Richard Bonsall

see first:
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~paxson/genealogy/price/Bonsall_index...

resource for Derbyshire Quakers

http://www.qfhs.co.uk/public_html/research/counties/derby.htm

From "Delaware County Daily Times," by Bette Alburger
June 22, 2013

"Reunion brings Bonsall family members from near and far"'

THORNBURY -- It was a wonderful weekend of reconnecting, reminiscing and rejoicing in their roots when about 250 members of the 13th generation of Bonsalls got together Saturday for another memorable family reunion.

The first reunion was a rather modest affair in 1935. But the celebration of family heritage has grown considerably, with a reunion every year since then -- always on the weekend after Fathers Day.

The first major reunion was in 1983, when 1,000 descendants from across the nation came to Rose Tree Park to mark the 300th anniversary of the arrival Richard and Mary Wood Bonsall in this area from England in 1683.

Every 10 years since then, William Slacum, 88, and his wife have hosted a huge gala gathering on their 6.5-acre property on Tanguy Road. Slacum's wife, Margaret Bonsall Slacum, is a direct descendant of those early immigrants and is the family matriarch. Slacum chaired massive reunions in 1993, 2003 and is again heading the committee that began planning this one about a year-and-a-half ago. But they're hosted smaller reunions for local Bonsalls on their property since 1963.

Slacum's cousin, Bruce Downing of Middletown, whose mother was a direct Bonsall, fondly remembers attending every reunion since childhood. On Saturday, he represented all descendants by presenting his "Cousin Bill" with a plaque of grateful appreciation.

He noted that around 1675, Richard Bonsall married Mary Wood, daughter of George and Anne "Hannah" Wood, residents of Bonsall in Derbyshire, England. In 1682, William Penn granted the Woods 1,000 acres in what is now Darby to repay a loan he owed George. George and Hannah immigrated to America in 1682, a year before Richard, Mary and their family arrived in what is now Delaware County.

Richard and Mary settled on 300 acres of the land extending from Darby Creek to what's now the Lansdowne Avenue area. Slacum pointed out that the house (circa 1723) of one of the couple's sons, Jacob, is depicted on the borough's crest. Richard and Mary had nine children and 61 grandchildren.

"So you see how the family has exploded over the years," said Slacum. "I can't even estimate how many Bonsalls there are all over the country."

He said female Bonsalls married into some of the oldest families in the region, such as the Brintons, Bartrams, Hannums, Marshalls and Smedleys. To make sure family heritage isn't lost in the future, he's initiated what he calls the Bonsall Historical Society. He keeps track of genealogy, noting his data base contains the names of 7,000 male descendants of Richard and Mary Bonsall.

What's more, he said, there are 37 streets, roads, lanes, avenues and courts in the region named Bonsall. Further, the town of Bonsall, Calif., bears the family name.

"There was a Bonsall on the original committee to select a delegate to the 1776 convention in Philadelphia to draw up the Declaration of Independence," said Slacum. "The nation's first psychiatric hospital and the second library were founded by Bonsalls."

Also, Downing added, there was a Bonsall on the original board of what is now Elwyn Inc. And Joe Bonsall is the Oak Ridge Boys' lead singer.

"We're still waiting for him to come to a reunion," said Downing with a smile.

For this year's reunion, attendees came from across the country, as far away as Minnesota and Texas. They found Slacum's genealogy charts on display, as well as a Moon Bounce for the youngsters, a Media Court House food truck on hand and swimming for all in the Slacum pool.

And to everyone's delight, the weather was ideal. Slacum noted than in 78 years of Bonsall reunions, it's only rained once. Amazing. Just like this longstanding family tradition.

per deed references
===property owned in Kingsessing (Philadelphia County) 1763===

• from: http://maps.archives.upenn.edu/WestPhila1777/browse-parcels.php

1.Owner Name: Benjamin Bonsall Township: Kingsessing
Year Acquired: 1763
Deeded Land Area: 38 acres, 41 sq. perches
Owner's Occupation: yeoman
Owner's Residence: Kingsessing Twp.
Source: IW 10.499
Notes: son of Richard Bonsall

2.Owner Name: Benjamin Bonsall
Township: Kingsessing
Year Acquired: 1763
Deeded Land Area: 89 acres
Owner's Occupation: yeoman
Owner's Residence: Kingsessing Twp.
Source: IW 10.499
Notes: son of Richard Bonsall

3.Owner Name: Benjamin Bonsall
Township: Kingsessing
Year Acquired: 1766
Owner's Occupation: yeoman
Owner's Residence: Kingsessing Twp.
Source: D 17.257