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.
I am going to guess that William was born about 1778/1779; however, that is only a guess. It is based on where I think he comes in the birth order, the census info, and how old he might have been when he died around 1800. Also remember that William may not even be a son of Jacob Bodine, Sr. That is also an educated guess. So far, there is no solid proof of that.
Joan sent me this about William:
I just got the information from Northumberland on the early Bodines there. William Bodine died intestate. He was from Derry Township where Jacob lived. Jacob was his administrator. His sureties were Jacob Shipman, who is related through the Girtons, and Anon Thomas, Evan Thomas' son. No wife is mentioned and wives [usually] seem to be mentioned in these letters of administration. William did not own any land. His most valuable possessions were Book accom__ts and blacksmith tools. He also owned a mare and saddle and his clothes are listed. So..... I think William was an older son of Jacob and Nancy, not yet married when he died in late 1800, early 1801. The inventory was taken on May 14, 1801 by Jacob Shipman and Anon Thomas, appraisers. Because he left no heirs he was not listed among the heirs of Jacob twenty years later.
I plan to add William as another child of Jacob. He probably lived with the family but was an adult with his own possessions, thus born by 1779.
There were no Orphan's Court records according to the record keeper at the Courthouse. However, the records may be under the admin. name.
End of info from Joan.
Here is a transcription of the entry into the Wills and Administrations Book of Northumberland Co., PA for William Bodine (see File #60, Book 1, p. 248):
William Bodine Deceased
Be it remembered that on the Fifth Day of June in the year of our Lord 1801, Letters of Administration in due and Common Form of Law, were Granted to Jacob Bodine, Of all and Singular the Goods & Chattels, Rights and Credits which were of William Bodine deceased, Who hath put in Sureties to wit, Jacob Shipman & Anon Thomas.
Jeremiah Simpson Register
And here is his inventory:
A List of the Goods and Chattels of William Bodine late of Derry Township Northumberland County With their Valuation amended (sp?) as appraised by us the Subscritures to wit Anon Thomas and Jacob Shipman Freeholders of and in said Township.
1. Book & _____ ..... L 10.00
2. A Sett of blacksmith tools ..... 9.0.0
3. A mare ........................................ 20.0.0
4. A Saddle ...................................... 3.0.0
5. A portmantour & whip ............... 2.5.0
6. Four hives of Bees ................... 3.0.0
7. A pair of Boots ........................... 1.2.6
8. A Musket .................................... 0.15.0
9. A Scythe & Craddle ................ 0.15.0
10. A Grafs Scythe ........................ 0.7.6
11. A Grist Coat .............................. 3.0.0
12. A Coat ....................................... 0.15.0
13. A pair of pantaloons .............. 0.7.6
14. A Coat ....................................... 4.10.0
15. A Short Coat ........................... 0.15.0
16. A Jacket .................................. 0.17.6
17. One Ditto .................................. 0.10.0
18. One pair Stockings ................ 0.7.6
19. One handkerchief ................... 0.5.0
20. One pair Trowsers ................. 0.6.0
21. One pair Ditto .......................... 0.6.0
22. On Bandono handkerchief . 0.6.0
23. One hatt ................................... 0.12.0
24. One Ditto ................................... 0.7.6
25. One Chest ................................ 1.0.0
--------------------------------------------------------
Total amt.......................................L 64.10.0
Appraised by Us May 14th 1801
Sworn to this 5th day of June 1801 Before Jeremiah Simpson
Jacob Shipman / Anon Thomas } Appraisers