An American Family History

Amariah Bonham married about 1737 in New Jersey. The name of his wife is not known for sure. It could have been Mary Drake the daughter of Francis Drake and Patience Walker. Monnette in First Settlers said he probably married Drake. Other researchers believe his wife was Eunice King or Elizabeth Addy. Still other researchers believe he married Mary or Martje Bebout. This comes from a deed in which John Bebout called Amariah Bonham "friend, co-partner and bro-in-law." However, H. E. Bonham has concluded that John Bebout and Amariah Bonham were married, to sisters, Mary and Eunice King, and were therefore brothers-in-law

The children were listed in his will. They were born in New Jersey. Christian Bonham Fox was born about 1737, Rebecca Bonham Johnson was born about 1738, Jeriah Bonham was born about 1739, Peter Bonham was born about 1741, Sarah Bonham Batey was born about 1742, and perhaps the Jacob Bonham who was born about 1744. Jacob was mentioned in his father’s will which was written 1802 and proved in 1803, but the Jacob researchers belive is his son died in 1782.

On June 29, 1743, Amariah Bonham of Piscataway conveyed real  property in Hunterdon County to Richard Taylor. The day before this same property had been conveyed to Amariah Bonham of Amwell Township by the estate of Peter Sutton of Piscataway. Amariah and his family probably moved from Hunterdon to Middlesex County at about this time.

In 1747 Amariah (Amoriah Bonaham) was one of the original members of the Baptist Church at Scotch Plains in Essex/Union County, New Jersey. The church was formed on September 8, 1747 by fifteen members from the Piscataway Baptist Church who wanted a spiritual center in their own community. Scotch Plains is about ten miles north of Piscataway in Union County, New Jersey but before 1857 it would have been in Essex County. 

Amariah and Mary Drake Bonham were marked dismissed from the roll of the Scotch Plains Baptist Church in 1749.

In 1757 an Amariah Bonham was in Sussex County, New Jersey when his name appeared on a petition to the governor complaining that they were the most exposed to the enemy of any county.

The family moved to Loudoun County, Virginia before 1765 when he was assessed tax there.

An indenture was made on June 22, 1774 between Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Amariah Bonham. Lee leased 200 acres in the Parish of Cameron, Loudoun County. The tract began at the road leading to Lane's Mill. The lease was to Amariah Bonham and his heirs for the natural lives of Peter Bonham, John Bonham and Charles Fox (whoever lived the longest). They paid Lee and his children twelve pounds sterling annually beginning the first of December, 1775. 

Amariah Bonham enslaved a man named Sampson in Loudoun County, Virginia between 1758 and 1786.

Amariah appeared on the tax rolls of Loudoun County in in 1782.

Peter and John were commissioned as ensigns in the Loudoun County militia. Jacob died on June 9, 1782 while fighting the British and indigenous people in the Sandusky Massacre.

Amariah Bonham was assessed tax in Loudoun County in 1787. Scharf reported in his history that in 1788 Peter, Josiah, and Amariah Bonham took "settlers lots" in Maryland west of Fort Cumberland. Amariah gave them up in 1796.

In the 1800 census he (Ameriah Boneham) was living alone in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Ameriah must have married after the 1800 census and before he made his will.

Amariah's will was dated January 27, 1802 in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In it he bequeathed to his wife, Elizabeth, the house, garden and all the profits of the plantation and premises. The real estate was to be sold and divided among his children at her death. He named his sons Jacob, Jeriah, Peter and his daughters Christian Fox, Rebecca Johnston, and Sarah Batey. The executors were Peter Bonham of Allegheny County and Philip Llewellyn of Washington County. The witnesses were Jonathan, Isaac and Rebecca Leet. Phillip refused to act as the adminstrator.

He died in 1803 in Middle Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. His will was proved on April 22, 1803. Peter Bonham settled the estate in 1805. The total value was $317.26 with debts of $253.51 leaving a balance of $63.75.

Hunterdon County was originally part of Burlington County, West Jersey. It was set off from Burlington County on March 11, 1714. It included Amwell, Hopewell, and Maidenhead Townships.

Will of Amariah Bonham of Middle Township, Washington County
dated January 27, 1802 proved April 22, 1803;
wife Elizabeth;
children, Christine Fore (sic) Fox, Rebeca Johnson, Jacob, Jeriah, Peter, Sarah Batey;
executors, Peter Bonham of Allegheny County and Philip Luallen [Llewellyn] of Washington County;
witnesses, Jonathan, Isaac and Rebecca Leet.  (p. 493)