Father: Hezekiah Bonham, Sr.
Mother: Mary Bishop
Spouse-1: Sarah Compton
d: ~1743 - Middlesex Co., NJ
m: ~1723 - NJ
Child: Sarah - b: ~1724 - NJ
d: ~1810 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ
m: Malachia Fitz Randolph - 7/Oct/1746 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex
Co., NJ
Spouse-2: Ann or Anna Martin- b: 29/Mar or May/1714 - Middlesex Co., NJ
Child-1: Zerviah - b: ~1750 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex
Co., NJ
d: 4/Aug/1806 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ
m: John Coddington - 1766 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ
2: Kathrin
- b: ~1756
Biographical Details:
Zedekiah Bonham was probably born about 1704 in Maidenhead Township in Burlington (later Hunterdon) County, New Jersey. It is generally believed that his parents were Hezekiah Bonham, Sr., and his second wife, Mary Bishop Bonham. Moreover, about 1723 Zedekiah married Sarah Compton, probably in Hunterdon County, but, perhaps, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, since her family lived in that locality. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Esther Martin Compton of Woodbridge. It seems likely that Zedekiah and Sarah Bonham lived in Hunterdon County immediately after their marriage since, on March 4, 1732 (1733 N. S.), Zedekiah was mentioned along with three of his brothers, viz., Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and Samuel, as debtors to the estate of John Severns of Trenton.1 The chronology would suggest that this was related to the "Coxe Affair" and, furthermore, that if Zedekiah had ever purchased land in Hunterdon County he likely had lost title to it by 1734. Accordingly, Zedekiah, his wife, and daughter, Sarah, seem to have left Hunterdon County and settled in Middlesex County, probably before 1740, but the year is not certain. Within this context, in 1745 and afterward he was mentioned in several estate settlements in Middlesex County, including that of his father-in-law.2 In addition, it is evident that Sarah Compton Bonham died before her father's will was written on September 3, 1745, since she was not explicitly mentioned but, her daughter, Sarah Bonham was. Subsequently, Sarah Bonham was married to Malachia Fitz Randolph on October 7, 1746, at the Piscataway Seventh Day Baptist Church by Rev. Jonathan Dunham. Again, this likely indicates that Zedekiah Bonham and his family were a sabbatarian Baptists. It would seem that about 1745 Zedekiah Bonham married a second time to Anna Martin. She can be identified as the daughter of Benjamin, Jr., and Philoreta Slater Martin and, therefore, first cousin to Zedekiah's first wife, Sarah, viz., Benjamin Martin, Jr., was the younger brother of Esther Martin Compton. (Accordingly, Zedekiah, Anna, and their daughter, Zerviah, were mentioned Benjamin Martin's will in 1755.) In addition, it appears that Anna's sister, Elizabeth, had married Zedekiah's brother, Nehemiah, a few years earlier and, further, that Anna's grandmother, Elizabeth Bonham Slater, was the sister of Zedekiah's father, Hezekiah Bonham, Sr. Indeed, such complicated family relationships were not unusual in the colonial period but, in fact, were quite commonplace. Zedekiah Bonham made his will on December 10, 1757.3 It was proved January 21, 1761, which indicates that he probably died at Piscataway in Middlesex County a short time earlier, perhaps, October or November of 1760. His burial place remains unknown.Source Notes and Citations:
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. 138-46.
"1732/3, March 4. Zedekiah Bonham along with his brothers, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, and step-brother (sic - half brother) Samuel were listed as 'debtors' in the Inventory of the estate of John Severns, of Trenton, Hunterdon Co., as were many of their neighbors. [NJ Archives, Vol. XXX, pp. 424-427.]"
"1745, May 6. Zedekiah Bonham and David Compton made inventory 11 Feb 1746/7, witnessed by Daniel Alward, for the estate of James Kelly, of Elizabeth Town, Essex, Co., wherein he Devises one-half to wife, Sarah, and one-half to Presbyterian Church in Wesfield. Witnesses: William Clark, Charles Clark. Proved Feb. 9, 1746, (no executors). Administration granted to Sarah Kelly, his widow 11 Feb 1746-7. Samuel Pray, cordwainer, and Obadiah Ayres, carpenter, both of Woodbridge, fellow bondsmen. [NJ Archives, Vol. XXX, p. 279.]"
"1750, June 25 to 1752, Nov 20. Zedekiah Bonham is mentioned in the estate of Ebenezer Merry (Merrey) of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ as 'Account showing payments to ...' [NJ Archives, Vol. XXX, p. 332.]"
back to bio.2a. 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, pg. 106.
Sep. 3, 1745. "Compton, Jonathan, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co.; will of. Granddaughter, Sarah Bonham. Executors---Wife, Easter, brothers-in-law Peter Martin and Jonathan Martain. Witnesses---Samuel Compton, James Compton, Margret Compton, Ebenezer Saltar. Proved Feb. 24, 1747."
Feb. 23, 1747. "Inventory, £73.3; made by Gershom Martin and Zedekiah Bonham."b. ibid.: Vol. 30, pg. 279.
May 6, 1745. "Kelly, James, of Elizabeth Town, Essex Co.: will of. Devises one-half of estate to wife, Sarah, and one-half to Presbyterian church in Wesfield. Witnesses---William Clark, Charles Clarke. Proved Feb. 9, 1746. (No executors)."
