Colonel James Bonner

A Patriot of the American Revolution for NORTH CAROLINA with the rank of COLONEL. DAR Ancestor # A011999

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The American Revolution in North Carolina - James Bonner - Colonel over the Beaufort County Regiment of Militia

On 9/9/1775, James Bonner was commissioned as Colonel/Commandant over the Beaufort County Regiment of Militia, a position he retained until around the 2Q of 1778, when he retired/resigned.

James Bonner was born on 8/20/1719 in Beaufort County, NC, the son of Thomas Bonner and Abigail Brian Daw. He died in 1782 in Beaufort County, NC. James Bonner married Mary Anne Snoad/Snode, and they had ten (10) known children. He married a second time to Mary Maule and they had one son. He was a member of the House of Commons in the Colonial Assembly of 1769. James Bonner was the driving force to establish the town of Washington, NC, which became the County Seat of Beaufort County in late 1775.

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_james_bonn...

James Bonner's Will (via Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bonner)

Written 25 Dec 1782 Recorded at Beaufort County Courthouse Will Book OW Pages 177-178-179

In the Name of God Amen. I James Bonner of the County of Beaufort and State of N Carolina Gentleman being weak in body but of Sound and disposing mind and memory, and Knowing that it appointed unto all once to die do make and ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner and form following. That is to say, first, I commend my Soul into the Hands of almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be cleenishly(?) interr'd at the Discretion of my Executors.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Bonner one large China Bowl and Silver Punch Ladle and Silver Hilted Sword to him his heirs & forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Cook one China Bowl one Silver Table Spoon and one Silver Tea Spoon to her & her heirs & forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son James Bonner one lott in Washington NC. Also 320 acres (1.3 km2) of Land in the River Pocoson just above Washington which my self and John Cooper took up in conjunction, with my large p---l China Punch Bowl and Silver Soup Spoon to him and his heirs & forever.

Item I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Bonner my negro Woman Dide my Boy Elmon, my negro Girl Lucinda my negro Boy Castilla and my negro Girl Rose. The next largest China Punch Bowl, one Silver Table Spoon and one Feather Bed and furniture to her and her Heirs & forever.

Item give and bequeath unto my Son Samuel Bonner Six hundred and 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land with the Plantation adjoining where my old Mill stands one lott in Washington NC with the Store house is thereon also one lott in the Back part of said Town N 42. Also my negro man Homer my negro Girl Peg my negro Boy Harry and my negro Boy Titus to him his Heirs & forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Bonner my negro Girl Balinda my negro Boy Abraham, and my negro woman Lucy and one feather Bed and furniture to her m heirs & forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Henry Bonner the one half of all my neck land lying back of and adjoining to Washington the same to be split or divided by a line beginning on the back line of the Sd (said) Town of Washington and so running back to my back line. Also I give to my son Henry the one half of a certain Tract or parcel of land lying in Pitt County and adjoining where my old Quarter Plantation is with the half of the Mill of Mr Peter Floyd. Also two small surveys of land in Beaufort County adjoining Col Jno Kennedy, Mr Wilson, Peter Floyd and Henry Bonner. My negro Boy Winsor my negro Woman Jane my Negro man Will. Two Lotts in Washington N 44 & N 38 one sorrel mare and one buckskin horse to him his heirs forever.

Item I give unto my son Joseph Bonner the other half of all my neck land lying back of Washington and adjoining thereto with the other half of my land adjoining my Quarter Plantation. I likewise give my Son Joseph the House wherein I now dwell with lotts adjoining there to N 31 and N 32 one little Tobby Horse and my negro Boy Dick my negro woman Edy my negro wench Tab and my negro Boy Rherebin to him and his Heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Willis Bonner three hundred acres of Land adjoining Henry Bonner and the Herring Run with a small survey adjoining Branch Owen's land tow lotts in Washington N 33 and No 39 my negro Boy Polladoe, my negro Girl Monimia and my negro girl Mima and a little Chestnut Mare to him and his Heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anna Bonner my negro man Jack my negro woman Moll my negro Boy Sam and my negro Boy Damil and one feather Bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my four youngest Sons Samuel, Henry, Joseph and Willis Bonner, Three hundred acres of Land in the River Pocoson opposite Washington to be equally divided between them from the back line to the River to them their Heirs forever.

Item My Will and Desire is that the residue of my Estate by equally divided Between my Six youngest Children together with all my household Furniture which I have not herein before given away. And my further Desire is that the House wherein I now dwell with the Lotts which may be thought convenient and my back field from the Town to the first Cross Swamp be rented out for the use of schooling and boarding my four youngest Children for the Term of two years after my Decease and that the northwest room upon the lower floor in the house wherein I now Dwell be reserved for the Sole use and benefit of my Sd four youngest Children for the Term of Two years from my Decease there and after that time to return to the Sole use & benefit of my Son Joseph Bonner as before.

Item My further Will and Desire is that all my Children have the Estates delivered unto them when the(y) arrive at Eighteen years of age.Item I nominate, constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved Son John Bonner, John Salter, James Bonner, and Samuel Bonner Executors to this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all other former Wills by made, ratifying and Confirming and publishing this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this twenty fifth Day December and in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty two and on the 8th Day of Dec. Signed Sealed pronounced and delivered to be his Last Will & Testament in presence of us Clook Caleb Foreman Brc Owens