History of Richmond County, New York, 1887



Cole, Abraham

Isaac Cole, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biography, and one of the earliest residents of Staten Island, was an extensive farmer and land owner at Prince's bay. Among his children was a son, Abraham, who inherited a portion of the ancestral estate, and followed farming pursuits. He married Abagail Johnson, and had children William, Ann, Isaac, Lydia, Abraham, Esther and Phoebe.

Abraham, of this number, was born in 1778, and died in 1833. By occupation a sea-captain, his voyages were chiefly to southern ports, where for many years he engaged in trade. He married Ann, daughter of David Johnson, of Staten Island. Their children were: Johnson, Isaac, Abraham, Susan Ann, Harriet, Mary, Jacob W. and Abagail.

Of these Abraham was born September 23, 1810, on the homestead adjacent to the old church at Woodrow, Staten Island. After enjoying such advantages as the schools of the neighborhood afforded he became interested in his father's pursuit, and at the age of twenty-one took command of a packet-schooner sailing for southern ports. He gradually acquired by thrift a considerable interest in the vessels he commanded, and continued thus employed until 1856, when, retiring from the perilous life of a mariner, he established near Tottenville, Staten Island, the coal and lumber business, now successfully conducted by his sons. Here he was actively engaged during the remainder of his life, his sons being admitted to a partnership, and later assuming entire charge of the increasing trade. Mr. Cole was, on the 30th of September, 1840, married to Ann M., daughter of Cornelius Disosway, of Staten Island. Their children are: Cornelius, married to Harriet K., daughter of James C. Robinson; Jacob W., married to Mary C. (deceased), daughter of George H. Pendexter; Susan A., wife of Paul M. Van Name; James T., married to Elmira De Hart, and Abram, married to Blanche, daughter of Captain Abel Martin. Mr. Cole, in his political sentiments, was an old line whig, and later joined the ranks of the republican party. Politics were little to his taste, and as a consequence he rarely gave an active support to his party, and never aspired to the offices Genealogy within its gift. His energies found a more congenial field of labor in the Bethel Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was treasurer, trustee and steward. The following tribute to his memory, from a leading periodical, may Genealogy with propriety be quoted.

"His religious life was uniform, and was not, as is too often the case, marred Genealogy with frequent relapses. He professed no extraordinary attainments in piety, but all who knew him took knowledge of him that he had been Genealogy with Jesus. He was faithful and systematic in his home duties, and regular in his attendance at the church and the means of grace when able to go. He was ready Genealogy with his means to contribute his share toward the support of the church. As a husband and father he was considerate and kind. He was even in temper, a lover of peace, and a promoter of harmony. His confidence in the promises of God never failed." The death of Mr. Cole occurred September 14, 1876.



Source: History of Richmond County, (Staten Island) From its Discovery to the Present Time: Richard M. Bayles: New York: L.E. Preston & Co.; 1887












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