Richard was the son of Hull Frederick Abbott of Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts and Anna Wing Abbott of Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Anna and Hull were married on 12 July 1793 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Anna and Hull had fourteen children. They were: William Abbott was born about 1793 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Elizabeth Abbott was born about 1795 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Bethia Abbott was born about 1797 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Anna Abbott was born on 26 April 1800 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Polly Abbott was born about 1802 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Rachel Abbott was born about 1802 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; David Abbott was born about 1804 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; David Abbott was born about 1806 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Reuben Abbott was born about 1808 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; James Madison Abbott was born about 1810 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Richard Wing Abbott was born on 28 May 1812 in Highland Plantation, Somerset County, Maine; Charles B. Abbott was born about 1814 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; Benjamin Franklin Abbott was born about 1817 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine; and Lucy Wing Abbott was born about 1819 in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine.

Richard married Susan Wade Davis. Susan and Richard had six children. They were: Amanda M. Abbott was born on 25 August 1840 in Highland Plantation, Somerset County, Maine; Davis Norton Abbott was born on 06 April 1842 in Highland Plantation, Somerset County, Maine; Priscilla D. Abbott was born about January 1844 in Highland Plantation, Somerset County, Maine; Daniel Witham Abbott was born on 26 April 1845 in Lexington, Somerset County, Maine; Susan Jane Abbott was born on 24 March 1849 in Lexington, Somerset County, Maine; and Laura Ann Abbott was born on 23 May 1850 in Illinois.