Father: Nehemiah Bonham
Mother: Elizabeth Martin
Spouse: Mary Bonham
m: 17/Mar/1762 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex
Co., NJ
Child-1: Zachariah - b: 4/Mar/1763 - NJ or VA
d: 10/Mar/1837 - bur: Irville Cem., Muskingum Co., OH
m: Sophia Johnson - 1788
m: Susannah Hoover - 4/Jan/1820 - Muskingum Co., OH
2: Nehemiah
- b: 1/Nov/1765
d: 5/Nov/1846 - bur: Morning Star Cem., Haywood Co., NC
m: Rachel Kerr - 6/Sep/1791 - Wythe Co., VA
3: Robert
- b: ~1768
d: Jun/1800 - Baltimore, Baltimore Co., MD
4: Eunice
(Unis) - b: ~1785
d: ~1827
m: James Finley
Biographical Details:
It seems probable that Hezekiah Bonham, son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Martin Bonham, was born in New Jersey about 1741, perhaps, at Piscataway; however, there is no documentary evidence of this. Moreover, there has been considerable confusion regarding his exact identity due to an old error in transcription of the will of his grandfather, Benjamin Martin, of Piscataway, which names his grandsons, children of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Bonham, as "Benjamin" and "Nehemiah".1 Of course, the former is correct, but the latter is not. Accordingly, E. B. Hazie was able to examine the original will to confirm that "Hezekiah" was actually written.2 Indeed, Hezekiah already had a older half brother, Nehemiah Bonham, Jr., and it would have been quite unconventional for a younger son to have been given the same name provided that the older son was still living at the time the younger was born, as was true in this case. Subsequently, Hezekiah Bonham married his own first cousin, Mary (or, perhaps, Marcy or Mercy) Bonham at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Piscataway on March 17, 1762. They were married by Rev. Jonathan Dunham who was the son of Edmund and Mary Bonham Dunham, and, thus, a cousin of both the bride and groom. Indeed, this serves to reiterate the close association with and adherence to the sabbatarian Baptist denomination by the extended Bonham family during the first half of the eighteenth century. In addition, in the year 1762 the name of Hezekiah Bonham was apparently included in early census records for Piscataway Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Even so, it seems that Hezekiah and Mary Bonham migrated southward toward northern Virginia or Maryland during the 1760's. Concomitantly, Mr. Howard E. Bonham asserts in his work that Hezekiah's older half brother, Nehemiah, moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, about 1764. Thus, it seems plausible that Hezekiah and Mary might have moved either at the same time or shortly thereafter. Accordingly, their oldest son, Zachariah, may have been born either in New Jersey or Virginia. Within this context, in census records of 1880 and 1900, two of Zachariah's daughters, Mary Bonham Fleming and Rebecca Bonham Sheppard, invariably assert that their father had been born in New Jersey. In contrast, their older half sister, Elizabeth Bonham George, stated in the population schedule of 1880 that Zachariah had been born in Virginia. Of these, two alternatives, New Jersey seems, perhaps, marginally more likely, but this is merely speculation. In any case, by the early 1770's Hezekiah and Mary Bonham seem to have settled near Sam's Creek in Frederick County, Maryland. Moreover, while living in this locality, it is known that Hezekiah and presumably his wife as well, came under the influence of an early frontier preacher, Robert Strawbridge, and became Methodists. Strawbridge had come from Ireland and settled in Frederick County about 1760 and immediately began to preach in his own home to his neighbors. As a consequence, by 1762 or 1763 a Methodist congregation of at least fifteen persons had been formed at Pipe or Sam's Creek. Moreover, it is generally accepted that this was the first Methodist congregation organized in North America.3,4 It is not known how early Hezekiah Bonham joined the congregation, but although he was not listed as an original member, he was certainly a member by 1772, when the region was visited by the illustrious Rev. Francis Asbury.5,6 Accordingly, Asbury's Journal further indicates that Hezekiah had been a Baptist and was "much opposed" by his former coreligionists after he became a Methodist. Such an intensity of feeling with respect to religious affiliation between Protestant denominations as similar as Methodist and Baptist might seem strange at the present day; however, in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and even twentieth centuries this was the usual situation. Indeed, it has only been within the last fifty years that such denominational distinctions have receded in importance. Asbury further described Hezekiah Bonham as a "solid, sensible man" and was very impressed with his speaking ability recommending him as an "exhorter" to "do all the good he could". Accordingly, Hezekiah Bonham became an intinerant Methodist preacher and was listed as such in the minutes of the annual church conference for the year 1785. This is further supported, again, by Asbury's Journal, which describes an evangelistic trip that he made to western Virginia and Pennsylvania in the summer of 1784 with Hezekiah Bonham as his companion.7 It is evident from this account that Rev. Asbury regarded Hezekiah as an effective and powerful speaker and, presumably, he remained active in the ministry for some years. Furthermore, it is clear from geographical allusions in Asbury's Journal that he passed through Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and traveled with Hezekiah to the Cheat River and then to the Redstone country in southwestern Pennsylvania. Within this context, Hezekiah and his family were apparently resident in Hampshire County by 1782 since, the household of "Hesekiah Bonham" consisting of eight white individuals appeared in an enumeration list taken by William Buffington that year. Likewise, in 1784 the household, again, appeared on a list of residents of Hampshire County taken by Abraham Hite. At this time, the family included ten individuals and possessed a dwelling and one other building, perhaps, a barn. Clearly, both lists indicate many more members of the family than can be accounted for from Hezekiah's known children. Even so, it is probable that they were relatives and, perhaps, at least some of them were children that did not survive to adulthood and are, thus, generally unknown to history. By 1800 it seems that Hezekiah Bonham had moved back eastward and settled in Frederick County, Virginia, since his name appears on an associated tax list for that year.8 The date of his death is not known, but it seems likely that he died in Virginia. His descendants have subsequently lived in several states.9Source Notes and Citations:It seems evident from the comments of Rev. Asbury that Hezekiah Bonham was a man of strong convictions and forceful personality. Accordingly, he appears to have had a profound influence on his own children, such that all three of his known sons followed him and also entered into the ministry. Zachariah was reportedly ordained by Bishop Asbury and served in Virginia, later going westward to Ohio. Robert was also a traveling Methodist preacher and died from consumption, i.e., tuberculosis, unmarried and relatively young probably because of the hardship and exposure that he experienced in the course of his travels. Nehemiah was an itinerent preacher in southwest Virginia, although it is reported that he left Methodism and became a Lutheran apparently because he disliked the highly emotional forms of worship that became popular with Methodists in the 1780's and afterward. In addition, he also left a diary, which is now in the North Carolina State Library and mentions among other things the children of Joseph and Naomi Parke Bonham who lived in Grayson County, Virginia, during the first half of the nineteenth century. Within this context, he called them "cousin", which provides strong evidence of family relationship extending back to ancestors in New Jersey.10
1. Abraham Van Doren Honeyman (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Adminstrations, Etc. Vol. III: 1751-1760), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Unionist-Gazette Assoc., Printers, Somerville, NJ, 1924: Vol. 32, pg. 216.
