Josiah Bonham

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Episcopal clergyman

Notes:

It it believed that he was born during his father's migration from Massachusetts to New Jersey. According to Jack D. Ross, Hezekiah was born in Barnstable Township, Barnstable, Maryland. At the death of his father he was made executor of thill along with his mother, although he was not of legal age. Thus, he surely had the confidence and respect of his father.
He was accepted as a townsman of Piscataway 2 Jan 1687/8 apparently on coming of age. He married in 1690 Mary Dunn, daughter of Hugh Dunn and Elizabeth Drake, one of the immigrant families of Mass. Hugh Dunn mentioned Hezekiah in his will. ry was born 19 Jan 1671 in Piscataway. They had four children: Mary, Samuel, Hannah and Sarah, their births being preserved in the Piscataway records." Family tradition indicates that he was an Episcopal clergyman. He was a farmer by trade.
During the period 1690 to 1699 there were numerous land transfers made by Hezekiah and his wife Mary, including receiving a patent for land at Piscataway in 1695. "Bonham's lot," also "Bonham's creeks," and "Nicholas Bonham's land" are spn of in different conveyances.
On 1 May 1697 Hezekiah Bonham received confirmation of a grant of 182 acres "in right of his late father Hezekiah Bonham, Thomas Ffarnewoorth and Daniel Lippington." Hezekiah Bonham and wife Mary later sold two of these tracts.
On 9 Oct 1697 Hezekiah Bonham of Piscataway and wife Mary sold land in Piscataway part of which was the "remainder of land held by Bonham in the right of Daniel Lippentone"
Hezekiah and wife Mary sold further land in Piscataway to Edward Slater on 27 Oct 1698. (Lippentone and Slater were brother-in-laws).
One Sunday in about 1697 or 1698 Hezekiah, who was credited with being a religious man and one of influence in the church, was found working by the very religious Edmund Dunham, his brother-in-law. Hezekiah's sister Mary had married Edmund Dm in 1681. Mr. Dunham was the first white child born in Piscataway township, and his father, Benjajah Dunham, is said to have settled here years before any other Englishmen arrived. Oliver B. Leonard in writing on "Piscataway Planters" says "Edmund Dunham grew to be an influential member of society, and became a lay preacher, helping to mold the tender consciences and direct the religiously inclined of the pioneer community." At that time Edmund was pastor of the Baptist Church of Piscataway. Because Edmund found Hezekiah working on Sunday he took him to account. To quote Morgan Edwards on the incident:
"Bonham put Dunham to prove that the first day of the week was holy by divine institution. How the debate was carried on is not known; but it is known that the above attack was the thing which set Mr. Dunham to study the subject; and that cing the seventh day of the week was the effect. In a short time after 17 people sided with Mr. Dunham which opened a prospect of having a Sabbatarian church in Piscataway; to prepare for it Mr. Dunham went to Westerly, (RI) and there received ordination at the hands of Rev. William Gibbons; and in 1705 he and his party were formed into a church," the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Piscataway.
Hezekiah was not among the organizers. He had moved to Hunterdon in West Jersey in about 1698 as he appears in no record of any kind in Piscataway after 1698, except the sale of further land in Piscataway to Edward Slater on 27 Oct 1698. (Lintone and Slater were brother-in-laws). Evidently the property was sold after their move since on 18 March 1698/9 he appears in a list of inhabitants of Maidenhead when Gov. Jeremiah Basse and others, as agents, sold 100 acres to the inhabitants of Maidenhead for 5 shillings, for a meeting house, school and burial ground, thus indicating that he had an interest in that section of New Jersey.
(my note: there is no evidence of this 2nd marriage and 15 children)
Mary Dunn died Nov 7, 1699 and he remarried in 1700 in Hunterdon Co. By his second wife he had 15 more children, some thirteen of whom bore names ending in the Biblical "iah". Hence they are called the"iah" BONHAMS. These children were Heze, Jr.; Nehemiah; Zachariah; Zedekiah; Amariah; Temperance; Malachiah; Amaziah; Jeremiah; Ephraim; Josiah; Isaiah; Obadiah; Zephamia; and Uriah.
On 28 Aug 1701 he is mentioned as an abutter in Middlesex Co,; on 26 Aug 1703 he was among those who consented to an agreement between Dr. Daniel Coxe, Esq. and Thomas Revell, on behalf of purchasers of land in Maidenhead and Hopewell Townsh
On 1 Jan 1712/3 he contributed money to organize a new county (in this document he is Hezekiah Bonham, Sr., indicating that a younger Hezekiah, not necessarily his son, was in the town).
On 24 Nov 1722 he witnessed the will of Jonathan Stout of Hopewell Township.
In 1723 he was a judge in Hunterdon Co.
On 6 Nov 1730 his original signature appears with others on an agreement to sell the town lot to the highest bidder.
On 21 April 1732 his bond is mentioned in the codicil to the will of Daniel Howell of Trenton.
On 9 July 1738 his signature appears on the will of Henry Merson, the last known recording of his name. The exact date of his death and burial place are unknown.
____________________
There is some debate as to the identity of his second wife. According to "Mayflower Families through Five Generations," Vol 4, p 37, "Hezekiah Bonham does not appear in the Hunterdon Co. court records but is mentioned in the following document, none of which mention a second wife or any other children." It also states "This claim may have originated in misinterpretation of the will of Samuel Hunt of Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co, dated 15 Jan 1717/8 in which he decreed that his real estate was to be partititioned among Samuel Hunt's heirs by son Samuel, by Hezekiah Bonham, and by John Prince."
According to "The Bonham Family" by Samuel J. Bonham, pg 9, she was Ann Hunt, daughter of Ralph or Samuel Hunt. This theory is derived from the will of Samuel Hunt, New Jersey Archives, Vol. 21, p 248.
According to "Bonham and Related Family Lines" by H. E. Bonham 1996, says on page 229, that Hezekiah's second wife was Mary Bishop, daughter of David & Mary (Alger) Bishop according to the will of David Bishop 07 Jan 1684 where he mentions a Hezekiah Bonham married to his daughter Mary. However, in 1684 Hezekiah, son of Nicholas, was 17 years old and it was four years later that he married Mary Dunn in 1690. There must have been another Hezekiah Bonham; although, according to references, there was no evidence of another Hezekiah Bonham.

