Elizabeth French

Life events

1. abt. 1733

   Birth

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

2. 22 Jan 1754

   Marriage¹

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

   with Samuel Crowell 1734–1779

3. 19 Sep 1770

   Property²

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

   Samuel Croel and wife Elizabeth, and Hannah Slowly conveyed to John and Sarah Bishop for £13 6s 8d their inherited two-thirds interest in part of a dwelling house originally given to Elizabeth and Hannah by their mother, Elizabeth French.

   Deed

   Deed

   Saml Croel & ux & al to John Bishop & Ux

   Know all men by these Presents That we Samuel Crod Labour and Elizabeth his wife & Hannah Slowly widow all of Salem in the County of Essex in New England in consideration of thirteen pounds six Shillings and eight pence Lawful Money paid us by John Bishop of said Salem Mariner and Sarah his wife the Receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey unto the said John Bishop and Sarah his wife and to their Heirs forever all our Right Title and Interest to and in a Dwelling House in said Salem it being two third parts of a Lower Room and two third parts of one third part of the Collar under sd. Room with Land it stands upon which parts of said House Cellar and Land was given to us the said Elizabeth and Hannah by our Mother Elizabeth French Decd and is bounded No. erly on the Highway So. erly partly on Land of Nathe. Peace and partly on the Yard left in common for the whole House westerly upon the Dwelling House of Jona. Pease Decd Easterly upon Nathl. Peace House together with the priviledge of the Porch and the Land said in Common for the use of the whole House To have and to hold the same to the said John Bishop and Sarah his wife to them & their heirs to their only use and behoof forever And we do Covenant with the said John and Sarah Bishop their Heirs and assigns That we are lawfully Seized in fee of the Premises that they are free of all Incumbrances that we have good right to Sell and convey the same to the said John Bishop and Sarah his wife and that we will warrant and Defend the same to the said John and Sarah Bishop and to their Heirs & Assigns forever against the Lawful claims and Demands of any Persons In Witness whereof we have hereunto Set our hands & Seals this Nineteenth Day of September Annog Domini 1770.

   Saml. (his X mark) Croel & a Seal
   Eliza (her X mark) & a Seal
   Hannah (her X mark) Slowly & a Seal

   Signed Sealed & Deld. presence of
   Jno. Nutting
   Benja. Cox

   Essex ss Salem September the 19th 1770 personally appeared Saml. Croel, Eliza Croel & Hannah Slowly and Severally acknowledged this Instrument to be their free & voluntary act before S Cureven J Peace.

   Essex ss Recd. on Record Sept 20th 1770 I entered & examd. by John Higginson Regr.

4. 19 Sep 1770

   Property³

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

   Samuel Croel and wife Sarah sold to her sister to Hannah Slowly, widow, for £5 6s 8d a small dwelling house standing on leased land from Widow Hannah Neal, together with all leasehold rights granted under a 1768 lease.

   Deed

   Deed

   Saml. Croel & al to Hannah Slowly

   Know all Men by these Presents that we Samuel Croel Labourer and Sarah his wife all of Salem in the County of Essex in New England in consideration of Five pounds Six Shillings and eight pence Lawful Money paid us by Hannah Slowly of Salem aforesaid widow the Receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey unto the said Hannah Sowley and to her Heirs forever A Small Dwelling House where we now Dwell which stands on Land hired of the widow Hannah Neal to be to her and to her Heirs and assigns forever bounded No. erly on Land of Benja. Daland Easterly on the highway So. erly on Land let to Joseph Charchil Westerly on Land belonging to the Heirs of David Neal Decd together with all the priviledges granted to said Crowel by a Lease from said widow Neal Dated the 8th Day of June 1768 the said Hannah comply with the agreement made in said Lease To have and to hold the same to the said Hannah Sowley and to her Heirs to her and their use and behoof forever and we do covenant with the said Hannah her Heirs and assigns that we are lawfully seized in fee of the premises that they are free of all Incumbrances that we have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Hannah Stowley and that we will warrant and Defend the same to the said Hannah Stowly and to her Heirs and assigns forever against the Lawful claims and Demands of any Persons In Witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and Seals this Nineteenth Day of September Anno Domini 1770.

