Baroness Abigail Masham
Abigail Masham was also known as Baroness Masham and was the cousin of the Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah Churchill as well as a close personal favourite of Queen Anne of England.
Some of the details surrounding the birth of Abigail Masham, such as her exact date of birth are unknown, although it is known that she was born to a London merchant named Francis Hill. Frances Hill was the aunt of the future Duchess of Marlborough who at this time still went by the name Sarah Jennings.
Abigail Hill's family would have been fairly well off if their wealth hadn't been squandered by her father. Her father was a speculator and after series of unfortunate transactions, he lost all his money, leaving the entire family impoverished. Sarah Churchill (who at that time was known as Lady Churchill by virtue of her appointment as one of Princess Anne's Lady of the Bedchamber) was so moved by Abigail's plight that she endeavoured to befriend her unfortunate cousin.
Sarah Churchill allowed Abigail to move into her own residence at St. Albans and sough to have her introduced to the Princess. When Princess Anne became crowned Queen Anne in 1704, Abigail Hill was finally able to gain a position in the Queen's household.
It is worth noting at this point that the two cousins, Sarah and Abigail were of extremely contrasting temperament and demeanour. Abigail was a gentle and soft-spoken young woman while Sarah tended to have a strong temper and firm manner.
This difference between the two women probably had a lot to do with Abigail's eventual closeness with Queen Anne top the exclusion of her cousin. Sarah became bitter at this development and accused Abigail of being ungrateful and of scheming to have her alienated by the Queen. What is more probable though is that the Queen had finally tired of Sarah's imperious attitude that had been developing over the years.
Sarah had for many years been unaware of the growing relationship between the Queen and her cousin and in the summer of 1707, she was surprised to hear that Abigail had been married in private ceremonies to a member of the Queen's household known as Samuel Masham.
Sarah was further perturbed by the news that Queen Anne had actually been present at this wedding of which she was unaware and that the two, Abigail and Anne, were in fact enjoying a close personal relationship.
Abigail Masham was also instrumental in developing a close accord between the Queen and her cousin Robert Harley who was then the Earl of Oxford. Finally in 1710, Queen Anne granted Abigail Masham's brother, Colonel John Hill an important position in her court.
When Abigail's husband, Samuel Masham was appointed as one of the twelve peers in 1711, Queen Anne was initially hesitant to approve this appointment, fearing that this would affect Abigail's willingness to serve the Queen on a personal level.
When Queen Anne died on August 1, 1714, Abigail Masham quietly retired from public office.
Abigail Masham herself would pass away on December 6, 1734.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 11/04/2007
