Saratoga campaign
During the American Revolution he served in the Vermont Militia, but changed sides at the approach of John Burgoyne's army in the Saratoga campaign of 1777. (His father Benjamin, who served in the Vermont legislature and in other offices also sided with the British and relocated to Upper Canada.) Abel Spencer subsequently recanted his support of the British and was allowed to return to Clarendon after being assessed a fine of 1,000 pounds. In 1779 the legislature remitted half the fine.