According to A.A. Shumway's book- Abner was connected with the Revolutionary army
and his name appears on a muster roll, 10-7-1775 at Roxbury Camp. It is probable that he
may have participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was at that time a drummer from
Oxford. He is also mentioned in other records as serving short terms of enlistment. He left MA
for Lebanon Springs, NY where he spent the remained of his life. After leaving the army he
worked as a carpenter. Houses built by him in 1786 were said to be still standing in 1889.
SHUMWAY, Abner of Oxford. Capt. William Campbell's Company, Col. Ebenezer Learned's regiment,
marched to Cambridge April, 1775; Drummer [page 383]. On rolls of Capt. William Campbell's Oxford
Company, May 1775; Drummer [page 385].
SOURCE: [37] The Records of Oxford, Mass; pages 383, 385.
He is buried, along with his wife, in the Evergreen Cemetery near the intersection of
Routes 20 & 22 in Lebanon Springs, NY. His grave is in the older section of the
cemetery and is surrounded by huge evergreen trees.
A New York State Abner Shumway marker can be found on West Road, which marked
the location of a house built by Abner. If traveling east on Rt# 20, turn left on West Road
in New Lebanon and follow this road about 3-4 miles ?
The 9/23/1813 Pittsfield Sun newspaper lists his death as 9/15/1813 not 9/13/1813
(Shumway Genealogy Book). "Mr Abner Shumway in 66th year." The 9/15/1813 date
agrees with Rev. Silas Churchill's Records of New Lebanon, New York which
states:"Mr Shumway, age 66, found dead in the road."
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It appears that Abner's parents may have died when he was very young.
I based this on the following Guardianship record found in the
Worcester County(MASS.) Probate office:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
To the Honour John Chandler Esign Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester.
This may certify that I Abner Shumway of Sutton a minor age fourteen years do
choofe Elisha Davies of Oxford to be my guardian and beg the favor of your honor that
he may be put accordingly as witnefs my hand this 11th April 1763.
witness Elijah Rich
Timothy Libby
Elijha Davis of Oxford yeoman
Elijah Rich of Sutton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Note: the above request appears to have been written by Abner in script,
for the handwriting appears to be the same as his signature.
BURIED: Evergreen Cemetery, Lebanon Springs, Columbia, New York
SOURCE: Steve Shumway - shumways@@petershumway.org
DIED
At New Lebanon, N.Y. on the 15th inst. Mr Abner Shumway, in the 60th year of his age. The
morning of his death, he got up before sun-rise, as usual and walked 15 oro 20 rods from
the house and dropped down dead in the road.
SOURCE: Date: September 29, 1813
Location: Vermont
Paper: Columbian Patriot
Steve Shumway - shumways@@petershumway.org
Who is this family member?