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Abel Tracy Edgerton, son of Abel and Mehitable (Tracy) Edgerton.  (?)

Gertrude Hardenbrook, daughter of Pieter and Marij (Arnold) Hardenbrook.

Children:

1. William Keeler, b. 1820; New York City, New York Co., NY.
2. Theodore Tracy, b. 1822; New York City, New York Co., NY.
3. Edward Augustus, b. September 25, 1823; New York City, New York Co., NY.
4. George Otis, b. November 14, 1825; New York City, New York Co., NY.
5. Frank W., b. ~1827; New York City, New York Co., NY.
6. Abel Tracy, b. ~1830; New York City, New York Co., NY.
7. Gertrude Jane, b. March 1830; New York City, New York Co., NY.
8. Mary DeWitt, b. September 1832; New York City, New York Co., NY.

The parentage of Abel Tracy Edgerton has not been conclusively proven; however, all circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that he was the son of Abel and Mehitable (Tracy) Edgerton, originally of Norwich, Connecticut.  According to the age at death reported on Abel’s death certificate (see below), he was born in the state of Connecticut in June of 1794.  This information is corroborated by a number of census records, also cited below.  The strongest evidence is found in the fact that Abel’s middle name (as found on his death certificate) was “Tracy”, presumably after the maiden name of his mother.  Abel also gave two of his sons the middle name of “Tracy”.

Upon reaching his maturity, Abel removed from his homestate and settled in New York City, New York.  He resided in the borough of Manhattan for the entirety of his adult life.  Abel made his living as a tailor and merchant.

In the year 1819, Abel T. Edgerton was married to Gertrude Hardenbrook, of New York City.  Abel and Gertrude had a family of eight children:  six sons, William Keeler, Theodore Tracy, Edward Augustus, George Otis, Frank W. and Abel Tracy; and two daughters, Gertrude Jane and Mary DeWitt.  We would like to thank Mrs. Suzanne Ashwell Fulton for providing much of the information here pertaining to the descendants of Abel and Gertrude Edgerton.

Abel T. Edgerton was listed as a resident of New York City, New York in Mercein’s 1820 New York City Directory, Register and Almanac (William A. Mercein; New York City, New York, 1820; pg. 199).  He was also listed in Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, 1835 (Thomas Longworth; New York City, New York; 1835; pp. 235 & 267), where he was noted as a “Draper and Tailor”.  In Doggett’s New York City Directory, 1849-1850 (John Doggett Jr. & Co.; New York City, New York; 1850; pg. 142), he was listed as a “Tailor”.

The household of “Abel A. P. Edgerton” was recorded in the 1820 Federal Census of New York City, New York County, New York (pg. 43), with the following enumeration:

1 male “of 16 and under 26”  (Abel);

1 male “under 10 years of age”  (son William);

1 female “of 26 and under 45”  (wife Gertrude); and,

1 female “of 10 and under 16”  (?).

Abel Edgerton was probably the head of household listed only as “Edgerton” in the 1830 Federal Census of New York City – Ward 2, New York County, New York (pg. 71).  The enumeration of the household was as follows:

1 male “of 30 and under 40”  (Abel);

2 males “of 15 and under 20”  (?);

3 males “of 5 and under 10”  (sons William, Theodore and Edward);

2 males “under 5 years”  (sons George and Frank);

1 female “of 30 and under 40”  (wife Gertrude);

1 female “20 and under 30”  (?);

1 female “10 and under 15”  (daughter ?); and,

1 female “under 5 years”  (daughter Gertrude).

The household of “Able T. Edgerton” was recorded in the 1840 Federal Census of New York City (Ward 2), New York County, NY (pg. 27), with the following enumeration:

1 male “40 & under 50”  (Abel);

3 males “15 & and 20”  (sons Theodore, Edward and George);

2 males “10 & under 15”  (sons Frank and Abel Jr.);

1 female “40 & under 50”  (wife Gertrude);

1 female “20 & under 30”  (?)

1 female “10 & under 15”  (daughter Gertrude); and

2 females “5 & under 10”  (daughter Mary and ?).

The household of “Able” T. Edgerton was recorded in the 1850 Federal Census of New York City (Ward 2), New York County, New York (pg. 267; dwelling #152; family #487; enum. August 12, 1850), as follows:

The household of Abel T. Edgerton was recorded in the 1860 Federal Census of New York City (Ward 2), New York County, New York (pg. 57; dwelling #187; family #327; enum. November 13, 1860), as follows:

Abel Tracy Edgerton died in New York City, New York (Manhattan) on November 18, 1868.  A copy of his death certificate was filed with the New York City Department of Health.  (Manhattan Death Archives, year 1868, certificate #22595. We are very thankful to Mr. Robert C. Wolfert for providing a copy of this death certificate.)  Abel’s death certificate lists his complete name, and states that he died on November 18, 1868 at “48 Fulton [Street]”, aged 74 years and 5 months.  The certificate reported his birthplace as Connecticut (both parents born in Connecticut as well), his occupation as merchant, and his marital status as widower.  The cause of death was given as “chronic bronchitis & cystosis (valvular dis. of heart)”.  According to this death certificate, Abel had been a resident of New York City for fifty years.  He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 1868.  Abel’s son, “Theodore T. Edgerton, Cypress Hills”, was listed as undertaker.  A notice of the death of Abel T. Edgerton was published in the New York Post on November 19, 1868.  The notice stated that Abel had died on November 18th, aged 74 years, and also mentioned his son-in-law, Edward Hodges.

The following obituary notice for Mrs. Gertrude Edgerton was printed in the New York Times on March 12, 1863:

“DIED…EDGERTON…In this City, on Tuesday, March 10, Gertrude, wife of A. T. Edgerton, in the 76th year of her age.  The relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral on Friday morning March 13, at 10 o’clock, from the residence of her son-in-law Edward Hodges.  No. 133 East 19th St., without further notice.  The remains will be taken to Greenwood Cemetery.”

A notice of the death of “Gertrude, wife of A. T. Edgerton”, aged 76 years, was published in the New York Post on March 13, 1863.