Atwood and Savil families

As an occasional amateur genealogist I am glad to see that the list of people buried at Codman can be found with a Google search. It would be great if there were a link next to those names for which you have more information which could be clicked to see the individual's details.

Using census information and Massachusetts Vital Records, I tried researching the Atwoods who are buried here, thinking that they might be connected to the architect Harrison H. Atwood who lived on Alban Street. There seems to be no connection. Harrison Atwood was originally from Vermont and the Atwood name found at Codman originated in Maine.

I was not able to identify the Mary J. Atwood buried at Codman, although she must be connected to this Atwood family since she is buried in the same plot.

The other three Atwoods are a family. Adelaide Francis and Benjamin Cushing Atwood are the children of Emily R. Atwood. Emily was the daughter of Samuel R. and Cherry A. Savil. Samuel was a wheelwright who was born in Quincy and lived in Neponset at the time of Emily's birth in 1834. Emily Savil married George W. Atwood, originally from Bucksport, Maine, on 2 November 1854 when both were 19 years old. Their marriage is shown as taking place at the 2nd M. E. Church in Dorchester, performed by Jeremiah L. Haniford, pastor.

A daughter, Adelaide Frances Atwood, was born on 31 October 1855 on Minot Street in Dorchester (the parents are listed as residents of Boston rather than Dorchester, so perhaps she was born at her mother's parents house.) Adelaide died on 6 December 1856 at the age of 1 year and 1 month of consumption (tuberculosis).

Benjamin Cushing Atwood was born on 23 August 1857 at Neponset. Two months later his mother Emily died of consumption on 22 October 1857 and on 10 December 1857 Benjamin died at the age of 4 months, also of consumption.

In 1858 Samuel R. Savil, Emily's father, also died of consumption. In 1859 her mother Cherry A. Savil died of a "liver complaint" and in 1862 her sister Cherry Anna Savil died at age 21, also of consumption, apparently unmarried and living in the family home on Minot Street. These Savils are also buried at Codman. I believe that the Savil home was actually located down a lane running south off of Minot Street and is still standing at 20 Sylvester Road.

Following the death of his wife and two children, George Atwood moved to Medford and later Boston and Melrose. He became a physician, married again and had five children. He died sometime between 1910 and 1920.

Bob Rugo
42 Ocean Street
BobRugo@mac.com