439 Killed in the war.


ESSEX INSTITUTE HISTORICAL COLLECTION Vol. 47, page 201, 1911

THE PHYSICIANS OF TOPSFIELD By Henry Follansbee Long

DR. MICHAEL DWINELL

On a little knoll on the western side of Salem Street, in Topsfield,
and a few feet north of the driveway leading to the present old Dwinell
house, may still be seen the site of the house of Topsfield's first
recorded physician, Michael Dwinell. At this point it may be well to
mention the fact that Dr. Zerubbahel Endicott, son of Gov. John Endicott,
who lived on his father's grant of 1639, which is now owned and occupied by
Frank W. Killam, and situated in Boxford, on the Middleton road, a short
distance beyond the town line, may have practiced here. He was connected
with the Topsfield church, but was excommunicated Dec. 24, 1693. He is
frequently mentioned in records of that early day.
Michael Dwinell was born in Topsfield, December 5, 1670, the second of
nine children and the oldest son of Michaell and Mary Dwinell. His house
was taxed as a dwelling until 1778, and afterwards was used as a barn. The
old well is still in evidence.
Michaell the father, may have come from Scotland or Ireland, though
family tradition says he came from France. He is supposed, by some, to have
been in Topsfield about 1664, though some records have it that he was a
French Huguenot who came to Topsfield "after the revocation of the Edict of
Nantes in 1685," but his son Michael, the physician was born in Topsfield
in 1670, and by the church records it appears that "Michael Dunnell's" wife
was in full communion in 1684. He is also recorded, under date of December
18, 1678, as having taken the "Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity." On October
24, 1672, he purchased from Francis Peabody, for ú70, fifty acres of land
"lying and being in Topsfield ... on the South Syde of the River called
Ipswich River ... bounded in part by Salem line." In his will of June 29,
1710/11, he gives to his son Dr. Michael "All yt parcell of Land abounding
his house, as he hath improved for himself," and several pieces of meadow.
This will was not probated till March 1717/18, and under date of March 3,
1717/18, his children, beneficiaries under the will, Mary, Michael, Thomas, John and Joseph, regarding their father's will, deposed that "as he did
among some other things dubious of exact meaning, we have mutually agreed
to divide the land between us in a different manner."
Michael Dwinell, junior, is styled in old deeds as "physician and
chirurgeon." What were his medical studies previous to his acquiring his
title, are not known at this day. In 1697 his is spoken as "Mikell, Jr."
and not untill 1725 does his name appear as Doctor Michael, when it is
found in a deed given that year. He might have been studying his profession
along the lines of hysterics, when, on March 1, 1691/2, he was on duty at
Ipswich jail, where he was to overlook Sarah Good, accused of witch craft,
it being recorded by the sheriff, "that night I sett a guad to watch her at
my own house, namely, Sam'1 Braybrook, Michaell Dunnell of Topsfield and
Jonathan Baker."

It is of interest to read a letter from Dr. William Douglas of Boston,
written in 1720, regarding fees. He writes: "I have here practice among
four sorts of People; some families pay me five pounds per annum each for
advice, sick or well, some few fee me as in Britain, but for the Native New
Englanders I am obliged to keep a daybook of my consultations, advice and
Visets, and bring them in a bill; others of the poorer sort I advise and
visit without any expectation of fees.

Dr. Dwinell was married at least five times, and family tradition has
increased the number to seven, for Esther Richard Dwinell, widow of John,
who died October 31, 1837, at the advanced age of 101 years 8 months, 10
days, maintained that at different times Doctor Michael had seven wives,
and when questioned as for which he felt the strongest affection, replied
"That he knew no difference."
He married, first, Hannah ---------. Her maiden name and the date of
her marriage are not known. The children by this marriage were:
- Thomas, born October 3, 1693, married Mary Perkins.
- Sarah, born June 20, 1697, married Abram Foster of Ipswich in 1718.
- Mary, born April 25, 1702, married first, ------Gott; after his death,
October 19, 1746, She married second, Estes Peabody, who died December 31, 1770, without issue. She died February 15, 1772
- Michael, born January 7, 1705/6, married Lucy Towne.
- Stephen, born March 5, 1707/8, married Abigail Harris.
- Hannah, born March 12, 1709/10, married January 24, 1729, Joshua
Bowere or Bowery, of Marblehead.
-Jacob, born January 31, 1714/15, married Kesiah Gould.
- Abigail, born November 5, 1719, married Humphrey Deering of Arundel,
Maine.

He married second, December 10, 1724, Elisabeth Fiske of Wenhem, who
died March 26, 1730. Their children were:
- Benjamin, born November 10, 1726; married Mary Easty.
- Thomas, born August 26, 1729.

He married third, Elizabeth Cave, who died February, 1737. Their
children were:
- Samuel, baptized July 18, 1731.
- Elizabeth, born October 29, 1733.

On July 6, 1737, he married Charity Cotta of Salem, who died November 8, 1752.

His fifth wife, he married, February 1, 1753, widow Mary Balch, who died suddenly, a very aged woman, upwards of 90 years, April 14, 1774." He had died on December 24, 1761, aged 91 Years.
His will, dated July 17, 1753, like that of his father, was signed with
his seal and mark. It mentioned his wife Mary, to whom he gives "the use and
income of all the lands,: and also "one cow;" to his son Michael he leaves 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 mentions his daughters, Sarah Foster, and
Mary, Hannah, and Abigail. The inventory of his estate, presented February
1, 1762, amounted to ú145. Among other articles mentioned were: Sum books,
5/1, Two Coats and One great Coat.