Notes for: Jacob Bodine, Jr.

The 1880 Census of Worthington, Richland Co., OH for Prudence Traxler, Jacob's daughter, says that both of her parents were born in New Jersey.

It is now known from the estate papers of Jacob Bodine, Sr. that he had at least four sons: Jacob Jr., Abraham, Nicholas, and James. These four are mentioned as heirs; although, Jacob Jr. was deceased at the time Jacob Sr.'s estate was administered (Jacob Jr. had five children mentioned as heirs). Jacob Sr. probably had one other son who died without children before Jacob Sr.'s estate was administered on. This other son was not mentioned in the estate papers. The 1790 and 1800 census information does seem to imply that there were five sons. We also know that a Jacob Bodine did administer on the estate of a William Bodine in 1801 in Derry Township, Northumberland County (this later became Columbia County). It is not known who this William was, but Jacob Bodine must have been either Jacob Sr. or Jacob Jr. So William would have been a close relative. He could very well have been Jacob, Sr.'s son or Jacob Jr.'s brother.

The following ideas are based on the 1790, 1800, and 1810 Censuses for Jacob Bodine in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Between these censuses and the estate papers, we can make some pretty good assumptions at who those sons were.

The 1790 Census of Northumberland County lists four males under 16 (born about 1774-1790). We will assume they were Jacob's four oldest sons: Jacob Jr., William, Abraham, and Nicholas. All four of them would have been born by 1790.

The 1800 Census of Northumberland County lists two males under 10 (born about 1790-1800), and one male 16-26 (born about 1774-1784). According to this 1800 Census, Jacob had two males under ten. This would normally make you think that they were both born since the 1790 Census. As far as we know, Jacob may have had five sons: Jacob Jr., William, Abraham, Nicholas, and James; however, we don't know of any sixth son. I'm guessing that Nicholas would be one of the sons under 10. We know that he was born right about 1790; so depending on when the censuses were taken, he could have been nine years old at the time of the 1800 Census. Or we could imagine that Jacob and Nancy didn't remember his age exactly and just assumed that he was under ten when he actually was ten. Therefore, of the two sons under ten in the 1800 Census, only one was new. That would have been James. The two older sons, Jacob Jr. and William, would have been out of the house by then trying to start their own farms. Abraham was the son who was listed as 16-26. It would be good if Jacob Jr. and William could be found in an 1800 census, but I don't know of anything.

Jacob Jr.: Listed in 1790 (born 1774-1790). Not listed in 1800; so he was born about 1774-1790.
William: Listed in 1790 (born 1774-1790). Not listed in 1800; so he was born about 1774-1790.
Abraham: Listed in 1790 (born 1774-1790) and in 1800 (born 1774-1784); so he was born 1774-1784.
Nicholas: Listed in 1790 (born 1774-1790) and in 1800 (born 1790-1800); so he was born about 1790.
James: Not listed in 1790. Listed as under 10 (born 1790-1800) in 1800; so he was born 1790-1800.

The 1810 Census of Derry Township, Northumberland County lists two males: one 10-16 (born about 1794-1800) and one other 16-26 (born about 1784-1794). This must refer to the two youngest males who were on the 1800 Census: Nicholas and James. The one who is 10-16 would refer to James. He was born about 1793/1794-1800. This means James was probably no older than six or seven at the time of the 1800 Census. The one who was 16-26 in the 1810 Census probably refers to Nicholas since all the others were too old. William was dead by 1810 and Jacob Jr. and Abraham had their own families by then. Jacob is listed in a separate household in 1810, but Abraham is not. Therefore, we have the following:

Jacob Jr.: Listed in 1790, but not in 1800 or 1810. Born about 1774-1790.

.....Jacob Bodine, Jr. does seem to be one of the older males. He had his first child in 1803. If this family followed Dutch naming customs, and if Jacob Sr.'s father was also a Jacob (which we think he might have been), then Jacob Jr. would have probably been the oldest son. Dutch families usually named their first son after the paternal grandfather.

William: Listed in 1790, but not in 1800 or 1810. Born about 1774-1790.

.....This is probably the William Bodine who died in Derry Township, Northumberland County about 1800/1801. I mentioned him at the beginning of this discussion. William's inventory does not include any furniture, real estate, linens, bedding, dishes, etc. - just his tools, horse and horse stuff, four beehives, and clothes. This suggests that he was a young and probably unmarried man, but of age, i. e., at least 21. (Otherwise, there would be no administration of his estate. The belongings of minors are presumed to be the belongings of their parents.) If William were at least 21 when he died about 1800, then he would have been born before about 1779. No wife is mentioned, so he probably had not yet married. He was likely a relatively young man when he died, not a whole lot older than 21.

