The son of a prosperous merchant and landowner, Johannes (sometimes written John) was born in Albany on March 23, 1667. After losing his father at age 13, Johannes Abeel became a successful trader and merchant in Albany and New York City, establishing relationships with Native American tribes in Western New York that enabled him to acquire furs for resale in Albany.
He was the second Mayor of Albany. He exported the furs to London and received rum, rice, dry goods, and other items, some of which were for British soldiers garrisoned in Albany and Upstate New York, and most of which he resold at a profit. Abeel used some of his profits to take part in land purchase, resale and development, including the 1705 Westenhook Patent.
Abeel served as Assistant Alderman for the Third Ward in 1688, and was Alderman from 1691 to 1693 and again in 1700.
From 1694 to 1695 and 1709 to 1710 Abeel served as Mayor of Albany. In 1702 he was appointed Judge of the Albany County Court and Albany City Recorder (Deputy Mayor), and in 1705 he accepted appointment as a Master in Chancery.
Abeel died in Albany on January 28, 1711. According to a contemporary newspaper account, workmen moving remains at Second Church uncovered his tombstone, which was inscribed "Here lies the body of John Abeel who departed this life ye 28 day of January"y.
1711, and in the 44 year of his age." lieutenant is not known what subsequently happened to the grave marker.
In 1694 Abeel married Catherine Schuyler. They had five children, one of whom, Christoffel (born 1696), was the father of another Johannes Abeel (1722–1794). The younger Johannes lived with the Native Americans and was the father of yet another Johannes Abeel, better known as Cornplanter.
A daughter, Catalina Abeel (born October, 1698), was the mother of David Mathews, a Mayor of New York City under the British during the American Revolution.
In 1695, 1701, and 1702 Abeel served as a member of the New York Assembly.