Jul. 1, 1755. "Martin, Benjamin, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.; will of. Wife, Philerato. Sons---Benjamin, Nathaniel, Peter. Daughter, Zerviah, wife of Jeremiah Blackford. Grandchildren---Athanasius, James, and Luther; Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Reuben, sons of Benjamin; Mary, Isaiah and Benjamin, children of John and Hannah Blackford; Benjamin and Nehemiah, children of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Bonham; Zerviah, daughter of Zedekiah and Anna Bonham. Land bought of father, Benjamin Martin; homefarm on the Mill Brook, Woodbridge, bought in part of John Martin and in part of John Bloomfield; land bought of brother, Jonathan Martin; 16 acres in Essex Co., bought of Samuel Drake and Isaac Chandler; a lot at the Vinyard, bo't of Willima Edinfield (?); a Proprietor's right in West Jersey, same at Florida, Woodbridge, bought of Richard Soper; same at South River, bought of Hezekiah Dunn; same bought of Kittrell Mundin. Personal estate. Executors---son, Benjamin, son-in-law, John Blackford, and cousin, James Martin. Witnesses---Samuel Martin, Jacob Martin, and Azariah Dunham. Proved May 3, 1757."
May 10, 1757. "Inventory, £190.16.3, incl. his purse, £37.8.8; a large Bible, 10s; 'Acts of the Province', 14s; a Bible in another tongue 3s.6d.; other books, £4.19; debts for rent £6.10; other debts £8.1.8; made by Reune Runyon and John Hepburn."
Apr. 8. 1763. "Account by the Executors, who have sold it for £219.13.5, and charge £229.12.10 against it."
back to bio.2. Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1973: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, military records, directory index, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1973: pg. 27-8. (rev. of Emmet Lincoln Smith, Smith-Bonham, 1631-1908, privately published, Chicago, IL, 1911; also Emmet Lincoln Smith, rev. by Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1959: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, illustrations, military record, directory, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1959 & Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1975: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, military records, directory index, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1975.)
"This line (i.e., that of Nehemiah Bonham) has proved to be one of the most controversial of the many Bonham lines.
This can be traced pricipally to an error in the N. J. Archives records which are in most all of the genealogical libraries in the world. The will of Benjamin Martin of Piscataway, N. J., the father of Elizabeth Martin, the second wife of Nehemiah Bonham, is on file in the office of Clerk of Superior Court of N. J. and in good condition. The N. J. Archives in the abstract of the Benjamin Martin will give the names of the children of Nehemiah Bonham and Elizabeth Martin as Benjamin and Nehemiah, which is an error. They are Benjamin and Hezekiah.
Due to the age, the Clerk's office was reluctant to permit this will to be examined and to have photostatic copies made, rather they insisted on supplying a certified copy which was incorrect. However, a photostatic copy was obtained and clearly shows that the Archives records are not correct. On a following (page) is a photo of the section of the photostat of the will. Note the peculiar form of the letter E in Benjamin, Hezekiah and Jersey.
Another reason to discount the abstract records giving the name of Nehemiah to one of the sons, is that Nehemiah already had a son Nehemiah by his first wife, Ann Stout, and it is doubtful that he would give two sons the same name."
Hazie included a facsimile of the will in his book and it is clear that the "H" in Hezekiah in no way resembles "N" in Nehemiah. Moreover, the particular bequests read as follows:
"Item, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Benjamin Bonham son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Bonham that lott of land which I bought of William Winfield lying at the place called the vinyard to him and his heirs as an entailed estate of inheritance in law forever."
"Item, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Hezekiah Bonham son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth aforesaid the proprietor right which I have and have not yet taken up for West Jersey (when taken up by said right) to him and his heirs as an entailed estate of inheritance in law forever."
Hazie stated finally:
"After such information is once in print, especially by such an authority as the Archives, and accepted and made part of the family line record, it is difficult to get folks to accept the truth even when shown a photo to prove the error."
back to bio.3. John Lednum, A History of the Rise of Methodism in America, J. Van Court, printer, Philadelphia, PA, 1859: pg. unk. (published electronically by Duane V. and Dorothea Maxey, Holiness Data Ministry, www.icehouse.net/hdm/index.htm, 1997: pgs. 17-8. )
"In 1760, as the Rev. George M. Roberts of Baltimore has most indubitably shown, in his able letters in the Christian Advocate and journal in 1858, Robert Strawbridge and Philip Embury both arrived in this country--these lay-preachers began the organizations of Wesleyan Methodism, which have since been made permanent in Maryland and New York; and they both came from the region of the river Shannon in Ireland.
The Rev. William Hamilton, in an able article in the Methodist Quarterly Review for July 1856, tells us that 'Mr. Strawbridge was a native of Drummers Nave, near Garrick, on Shannon, county Leitrim, Ireland.' On arriving in this country he settled on Sam's Creek, Frederick county, Maryland. In Dr. Roberts letters, referred to above, we are assured, that, as soon as Mr. Strawbridge had arranged his house, he began to preach in it, as early as 1760; and, beside the appointment in his own house, he had another at John Maynard's house, in 1762, who was a Methodist, and where he baptized his brother Henry Maynard at a spring, in 1762. Soon as Mr. Strawbridge commenced his labors in Maryland, the Lord began to work in his hearers, and a society was formed as early as 1762, or 1763.
Dr. Roberts speaks thus: 'Robert Strawbridge.--I am gratified to be able to say also, that in reference to the labors of this excellent and useful servant of God, our knowledge is not merely conjectural; I have in my possession some letters, written by different individuals, at a distance from each other, and without any concert upon their part, which disclose some interesting facts; I have space only to notice a few. Mr. Michael Laird, who subsequently settled in Philadelphia, was born April 30, 1771. He obtained his knowledge of these points from his father, who was intimate with Mr. Strawbridge, and fully conversant with the truth of what is stated in his letter. Mr. Strawbridge came to America in 1760, with his wife and children, and settled in Maryland. Immediately after arranging his dwelling he opened it for Divine service, and continued to preach therein regularly. These efforts soon after resulted in the awakening and conversion of several who attended.
'In another communication I ascertain that Henry Maynard was baptized (by Robert Strawbridge) when he was but six or seven years old. At that time Mr. S. was preaching regularly at John Maynard's, a brother of Henry. Henry accompanied his father to one of these appointments; and Mr. S. baptized him at the spring.
