His father worked as a subcontractor on the Lancaster and Kendal Canal, which was then being extended to Tewitfield.
[2] Around 5 years later, his father suffered a serious accident that affected his sight and brain function, forcing him to end his farming business.
[4] Abbot gained new employment as a labourer on the construction of railways in Scotland, and parts of northern England.
[2][4] At the age of 50, he became the manager of a limestone quarry in the parish of Forcett, North Yorkshire.
Three of his poems appeared in North Country Poets: "The Song of Ingleton Bells", "O, Turn Aside Thy Loving Eyes" and "Fading Beauty".