Father: Joseph Bonham
Mother: Naomi Parke

Spouse: Elizabeth (Betsy) Williams
  m: 12/Dec/1794 - Wythe Co., VA

Child-1: Joseph
          2: Hannah - b: 25/Oct/1799 - Wythe Co., VA
                            d: 25/Feb/1866 - Grayson Co., VA
                           m: William Hash - 14/Sep/1817 - Grayson Co., VA
          3: Mary (Polly) - b: 1800 - VA
                                    d: 10/Nov/1865 - Grayson Co., VA
                                   m: James or Joseph Anderson - 1830 - Grayson Co., VA
          4: Anna
          5: Sarah - b: 1806 - Grayson Co., VA
                          d: Jan/1887 - Grayson Co., VA - bur: Grubb Cem.
                         m: David Haga - 1840 - Grayson Co., VA
          6: Naomi - b: ~1807 - VA
                          m: William Richardson - 16/Sep/1824 - Grayson Co., VA
          7: Eliza - b: ~1810 - VA
                       m: Stephen Anderson - 1840 - Grayson Co., VA
          8: Jane - b: 29/Jan/1811 - Grayson Co., VA
                        d: 1860 - Grayson Co., VA - bur: Pine Branch Cem.
                       m: William (Blind Billy) Hash - 18/Oct/1833 - Grayson Co., VA
          9: Margaret - b: ~1814 - Grayson Co., VA
                              m: William Farmer

Biographical Details

In the population schedule of the 1850 US Census for Grayson County, Virginia, William Bonham stated that he was eighty-two years of age and born in Virginia.  Accordingly, this implies that he was was born in 1768 or, perhaps, 1767.  His parents were Joseph and Naomi Parke Bonham and he was probably born in Loudoun County, but this is not definitively proven.  Indeed, it has been commonly asserted by various researchers that William was born in Wythe County.  However, this cannot have been the case because at the time of his birth the entire region of Appalachian Virginia (including western land claims extending into the Ohio valley) was included within the territory of Augusta County.  The southern portion of this huge area was reorganized as Botetourt County in 1769, which was further subdivided to form Fincastle County in 1772.  Four years later in 1776, Fincastle County was partitioned into three counties, viz., Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky (later the state), and extinguished.  Wythe county was formed by partition of Montgomery County in 1789.  As evolution of civil jurisdiction illustrates, it is clear that prior to the Revolutionary War there were very few permanent settlers within the territory of Wythe County.  Therefore, it is almost certain that William Bonham came to southwestern Virginia as a child or adolescent with his parents and, perhaps, grandparents, as well as with other members of his extended family.¹  Alternatively, it has also been asserted by some researchers that he was born in Pennyslvania or New Jersey; however, there is no credible documentary evidence in support such a presumption.