'Henry Maynard died in 1837, aged eighty-one years. This fixes his baptism as early as 1762. John Maynard, at whose house Mr. Strawbridge was then preaching, was himself a Methodist. This renders it positive that Mr. S. had been engaged in preaching regularly prior to 1762, and fully corroborates the statement contained in Mr. Laird's letter, viz.: that he commenced his labors in the ministry immediately after his settlement in Maryland.'
This society, Brother Hamilton informs us, consisted of 'twelve or fifteen persons.' After Bishop Asbury was fully informed on the subject, he entered in his Journal, in 1801, soon after he ended the business of the Baltimore Conference, which sat this year at Pipe Creek, his testimony on the subject: he says, 'here Mr. Strawbridge formed the first society in Maryland--and America.' ... Brother Hamilton furnishes the names of a few of the original members--'David Evans, his wife and sister, Mrs. Bennett, now in her eighty-ninth year,' with a few more, 'embraced the Methodist religion under Mr. Strawbridge.' Mrs. Bennett says, from her knowledge, 'the society was first formed at Strawbridge's house.' Soon afterwards, i.e. about 1764 or 1765, 'the Log meeting house was erected, about a mile from Mr. Strawbridge's residence, and preaching and meeting the class were at the Log chapel. This place, Mr. Hamilton, avers takes precedence of any other Methodist chapel in this country; by about three years; it was built, through Mr. Strawbridge's influence, on Pipe or Sam's Creek."
back to bio.4. James Edward Armstrong, History of the Old Baltimore Conference, King Bros., Printers, Baltimore, MD, 1907: pg. unk. (published electronically by Duane V. and Dorothea Maxey, Holiness Data Ministry, www.icehouse.net/hdm/index.htm, 1998: pg. 11. )
"Fifteen persons or more constituted the 'first society in Maryland and America,' at the house of Robert Strawbridge. Their names have fortunately been preserved: John Evans, William Durbin, William Daman, George Havener, Richard Smith, Thomas Leakin, James Crawford, Robert Walker, William Snader, Thomas Donaldson, Daniel Stephenson, Philip Nicodemus, Andrew Poulson, Jacob Cassell, George Logman (with their wives and some children). Afterwards were added John Todd, George Saxton, Mrs. Alexander Warfield, Hezekiah Bonham, John and Paul Hagerty."
back to bio.5. Elmer Talmadge Clark, James Manning Potts, and Jacob S. Payton (eds), The Journal and Letters of Francis Asbury, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, 1958: Vol. 1, pg. 55. (orig. pub. Francis Asbury, The Journal of the Rev. Francis Asbury, N. Bangs and T. Mason, New York, NY, 1821. ) (published electronically by Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, wesley.nnu.edu/holiness_tradition/asbury_journal/index.htm, 2004.)
"Lord's day (i.e., Sunday, November 22, 1772). After preaching in the morning, brother John Hagerty199 [his brother Paul,] friend Bonham200 and myself set off to a place where I had to preach at two o'clock. Friend Bonham was awakened by the instrumentality of friend Strawbridge, and he told me that he had been much opposed [by the Baptists. He said they had used him very ill; but he was determined to have no more connexion with them. He appears to be a solid, sensible man]. I heard him give an exhortation greatly to the purpose; and gave him a note of recommendation, to do all the good he could. Happened in company with an old, stupid Quaker woman, who supposed me to be a half Quaker, and thought the Friends were the only people in the world, and that they were not fallen from their former lively and spiritual state. A man came twenty miles for me, to go and preach a funeral sermon. I accordingly complied, and had many people to hear me. Then went about two miles, to preach at Mr. Durbin's; and met with a German minister, Mr. Benedict Swope,201 who heard me preach at both places. We had some conversation about the ordinances administered by Mr. Strawbridge. He advanced some reasons to urge the necessity of them, and said Mr. Wesley did not do well to hinder us from the administration of them. I told him they did not appear to me as essential to salvation; [and that it did not appear to be my duty to administer the ordinances at that time]."Relevant footnotes:
"199 John Hagerty (1747-1818), a native of Prince George's County and a member of the society on Sam's Creek at the time of Asbury's visit in 1772, preached at Rodda's assignment at Linganore in the present Frederick County. In 1779 he entered the traveling connection and continued to preach until 1792, when because of illness of his wife he located. (Methodist Magazine, VII (1824), 209 if.)
200 Hezekiah Bonham, an early convert to Methodism on Sam's Creek, accompanied Asbury on his first journey to the Red Stone country in western Pennsylvania in 1784. A son, Robert, entered the traveling ministry in 1794 and died in 1800.
201 Benedict Swope, or Schwope, was an elder in the Reformed congregation at Pipe Creek, Maryland, as early as 1754. Coming under the influence of Robert Strawbridge and William Otterbein, he became a leader in the Evangelical movement and stood high in the esteem of Bishop Asbury. Asbury records Swope's death in Kentucky at the age of eighty. (See Drury: The Life of Rev. Philip William Otterbein, 157, 191; Methodist Review, VI (1823), 249-54; Bibbins, op. cit., 36.) Bishop John Christian Keener was a great-grandson of Benedict Swope. (Hough: Christian Newcomer, His Life, Journal and Achievements, 5 n.)"
back to bio.6. op. cit. (Lednum): pg. unk. (published electronically op. cit. (Maxey): pgs. 19, 64, & 66.)
"When Mr. Asbury first visited this society, in the latter end of 1772, he found there such names as Hagarty, Bonham, Walker, and Warfield. Mr. Hezekiah Bonham had been a Baptist, until awakened by Mr. Strawbridge's preaching, when he became a Methodist, and was much persecuted by his former sect. At this time, Mr. Asbury heard him speak in public, and seeing that he had gifts as a speaker, gave him license to exhort. He afterwards became a preacher; and, in 1785, his name is in the Minutes of the Conference, among the itinerants. His son, Robert Bonham, was also a traveling preacher."
"Sunday, November 22, 1772. He (Rev. Francis Asbury) was for the first time at the Log Meeting house, at Pipe or Sam's Creek. After preaching there, he set off to fill another appointment. John and Paul Hagerty, and Hezekiah Bonham, accompanied him. At Mr. Durbin's, he had the Rev. Benedict Swope, of the German Reformed Church, to hear him. He speaks of preaching at Winchester; but this must be a misprint--more likely Westminster. From here, he returned to Richard Owens'; and preached, with much feeling to many people."
