Notes for: Levi C. Bodine
This came from "http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/orange/legends/id185.htm". It may have to do with this Levi Bodine.
One of the greatest curiosities, in point of the mysteriousness of it origin in the county of Ulster, is that bit of ancient masonry in the town of Plattekill known as the "Indian Dam." It is located on what is known as the Levi Bodine farm, now occupied by J. S. Terwilliger, jr. The dam in question consists of two stone walls joined at an obtuse angle, and is about one hundred four feet in width at the top. It is built across a stream at the outlet of a heavily timbered swamp, and would submerge about one hundred acres. As there is scarcely any perceptible fall, the dam could hardly have been built to furnish water power, hence the question as to the purpose of its construction has never been satisfactorily answered. What is stranger still, when the first settlers came into the vicinity, more than a century ago, the dam was there in the same condition in which it is now found; nor could they ascertain when, by whom, or for what purpose it was built. Though called the Indian Dam, it is not probable the Indians had anything to do with the construction, as they were not given to wall-building. Its origin may have been coeval with that of the ancient roads in the vicinity of the Shawangunk mountain, called the "Mine Roads," indications of which may yet be seen at various points at the foot of the declivities on either side, of which neither history nor tradition can give a satisfactory account.
From: jon morrow [jaad48 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2021
Subject: Bodine farm plattekill
Hi David I'm Jon I live on one of the bodine farms in plattekill there were 5 that I know of...you ever hear of a ancient indian dam on the Levi bodine farm?
From Ronny Bodine:
In Aug 1850, Levi Bodine lived in Plattekill, Ulster County. His name was spelled Badine and the birthplace of himself, wife and all children were specifically recorded as Ulster County. He lived next door to his brother Isaac Bodine. In June 1860, Levi Bodine lived in Plattekill as a neighbor to his brothers Peter and Henry Bodine. His household consisted of his wife Ann 53, William H. 3, Charles 23, Mary 22, Isaac 20, Adeline 18, Elmira 15, and Edgar 13. The identity of William H. Bodine, age 3, is unknown. In the census of that year he was listed ahead of all their older children. In June 1870, Ann Bodine, now widowed, lived in the home of her son Isaac Bodine in Plattekill. In June 1880, Ann Bodine, aged 73, lived in Plattekill with her unmarried daughter, Adaline, 38. Levi and Aletta Bodine were buried in the New Hurley Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Plattekill, Ulster County.
From: jon morrow
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021
Subject: RE: Bodine farm plattekill
Yes it's not that ancient shovels where found there and nails and before that farm equipment was found in the swamp ya know they found a Civil War man they're the reason they know it because of the boots he had on and and his hat he was leaning against a tree in the Bog two people owned it before Bodine I believe and other people believe they were going to build a Mill and Dam the water but the flow wasn't strong enough the people that own the farm today are the ones that took over the house after Bodine in the early part of the twentieth century I live on Levi's land his house is still here and the other ones are all up and down Route 32 the Levi Farm is about 100 acres two sisters and a brother owned it the one sisters 93 and she's been here her whole life she still out riding the tractor all the time.
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Death Notice, New York Herald of Saturday, 6 Nov 1886.
DIED. BODINE.--At the residence of her son-in-law, F. V. Morrison, No. 684 East 143d St., Aletta Ann Bodine, relict of the late Levi Bodine, after a long illness, November 5, in the 80th year of her age. Services and interment at New Hurley, Ulster county, Monday, November 8, at two o'clock P.M. Friends and acquaintenances are invited to attend without further notice.
From Ulster County, New York Minutes of Wills, Vol. H [1861-65], p. 137.
At a Surrogates Court held in and for the County of Ulster at the Surrogates Office in the village of Kingston on the 2 day of Mar 1863.
In the matter of the Administration of the goods chattels & credits of Levi Bodine Deceased} On reading and filing the petition of Ann Bodine widow of Levi Bodine late of the town of Plattekill deceased praying that letters of administration of the goods chattels & credits of said deceased be granted to her and on reading and filing the bond executed by her with two competent sureties pursuant to the statute. It is ordered that the prayer of the said petition be granted and that letters of administration issue to her in pursuance thereof. J. M. Cooper Surrogate