William Bonham and Elizabeth (Betsy) Williams were married in Wythe County, Virginia, on December 12, 1794.  Within this context, civil records of Wythe County reveal that on April 13, 1796, William Bonham bought one hundred and fifty acres from John and Margaret Kerr (Carr) located on "waters of Cripple Creek" for five hundred dollars.²  Geographically, Cripple Creek rises on the southeastern slopes of Glade Mountain in present Smyth County (which was formed from eastern Washington County and western Wythe County in 1832) and flows eastward about twenty-five miles, emptying into the New River between the present villages of Austinville and Ivanhoe.  Four years later on August 13, 1800, William and his father-in-law, Joseph Williams, were jointly issued two land grants for a total of fifty-three acres in Wythe County.³  These two parcels were described as being on the South Fork of the Holston River and, hence, were probably located in the Rye Valley, just west of the present village of Sugar Grove, now in Smyth County.  Indeed, it is believed that the extended Bonham family settled in precisely this area few years after the Revolutionary War.  Moreover, it is probable that the one hundred and fifty acres William purchased in 1796 was located a few miles east near the headwaters of Cripple Creek.  Accordingly, civil records cited by Ms. Trula Purkey in her history of the Bonham family, indicate that William paid tax on one hundred and fifty acres of land in Wythe County between the years of 1797 and 1804.  In addition, he also served as constable.⁴  Even so, it seems that William and Betsy Bonham moved a few miles southward into the valley of Fox Creek in Grayson County in the spring or early summer of 1806.  This presumption is supported by a deed made on March 25th of that year, which conveyed one hundred and seven acres on Fox Creek to William Bonham of Wythe County from Isaiah Jones and his wife, Sally, of Grayson County in exchange for the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds.  (Use of English monetary units continued in Virginia civil records for some years after the Revolution.)  Concomitantly, the following August 27th, William and three others were ordered by the county court to survey a wagon road from the mouth of Fox Creek to the Virginia-North Carolina boundary, which implies that by that time he was resident in Grayson County.⁵  Subsequently, he was issued two land grants, one on May 31, 1808, for fifty acres on Fox Creek and one on May 13, 1812, for one hundred acres on Guffey Creek.⁶  Concomitantly, William Bonham was assessed tax in Grayson County on one tithable and three horses on March 27, 1810.  Civil records further attest that in April of 1812 he witnessed a deed given by Andrew Paulsson to George Harper and, moreover, that he served on grand and petit juries as many as six times between 1811 and 1822.⁷  These juries heard a variety of criminal cases, typically charges of assault.  Therefore, it would seem evident that William was a prominent citizen of Grayson County.  Indeed, tax records of 1814 reveal that he owned a substantial farm of two hundred and seven acres on Fox Creek as well as an additional fifty acres lying close by.  (Clearly, the first parcel corresponds to his original purchase from Isaiah Jones combined with the grant of 1812 and the second tract corresponds to the grant of 1808 previously cited.)  William was, again, assessed personal property tax in the years 1813 and 1817, viz., one tithable and four horses and two tithables and five horses, respectively.  (The second tithable in 1817 almost certainly was William's son, Joseph, who would have been about nineteen years old at that time.)  Accordingly, the household of William Bonham was listed in the population schedule of the 1820 US Census for Grayson County and included an adult male and female both forty-five years of age or older.  Obviously, these individuals correspond to William and Betsy Bonham themselves.  In addition, there were two additional females and one male all between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, which can, thus, be identified as unmarried adolescent children, viz., Joseph, Mary, and Anna.  (Their oldest daughter, Hannah, had married William Hash in 1817 and, as such, would almost certainly not have been living in her parents' household.)  There were remaining in the household, five young females, two between ten and sixteen, and three under ten years of age, who were obviously the five youngest daughters of William and Betsy Bonham, viz., Sarah, Naomi, Eliza, Jane, and Margaret.

Apparently, William and Elizabeth Bonham retained ownership of their properties in Wythe County when they moved with their family to Grayson County since it was not until August 14, 1820, that they sold their one hundred and fifty acres on Cripple Creek to John A. Sanders.  Likewise, on September 30, 1826, they sold sixty-eight acres on the South Fork of the Holston River to Ezekial James.  Concomitantly, William Bonham was assessed personal property tax in Grayson County in the years 1824 and 1828 on one tithable and seven and five horses, respectively.  Subsequently, the household of William Bonham was listed in the population schedule of the 1830 US Census for Grayson County and clearly included William himself, i.e., an older male between sixty and seventy years of age, and his wife, Elizabeth, i.e., an older female between fifty and sixty, as well as five other individuals, viz., two females between the ages of twenty and thirty, two females between fifteen and twenty, and one male between five and ten years of age.  The four females can be identified with some confidence as unmarried daughters, viz., Sarah, Eliza, Jane, and Margaret; however, the identity of the male child remains unknown.  It would seem probable that this child must have been a close relative, but from the ages of William and Betsy Bonham it seems unlikely that he could have been a son who did not survive to adulthood and is otherwise unknown.  William Bonham was granted an additional one hundred and fifty acres located in the drainage of Big Fox Creek in Grayson County on June 25, 1835.⁸  Moreover, according to the work of Ms. Purkey, he paid tax on three hundred and fifty-seven acres in 1838.  Accordingly, the household of William Bonham appeared in the population schedule of the 1840 US Census for Grayson County and consisted of five individuals, viz., an elderly male between seventy and eighty years of age, an elderly female between sixty and seventy, an adult female between thirty and forty, a young male between fifteen and twenty years, and a small female child between five and ten.  Of course, the elderly couple can be identified as William and Betsy Bonham, but the other individuals remain unidentified.

