An American Family History

Dr. Michael Dwinnell was born on December 5, 1670 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the second child of Michael and Mary Dwinnell.  

Dunnel said “He was the first physician ever recorded in Topsfield, and is styled on old deeds as physician and chirurgeion. What were his medical studies previous to his acquiring his title are not known at this day.” He was a Yeoman.

Esther Richards Dwinnell told her granddaughter

that Michail, Jr., the doctor, had at different times, seven wives, and when questioned as to which he felt the strongest affection, replied “that he knew no difference.”

Genealogists have only been able to document five wives. He married his first wife, Hannah, before 1693 when he was 23.

The Topsfield Historical Collections Volume 11 reported that “At a Lawfull meeting of ye Town of Topsfield the 2 day march 1702/8 Michill Dwaniell Junr . . .[was] Chosen Surveyors of high-wayes for the year Insuing.” In 1708/09 he (Michael Dwaniel Junr) was “chosen to serve on the Jury of Trials at Ipswich Court next Insuing.”

In 1718 he inherited from his father.

On February 19, 1724/25 he (Michael Dwinel) was chosen as one of the “selectmen to order ye Prudentiall affaris of the Town for ye year Ensuing.” (Topsfield Historical Collections, Volume 16)

He married his second wife, 2o year old Elizabeth Fiske, on December 10, 1724 when he was 54 years old.

On November 18, 1730

“The Town Allowed six shillings to Doct Michael Dwinel William Redington and Jonathan Wildes for perambulating with Wenham Last Spring” (Topsfield Historical Collections Volume 19)

He married his third wife, Elizabeth Cave, before 1731. Elizabeth died in February, 1737.

On March 24 1735/36 he (Michael Dwinel) was chosen “to serve upon ye Grand Jury” (Topsfield Historical Collections, Volume, 19, p. 63).

He married his fourth wife, Charity Cotton on July 6, 1737 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts.

In 1738 “Doct Michael Dwinel & Edmun Towne are Chosen to take the Enspection of the Clay Ground which belongs to the Town to See that No outTowns man or men Shall Dig or Carry away any Clay or brick from Said Clay Ground.” (Topsfield Historical Collections, Volume 19, p. 80)

His fourth wife, Charity, died on November 8, 1752.

He married his fifth wife, Mary Shaw Balch on February 1, 1753.

His will, dated July 17, 1753, like that of his father, was signed with his seal and mark. It mentioned his wife Mary Balch, to whom he gave "the use and income of all the lands," and also "one cow;" to his son Michael he leaft 5 shillings, to be paid in 7 years after his own and his wife's death; to his son Stephen, 5 shillings; his son Jacob 5 shillings; his granddaughter, Esther Balch, wife of David Balch, 5 shillings; son Benjamin, house and barn, and land and meadow in Topsfield, and all else, bonds, and books, debts, etc., to his wife. He also mentioned his daughters, Sarah Foster, and Mary, Hannah, and Abigail. The inventory of his estate, presented Feb. 1, 1762, amounted to £145. Among other articles mentioned were: Sum Books, 5/1, Two Coats and One Great Coat. (Topsfield Historical Collection, Volume 16, p.8)

He died on December 24, 1761 at the age of 91 in Topsfield. His will was filed on December 7, 1761 (Essex County Probate Index, file 8447) and proved on February 1, 1862 by Elijah Dorman, Joseph Mathew, and William Foster.