Notes for: William Albert Housman Bodine
He was baptized at the house of his grandfather, James Bodine, Sr., by Rev. John C. Bechler. His middle name has been seen as "Alfred," but that appears to be a mistake. It should be Albert. His uncle John Bodine did call him "Alfred Bodine" in his will.
Here is a message I received about William:
Subject: William Alfred Housman Bodine
Date: 15 Sep 2000
From: Sipoet1 at aol.com
Dave,
I'm kind of confused about this person. I never see him mentioned in any of the literature on Polly Bodine and the murder trial. (Which I have some newspaper clippings and a chapter in a history book about if you'd like me to mail it to you.)
Now here's the other thing. I found some Surrogate's Court documents (which I can also send you but they're difficult to read) that is a petition for reimbursement or something of that nature against the estate of Andrew Bodine. It seems Andrew died on March 29, 1844 in prison serving time for bigamy. Now here's the thing, the document reads:
"Said Andrew Bodine left him surviving, Mary Bodine, his widow, who resides in said County of Richmond, Albert Bodine aged about eighteen years, Eliza Ann Bodine aged about sixteen, his children and only heirs at law, that said children and heirs at law both reside in the County of Richmond aforesaid."
Now this leads me to wonder two things:
1) Had William Alfred Houseman Bodine died by 1844?
or
2) Was William Alfred Houseman Bodine not the legitimate son of Andrew, but Polly's by another man?
As for one, here's another interesting thing I found. It is a Court of Appeals case from October 7, 1890 having to do with a foreclosure and sale. It reads in part, "this action was brought to foreclose a mortagage given by the defendant, William H. J. Bodine, to Albert Bodine, and by him assigned to the plaintiff. It goes on with a lot of legalese but then states at one point. "William H. J. Bodine, a brother of Albert."
Is this William H. J. Bodine one in the same as William Alfred Houseman Bodine?
What do you think? Any ideas?
Marguerite Rivas
Charlotte Hix says the name "Alfred" was a mistake. I'm guessing it should be Albert, but she does not say that. Albert was 16 when the murder trial of his mother began. Ronny Bodine said that Albert Bodine, age 50, was living with his mother 1880 in Port Richmond, Richmond County where his profession was that of captain of a schooner. He never married.
From Ronny Bodine:
William Alfred Housman Bodine was bapt. 8 Aug 1827 at the home of his grandfather, James Bodine, Sr. (registers of the Moravian Church), Richmond County). It appears his second name of Alfred was miswritten in place of the intended Albert, which name he used throughout his life and which is recorded in numerous articles and documents relating to his mother. Albert Bodine, age 50, was living with his mother 1880 in Port Richmond, Richmond County where his profession was that of captain of a schooner. He never married.