William Bonham made his will on April 7, 1850; however, it was not proved until 1853.⁹  Accordingly, an inventory of his estate was made on June 6, 1853.¹⁰  From this chronology it seems probable that William Bonham died sometime in the spring of that same year.  He was buried in the Old Bonham Cemetery in Grayson County.

1. Robert Glenn Thurtle and Lillian S. King (eds), Pedigrees of Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, pub. by Edwards Bros., Ann Arbor, MI, for The Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, Lancaster, MA, 1976: pg. 617.
     "The widow of Moses Bonham, Rebecca Park Bonham, came with five sons and daughters to the Rye Valley.  In 1815, William Bonham owned one farm on Fox Creek, joining the lands of Jonathan Anderson, 207 acres, having thereon one dwelling house of logs (20'x18'), one kitchen, stable, valued at $450.  There was also another tract on  Fox Creek, joining the lands of P. Gains, 50 acres, no improvements, valued at $15."
     "William Bonham b. ca 1768 d. ca 1853 came to the Grayson Co area with his parents, Joseph and Naomi Parks Bonham."
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2. 13 day of April 1796 between John Kerr and Margaret his wife of the county of Wythe and state of Virginia of the one part and William Bonham of the same county and state ..., in consideration of five hundred dollars to him the said John Kerr and Margaret his wife ... being part of the track John Kerr now lives on lying on the waters of Cripple Creek containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less  (Deed Bk. 1, Wythe Co., VA, unpg., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #1).  (cited in Trula Fay Parks Purkey, Genealogy of William Bonham, Pioneer Settler of Grayson County, Virginia, 731 Rockbridge Rd., Trout Dale, VA, 1984: pg. 45.))
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3a. James Monroe Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these presents shall Come Greeting: Know Ye, That by virtue of a Land Office Treasury warrant Number nine thousand eight hundred and eight issued the eleventh of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, There is Granted by the said Commonwealth unto Joseph Williams and William Bonham assignees of John Vaught, A Certain tract or parcel of land Containing thirty acres by Survey bearing date the first day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven lying and being in the County of Wythe (formerly Montgomery) on the South fork of Holstiens river, and bounded as followeth to wit; beginning at a white oak corner to an old Survey thence North sixty nine degrees west twenty poles crossing the Creek to a black and white oaks, North seventy five degrees East two hundred and forty poles with Vaughts line to a hickory South six degrees west thirty poles to a spanish and white oaks on the point of a hill, in the old patent line and with the same South Seventy nine degrees West two hundred and ten poles crossing the Creek to the beginning with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said Joseph Williams and William Bonham and their heirs forever.  In Witness whereof the said James Monroe Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the Thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and of the commonwealth the twenty fifth  /s/ James Monroe  (Land Office Grants, Bk. 46, pgs. 148-9, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #112).)