Hezekiah* married Ann Hunt, (2nd wife?) in 1700 in Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co, New Jersey. Ann (daughter of Samuel Hunt and Mary Burroughs) was born in 1678 in Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co, New Jersey; died after 1724. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Some say 2nd wife was mary Bishop, daughter of David & Mary (Alger) Bishop, according to the will of David Bishop 7 January 1684 (source: "Bonham & Related Family Lines" by H.E. Bonham 1996, p 229.

Other sources say his Hezekiah's second wife was Ann Hunt, daughter of Ralph or Samuel Hunt, and that they were married in 1699 in Maidenhead, New Jersey.
The children listed are listed as the children of Hezekiah and Ann Hunt.

From Mayflower Families through Five Generations, Vol 4, p 38:
*Note: No evidence found to support Monette's claim that Hezekiah had second wife Ann Hunt. The claim may have originated in misinterpretation of the will of Samuel Hunt of Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co, dated 15 Jan 1717/8 in which he decreed tht his real estate was to be partitioned among Samuel Hunt's heirs by son Samuel, by Hezekiah Bonham, and by John Prince.
Monette lists the following as children of Hezekiah Bonham and his unproven 2nd wife Ann Hunt: Hezekiah, Nehemiah, Zachariah, Zedekiah, Amariah, Temperence, Malachiah, Amaziah, Ephraim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Uriah & Obadiah.
(The ancestors of Ann Hunt were supplied by Foxlover@aol.com of Salt Lake City.)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Puritan
• Emigration: Bef 1658, New Jersey
• Immigration: Bef 1658, Essex Co, England
• Will: 18 Dec 1864, Piscataway Twp, Middlesex Co, New Jersey

Notes:

Nicholas appears on 1669 records of Piscataway, NJ. Here begins the first chapter of the book "Bonham and Related Family Lines, A Family Genealogy from the Mayflower to the 1990s" compiled by Howard E. Bonham and co-authored by Jean Allin. They conclude that since there is no real evidence that Nicholas Bonham was the son of George Bonham, they would begin their book with Nicholas, as the first generation.

In 1668 he was the 10th colonist to receive a land grant of 122 acres in Middlesex Co., NJ. They had arrived in NJ sometime between the birth of Sarah in Barnstable in 1664 and the birth of Samuel in NJ in 1672. Soon after arriving in NJ hs made a Dutch Schepen, or magistrate, whose duty it was to nominate citizens to various official positions in the towns of East Jersey. He was approved as Sergeant of Militia in 1681 and belonged to a military group organized under Capt. Francis Drake. He took an active part in the affairs of the community and must have been successful in his business affairs.
He established the village of Bonhamtown to the east of Pacatawaytown, which exists today as a living trubute to the honor of this staunch pioneer. He built the first house there which stood for about 200 years, a frame house of 1 1/2 sto. The book "Where the Raritan Flows" by Earl Schenck published 1964 says that Bonhamtown, in Edison Township, honors Nicholas Bonham, who settled there c1682. Five British regiments were briefly quarted there during the Revolutionary War.
"The History of Piscataway Township 1660-1976" by Walter Mauly, page 65, says that Nicholas Bonham was a founder of the Baptist Church in 1689. His son Hezekiah Bonham, became a townsman in 1687.