"At this time, there were ten or twelve native exhorters and local preachers raised up in Maryland, such as Richard Owings, William Watters, Richard Webster, Nathaniel Parragau, Isaac Rollins, Hezekiah Bonham, Nicholas Watters, S. Stephenson, J. Presbury, Philip Gatch, and, probably, Acquilla Stanford and Abraham Rollins."
back to bio.7. op. cit. (Asbury's Journal): Vol. 1, pgs. 462-4.
"Friday, June 25, 1784. We had hard work in crossing a mountain six miles over, and it was still worse the next day in crossing the greater mountain.15 I found it very warm work, though stripped. We struggled along nevertheless, and met with about four hundred people at Strader's,16 to whom I spoke on 2 Cor. xiii, 5,--I hope not in vain. While I was at prayer, a large limb fell from a sycamore tree in the midst of the people, yet not one received the least injury; some thought it was a trick of the devil; and so indeed it might have been. Perhaps he wanted to kill another, who spoke after me with great power.17
Sunday, June 27. At Hyder18 I was much tried in spirit, yet I was enabled to speak pure, living truth, on Titus iii, 2-5, at three o'clock. I was assisted to speak feeling words to some souls at Isaac Van Meter's19 though in pain and weariness. Thence I hasted to preach at six o'clock at Conrad Hoffman's,20 a third time this day, where I enlarged on Job xxi. 15. About ten o'clock at night I came to brother Samuel Dew's,21 very weary, and lodged there. I hope this day's labour will be useful to my own soul and the souls of others."
"Thursday, July 1. We began to ascend the Alleghany, directing our course towards Redstone.23 We passed the Little Meadows, keeping the route of Braddock's road24 for about twenty-two miles, along a rough pathway: arriving at a small house, and halting for the night, we had, literally, to lie as thick as three in a bed. My soul has peace. For three days I had a fever; the excessive labour I have undergone may have nourished it. When I rose yesterday morning I was very unwell. After riding about seven miles, I was taken with a trembling and profuse perspiration. I ate something, and felt better, and my fever is now abated. My soul has been blessed in an uncommon degree; and thou, my soul, bless the Lord; and O that he may be pleased to make me a blessing to the people in this part of the world!"
"Sunday, July 4. At Cheat River we had a mixed congregation of sinners, Presbyterians, Baptists, and it may be, of saints: I had liberty, and gave it to them as the Lord gave it to me--plain enough. After me brother Bonham spoke with life and power. I think God will bring a people to himself in this place. Blessed be the name of the Lord for a plentiful rain after a long drought! Three thick--on the floor--such is our lodging--but no matter: God is with us:-- 'Labour is rest, and pain is sweet, Whilst thou, my God! art here.'"Relevant footnotes:
"15 These mountains were apparently the Great North and South Branch Mountains in Hardy County, West Virginia, on the Virginia border.
16 Christopher, John, and Michael Strader lived in Hampshire County, Virginia, now either Grant or Hardy County, West Virginia. (Maxwell: History of Randolph County, W. Va., 474.)
17 This was perhaps Hezekiah Bonham, who accompanied Asbury on this tour. He was a local preacher and a member of the first class established by Strawbridge in Maryland. (See Minutes, 1785; Payton, op. cit., 22-23, 99; Armstrong: History of the Old Baltimore Conference, 7, 17.)
18 This preaching place seems to have been the home of Adam Hyder (or Heider) near Morefield, West Virginia. (See Journal entry for August 10, 1790.) Robert Ayres manuscript journal for February 23 - March 23, 1788, lists the preaching place on the Alleghany Circuit, and Hyder's seems to be the only point at which Asbury could have preached and reached Dew's that night.
19 Isaac Van Meter (1757-1837) lived at Old Fields, Hardy County, West Virginia. He and his wife, Elizabeth, gave the land for an early Methodist meetinghouse in the area. (Deed Book, Xli, 340, Moorefield, West Virginia; Halterman: History of Methodism in the South Branch Valley; Kercheval: History of the Valley of Virginia, 50, 55; Lednum, op. cit., 314; Journal entry for August 10, 1790.)
20 Conrad Hoffman lived near Old Fields, West Virginia.
21 Samuel Dew at this time lived a few miles south of present Romney, West Virginia. He later moved to Potts Creek in present Monroe County where he built Dew's Chapel."
"23 Richard Owings, first American-born Methodist preacher and raised up by Strawbridge, crossed the mountains in the fall of 1783 and laid out the plan of the first western circuit. Many of the first settlers west of the mountains were Marylanders from the region evangelized by Strawbridge. There is evidence that there were Methodists west of the mountains as early as 1772, and apparently their appeal to Owings led to the laying out of the original Redstone Circuit. John Cooper and Samuel Breeze were assigned to the Redstone Circuit in the spring of 1784. This is Asbury's first crossing of the mountains to the great central valley of America, made within two months of the assignment of circuit riders to the new field. (Journal of Thomas Scott; Smeltzer: Methodism on the Headwaters of the Ohio, 46 if.)
24 The road cut by the three hundred axmen who moved in advance of the army of General Edward Braddock in the disastrous campaign of 1755 to attack Fort Duquesne at 'the forks of the Ohio.' It became one of the two main roads across the mountains and approximates Route 40 today. (See note under June 6, 1781.) Asbury along here was crossing the borders of these states."
back to bio.8. Howard Eugene Bonham and Jean Allin, Bonham and Related Family Lines, Bonham Book(s), 5104 Bridlington Ln., Raleigh, NC, 27612, printed by Genie Plus, Bradenton, FL, 1996: pg. 131.
"Hezekiah Bonham is listed on the 1800 Frederick Co., VA Tax List: 2 white males over 16; 6 horses; 4 slaves over age 16. ["Virginia Genealogist," July/Sept. 1979, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 168, 169.]"
"Quoting from a letter from Mrs. John A. Bishop, dated 25 Jun 1981: Reading the old Wythe Co. [VA] Court Records I find that Rev. Nehemiah Bonham attested 14 Sep 1803 when James & Unis, his wife, the late [former] Unis Bonham appeared in court that she is the daughter of Hezekiah Bonham of Frederick Co., VA, and he sister of Robert Bonham, dec'd, late of the City of Baltimore."
back to bio.9. A partial descendancy for the Hezekiah Bonham family has been extracted from information published by E. B. Hazie and H. E. Bonham, has been augmented by census records and appears as follows (additional information in italics):
First Generation
Hezekiah Bonham, son of Nehemiah & (2) wife, Elizabeth (Martin) Bonham, was born ca 1741; married 17 Mar 1762, his first cousin, Mary/Marcy Bonham, who was born ca 1742, daughter of Zachariah & (1) wife, Maria (Marlett) Bonham. They were married in the Piscataway Seventh Day Baptist Church by Rev. Jonathan Dunham, who was pastor from 1745 to 1776.
