James Bonner (Patriot)

For the American molecular biologist, see James F. Bonner.

James Bonner
Born	August 20, 1719 Beaufort or Hyde Precinct, Bath County, North Carolina
Died	1782 Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina
Resting place	St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Bonner St., Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina
Known for	Founding Washington, North Carolina
Title	Col.
Spouse	Mary Anne Snoad
Parent	Thomas Bonner & Abigail Brian Daw
Website	Bonner Genealogy Database

Col. James Bonner (August 20, 1719—1782) was a Patriot from Beaufort County, North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.

His father, Thomas Bonner, was a landowner in Hyde Precinct in 1715. James died in Beaufort County, North Carolina in 1782 and was buried in the town of Washington, which was founded on his land. His grave was just across the present "Main Street" from the present St. Peter's Episcopal Church, which was built at an earlier date, on land which he donated for "the building of a church." His remains were removed to that churchyard (southwest corner) between 1888 and 1893.

Bonner is known for having founded the town of Washington, North Carolina, for which he donated land for the public buildings, streets, and for a church. He and his brother, Major Henry Bonner, and their brother-in-law, Col. Edward Salter, were three of the Commissioners appointed by the Colonial Assembly for founding the town. They laid off 60 lots, which were disposed of by lottery. Col. James held various offices of distinction in Beaufort County. He was appointed on December 5, 1760, by the Governor and Council at Wilmington as Justice of the Peace in Beaufort County. He was appointed Colonel of the Beaufort County Militia on September 9, 1775, and April 20, 1776. He (or his son James) was a member of the Constitutional Convention. He represented Beaufort County at the General Assembly in New Bern, North Carolina on December 5, 1769, and November 12, 1771.

James was twice married; first to Anne (or Mary) Snoad, who died before 1782. She was the daughter of Col. John Snoad and his wife Elizabeth who came to North Carolina and settled in the Pamlico Section about 1720 and died there in 1743. James married secondly to Mary Maule the daughter of Dr. Patrick Maule and his wife Elizabeth of Bath, North Carolina who died before June 1736.

James' Children

• John Bonner (b. 15 Sep 1746)
• Sarah Bonner
• Samuel Bonner
• Mary Bonner
• Joseph Bonner
• Anna Bonner
• James Bonner (b. 26 Jun 1753)
• Elizabeth Bonner (b. 1 Jul 1755)
• Henry Bonner (b. Abt. 1775)
• Wilson Bonner (b. 14 Mar 1760)

James Bonner's Will

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 clownishly(?) 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 lot 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 pl 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 Did 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.
• The item gives and bequeaths 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 lot in Washington NC with the Storehouse is thereon also one lot 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 Belinda 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 lots adjoining there to N 31 and N 32 one little Hobby 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 lots 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 are that the residue of my Estate be equally divided Among 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 backfield 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 are 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 Cook Caleb Foreman Brc Owens