Notes for: Mary Ada Bodine
From WorldConnect:
Mary A. BODINE
Birth: 1847 in New Jersey
Census: 23 AUG 1850 Prince William Co., Virginia, Ancestry Pg. 39/40 - age 3
Census: 6 JUL 1860 Bristoe Station TS., Prince William Co., Virginia, Ancestry Pg. 49 - age 13
Census: JUN 1880 Manassas TS., Prince William Co., Virginia, Ancestry Pg. 39 - age 59
From Ronny Bodine:
Prince William County Marriage Records: R. W. Merchant, 20, born in Prince William Co., son of R. B. and E. A. Merchant and M. A. Bodine, age 21, born in New Jersey, daughter of T. and M. Bodine, were married 21 June 1869.
Robert W. Merchant was appointed Postmaster of the Manassas Post Office on 1 Sept 1869 and served until Jan/Feb 1871.
Virginia Federal Census Records:
1870 (23 June): Manassas, Prince William Co.: Robert W. MERCHANT 21 VA Postmaster; Ada M. 22 NJ.
1880 (June) Manassas, Prince William Co.: Robert W. MERCHANT 31 VA Merchant; Mary A. 31 NJ wife; Minnie 6 VA dau.; Annie E. 17 VA sister.
In June 1900, Robert Merchant lived in Manassas, Prince William County with his 2nd wife, Anna B., to whom he was married 13 Jan 1884. He was still living in April 1910, when he reported his wife Anna (Belle Lickle) was his 2nd wife. The death of his 1st wife, Mary Ada, would have occurred 22 Nov 1880, 1881, 1882 or 1883 as evidenced by the remaining inscription on her grave marker, noted below.
Ada M. Merchant, wife of R. W. was buried in Bradley Community Cemetery (aka Hornbaker Cemetery), Prince William County. The inscription on her grave marker reflects her death on 22 Nov 188_, but the precise year is no longer legible. There is no surviving grave marker for her husband and no evidence that he was buried in the same cemetery.
Obituary, Richmond (Va.) Times Dispatch of Thursday, 23 June 1927.
Funeral services for R. W. Merchant, 78, who died suddenly yesterday morning at his home, 2246 Park Avenue, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the residence. For several years, Mr. Merchant was connected with the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts and was well known throughout the business district. He was also an old newspaper man, being owner and editor of the Prince William Times, at Manassas, Va., before coming here. Mr. Merchant was the organizer of the Renters' and Consumers Association, which attracted much attention here during the World War. The "Old Clothes Movement" was also one of Mr. Merchant's ideas, and he was instrumental in organizing it. Although he had been in poor health for several months, his condition was not regarded as serious. Only last Monday he was at work at his desk in the office. As usual he rose yesterday morning, but was suddenly stricken. Members of his family found him sitting in a chair dead at 8 o'clock. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nannie D. Merchant, and three daughters, Mrs. L. A. Wright, Mrs. Alma Camper and Mrs. Robert Nelson. He is also survived by two sons, Francis D. Merchant, of Richmond, and Robert A. Merchant, of Norfolk, and ten grandchildren.
Children: Lena Ada (b. 15 March 1872, d. 1874).