Hezekiah and Mary (Bonham) Bonham had:
1. Zachariah Bonham, born 4 Mar 1763; married (1) Sophia Johnson, married (2) Susannah Hoover.*Historians of the Finley family state that Eunice Bonham was born about 1785 and that her mother was Mary Cordrey. This suggests that her father, Hezekiah, married a second time, presumably after the death of his first wife and cousin. Moreover, if this is true, then it is also possible that this second wife was the mother of Robert Bonham since he is specifically named as Eunice's brother in a court record made in Wythe County in 1803. However, this remains an open question.
2. Nehemiah Bonham, born 1765; married Rachel Karr.
3. Robert Bonham, probably born ca 1768. A traveling Methodist minister, he died in June of 1800 of "consumption."
4. Unis (Eunice) Bonham*, who m James Finley.a. Anonymous, Minutes of the Methodist Conferences, annually held in America: from 1773 to 1813, Methodist Episcopal Church, Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware, pub., New York, NY, 1813: pgs. 91-2. (Reprinted by Magnolia Press, Swainsboro, GA, 1983.) (cited op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pg. 131.)
"ROBERT BONHAM - a son of Hezekiah Bonham, who was early a member of the first Methodist Society in the western part of Maryland, at Pipe Creek, and a local preacher; the probability is that Robert was a native of Virginia, as his father removed from Maryland to Virginia, and lived in Frederick County, in that state. He was a young man of apparant gracious heart and upright walk, lively in his ministry, and active in duty. He began to travel in 1794, and was stationed in Huntington in 1795; in Bath circuit, in Virginia; in 1796, in Hartford and Caroline; in 1797, in Queen-Ann's, a supernumerary; in 1798, in Talbot, a supernumerary; in 1799, in Strasburg, a supernumerary. He was lingering out his life for three years with advancing consumption; but appeared to be a man of great animal life, under his weight of affliction; at the General Conference he was, by his own account, comfortable and had confidence in God. He died in the month of June, at Baltimore and no doubt rests in Abraham's bosom, where affliction and pain are no more."Second Generation
1. Zachariah Bonham**, was born 4 Mar 1763, died 10 Mar 1837 in Muskingum Co., OH, buried Irville Cem.; ordained by Bishop Francis Asbury, married (1) in 1788, Sophia Johnson, born 1768, died 18 Aug 1818.
1-1. Mary Bonham#, born 27 Feb 1789, no known children.married (2) on 4 Jan 1820, Susannah Hoover, born 5 Jul 1775, died 10 Sep 1872 in Muskingum Co., Ohio, buried Irville Cem.
1-2. Amos William Bonham, (twin) a cripple, born 5 Apr 1793 in PA; died 6 Nov 1869, buried Irville Cem., Muskingum Co., OH; unmarried. He was a schoolteacher.
1-3. Robert Bonham, (twin) born 5 Apr 1793 in PA, died 11 May 1875; buried Maple Grove Cem., Hancock Co., OH; married (1) on 15 Jun 1822 in Muskingum Co., OH, Susannah Fleming. They had Sophia and John Bonham; married (2) on 7 Aug 1836 in Hancock Co., OH, Mrs. Hester Watson Douglas. They had Robert F., Walter Johnson, and Eliza Ellen Bonham; married (3) on 1 Dec 1853 in Hancock Co., OH, Mrs. Ann McCormick.
1-4. Johnson Bonham, Sr., born 30 Aug 1796 in Hampshire Co., VA, died 15 Nov 1845 in Liberty Twp., Hancock Co., OH, buried Maple Grove Cem.; married (1) on 20 Dec 1819 in Licking Co., OH, Polly Cayton or Keaton. They had Catherine and Sophia Ann Bonham; married (2) Nancy Oliver, born 5 May 1808 in VA, died 23 Jul 1891 in Findlay, Hancock Co., OH, buried Maple Grove Cem.. They had Isaac, Mary Ann, Robert F., Zachariah, Malinda, Jane N., and Johnson, Jr., Bonham.
1-5. Hezekiah Bonham, born 27 May 1801 in Hardy Co., VA; died 13 Apr 1889 in Malvern, Mills Co., Iowa; married on 13 Dec 1829, Nancy Byers or Byar, born 5 Feb 1810 in OH or PA, died June 1903 in Malvern, Mills Co., IA, buried Malvern Cem. They had Thomas, Jacob, Sarah, Sophia, Mary, Samuel, and Amos C. Bonham.
1-6. Elizabeth Bonham, born 18 Jul 1806 in Hampshire Co., VA, died 15 Jan 1886 in Muskingum Co., OH, buried Irville Cem.; married on 15 Jan 1829 in Muskingum Co., OH, James George, born 20 Nov 1803 in PA, died 21 May 1883 in Licking Twp., Muskingum Co., OH, buried Irville Cem. They had William, Zachariah, John, Sophia, Jacob, and Thomas George.
1-7. Jacob Bonham, born 1 Apr 1809, Hampshire Co., VA, died 10 Nov 1874 in Jackson Twp., Muskingum Co., OH, buried Irville Cem. He was a minister, undoubtedly Methodist.1-8. Mary Bonham, born Oct 1820 in Jackson Twp., Muskingum Co., OH, died 1913, buried Frazeysburg Cem., Muskingun Co., OH; married on 23 Aug 1849 in Muskingum Co., OH, Daniel Fleming, born 15 May 1803 in Monogahela Co., VA, died 23 Jul 1867 in Jackson Twp., Muskingum Co., OH, buried Frazeysburg Cem. They had Susan Elizabeth (Libbie), Finley Matthew, and Jacob D. Fleming.**Peggy O'Leary has provided the following details of the life of Zachariah Bonham, her direct ancestor. On January 11, 1814, he entered for patent the southeast quarter of Section Twenty-three in Township Three of Range Nine and on April 19, 1814, he entered the southwest quarter of Section Twenty-two in Township Three of Range Nine. These parcels are located in Muskingum County, Ohio, in Jackson Township near the boundary with Licking Township. She further cited that "Frazeysburg Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the home of Zachariah Bonham in 1815. Meetings were held at Mr. Bonham's, at R. C. Mendenhall's, at John Wimmer's and other houses, and later at a schoolhouse near the north side of Frazeysburg. In 1840, a frame church building was erected at a cost of $1,000. In 1878 it was succeeded by the present edifice, a frame building that cost $1,800." Of course, this citation from Schneider's published history is consistent Zachariah's identification as a Methodist preacher. Accordingly, it would seem that he was a solid member of the community and was called to as a witness to deeds, etc.
