“. . . Whose name has persevered thru succeeding history, with favored
characters of sturdiness, virility and church loyalty. “
New Jersey's first permanent European settlement was in 1660.
The Dutch were the first Europeans claim land in New Jersey. The region became a territory of England in 1664 when an English fleet sailed into New York Harbor and took control of Fort Amsterdam.
Sergeant Nicholas Bonham was born about 1630 and may have been the son of George Bonham and his first wife. Some genealogists believe he was George’s brother, rather than his son.
He married Hannah Fuller on January 1, 1658 in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Nicholas and Hannah Bonham.
He signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1672 to Holland. Part of New Jersey was settled by the Dutch as New Netherland. In 1664 the entire area was seized by the British, and given the name New Jersey, but it was not until the Treaty of Westminster in 1674 that they gained control.
He was approved Sergeant in 1681. Nicholas named the town of Bonhamtown in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Bonhamtown, five miles northeast from New Brunswick, was named for Nicholas Bonham, who was one of the first settlers, having become a freeholder in 1682, and so recorded as owner of lands by allotment.
During the Revolution five British regiments were stationed at Bonhamtown, and robbed and harried the residents for a considerable period, burning the houses and barns, and committing other outrages. The people were very loyal to the patriot cause. (from History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, John P. Wall and Harold E. Pickersgill)
He died on July 20, 1684 in Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. His will was proved on December 18, 1684.
Piscataway Township in New Jersey was first settled in 1666 by Quakers and Baptists who had left the Puritan colony in New Hampshire.
A freeholder is the owner of a freehold estate which is an interest in land that is not fixed by a specified period of time, but which may last during the lifetime of a person.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Barnstable, Massachusetts was settled in 1639 when Parson Joseph Hull came to Cape Cod with and his congregation from Weymouth. A little later in the year, the Reverend John Lothrop brought his Congregationalists. They incorporated as the Town of Barnstable.
