Notes for: Vincent Bodine, Capt.

He appears to have spent most of his life in New York. He first appears there on April 10, 1710 when he witnesses the baptism of Hester Rushé. She was probably his cousin, the daughter of his mother's sister, Susanna Bridon (and Dennis Rushé).

Ann Messecar believes he was apprenticed to his uncle Dennis Rushe/Riche who was a shipbuilder.

The following is based on information in Mary Sinnott's book: Vincent Bodine was a sailor. In 1720, he was captain of the sloop, "Mary," which left the port of New York for St. Christopher's, July 25, 1720. The trip back to New York took twenty-two days. On his arrival, he stated that a day or two before leaving St. Christopher's "a pyrate ship of twenty guns and one hundred and seventy men commanded by a Welshman, and a Sloop of --- Guns came into Buckstarr Road in that Island and Burnt one Ship, set fire to a second and Carryed out a third with them. That they sent word to the Governor of Sandy Point that they would Come and Burn the town about his ears for hanging the Pyrates there" (The American Weekly Mercury, Thursday, October 27, 1720). In 1721, he was captain of the sloop "Three Brothers" which was bound for Suriname.

He died in New York where his will was proven May 10, 1744. The will, written on June 30, 1735, named eight children. However, this is the only abstract of his will I have and it doesn't mention any children:

Abstracts of NY Wills, vol. IV, 1744-1753, (page 9 or page 233?): In the name of God, Amen. I, VINCENT BODEN, of New York, mariner, being in good health. My executors are to pay all debts and funeral expenses, And I leave all my estate, real and personal, to my wife Elisye, and make her executor.

June 30, 1735. Witnesses, Charles Beekman, Charles Beekman, Jr., Simon Johnson. Proved, May 10, 1744.

He is closely associated with Jean Bodin of Medis, but not Jean Bodin of Bethune. The name Vincent is borne by descendants of his brother Francis, but not by any of the descendants of Jean Bodin from Bethune. See "NYGBR," v. 121, pp. 233-234 for more on Vincent and Heyltje Bodine.

His burial record (or tombstone) at the New York Dutch Church says "Vinson Bodin."

Elizabeth Brady wrote, "At the Rutgers University Library, New Brunswick, N.J. there is a BODINE manuscript. It indicates that VINCENT BODINE, son of JEAN BODINE and ESTHER BRIDON, had a wife, HEIJLTJE (HELENE) SMITH, and children: HESTER, bap. Feb. 20, 1715, FRANCIS, JACOB, bap. 1729, and VINCENT, born in New York, March 10, bap. March 27, 1733. The record of 1733 is written in the French language." It would be valuable to see this manuscript and get its exact contents. See also The Britton Genealogy, Early Generations from Somersetshire, England to Staten Island, New York, by Elmer Garfield Van Name, J.D., LL.D., pub. October 1970, p. 34.

From Ronny Bodine (Nov. 23, 2020):

He is first named 16 April 1710 as 'Vincang Bodinge' when he and 'Hester Bodinge' served as witnesses to the baptism of Hester, daughter of Denis and Susannah (Bridon) Rushe at the Dutch Reformed Church in New York City. Hester was likely his recently widowed mother; Susannah Rushe was his maternal first cousin.

The "American Weekly Mercury" of 27 Oct 1720, reported that Vincent Bodine was captain of the sloop "Mary" which cleared from the port of New York for St. Christophers, 25 July. His return voyage occupied twenty-two days. On his arrival in New York he stated that a day or two before sailing from St. Christopher's “a pyrate ship of twenty guns and one hundred seventy men commanded by a Welshman, and a Sloop of ---Guns came into Buckstarr Road in that Island and Burnt one Ship, set fire to a second and Carryed out a third with them. That they sent word to the Governor of Sandy Point that they would be there the next night and to the Governor of Nevis that they would Come and Burn the Town about his ears for hanging the Pyrates there.”

In 1721 he was captain of the sloop "Three Brothers," bound for Surinam. On 17 Nov 1729, "The Pennsylvania Gazette" reported the arrival of V. Bodin from Curacoa [a coastal Australian island.]

In 1738, he appears on a muster list of the Blue Artillery Company commanded by Capt. John Waldron (The Documentary History of the State of New York, vol. 4: 212).

The "South-Carolina Gazette" reported in its shipping news the comings and goings of the Brigantine "Patience" under Capt. Vincent Bodin/Bodine on numerous occasions between 19 Aug 1732 and 19 April 1740, when it reported the ship's departure from Charlestowne for Falmouth and the "American Weekly Mercury" of 17 Nov 1740 reported the arrival of Capt. Bodine.