1-9. Rebecca Bonham, born Dec 1822 in Jackson Twp., Muskingum Co., OH, died 23 Jul 1905 in Muskingum Co., OH; married on 4 Jun 1850 in Muskingum Co., OH, John B. Sheppard, born 7 Apr 1828 in Muskingum Co., OH, died 6 Jan 1915 in Muskingum Co., OH. They had Arthur J., Alice L., Ida S., and John Herbert Sheppard.
1-10. Sarah Ann Bonham, born 21 Aug 1825 in Muskingum Co., OH; died 13 Feb 1871 in Muskingum Co., OH, buried Irville Cem. She did not marry.Zachariah Bonham died in Muskingum County, Ohio, on March 10, 1837. His will was probated the following month:
Will of Zachariah Bonham, deceased. Court of Common Pleas, April ? 1837, to wit, on the 21st day of April 1837 the last will and testament of Zachariah Bonham, deceased, is produced and Jared Brush and Daniel M Clure the subscribing witnesses thereto being in open Court duly Sworn and examined declared that said will was duly executed, that the Testator at the time of executing the same, was of full age, of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint, and that Testator requested them to sign the same which they did, witnessing each one the other ... Therefore with this proof thereof be recorded, and that letters testamentary issued to Susannah Bonham and Jacob Bonham the Executor named in said will, who were in open Court sworn as Such to give bond in the sum of $100. Daniel McClure and Jared Brush are accepted as Security.I Zachariah Bonham of Muskingum County, State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament revoking all other wills by me at any other time heretofore made, as follows, to wit, First, I wish my debts paid if any, and I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Susannah all the household and kitchen furniture, also one horse or mare, her choice, one head of sheep, and one half of the hoggs, likewise the womens saddle and bridle, and one seat of plough gears, also, I devise and bequeath to my wife Susannah one third of my farm to be divided as not to deprive her of the buildings timber water priviledg and one half of the fruit to be at her disposal as long as she lives, and at her death to be equally divided between my three youngest daughters Mary, Rebecca and Sarah Ann. I give and bequeath to my son Jacob the remaining part of my estate both real, personal, on the following conditions, that if he shall stay with me and take care of me, my business and Family while I live, and at my decease to pay to my Son Amos twenty dollars, my other Children Johnson, Robert, Hezekiah and Elizabeth I have given and done for them heretofore, what I thought was right, but if I should live longer than my Son Jacob, I wish the part of my Estate named or left to Jacob to be equally divided between them, including my Son Amos, and I do hereby appoint my wife Susannah and my Son Jacob sole Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here set my hand and seal this twenteyth (Sic) day of December AD 1836
In presence of /s/Jared Brush /s/Daniel hisXmark Mclure /s/Zachariah hisXmark Bonham (seal)There is a tombstone set for Zachariah Bonham in the Irville Cemetery in Muskingum County, Ohio, which states his age at the time of his death as 73 years and 11 days, which implies a birth date of February 29, 1764. However, as noted elsewhere tombstones should not be regarded as authoritative sources of birth dates, especially for an elderly individual as in this case. Therefore, the date given by H. E. Bonham in his work should probably be taken as correct.
# Howard E. Bonham listed the first child of Zachariah and Sophia Johnson Bonham as Mary Elizabeth born in 1789 and further stated that she married James George and had no issue. However, Peggy O'Leary provides a persuasive argument based on census records that Elizabeth Bonham, who married James George, was born much later about 1808. Moreover, she seems to have never been known as Mary and several children can be attributed to them with confidence. Therefore, it seems probable that if this first daughter existed, then she died young and was, perhaps, named Mary. Furthermore, although reuse of a deceased child's name for a younger sibling would be only marginally acceptable practice today, it was much more common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
b. L. Richard Kocher, A Listing of Entrymen on Lands in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Woolkoch Pub., Columbus, OH, 1996, pg. 8.
c. Norris Franz Schneider, Y Bridge City: The Story of Zanesvile and Muskingum County, Ohio, World Pub. Co., Cleveland, OH, 1950: pg. unk.
d. Deed Bk. G, Muskingum Co., OH, pg. 655.
e. Anonymous, Cemetery Inscriptions of Hopewell, Licking and Muskingum Townships, Muskingum County, Ohio, The Muskingum County (Ohio) Genealogical Society, Zanesville, OH, 1983: pg. 40.
f. Anonymous, Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, 1892: pg. 454. (Reprinted by Unigraphic, Inc., Evansville, IN, 1979.)
g. The family of Zachariah Bonham can be confirmed from census records (although, his name was given erroneously as "Zedekiah" in the 1820 population schedule). (1790 US Census Population Schedule for Washington County, Pennsylvania, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 197, (microfilm roll - M637_9; img. 110); 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 139, (microfilm roll - M33_92; img. 100); & 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 234, (microfilm roll - M19_137; img. 459).)
h. The family of James and Elizabeth Bonham George can be confirmed from census records. (1850 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 351B, (microfilm roll - M432_718; img. 161); 1860 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 125B-126A, (microfilm roll - M653_1018; imgs. 253-4); 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 185B-186A, (microfilm roll - M593_1250; img. 375-6); & 1880 US Census Population Schedule for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 159B, (microfilm roll - T9_1054; img. 320).)
i. Maple Grove Cemetery, Hancock County, Ohio (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=41968&CScn=Maple+Grove&CScntry=4&CSst=37&CScnty=2071&, continuously updated).
j. Frazeysburg Cemetery, Nuskingum County, Ohio (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=40949&CScn=Frazeysburg&CScntry=4&CSst=37&, continuously updated).
k. Some additional information (italics) for descendants of Zachariah Bonham is due to Peggy O'Leary. (Peggy O'Leary; database - :599296; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2004.)
2. Nehemiah Bonham, born 1 Nov 1765, died 6 Nov 1846, buried Morning Star Cemetery, Canton, Haywood Co., NC; married on 6 Sep 1791 at Wytheville, VA, Rachel Karr, daughter of John Karr, born 13 Nov 1768, died 11 Apr 1872, buried Morning Star Cemetery, Canton, Haywood Co., NC.
2-1. Mary/Polly Bonham, born 12 Jul 1792 in Wythe Co., VA, died 12 May 1853 in Tazewell Co., VA, married on 25 Nov 1817, Thomas Burress. They had Daniel, Rachel, Sophrina, James, and Cosby Burress.i. Mary B. Kegley, Wythe County, Virginia: A Bicentennial History, Wythe County Board of Supervisors, Wytheville, VA, 1989.
2-2. John Bonham, born 15 Dec 1794 in VA; died Buncombe Co. NC; married on 3 Jun 1824 in Wythe Co., VA, Julia Ann Hoppess, born 18 Oct 1802, died 26 Nov 1872. They had Nehemiah and Rachel Bonham.