NOTE: Mayflower Families: "No evidence has been found to support Monette's suggestion of sons Nicholas and Elijah."
Bonham family records Nicholas as marrying Martha Runyon. However, Runyon researchers do not show a Martha about this time frame.

----------
Subject: Re: [BONHAM] Samuel Bonham
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:42:14 -0500 (Central Standard Time)
References: <89.184932b4.2ea925d7@cs.com>

Could this be the Samuel Bonham (m Margaret Philpott), possibly the one who was listed member of the London Co at Jamestown? He died in 1692. (ref: Virginia Colonials and their Maryland Relatives by Norma Tucker) Did he go to Maryland?

Or perhaps a better guess would be a member of Anam Bonham's family, which I have no info on except that he arrived on the Arc & Dove in 1633 and lived in Maryland for some period of time then in New York. Anam is thought to be brother to George and Samuel. Does anybody have Anam's lineage?

What other Bonhams were in Maryland? All my early ones are Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Sherry

----Original Message----

From: Mbmackie123@cs.com
Date: 10/21/04 09:47:20
To: BONHAM-L@rootsweb.com
Subject: [BONHAM] Samuel Bonham

I looked at every record I could find on the early (mid 1600's) Samuel Bonham. Seems to me he could easier be the father of Nicholas than George, especially as Nicholas named a son Samuel, and as far as we know there were no George's in Nicholas's descended family line. Anybody? I'll take proof either way.
Brownie
____________________


Will:

WILL OF NICHOLAS BONHAM (written 6 Feb 1683)
In the name of God, Amen, the 6 day of February in the year one thousand six hundred eighty-three, I, Nicholas Bonham of ye town of Picastaway in County of Middlesex in East New Jersey being sick in body but of good and perfect memory thanke to ye all mighty God and calling to remembrance the uncertain estate of this transitory live that all flesh must yield unto death whn it shall please God to call, do make, constitute, ordain, and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, revoking and annulling by those present all and every Testament and Testaments Will and Wills heretofore by me made and declareed either by word or written and this to be taken only for mylast will and testament and none other.----
And first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for my sins past most humbly desiring foregiveness for ye same I give and commit my soul unto Almighty God my Savior and Redeemer in Whom and by ye mercies of Jesus Christ I trust d believe assuredly to be saved and so have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins and that my soul with my body at the general day of resurrection shal rise again with joy and through ye merits of Christ's death and passion passes so inherit the Kingdom of heaven prepared for his elect and chosen and my body to be buried in such a place where it shall please my executor hereafter named to appoint. And now for ye - - - of my temporal estate and such goods chattels and debts as it has pleased God far above my desires to bestow upon me I do order give and dispose ye same in manner and form following. That is to say - - -
First I will that all those debts and duties as I owe in right or conscience to any manner of person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly contented and paid or ordained to be paid within convenient time afer my decease by my executorereafter named.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Hannah Bonham the house and lot that I now live on and ye bed that we now lie on during her natural life and after her decease, son Hezekiah Bonham.
Item, I give unto my said Hezekiah Bonham all ye rest of my land lying within ye township of Piscataway or a to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item, I will order and appoint that all my cattell with my household goods shall remain in ye hands of my executors hereafter named for ye support of my family and ye bringing up of my children and as any of them marries such parts of ye catl and goods to be given them as my executor shall think meet with and by ye advise and consent of my overseer hereafter named.
Item, I will and bequeath unto my grandchildren now living or shall be born within a year after ye date hereof, one bible to each of them to be bought and paid for out of my estate by my executors hereafter named.
Item, after ye decease of my said wife what chattels, goods, or lands that is then undisposed of I do will and bequeathunto my son Hezekiah Bonham he being my sole heir excepting ye legacies before mentioned and ye other dispositions in ye arles above mentioned.
Item, I will constitute and appoint my wife Hannah Bonham and my son Hezekiah Bonham to be my whole and sole executors and dispose of my estate above mentioned accordingly as is above ordered and appointed with and by ye advise and consent oy overseer hereafter mentioned.
Item, I do request and desire my friends Isaac Smalley and Edward Slater to be my overseers to assist and advise my said executors about ye disposing of my estate and affairs as above said.
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed and sealed in the presents of Edward Slater and Isaac Smalley.