   Saml (his X mark) Croel & a Seal
   John Bishop & a Seal
   Sarah (her X mark) Bishop & a Seal

   Signed Sealed & Decd in presence of
   Jno Hutting
   Benjn Cox

   Essex ss Salem September 19th 1770 Personally appeared Saml Croel John Bishop & Sarah Bishop and Severally acknowledged this Instrament to be their free & voluntary act before S Curwen J Peace

   Esex ss Recd. on Record Septr 20th 1770 & entered & examd by Sam Higginson Regr.

5. 19 Sep 1770

   Property⁴

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

   Deed from John Bishop and wife Sarah, and Hannah Slowly, to Samuel Croel and wife Elizabeth, sold for £4 9s a small parcel of land in Salem (3½ poles), two-thirds of which had been inherited by Sarah and Hannah from their mother, Elizabeth French.

   Read more

   Know all men by these Presents That we John Bishon Mariner & and Sarah his wife and Hannah Stowly widow all of Salem in the County of Essex in New England in consideration of & and Four pounds nine Shillings Lawful Money paid us by Samuel Croel and Elizabeth his wife the Receipt whereof we do hereby Acknowledge do hereby give grant Sell and convey unto the sd Samuel Croel and Elizabeth his wife and to their Heirs forever all our right Title and Interest to and in a Small piece of Land in said Salem containing three poles and a half more or less two third parts of which land was given to us the said Sarah and Hannah by our Mother Elizabeth French Decd. the whole of said piece of Land is bounded No. erly upon Land of Nathl. Pease So. orly upon Land of Benja. Pease Easterly upon Land of John Leach Westerly upon a Yard left in common for ye whole House To have and to hold the same to the said Saml Croel and to Elizabeth his wife to them & their Heirs to their only use and behoof forever and we do covenant with the sd Samuel Croel and Elizabeth his wife their Heirs and assigns that we are lawfully Seized in fee of the premises that they are free of all Incumbrances That we have good right to Sell and convey the same to the said Samuel and Elizabeth Croel and that we will warrant and Defend the same to the said Saml and Elizabeth Croel their Heirs and assigns forever against the Lawful claims and Demands of any Persons In Witness whereof we have hereunto Set our hands and Seals this Nineteenth Day of September Anno Domini 1770.

   John Bishop Bishop & a Seal
   Sarah (her X mark) Bishope & a Seal
   Hannah (her X mark) Stowly & a Seal

   Signed Sealed of Decd in presence of
   Jno Nutting
   Benjn Cox

   Essex ss Salem September 19th 1770 Personally appeared John Bishop Sarah Bishop & Hannah Slowly and Severally acknow this Deed of Sale to be their free act before Sam Curwen J Peace

   Essex ss Recd. on Record Septr 20th 1770 & entered & examd by John Higginson Regr.

6. 18 Jan 1773

   Property⁵

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

   Mortgage deed from Samuel Croel and wife Elizabeth of Salem to John Felt, merchant, conveying as security a 3½-pole parcel of land originally derived partly from Elizabeth French (deceased) and partly by deed from John Bishop and wife Sarah; mortgage conditioned on payment of £40 with interest by 18 Jan 1774.

   Read more

   Know all men by these presents that we Saml Croel of Salem in the County of Essex & Province of the Massa. Bay in New England labourer Elizabeth Croel wife of the said Saml. in consideration of the sum of eighty pounds by us received of John Felt of sd. Salem merchant before the sealing hereof have granted bargained & sold & by these presents do grant bargain sell & convey unto the said John Felt & to his heir or assigns forever all our right title & interest in a Small piece of land in Sd. Salem containing three poles & an half more or less & is bounded northerly upon land of Nathanl. Pease southerly on land of Benjamin Pease easterly on land of John Leach westerly on a yard left in common for the whole house which land is derived to us partly from our late mother Elisabeth French deceased & partly by deed from John Bishop & Sarah his wife as by reference to sd. Deed may To have & to hold the said granted premises unto the sd. John Felt & to his heirs & assigns to his & their only proper use & behoof forever and we the said Samuel Croel & Elizabeth Croel do for our heirs Executors & administrators do hereby covenant with the said John Felt & his heirs & assigns in manner following that is to say that at the sealing hereof we the sole owners of said granted premises have right to sell the same as aforesaid that the said premises are free good right from all incumbrances & that we & our heirs will warrant & defend the said granted premises unto the said John Felt & to his heirs and the lawful claims & demands of all persons whatsoever provided always & these presents are upon this condition that if we our heirs executors administrators or any of them shall pay unto the said John Felt or to his executors administrations or assigns the sum of forty pounds with lawful interest ye on in full discharge of a bond of ye same date herewith on or before the eighteenth day of January Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred & seventy four then this Deed shall be null void & of no effect & force In Witness whereof we the said Samuel Croel & Elizabeth Croel do here unto set our hands & seals the eighteenth day of January Anno seven hundred Domini one thousand seventy three.

   Saml (his X mark) Croel & a Seal
   Elizabeth (her X mark) Croel & a Seal

   Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Us
   Sam. Holman
   Jona. Tukisbery

   Essex ss Salem January the 18th 1773 personeraly appeared Samuel Croel & Elizabeth Croel & Severally acknowledged this instrument to be their free & voluntary act & Deed before S. Curwen J Peace

   Essex ss Recd July 24 1786 & recorded & examd by John Pickering Regr.

   Summary of the 1773 Deed

   Summary of the 1773 Deed

   Samuel & Elizabeth Croel to John Felt

   On January 18, 1773, Samuel Croel (laborer) and Elizabeth his wife of Salem conveyed their interest in a small parcel of land to John Felt, merchant, of Salem.

   Consideration

   The deed states they received £80, but the operative condition shows this was actually a mortgage securing:

   £40 plus lawful interest

   Payable on or before January 18, 1774

   If the £40 and interest were paid, the deed would become void. If not, it would remain in force.

   So this is another conditional deed (mortgage), not an outright sale.

   Property Description

   The land was:

   A small piece containing 3½ poles (more or less)

   Bounded:

   North: land of Nathaniel Pease

   South: land of Benjamin Pease

   East: land of John Leach

   West: yard left in common for the whole house

   This is the exact same parcel described in the September 19, 1770 deed.

7. 14 Jul 1779

   Court⁶⁷

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

   Elizabeth Croel, widow of Salem, was appointed administratrix of the estate of her late husband Samuel Croel, described as a cooper. She entered into bond in the sum of £1,000 with sureties David Felt, merchant, and Jonathan Pease, mariner, both of Salem.

   Bond of Adms. of Estate of Samuel Croel late of Salem deceased

   Bond of Adms. of Estate of Samuel Croel late of Salem deceased
   July 14th 1779
   Recorded
   355.575[258]
   (Cooper)
   6662

