Blanchard-Bodge Line
By Don Taylor
Blanchard-Utterstrom Project – Ancestor #18
List of Grandparents
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- Grandfather: Edward Everett Blanchard
- 1st Great-grandmother: Minnie M. Bodge(1872-1948)
- 2nd Great-grandfather: Albert S Bodge (1838-1897)
- 3rd Great-grandfather: John Bodge
Birth
Albert S. Bodge was born in South Windham, Cumberland County, Maine, on 2 August 1838[i]. He was the youngest of five children of John and Betsy (Mathew) Bodge. His four older siblings were:
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- Mary E Born 1828
- John P Born 1831
- Eunice Born 1834
- Louisa Born 1836
Childhood
1840 Census – John Bodge, Head[ii]
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- Males Under 5 Appears to be Albert, age 1
- Males 5 thru 9 Appears to be John (Jr.), age 9
- Males 40 thru 49 John, Age 45
- Females Under 5 Appears to be Louisa, age 4
- Females 5 thru 9 Appears to be Eunice, age 6
- Females 10 thru 14 Appears to be Mary, age 12
- Females 40 thru 49 Appears to be Betsy, age 41
1850 Census – John Bodge, Head
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- John Bodge M 55 Maine – Farmer, Real Estate Value: $2,000
- Betsey Bodge F 50 Maine
- Mary E Bodge F 22 Maine
- John P Bodge M 19 Maine Attending School
- Eunice Bodge F 16 Maine Attending School
- Louisa Bodge F 14 Maine Attending School
- Albert Bodge M 11 Maine Attending School
1860 Census – John Bodge, Head
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- John Bodge M 66 Maine Farmer – Real Property Value: $3,000, Personal Property value: $500
- Betsey Bodge F 62 Maine
- Eunice C Bodge F 26 Maine Teach Com School
- Louiser Bodge F 24 Maine Teach Com School
- Albert C Bodge M 21 Maine Farm Laborer
It is unclear what may have happened to Mary or John, but neither were enumerated here with the John Bodge household. Further research should determine where Mary and John lived.
1863 Civil War
Of the 348 young men who registered for the 14th Sub-District of Cumberland County draft, 107 names were drawn, and Albert Bodge’s name was one of them. However, the law allowed for individuals to send a substitute in their place. The drafted person gave the substitute $300 (the equivalent of $5,000 today), and the substitute served in their place. Albert’s substitute was William Blake. William Blake of Portland mustered-in in August 1863 and mustered out on 1 September 1866.
After the end of the Civil War (1865) and 1877, Albert moved several times and had several different occupations. It doesn’t appear that marriage affected his trying different places or occupations.
Marriage
After the war, on 2 April 1867, Albert married Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mayberry. At the time, Albert was living in Portland, and Lizzie was living in Gorham. Shortly after their marriage their first child was born, Bertha.
Adulthood
1870 Census – Albert Bodge, Head
Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine.
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- Albert S Bodge, M 31 Maine Teamster
- Lizzie M Bodge F 32 Maine
- Berta A Bodge F 1 Maine
By 1872, when daughter Minnie was born, the family had moved to Lewiston. They lived in a house on Bridge Street near Winter. Albert was an operative at the Androscoggin mill (a cotton mill). By 1876, they removed to Gray, Cumberland County, Maine. (He probably worked at the Mayall’s Mills.) He was also in Gray when he sold 200 acres of land he inherited from his father to his brother, John.[iii] He also sold an additional 7 acres to John.
The following year, 1877, Albert and his family moved to Westbrook, where he would live for the next 20 years. He worked for S. D. Warren & Co., a paper mill in Westbrook.
By 1880, the family appears to have broken up. I have not found either Albert’s wife, “Lizzie,” or his daughters, Berta or Minnie, during the 1880 Census. I suspect that “Lizzie” died, and the children were scattered. In 1880, Albert was living in a rooming house near the paper mill. The Census recorded him as single, so it may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. I may learn more when I research Lizzie.
Albert’s Second Marriage
By 1885, Albert and Emily Leighton got together. I am yet to find a marriage record for them; however, in 1886, they had a daughter, Hattie Louise Bodge.
Two of Albert’s Children Marry
On 12 June 1886, Albert’s oldest child, Bertha, married Charles A. Blanchard in Deering[iv], Maine.
On 14 December 1886, Albert’s middle child, Minnie Mabel, married Frederick W. Blanchard. Frederick’s older brother, Charles A Blanchard, is probably the same Charles that Bertha married. So, it appears to be another case of two sisters marrying two brothers.
Albert’s Third Marriage
Emily and Albert separated (or divorced). On 28 October 1894, Albert married Hattie Simpson.
