Notes for: William Bodine

I have seriouse doubts now whether this William Bodine is the son of Jacob Bodine, Jr. I think he may be the brother of the Abraham Bodine who married Philinda Trumbull. These two may have a father named John Bodine. So there is probably no association with Pennsylvania. They seemed to have gone from Livingston Co., NY straight to Genesee Co., MI. The notes below will need adjusting.

At first, I had William's birth date as March 13, 1803. I believe this came from IGI records at the FamilySearch.com and possibly from "Pennsylvania Genealogies," by William Henry Egle (Baltimore, 1969). However, I don't believe this is correct now. LDS also gave a birth date of July 11, 1803 in Pine Run for him (it also listed him as "of Genesee, MI"). It said he married Mary Egle. In another record, it gave a date of April 13, 1803 in Pennsylvania for him. In another record, it said he married Mary Egle in 1826 in Genesee, Potter, Pennsylvania. This is all a bit confusing. Chris Leonard (cleonardca at earthlink.net) says that William was born in 1803 in Pennsylvania. His wife, Mary Egle, was of Swiss descent. Chris says they ended up in Michigan via New York. Catherine Horman's information in LDS film #824060 gives the dates July 11, 1803 and April 13, 1869 for William and December 24, 1805 and May 28, 1865 for Mary. She says her information came from History of Genesee County, Michigan, by Franklin P. Ellis. From what I've seen, Mrs. Horman was usually a pretty thorough researcher and often listed her sources. Marge Kalec (ClickAnc at aol.com) has checked all these dates out. She says that his tombstone says he was born on July 11, 1806, but this does not match the census info. Marge says that July 11, 1803 would agree with the census info and she goes with that date. I would agree with her and Catherine Horman. The year on the tombstone must be a mistake; although, the month and day are probably accurate.

The 1850 Census of Vienna Twp., Genesee Co., MI has William Bodine's family listed. His birth place is New York. He is 47. His wife, Mary, is 45 and born in NY. Oscar, Mortimer, and Sarah are 21, 19, and 16 and all born in New York. Oakley and Ellen are 10 and 6 and were born in Michigan. More census records need to be checked to see where they say William was really born. It should be Pennsylvania. See further below for more census info (the 1860 Census says he was born in Pennsylvania).

I believe Joan Best has figured out who William's parents are. We believe they are Jacob Bodine, Jr. and his wife, Catherine of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. The evidence is circumstantial, but it is very convincing. I will summarize it below. In the administration papers for Jacob Jr.'s father (Jacob Bodine, Sr.), the names are given for Jacob Jr.'s children. They are William, Russel, Prudence, Mary, and Desire. The papers are from the Columbia County (PA) Orphans Court Records of April 1818. The pertinent part of the papers says this:

...That your petitioners father, lately died intestate living a widow Viz. Catharine Bodine and ______ thirteen children _____ this petitioner and Lea, Margaret, Abraham, Nicholas, Mary since intermarried with James Watson, Elizabeth since intermarried with Daniel McIntyre, Amy since intermarried with James Best, Desire since intermarried with Jacob Lilly, Martha since intermarried with John Beers, Rachel since intermarried with Thomas Girton, Catharine since intermarried with William Girton and Jacob Bodine who is _____ deceased leaving five children Viz William, Russel, Prudence, Mary, and Desire Bodine all of whom are in their minority and have a guardian appointed to wit John Funston.

Note: The "petitioner" is James Bodine, a son of Jacob Sr. He is the administrator of the estate. The underlined spaces stand for words that were not readable.

We therefore see that Jacob and Catherine Bodine had five children: William, Russel, Prudence, Mary, and Desire. We know that William's birth date is probably July 11, 1803. Further research shows that Russell was born about 1807 in Pennsylvania (see census data further below). Prudence was born in 1811. This is important because of something else that comes up in Jacob Bodine, Jr.'s administration papers. In the papers of August 2, 1817, it says that Jacob and Catherine had five minor children, four under the age of fourteen. Since we know William's birth date, we know that he turned fourteen on July 11, 1817. He must be the oldest child since all the others would be under fourteen except for him. However, this is made perfectly clear in the administration papers of August 15, 1817 where it says that William is the one child who is not under fourteen (see abstracts just below). All this would also match the birth years for Russell (1807) and Prudence (1811). We do not know the dates for Mary/Molly or Desire, but they do appear to be the youngest of the five children by the order in which they are listed. I have about 150 William Bodines in my data and he is the only one whose dates would fit this scenario.