   Know all Men by these Presents,
   That we Elisabeth Croel widow, David Felt merchant & Jonathan Pease Mariner all of Salem in the County of Essex within the State of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, are holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto Benjamin Greenleaf Esq; Judge of Probate of Wills, and granting Administrations within the County of Essex in the full Sum of one Thousand Pounds, in Lawful Money of said State, to be paid unto the said Benja. Greenleaf Esq. his Successors in the said Office, or Assigns: To the true Payment whereof, we do bind ourselves, and each of us, our, and each of our Heirs, Executors and Administrators, jointly and feverally, for the whole and in the whole, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with our Seals. Dated the Fourteanth Day of July Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and seventy nine
   The Condition of this present Oblication is such, That if the above-bounden Elisabeth Croel who is appointed administratix of all the Goods & Estate of Samuel Croel late of Salem aforsd Cooper decd. do make, or cause to be made, a true and perfet Inventory of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said Deceaied, which have or shall come to the Hands, Possession or Knowledge of her the said Elisabeth Croel or into the Hands and Possession of any other Person or Persons for her and the same so made, do exibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Court of Probate for the laid County of Essex at or before the fourteenth Day of October next ensuing; and the same Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits, and all other the Goods, Chattels, Rights and credits of teh said Deceased, at the time of his Death, which at anytime after shall come to the Hands and Possession of the said Elizabeth Croel or into the Hands and Possession of any other Person or Persons for her do well and truly administer according to Law: And further do make or cause to be made a just and true Account of her said Administration upon Oath, at or before the fourteenth Day of July which will be in the year of our Lord, One Thousand seven Hundred and eighty And all the rest and residue of the said Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits, which shall be found remainin upon the said Administratirixs Accompt (the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges, for the time being, of Probate of Wills and granting Administrations within the County of Essex aforesaid) and shall deliver and pay unto such Person or Persons respectively as the said Judge or Judges by his or their Decree or Sentence pursuant to Law shall limit and appoint: And if it shall hereafter appear that any last Will and Testament was made by the said Deceased, and the Executor or Executors, therein named do exhibit the same into the Court of Probate for the said County of Essex making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly; if the said Elisabeth Croel within bounden, being thereunto required, do render and deliver the said Letter of Administration (Approbation of such Testament being first had and made) into the said Court: Then the before-written Obligation to be Void and of none Effect, or else to abide and remain in full Fource and Virtue.

   Elisabeth (her X mark) Croel
   David Felt
   Jonathan Pease

   Signed, Sealed and Delivered in Pressence of
   Robert Shilbaes
   Dan. Noyes

8. 2 Feb 1782

   Marriage⁸

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

   with William Dowst ?–1794

9. 16 Mar 1791

   Court⁹

   Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

   1791–1792 ejectment case in Essex County: Richard Manning, administrator of John Felt, sued William Dowse and wife Elizabeth (formerly Croel) for a 3½-pole parcel mortgaged in 1773. Dowse and wife prevailed at Common Pleas; appeal followed.

   1791–1792 Ejectment Case – Essex County, Massachusetts

   1791–1792 Ejectment Case – Essex County, Massachusetts

   In March 1791, Richard Manning of Salem, acting as administrator of the estate of John Felt (merchant, deceased intestate), brought an ejectment action in the Essex County Court of Common Pleas against William Dowse and his wife Elizabeth (formerly Elizabeth French, widow of Samuel Croel).

   The suit sought possession of a small parcel of land in Salem containing approximately 3½ poles, bounded northerly by land of Nathaniel Pease, southerly by Benjamin Pease, easterly by John Leach, and westerly by a yard left in common for the whole house.

   This was the same parcel mortgaged on 18 January 1773 by Samuel Croel and Elizabeth his wife to John Felt as security for £40 plus interest, payable within one year. The mortgage was secured by both a conditional deed and a penal bond of £80. The debt was allegedly never paid, and the Felt estate claimed that title had vested fully in John Felt after default.

   William Dowse and Elizabeth pleaded “not guilty” and demanded jury trial. At the July 1791 term, the Court of Common Pleas adjudged their plea good and ruled in their favor, awarding them costs. Manning immediately appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court and entered recognizance with sureties to prosecute the appeal.

   The Supreme Judicial Court proceedings continued into 1792. The surviving file includes cost taxation records but does not contain a reversal of the lower court’s judgment. No writ of possession appears in the file.

   This case demonstrates that Elizabeth (French) Croel—who had remarried William Dowse in 1782—remained in possession of the inherited parcel nearly twenty years after the 1773 mortgage default and successfully defended her right to the property at least at the Court of Common Pleas level. The litigation forms the final chapter in a documented chain of inheritance from her mother, Elizabeth French (will dated 29 Dec 1766), through intra-family land transfers in 1770, to the 1773 mortgage and subsequent foreclosure attempt.

