Background
He was son of Gabriel Saywell (died 1688), rector of Pentridge, Dorset.
He was son of Gabriel Saywell (died 1688), rector of Pentridge, Dorset.
He graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1663, Master of Arts 1667.
After a few months passed at Cranbourne school, he went in 1659 to Street John"s College, Cambridge, where he was admitted a sizar. On 2 April 1666 he was elected a fellow of his college. In 1669 he was incorporated Master of Arts at Oxford.
In 1679 Saywell proceeded Doctor of Divinity, and on 8 March in the same year was installed a prebendary of Ely Cathedral.
On 9 December that year, on the promotion of Humphrey Gower to the mastership of Saint John"s College, he was elected his successor as master of Jesus College. On 28 November 1672 Saywell was appointed chancellor of the diocese of Chichester, and on 22 January 1681 was collated to the archdeaconry of Ely.
He gave money to Jesus College, for the adornment of the hall and the purchase of advowsons.
