Samuel Sheldon Abbott was born on 23 Sep 1790 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. In 1821, he moved from Bennington, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire to Hope, Knox Co., Maine. While in Hope, Samuel served as sheriff. He was the lighthouse keeper from 1840 to 1849 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine, age 59, where he was listed as a farmer. He died on 15 Jun 1872 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. He was also a postmaster in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. He was married to Abigail Burgess on 29 Nov 1821 in Hope, Knox Co., Maine.

Abigail Burgess was born on 13 Aug 1805 in Vinalhaven, Hancock Co., Province of Maine, Massachusetts. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine age 44. She died on 11 Feb 1858 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. She was also known as Nabby Burgess. Children were:

i. Hiram Abbott was born on 1 May 1822 in Hope, Knox Co., Maine. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine, age 28, as a fisherman. He appeared on the census in 1870 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine age 49, also as a fisherman. He appeared on the census in 1880 in Vinalhaven, Knox Co., Maine age 58, as a carpenter. He died on 24 Nov 1890. Joe Burgess says 17 Nov. 1894.
ii. Otis Abbott was born on 16 Nov 1824. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine, age 26, as a fisherman. He appeared on the census in 1870 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine, age 46, also as a fisherman. He died on 31 Aug 1891.
iii. Lydia Abbott was born on 11 Jun 1828. She died on 8 Aug 1829.
iv. Esther Abbott was born on 28 Aug 1829. Long says about 1830. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine. age 20.
v. Charles Abbott was born on 21 Oct 1833 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine, age 16, listed as a fisherman. He died on 7 Oct 1856.
vi. Jacob Trafton Abbott.
vii. Rhoda Helen Abbott was born about 1836. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine. age 14. She was also known as Helen Abbott.
viii. Samuel Abbott was born about 1838 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine. age 12. He appeared on the census in 1870 in Matinicus, Knox Co., Maine, age 31, as a fisherman. He died on 14 Oct 1917.
ix. Jane L. Abbott was born on 14 Aug 1844. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine. age 5. She was nicknamed "Jenny".
x. Thomas F. Abbott was born about 1848. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Matinicus, Lincoln Co., Maine. age 2. He died about 1889, drowning in Holmes' Hole, Massachusetts.

*image from Matinicus Isle by Charles A. E. Long