Elizabeth Dwinnell was born in April 17, 1677 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were Michael and Mary Dwinnell.
Her father provided for her in his will “John shall pay Five pounds to my Daughter . . . Elizabeth."
She never married and died on October 20, 1759.
During the 17th and 18th centuries an adult unmarried woman was considered to have the legal status of feme sole, while a married woman had the status of feme covert. A feme sole could own property and sign contracts. A feme covert was not recognized as having legal rights and obligations distinct from those of her husband and could not own any property. When a woman became a widow she became a feme sole again.
Essex County, Massachusetts was created on May 10, 1643 by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when it ordered "that the whole plantation within this jurisdiction be divided into four sheires."
