the distinction of being recorded by the leading statesman of the
Revolution--John Adams--as his personal friend. So popular was Abel
Willard and so well known his character as a peacemaker and well-wisher
to his country, that he might have remained unmolested and respected
among his neighbors in spite of his royalist opinions; but, whether led
by family ties or natural timidity, he sought refuge in Boston, and
quick-coming events made it impossible for him to return. At the
departure of the British forces for Halifax, he accompanied them. A
letter from Edmund Quincy to his daughter Mrs. Hancock, dated Lancaster,
March 26, 1776, contains a reference to him: ... "Im sorry for poor Mrs
Abel Willard your Sisters near neighbour & Friend. Shes gone we hear
with her husband and Bro and sons to Nova Scotia P'haps in such a
situation and under such circumstances of Offense respecting their
Wors'r Neighbours as never to be in a political capacity of returning to
their Houses unless w'th power & inimical views w'ch God forbid should
ever be ye Case."

In 1778, the act of proscription and banishment included Abel Willard's
name. His health gave way under accumulated trouble, and he died in
England in 1781.

The estates of Abijah and Abel Willard were confiscated. In the
Massachusetts Archives (cliv, 10) is preserved the anxious inquiry of
the town authorities respecting the proper disposal of the wealth they
abandoned.

_To the Honourable Provincial Congress now holden at Watertown in
the Proviance of the Massachusetts Bay._

We the subscribers do request and desire that you would be pleased
to direct or Inform this proviance in General or the town of
Lancaster in Partickeler what is best to be done with the Estates
of those men which are Gone from their Estates to General Gage and
to whose use they shall Improve them whether for the proviance or
the town where s'd Estate is.

EBENEZER ALLEN,
CYRUS FAIRBANK,
SAMLL THURSTON,
The Selectmen of Lancaster.

Lancaster June 7 day 1775.

The Provincial Congress placed the property in question in the hands of
the selectmen and Committee of Safety to improve, and instructed them to
report to future legislatures. Finally, Cyrus Fairbank is found acting
as the local agent for confiscated estates of royalists in Lancaster,
and his annual statements are among the archives of the State. His
accounts embrace the estates of