   Essex, SS. Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

   Essex, SS. Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
   To the Sheriff of our County of ESSEX, or his Deputy, GREETING:

   WE command you to attach the Goods or Estate of William Dorose of Salem in said County of Essex yeoman, & Elizabeth his wife to the value of four Pounds, and for Want thereof, to take the Body of the said William & Elizabeth ( if they may be found in your Precinct ) and them safely keep, so that you have them before our Justices of our Court of Common Pleas, next to be holden at Ipswich Essex, on the first Tuesday of April next, then and there, in our said Court, to answer unto Richard Manning of Salem in our said County of Essex Esquire, administrator of all & Singular the goods & Chattles, rights & Credits of John Falt late of said Salem Merchant Deceased Intestate. In a plea of Ejectment wherein the said Richard Manning Administrator as aforesaid demands against the said William and Elizabeth a small piece of Land Situate in said Salem Containing three poles and an half of Land more or less, with the buildings thereon, bounded northerly on land now or late Nathaniel Pease, Southerly on land now or late Benjamin, Pease Easterly on land now or late of John Leach, Westerly on a yard, in common with the appurtenances thereof, and saith that one Samuel Croel & said Elizabeth his wife, on the Eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & seventy three, were Seized of the Tenements aforesaid with their appurtenances in their Demise as of fee, & being so seized thereof, by their deed of that date duly Executed, acknowledged & registered, & in Court to be produced for the Consideration therein mentioned, conveyed the same to the said John Felt then living, to hold to him & his Heirs, on Condition nevertheless to be void if the said Samuel Creek & Elizabeth Croel should pay to the said John Felt or his admin istrators the sum of forty pounds with Lawful Interest, therefor on or before the Eighteenth day of January Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred & Seventy four according to the condition of their the said Samuel Croel & Elizabeth rods bond of the date aforesaid, by force whereof the said John Felt according by became seized of the Tenements aforesaid with their appurtenances and afterwards died so seized thereof - and the said Richard Manning overs that the said sum of forty pounds or any Interest for it hath not been paid to this day, wherefore the said Richard Manning ought to be in possession of the Tenements aforesaid with their appurtenances to administer there upon Yet the said William & said Elizabeth hath entered into the same & unjustly with hold the same from him the said Richard Manning to the great delay and hindrance of the performance of his trust aforesaid and

   To the Damage of the said Richard Manning in his said capacity (as he faith) the Sum of five Pounds, which shall then and there be made to appear, with other due damages. And have you there this Writ, with your doings therein. WITNESS, Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq. at Salem, this Sixteenth Day of March in the Year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and ninety one --
   13439
   J Osgood Clerk
   A true Copy Att. Jogoor clrk

   Essex Mach 2d 1791, by Virtue of this precept I have attached Hat,t & Cap. as the property of the within named William Dowse & Elizabeth Dorse his wife, and at the same time gave each of them a summons fees 3/10

   Joseph Durell Dep. Shff

   And the said William & Elizabeth comel & defend & , when he and say they are not guilty in manner & form as the within named Richard has within Declared against them, and thereof put themselves on the Country William Prescott And the said Richard Manning reserving liberty to himself to waive this Demurrer on the appeal at the Supreme Judicial Court, says the said plea of the said William & Elizabeth above by them pleaded, & the matters therein contained are bad and Insufficient in law, and no answer to the Plffs Declaration and this the said Richard is ready to verify wherefore the said Richard Administrator aforesaid prays Judgment for possession of the Tenements within demanded, & for his hosts
   Pr Ed. Pulling

   and the said William & Elizabeth Consenting to such reservation say their plea is good, & pray Judgment for their Costs
   Wm Prescott
   A true Copy Att J orgood Ax

   Essex SS Commonwealth of Massachusetts

   At the Court of Common pleas begun & holden at Salem within & for the County of Essex on the second Tuesday of July ( being the Twelfth day of the same month Anno Domini 1791

