Amanuensis[i] Monday
Blanchard Project
Blanchard-Bodge
By Don Taylor
As I begin looking more closely at the life of Albert S. Bodge, I find his life seems to have fallen apart sometime between 1872 and 1880. Looking at his property transactions might shed light upon this period in his life.
Document Image
Deed of Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 Jun 1876
Transcription
I Albert S Bodge of Gray in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine
In consideration of two hundred dollars paid by John J. Bodge of Windham in the County and State aforesaid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby remise, release, bargain, sell and convey, and forever quit-claim unto the said John J. Bodge and his heirs and assigns forever all my right, title and interest in and to a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings therein situated in Windham and being the homestead farm formerly owned and occupied by John Bodge late of said Windham deceased containing about sixty acres more or less. Meaning and intending hereby to convey all my right, title and interest as an heir at law to the homestead farm formerly owned and occupied by the late John Bodge and to all the real estate of which he died seized and possessed in said town of Windham.
To have and to hold the same, together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said John J. Bodge and his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof, I the said Albert S. Bodge and Lizzie M. Bodge wife of the said Albert S in testimony her relinquishment of her right of dower and all claims in the above described premises, have hereunto set our hands and seals this ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six.
Witness: Jacob Clark Albert S Bodge (Seal)
L M. Webb to A. S. B. Lizzie M. Bodge (Seal)Jacob Clark, Justice of the Peace,
Henry (?) Houston, Register
New Facts
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- Albert lived in Gray in 1876.
- Lizzie was alive in 1876.
- Albert’s father, John Bodge, died before June 1876.
- Albert’s father, John Bodge, had a 60-acre homestead in Windham, plus buildings.
- There was a John J. Bodge living in Windham in 1876 who purchased the land for $200.
Albert had a brother, John P. Bodge who was eight years older than Albert. This may have been Albert selling his share of the inherited property to his brother. The difference between “P” and “J” might be attributed to penmanship.
Alternately, it may have been a sale to another heretofore unknown Bodge.
Source:
Internet: Maine landrecords.com – Real Property Official Records Search. https://i2a.uslandrecords.com/ME/
Endnotes
[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog, Transylvanian Dutch and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”
