Atwell, Hart, Churchill, Hostetter Genealogy :Information about Virginia A. Atwell
Virginia A. Atwell (b. 09 Mar 1914, d. Nov 1980)
Notes for Virginia A. Atwell:According to John William Atwell: Virginia ran away at a young age and got married to a milkman.She eventually returned home.It is not known how young she was when this happened, but her parents were able to get the marriage annulled.
According to John William Atwell: Virgina became an alcoholic and perhaps abused drugs.Eventually she became mentally disturbed, and her parents felt they had to put Virginia in an institution.There is a story about what she said at a tea party. [CENSORED]. This incident evidently helped determine Virginia's fate.
My own observation: When I think about Virginia, I also think about the actress Francis Farmer who was precocious for her time and suffered mental collapses that put her in an institution.She was committed by court order in 1943, and by my calculations, that's about when Virginia was put in an institution.Mental hospitals in 1940 were rough compared to now.In those times many techniques were used as a matter of course, which nowadays are considered primitive and even cruel.On the other hand, MOVIES about mental institutions (FRANCES, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) tend to portray them as hell holes runs by unsympathetic jerks. The movies also tend to portray mental illness as romantic.Not.
John William Atwell says he remembers overhearing that Virginia was released from the institution.He knows nothing further about her.
There is a Virginia Atwell on the Social Security Death Index, but I can't be sure it is the same one,The only facts that tie in are the birth date (which I haven't tied exactly, but it is in the range) and the fact that this Virginia Atwell died in Illinois.Could it be that Virginia never (re-)married?Need more info.
Social Security Death Index
Virginia Atwell
SSN: 340-52-2782
Last Residence: 60050McHenry, Mchenry, Illinois, United States of America
Born: 9 Mar 1914
Died: Nov 1980
State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois