John Bonnewell

By a deed of 16 December 1714, John Bonwell patented 400 acres of land (Nugent, Vol. III, p. 163). This land was located in Accomack County, "on Eastern Shore of this Colony on north side of Anancock (Onancock) Creek; adjacent to Col. Tully Robinson; & Major John Custis: by William Wise's house; & over Round House Gutn".The record says the land had been escheated from John Nicholls, deceased, and John Bonwell was charged two pounds of tobacco for it. It is obvious this land was the same land that John Bonwell's grandfather bought of John Nicholls in 1663. The title to the land must have been in question and a new patent was issued to clear it. Even in those times, 400 acres of land could not have been bought for two pounds of tobacco. John Bonwell sold 100 acres to brother James Bonwell in 1716, and this was the land James left their mother when he died in 1721 (Deeds, Wills & Etc. 1715-1729, p. 38).

His will was probated in Accomack on Apr 1 1729 - To sons John & James Bonwell plantation where I now live containing 400 acres, beginning at the head of a gut called Stevens gut. To son Joachim Mikeall Bonewell 200 acres at the sideside which I had by my wife, it being the land formerly of John Mekeall. Sons Thomas & Richard Bonewell. Personal estate to wife for life and then to my 4 children Thomas, Richard, Ann & Sarah. Wife (no name) & son James Extrs. Witts: John Smith, Daniel Fookes and William Wise Jr.

John married Gratiana Michael, daughter of John Michael and Ann Tilney. (Gratiana Michael was born about 1682 in Accomack Co., VA and died about 1750 in Accomack Co., VA.)