Benjamin Bonnewell

The name of Benjamin Bonwell first appears in Accomack County, Virginia, records in 1764, when he and his wife Mary sold her one-third dower right in her former husband Sacker Parker's land (Deeds 1757-1770. p. 182a). It can be assumed that Benjamin was at least 20 years of age at this time, placing his birth date not later than 1744. Indeed, he could have been slightly older, for Sacker Parker died testate in 1756, naming wife Mary, his father, brother John, a sister, and an unborn child (Wills 1752-1757, p. 352). While there is no proof in the records, several other factors point to Benjamin being the son of John Bonwell, Senr. Since this John Bonwell heired land from his father on the north side of Onancock Creek, and lived there with Fooks, Michells, Parkers, and Wises as neighbors. The land owned by Sacker Parker, called Ohio, was located on the south side of Deep Creek, and only slightly north of the Bonwell land (Whitelaw, p. 967). This shows that Benjamin Bonwell and the widow, Mary Parker, were neighbors. One final substantiation would be that Benjamin Bonwell named a son John. Benjamin Bonwell and Mary Parker, widow of Sacker, were married between 1756 and 1764, and this undoubtedly places him as a member of the fifth generation of Bonwells of Accomack County. The only member of the fourth generation who died without a will naming sons, was John Bonwell, Senr. Since he was married and had three known sons, it is only logical to suppose he had others, one of whom was Benjamin Bonwell.

1 Mar 1769 - Accomack Co, Virginia: Guardian Benjamin Bonwell was accused of misusing Sacker Parker by not putting him in school. Ordered that he keep Sacker in school till age fourteen; Sacker was twelve years old last Dec.

26 Apr 1769 - Accomack Co, Virginia: William Watson petitioned that he had been bound by court order to Benjamin Bonwell till lawful age, and that he had attained the age of 21 on last 3 December, but Bonwell still detained him in servitude. Ordered that Bonwell discharge William and pay him £3:10:00 in freedom dues.

28 Dec 1769 - Accomack Co, Virginia: Benjamin Bonwell petitioned the court to see that the estate of Sacker Parker deceased be settled according to said Parker's will.

1774 - Accomack Co, Virginia: The action upon the Case brought by Benjamin Bonwell plaintiff against Robinson Savage Defendant being at Issue is Continued for tryal till next Court; p. 1.47 - case extended till next Court; p. 189, 7 June 1774 - Came the Parties by their Attorneys and thereupon Came also a Jury - defendant awarded one pound, thirteen shillings and eight pence and to go hence without Day (delay?) and recover against said plaintiff his costs by him about his Defence in his behalf ..... : p. 233, 30 September 1774 - Ordered that Robinson Savage pay to Thomas Bayly 75 pounds of Tobacco for three days attending this court as a Witness for him at the Suit of Benjamin Bonwell.

Abt 1775 - Worcester Co, Maryland: The records indicate that Benjamin Bonwell moved from Accomack County, after 7 June 1774 when he last appeared in court there, into Worcester County, Maryland, by 1 March 1778, when his name was included on the return of William Hopewell, listing those who had taken Oaths of fidelity in Worcester County (DAR Library, Wash. D.C.). His name again appeared on a roster of Worcester County Militia in 1780, among those of Capt. Walton's Company, Snow Hill Battalion (DAR Library). Later records show that other members of the 8th Class were neighbors: Joshua Driden (Dryden), Jacob Merrill, Smith Carey, Joshua Riggen, John Redden, Zadok Ardis, Staten Trader and John Allen.

1783 - Accomack Co, Virginia: 30 January 1783 - Thomas Wise plaintiff against Benjamin Bonwell defendant - covenant broken. The details of the case are not given, but directly below appear these words - "John Riley of this county came into court and undertakes for the defendant that in case he shall be cast (?) in this suit he shall satisfy and pay the condemnation of the court or render his body to prison in execution for the same or that he the said John Riley will do it for him and therefore the defendant preys and has leave to import till the next court and then to plead". The problem must have been solved by the time of the next court, for nothing more is found of this case.

