-two years.

George and Hannah had 13 children, all born in Andover. John, b 1648; Joseph, b 1649; Hannah, b 1650; Joseph, b 1652 ( said to have been the first person in Andover who fell a victim of Indian murder.) George, b 1655; William, b 1657; Sarah, b 1659; Benjamin, b 1661; Timothy, b 1663; Thomas, b 1666; Edward, b 1668; Nathaniel, b 1671; and Elizabeth, b 1673.

Many of his heirs were influential. Some of them were; John Abbott, deputy to the General Court, 1701; Deacon Isaac Abbott, graduate of Harvard College, 1723; Abiel Abbott, graduate of Harvard, 1737 who died while fitting for the ministry; Dr Abiel Abbott, surgeon in the French and Indian Wars; Capt. John Abbott of the French and Indian War, and Revolutionary war; Capts. Henry Abbott and Stephen Abbott and Lt. Josiah Abbott of the Revolutionary War. The list goes on.The descendants of George Abbott on the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Andover, erected a monument to his memory in the South Church Burying Ground. It reads:

The Children of George Abbott III and his wife Hannah Chandler Abbott:

1. John Abbott, b. 2 Mar 1648, m. 17 Nov 1673 Sarah Baker d.19 Mar 1721.

2. Joseph Abbott, b. 11 Mar 1649, d. 24 Jun 1650. Infant. First recorded death in Andover.

3. Hannah Abbott, b. 9 Jun 1650, m. 20 Dec 1676 John Chandler.

4. Joseph Abbott,(2nd) b. 30 Mar 1652, d. 8 Apr 1676.

5. George Abbott, b. 7 Jun 1655, m.c. 1677 Dorcas Graves,.

6. William Abbott, b. 18 Nov 1657, m. 19 Jun 1682 Elizabeth Geary, d. 24 Oct 1713.

7. Sarah Abbott, b. 14 Nov 1659, m. 11 Oct 1680 Ephraim Stevens.

8. Benjamin Abbott, b. 20 Dec 1661, m.22 Apr 1685 Sarah Farnam, d. 30 Mar 1703.

9. Timothy Abbott, b. 17 Nov 1663, m. 27 Dec 1689 Hannah Graves, d. 9 Sept 1730.

10. Thomas Abbott, b. 6 May 1666, m 7 Dec 1697 Hannah Gray, d. 28 Apr 1728.

11. Edward Abbott, b. 15 Oct 1668, died young.

12. Nathaniel Abbott, b. 4 Jul 1671, m 22 Oct 1695 Dorcus Hibbert d. 1 Dec 1749.

13. Elizabeth Abbott, b. 9 Feb 1673, m. 24 Nov 1692 Nathan Stevens.

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