Here are the pertinent parts from the administration papers:

2 Aug 1817 from Caleb Thomas
"that the said intestate lately died leaving a widow and five minor children, four under the age of fourteen,"

15 August 1817
The petition of Catherine Bodine widow & relict of Jacob Bodine Jr late of Derry Township deceased

Humbly herewith
That said Jacob lately deceased intestate leaving a widow, your petitioner, and five minor children, to wit, William, Russell, Prudence, Molly, & Desire, the four last of whom are under the age of fourteen years.
Petitioner prays to the Court to appoint guardian of these persons & estates
[?]her
Catharine X Bodine
Mark
William Bodine above named prays your honor to allow him to choose a guardian of his person and estate
[?]
William Bodine [his actual signature]

This comes from Joan Best:

Catherine Bodine's dad is Evan Thomas! She is the sister of Prudence, who witnessed her signature. Prudence is married to Caleb Thomas. According to info on familysearch, Caleb is the great-grandson of Edward Thomas and Prudence is his granddaughter. Does that make them second cousins once removed? I have Evan Thomas' will, which just gives the first names of his children. But,by lucky chance [I say that because Caleb Thomas was the administrator of both Jacob Bodine, Jr's estate [his brother-in-law] and Evan Thomas' estate [his father-in-law] So when I sent for papers in which Catherine Bodine gives power of attorney to Caleb Thomas I thought it was about her husband's estate. One was, the other one was for her father's estate, and this time it is in her married name as heir of Evan Thomas.

Evan's children were: Mary Hendershot, Inon, Evan, Elizabeth, Catharine, Prudence, Rebecca, John. To each he gave 1/8.

In the 1830 census for Groveland, Livingston Co., NY we find John Thomas and Evan Thomas, probably Catharine's brothers, and William Hendershot, Sr. and Jr., perhaps one of them a spouse of May Thomas Hendershot.

In 1838 Catherine and her children gave power of attorney to Caleb Thomas so he could sell some more of Jacob, Jrs. land. The documents say where they lived in 1838. Catharine lived in Groveland and Desire in Genesco, both in Livingston Co. NY. Russell's share had been conveyed to Catherine. Philip Traxler and wife Prudence were living in Richland Co., Ohio and they had purchased William Bodine's portion. Mary Bodine was living in Washtenaw, Michigan [The same county as Russell] She signed in Teetmish, Linawe Co. Michigan.

I think that pretty much sews up any question concerning whether the NY Bodines are one and the same as Jacob, Jr's kids.

Evan Thomas will was submitted for probate in 1820. He doesn't mention a wife so she had probably predeceased him. So with both parents and husband dead, it made sense that Catherine and her teenagers would go to NY with her siblings. New land was being developed along a newly opened canal there. Catherine did not go to live with Prudence right away, apparently. I wonder if Desire and Mary ever married. And it looks like Russel/l had more children than Elizabeth. Several boys and at least one other girl, according to the census. Keep an eye out for them. Maybe his estate papers would give some clues, or an obit.

Joan

In the 1810 Census of Derry Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, there is a listing for two Jacob Bodines. One of these is Jacob Sr. and the other is Jacob Jr. In Jacob Jr.'s household, there are the following people listed:
2 males under 10
1 male 16-26
2 males 26-45
1 female 16-26

This would match the fact that Jacob Jr. had only two children born by 1810: William in 1803 and Russell in 1807. Catherine would be the female and Jacob Jr. would be one of the three older males, but it is not certain which one he was.

The following census data shows the close relationship between the movements of William Bodine and his brother, Russell Bodine.

We do not know where William was at the time of the 1820 Census. He would have been 17, Russell 13, and Prudence, 9. They were probably with relatives or working for someone else.

In 1830, William is listed in the Census of Genesco Township, Livingston County, New York.
1m, 1f : under 5
1m, 1f: 20-30

On the same page of the census is Russell Bodine
1 m. under 5
1m, 1f: 20-30

Note from Joan Best: I understand that Genesco is next to Groveland Township where the Eagle, Traxler and other families that I listed in a prior message, lived.

William Bodine is next found in the 1840 Census of Genesee Township, Genesee County, Michigan. [On the same page is found Abraham Bodine. Abraham may be William's cousin, son of James ... we will have to wait for more info on James Orphan Court papers]. Russel is in nearby Washtenaw County.

William Bodine:
1m under 5
1m, 1f: 5-10
1m, 1f: 10-15
1m, 1f: 30-40

Abraham Bodine:
1m under 5
1f: 5-10
1m, 1f: 30-40

In Washtenaw County, Michigan:
R. Budine
1m 5-10
1m 10-15
1f 20-30
1m, 1f: 30-40

William is next found in the Census of Vienna Township, Genesee County, Michigan:
William Bodine, 47, $700, NY
Mary Bodine, 45 or 43, NY
Oscar, 21, NY
Mortimer, 19, NY
Sarah, 16, NY
Oakley, 10, Mich.
Ellen, 6, Mich.