Historical Event – Flood of Westbrook
S.D. Warren Mill following 1896 Flood – Photo Courtesy Walker Memorial Library via Maine Memory Network
In March 1896, Westbrook experienced a major flood. Melting snow caused the Presumpscot river to rise rapidly. Two bridges washed away, followed by the Westbrook electric light station washed away, causing Westbrook to lose lighting and power. The gatehouse at S. D. Warren (where Albert worked) and other damage threw 2500 people out of work. Other bridges and infrastructure were destroyed as well, including bridges in Gorham and Saco.
Death
Albert S. Bodge died at the age of 59 on 10 August 1897 in Westbrook, Cumberland County, Maine, of valvular heart disease. His funeral was held on 23 August 1987 at the Advent Church in Westbrook.
Event’s after Albert’s Death
Albert’s youngest daughter, Hattie, married on 9 May 1916, 19 years after Albert’s death. Hattie’s mother had also passed before Hattie’s marriage to Harry Eugene Maxim.
Events by Location
Albert is known to have lived in five locations, all within 35 miles of each other.
Location Potential Residence Years[v].
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- Maine, Androscoggin, Lewiston 1870-1876
- Maine, Cumberland, Gray 1872-1877
- Maine, Cumberland, Portland 1863-1870
- Maine, Cumberland, Westbrook 1867-1872 & 1876-1897
- Maine, Cumberland, Windham 1838-1767
Further Actions / Follow-up
- Research where Mary and John Bodge (Albert’s siblings) were during the 1860 Census.
- The 1880 Census recorded Albert as single. It may be that he and “Lizzie” had divorced. Research Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bodge.
- Research Emily Leighton, Albert’s 2nd wife and their daughter Hattie Louise Bodge.
- Research Hattie Simpson, Albert’s 3rd wife
- Perform a 2nd level research of Albert S. Bodge.
Sources
1840 Census
1840 Census, Various, John Bodge – Windham, Cumberland, Maine.
1850 Census [Source includes media item(s)]
1850 Census, Family Search, John Bodge, Head – Maine, Cumberland, Windham. United States Census, 1850. https://(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:M6JL-SLK.
1860 Census
1860 Census, Family Search, John Bodge. “United States Census, 1860”, database with images, FamilySearch : 18 February 2021), John Bodge, 1860. https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDHJ-FT4.
1870 Census
1870 Census, Albert S Bodge, Head, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine . “United States Census, 1870”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:M6DF-CTZ : 29 May 2021), Albert S Bodge, 1870.
1880 Census
1880 Census, Albert S Bodge – Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:MF3V-YQT : 19 February 2021), Albert S Bodge in household of Mary A Berry, Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district ED 64, sheet 529D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,478.
Cumberland County Register of Deeds Internet
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John I Bodge – 27 June 1876.
Cumberland County Register of Deeds, Internet, Deed – Doc# 3143 – Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Birth – Minnie M Bodge – 24 March 1972. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HVQ-8PJ.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Death – Albert S Bodge – 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https:// familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ38-DTH : 2 March 2021), Albert S Bodge, 19 August 1897; citing Westbrook, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996
Maine, Marriage Index, 1892-1966, 1977-1996, Family Search, Albert S Bodge – Hattie Simpson – No Image – 28 October 1894. Maine State Archives, Augusta, via Family Search. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCJN-TCJ.
Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922
Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922, Ancestry, Albert Bodge & Lizzie
Maybury . Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; Pre 1892 Delayed Returns; Roll Number: 10.
Portland Daily Press
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1863-08-14 – Albert S. Bodge.
Portland Daily Press (Portland, Maine, ), Genealogy Bank, 1897-08-24 – Westbrook – Funeral of Albert Bodge.
Portland Weekly Advertiser
Portland Weekly Advertiser (Portland, ME), Genealogy Bank, 1863-07-25 – The Draft – Windham.
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry, Lewiston, Maine – 1872 – Page 24 – Albert Bodge.
U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976
U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976, Ancestry, Page 23 – Windham – Albert S. Bodge.
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865
U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865, Ancestry, Albert S Bodge
Endnotes
[i] Some records, such as his death recording, indicate that Albert was born in Westbrook, however, earlier records indicate he was born in South Windham. Additionally, the Bodge family farm (over 200 acres) was in Windham.
[ii] Additional information regarding Albert Bodge & the 1840 Census was posted previously.
[iii] See: The Deed of Albert S Bodge to John J Bodge – 12 June 1876
[iv] Deering was a town in Cumberland County, incorporated 1871. Before 1871 it was a part of Saccarappa. In 1899, the town was annexed by the City of Portland and is today a neighborhood of Portland. (Ref: Wikipedia – Deering, Maine)
[v] Potential Residence Year begin in the year Albert is known to have lived before the location and ends the year Albert is known to have lived after the location. These are the years Albert could be found in the location described.
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