1783 - Worcester Co, Maryland: The Maryland tax list of 1783 shows that Benjamin Bonwell was raising his family in lower Worcester County. The return of William Richardson, Tax Assessor of Mattapony Hundred, lists Bonwell being taxed for 200 acres called Wakefield and 200 acres Wakefield Discovery, valued at 305 pounds (Box 6). He owned three horses and ten black cattle, valued at 4l pounds 10 shillings. Other personal property was valued at 30 pounds 10 shillings, for a total assessment of 377 pounds. He paid 4 pounds 14 shillings 3 pence tax and had six males and three females in his household. Mattapony Hundred was the southeastern part of Worcester County, adjacent to the Accomack County, Virginia, state line. The 300 acres called Wakefield had been patented on 26 March 1687 by William Stevens and assigned to Francis Jenkins "near the Divisional Line on the West side Swanefsett branch" (Md. Land Office. Rent Rolls 9, p. 107). Frances Jenkins had left the land to James Smith of Virginia (Dryden, Land Records of Worcester County, p.658). The land had remained in the Smith family until a later James Smith sold part to Thomas Davis on 4 June 1789 (Wor. Deeds M, p. 546) and the balance to Benjamin Aydellotte on 4 February 1791 (Wor. Deeds N. p. 415). An item of interest is that the 1783 tax assessment for Mattapony Hundred, showing Benjamin Bonwell paying taxes on 200 acres Wakefield, also shows a Sacker Parker of Virginia being taxed for the other 100 acres. It is obvious that both men were leasing the land and this Sacker Parker was likely a son of Mary Bonwell's by her first husband, the unborn child of Sacker Parker's will. William Parker, son of John Parker II and wife Bridget Sacker, died testate in Accomack County in 1758, naming a grandson Sacker Parker (Acco. Wills 1757-1761. p. 33). This would have been William Parker, father of the first Sacker who died in 1756, and who joined the widow Mary as an executor of his son's will (Acco. Wills 1752-1757, p.352). Benjamin Bonewell's name first appeared in Worcester County Deeds on 13 November 1783, when he was named on a bond by Nehemiah Holland (Wor. Deeds M, p. 307). He bought his first land in Worcester County on 16 August 1790, from John Holland, son and heir of Nehemiah (Wor. Deeds N., p. 343). He paid 200 pounds for parts of two adjoining tracts called Fox Harbour and Allens Industry, totaling 89¾ acres. He bought an additional 10 acres of Allens Industry from John Allen, Junr on 31 March 1791 for 22 pounds 10 shillings (Wor. Deeds 0, p. 106). On 11 February 1793, Benjamin Bonewell bought 3 acres of Rotten Quarter from Ezekiel Brumley for 10 pounds (Wor. Deeds P, p. 55), and on 8 February 1800, he purchased a final 7 acres of Rotten Quarter from Jebez Brumbly for 36 pounds (Wor. Deeds T, p. 485). In all, Benjamin Bonewell bought 109 acres of Worcester County land, all of which he owned at the time of his death. The land was located northwest of Wakefield, the land he had leased on a head branch of Swansgut Creek. Present-day maps show Holly Swamp Road extending southeast from Goodwill toward Welbourne, through this area. (Miles Files)

The will of Benjamin Bonnewell was presented by son Severn Bonnewell on the day it was recorded and John Allen, Senr and Levin Tull, two of the witnesses, gave oaths on the same day that they had seen Benjamin Bonewell sign the will. (WoW-MH10:086). On 22 March 1815, Benjamin Gunby and Nehemiah Holland, arbitrators, signed a statement that they had been appointed by Benjamin Bonnewell's sons to put a valuation on the lands of their father and to award said lands to son George Bonnewell, "he paying unto said Severn Bonnewell, John Bonnewell and Edward Bonnewell the several sums of money" (WoLR-AL:232). Severn Bonnewell and wife Ann, of Sussex County, Delaware, gave a deed to George Bonnwell of Worcester County, Maryland, on 5 September 1820, for all his right and title to the 109 acres "that fell to him by his father", including three tracts, Fox Harbor, Allens Industry, and Rotten Quarter (WoLR-AL:230). George paid Severn $163 for his share and it can be assumed he paid his other two brothers or their heirs a like amount.

Benjamin married Mary Hearn?. (Mary Hearn? was born about 1740 in Accomack Co., VA.)