Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts is approximately 25 miles north of Boston. Boxford was set apart from Rowley Village and incorporated in 1685.
Joseph Dwinnell (Dunnell) was born on January 26, 1682 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were Michael and Mary Dwinnell. He had serious problems and was eventually declared incompetent. The problems were probably evident early in his life which limited his marriage choices.
He married Prudence Curtis. Prudence was born on September 24, 1689 in Boxford. Her parents were Zacheus Curtis and his second wife, Abigail Stiles.
Joseph and Prudence's children included:
George Dwinnell (1716 who married Hannah Shelden),
Joseph Dwinnell (1718),
Mercey Dwinnell Caldwell (1720, married John Caldwell)),
Zacheriah Dwinnell (1723, married Grace Ireland),
Mary Dwinnell (1725),
James Dwinnell (1728, married Abigail Bailey Platts), and
Joseph Dwinnell (1731).
According to the Topsfield Historical Collections they lived on the eastern side of Salem Street, near a small grove called "Cat Island." The house was gone before 1770.
About 1717, he inherited from his father
. . .his Division in the Swamps together with an equal Division as Michael Jr. and those mentioned to John—my will is that they both carry on together if they can—if not, then Divide half of my home goods between them & my Will is that Joseph shall pay Ten pounds. As I shall order & ye Joseph shall have equal share with John. In my River Meadow. . .Joseph shall have no power to sell my land without by power of His mother
Mary White Rowlandson,Talcot
was captured by Native Americans
during King Philip's War
(1675-1676).
To be presented to the court meant to be charged or indited.
The settlement of New Meadows was incorporated as the Town of Topsfield in 1650. The church "gathered" on November 4, 1663. The third Meeting House was built in 1703 with Rev. Joseph Capen as pastor.
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."
ye is an archaic spelling of "the."
At a Generall Sessions of the Court holden at Ipswich for and with in the county of Essex by adjurnment Aprill 13 1725 on Representation to this and a formar Court that Joseph Dwinel of Topsfield in the county of Essex husbandman [farmer] is not capable of managing his estate or affairs
but yt there is great danger of his embarassing the same and thereby brought to necessaty & distress wherefore it is Considared and agreed by this Court that the selectmen of the said Town of Topsfield for the Time being doe take the estate of the said Joseph dwinel into there hands and possession & improve the same for his advantage and support untill farther order
keeping account of theire doings thein both of what they may receive and what they shalldisburse and yt none of his real estate whatsoever be sold without special order from the superior court first had and obtained & in all things thereabout to attend the directions of the law.