On 18 March 1739, Vincent Bodin sponsored the baptism of his grandson and namesake, Vincent, son of Cornelis and Hester (Bodin) Brouwer. On 8 June 1740, Vincent Bodine and Hyltje Smith witnessed the baptism of their granddaughter, Hyltje, child of Johannes Bodine and Tryntje Bensen. On 29 Feb 1744, "Heyltje Smith widow of Vincent Bodin," witnessed the baptism of another Hyltje, child of Johannes Bodine and Tryntje Bensen, the one baptized in 1740 having apparently died.

The will of Vincent Bodin, of New York, mariner, of 30 June 1735 was proved 10 May 1744, therein leaving his entire estate to his wife Elsje (New York Wills, vol. 15, p. 233-235).
Note from Dave Bodine on the line above: Elsje is a diminutive, we think, for Elizabeth. I am not sure where this name enters into this Vincent's records since his wife was Helene. So this is suspect in my mind. We don't know what other Vincent Bodine it could apply to, but there might be one we don't know about. For example, Ronny said there is a Vincent Bordyn who died Oct. 14, 1758 and was buried the next day. So we don't know who that Vincent is. He is not in our records.

Burial Record of the Collegiate Dutch Church Reformed Church of New York City, Vol. I 1726-1783. Prepared by the Holland Society.
p. 30 Vinson Bodin. Died 9 March, buried 11 March 1741.
p. 53 Wid. Bodyne Died 24 May, buried 26 May 1750.

One wonders why 3 years elapsed before his will was submitted for probate in May 1744. Was he perhaps lost at sea and the burial was symbolic?

Heyltje Smith was the daughter of John and Catalina (Clopper) Smith and had been baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of New York City 2 April 1690 (NYGBR, cxxi, 233-234). Although no record of their marriage has survived, their first child was baptized in 1715. The will of Hyla Bodine, widow of Vincent Bodine, mariner of New York, of 8 March 1750 was proved 6 June 1750. Therein, she named her daughter Hester, wife of Cornelius Brower, son Vincent Bodine, and granddaughter Mary, daughter of John, deceased, her eldest son, leaving to each one-third of her residual estate. All of her personal estate was bequeathed to her son-in-law, Cornelius Brower, with the provision that he must recover his lawful right to the land now in possession of the Trinity Church of England in New York within twelve months (New York Wills, 17: 170-172). Other known children, but not named in the will, had clearly died.

The "New-York Weekly Post -Boy" of 16 July 1750 noted "Widow Bodin, decd--house in John Street now in possession of Cornelius Brower, for sale by executors, Jonas Wright and John Stevens."

The following eight baptisms of his children were recorded in the registers of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York City and were published in "New York Genealogical and Biographical Record," Volumes 16-24, 1885-1892:

1715-20 Feb: HESTER, daughter of Fincent Bodine and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: Mr. Rusje and Mrs. Rusje.

1718-29 June: JOHN, son of Fincent Bowdine and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: John Obline and Jannetje Stevens.

1720-6 Dec: JACOB, son of Vincent Bodyn and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: Cornelus Stevens and Catlyntje Stevens, his sister.

1722-23 Dec: CATHALINA, daughter of Fincang Boudyn and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: Jan Stevens Jnr and Heyltje Coeley.

1726-4 May: CATHALYNTJE, daughter of Fincent Bodyn and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: Hendrick Van de Water and Pieternelle Kloppers, widow of Albartus Van de Water.

1727-6 Sep: MARYTJE, daughter of Vincent Boudyn and Heyltje Smith, Sponsors: John Stevens Jr and Reyntje a Brakel.

1731-27 May: CORNELIS, son of Vincent Bodyn (no wife named), Sponsors: Jacobus Quik Jr. and Catalyntje Stevens wife of Van Jonas Right

The following baptism was recorded in the registers of the French Church of New York City, Collections of the Huguenot Society of America, Volume I (1886).

1733-25 Mar: VINCENT, born 10 March 1733, son of Mr. Vincent Bodin and Helene Smith, spouse, Sponsors: Mr. Denys Riche and Made. Mariane Ablain.

The following burials of four of the children of Vincent and Heyltje Bodine were recorded in the same church records:

1727-died 9 Nov, buried 11 Nov, CATHRINA, dau. of Vincent Bodin.

1729-died 20 Mar, buried 23 Mar, MARIA, dau. of Vincent Bodyn.

1731-died 16 Oct, buried 17 Oct, CORNELIS, son of Vincent Bodine.

1740-died 7 Mar, buried 9 Mar, A son of Vincent Bodyne.