Notes for: Francis Bodine
He was born in Richmond County (Staten Island) around 1720 to 1725. Prior to 1745, he settled at Cranbury, on the border of Middlesex County, New Jersey. He had 30 acres of land surveyed in Tranquility Swamp on November 1, 1775 on Wading River, Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County. This property was still in the possession of his sons Francis and John Bodine and Charles Newbold as late as March 16, 1820 (Burlington County Deeds, Book M2, p. 335). He died in Burlington County, probably at his home in Tranquility Swamp, Little Egg Harbor Township. His first wife, Abigail, was the mother of all his children. She died between 1750 and 1754 probably in New Jersey. He later married Rachael Wilson in Middlesex County Jan 29, 1755. His four known children were baptised at Christ Church, Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Sinnott also says he married Rachel Wilson, but she did not have the name of his first wife.
Sinnott says Francis was "a farmer by occupation, an Episcopalian by religious conviction, and the founder of the Bodine families of Philadelphia and southern New Jersey" (p. 165).
Much of this information comes from an article on Judge Joseph Lamb Bodine in "N.J. - A History Biographical & Genealogical Records," 1932.
His sons Joel, Francis and John appear to be the original Bodines of Burlington County, New Jersey.
In a new book "Heart of the Pines" by John E Pearce (published in 2000 by Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc., 4110 Nesco Rd Hammonton NJ 08037-3814), he says that Francis and Abigail may have also had a son named Thomas. No source was given. The book said that James may have been their son and it did not mention Aphy.
The book also said the following:
In 1773, Francis II [this Francis] acquired a tract of 20 acres from Amos Pharo at Tranquility Swamp and a part interest in another 22 acre piece. Also in that year, James Pharo made a quit claim to Francis Bodine III for five and a half acres on the Pappoose Branch. On November 1, 1775, Francis, Jr. purchased 30 acres at Tranquility Swamp in what became Washingon Township and moved to the vicinity with his three sons. The deed for this property is found in the Burlington County Deeds, Book M2, p. 335. There is then some discussion as to which Francis bought the land in 1775. Francis III married on March 20, 1768 to Mary Rose (b. 1748).
Joan Best found the following Bodines in Livingston Co., New York. They were there in a Quaker Community. The names sound like they are related to this branch of Bodines. Here is what she said:
I was looking for Bodines in Livingston Co, NY. I found some in 1850 in Groveland Twp., which is where Prudence, William and Russel lived before going their separate ways. But I got a surprise. There was a very large group of people, over 100, living in one household. They were the Society of Shakers it said on the side of the census. All the men were listed first, then all the females. However, I think it is safe to start with the proposition that the following Bodines among them once consisted of a biological family:
Francis Bodine (m) 49, farmer, NY
Aaron Bodine (m) 15, farmer, NY
Joel Bodine (m) 21, farmer, NY
Jastin Bodine (m) 22, farmer, NY
Sarah Bodine (f) 18, NY
The names correspond to the Wading river Cranberry Bodines, do you have a guess or know this family?
Joan
From Ronny Bodine (August 19, 2020):
According to Sinnott's Annals (p. 164-65), Francis Bodine crossed from Richmond County, New York into New Jersey, settling at Cranbury, Middlesex County before 1745.
Soon after be appears to have located in Monmouth County where his son Joel was baptized in October 1745 at Christ Church in Shrewsbury, followed by son John in November 1747 and his daughter Aphy in August 1750 at Allentown. (The Parish of Christ Church in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County was founded in 1702. Only these three children appear in the church's baptismal records. The church missionaries travelled throughout the area performing their services, i.e. baptizing, marrying, etc. so the event did not necessarily take place at the church. Therefore, Aphy was baptized at Allentown in Monmouth County, New Jersey not Allentown, Pennsylvania.)
After the death of his 1st wife, he was married by license of 29 Jan 1756 to Rachel Wilson, daughter of Walter Wilson. She was baptized 12 Sept 1731. See Horner, William S., "This Old Monmouth of Ours," Polyanthus, 1974, p. 111.
On 17 Jan 1759, the will of Owen Sullivan, yeoman, of Middlesex County, was proved. Bondsmen were Francis Bodine and Joseph Wilson, Jr., "both of said county."
The Minutes of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County, New Jersey make several references to Francis Bodine all involving indebtedness. First on 15 Oct 1760 when a writ was issued to the Sheriff to locate him "within your Bailiwick" for a debt of £10.6 owed William Pidgeon, and three writs issued 21 April 1762 for a debt of £20 owed Henry Moore, £28 owed the executors of the estate of Simon Horn, late of Middlesex County, and £160.4.8 owed Robert Davison. Two further writs issued 21 Oct 1762, one addressed to "Francis Bodin otherwise called Francis Bodine of the County of Middlesex in the Township of Windsor, in the province of East New Jersey" reiterated the debt of £160.4.8 owed Robert Davison and the other entered an interlocutory judgment against him for the debt owed Henry Moore. It appears that Francis Bodine was sought by the Sheriff but was never located within Middlesex County and perhaps this was the reason he relocated to Burlington County.
Sinnott in her Annals... (p. 164-165) relates he subsequently appears as a resident of Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, New Jersey where he is recorded as Francis Burdyne on the Sept 1773 list of ratables, and on 1 Nov 1775 had some 30 acres of land surveyed there in Tranquility Swamp, on Wading River, which was in the possession of his sons Francis Bodine and John Bodine and Charles Newbold, 16 March 1820 citing Burlington County Deeds, Liber M2, 335. But it seems more likely this was his son and that the father had died by this time. The list of ratables for Little Egg Harbor Township of September 1773 listed three Bodines, Francis Burdyne, John Burdyne and Joel Burdyne. These are the three adult sons of the elder Francis Bodine, aged between 26 and 31. Had the father yet been living, he would have been aged 47 to 52 and would also be a ratable along with his three sons.