2-3. Hezekiah/Kiar Bonham, born 1800, died 1882; married on 12 Oct 1824 in Wythe Co., VA, Sarah Kinser, born 1807, died 1884.
2-4. Nehemiah Bonham, Jr., born 23 Oct 1806, died 17 Apr 1878, buried Rich Creek Presbyterian Church Cem., Monroe Co., WV; married on 7 Nov 1833 in Wythe Co., VA, by L. L. Marsall, Regina Kinser, born 17 Apr 1809 in Wythe Co., VA, died 4 Jul 1895 in Wythe Co., VA, buried Rich Creek Presbyterian Church Cem., Monroe Co., WV. She was a sister of Sarah Kinser Bonham.
2-5. Jehue Bonham, born ? He is mentioned in his father's diary 2 Aug 1834 "I met my loving wife and son Jehue." He was probably living at home at that time.
2-6. Mariah Louise Bonham, born 24 Apr 1813, Tazewell Co., Va., died 3 May 1881; married on 25 Oct 1841, Eli B. F. Erwin. At 1840 Census Mariah was evidently living in father's household.
2-7. Sarah Priscilla Bonham, born 7 Nov 1815, died 17 Nov 1901, buried Morning Star Cemetery, Canton, Haywood Co., NC; married James William Moore, born 9 Feb 1807, died 26 Jul 1852, buried Morning Star Cemetery, Canton, Haywood Co., NC. Sarah was reported as being "a widow for 53 years" by Harmon Moore; however, this is incorrect, the actual number of years is 49.
2-8. Jackson Bonham, he is mentioned in his father's diary in late 1835 as "I sent Jackson home with Kiar [Hezekiah]." Probably Jackson was a young boy at that time and perhaps the youngest child of the family.
"Nehemiah Bonham was a minister Wythe, Smyth and Tazewell counties. He was ordained by Pastor John George Butler and assisted by Paul Hinkle (sic - Henkle) on his trip to Southwest Virginia in 1789-90. ... Bonham, then a young preacher who had left the Methodist 'at a time when they began to introduce their new mode of shouting and tumult,' remained with Hinkle for three months but lived in Wythe County, where he served several congregations as an 'English' (meaning English-speaking) minister. At the end of 1790, Henkle preached in Bonham's neighborhood. In 1791, Bonham married Rachel Karr (Kerr, Carr), the daughter of John Karr, the elder, of the Cripple Creek neighborhood. The first marriages Bonham performed in Wythe County were recorded in 1794; the last ones, in 1826. Bonham purchased 105 acres of land near the town of Cripple Creek in 1793. He was living in Tazewell County in 1824 and and served in Burkes Garden in that county from 1828 to 1839, although there were absences in North Carolina during this time. In 1840, he was permanently located in Haywood County, North Carolina, where he died six years later, at the age of eighty-one."m. Charles Henry Glatfelter, Pastors and People: German Lutheran and Reformed Churches in the Pennsylvania Field, 1717-1793, Pennsylvania German Society, Breinigsville, PA, 1980-1.
"Nehemiah Bonham, Lutheran. Born November 1, 1765. Paul Henkle described him in 1789 ... as a 'young English preacher, [meaning English-speaking] who left the Methodist at the time when they began to introduce their new mode of shouting and tumult.' Was ordained by George Butler in 1791.
All but the earliest years of his ministry were spent beyond the limits of the Pennsylvania field as it existed before 1793. Preached in English [to assemblies of Germans and English] in Wythe, Bland, Tazewell and Washington counties, Virginia, from about 1790 to the 1830s. Moved to Haywood county, North Carolina, in the 1830s. Continued as an active pastor to North Carolina congregations until 1840. Never recovered from severe injuries incurred in being thrown from his carriage in the latter year. After a third of a century as an independent minister, became a member of the Tennessee Synod in 1824. Was urged by the synod in 1843 'to retire from the ministry, and abide with his family in peace.'
Nehemiah Bonham, the Lutheran Minister, died November 5, 1846; buried at Morningstar Church, Haywood County, North Carolina."n. C. W. Cassell, W. J. Finck, and Elon O. Henkel (eds), History of the Lutheran Church in Virginia and east Tennessee, Shenandoah Publishing House, Inc., Strasburg, VA, 1930: pgs. 165-6.
"BLAND COUNTY Bland Parish Sharon - The first settlers of the County were largely German, coming either up Walker's Creek, from the New River, or across Walker's Mountain, from Wythe. This was as early as, or before, the Revolution. From these grew the Lutheran congregations of the county. Sharon, the oldest, is one-half mile west of Ceres, on the headwaters of the North Fork of the Holston River. It was a charter member of the Synod of Southwestern Virginia. ... Most likely Paul Henkel and other pioneer Lutheran ministers visited here. George D. Flohr, Nehemiah Bonham and Jacob Scherer rendered pastoral services during regular periods."o. Added information (italics) for descendants of Nehemiah and Rachel Karr Bonham is due to Patricia Christian and Barbara Pauline Bonham. (Patricia Christian and Barbara Pauline Bonham; databases - :353687 & barbarabonham; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2001 & 2004.)
4. Eunice Bonham, born ~1785, died ~1827; married James Finley, born 14 Mar 1781 in Montgomery Co., VA, died Apr 1850 in Pike Co., KY.
4-1. Hezekiah Finley, born 30 Nov 1803 in Wythe Co., VA, died 30 Oct 1885 in Wayne Co., WV; married on 30 Aug 1828 in Pike Co., KY, Elizabeth Helvey, born 19 May 1809 in Giles Co., VA, died 15 Dec 1884 in Wayne Co., WV. They had James W., Jacob, Thomas, Eunice, Virginia A., William M., George W., and Nehemiah Finley.p. According to family tradition, James Finley died of rattlesnake bite in April of 1850. (1. On 18 Aug 1972 Easter (Maynard) Finley, wife of Eldridge Todd Finley, said James died of rattlesnake bite. 2. Rev. Stratton also stated that James Finley II was bitten by a rattlesnake and was buried on the Brushy Fork of John's Creek in Pike County, Kentucky.) This is confirmed by the census mortality schedule. (1850 US Census Mortality Schedule for Pike County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 15, (microfilm roll - T655_13; img. 34).)
4-2. Mary (Polly) Finley, born 4 May 1805 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-3. Sophroniah Finley, born 14 Aug 1807 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-4. Thomas Finley, born 15 Dec 1809 in Wythe Co., VA; married on 17 Nov 1836 in Wythe Co., VA, Rebecca Dunn.
