Farmer, Abraham is recorded in the 1840 census at about age 38 living in or near Mt. Morris, Livingston County, New York with a woman between 20 and 30, presumably his first wife, Nancy L. Morey, two boys under age 5, one of whom may have been his son, Jeptha Marion, 1 boy between 10 and 15, and a girl under age 5. They were all described as free whites.
He appears in the 1850 census on 12 August at age 48 living in or near Leon, Cattaraugus County, New York with his second wife, Elizabeth, 28, and children Jeptha Marion, 11, William H., 5, Thomas, 3, an Leroy, 1. The family does not appear in the 1855 New York State census, so they may have moved to Iowa by then. At about this time his son, Jeptha Marion, wed Alice Teaple. their son, Abraham's grandson, Elmer C. Abbey was born about 1861.
He appears in the 1860 census on 15 August at age 59 living in or near Glenwood, Winneshiek County, Iowa with his third wife, Jane Smith, and his children, William H., 15, Thomas, 13, Leroy, 11, and Charles, 3. His daughter, Hattie A. Abbey was born later that month. On 15 august 1862 his son William H. Abbey enlisted as a private in Company E of of the 38th Iowa Infantry Regiment. On 9 February 1863 another son, Abraham Lincoln Abbey was born. William H. Abbey died of disease on 8 July 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Abraham Sr. died sometime between 1862 and 1870.
On 26 August 1870 Jane Smith Abbey was listed as a widow, still living in Glenwood with children, Leroy, 20, a farm laborer, Salena Jane, 16, Charles E., 12, Hattie A., 10, and Abraham L., 7.
Jeptha and Alice Abbey's daughter, Cora was born in 1871.
In 1876 Mytle N. Abbey was born to Marion J. and Alice Abbey.
In 1877 Byron R. Abbey was born to Jeptha and Alice Abbey.
On 8 February 1881 Jeptha Marion Abbey wed his second wife, Ella Sheetz or Schulz, daughter of Andrew Schulz and Cathern Shayer in Winneshiek County. Their daughter, Edna was born later that year.
On 15 August 1881 Elmer Cameron Abbey wed his second wife, Frances Pauline Ward. Their daughter, Edith May Abbey was born in 1882.
On 1 January 1882 Abraham's son, Leroy wed Rose Standley, daughter of Ozia Standley and Marietta Knight.
On 17 March 1885 his youngest son, Abraham Lincoln Abbey wed Martha Elmina Benton. Their daughter, Lillian May was born in July 1886. On 10 November 1887 they had another daughter, Hattie Mabell.
On 14 January 1888 another grandchild, Virginia Vinlone Abbey was born to Elmer and Frances Abbey.
In 1889 Abraham and Martha Abbey had a son, Leroy Leslie.
In 1890 Ida Q. Abbey was born to Leroy and Rose Abbey. On 7 March 1892 Leroy and Rose Abbey had had another daughter, Ada Irene.
On 4 July 1893 Abraham's granddaughter, Cora Abbey wed William McLain Jr. in Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa.
On 31 January 1900 his granddaughter, Edna Abbey wed Elmer Holmes in Hancock County, Iowa.
On 30 May 1900 his granddaughter, Gladys Catherine, was born to Abraham and Martha Abbey in Forrest City, Iowa.
On 6 January 1901 Abraham's son, Thomas, wed at the age of 54, Nancy M. Dandson, 48, in Hancock County, Iowa.
on 30 October 1901 his granddaughter, Edith May Abbey wed Samuel A. Schneider in Hancock County, Iowa.
His son, Abraham and his wife, Martha moved to Los Angeles, California, where their daughter married her first husband, Levi W. Dortch on 30 June 1904. the union resulted in a son, Maxwell Clark Dortch, but, sadly, the marriage did not last.
On 20 September 1905 his grandson, Byron R. Abbey Anna E. Wallace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
On 10 May 1907 John Abbey was born to Abraham and Martha Abbey in Los Angeles, California.
On 19 December 1907 Abraham Sr.'s granddaughter, Virginia V. Abbey married Clifford R. Swigard in Forrest City, Iowa.
On 14 May 1909 Abraham Sr.'s granddaughter, Myrtle N. Abbey Lowe married Earnest M. Standley, son of Ozia Standley and Mary Ann Dreggs, in Forrest City, Iowa.
On 25 November 1909 his granddaughter, Ida Q. Abbey married James F. Goss in Hancock County, Iowa.
On 14 November 1913 his granddaughter, Lillian May Abbey Dortch married her second husband, Edmund James O'Brien in Los Angeles, California. Their daughter, Lillian Irma was born 27 June 1914. They had two more children, Phillip and Mary C. O'Brien.
On 21 August 1919 his granddaughter, Gladys C. Abbey married Joseph E. Robinson in Los Angeles, California.