Lt. Abel Nichols

Abel was born in Middleton, MA on April 4, 1743 to John and Elizabeth Nichols. He was their second child and only son. His other sibling was a sister named Mary who was born two years earlier in 1741.

On December 5/6, 1766 he published his intentions to marry Elisabeth Preston. Both of them were residents of Danvers, MA. I can’t find any record of them having children.

During the American Revolution Abel served as a Sergeant in Captain Samuel Flint’s Company of Minutemen and marched on the Lexington Alarm from Danvers. Later he served as a First Lieutenant in Captain William Towne’s Company in the 8th Essex County Regiment.

I’m not sure why he was in Dedham, MA at the time of his passing on September 13, 1778, nor how he passed. It was likely related to his service—perhaps an illness contracted in camp?

He currently rests in the Old Village Cemetery in Dedham, MA.