An American Family History

Michael and Mary Dwinnell married in Europe before 1668. The family's origins are not known. It could have been France, Scotland or Ireland.

They settled in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts about 1660 where they were large landowners. They owned land from Wenham to Middleton, Massachusetts. They lived in Topsfield at the same time as the Isaac and Mary (Towne) Estey family and were there during the witch hysteria of 1692.

He (Michaell Donnell) took the oath of allegiance to England at Topsfield on December 18, 1678.

Their nine children were born in Topsfield. Mary Dwinnell Hovey was born on January 21, 1668/69. Doctor Michael Dwinnell was born in 1670, Thomas Dwinnell was born in November, 167, John Dwinnell was born on December 16, 1674, Elizabeth Dwinnell was born in April 17, 1677. Magdalen Dwinnell Holgate Clough as born on February 24, 1679, Joseph Dwinnell was born on January 26, 1682, Susannah Dwinnell Devenish Kilham was born on September 5, 1687, Joanna Dwinnell Hood was born on September 5, 1688.

In 1684, Michael was on the list of members in full Communion at the church in Topsfield when Joseph Capen was ordained. They (Michal Donnell) were taxed in Topsfield in 1688.

Topsfield Historical Collections Volume 11 related that

At a Lawfull meeting of ye Town of Topsfield the 2 day march 1702/8 . . . Michill Dwaniell & John Town are chosen hogringers. . .At a Lawfull and Generall meeting of ye Town of Topsfield on ye fourth Day of March 1706-7 . . . Thomas Perley and Micheal Dwaniel are Chosen Constables for ye year Insuing.

His will was dated January 29, 1710. The Compendium of American Genealogy, 1600s-1800s states that he died in 1713 or 1717 and his will was proved in March, 1717 and according to the Essex County Probate Index his will was filed on March 3, 1718 in Topsfield.

Michael made provisions for Mary, his widow in his will since as a married woman she was not able to own any property in her own name.

. . . my Son John Shall have ye Barn, only allowing his Mother so much of It as she shall have occasion for her own use, and Benefit during her Natural life. . .my Son John & Joseph shall keep for my wife Two Cows and a Horse. And Ten Sheep—my wife finding fodder for them—Also she shall have liberty of milking ye Cows in pasture.

Site of Michael Dwinell House, off Salem Street. About 600 feet off Salem street, and on the eastern side, in Willard A. Dwinell's old orchard pasture, may be seen the site of the Michael Dwinell two story house, which was built near the old Salem road that went through his land. Mr. Dwinell came from France, and is supposed to have come to this town about 1664. He was the ancestor of the Dwinell family here. Near this site, in the summer time, may be seen beautiful red roses of different shades. These bushes are supposed to have been here ever since he lived at this place. The house was not taxed after 1760.

Cellar Of Thomas Dwinell House, off Salem St. In the same pasture and about 150 feet in a southeasterly direction from the site of the Michael Dwinell house, may be plainly seen the cellar of the Thomas Dwinell house. This cellar is still quite deep. The house was taxed as late as 1765.

Tradition differs as to the origin of this family, some saying it was Scotch, and others French Huguenot. One branch of the family has supposed that the Dwinells came from France, where a Count Dwinell was settled near La Rochelle. The spelling of the surname has always varied. Even at the present day we find descendants called Dwinell, Dwinnell and Dwinel. The surname as written in the town records of Topsfield, where the pioneer settled, has the following variations: Dwenell, Duenell, Doenell, Donell, Dunell, Dwinnill. But the best authority is that of Rev. Joseph Capen, of Topsfield, who spelled the name Dwinell on his records from 1684 to 1725. The name Michael was also spelled in divers ways.

(I) Michael Dwinell (Dwinnell), the earliest of whom we have knowledge, probably born about 1640, appears in Topsfield, Massachusetts, where he was a man of property, owning large tracts of land, also in Wenham and Middleton. His will made January 29, 1711, was proved in March, 1718, indicating that he died about the beginning of the latter year. He married, in 1667, Mary Read, whose parentage has not been discovered. Children: Mary, born January 21, 1668; Michael, December 5, 1670; Thomas, mentioned below; Isaac, December 16, 1674; Elizabeth, April 17, 1677; Magdelen, February 24, 1679; Joseph, January 26, 1682; Susanna, September 15, 1685; Johanna, 1688.