Major James B. Abbott

Birth & Early Life

  • Born: December 3, 1818
  • Hometown: Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
  • Parents: James and Asenath Burnett Abbott
  • Marriages:
    • 1838: Married Amanda Atwood (died 1850 or 1851)
    • 1852: Married Elizabeth Ann Watrous of Hartford, Connecticut

Migration to Kansas & Free-State Advocacy

In 1854, James Abbott traveled to Kansas as part of the third party of New England immigrants. He arrived in Lawrence on October 10, 1854, and quickly became recognized as a leader in the Free-State movement.

Abbott settled on a claim about half a mile south of Blanton’s Bridge, on the road to Hickory Point. His house became a central meeting place for Free-State men in the area. As tensions grew with pro-slavery forces, he traveled east to procure arms for the Free-State cause. Due to his efforts, Kansas received shipments of Sharps rifles and a twelve-pounder howitzer, which were instrumental in defending Free-State settlements.

James B. Abbott KSHS 1890s

Role in Kansas Conflicts

  • Participated in the rescue of Jacob Branson from Sheriff Samuel J. Jones of Douglas County.
  • Served as a lieutenant in command during the first Battle of Franklin.
  • Commanded the Third Regiment of Free-State Infantry during the Siege of Lawrence in 1856.
  • Fought alongside John Brown at Black Jack.
  • Led the expedition that rescued Dr. John Doy, who had been arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for helping escaped slaves.

Doy Rescue - Abbott on Left Side

James Abbott Doy Rescue

Political Career

Abbott played a significant role in Kansas' political development:

  • 1855: Elected to the first Kansas House of Representatives under the Topeka Constitution.
  • 1861: Elected to the first Kansas State Legislature after the adoption of the Wyandotte Constitution.
  • 1867: Elected as a Kansas State Senator.

Later Life & Move to De Soto

In 1861, Abbott was appointed as agent for the Shawnee Indians and moved to De Soto, Johnson County. During the Price Raid, he led a group of Shawnee against Confederate forces.

In 1866, he retired from the Indian agency and was later elected to the Kansas State Senate.

Death & Legacy

  • Died: March 2, 1897 (aged 78) in De Soto, Kansas
  • Buried: De Soto Cemetery, Original Lot 112

Abbott was influential in securing the establishment of a school for feeble-minded youth in Kansas. The howitzer he brought to Kansas in the territorial days is now in the possession of the Kansas Historical Society, where he served as a director for 12 years before his death.

Information and photos courtesy of the De Soto Historical Society.

Our City website chatbot, "Ask Abbott," is named after this De Soto pioneer!

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