b. James Monroe Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these presents shall Come Greeting: Know Ye, That by virtue of a Land Office Treasury warrant Number nine thousand eight hundred and eight issued the eleventh of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, There is Granted by the said Commonwealth unto Joseph Williams and William Bonham assignees of John Vaught, A Certain tract or parcel of land Containing twenty three acres by Survey bearing date the first day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven lying and being in the County of Wythe (formerly Montgomery) on the South fork of Holstien River, joining his own land and Peter Razors and bounded as followeth to wit; beginning at a burch and white oak, thence North Seventy seven degrees East ninety poles to a large spanish and white oaks, North forty degrees East East eighty eight poles to two chesnuts on a hill side, North sixty six degress East twenty two poles, to a chesnut and chesnut oak sapling, South six degrees East thirty eight poles to two spanish oaks corner to Razors land, and with a line thereof, South thirty five degrees East twenty eight poles to two black oaks, and a white oak, in the said Vaughts line and with the same, South Seventy three degrees West one hundred and eighty poles, thence North fifty five degrees west sixteen poles to the beginning with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said Joseph Williams and William Bonham and their heirs forever.  In Witness whereof the said James Monroe Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the Thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and of the commonwealth the twenty fifth  /s/ James Monroe  (Land Office Grants, Bk. 46, pgs. 149-50, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #112).)
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4.  Know all men by these presents that we, William Bonham, Jenkins Williams, and Samuel Williams are held and firmly bound unto John Page esquire, Governor of this Commonwealth for the time being and his successors; in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for which payment we bind ourselves our heirs, and firmly by these presants sealed and dated this 14th day of Sept 1803.
     The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound Wm Bonham at a court held for the County of Wythe the 15th of June 1803 was appointed Constable in Capt. Williams Company.  Now if the said Wm Bonham shall well and truly discharge the duties of Constable in the County aforesaid then this obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue. /s/William Bonham (seal)  /s/Jenkins Williams (seal)  /s/Samuel Williams (seal)
     Wythe County Court 1803  This bond was entered into and acknowledged in court and ordered to be recorded Teste: Fleming Trigg, CC  (Order Bk., 1801-1805, Wythe Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #19).  (cited op. cit. (Purkey): pg. 46.)
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5. Grayson County Court, August 27, 1806, "Ordered that Richard Davis, William Bonham, Joseph Young and William Howell be appointed to view the nearest and best way for a wagon road from the mouth of Fox Creek to the North Carolina line, and make report thereof to court."  (Order Bk., 1806-1811, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #13).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/va/grayroad.htm, 2004.))
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6a. William H. Cabell Esquire Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these presents shall Come Greeting: Know Ye That by virtue of a Land Office Treasury warrant N^o 4335 issued the 24^th day of March 1780 there is granted by the said commonwealth unto William Bonham assignee of Isaiah Jones a certain tract or parcel of land containing fifty acres, by survey bearing date the second of Jany one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight lying and being in the County of Grayson, on waters of Fox creek, and bounded as followeth to wit; Beginning at a mountain birch in the bank of a branch thence south fifty degrees west twenty four poles to a ... gum Sapling on a ridge by a path thence north eighty degrees west to a maple in the head of a branch south thirty six degrees west eighty six poles crossing sd branch to a spanish oak near sd branch south sixty six degrees west forty six poles to a stake south fifty degrees west to a chesnut on the side of a hill ... [illegible] ... thence north sixty one poles to the beginning with its appurtenances; To Have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said William Bonham and his heirs forever.  In Witness whereof the said William H. Cabell esquire governor of the commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the thirty first day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight and of the commonwealth the thirty second  /s/ W^m H. Cabell  (Land Office Grants, Bk. 56, pgs. 376-7, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #122).)

