Abbott was a private in the 3rd battalion of the Gloucester County Militia, enlisting on December 2, 1781.
His occupation is listed as yeoman and Methodist minister in Aura, Elk Township, Gloucester County New Jersey. Per the Minute Book of Union Chapel in Aura Gloucester County, NJ he was chosen as one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church on August 1, 1807 and elected President of the Society on March 3, 1809. He donated the land for Union Methodist Episcopal Church in Aura and also contributed more than half the cost of the building. He assisted in the formation of Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey in 1820, serving as Collector and Overseer of the Poor.
He died 18 July 1826 in Franklin Township Gloucester County New Jersey and is buried on the grounds of Aura United Methodist Church, plot #86 historic site, in Gloucester County, Aura, New Jersey.
He is the namesake of Pennsylvania DAR Chapter Jeptha Abbott and is the patriot ancestor of one of the organizers and first Regent of the chapter founded on November 18, 1929, Elizabeth Abigail Ransley Clementson. His grave was marked by the chapter on October 14, 1967.