Abraham: Listed in 1790 & 1800 Censuses, but not in 1810. Born 1774-1790 & 1774-1784. Born about 1774-1784.

.....We know that Abraham Bodine was born about 1781. This would fit the census info. His first child may have been born about 1806. Jacob's first was born in 1803. William was probably 21 years old by 1801. Therefore, Abraham is probably younger than Jacob Jr. and William.

Nicholas: Listed in 1790, 1800, & 1810. Born about 1774-1790, 1790-1800, & 1784-1794. Born about 1790.

.....We know that Nicholas was born about 1790. This fits the census info.

James: Not listed in 1790. Listed in 1800 & 1810 Censues. Born 1790-1800 & 1794-1800. Born 1794-1800.

.....James Bodine administered his father's estate. He had to be born between about 1793/1794 and 1800. He was the youngest son. None of his older brothers were around to take up the responsibility of administering Jacob Sr.'s will. William and Jacob were dead. And Abraham and Nicholas were both probably in Canada. Based on the fact that he probably had sisters born in 1794 and 1795, I would venture to guess that he was born about 1793. If that is true, James could have been as old as 25 at the time he was named to administer his father's estate in 1817.

There is an entry in Deed Book 2, page 12 of Columbia County, PA for some land that Jacob Bodine, Jr. seems to have sold (by "agreement") to a John Size on January 2, 1812. The date of record was January 8, 1817. Jacob sells John Size seven acres of land "lying on the east side of the roads leading from Jersey Town to Danville situate in Derry Township." At the time, 1812, Derry Township was in Northumberland County.

Joan Best recently discovered some important documents relating to this Jacob and his family. They were found in the Orphans Court Records of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. I have copies of many of these which Joan sent to me. They show that Jacob's wife was named Catherine and that they had five children: William, Russell, Prudence, Molly, and Desire. William married Mary Eagle/Egle. Russell married Esther __________. And Prudence married Phillip Traxler. William and Russell moved to Genesee and Washtenaw Counties in Michigan. Prudence moved to Richland County, Ohio. Mary moved to Lenawee County, Michigan. And Desire lived in Livingston County, New York. We do not yet know if Mary and Desire eventually married.*

Note from Dave: William must be the oldest child. In the estate papers of August 2, 1817, it says that Jacob and Catherine had five minor children, four under the age of fourteen. William's birth date is known. He was born on July 11, 1803. He was fourteen as of July 11, 1817. So he would be the one child not under fourteen. William was the oldest child.

Joan Best said that in the 1810 Census of Derry Township, Northumberland Co., PA, there is a a second Jacob Bodine (besides this Jacob's possible father). In his household there are 2 males under 10, 1 male 16-26, 2 males 26-45, and one female, 16-26. Since the female 16-26 must be Jacob's wife, then the male 16-26 is not Jacob's son. The wife would have been too young to have a son who was 16-26 years old. If we say that his wife was 26 in 1810, then she would have been about 19 when William was born in 1803. That sounds about normal.

Based on the census info, Jacob would not be the male who is 16-26 years old (born about 1784-1794). He would be one of the males who were 26-45. If we guess that Jacob was about 26 when his first son was born (1803), then Jacob would have been born in about 1777. He would have been about 33 years old in 1810. This is a guess, of course, but I think it is a safe assumption to make. Since he is named Jacob, it is also highly likely that he was one of the older males - if not the oldest. The two males under 10 are William and Russell, his sons. The other males could be Jacob's family members, maybe his brother Abraham and someone else. I don't believe Abraham has his own household in the 1810 Census and he does not seem to be with his father.

Joan Best sent me the following. These are the estate and Orphan's Court records for Jacob Bodine, Jr. The following initial documents are dated June 22, 1815 and are found in the administration of estates and wills. They were abstracted by Joan Best and further edited by me a little. Joan sent me copies of the originals.

Item: This is a kind of title page
Administration Bond of Jacob Bodine deceased
22nd day of June 1815
Registered in Will Book No. 1 Page 32
Fee $3:50 Paid

The next page is a form that has several blank spaces filled in. It required Caleb Thomas to return to court at or before June 22, 1816 with the inventory of the estate to the Orphan's Court. It is signed by Caleb Thomas, Richard Demott, and John Funston.