In 1850 in Flint Twp., Genesee Co., MI:
Albert Bodine, 19, farmer
He is probably a hired hand. He is one of three farmers in the household of Thomas B. Bigole.

In 1850 in Manchester Twp., Washtenaw Co., MI:
Russel Bodine, 43, wheelwright, Penn
Esther 31, NY
Elizabeth 4, Mich

In 1850 in Bridgewater Twp., Washtenaw Co., MI:
Sarah Bodine, 19
She is in the household of Moses Bartlett, 30, NY and Ann Bartlett, 30, Ireland.

William is in the 1860 Census of Vienna Twp., Genesee Co., MI:
William Bodine, 57, farmer, 2000, 500, Pennsylvania
Mary, 45, New York
Akley, 20, farm labor, --, 100, Michigan
Ellen, 18, Michigan

1860 Census of Madison Twp., Washtenaw Co., MI:
Russel ?. Bodine, 52, wagonmaker, 500, 100, Penn
Esther, 51 [sic], NY
Elizabeth, 13, Mich.

Note from Dave: Russell's middle initial is very hard to read. It may be and "H" or a "Y," but I don't think it is a "V." It needs comparing to more of the census than I have seen in order to figure it out.

On the next page of the census:
Oscar Bodine, 31, Lumberman, 3000, 700, New York
Cornelia, 25, Conneticut
Wilmina, 3, Michigan
Estelle, 8/12, Michigan

On this same page:
Mortimer Bodine, 30, Sawyer, ___, 750, New York
Mariah, 24, New York
Albert, 4, Michigan

Note: This data from the censuses shows two birth places for William. The 1850 Census says NY, and the 1860 Census shows Pennsylvania. Russell is shown to have been born in Pennsylvania in both the 1850 and 1860 Censuses. The error seems to be in the 1850 Census for William. It should have said Pennsylvania. Somebody must have reported this incorrectly to the census taker.

Move to Michigan

A historian from Owasco, Cayuga County, New York told me that there was a pattern of migration from the Livingston County / Cayuga County areas of New York. Many people migrated to either the Livingston County, Michigan or Huron County, Ohio areas. This happened the most between 1821 and 1831. The Erie Canal caused this tremendous exodus. Travel by water was much easier and faster. The Canal was completed in 1825.

Marge Kalec said the following comes from "The History of Genesee County, Michigan," by Everts & Abbot (pg. 314):

Mary Bodine is listed as a land owner in Section 24 but not a resident in 1833. In August 1837 she presented a certificate to the land office in Detroit showing that she had paid a land office in Livingston Co. NY for 40 acres of land in sec. 24 of Genesee Co. MI. She received a patent signed by President Van Buren. In the same book, page 40 it states that Wm Bodine purchased a house and land from the Selby estate in 1837. In the same book it states that in 1847 & 1849 Wm Bodine was elected Town Clerk (in Vienna Twp); 1850 - Justice of the Peace; and in 1852 & 1853 was elected Township Supervisor.

Licensing of teachers began in Genesee Co. MI in 1843. Wm. and Mary's oldest child, Catherine, received her license in 1845 (History of Genesee Co., MI. Ellis, page 375).

The will of Wm. showed the estate was valued at $3,000.

End of info from Marge Kalec.

My original information about William and his wife (Mary "Egle") came from a listing on the Bodine Gen Forum by Marsha Richards from Washington. She said they moved to Genesee, Michigan about 1840. Later, I found the query below:

DATE: Sept. 24, 1998
EMAIL: clickanc at aol.com

WILLIAM BODINE and his wife MARY EAGLE came to Genesee Co. MI from Livingston Co. NY about 1837. They settled first near the town of Genesee and in a few years moved near Clio. An ABRAHAM BODINE and wife also came about the same time and lived near Genesee. Who are WILLIAM'S parents? Are William and ABRAHAM related?

Marge Kalec
30051 Club House Lane
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

William Bodine's will lists Oscar F. Bodine, Catherine Francisco, Oakley Bodine and Ellen E. Crewswell of Michigan and Sarah Alber (? - spelling of last name not certain) of Ontario are listed. Also listed is Albertus Bodine, son of Mortimer, and Hanna Huyck. Mortimer had died in 1862 in Kentucky and is buried there.

Chris Leonard wrote, "here is what i have on a piece of paper i got from Marge Kalec; i don't know where she got it. seems to be her handwriting.