Feb. 10, 1746 (1747 N. S.). "Administration granted to Sarah Kelly, his widow. Samuel Pray, cordwainer, and Obadiah Ayres, carpenter, both of Woodbridge, fellow bondsmen."
Feb. 11, 1746 (1747 N. S.). "Inventory, £9.10; made by Zedekiah Bonham and Daniel Compton. Witness---Daniel Alward."
Feb. 11, 1746 (1747 N. S.). "Account of administratrix (£19.12.7), showing payments to William Clarke and Charles Clarke."
Apr. 4, 1753. "Additional account of the administratrix, showing gain of £1.17.6."c. ibid.: Vol. 30, pg. 86.
Jan. 29, 1745 (1746 N. S.). "Carmen, Samuel, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., yeoman; will of. Wife, Margret Carmen. Children---Stephen, Samuel and Abigail Carmen, all under age. Executor---father, Richard Carmen. Real and personal estate. Witnesses---Ebenezer Saltar, James Moores, Nugient Kelly. Proved June 16, 1747."
Mar. 17, 1745 (1746 N. S.). "Inventory of personal estate, £118; made by Timothy Bloomfield and Zedekiah Bonham, all of Woodbridge. Witness---Richard Carmen."d. ibid.: Vol. 30, pg. 17.
Jan. 13, 1750. "Allen, Zachariah, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., yeoman. Bond of Elizabeth Allen, his widow, as administratrix of estate. Samuel Crow, same place, carpenter, fellow bondsman. Witness---Ebenezer Saltar."
Jan. 14, 1750. "Inventory of personal estate, £36.1.2; made by Richard Jones and Abraham Johnston."
Jan. 25, 1750. "Vendue list; articles bought by Eliza. Allen, Abraham Morgan, Joseph Howten, John Price, John Eastwood, Jonathan Harnet, Edward Potter, Joseph Michel, Andrew Hampton, William Comtan, John Dunning, John Alwood, Sam. Axtel, Phebea Johnston, George Heard, Ebenezer Saltar, Dugal Cambel, Jonathan Ensley, John Wilson, Henry Langstaff, George Manham, Sam Martin, Steven Connan, James Pike, James Eddey, Thos. Williams, Rousa Eastwood, Sarah Kelley, Benjamin Eastwood, Sam'll Crow, Benjamin Jones, Zedekiah Bonham."
Jan. 29, 1750. "Debts owing to estate from John Herriot, John Vanderhoven, William Gilman, Rubben Potter, Richard Cutter, Zedekiah Bonham, Benjamin Martin, Sarah Compton, Mary Combs, Nath'll Harned, Timothy Bloomfield, Frazee Ayers, James Ross, Abraham Monee, Samuel Preston, James Willson, Sarah Martin, Benj. Alford, Malachi Fitz Randolph, Abraham Ayers, Charles Ford, Justice Smith, Wm. Thornell, Dr. Pierson, Rich'd Mackalee, Eliakim Martin, Dr. Christie."e. ibid.: Vol. 30, pg. 332.
Jun. 13, 1750. "Merry (Merrey), Ebenezer, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., yeoman; will of. Children---Joseph, Job, Annah, Phebe, all under age. Executors---Job Tharp and David Evens. Witnesses---Benjamin Price, Barsheba Duvall, William Kent. Proved July 27, 1750."
Jul. 28, 1750. "Inventory of personal estate (£113.19.3) includes moneys due from Jonathan Tharp, Mr. John Pierson, Robert Combes, Robert Donham, James Ross, William Coats, Job Tharp. Made by Joseph Freemand and Isaac Tappen."
Nov. 20, 1752. "Account, showing payments to Barsheba Duvall for nursing, Rev. Mr. John Pierson, Morgan Linnard, ..., Zedekiah Bonham, ..., Isaac tappen, William Kent."
back to bio.3. 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. 49.
Dec. 10, 1757. "Bonham, Zedekiah, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., will of. Wife, Anna Bonham, 1/3 my personal estate and the goods she brought with her. She is to bring up my children, Zerujah and Katrin, that God has blessed us with. Daughters, Sarah Randolph, Zerujah Bonham and Kathrin Bonham, to have the personal. Daughter, Zerujah, 100 acres. Daughter, Katrin, 100 acres. But if they die, then my grandson, Zedekiah Fitz Randolph, the son of Malachi Fitz Randolph and Sarah Fitz Randolph, shall have the lands. Executors---my wife, Anna, and Jeremiah Dunn. Witnesses---James Martin, Benjamin Martin, Peter Martin, Jr. Proved Jan. 21 1761."
Jan. 18, 1761. "Inventory £52.5.2, made by Richard Merrell and Az. Dunham."
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
4. 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. 643 & 645.5. 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.
5. 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.
6. Elmer Burt Hazie, Bonham, 1631-1973: letters, quotations, genealogical charts, military records, directory index, privately published, Los Angeles, CA, 1973: pg. 30. (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.)
7. Olive Barrick Rowland, Genealogical Notes of the Sutton and Rittenhouse Families of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Garrett & Massie, Pub., Richmond, VA, 1935: pgs. 114-5.