Charles Codman's Photograph
Charles A. Codman son of William P. Codman was born in 1828 on Beacon Hill, Boston, MA. His only education was the public school system. Many of the artist of his day started out apprenticing for a sign-maker. We can only guess that Codman trained for his career in a similar fashion. According to the 1850 U.S. Census he was listed as a painter. Also in 1854 the Boston City Directory listed Codman as a painter. Again in 1860 he was listed in the U. S. Census as a paper box maker, sign-maker, and cabinet maker. According to the 1880 census he was listed as a bookkeeper. Possibly they were referring to his love of books and his book collection. In 1852, Charles Codman’s became interested in Stephen Pearl Andrews presentation on equity commerce. Shortly after Andrews’ lecture, Codman visited the colony of Modern Times and purchased two acre lots of land on 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Codman was quoted as saying, “it was my fixed intention to join the movement, and to this end I worked at my own business of sign painting and practiced economy with the view of accumulating a small capital that should warrant the venture.” (Dyson, “Century of Brentwood, page 53).When he traveled from Boston to Modern Times he brought his father and first wife, Ada Codman. Charles Codman worked as a sign and decorative arts painter for five years and soon became a permanent citizen of Modern Times. On July 16, 1863, he divorced his first wife, Caroline Ada and married Emily Studley, a friend who followed Charles and Caroline Ada to Modern Times and ended up living with them. The couple were members of the Brook Farm Association and followers of Warren and Andrews. While living at Modern Times he painted landscapes. Four of these paintings are owned by the library. Residents of Modern Times remembered Codman as a booklover, painter and hermit. He also became active in community improvements, while serving as trustee on the school board. Codman was the author of an unpublished work entitled, “History of the city of Modern Times” and the “Legend of Red Owl.” Charles Codman died on February 1911 and he is buried in the Brentwood Cemetery. M. Koferl -- June 2007 --Local Newsletter

Charles Codman's House