Background
Joel Abbot was born on January 18, 1793 at Westford, Massachussets, United States, the son of Joel and Lydia (Cummings) Abbot, of old Colonial stock.
Joel Abbot was born on January 18, 1793 at Westford, Massachussets, United States, the son of Joel and Lydia (Cummings) Abbot, of old Colonial stock.
Volunteering for service at the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain, Abbot was appointed a midshipman in the navy, June 18, 1812, and three days later, under Commodore John Rodgers in the frigate President, took part in the first action of the war, in which the British ship Belvidera escaped by superior speed after a sharp fight.
In 1813, while acting as an officer in a prize ship, he was captured and taken to England, but was soon exchanged and attached to the squadron of Commodore Macdonough on Lake Champlain. His eagerness to serve is illustrated by a letter requesting that his exchange be quickly effected, to the end.
Ordered on a most hazardous and difficult duty, he entered the enemy's lines, disguised as a British officer, and succeeded in destroying a large number of spars and implements sorely needed by the British in the construction of vessels.
He took part in the battle of Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814, and was included in the thanks of Congress given to Macdonough and his officers, receiving at the same time one of the swords of honor conferred by Congress on the midshipmen of the victorious squadron. His promotion to lieutenant, April 1, 1818, was no doubt partly in consequence of his conduct in this battle.
In March 1822, while on duty at the Charlestown Navy Yard, he discovered a series of frauds upon the government, and, actuated in great measure by resentment at not having received leave of absence to visit his dying wife, he made very serious charges against the personal character of his commandant, Captain Isaac Hull. Failing to prove these accusations when brought before a court-martial, Abbot was suspended from the naval service for the period of two years, after which he continued his otherwise distinguished career.
He was commissioned captain, October 3, 1850, and in 1852 was chosen by Commodore M. C. Perry to command the frigate Macedonian, one of the vessels composing the fleet which carried out the famous expedition to Japan. During the fleet's sojourn in Pacific waters, Abbot was called upon by his chief to visit and report upon the Japanese, Bonin, and Philippine island groups, as well as Formosa. Upon Perry's return to the United States, Abbot became commanding officer of the fleet, in which position he gave proof of firmness and diplomatic qualities.
He died at Hong Kong on December 14, 1855, from the effects of the climate.
Abbot was twice married: in January 1820 to Mary Wood of Newburyport, by whom he had one child, and who died on April 15, 1821; and on November 29, 1825 to Laura Wheaton of Warren, Rhode Island, by whom he had nine children.