An American Family History

Priscilla Bonham Langstaff was born on November 11, 1677 in Piscataway. Her parents were Nicholas Bonham and Hannah Fuller

She married John Langstaff about 1697. John was born in 1664 in Dover, New Hampshire. His parents were John Langstaffe and Elizabeth Fitz Randolph (daughter of Edward Fitz Randolph).

In 1699/1700, John Langstaff and Edward Slater who was Priscilla's sister, Elizabeth's husband were involved in anti-English, pre-revolutionary activities. The court wanted to hold proceedings in the Piscataway Public house. The townspeople were opposed to this and nailed the door shut.The sheriff attempted to break the door open and John and Edward stopped him forcibly. One account of this incident is below and another is on the Elizabeth and Edward Slater page.

John died November 13, 1745 in Piscataway. Priscilla died in 1710.

First printed in Boston 1745

This civil disobedience was an early example of the shift to Enlightenment thinking. Enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke said that the people gave the power to the government. Before that people believed that God gave the power to the government and that it was heresy to challenge it.

Children of Nicholas Bonham and Hannah Fuller Hannah Bonham Lippington Mary Bonham Dunham Elizabeth Bonham Slater Sarah Bonham Fitz Randolph Nicholas Bonham Elijah Bonham Hezekiah Bonham Samuel Bonham Jane Bonham Priscilla Bonham Langstaff

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.