b. James Barbour, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: To all whom these presents shall Come Greeting: Know Ye, That by virtue of a Land Office Treasury warrant N^o 2915, issued the 15^th of April 1800; there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto William Bonham, a certain Tract or parcel of land, containing one hundred acres, by survey bearing date the 14^th of March, 1802; lying in the County of Grayson on Guffey creek, and bounded as followeth, to wit; Beginning at three maples on the point of a ridge near Guffey creeek, south seventeen degrees west, one hundred and twenty poles to a double white oak; south sixty five degrees west, sixty poles to two white oaks and a dogwood sapling; north twenty five degrees west, eighty poles to three white oaks; north fifteen degrees west, one hundred and thirty six poles, crossing a high knob and Laurel branch to two white oaks; north fifteen degrees east, sixty six poles to a white oak sapling in a hollow; north thirty seven degrees east, fifty poles to a double white oak; south sixty degrees east, thirty six poles to a white oak sapling; north eighty three degrees east, fifty two poles, crossing two Laurel branches to a white oak and dogwood; south forty six degrees east, forty poles to a white oak and spanish oak sapling; south four degrees west, sixty poles to a stake in a line of said Bonham's survey, and thence with lines of his patented land, north seventy three degrees west, twenty four poles to a white oak; south eighty four degrees west, ninety two poles to a white oak; south fifty four poles to a white oak and black oak saplings; south thirty eight degrees east, fifty two poles to a white oak; south fifty three degrees east, thirty poles to a black oak; north seventy seven degrees east, forty eight poles to the beginning.  To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land, with its appurtenances, to the William Bonham and his heirs forever.  In witness whereof the said James Barbour, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and of the Commonwealth the thirty sixth  /s/ J^s Barbour  (Land Office Grants, Bk. 62, pgs. 422-4, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #128).)
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7.  "At a Superior Court began and held for the County of Grayson on Monday the 14th day of October 1811.
     The following persons were returned as Grand Jurors to wit, Minitree Jones, Peter Anderson, Stephen Perkins, William Bonham, John Woods, Shadrack Greer, Andrew Hunton, Randolph Collins, Daniel McPherson, Stephen Stone, Dudley Hail, Charles Rowark, Francis Hail, Abraham Noblett, Annuel Edwards, Hyram Wills, George Keith, John Collins, Enoch Cox, David Cox, Thomas Johnson, and Richard Lundy, who being sworn received a charge from the court, and returned to consider of their presentments and after some time returned into court and were adjourned untill tomorrow morning 10 o'clock."

"At a Superior Court of law held for the county of Grayson on Monday the 17th day of May 1813.  Present: Peter Johnston, Esqr., Judge.
     The following persons were returned as grand jury to wit: Joshua Stoneman, William Hail, John Fielder, John Welsh, William McKnight, Lewis Hail, Richard Hail, John Woods, Jacob Sprecker, Stephn Bourn, Jr., Daniel Keith, Stephen Hail, Mahlon Collins, Nimrod Moore, Joshua Hanks, Elisha Bedwell, Dudley Hail, Stephen Stone, Dennis Fielder, Jonathan Thomas, Francis Hail and William Bonham, who being sworn received a charge from the court and retired to consider their presentments and after some time returned into court and made presentments in the following words, to wit: 'We the grand jury impanneled for the county of Grayson do present David Cornutt for a breach of the peace by beating and abusing a certain Jesse Vaughn, both labourers of Grayson County at the house of Stephen Hail, on the third day of April last by information of Richmond Hail and Stephen Hail two of our own body.
     Also do present Capt. John Hash of this county for a breach of the peace by beating and abusing of a certain John Woods of this county, farmer on the third day of April last by information of William Bonham one of our own body and Nathaniel Farmer sent for by the grand jury.
     A bill of indictment against Andrew Hash for an assault.
     A bill of indictment against John Farmer for an assault.
     And a bill of indictment against John K. Cunningham for an assault indorsed true bills, and having nothing further to present were discharged.'"

"At a superior Court of Law begun and held for the county of Grayson on Monday the 18th day of October 1813."
     "For reasons appearing to the court these cases are continued till next term."
     The Commonwealth, plantiff vs. Robert Smith, defendant  "Information for a breach of the peace.  The defendant appeared in court and plead not guilty and put himself upon the county and the prosecutor for the Commonwealth likewise and thereupon came a jury towit, William West, William Reeves, William Bonham, Stephen Stone, William Williams, John Hash, Tilden Ayers [?], Francis Hail, George Jones, John Baker, Churchwell Jones, and Moses Thomas, who being sworn to try the issue aforesaid joined and having heard the evidence upon their oaths do say the defendant is guilty in manner and form as in the information against him as alledged and they do assess his fine by occasion thereof to one cent, whereupon it is considered by the court that the defendant forfeit and pay the commonwealth the fine aforesaid by the jurors aforesaid assessed and the costs about the prosecution in this behalf expended and may be taken &c."

