An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

Jeremiah Bonham was born about 1715 at Maidenhead, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He was the son of Hezekiah Bonham and his second wife.

He became a settler at Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey where he was a farmer. Shrewsbury is just southeast of Piscataway. He was there before 1739 when he participated in the inventory of the estate of Benjamin Corlis in October, 1739.

According to Early New Jersey Marriages he married Margaret Cook (Cock) a spinster of Shrewbury on May 24, 1758. In the marriage bond he was described as a yeoman.

He was a strong supporter of the American Revolution and a member of the Committees of Freehold in Shewsbury at the opening of the Revolution.

"Shrewsbury 23, Septr, 1775 At a meeting by appointment of the township of Shrewsbury to chose a township committee. They mett at the house of Mr. Bonham. . ."

Jeremiah died in Shrewsbury in 1782.

from Early New Jersey Marriages- Extracts

Jeremiah Bonham and William Little, both of Shrewsbury, yeomen... [bound to]... John Reading Commander in Chief... 500 pounds... 24 May 1758 ... Jeremiah Bonham... obtained license of marriage for himself and for Margaret Cock of Shrewsbury, spinster... [w] blank [back of bond has "Margaret Cook"]