   Richard Manning of Salem in the County of Essex Esquire as he is administrator of all & Singular the goods & Chattles, right & Credits of John Felt late of said Salem Merchant Deceased Intestate Peft, against William Dosose of Salem in the same County of Essex Yeoman & Elizabeth his wife Defts. In a plea of Ejectment - Wherein the said Richard Manning Administrator as aforesaid foresaid Demands against the said William & Elizabeth a small piece of land Situate in said Salem Containing three poles & an half of Land, more or less, with the buildings thereon, bounded northerly on land now or late Nathaniel Pease, Southerly on land land now or late Benjamin Pease, Easterly on land now or late John Larch, westerly on a yard, in common with the appurtenances thereof, I saith that one Samuel Croel & said Elizabeth his wife on the Eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred Twenty three were seized of the Tenements aforesaid with their appurtenances in their Demise as of fee, and being so seized thereof, by their deed of that date duly Executed acknowledged & Registered and in Court to be produced, for the consideration therein mentioned, Conveyed the same to the said John Felt then living, to hold to him & his Heirs, on Condition nevertheless, to be void if the said Samuel Coel and Elizabeth Croel should pay to the said John Felt or his administrator of the sum of forty pounds with Lawful Interest therefor on or before the Eighteenth day of January Anno Domini One thousand Seven underhundred & twenty four, according to the condition of their said Samuel Croel & Elizabeth Croel's bond of the date aforesaid, by force whereof the said John Felt accordingly became seized of the Tenements uning aforesaid with the appurtenances, and afterwards died so seized thereof. And the said Richard Manning avers that the said sum of forty pounds, or any Interest for it hath not been paid to this day Wherefore the said Richard Manning ought to be in possession of the Tenements aforesaid with their appurtenances to administer thereupon at the said William & Elizabeth hath entered into the Same & unjustly with hold the same from him the said Richard Manning, to the great delay & hindrance of the performance of his Trust aforesaid & to the Damage of the said Richard Manning in his said capacity as he saith ) the sum of five pounds

   This action was entered in this Court at last April Term, whenthe parties appeared, & the cause was continued at the Defendants request to this time

   And now the said William & Elizabeth by Wm Prescott Esq their attorney, come & defend & when be, and say they are not guilty in manner & form as the within named Richard has within Country Declaration against them, and thereof put themselves on the County.

   And this the said Richard (by Edward Pulling Esquire his attorney resorving liberty to himself to waive the Damurer on the appealat the Supream Judicial court, says the said plea of the said William & Elizabeth avove by them pleaded & the matters therein Contained are bad & insufficient in Law & no answer to the Plfts Declaration, and this the said Richard is ready to verify, wherefore the said Richard Administrator as aforesaid prays Judgment for possession of the Tenements within demanded and for his Costs

   And the said William & Elizabeth Consenting to such reservation, say their plea is good, and pray judgment for their Corts

   All & Singular the premises being seen & fully understood by the Court, the plea aforesaid of the said William Dowse and Elizabeth his wife is adjudged good

   It is therefore considered by the Court That the said William Dowse & Elizabeth his wife recover against the goods & Estate of said John Fell Deceased as aforsaid in the hands of the said Richard Manning Administrator Costs taxed at -

   The said Richard Manning appeals there from to the Supreme Judicial Court, next to be holden for this County & outers into Recognizance with sureties as the Law directs for prosecuting his appeal to effect

   Copy of record exam by Josgooder

   ---

   ESSEX, SS. Memorandum.

   THAT on the fifteenth day of July - Anno Domini 1791 before the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, within the County of Essex, personally appeared Edward Pulling of Salem in the County of Essex aforesaid Esquire, attorney to Richard Manning of Said Salem Exquere Administrator of all & singular the goods & Chattles, rights & Credits of John Felt late of Salem aforesaid Merchant Deceased intestate Dudley Atkins Tyeng & Theophilus Parsons both of Newbury port in said County Esquires and acknowledged themselves to be ieverally indebted unto William Dowse of Salem in the same County of Essex yeoman, & Elizabeth his wife in the respective sums following, viz, the said Edward Pulling as Principal, in the sum of Ten Pounds, and the said Dudly Atkins Tyng & Theophilus Parsonsas Sureties, in the sum of Five Pounds each, to be levied upon their several Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements, and, in want thereof, upon their bodies, ( to the Use of the said William & Elizabeth if Default be in performance of the Condition here underwritten.

   The Condition of the above - written recognizance is such, That if the above named Richard Manning shall and do prosecute an Appeal by him made from a Judgment given against him - - in the Court of Common Pleas holden at Salem on the twelfth Tuesday of July instant, for the sum of Costs of suit, at the next Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden at Salem for the County of Essex aforesaid, with Effect; then the above written Recognizance to be void, otherwife to abide in full Force.

