"Abigail Fillmore of Beverly, widow, personally appearing in court, confess herself guilty of ye crime of fornication and charged Timothy Cunningham of Boston, coaster, of being ye father of ye child unlawfully begotten of her body, and made oath of same. Its considered that she pay a fine of (no sum mentioned) and costs and stand committed till performed." (Beverly Historical Records)

" It is quite possible that Timothy Cunningham, coaster, was an acquaintance, perhaps a former companion or friend, of John, the Mariner. He may have come to extend his sympathy and offer his help to Abigail. Perhaps he came too often and stayed too late. There is nothing to indicate that Abigail was a promiscuous woman. Despite the unfortunate incedent it is apparent that her eldest son, John, held her in high esteem, as did also, her mother, Deliverance Tilton."608

Grave marker: "Abigail (Tilton) Fillmore-Bell, twice married, twice widowed, the mother of three children by each husband, and mother of a child of 'sorrow' rather than of 'love' entered eternal rest at the age of 48 years 6 months."

He, while on a voyage home, was taken by a French frigate and carried a prisoner into Martinique, where he suffered incredible hardships, and, although ultimately redeemed, was supposed to have been poisoned, with many others, by the French, during his passage home.610