4-5. Elizabeth Finley, born 9 Nov 1811 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-6. James Finley, born 17 Mar 1813 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-7. Robert Finley, born 17 Jan 1818 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-8. Rhoda Finley, born 12 Nov 1819 in Wythe Co., VA, married on 20 Jan 1839, Hiram Stratton, born 1814 in Floyd Co., KY. They had Alexander Washington, James H., Sophia Jane, Margaret, Eunice (Ann), Mary E., Nehemiah T., Sarah A., Richard T., and Hezekiah J. Stratton.
4-9. Sophiah Finley, born 2 Nov 1821 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-10. Nehemiah Finley, born 4 May 1823 in Wythe Co., VA.
4-11. L. Wesley Finley, born 24 Jul 1825 in Wythe Co., VA.q. Mary B. Kegley, Abstracts of Court Orders of Wythe County, Virginia, Kegley Books, Wytheville, VA, 1996: Vol 1, pg. 106.
"14 Sep 1803: 'James Finley and Unis his wife late Bonham (i.e., maiden name, she was not deceased) approved by the oath of Nehemiah Bonham that Unis (sic - Eunice) is the daughter of Hezekiah Bonham of Frederick County, Virginia, and a sister of Robert Bonham, deceased, late of Baltimore'"Third Generation
2-4. Nehemiah Bonham, Jr., born 23 Oct 1806, died 17 Apr 1878; married on 7 Nov 1833 in Wythe Co., VA, Regina Kinser, born 17 Apr 1809, died 4 Jul 1895.
2-4-1. Nancy Bonham, born 1834/1835 in VA.#* "Albert Penilton Bonham (sic - Pendleton), born January 3, 1841, died January 29, 1917. Buried Ballard Church Cemetery." (death notice: Newspaper unk.)
2-4-2. Malinda Bonham, born 1836/1837 in VA.
2-4-3. Arabella C. Bonham, born 1839 in VA.
2-4-4. Margaret G. Bonham born 1841 in VA.
2-4-5. Albert Pendleton Bonham#*, born 3 Jan 1844 in Monroe Co., VA, died 29 Jan 1917 in Summers Co., WV, buried Ballard Church Cem., Monroe Co., WV; married (1) Amanda Jane Shumate, born 8 Sep 1845 in Summers Co., VA, died 24 Oct 1888 in Summers Co., WV, buried Ballard Church Cem., Monroe Co., WV; married (2) Victoria Melissa Gadd##, born 22 Feb 1870 in Mercer Co., WV, died 24 Oct 1936 in Raleigh Co., WV, buried Flat Top Baptist Church Cem., Mercer Co, WV.
2-4-6. Elizabeth Bonham, born 1846/1847 in VA.
2-4-7. George W. Bonham, born Apr/1852 in VA; married Sarah *****.
## "January 27, 1892, A. P. Bonham, widowed, 48 yrs old, born in Monroe County, and Victoria Melissa Gadd, single, 22 years old, born in Mercer County, both residing in Mercer County. Nehemiah and Regina, parents of A. P. Bonham. A. P and Deliah, parents of Victoria, were married by Jas. W. Lilly." (item: Newspaper unk.)r. Ballard Church Cemetery, Monroe County, West Virginia (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=166444&CScn=Ballard&CScntry=4&CSst=52&CScnty=3095&, continuously updated).
s. Flat Top Baptist Church Cemetery, Mercer County, West Virginia (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=166444&CScn=Ballard&CScntry=4&CSst=52&CScnty=3095&, continuously updated).
t. Death Certificate No. 17191, West Virginia State Department of Health, Charleston, WV.
u. The family of Nehemiah Bonham, Jr., can be confirmed from census records. (1850 US Census Population Schedule for Monroe County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 391A-B, (microfilm: roll M432_961; imgs. 388-9); 1860 US Census Population Schedule for Monroe County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 996, (microfilm: roll M653_1363, img. 496), 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Monroe County, West Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 2B, (microfilm: roll M593_1695; img. 1000); 1880 US Census Population Schedule for Monroe County, West Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 348A, (microfilm: roll T9_1409; img. 305); & 1900 US Census Population Schedule for Monroe County, West Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 22B, (microfilm: roll T623_1767; img. 458).)
v. Added information (italics) for descendants of James and Eunice Bonham Finley is due to Kenneth L. Dyer. (Kenneth L. Dyer; database - dyer2000; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2004.)
This extract has been reformatted, numbered, and obvious typographical errors have been corrected, which do not affect content. (unpublished notes)
back to bio.10. Nehemiah Bonham, "Diary", unpublished, original in the North Carolina State Library, Raleigh, NC (microfilm). (cited op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pgs. 133-4.)
Oct. 23, 1828 "I started on my way home to cousin Noah Greers staid (sic - stayed) all night. Arrived home Oct 28 found leg all well only John's ..."
November 1828 "Staid with family in Va, until Nov. 6 ... at cousin John Woodses on (foot?) ... on Wednesday 20th ... William Bonham my cousin. ... Woodses staid all night and Friday 23 and all day at cousin Noah Greers preached there Sunday 25th."Aug. 13, 1832 "home my wife two of my sons two daughters."
Aug, 16 "started staid night with son John on home."
Aug, 19 "started staid son John."Mon. Jul. 26, 1834 "staid with son John Bonham Wythe Co."
Sun. Nov. 1, 1835 "70 years old."
According to Howard E. Bonham the diary is badly damaged and many pages are missing. Nevertheless, William Bonham can be definitively identified as the oldest son of Joseph and Naomi Parke Bonham and, therefore, he was Nehemiah's second cousin. Likewise, Noah Greer (Greear) and John Woods were, respectively, husbands of William's sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. From this it is evident that the extended Bonham family remained in close communication even after they had moved from New Jersey to Virginia.
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
11. William Nelson (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey, Marriage Records 1665-1800), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Press Printing and Pub. Co., Paterson, NJ, 1900: Vol. 22, pg. 643.12. U. S. Bureau of the Census, Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the year 1790: Records of the State Enumerations: 1782-1785, Virginia, U. S. Gov. Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1908: pgs. 27 & 70. (Reprint available from Clearfield Pub. Co., Baltimore, MD, 1998.) (published electronically by the U. S. Bureau of the Census, www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/1790.htm, 2004.)
13. Irville Cemetery, Muskingum County, Ohio (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=41574&CScn=Irville&CScntry=4&CSst=37&, continuously updated).
14. Morning Star Cemetery, Haywood County, North Carolina (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2168691&CScn=Morning+Star&CScntry=4&CSst=29&CScnty=1694&, continuously updated).
15. Samuel Jeremiah Bonham, The Bonham Family, privately published, Niles, OH, 1955: pg. 11.