Abel and his brothers Gideon and Noah decided to move to an a new area approved for settlement now known as Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Noah would not stay long. Soon after he moved here he left for Rome in Oneida County, New York. Abel packed up his family and made the journey over 200 rugged miles to the new territory. Abel's son Abel Jr. also made this journey with his young family as did the family of his daughter Thankful (Kent) Campbell and her husband William Campbell. The Kent families arrived in the first few years of the settlement in Nicholson (now called Herrick). The exact date is unknown, however it is probable that the family arrived in the region in 1791. The Emily Blackman book (see Book Sources) states "In 1790-92, Abel Kent and his brother Gideon, with their families; Asahel Gregory and family; Jonas and Sylvanus Campbell ; Daniel Church, and Hale (two hunters), came over the mountain, or via the Susquehanna River, into this secluded region, where they were joined in the latter year by Walter Lyon." Since we know from the Lyon Memorial book (see Book Sources) that Walter Lyon came to the area in 1792, it can be presumed the Kents arrived in 1791. All these families mentioned came to the area from New Ashford, Massachusetts (see 1790 census). The Kent families obtained property adjacent to each other, each setting up their own homesteads. This area became known as the "Kent Settlement". By 1798 a tavern was owned and operated by Abel Kent on this land. It is clear his son John was involved with the tavern also since John is also mentioned in the book by Emily Blackman as living in the "Kent Settlement" and operating a tavern there.
Abel Kent died on 8 April 1808. He was 65 years old. At the time of his death, he left his wife Thankful, his widow and at least 3 minor daughters based on the 1800 census. In the 1810 census of Abel's son Abel Jr. 3 females were living in the household who do not match Abel Jr.'s known children. It is possible they were his sisters (the daughters of Abel Sr.) Mary, Mehitable and Sally. A woman over the age of 45 was not found living in this household nor in the households of the other Kent children I could find in the census. This is not proof Thankful Kent was deceased by the time of the census, she could have left the area or remarried. However, I believe Thankful Kent died sometime between April 1808 and 1810. The following newspaper article was published after the death of Abel Kent:
Luzerne County Federalist
Estate of Abel KENT, late of Clifford Twp., request payments and claims. John KENT, Exec. The personal property will be sold on 30th inst. in Clifford Twp. at the house of John KENT, in Clifford Twp.
Abel died in his home there in December, 1807. According to sources of 3 different descendants previously unknown to each other, Abel and his wife are buried in the cemetery donated to the town by Abel Kent now known as the Lyon Street cemetery. they were the first burials there. The family tales also mention Abel died before stone masons were in the area and their graves were unmarked. I do not know if this is true, but the fact that this information was passed by by 3 separate branches of his descendants makes it a strong possibility. During his life he settled 3 new towns, and was deeply involved in 3 major events in the history of this country, the "Lanesborough Affair", the American Revolution and Shays Rebellion. It is clear he was a man of deep convictions and passion and very involved in both community and political affairs. In Susquehanna County he founded a church as well as a Masonic Lodge.
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