   134396 Att . Jorgoodler Cler.

   A true copy att Jorgoodler.

   ---

   Know all men by thefe Prefents, That I Samuel Croel of Salem in the County of Essex & Province of the Massachusset Bay in New England Labourer am Holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto John Holt of sd Salem Marchant in the full and just sum of eighty pounds good and lawful money of the Province of the Massachusetts - Bay in New England, to be paid unto the said John Felt his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators or Assigns: To the which payment well and truly to be made, I do bind my self my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with my seal Dated the eighteenth Day of January in the Year of His Majesty 's Reign, Annoque Domint, 1773.

   The Condition of this present Obligation is suc , That if the above-bounden Samuel Croel or his Heirs, Executors or Administrators, or any of them, shall and do well and truly pay, or cause to be paid unto the above-named John Felt or to his Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns, the full sum of Forty pounds of like lawful money with lawful interest for the same, on or before the eighteenth day of January which will be in the Year of our Lord God, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy four without fraud, Coven or further delay; then the above-written Obligation to be void and of none Effect; otherwise to abide and remain in full force and Virtue.

   Saml (his X mark) Croel
   Elisabeth (her X mark) Croel

   Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of us
   Saml. Holman
   Tonat Sulaslaeny

   ---

   Know all men by thefe Prefents, That We Saml. Croel of Salem in the County of Essex & province of the Mass. Bay in New England, Labourer & Elizabeth Croel wife of the of the sum of Eighty pounds by as received of John Felt of sd Salem Marchant before the sealing hereof, HAVE granted, bargained and sol ; and by these Presents do grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto the said John Felt and to his heirs or assigns power all our right title & interest in a small piece of land in sd Salem, containing three poles & an half, more a less & is bounded northerly upon land of Nathan Pease; Southerly on land of Benjamin Peace Easterly on land of John Leach; westerly on a yard left in common for the whole House, which land is derived to me partly from our late mother Elizabeth French deceased, & partly by deed from John Bishop & Sarah his wife, as by reference to Deed may appear .

   To have and to hold the said granted premises unto the said John Fett and to his Heirs and Assigns, to his and their only proper Use and Behoof forever. And we the said Samuel Croel & Elizabeth Croel do for us our Heirs, Executors and Administratiors, do hereby Covenant, with the said John Felt & his Heirs and Assigns, in manner following, that is to say, that at the Sealing hereof we the sole Owner of said granted premises, have good right to sell the same as aforesaid, that the said Premisses are free from all incumbrances, and that we and our Heirs will warrant and defend the said granted premises unto the said John Feet and to Heirs and Assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whatsoever. PROVIDED always, and these Presents are upon this condition, that if we our Heirs, Executors or Administrators or any of them, shall pay unto the said John Felt or to his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, the sum of forty pounds with lawful interest upon in full discharge a bond of same date herewith on or before the eighteenth day of January Seven Hundred and seventy four then this Deed shall be will void of no effect or force.

   In Witness whereof, we the said Samuel Coel & Eizabeth Croel do hereunto set our hands and Seals the eighteenth day of January Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and seventy three.

   Saml. (his X mark) Croel
   Elisabeth (her X mark) Croal

   Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in presence of us,
   Saml Holman
   Jonl Sonlesberry (?)

   ---

   Essex Ss Salem, January the 18th 1773
   Personally appeared Samuel Croel & Elisabeth Croel & severally acknowhoged the within written Instraments to be their free & voluntary act & deed.
   Before I Curwen J Pease.

   Samuel Croel & wife to JOhn Felt
   Essex ss Recd. in the Registry of Deeds July 24 1786
   Recorded Book 145 Leaf 233 & examd by John Pickering Regr.

