An American Family History

Mary Shaw Balch Dwinnell was born in 1684 in Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were Peter Shaw and Jane (Allison) Allanson. Peter was an early planter in Beverly. After Peter died, Jane married William Bradford and Robert Leach.

She married her first husband, Cornelius Balch, on November 29, 1711 in Beverly, Massachusetts. Cornelius was born on May 1, 1687 in Beverly. His parents were Samuel Balch and Martha Newmarch. Cornelius was a cooper.

Cornelius and Mary had two children, Mary Balch (1714) and Cornelius Balch, Jr. (1716). The children were born in Boxford. She became a widow when Cornelius died in 1730.

She married Dr. Michael Dwinnell on February 5, 1753. She became a widow when Michael died in 1761.

In 1762 the widow Mary Dwinnell was in the women’s first seat with Mr. Aaron Esty’s wife.

She died on April 14, 1774 “a very aged woman upward of 90 years.”