Page "Frances Abington" Paragraph 2

She was born Frances Barton, the daughter of a private soldier, and began her career as a flower girl and a street singer.

As a servant to a French milliner, she learned about costume and acquired a knowledge of French which afterwards stood her in good stead.

Her first appearance on the stage was at Haymarket in 1755 as Miranda in Mrs Centlivre's play, Busybody.