Will of William Bodine
R329 989

Estimated value
Persons interested in estate
Oscar Bodine Vienna Twp Genesee Co. MI
Catherine Francisco Montrose Genesee Co. MI
Sarah Allber(?) somewhere in Ontario
Oakley Bodine
Ellen Cresswell
Albertus Bodine

Land sold at auction 9-12-1870
Inventory total 1983.52
$50 outstanding debts
Amount received and paid out by administrator was $2640.10.
Amount brought forward 795.72
Oakley Bodine 100.
Catharine Francisco 57.57
Ellen Creswell 57.57
" " 100.
Oakley Bodine 115.14
Sarah Alber 57.57
Oscar Bodine 42.57
Oakley Bodine + Ellen Creswell 162.80
Still in hands of administrator

In the 1870 Census, Albertus was living with Oakley and his wife, Barbara De Voe. I did have a "Charles Runil Bodine" listed earlier for this family, but Chris Leonard said that that was actually a Charlotte Russell (via the Egle genealogy book). She was born in 1846 and died in 1849. Her death record spells her name as "Sharlotte" and lists her as "dau. of W&M bodine."

William and Mary are buried in Pine Run Cemetery in Vienna Township, Genesee County, Michigan. I think the name of the village is Clio. I believe Marge Kalec says that the date on the tombstone is April 12, 1869. He died in Vienna Township. Genesee County.

Marge Kalec said that Abraham and Philinda Bodine are buried only about thirty feet from William and Mary. I think we can safely assume that Abraham must be a close relative of William, but they would not be brothers.

Joan Best forwarded me a lot of information on William's descendants. Much of that info came from Marsha Richards (callmom at qwksilvr.com). However, I do not know where Marsha got her info.

From Ronny Bodine:

Burials in Pine Run Cemetery, Genesee County, Michigan. For photographs of their grave markers see Find A Grave Memorials # 40093270 and 40093444.

Mary Wife of William Bodine Died May 28, 1865 Aged 59 yrs 5 m's
William Bodine died April 12, 1868. [Although the age in years, months and days is inscribed, due to the weathering of the stone, they are difficult to decipher, but appear to be 64 yrs, 9 mos and an indeterminate number of days of one digit. Thus the birth date provided in Egle's 1896 Pennsylvania Genealogies, noted below, of 11 July 1803 appears to be correct.]

Mary was the daughter of William and Sarah (Thorne) Egle.

From Michigan Federal Census Records:
1850 (24 July) Vienna Twp., Genesee County: William BODINE 47 NY, Mary 45 NY, Oscar 31 NY, Mortimer 19 NY, Sarah 16 NY, Oakley 10 MI, Ellen 6 MI.
1860 (13 July) Vienna Twp., Genesee County: William BODINE 57 PA farmer, Mary 45 NY, Ackley 20 MI farm laborer, Ellen 18 MI.

From: Ellis, Franklin. The History of Genesee County, Michigan, 1879, p. 371.
Vienna Township: William Bodine, Town Clerk 1847, 1849; Justice of the Peace 1850; Supervisor 1852-1853.

William Bodine's will lists Oscar F. Bodine, Catherine Francisco, Oakley Bodine and Ellen E. Crewswell of Michigan and Sarah Alber (? - spelling of last name not certain) of Ontario are listed. Also listed is Albertus Bodine, son of Mortimer, and Hanna Huyck. Mortimer had died in 1862 in Kentucky and is buried there.

From: Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies, Harrisburg, 1896, p. 169.
XV. Mary Egle,* (William,' Caspar,' Marcus,') b. December 24, 1805, in Groveland, N. Y.; d. May 28, 1865, in Pine Run, Genesee county, Mich., and there buried; m. November 17, 1825, in Groveland, N. Y., by Rev. Silas Pratt, William Bodine, b. July 11, 1803, in Pennsylvania ; d. April 13, 1868, in Pine Run, Genesee county, Mich., They had issue, all bom at Groveland, N. Y., (surname Bodine):

i. Catharine, b. September 25, 1826 : m. May 8, 1847, by Rev. John C. Wright, John H. Francisco, b. 1823, at White Hall, Washington county, N. Y.; son of Robert Francisco.
ii. Oscar- Fitzler, b. December 1, 1828.
iii. Mortimer-Charles, b. April 10, 1831; member of the Twenty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and d. in service, November 12, 1862, at Lebanon, Ky.
iv. Sarah-Jane, b. August 2, 1836.
V. Oakley, b. September 5, 1839; m. September 18, 1865, Barbara Celeste Devoe, b. 1848, in Otsego county, N. Y.; daughter of Philip and Eliza Ann Devoe, and had Flora-Ada, d. s. p., and Daisy-May.
vi. Ellen-Eugenie, b. September 17, 1842.
vii. Charlotte- Bussell, b. May 31, 1846.