An American Family History

George Bonham was born in either 1604 or 1611 in England or Holland.

George's first wife was named Bishop. Nicholas Bonham was born about 1630. Some genealogists believe that he was George’s brother rather than his son.

George sailed to Virginia on the Phillip, with master Richard Morgan on June 20, 1635 and his age was recorded as 31 at that time. 

In August, 1640 he bought land and a house in Plymouth, Massachusetts. George married Sarah Morton on December 20, 1644 in Plymouth. Sarah was the daughter of George Morton and Juliana Carpenter and was born at Leyden, Holland about 1617.

Ruth Bonham Barrow was born about 1645. Patience Bonham Willis Holmes was born about 1647. The first child named Sarah Bonham was born on December 4, 1649. She died early in 1650. The second child named Sarah Bonham was born on January 12, 1650/51. She died soon after. The third child named Sarah Bonham was born on December 10, 1653. She died on April 28, 1704. George Bonham was born in 1655. 

In 1658, George became a freeman and was a grand juror. In 1659 the court found Bonham's charges that John Smith had made scornful speeches against him to be frivolous and ordered them to choose neighbors to help settle the dispute.

On June 3, 1662 George was on the list of ancient freeman to get land at Taunton and on June 7 1665 he was granted a thirty acre share near the Nemasket River.

In 1672 he was allowed to build a fulling mill on the town brook. A fulling mill cleans wool to eliminate oils, dirt, and other impurities, and makes it thicker.

George died April 18, 1704 in Massachusetts at the age of 93.

Aprill 28th 1704 dyed our brothr George Bonham, he lived to a good old age, being about 95 years of age he was a man almost all men Spake well of & is gone to receve his Crown.

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.

Some Puritans gave their children hortatory names (from the Latin for “encourage”) like Thankful, hoping that the children would live up to them. The names were used for several generations.

Any man entering an American colony was not free and his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman."