Father: Hezekiah Bonham, Sr.
Mother: Mary Dunn

Spouse: Catherine Anderson - b: 1690/1691
  d: ~1748
  m: - ~1713 - Burlington Co., NJ

Child-1: Samuel, Jr. - b: ~1725 - NJ
                                  d: ~1757 - NJ or PA
                                 m: Ruth Bowyer or Boyer - 29/May/1747 - Burlington Co., NJ
          2: Ephraim - b: ~1728 - NJ
                              d: ~1781
                             m: Margaret Jarrat or Garrat - 5/Mar/1761 - Philadelphia, PA

Biographical Details:

Samuel Bonham was the only known son of Hezekiah Bonham, Sr., and his first wife Mary Dunn.  He was born February 6, 1692 (1693 N. S.) in Piscataway Township of Middlesex County in East Jersey Province.  He married Catherine Anderson, daughter of Enoch and Catherine Opdyk Anderson (whose surname has been given alternatively in civil records as Andrus and Andrews).  It is commonly believed that they were married at Trenton in Burlington (later Hunterdon) County, New Jersey, in 1713.  Concomitantly, two sons, Samuel, Jr., and Ephraim, have been attributed to them, born about 1714 and 1716, respectively.  Even so, there is no documentary evidence substantiating this chronology.  Indeed, Mr. H. E. Bonham believed that it is more likely that these two sons were born ten to fifteen years later since they, respectively, apparently did not marry until 1747 and 1761.¹  Similarly, he further believed that Samuel and Catherine also probably did not marry until later, perhaps, after 1720.  There is no support for Monnette's claim that Samuel Bonham married a Stout and had a son Jacob.²  Within this context, there is strong evidence that Samuel Bonham was living in Hunterdon County as early as 1722.³  Subsequently, in 1724 he acted as a commisioner for Hunterdon County regarding a petition for a change of the route of a road between Trenton and Maidenhead.⁴  Apparently, Samuel Bonham remained in this locality until at least 1733, when he was identified along with three of his half brothers, viz., Nehemiah, Zedekiah, and Jeremiah, as a debtor to the estate of John Severns of Trenton.⁵

It has been asserted by some researchers that Samuel Bonham owned twenty thousand acres in Burlington County as well as slaves and, as such, was quite wealthy, traveling frequently between England and America.^6,7  Even so, the assertion that Samuel was a large landowner in New Jersey probably derives from misinterpretation of a conveyance of property from Peter Sonman to Samuel Bonham and three others, which was recorded in 1723.  Indeed, a parcel of twenty thousand acres was mentioned; however, it is clear from the context that only a small portion, viz., probably only four hundred acres, was actually involved in the transaction.   Nevertheless, in 1737 there is a record of a warrant issued to Samuel Bonham, identified as "surviving Trustee of the London Company", for a tract of twelve hundred acres in Pennsylvania; however, he cannot be identified definitively as the son of Hezekiah and Mary Dunn Bonham.⁸  Indeed, in London a Samuel Bonham along with several others petitioned Parliament in 1735 to establish a registry for bills of sale of ships to reduce lawsuits and financial losses arising from fraudulent titles and other corrupt practices.  Subsequently, in 1738 Samuel Bonham was identified as one of the owners of the ship "Ann Galley", which on June 13, 1728, had been seized on the high seas by the Spanish as it voyaged from Guinea to Jamaica.  As such, the ship was probably engaged in "three-cornered" trade of slaves, sugar, and finished goods between Europe, Africa, and America.  Accordingly, although not explicitly stated in the record, it was probably carrying slaves when it was captured.  A decade later the owners were still petitioning the King and Parliament for redress of their loss.  In any case, it is almost certain that this Samuel Bonham died in the village of Orsett in 1745 and, therefore, cannot be identified as the son of Hezekiah Bonham, Sr.⁹  Within this context, Captain Samuel Bonham of London was wealthy, was involved in the slave trade, and may, indeed, have traveled frequently between England and America (as well as Africa).  Therefore, it seems plausible that he has been confused with Samuel Bonham of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  It is probable that Samuel Bonham died in New Jersey near the end of the 1730's.  This conclusion is strongly supported by the work of Howard Bonham and his interpretation of the will of Enoch Andress (Anderson) made October 2, 1741.  In the will the testator mentioned his daughter, Catherine, and her two sons, but not her husband, Samuel.^10,11  In contrast, he mentioned other living sons and daughters as well as two other sons-in-law by name, which strongly suggests that Samuel had already died by 1741.  These relationships were further clarified by the terms of a quit-claim deed made in 1772.¹²  Within this context, both of Samuel and Catherine Anderson Bonham's sons were shipwrights.¹³

1. 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: pgs. 91-108.
     "The birth dates of Samuel and Ephraim Bonham are unknown.  If 1714 is correct for Samuel, he was age 33 when he married Ruth Bowyer, 29 May 1747.  Ruth was called 'spinster' in the marriage bond.  [Marriage Bond, Burlington Co., NJ, Lib. B/B, p. 97.]  Ephraim married Margaret Jarrett, 5 Mar 1761.  If he was born in 1716, he would be age 45 at time of marriage.  Not impossible, but doubtful for a first marriage.  [Record of PA Marriages Prior to 1810, Vol. 11, p. 32.]
     It is probable that all of the estimates of the above dates are wrong.  Samuel Bonham, Sr. probably married later than 1713; Samuel, Jr. and Ephraim were probably born later than 1714 & 1716.  We have found no proof of births of Samuel, Jr. and Ephraim, or marriage of Samuel, Sr. and Catherine."
     "Samuel was living in Hunterdon County as early as 1722 as he was mentioned in various records and he served as a Commissioner of the county in 1724.  On 4 Nov 1727 he and James Hide made the inventory of Thomas McClellem of Trenton.  The final record we found of Samuel is 4 Mar 1732/3, when he is listed as a debtor in the estate of John Severns, Trenton, Hunterdon Co., NJ, (also listed were his step-brothers (sic - half brothers), Zedekiah, Jeremiah and Nehemiah Bonham).  He is not mentioned in the will of his father-in-law, Enoch Anderson, which was proved in probate court 8 Oct 1741, although Enoch did mention his other sons-in-law.  This could indicate that Samuel was probably deceased before that date.  We believe that Samuel died between 1732/3 and the making of Enoch Anderson's will in 1741."
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2. Orra Eugene Monnette, First Settlers of ye Plantations of Piscataway and Woodbridge, olde East New Jersey, 1664-1714, a period of fifty years, The Leroy Carman Press, Los Angeles, CA, 1930-35: Part 4, pg. 229.
     "Samuel Bonham, son of Hezekiah Bonham, Senior, b. Feb. 6, 1693, was presented in 'Jersey Genealogy,' (see ante, p. 581).  Samuel Bonham was a creditor in the estate of John Heath of Amwell, Hunterdon Co., along with John Severns, Philip Ringo, et al in the years, 1724-1729, (N. J. Arch., Vol. XXIII, p. 220).  He was a debtor, 1732, to the estate of John Severns of Trenton, Hunterdon Co., together with Zedekiah Bonham, Jeremiah Bonham, and Nehemiah Bonham, his brothers.  Did he m. a Stout and have a son, Jacob Bonham?  Yes, I think so."
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3a. William Nelson (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of New Jersey Wills. Vol. I: 1670-1730), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Press Printing and Pub. Co., Paterson, NJ, 1901: Vol. 23, pg. 43.
     Apr. 21, 1722.  "Blow, William, of Hunterdon Co.  Inventory of the personal estate of, £84.8.11, proclamation money, incl. £48.11.9, due by ol. Wm. Trent, Wm. Yard,  ... Sam. Bonham, ..., Jno. Woodward and Eliakim Anderson: sworn to at Trenton, by Will'm Yard."
     Apr. 26, 1722.  "Account of sales of the personal goods, etc., by Wm. Yard, administrator of the estate."

b. ibid.: Vol. 23, pg. 220.
    Feb. 27, 1724 (1725 N. S.).  "Heath, John, of Amwell, Hunterdon Co.  Mary, widow of, declines acting as administratrix of the estate."
    Feb. --, 1724 (1725 N. S.).  "Samuel Green recommends to Samule Bastill the brother of John Heath as adminstrator."
    Mar. 1, 1724 (1725 N. S.).  "Bond of Andrew Heath as administrator of the estate.  John Robins fellow bondsman, both of Hunterdon Co., yeomen."
    Oct. 19, 1725.  "Inventory of personal estate, £116.14; made by Samuel Green and Andrew Smith."
    Jan. 28, 1728 (1729 N. S.).  "Account of the estate by Mary Hunt, the administratrix, and her husband Thomas Hunt, who have spent £95.10.1½ more than the appraised value, by paying debts due to James Tucker, Thomas Leonard, ... Sam'l Bonham, ..., Peneleope Iswell and John Wills."

c. ibid.: Vol. 23, pg. 313.
     Nov. 4, 1727.  "McClellen, McChallen, Thomas, of Trenton; will of.  Leaves personal estate to John Anderson, John McDowell, both made executors, Robert Magar, widow Michel and the Meeting house.  Witnesses---John Brown and Elizabeth Michel.  Proved December 8, 1727."
     Dec. 8, 1727.  "Inventory of personal estate, £19.18.2, made by James Hide and Sam'l Bonham."
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4. "We the under written commissioners for layout and altering roads for the two countys Hunterdon and Burlington be applied to pursuant an act of assenbly of the province by Enoch Anderson of Trenton.  He presents to us that a certain road beginning at the mill bridge in Trenton and running through his land by the creek called Assunpink is much discommodious and predjudical to him which upon due examination we find to be true.  The which road was formerly laid out to the Division line of the Province through such imposible and difficult ways as renders the same unconvenient to the town of Maidenhead to markite (sic - market) of which they make to us a generall complaint desiring therefore that the said road may be maid null and void.  We the twelve commissioners upon due consideration to unanimous agree order and detarmine, by ye virtue of ye powers by ye law of this province commited to us and by ye authority of the same do from henceforth make null and utterly void the said road laid out for a four rod road from the aforesaid bridge to ye division line of ye Province by ye several courses whare it formily passed & in stid (sic - instead) thereof to begin at ye mill bridge and from thence to run a four rod road, where ye dwelling houses in said street will admit of and from thence to run by ye frunt of Alburtes Ringo's lott from thence between Joseph Higby & John Lewis in a direct line until it falls in Maidenhead Road which leed unto ye Division Line ware it meets by Henry Mershon's plantation.  In witness whereof  we ye said commissioners have heare unto sett our hands this twentieth day of May in ye tenth year of his Maj'st reign   Annodomini...........1724
     Signing for Hunterdon:  James (his mark) Price   Joseph Stout   David Stout   John Biles   Thomas Reed  Samuel Bonham
     Signing for Burlington:  Abraham Brown   Isaac Watson  Edward Barton   Sam'll Wilson   Thomas Wright  Joseph Overton
     Abner Phillips  Clk"  (Minutes of Town Meeting, 1716-1928, Lawrence Twp., Mercer Co., NJ, New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, NJ, (microfilm: roll control #MLACL001).  (reprinted in Volume I of the Minutes of Lawrence (Maidenhead) Township, Pub. by Lawrence Historic and Aesthetic Commision, Spruce Printing Co., Inc., Trenton, NJ, 1976: pgs. 37-8.)  (cited ibid.: pgs. 94-5.))
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5a. Abraham Van Doren Honeyman (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Adminstrations, Etc. Vol. II: 1730-1750), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Unionist-Gazette Assoc., Printers, Somerville, NJ, 1913: Vol. 30, pgs. 424-7.
     May 29, 1732.  "Severns, John, of Trenton, Hunterdon Co., will of.  Wife, Frances, use of new house and lot in Trenton, adjoining Samuel Johnson.  Son, Benjamin.  Son, Theophilus, said house in Trenton after mother's decease.  Daughter, Margaret Seanders.  Testator's dwelling and lot, and a fifty acre lot near the town, bought of Staniland, to be sold.  Executors---wife and friends Alexander Lockhat and James Neilson, both of Trenton.  Witnesses---Robert Tindall, William Pierson, Jonathan Davis.  Proved July 10, 1732."
     Mar. 4, 1732 (1733 N. S.).  "Inventory of estate. 'as appears by a list of debts as they now stand upon his book,' viz.: Johanners Anderson (Enoch's son), Joshus Anderson, Jr., ..., Samuel Bonham, ..., Zedekiah Bonham, ..., Jeremiah Bonham, Nehemiah Bonham, ...., Thomas Runian (sic - Runyon) ..., John Yard (Wm's son), John Yard (old)."

b. ibid.: Vol. 30, pg. 488.
     Dec. 1, 1730.  "Trent, Maurice, of Trenton, Hunterdon Co.; will of.  Brother, William Trent, lot between Joseph Reed and Joseph Green, containing about ½ acre.  Friend, Thomas Palmer, for valuable services, lot in Trenton, bounded east by Benjamin Smith, containing ½ of an acre.  Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Palmer.  Brother, James Trent and Thomas Palmer, executors.  Witnesses---John Ferguson and Jeremiah Foster."
     Apr. --, 1731.  "Inventory (£56.19) includes silver hilted sword, £1.10; pair of gold buttons, £1.10; silver watch and chain, , £4.  Made by James Neilson and John Dagworthy."
     (Undated).  "List of names with amounts, filed, evidently portion of executor's account:  William Huff, John Severns. ...  Sam'l Bonham., ..., Dan'l Carmack, Thos. Hendry."
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6. op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pg. 94.
     Sep. 26-27, 1723.  "A Conveyance in Fee from Peter Sonmans to the said Haddon, Samuel Bonham, Samuel Turner, and John Midford, of Two Ninetieth Parts of Ninety equal Hundreth Parts of a Tract of Land on the Western Division of New Jersey, called Arent Sonman's Manour, in the County of Burlington, containing Twenty Thousand Acres, with the Allowance for Roads; and all other Tracts belonging to the said Proprietaries in West New-Jersey, not then taken up ... [Abstract of an Act of Parliament, passed in the Twenty-third Year of the Reign of his present Majesty ...]"
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7. "Samuel Bonham owned 20,000 acres in Burlington County.  He owned slaves.  He did a lot of traveling between London and America.  It is believed his first son, Samuel, was born in London.  According to JERSEY GENEALOGY, Newark Evening News, March 25, 1916, Samuel Bonham may have gone back to London to live, but it is quite likely his sons returned to America.  Also in the JERSEY GENEALOGY, Newark Evening News, January 29, 1916, Samuel's birth date is given as 6 Feb 1693."  (Barbara Pauline Bonham; database - barbarabonham; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2004.)
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8. William Henry Egle, M. D. (ed), Pennsylvania Archives - Third Series, Clarence M. Busch, State Printer, Harrisburg, PA, 1894: Vol. 1, pg. 89.
     From Minute Book K, Philadelphia, "1st 6mo : 1737 (sic - Aug. 1, 1737) ... Attended at the Proprietarys the 5th 5mo 1737 (sic - Jul. 5, 1737), himself Present. ...  Signed the following Warrants (viz): ...
     To Sam'l Bonham surviving Trustee of the London Company 1200 (acres) in Right of Joseph Peckover the first Grantee 17th 3: (sic - May 17, 1737)"
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9a. "Orsett House   Built in 1740 by Captain Samuel Bonham who made his fortune from slave trading.  His tomb, a tall square box with an obelisk on top, is in the village churchyard. ... The house became a boys boarding school, and more recently was converted into private apartments."  The village of Orsett lies due east of London about twenty miles.  (Anonymous,"Orsett House", web.ukonline.co.uk/orsett/orsetthouse.html, 2005.)

b. "Capt. Samuel Bonham, of Orsett House  d. 28 Feb. 1745  m. 9 Feb. 1713"  (William Addams Reitwiesner,"The Ancestry of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall", www.wargs.com/royal/camilla.html, 2005.)
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10. "In the Name of God Amen, the second day of October, One thousand seven hundred and forty one.  I, Enoch Andress (sic - Anderson) of Trentowne in the county of Hunterdon in the province of West Jersey, being sick in body tho strong(?) in my soul thanks be to God for (the same ...?) calling to (mind ...?) the accordingly of my life knowing that is appointed for all men but once to die.
     I make this my last will and testament that is to say First, I recommend my soul to God that gave it to me.  And my Body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors (which at the ...?) Reformation I shall receive the Same Again by the Mighty Power of God.  And for such worldly estate as God has been pleased to bless me in this LifeI give and dispose of in the I give (sic - form) and following manner, that is to real and personal estate.
     first, I give unto my son John five shillings (?)
     And to my son Enock I give my house and lot wherein I live which I bought of Peter Bard and the West End of the Second (?) lot on the West side of York Road.
     And to my son Eliakim I give two hundred acres of Land lying over Sanpink which he is now in possession of he paing yearly to me while I live the sum of fourteen pounds And after my decease the sum of seven pounds until the land is paide for or to pay one hundred pounds as soon as he can
     And to my son Jeremiah I give two hundred acres that he is now in possession of he paying me yearly the sum of fourteen pounds and after my decease to have it cleare
     And to my son Joshua I give six acres of land lying on the east side of York Road where the brew house is now standing And two hundred acres of land lying in the tract that I bought of Doctor Kidwalder he paying to me (the) sum of fourteen pounds and after my decease to have it clear
     And the overplus of Six Hundred acres I leave to my son-in-law Benj. Stevens to dispose of for a certain debt that he is bound to Francis Boose for me And when that is paid to return the remainder to the estate
     And the remaining part of my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my son Enoch And my daughter Caturn portion to Be Equally Divided Between her two sons And to my daughter Sarah and to my daughter Rachel.
     And as for my daughter Elizabeth and my daughter Mary I leave them to the discretion of my executors Which is as followth,
     My son Enoch my son Joshua my son-in-law Benj. Stevens, and my son-in-law Ralph Smith, all executors of this my last Will and Testament
     And by this I disannul all former Wills and Testament whatsoever I have heretofore set my hand and Seal unto dated this second Day of October
     And in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and forty one.    /s/Enoch Andreson Sr
     Signed in the Presents of /s/John Bainbridge  /s/William Philips  /s/Joseph Philips"

     "Enoch Andrews, Joshua Andrews & Benjamin Stevens, three of the Executors in the above written Testament named, being duly sworn did depose that the above written Instrunt. contains the true last Will & Testam't of Enoch Andrus the testator therein named so far as they know & as they verily believed that they with (sic - will) well & truly perform the same by paying first the Debts of the Dec'd & then the Legacies in the within Will specified so far forth as the goods Rights & credits of the said dece'd can thereunto extend & make & exhibit a true & perfect Inventory & render a just account when thereunto lawfully required.  Sworn at Burlington the Eighth Day of October A. D. 1741 before me Joseph Ross (?)"  (Will Bk. 4, Burlington Co., NJ, pg. 323.  (cited op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pgs. 96-7.))
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11. op. cit. (A. Honeyman): Vol. 30,  pg. 21.
     Oct. 2, 1741.  "Andrus, Enoch, of Trentowne, Hunterdon Co.; will of.  Son, John; son, Enoch, house and lot bought of Peter Bard on west side of York road; son, Eliakim, 200 acres over Sanpink, which Eliakim was in possession of.  Son, Jeremiah, 200 acres of land he was possessed of.  Son, Joshua, 6 acres on east side of York Road, 'where the brew house is now standing,' and 200 acres in a tract testator bought of Dr. Kidwalader (Cadwalader).  Overplus of 600 acres to son-in-law Benjamin Stevens to dispose of for a debt said Stevens owed to Francis Boose for the testator.  Residue of estate to son Enoch and daughters, Caturn, Sarah and Rachel.  Portions of daughters Elizabeth and Mary to discretion of executors.  Executors---sons Enock and Joshua, and sons-in-law Benjamin Stevens and Ralph Smith.  Witnesses---John Bainbridge, William Philips and Joseph Philips.  Proved October 8, 1741."
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12. op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pgs. 99-101.
     Jan. 15, 1772.  Quit-claim deed from Sarah Stevens (daughter of Enoch Anderson and widow of Benjamin Stevens) and Catherine Edwards (daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Stevens) to John Rickey regarding property from the estate of Enoch Andrus conveyed to his heirs, viz., son, Enoch; daughter, Catherine and her two sons; and daughter Rachel.  These parties, viz., "the said Enoch, Catherine and Rachel, the aforesaid children of the aforesaid Enoch Andrus, deceased, together with Ralph Smith, the husband of the aforesaid Rachel and Ephraim Bonham, one of the sons of the aforesaid Catherine, who survived his brother, by the names of Enoch Anderson of Trenton, in the county of Hunterdon, in the province of New Jersey, Merchant.  Ralph Smith of Maidenhead in the county of Hunterdon, aforesaid, yeoman, and Rachel his wife, late Rachel Anderson, Catherine Bonham of Trenton aforesaid, late Catherine Anderson and Ephraim Bonham son of the said Catherine Bonham of the City of Philadelphia in the province of Pennsylvania, Shipwright", had previously, on December 28, 1743, made a deed conveying this property to Benjamin and Sarah Stevens.
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13.  This information has been extracted from the works of E. B. Hazie and H. E. Bonham, has been augmented by additional sources and appears as follows (additional information in italics):

Second Generation

1. Samuel Bonham, Jr., according to existing civil records, probably died between 16 May 1757 and the remarriage of his widow to Jeremiah Baker on 9 Aug 1758; married on 29 May 1747 in Burlington Co., NJ, Ruth Boyer or Bowyer, born 1727/1728, died ~Apr 1806 since her will was proven 3 May 1806.

1-1. Catherine Bonham, born ~1749, died 1750, buried in Christ Church graveyard in Philadelphia 2 Jan 1750 (1751 N. S.).

*Hazie attributed four additional children to Samuel, Jr. and Ruth Bowyer Bonham, viz., Samuel, III; Peter; Benjamin; and Elam.  Of these, Peter was almost certainly the son of Amariah Bonham and, although various civil records attest to the existence of the others, there is no substantial evidence of their parentage.  Even so, it is probable, even likely, that at least some of them are descended from Nicholas Bonham.  Nevertheless, Howard Bonham concluded that Samuel and Ruth Bonham had no children with the possible exception of Catherine, who died as a young child.

a. "KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that we Sam'l Bonham of the City of Burlington, Shipwright, and Richard Fordham, both of the same place, Shipwrights, so hold firmly do stand bound unto the Honorable John Hamilton, Esq., President of the Majesty's Council & Commander-in-Chief of the Majesty's Council & Commader-in-Chief of the Province of New Jersey in the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful Proclamation Money to be paid to the said John Hamilton, Esq., or to his Survivors(?) or to his Assigns.  To the which payment whole and inity to be made we do bind ourselves, our heirs, our Executors & Admin'd.  and (...?) of the both, jointly and Personally, firmly by these presents.  Sealed in this our Seals & Dated this twenty-ninth day of May Anno Domini on thousand seven hundred and forty-seven.
     Condition of this obligation is such that whomsoas the said bound Samuel Bonham hath obtained License of Marriage for himself on the one part and for Ruth Bowyer of the City of Philadephia in the Province of Careasa (sic - Caesarea, but probably should have read Pennsylvania), spinster of the other part.  Now if it shall not after appear that they the said Samuel Bonham and Ruth Bowyer has so any Lawful lot or imposition (...?) to hinder their being joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and afterwards living together as man & wife then this above Obligation to be void otherwise to be and remain in full forever.
     Signed & Delivered in the presence of: Samuel Bonham and Richard Fordman (sic - Fordham)"  (Marriage Bond, Lib. B/B, Burlington Co., NJ, pg. 77.  (cited op. cit. (H. E. Bonham): pg. 102.))

2. Ephraim Bonham, married on 5 Mar 1761 in Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA, Margaret Jarrat or Garrat.  No children have been attributed to them either by Hazie or H. E. Bonham.  (Even so, it would seem likely that they had children and may still have living descendants.)  Subsequent civil records indicate that Ephraim was a shipwright resident in the city of Philadelphia at the time of the American Revolution.  Within this context, it is probable that he was the Ephraim Bonham who was appointed a Sub-Lieutenant for the city of Philadelphia in June of 1777, and whose name appeared frequently in civil and militia records compiled in the Pennsylvania Archives.  However, tax lists for the city of Philadelphia taken in 1780 and 1781 included assessments for "Ephraim Bonham's estate", which suggests that he, perhaps, died in 1780 (although he would seem to have still been living in May of that year).  Concomitantly, it is known that his uncle Ephraim survived until 1785.

b. John Blair Linn and William Henry Egle (eds), Pennsylvania Archives - Second Series (alt. title Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790 ), B. F. Meyers, State Printer, Harrisburg, PA, 1876: Vol. 2, pg. 111.

c. John Blair Linn and William Henry Egle (eds), Pennsylvania Archives - Second Series (alt. title Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810, Vol. I), Clarence M. Busch, State Printer, Harrisburg, PA, 1895: Vol. 2, pg. 32.

d. Abraham Van Doren Honeyman (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Adminstrations, Etc. Vol. IV: 1761-1770), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Unionist-Gazette Assoc., Printers, Somerville, NJ, 1928: Vol. 33, pg. 408.
     May 11, 1763.  "Stevens, Benjamin, of Maidenhead, Hunderdon Co., will of.  Son, Richard, 5 shillings.  Daughter, Catherine Stevens, land in Trenton, where John Reckey now lives; and she is to pay £100 to her sister, Elizabeth Stevens.  Daughter, Martha Stevens, land that joins Ralph Smith, Ephriam Bonam [Bonham] and William Morris.  Daughter, Sarah Stevens, £20 and wench, Febe.  Daughter, Anney, the lot that John Yard now has possession of.  Son, John, the land left to me by my brother, John Stevens, deceased, and he is to pay to the Elders of Cranbury, £100.  Son, Benjamin, the plantation where I live, but my wife, Sarah, is to have 1/3 the profits of said place.  Executors---wife, Sarah, and my son, Benjamin.  Witnesses---Ralph Smith, Benjamin Van Cleave, Thomas Stevens.  Proved June 6, 1768."
     June 8, 1763.  "Inventory, £1,025.14.1, made by John Anderson and John Vancleave."  In this history of the Bonham family, Howard Bonham identified Ephraim Bonham mentioned here as the son of Hezekiah Bonham, Sr.  However, Ephraim Bonham, son of Samuel Bonham, grandson of Hezekiah, Sr., was one of the heirs of Enoch Anderson as were his uncles, Benjamin Stevens and Ralph Smith.  Therefore, it is more likely that he was the individual mentioned in the will, not his paternal uncle.

