Col. James Abeel (1738-1825)
of Morristown; Deputy Quartermaster General of the New Jersey Continental Line
He was born in Albany, enlisted during the Revolution and was commissioned in 1775 as a Captain in the 1st Battalion, New York City Militia. He was promoted to Major in 1776 in what became known as the First Independent Battalion - an elite unit comprised of wealthy young men who attracted much attention when on parade. Its companies bore separate names, and the uniforms of each had some distinguishing feature. Major Abeel's was known as the “Rangers,” and it was under the command of Col. John Lasher. They saw action in the Battle of Long Island (1776) and were active in the subsequent events following the retreat of the American Army from Long Island. Abeel was promoted to Colonel and was subsequently attached to the staff of General Washington as Deputy Quartermaster General, New Jersey Continental Line. During the winter the army was encamped at Morristown, and he had charge of the transportation between Philadelphia and West Point, residing at the time in his own house at Morristown. In 1762, he married Gertrude, daughter of Dr. John Neilson, of Raritan, New Jersey, and a first cousin of thw shipping merchant William Neilson. They had 4-children.