The next item is a scrap of paper containing the renunciation of Catharine Bodine, witnessed by Prudence Thomas. It says this:

To the Register of Columbia County
This may certify that I Catharine Bodine the widow of Jacob Bodine Junior deceased do hereby Renounce any intention or wish to administer on the Estate of Said Deceased as witness my hand the 22 day of June AD 1815
Catharine [her mark] Bodine.
Witness present
Prudence Thomas

The next page in this group is this:

1815
Jacob Bodine Deceased Administration
No. 11 Bond

Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of June AD 1815 Letters of Administration in due and common form of Law were granted unto Caleb Thomas of all and singular the goods and chattles rights & credits which were of said Jacob Bodine late of Derry Township, deceased. (The widow having renounced in the following words Viz. To the register of Columbia County this may certify that Catharine Bodine the widow of Jacob Bodine Junior, deceased, do hereby renounce any intention or wish to administer on the estate of said deceased as witness my hand the 22 day of June AD 1815 Catharine [her mark] Bodine. Witness present Prudence Thomas) who hath put in sureties Richard Dermott John Funston in the sum of $800.
Witness my hand day aforeme'd Josiah McClure, regr.

Item
Aug 12 1817
Petition of Calbe Thomas Admr. of
Jacob Bodine Jr. dec'd for sale
of real estate

Augt. 12 1817 read &
sale ordered - Bail to be entered in $2000
John Funston app. as bail

Rec'd p. 119, 120

50 lbs paid

The next page says this:

To the Hon. Seth Chapman Esq. & his associates of the Orphans Court in & for the County of Columbia.

The Petition of Caleb Thomas Administrator of all & singular the goods & chattels, rights & ___ which were of Jacob Bodine Jr. late of Derry Township dec'd who died intestate.

Humbly showeth

That said intestate lately died leaving a widow & five minor children, all except one four under the age of fourteen, that the personal estate of said intestate has already been exhausted in the payment of debts & that debts remain unpaid to the amount of two hundred [twenty, fifty both crossed out] dollars. That he died seized of a certain tract of land situate in Derry Township afsd adjoining land of Wm Montgomery Senr, Caleb Hopkins, Jacob Bodine Senr., Daniel Woliver & others containing one hundred and fourteen acres allowance ---. Your petitioner therefore prays the Court to grant an order for the sale of said land or as much thereof as may be sufficient for the payment of debts & the maintaince of minor children.
He will pray
Caleb Thomas [actual signature]

Debts due from intestates’ estate
To John Boyd, Esq. $140
To Charly Eves $75
To Jacob Swisher, Esq. $12
Other small debt abt $20

Caleb Thomas on his solemn affirmation saith that the above statement is correct & true as he ___ believes
Affirmed and submitted
August 12, 1817
Wm Wilson

Signed by Caleb Thomas

Item: This is the title page for this section of documents
No. ? 15 August 1817
Petition of the minor children
of Jacob Bodine Jr. for
guardians

15 August 1817
John Funston Esq. to
Catherine Bodine Guardians
of their persons
John Funston Esq. Guardian
of their estates

By the Court

Rec'd p. 122

This is the next page of this set:

To the Hon. Seth Chapman Esq. & his Associate judges of the Orphans Court in & for Columbia County.

The petition of Catherine Bodine widow & relict of Jacob Bodine Jr. late of Derry Township dec'd.

Humbly showeth
That sd. Jacob lately died intestate leaving a widow, your petitioner, & five minor children to wit William, Russell, Prudence, Molly & Desire (the name "Desire" is written above a crossed-out name which may say something like "Dayink"), the four last of whom are under the age of fourteen. Your petitioner prays the Court to appoint Guardians of their persons & estate -------

@ She will pray @
her
Catherine X Bodine
mark

Witness
[No witness signed this]

William Bodine, above named prays your honors to allow him to choose a guardian of his person & estate -------
@ He will pray @
William Bodine
[Note: real signature]
Witness


Item: This first page is the title page
Nov. Term 1817

Petition of C. Thomas admr. of
Jacob Bodine Jr. dec'd for the
continuance of an order of sale

Nov. 13, 1817 read &
order of sale cont'd

Rec'd p. 120

The next page his this:

To the Hon. Seth Chapman Esq. & his Associate Judges of the Orphans Court in & for the County of Columbia.

Caleb Thomas Admr. of Jacob Bodine Junr. dec'd prays the Court to continue an order made at the last Orphans Court held in Danville for the sale of the real estate of said Decedent & allow him to make sale thereof agreeably to said order & make report thereof to next Term.

