Abigail was born 8 February 1755 in East Windsor, Connecticut, the daughter of William Wolcott, Esquire, and Abigail Abott.

She married 10 December 1772 Oliver Ellsworth providing him with the strength and stability to continue his highly productive life as a member of the Continental Congress, envoy to France after the Revolution, framer of the United States Constitution, author of the Judiciary Act, the basis of our federal judiciary system, and third Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Abigail bore 9 children with Oliver Ellsworth.  Her influence as a mother was so profoundly felt not only in her children, all of whom became active in public service, but also in the lives of their descendants after them, many of whom carried out Oliver and Abigail's commitment to excellence in public service in many fields of endeavor.

Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth died 4 August, 1818 and is buried in Palisado Cemetery, Windsor, Connecticut.