   Essex ss - July 14, 1791. In the Records in the Registry of Deeds Book 145 Leaf 233 in the Record of a to Mortgage Deed from Samuel Croel & wife of Salem to John Felt dated Jany 18 1773 by which they consey estate thus described

   "all our right title & interest in a small piece of
   " land in Salem containing three poles & an half
   " more or less & is bounded northerly upon land of to
   " Nathan Peace southerly on land of Benjamin Peace
   " easterly on land of John Leach westerly on a yard
   " left in common for the whole house which land is
   " derived to us partly from our late mother Elizabeth
   " French deceased & partly by deed from John Bishop
   " & Sarah his wife as by reference to sd Deed may Appear

   The Condition of the Mortgage is that if they pay to said Felt in one year from the Date $ 40 with interest the deed is to be void

   The Deed was acknowledged Jan 18. 1773 by S Croel & wife -- before S Curwen J Peace and Recd on Record July 24 - 1786

   Esses Court of Com. Pleas July Term 1791

   Richd Manning Esq. adm vs William Doruse & ux } Plts Costs

   1791 April }

   Wist Ac 8.6
   Service 2.10
   Entry Ac 7.6
   Travel 30 miles 4.6
   Attend 4 days 6 -
   Contrnt - 6

   July

   Attend 4 Days 6 -
   Demeuner 4 -
   Taxing Sr. 1.6

   £2.2.4

   Examd. att. J Olgood clr.
   A true copy an J Olgood clr.

   Essex ss Surpream Judicial Court at Salem Novr. 1792

   Richd. Manning aps vs Wm Dowce & al aplees } opts cort

   Common Pleae bill £2.2.4
   appeal recoj. 0.1.8

   Novr. 1791
   Entry 0.14.0
   Copies of case 0.10.0
   attend. 4 days 0.6.0
   cortineance 0.1.0

   June 1792

   Travel 20 ml 0.4.6
   attend. 4 days 0.6.0
   Continer 0.1.0

   Present Term

   attend 9 days 0.13.6attorney fee 0.12.0
   taxes &s 0.3.6

   £5.15.6

   Exd. An Chas. Cursing Cler

10. 26 Nov 1795

    Property¹⁰

    Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, British North America

    Deed from Elizabeth Dowst of Salem, widow of William Dowst, to John Pickering, Esq., releasing and conveying all her right of dower (“power of thirds”) in the Broad Street dwelling house, barn, and ~12¼ poles of land sold by the administrator to satisfy estate debts. Acknowledged 28 Nov 1795; recorded 10 Dec 1795 (Essex Co. Deeds).

    Dowst to Pickering

    Dowst to Pickering

    Know all men that I Elizabeth Dowst of Salem in the County of Essex widow of William Dowst of said Salem yeoman late deceased intestate in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars paid me by John Pickering of the same Salem Esq. the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have sold and do by these presents grant sell and convey release assign & set over to said John all my right of dower or power of thirds of in that dwelling house barn & out house with the land under and adjoining the same whereof the said William did seized and which Richard Dowst as admᵣ of the Estate of said William hath this day sold to said John — the same land is bounded southerly on Broad Street in Salem aforesaid, westerly on land of said John northerly & easterly on land of the heirs of Jonathan Neal decᵈ & contains about twelve poles and one quarter. To have and to hold the granted premises to said John and his heirs and assigns forever free from any claim made or to be made by from or under me for dower or thirds therein or in any part thereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety five.

    Elizabeth X Dowst & a seal
    her mark

    Signed sealed & delivered
    in the presence of
    Samᵗ Putnam
    Richard Ward

    Essex ss Novr 28th 1795 Then Elizabeth Dowst acknowledged this Instrument to be her free deed — before Richard Ward Justice of the peace

    Essex ss Recᵈ Dec, 10 1795 & recorded & examᵈ by John Pickering Regr.

11. 18 Mar 1819

    Death¹¹

    Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

    Death of Elizabeth (French) Dowst, widow of William Dowst, 18 Mar 1819, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Age recorded as 73 in town vital records; alternate age 87 reported in the Salem Mercury (newspaper). The latter aligns with her 1754 marriage to Samuel Crowell and likely birth in the early 1730s.

    Dowst, Elizabeth, wid. W[illia]m, old age. Mar. 18, 1819, a. 73 y. [a. 87 y. n. r. 9.]