He died 20 Jul 1684 and the will was probated 18 Dec 1684 in Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ.

Nicholas* married Hannah* (MF) Fuller on 1 Jan 1659 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co, Massachusetts. Hannah* (daughter of Samuel* (MF) Fuller and Jane* Lothrop) was born on 8 Oct 1636 in Scituate, Plymouth Co, Massachusetts; died after 23 Aug 1686 in Piscataway Twp, Middlesex Co, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: 30 Oct 1683, Piscataway Twp, Middlesex Co, New Jersey

Notes:

Her parents were married by Miles Standish, and her father was the last survivor of the Mayflower Company, per Chapter 1, page 3 of "Bonham & Related Family Lines" by G. E. Bonham 1996. She was mentioned in her father's will drawn 29 Oct 1683, proved 05 Jun 1684. She received 4 pounds and 2 cows.
_________
Mayflower Families through Five Generations Vol 4, p 13-14)
Born Scituate ca 1636; d Piscataway, NJ, after 23 Aug 1686, when she posted bond as executrix of the will of her husband with Edward Slater as fellow bondsman.
She m Barnstable 1 Jan 1658/9 Nicholas Bonham, b England ca 1630; d Piscataway 20 July 1684.
They had relocated to Piscataway NH by 6 May 1667. Nicholas signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1672 and served as a sergeant in 1681.
The will of Nicholas Bonham of Piscataway was drawn 6 February 1683 and proved 4 Jan 1684/5, but witnesses testified on 18 Dec 1694. His wife Hannah and son Hezekiah were named executors; mention was made of other children (not named); wits included Edward Slater and Isaac Smalley who were also overseers and took the estate inventory on 28 July 1684.
Children: first 3 b Barnstable, others Piscastaway, NJ
i. Hannah b 8 Oct 1659
ii Mary b 4 Oct 1661
iii Sarah b 16 Feb 1664/5
iv Elizabeth b ca. 1666
v Hezekiah b 6 May 1667
vi Samuel b 7 sept 1672; d 1 Oct 1682
vii Jane b 29 Jan 1675/6; d 25 Feb 1675/6
viii Priscilla b 11 Nov 1677

(Vol 1, Tree 1127 mentioned children Elijah and Nicholas, to which Mayflower Families through Five Generations, Vol 4 mentions: No evidence has been found to support Monette's suggestion of sons Nicholas and Elijah)

Samuel married Mary Burroughs about 1677 in Newtown, Long Island, Queens Co, New York. Mary (daughter of John Burroughs and Joanna Jessup) was born in 1654 in Newtown, Long Island, Queens Co, New York; died in 1725 in Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

some researchers are showing that this Samuel, son of William and Ann was the same Samuel who married Margaret Philpott. However, that does not seem to be the case. Samuel/Philpott appears to have been born in Ireland; and if Nicholas is, indeed, a grandson of Wm and Ann, by a father Samuel, it is not likely that Samuel/Philpott would be his parents as nothing links Samuel/Philpott with any Nicholas. Also, geographic differences also make this unlikely.

Said of Samuel Bonham who married Margaret Philpott:
David W. Eaton in Historical Atlas of Westmoreland county, Virginia states in his book "Samuel Bonum is said to have come from Kinsale, Ireland. It is known that he named the first tract of land he patented "Kinsal" in Westmoreland County." ...Whether Samuel was descended from English or Irish forebears has not been determined; Bonum is not a common name in Ireland but is frequently seen in Essex, England records. no record of his birth has been found in either England or Ireland, however.

-------------------

Could this Samuel be the Samuel who was also listed as a member of the London Co at Jamestown.

(not confirmed this Samuel)

Archives of Maryland, Volume 41
1658 Maryland Court Records

Capt Thomas Cornewalleys demandeth warrt agst Samuel Bonham
& John Lord in an accon of Debt. Warr to the Sheriffe of Caluert County, & all other respective Sheriffs, of each seuerall County to arrest &c: Ret next Prouinciall Court to be held 8 Septembr.

