Former crewmembers of a U. S. Navy destroyer are searching for descendants of Commodore Joel Abbot who began his naval career in the War of 1812.  He was born January 18, 1793 in Westford, Massachusetts.  Traditionally, destroyers have been named for naval heroes.  When the Navy Department was selecting names for ships being built in the early days of World War I, the name of Commodore Joel Abbot was chosen for one of the new destroyers.  At the launching on July 4, 1918 Commodore Abbot’s great-granddaughter, Miss Louise Abbot Cooke christened the destroyer USS Abbot. On September 23, 1940 the ship was decommissioned and transferred to the British. Commodore Abbot’s granddaughter, Mrs. Grace Abbot Fletcher christened the second USS Abbot (DD-629) on February 17, 1943. Former crewmembers of the USS Abbot (DD-629) will be gathering in Portland, Maine in September, 2010  for their bi-annual reunion, and we would like to have any of the Commodore’s descendants come join us. Please contact:   Ted Karras 70 Joshua Baker Road West Yarmouth, MA  02673 (508) 771-4161 thekar@msn.com