An American Family History

Abigail Dwinnell Deering (Dearing) was born on November 5, 1719 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Dr. Michael Dwinnell and his first wife, Hannah.

She married Humphrey Deering (Dearing) of Arundel, York County, Maine. Arundel is now Kennebunkport. Humphrey was born about 1717. His parents were Humphrey Deering and Sarah March. Humphrey Deering, Sr. was one of the sixteen soldiers comprising the garrison of Fort Mary in 1699. Fort Mary was a British fort built in 1688 that saw action during Queen Anne's War and was located in Saco, Maine.

Their children included:
Hannah Deering,
Sarah Deering Patten (married Robert Patten),
James Deering,
Abigail Deering,
Susannah Deering,
Mary Deering, and
Esther Deering.

When his father died in 1747, Humphrey was the executor of the estate and inherited:

• a house in Arundel,
• a half interest in the "Priviledge of the Stream" in Barrets River with various rights to cut and mill lumber,
• 120 acres in Arundel,
• a team of oxen,
• six acres of marsh.

Henry Gale Dunnel cited a letter from

Arundel, Me., dated 1793, from James Dearing, s. of Abigail Dwinel, who m. Humphrey Dearing, to his uncle Jacob Dwinel, stating, that he had heard of the death of his uncle and aunt, and they had left no children, and desired him to obtain his and his sister's portion of their estate. The name of his uncle and aunt are not mentioned, probably it was a s. or dau. of Michael Dwinel.

Queen Ann’s War was between 1702 and 1713. It was part of the War of Spanish Succession. England, Austria, the Netherlands, and Portugal joined forces to prevent France from becoming too powerful. The war waged on the New England frontier was called Queen Ann’s War.