e. Samuel Hazard, Pennsylvania Archives - First Series, Joseph Severns & Co., Philadephia, PA, 1895: Vol. 5, pgs. 355-6.
     "RESOLUTIONS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1777.  In General Assembly for the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania.  Friday, June 6th, 1777.
     George Henry, the Lieutenant of the city of Philadelphia, having moved a considerable distance therefrom, and thereupon resigned his said office.  William Henry, Esquire, was unanimously appointed Lieutenant of said City.
     On Motion.  Resolved, That Ephraim Bonham be, and he is hereby appointed one of the Sub Lieutenants of the said City of Philadelphia. ... JOHN MORRIS, Jr.  Cl^k Gen^l Ass^y."

f. William Henry Egle, M. D. (ed), Pennsylvania Archives - Third Series (alt. title Provincial Papers: Supply, and State Tax Lists of the City and County of Philadelphia), William Stanley Ray, State Printer, Harrisburg, PA, 1897: Vol. 15, pgs. 247 & 623.

g. Thomas Lynch Montgomery (ed), Pennsylvania Archives - Sixth Series, Harrisburg Pub. Co., Harrisburg, PA, 1907: Vol. 11, pg. 350.
     "This Indenture made the twenty seventh Day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty, between James Claypoole Esquire High Sheriff of the City and County of Philadelphia, of the one Part, and Benjamin Paschall, William Adcock and William Heysham Esquires Assistant Judges and Philip Boehm, Ephraim Bonham, and Samuel McLeane Esquires, Casper Weest, William Tharp, Thomas Shields, Edward Oxley, William Richards, Edward Pole, and John Barnhill, Gentlemen, Inspectors, Freeholders of the said City of the other part, Witnesseth, that in pursuance of a writ Issued under the Hand and Seal of the Honorable John Bayard Speaker of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; on the twenty Seventh Day of May at Philadelphia aforesaid James Hutchinson Esq'r was duly Elected a Member, (of the House of Representatives,) for the City of Philadelphia aforesaid in the Room and stead of the Honorable George Bryan Esquire.  In Witness whereof the said Parties to these presents have hereunto set their Hands and Seals the Day and year above written..
     JAMES CLAYPOOLE Sheriff [Seal]   WILL ADCOCK [Seal]   WM. HEYSHAM [Seal]   BENJAMIN PASCHALL [Seal]   PHILIP BOEHM [Seal]   EPHRIAM BONHAM [Seal]   SAMUEL McLANE [Seal]   CASPHER WURT [Seal]   WM. SHARP [Seal]   THOS. SHIELDS [Seal]   EDW'D OXLY [Seal]   WILLIAM RICHARDS [Seal]   EDWARD POLE [Seal]   JOHN BARNHILL [Seal]"  This was a formal certification of the election of James Hutchinson to the Pennsylvania Legislature.

h. Thomas Lynch Montgomery (ed), Pennsylvania Archives - Sixth Series, Harrisburg Pub. Co., Harrisburg, PA, 1906: Vol. 1, pass.

This extract has been reformatted, numbered, and obvious typographical errors have been corrected, which do not affect content.  (unpublished notes)
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Additional Citations:

14. The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 21, No. 2, pg. 45, 1946.

15. Journal of the House of Commons, 1735 Session, Vol. 22, pg. 643.  (reprinted 1803)  (BOPCRIS (British Official Publications Collaborative Reader Information Service),"18th Century British Parliamentary Papers", www.bopcris.ac.uk/bop1700/ref14506.html, 2005.)

16. Richard Chandler (comp), The History and Proceedings of the House of Commons, Vol. X, 1737-1739, London, UK, 1742: pgs. 96-159.  (Available electronically at www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp)

17. 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, pgs. 28 & 53.

18. Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1973: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, military records, directory index, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1973: pgs. 25-6.  (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.)

19. Olive Barrick Rowland, Genealogical Notes of the Sutton and Rittenhouse Families of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Garrett & Massie, Pub., Richmond, VA, 1935: pg. 113.

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