@ he will pray @ Caleb Thomas
[Note: real signature]

Item: This the cover page of the next set:
No. 1 Jany. T. 1818
Petition for con. of order of sale
of Jacob Bodine jr.'s estate
Jany. 17, 1818 Con't.

Rec'd. p. 159

The next page of the set says this:

To the Hon. the Judges of the Orphans Court of Columbia County

The Petition of Caleb Thomas Admr. of Jacob Bodine jr. Humbly showeth that at Augt. Term last an order was granted for the sale of 114 acres of intestates land which order of sale was cont'd at last november Court that the land still remains unsold - The petitioner therefore prays your honor to continue said order of sale

@ he will pray @
Caleb Thomas
[Note: real signature]

The next page in this set says this:

August Term 1817
Columbia County ___
At an orphans court holden at Danville in and for the County aforesaid the first Monday to wit the fourth day of August one thousand Eight hundred and Seventeen before the Honorable Seth Chapman esquire presidnet and his Associate Judges of the Same Court

The petition of Caleb Thomas Administrator of all and Singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of which were of Jacob Bodine jr. late of Derry township dec'd who died intestate was preferred to the Court Humbly Shewing. That the Said intestate lately died leaving a widow and five minor children, all except one undr the age of fourteen, that the personal estate of Said intestate has already been exhausted in the payment of debts, and that debts remain unpaid to the amount of two hundred dollars - That he died Seized of a certain tract of land Situate in Derry township aforesaid adjoining lands of William Montgomery, Senr. Caleb Hopkins, Jacob Bodine, Daniel Woolever & others containing one hundred & fourteen acres and allowance measure, The petitioner therefore prayed the Court to grant an order for the Sale of Said land or so much thereof as may be sufficient for the payment of the debts the maintenance of the minor children _____ August 12th 1817 - the Said petition being read the sale of the whole tract is ordered by the court And it is also ordered that three weeks notice of the time and place of sale is given by advertisement in the Columbia County newspaper And that advertisement be made out and due notice given agreeably to ___ of assembly, And it is further ordered that the Administrators give surety in the sum of two thousand dollars for the proper application of the proceeds thereof according to law, November 13th 1817 on petition order of sale Continued
By the Court

The last page in this set says this:

January Term 1818
Columbia County ___

At an orphans court holden at Danville in and for the County aforesaid the first Monday to wit the fifth day of February AD. Eighteen hundred and Eighteen before the Honorable Seth Chapman Esquire president and his associate Judges of the Same Court.

The Petition of Caleb Thomas Admnr. of Jacob Bodine jr. was perfined to the Court Humbly Shewing that at August Term last an order was granted for the Sale of 114 acres of intestate land, which order of Sale was continued at last November Term, taht the land Still remained unsold, the Petitioner therefore prayed the Court to continue Said order of Sale. Whereupon Jany. 17th, 1818 Said Petition being read the order of Sale is continued agreeably to the prayer of the Petitioner.
By the Court

Certified from the Records February 9th, 1818
Geo. A. Frick Clerk

The administrator prays a continuance the administrator being sick was unable to attend the Sale.
Caleb Thomas
[Note : real signature]

Item: The next set of pages is from August 7, 1818.
This set is a little confusing, but basically it orders that the sale of the land continue.

Item: The next set of documents is from Jan. 16, 1819.
The land continues to be unsold for want of bidders. Caleb petitions that the sale continue.

Item: The next set is from April 7, 1819.
Caleb Thomas reports that the land sold on Thursday, Feb 25, 1819 to Phinahs Welliver and Jacob Mills for $567.50 to be paid over time [stated in document]. There are some more docmuments in this set, but they are a report or a summary of previous orders of sale.

Arlene J. Sequist, in a query at Ancestry.com, said that Jacob was buried at Bellville Cemetery in Richland County, Ohio (secrist@ctcn.net). However, Jacob must have died in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. The info at the LDS site gave Jacob's birth year as about 1780. It gave Catherine's as about 1782. A son, Cornelius Bodine, was also listed. However, he is not the son of Jacob Bodine, Jr. and Catherine, his wife. Jacob's administration papers only list five children: William, Russell, Prudence, Molly, and Desire. LDS also says that Cornelius was born in 1819. Jacob, Jr. died before June 22, 1815. I believe the Cornelius mentioned is probably the son of Peter Bodine and Susan Ervin.

Anyway, just for reference, here is the LDS info on Cornelius: He married Angeline Carpenter on May 24, 1844 in Richland County, Ohio. She was born about 1823.