Hi Joseph Abbott was of afro Caribbean descent .And as I found out you could try the Spanish Caribbean islands ie Cuba, Dominican islands Puerto rico . As James Abbott translates into Spanish as Diego Abate and Joseph becomes Jose Abate or Abad. As slavery was abolished in 1838 a mixed race mestizo or cholo would have to learn and pass a six apprenticeship before being emancipated . But most of the records for Jamaica have been lost due to slave rebellions but I do know of Abbotts travelling to Texas in the 1840s who were from the Usa Virgin Islands which these islands chanced from Dutch to British to American and I have from a Joseph Abbott serving in the merchant seamen navy who was from the British Barbados which is Spanish for Beard to which I have learnt to speak Spanish if you need help with any Spanish words.
Regards
Ben