The date of birth of this, probably the youngest, son of Hezekiah Bonham is unknown. Uriah left a will probated in 1809 which serves to establish the approximate date of his death.
His first wife and mother of his children was a daughter of George Fox, the elder, and bore the curious name of Anchor.
His second wife was named Magdalene.
Inasmuch as Uriah's name appears in witness to the will of John Ruckman of Hunterdon County in the year 1749 his presence is the same general neighborhood is indicated at least as early as that date.
There are numerous other traces of the passage through life of this school teacher who later turned planter. In 1799 he was witness to the will of William Rittenhouse, father of his son Amos' wife. In 1795 he served in making inventory of the estate of his son-in-law John Sutton, of Kingwood Township. A specimen of his firm, clear handwriting may be seen in the Bible of John and Dinah Sutton, for whom he wrote the family records, inscribing sideways along the margin: Written by Uriah Bonham. In the Sutton family a large walnut cupboard, now owned by Miss Ida Sutton Leigh of Sergeantsville, was once the property of Uriah Bonham.
There is a family legend that the first wife of Uriah Bonham was born upon the water. The vessel was anchored during the time of birth of the child; whence the origin of her name. ... It is interesting to note that five granddaughters were named Anchor after her.
The Will of Uriah Bonham ... is of lengthy and considerable genealogic value. It was drawn May 24, 1803; probated May 4, 1809. His residence is given as Township of Kingwood, County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey.
To Magdalene, his beloved wife, he leaves the whole and sole privilege and use of his dwelling house and ten-plate stove, together with his whole plantation for her maintenance; and the use of as much household furniture as she shall think necessary for convenient, decent housekeeping, during the term she remains a widow. Outright he leaves to her and her heirs, one milch cow, one feather bead, three good chairs and one blue chest.
After devisement to his two sons, Amos and Zedekiah Bonham, of his wearing apparel, to be equally divided between them,
the will proceeds with money bequests as follows: To the daughters of Andrew Heath, late of Amwell, deceased, £30, in specie money [coin]; that is to say: To Mary Wilson--20 dollars. To Elizabeth Hall--20 dollars. To Sarah Dilts--20 dollars. To Prudence Bonham--20 dollars, it being the money which, I procured from their father's estate for their use when their mother had done with it.
To his five grandsons: Uriah Sutton, Uriah Emans, Job's son, Uriah Emans, James's son. Uriah Bonham, Amo's son, and Andrew Bonham, Zedekiahs son--£500 (sic - this should read £5), in specie money, each.
To his five granddaughters: Anchor Sutton. Anchor Emans, Jobs daughter. Anchor Emans, Jamess daughter. Anchor Bonham, Amos daughter and Anchor Bonham, Zedekiahs daughter--50 shillings, each, in specie money.
To his beloved son, Amos Bonham, £10 specie above his dividend, hereafter mentioned.
Finally: to his five well beloved children, viz: Amos Bonham, Mary Emans, Dinah Sutton, Hannah Emans, Zedekiah Bonham he leaves the residue of his estate to be equally divided among them.
Sole executor: Thomas Laquear of Kingwood Township. The date stated here for when the will was drawn conflicts with that given in the New Jersey Archives, which are presumably correct.