"At a Superior Court of Law begun and held for the County of Grayson on Monday the 19th day of October 1818   Present Peter Johnston, Esqr, Judge.
     The following persons were returned as Grand Jurors towit: Abner Jones, foreman, Joshua Stoneman, Matthew Dickey, Joshua Hanks, Churchwell Jones, William Bobbett, Jeremiah Coulson, William Kenney, William Montgomery, Samuel Amburn, John Patton, George Harper, James Atkins, Alexander Sutherland, James Bedwell, Abraham Noblett, Joseph Phipps, Jonathan Thomas, William Bonham, Andrew Hash, Joseph Young and Nathaniel Vaughn who being sworn received a charge from the court and retired to consider their presentments and after some time returned into Court and having nothing to present were discharged."

"At a Superiour Court of law begun and held for Grayson County on Monday the 14th day of May 1821."
     The Commonwealth, pltf vs. John Haines, Deft  "Indictment for an assault. The defendant appeared by his attorney and plead not guilty to the indictment and for his trial put himself upon the country and the prosecutor for the Commonwealth likewise, and thereupon came a jury towit: John Patton, Joel Stone, Elisha Boller, Nimrod Moore, John Trimble, Mahlon Collinns, Abram Noblett, John Nuckolls, David Edwards, Thomas Blair, Isaac Greer, and William Bonham who being sworn to try the issue aforesaid joined and having heard the evidence upon their oaths do say the defendant is not guilty as in pleading he hath alleged he is therefore aquitted."
     Martin Dickenson, adminstrator with the will minor of Catron Thompson, pltf vs. James McCraw, Deft, in debt  "This day came the plantiff by his attorney and thereupon came a jury towit: John Patton, Joel Stone, Elisha Beller, Nimrod Moore, John Trimble, Mahlon Collins, Abram Noblett, John Nuckolls, David Edwards, Thomas Blair, John Snider and William Bonham who being sworn to asses the damages:  By consent of the parties the defendat is permitted to appear and plead, whereupon Joseph Fields and Joseph Elliott came into court and undertook for the defendant that he should pay and satisfy the judgment of the court in case he is case or render his body to prison in execution for the same or that they the said Joseph Fields and Joseph Elliott would do it for him the jury was discharged and the cause continued at the defendants cost untill tomorrow."

