David Abeel was born in April 1705. He was the son of Albany leaders Johannes and Catharina Schuyler Abeel. His father was a prominent businessman with extensive holdings in Albany and New York City. Johannes Abeel served as mayor of Albany in 1694 and again in 1709. In 1710, he was named to share in his father's estate. His father died when he was six years old.

Young David was sent to New York to learn the drygoods business in the house of his uncle Brant Schuyler.

In 1726, he married Mary Duyckink and eventually settled in New York. The marriage produced several children most of whom were christened in New York where he served as a baptism sponsor as late as 1763.

Sources: The life of David Abeel is CAP biography number 116. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. We seek additional information on his later life and passing!