Notes for: George Imlay Bodine, Sr.

From: Newart01 at aol.com
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2017
Subject: Belle Ayre, The Bodine Residence in Chestnut Hill

Hello,

I was searching on-line for information on Belle Ayre, the former residence of George and Helen Bodine, at 100 W. Hampton Road in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA 19118. I am the current owner of the carriage house, and I was always curious about the estate that the carriage house belonged to. The only thing I knew was that there was a fire, and the house was demolished. I am looking for photographs of the house, grounds and carriage house and The Bodine Family. I have only been able to find 1 photo of the mansion.

Sincerely,

Carol Schramek

From: Carol Schramek [Newart01 at aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Subject: Looking for Photos & Info on Belle Ayre & George Bodine Sr. Family

Hello,

I am the owner of the carriage house at 100 W. Hampton Road that belonged to Belle Aire in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA 19118.

I was trying to find out more info about the house and the Bodine Family. I have only found 1 photograph of the mansion. If looks like the Mr. & Mrs. Bodine only lived there until the early 1900's, since they both passed away by 1912. I wonder what happened afterwards? Sadly, the house was demolished in 1945.
Do you have any information that you can share?
Thank you.

Carol Schramek

From: Robert Cornelius [robertcorneliusproject at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2022
Subject: Inquiry about family members

Hello,
My name is Rachel Wetzel and I am a photograph conservator/researcher at the Library of Congress. I am writing a book on Robert Cornelius, who took the world's first photographic self portrait in 1839. I have been working on a project for about six or seven years now and in that time I have met four of his descendants, two of whom come from the Bodine line (Cornelius's daughter Helen married George Imlay Bodine). I was wondering if you or the other people you mentioned come from this particular line of the Bodines? Three of the 4 descendants I have met have materials pertaining to Cornelius that have been passed through the generations. I am looking for daguerreotypes, letters, personal letters, notebooks, diaries and of course, the holy grail of finds, Cornelius's camera. One descendant recently deposited 165 items belonging to Cornelius to the Library of Congress that has been immensely helpful to me for writing my book on him. If you can help me in any way getting the word out to descendants from this particular line to see if they have any personal materials I would be greatly appreciative.

I have a facebook and instagram for my project if you are interested in seeing what I am doing. My work is primarily related to preserving the daguerreotypes but because of my book, I am also learning about every aspect of Cornelius's life, which was full of successful ventures in gas lights/chandeliers and horticultural endeavors in addition to his photography.


IG: @robertcorneliusproject

Thank you very much for your thorough genealogy online,
Rachel


From Ronny Bodine:

Although born in 1845, George was not living with his parents in 1850. In 1880, he and his family were living in Philadelphia where he was engaged as a broker. His mother was living with him and his sister Eliza and her family shared the home. In 1900, George worked as a banker and in May 1904 corresponded with Mary Elizabeth Sinnott and furnished details on his family. In 1900, Helen reported she had borne 5 children, all then living. The family was still living in Philadelphia in 1910 where George now owned his own bank. On 20 Jan 1911, George Bodine, of Philadelphia, applied for a passport stating he was born 19 Aug 1845 in Imlaystown, New Jersey. The passport was issued 23 Jan 1911. (Passport Applications, 1906-1925, no. 42935) See also Philadelphia Death Certificate No. 1912-27800. George and Helen Bodine were buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The will of Helen C. Bodine, of Philadelphia, was written 4 Dec 1893 and proved 17 March 1908. Therein, she referred to her father, Robert Cornelius, and appointed her husband, George I. Bodine, as executor. She added two codicils, on 28 June 1897 and another undated, but in which she appointed her son Franklin I. Bodine as executor in the event of her husband's death. It was noted in the probate that the testator died at 11.15 PM on 7 March 1908. (Philadelphia Wills, 297: 129-131).

Funeral notice, the Philadelphia Inquirer of 20 Dec 1912.
The funeral of George I. Bodine, head of the banking firm of Bodine Sons & Company, who died on Monday, took place yesterday from his late home, Belle Ayre, on Sunset avenue, Chestnut Hill. Interment was made in West Laurel Hill Cemetery. The services were in charge of Bishop Luther B. Wilson of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New York. The honorable pallbearers were Joseph H. Chubb, Charles H. Higgins, Henry J. Maris, William L. DuBois, Henry Bell and Malcolm Bryan.