The Abrams family of Albany county, New York, descend from an early settler of Greene county, New York. He was a farmer and spent his life in that county, as did the next generation. He married and had issue, among whom was a son Benjamin, father of the Albany county settler.
(II) Benjamin Abrams lived and died in, Greenville, Greene county, New York. He was a farmer, and a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He married and reared a family, including a son Benjamin (2).
(III) Benjamin (2), son of Benjamin (1) Abrams, was born in Greenville, New York. Early in life he married and settled in Rensselaerville, Albany county, where he was a farmer, and died aged sixty years, on his farm. He was the first of his family to embrace the Methodist faith and became an active and zealous worker in that church. He married in Albany county and had issue, among whom was a son Elijah, see forward..
(IV) Elijah, eldest son and second child of Benjamin (2) Abrams, was born in Greenville, Greene county, New York, 1812, died in 1891. He was a farmer, first in Rensselaerville, and later purchased a farm in Guilderland in association with his son, Augustus C. They worked this farm together for more than twenty years, when he sold his interest to his son. He was a leading member of the Methodist church, and held the offices of trustee, steward, class leader, giving liberally both of his time and means. He was an active Republican. He married, in Rensselaerville, New York, Thankful Bouton, born in that town in 1817, died in Guilderland in 1887. She was born in the Quaker church, and held her birthright until after her marriage, when she joined the Methodist church and worshipped with her husband. She was the daughter of David Bouton, of Rensselaer county, an Orthodox Quaker, who died past the age of eighty years. Children of Elijah and Thankful (Bouton) Abrams:
- Adelia, married Jacob Bigsbe, of Middleburg, Schoharie county, New York.
- Charles, died aged twenty-eight years; unmarried.
- Augustus C., of further mention.
- Adelaide V., married Leonard Wilkins, whom she survives at Newtonville, Albany county; no issue.
- George V., died aged seventeen; unmarried.
- Ella, married John Henderson, of Phoenix, New York; children: William, Elijah, Joseph, Clara, Ida and Ella.
- John, in youthful manhood an active worker in the church, and a young man of great promise.
- Dr. Hiram, a graduate of Albany Medical College; well known and successful practitioner of Newtonville, Albany county, New York; married Margaret Jennings.
- Martha, died when just budding into womanhood.
(V) Augustus C., son of Elijah and Thankful (Bouton) Abrams, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, January 24, 1842. He was educated in the public school. In 1861 he went to California, where he remained five years, engaged in mining. On his return to New York he purchased the farm with his father and removed to Guilderland in 1869, and has now (1910) resided on his own estate forty-one years. In 1890 he purchased his father's interest and became sole owner. The property consists of two hundred and thirty acres, well-tilled and profitable. He is an energetic, hard worker, and has made a success of his business. He is a member of the Methodist church, and since 1868 has been an active worker and official. He has held the offices of trustee, class leader and treasurer. For fourteen years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a firm advocate of the cause of temperance. His ideals are high, and all matters tending to elevate man have his earnest support and sympathy. He is a Republican. He married (first) Anna, born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, New York, September 3, 1850, daughter of Nathaniel and Jane Herrick. She died in Guilderland, March 26, 1892. Children:
- Lily M., born September 26, 1868; married John B. Manville, a farmer of Bloominggrove, near Bath, New York; children: E. Foster and Marion D.;
- Charles E., born July 22, 1870, an electrician, of Troy, New York; married Charlotte MacMath; child,
- Amy C.,. born January 29, 1903.
Mr. Abrams married (second) at his home in Guilderland, March 1, 1893, Anna, born in that town, October 29, 1871, daughter of Martin and Christina (Birke) Weis, both of German birth, coming when young to the United States, met in Albany, New York, where they were married. They settled on a farm in New Scotland, where they died, he, May 23, 1910, aged seventy-nine years, ten months; she, in 1880, aged forty-two years. They were Lutherans in religion. Children of second marriage:
- Jessie C., born September 14, 1894;
- Ethel M., May 15, 1896;
- Augustus Leroy, May 1, 1898;
- M. Pearl, May 31, 1900;
- Myrtle E., July 27, 1901;
- Anna Charlotte, August 21, 1903;
- Hazel G., January 3, 1906;
- Maude, April 28, 1910.
Mrs. Abrams is a member of the Methodist church.