Abel Bronson

 

AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

Contact information on HOME page

Direct descendant is highlighted in red

Abel Bronson    
Born: 30 May 1743 Waterbury, New Haven, CT

 

   
Married: Lydia Benham 15 Dec 1768Married Esth

Married Esther Hawkins 24 Oct 1784

 

   
Died: 02 Aug 1805    

FATHER

Josiah Bronson

MOTHER

Sarah Hurd

WIVES

Lydia Benham

    b. 6 Jun 1742
   d. 1782

Esther Hawkins

    b. 1764
    d. 13 Jun 1823 

CHILDREN with Lydia Benham

1. Sarah Bronson b. 2 Jun 1771

2. Abel Blackslee Bronson b. 1 Oct 1775

CHILDLREN with Esther Hawkins

1. Bronson b. 02 Feb 1786   d. 03 Feb 1786

2. Lydia Bronson b. 21 Mar 1787

3. Elvira Bronson b. 25 Aug 1789

4. Sarah Bronson b. 01 Apr 1791

5. Joseph Bronson b. 25 Sep 1794

6. Homer Bronson b. 20 Mar 1796

 

Abel Bronson, 2nd child, 2nd son of Lieutenant Josiah Bronson and his 2nd wife, Mrs. Sarah Hurd Leavenworth, was born on May 30, 1743 in the-then Breakneck section of Waterbury, now Middlebury. 

Doctor Abel Bronson was the great-grandson of John Brunson, a founder of Hartford. John emigrated from England and probably came to Hartford with the Rev. Thomas Hooker around 1635, soon after arriving in America and was an early settler and proprietor of that town. The Bronson family was known for serving our new nation starting with John in the Pequot War. Abel's father Lieut. Josiah Bronson served on town committees in the Revolution and hosted Rochambeau's troops on his Breakneck Hill Road property during their march to Yorktown, Virginia where they fought the decisive battle of the Revolution. Both Abel and his brother David served, Abel as a guard in Col. David Leavenworth's Company guarding Horseneck, serving as doctor, and participated in the New Haven Alarm.

Abel was best known for his innovative treatment of the disease smallpox, inoculating people with the disease in the hopes that they would build up antibodies and not contract the terrible disease, so prevalent at that time. In 1784 he petitioned the town for a house in which to receive patients for inoculation and after consent was gained, established a hospital in Middlebury. The only portion that remains is a door now on display at the Middlebury Historical Society, and is covered with the self-carved names of those who endured the pains of inoculation and the disease itself.

Abel rests here with both of his wives, the first being Lydia Benham. She was born in New Haven on June 6, 1742 and died here at the young age of 40 in 1782. Lydia's father was Capt. Japhet Benham. The Benham family were early settlers of New Haven. Abel and Lydia had 2 children, Sarah, and Abel Blakeslee Bronson. Abel married 2nd Esther Hawkins on Oct 24, 1784 and they had 6 more children. Abel died on Aug 2, 1805 and Esther on June 13, 1823.