"At a Superior Court of law begun and held for Grayson County on Monday the 13th day of May 1822.  Present: Peter Johnston, Esqr., Judge
     The following persons were returned as grand jurors towit: Joshua Stoneman, foreman, Joshua Hanks, Joseph Fields, James Kyle, Jabez Johnston, Samuel Cox, Abram Cooley, Andrew Hamton, Walter Payne, Thomas Anderson, Joshua Cox, Lewis Hail, Stephen Bourn, John Snider, James Dickey, Griggs Hamton, John Hail, Menoch Stone, Alexander Atkins, Jonathan Thomas, John Anderson, and William Bonham who being sworn received a charge from the court retired to consider of their presentments."  (Superior Court Order Bk., 1809-1832, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #28).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/va/gcsupct.htm, 1998.))
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8. Littⁿ W. Tazewell Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come, GREETING: KNOW YE, That in conformity with a Survey, made on the Sixteenth day of October 1833 by virtue of land office exchanged treasury Warrant N 2626 there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto William Bonham A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing one hundred & fifty acres situate in Grayson County on the waters of big Foxe Creek & bounded as follows  Beginning at three white oaks on the side of a hill by some rocks in said Bonham's line N 30 W 28 poles to a chesnut & two white oaks on the side of a ridge N 16º W 134 poles to a chestnut & red oak in Stephen Ross' line N 40 W 72 poles to a chesnut on the side of the big knob S 45 W 38 poles to a red oak on the side of said knob S 57 W 82 poles to a double chesnut tree at the head of a hollow S 72 poles to a chesnut oak by a branch corner to Greer's line & a running with Greer's line S 11 E 88 poles to a white oak near a branch & road thence leaving Greer's line & running with the road East 28 poles to three white oaks by said road N 85 E 149 poles to the beginning with its appurtenances  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances, to the said William Bonham and his heirs forever.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Littⁿ W. Tazewell Esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the Lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the 25^th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five and of the Commonwealth the 59^th  /s/ Littleton W. Tazewell  (Land Office Grants, Bk. 84, pg. 477, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #150).)
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9. I, William Bonham, of Grayson County do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say ...
     1st I desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid
     2d after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, one case of drawers with its contents; one cupboard with its contents; one large chest with its contents; three beads and furniture such as she may deem proper to select; two head of cattle of her own choosesing; one fine shovel and fire tongs; one pair of flat irons; one large table; one oven and lid; one skellet and lid; one small pot one ...; five chairs; one churn; one bucket; one washing tub; one side saddle and bridal; one pair of pot hooks; one pair of dogirons; all the soap and trough; and the garden; one hundred pounds of bacon if so much on hand, and one fat hog; all the wheat on hand; twenty bushels of corn, if so much on hand, or so soon as it can be gathered; also to have full possession of the Mansion House; and orchard; and further provided, should there be any ready money on hand at my decease it is my will that my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, have full possession of it; and should there be any money at the decease of my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, it is my will that it be equally divided between my daughters, namely; Marget Farmer, & Hannah Hash, Anna Russell, Naomi Richardson, Mary Anderson, Jane Hash, & Elza Anderson, and Sarah Haga, and further, I give my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, full possession of the spring and springhouse.
     3rd it is my will that my Executor here after named attend and see that my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, is affectionably taken care of agreeable to the requirements of a bond that Joseph Bonham gave me for our support dated Jany 13th day 1844, and if the said Joseph Bonham fails to comply with the regulations of said bond that my Executor at the request of my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, compel him the said Joseph to comply with said regulations according to law, and should my wife, Elizabeth Bonham, become helpless or dissatisfied to stay where she is after my deccease it is my will that she rent out the manner house, the smoke house, the spring house, and orchard, and choose whom she please to live with and that my Executor attend to the same and that he be allowed a reasonable compensation for his services out of funds arising from my estate.
     4th it is my will and desire that my son, Joseph, have two dollars to him and his heirs forever.
     5th I will unto my daughter, Margaret Farmer, twenty two dollars and forty cents.
     6th I will to my daughter, Anna Russell, thirty one dollars.
     7th and after my daughters, Margaret & Anna, shall have received the sums to them bequeathed that the balance of my estate not otherwise disposed of to be equally divided between my daughters, (viz); Margaret Farmer, Hannah Hash, Anna Russell, Naomi Richardson, Mary Anderson, Jane Hash, Eliza Anderson & Sarah Haga
     8th and ... I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend, William Hash, Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.
     In witness here of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 17th day of April in the year of our Lord 1850 signed, sealed, published, and declared by William Bonham as for his last will testament in the presents and hearing of us who at his request and in his presents have subscribed our names as witnesses. /s/William Young  /s/David R. Pugh  /s/James Thomas
     Grayson County Court Term 1853  This the last will and testament of William Bonham decd was proved by the oath of David R. Pugh, William Young, and James Thomas subscribing witness there to and is ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of William Hash the Executor, therein named who made oath there to, and together with Alexander Porter his security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $200 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probet of the said will in due form.  Teste: William Dickey D. C.  (Will Bk. 3, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #10).  (cited op. cit. (Purkey): pgs. 39-40.))
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10. June 6th 1853 Praise (sic - Appraisal) Bill of the property of Wm Bonham decd
 

