An American Family History

Malachiah Bonham was born about 1713 at Maidenhead, Hunterdon County, (now Lawrence, Mercer County) New Jersey. He was the son of Hezekiah Bonham and his second wife.

His first wife may have been Jemima or Deborah Harker (Harken). His children with his first wife included:
Zerviah Bonham,
Daniel Bonham and
Absalom Bonham (1739, married Jemima Harker).

His first wife may have died in childbirth when Absalom was born.

In 1741 he was listed as a freeholder in Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County.

Malachia married again on July 19, 1751. Some reseachers including Olive Barrick Rowland and Ora Eugene Monnette, believe his second wife was the widow, Hannah Buckingham Heath. Her parents were John Buckingham and Hannah Brunsden. John and Hannah were active Baptists. Hannah Buckingham's first husband was John Heath. John Heath died in 1748. His will was written in 1747 in New Castle County, Delaware. It named his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Elizabeth.

Malachiah was brought up as a Seventh Day Baptist, but changed his opinion and became active in the Hopewell Baptist Church. He joined the Heights Town (Hightstown) church before becoming a member of the Kingwood Baptist Church where he was ordained pastor in 1749. He was also involved in the organization of the Rocksberry (Roxbury) Baptist Church in nearby Morris County.

In 1752, Malachiah sold his father's farm in Maidenhead to John Johnson, Sr. His older brothers were in debt and involved in the Coxe lawsuit so he probably sold the property to avoid complications.

When he was about 43 years old, he took advantage of 17 year old Mary Fox. Mary Fox was the daughter of George and Mary Fox. Malachaih had been a witness to her father, George Fox’s ,Will in 1754. Mary had a son, Malachiah Bonham, Jr.

Malachiah, Sr. was excluded from the church. On February 3, 1757, twelve jurors ruled that

Malakiah Bonham. . . Yeoman, being a married man, on the first day of April in the 29th year of the Reign of our Now Sovereign Lord King George the Second at Kingwood . . . with one Mary Fox spinster then and there Adultery did commit. . . ." [Supreme Court Cases, Box 371 #20473, New Jersey Archives cited by Marfy Goodspeed].

In 1761, the church minutes noted,

Mr. Bonham cut off from privileges, [and later that year], Mr. Bonham appeared to express his desire for his place in the church which was denied him.

He was involved in the settlement of the estate of John Everitt in June, 1761.

He advertised his farm for sale in 1763 and 1764 and sold it at auction in 1765.

Hannah made a will in October, 1767, which was probated eleven years later, identifying her as the widow of Malachiah Bonham, Sr., and further indicating that they had no children.