Stone v Barbarah
Feb 11 1657
Recorded for Sollamon Barbarah
This may Testify I Thomas Stone do acquitt and free Soliman Barbarah from all Service and Engagements due from him to Cap William Stone (Excepting the Clause of the Leaving him half his Estate at his Death, which according to former Condition Standeth in force) upon the payment of four Thousand pounds of Tobacco, for which I am Content to take a man Servant at Eighteen hundred and his Bill for one Thousand to be paid next ear as Witness my hand this 13th of November 1657.
Thomas Stone
Witness: Sam. Bonam


Philpotts listed in MD

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Church of Christ

Notes:

Mayflower Families Through Five Generations - shows he was born ca 1608,
d Barnstable 31 Oct 1683.
____________
Samuel may have been born in Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands.

~~Came to America on the Mayflower with his parents Edward and Ann Fuller and his uncle Dr. Samuel Fuller in 1620.
Being a lad when his parents died, he lived with his uncle, the famous "Dr. Samuel Fuller," the physician of the Pilgrims. By the division of lands in 1624, he was given three portions out of respect to his mother and father. In 1634 hs a freeman of the Colony and moved to Scituate in 1635 where he built a house; he joined the Scituate church on 7 Nov 1636; and was elected constable there in 1641. Sometime after that he moved to Barnstable where his father-in-law had moved in 1638. Samuel was the only Mayflower passenger to settle permanently in Barnstable and was one of the last surviving Mayflower passengers.
On 8 Apr 1635 he was married by Miles Standish to the eldest daughter of Rev. John Lathrop, Jane Lathrop. They had nine children, Hannah the eldest. His will dated 29 Oct 1683 and exhibited 5 June 1684 names eldest son Samuel, son John, s Elizabeth Tayler, Hannah Bonham, Mary Williams and Sarah Crowe, his Indian, Joell (bequeathed to son John); sons Samuel and John as executors. "Sarah Crowe four pounds in money and two cowes"

Samuel* married Jane* Lothrop on 8 Apr 1635 in Scituate, Plymouth Co, Massachusetts. Jane* (daughter of Rev John* Lothrop, (immigrant) and Hannah* Howes) was born before 29 Sep 1614 in Edgerton, Kent Co, England; died on 31 Oct 1683 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 29 Sep 1614, Edgerton, Kent Co, England

Notes:

bap 29 Sept 1614 at Edgerton, Kent, England; d before her husband; daughter of the Rev. John and Hannah (Howes) Lothrop, his first wife.

~~Arrived in America on ship Griffin in 1634

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: Aft 1620, London, Middlesex, England
• Will: 1676, Long Island City, Queens, New York

Notes:

He married Elizabeth Jessup, daughter of Edward Jessop of Westchester.
Service: Was Lieut. of Newtown Company, Province of New York, 1665; Member of Provincial Assembly, 1673.
Source: Annals of Newtown, by Ricker; Colonial War Regiser, 1640-1677; Hale's History of Hopewell Church.

"He was one of the first settlers of wht is now Newton, Long Island in 1652. He was a leader in public affairs and defied the authority of the Dutch governor Stuyvesant on Manhatten Island. When the English family acquired New Netherlands and drove the Dutch away, he was one of the first two magistraes appointed under the English rule. In April 1665, he was commissioned Lieutenant by the English Governor Nicoll. He was one of he patentees included in the royal charter when the town called Newtown was erected in 1664." Source: The Pioneering Spirit by Beverly Yount, 1956, page 3.

Burial:
Non-Cemetery Burial
findagrave


Will:
my son Edward, administrator
paying unto his other three brothers as they come of age
my daughter Mary
my daughter Anna's three children, each a sheep
Capt Betts and John Burroughs to be overseer with son-in-law Theophilus Philips.

signed Ralph Hunt (mark
Witnesses Edward Stevenson
John Hayyter
Thomas Morrell

addendum: Jan 13
my daughter Anna shall have...

signed
Ralph Hunt (mark)
Witness
Joseph Burroughs
Edward Hunt

Ralph married Elizabeth Jessup about 1653 in Connecticut or New York (probably). Elizabeth (daughter of Edward Jessup and Elizabeth Burroughs, (immigrant)) was born about 1625. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

After Joannah died in 1662, he remarried her sister, Elizabeth Jessup in 1664 and had a son, John Burroughs in 1665. Elizabeth was the widow of Thomas Reed, who she had married in 1648 in either Stamford or Weterfield, Connecticut.
Children of Elizabeth and Thomas Reed were:
Mary Reed b 1651
Joseph Reed, b 1653
John Reed, b 1654
Sarah Reed, b 1656

John married Joanna Jessup about 1642 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co, Connecticut. Joanna (daughter of John Jessup and Joanna (Kenrick) Kerrick) was born about 1626 in Massachusetts; died in 1662 in Newtown, Long Island, Queens Co, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]