1 copper kettle	$6.37½
1 bucket and its contents & _	1.50
1 tenert saw	.62½
15 1/4 lbs. iron at 3 cts	.46¼
1 Baker & Hooks	1.00
1 half Bushel & Sifter	.20
3 Buskets & Lasta	.45
2 Axis & Wedge	1.25
1 set gear	1.00
2 chairs	.20
1 coffee mill & tub	.37½
1 glass & razor	.87½
1 Saddle & wallets
Skin & basket	4.50
1 Tool box & tools	.50
1 Picklin Tub	.30
1 Clock	4.00
1 Bed	8.00
1 Vinegar Keg	.30
7 1/2 lb. Leather @ 25	1.87½
1 Cutting box	1.50
Amount of Notes on Hand	133.19

We the undersigned do hereby certify that the fore going is a true list of all the property of William Bonham with its appraisements given under our hands this 6th of June 1853.  /s/William N. Senter  /s/Wilbourn Ross  /s/John W. Parsons

Grayson County July term 1853 - Recorded

     This list of the sale of the personal property belonging to the estate of Wm Bonham decd was this day returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.
 

1 Tenent Saw   Wm F. Strange	.51¼
1 Cake Baker and Iron   Wm Hash	.50
1 Draft   Jerrod Perkins	.35
1 Bucket & Utensils   Stephen Thomas	1.25
1 Bucket   Wm Senter	.37½
2 Peirls (?)   W. Parks	.20
1 half Bushel & 2 Sifters   Charles Cole	.25
2 Axes & 1 Wage   A. Porter	1.55
1 Tub & Basket lasts   Stephen Thomas	.12½
1 Coffee Mill   Stephen Thomas	.10
1 Set Gear   Ahort Phipps	.75
1 Picklin Tub   Wm Senter	.30
1 Baker   Hezekiah Pasley	.90
1 Copper kettle   Wilborn Ross	13.50
2 Chairs & basket   William Thomas	.25
1 Clock   Stephen Thomas	6.60
1 bed & furniture   Wm Hash	11.05
1 Piece of Leather   Wm Hash	.65
1 saddle & 1 pr saddle wallets   Wm Thomas	4.75
1 Birdle   Wm Senter	.50
1 set of shoe tools   Wm Hash	1.30
1 glass and razor   James Anderson	.50
1 razor   Wm Hash	.25
1 cutting box   Levi Senter	1.40
1 vingar barrel   Rufus Pierce	.80

The total appraised value of the estate was $168.47¾.  This included household objects, farm implements, and harness gear having a combined value of $35.28¾ and $133.19 in outstanding notes, which presumably were owed to the estate at the time of William's death.  Excluding the notes, these items, again, appear on the associated bill of sale and actually brought a total of $48.71¼.  The buyer's names were also listed and were apparently relatives and neighbors.  (Will Bk. 3, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #10).  (cited op. cit. (Purkey): pgs. 41-2.))
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Additional Citations:

11. 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 44, (microfilm roll - M33_131; img. 57).

12. 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 246, (microfilm roll - M19_190; img. 495).

13. 1840 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 312, (microfilm roll - M704_556; img. 296).

14. 1850 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 205B, (microfilm roll - M432_947; img. 94).

15. Marriage Register, Bk. 1, Wythe Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: rolls - City and County Records #29 & #60).

16. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1810,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

17. Order Bk., 1811-1819, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #13).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

18. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1813,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

19. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1817,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

20. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1824,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

21. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1828,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #140).  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

22. Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1973: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, military records, directory index, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1973: pg. 78.  (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.)

23. 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. 260-2.

24. Trula Fay Parks Purkey, Genealogy of William Bonham, Pioneer Settler of Grayson County, Virginia, 731 Rockbridge Rd., Trout Dale, VA, 1984: pgs. 36-55;  Trula Fay Parks Purkey, "Old Bonham Cemetery, Grayson County, Virginia", unpublished.  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)

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