An American Family History

Henry Bonner lived in 17th and 18th century Colonial Maryland. He was near kin to Sarah Bonner. He was described as a gentleman.

Great Bonnerton (100 acres) was surveyed on November 11, 1659 for James Bonner.

In 1669 Henry was the clerk of Charles County, Maryland.

The first public record of him was a 1670 land patent for 50 acres in Charles County which he called None Such.

Henry married Elizabeth on November 15, 1665. Elizabeth was born about 1642 and had been married three time before Henry. She had been married to William Wilkes (Weeks), John Taylor, and Walter Story, Sr.

In January, 1676/77, Elizabeth Bonner was appointed as the guardian of Elizabeth Smoot, the daughter of Richard Smoot until she was 16 or married. Elizabeth was to teach her to read and write and she was not to work around the house.

Henry served as Clerk in Charles County from 1670 until 1672.

Henry became the guardian of Elizabeth's son Walter Story, Jr.

Henry and Elizabeth were sued by Mr. John Long of London for Walter Story's debts for goods shipped from England. Elizabeth claimed that Walter had not had any dealings with Mr. Long, but other witnesses disputed that.

In 1772 the court ordered Henry and Elizabeth, as Walter Story's executors, to pay John Long 248£ 8s 7d for the 11,200 pounds of tobacco paid them by Thomas Notley. The court granted Mr. Long a 14 year lease of the 175 acre of the parcel called Walter Story's Land to pay part of the debt. Apparently Henry and Elizabeth were jailed because of the debt.

The lease was made when Walter Story, Jr. was 7 years old and would expire when he was of age at 21. In 1774 he was almost old enough to choose his own guardian and threatened to do so and challenge the lease in order for Henry and Elizabeth to be released from prison where they were to remain until he was of age.

In 1674 Henry and Elizabeth gave her sons from her prior marriage, John and Thomas Taylor, 450 acres that had been surveyed for their father, John Taylor that had been granted to Elizabeth on August 21, 1658.

In 1677 he witnessed an indenture between Peter Carr and John Gray.

In 1678 he witnessed the will of Colonel John Douglas and that year he received a patent for 200 acres in Charles County which he called Bonner's Retirement.

In 1680 he witnessed an indenture between Thomas Harris and Ralph Smith in Charles County, Maryland.

In 1681 Henry and Elizabeth sold Bonner's Retirement.

Henry served as Clerk of Anne Arundel County in 1685. In February of that year a dispute arose as to who was the official Clerk. Francis Downs was appointed Clerk and given the official seal, but Bonner kept the documents in his possession. The Council of Maryland declared that Downs was the Clerk.

In 1686 he received a patent for 500 acres in what is now Harford County named Bonner's Purchase.

In 1692 he was removed from the office of Clerk of the Council of Maryland. Henry told the Legislature that Secretary Lawrence had offered him half the Clerk's salary to resign so he could appoint his relative, Thomas Briscoe. Henry refused and Lawrence dismissed him and appointed Briscoe. Some of the colonists petitioned to have him continue in office, but were not successful.

In 1699 he sold Bonnor's Purchase to Thomas Beale.

He served as clerk in Prince George's County from November 28, 1699 until his death in October, 1702.

He left his estate to his wife and making her sole executrix of his will. She received his land in Baltimore/Harford County including Bonner's Camp and Bonner's Interest.

The inventory of his estate included a six year old mixed race boy who had 26 more years of service, a large pewter service set, some silver, two "very old" horses, and many pieces of furniture.  The total value of his personal estate was 34£ 12s 3d. 

On June 9, 1705 Elizabeth Bonner testified that her former servant, Catherine Worly, gave birth to a boy, William Worly, whose father was an African American who was enslaved. The child belonged to Henry Haule who sold him to Henry Bonner until he reached age 21. Henry bound him to Benjamin Warren who sold him to William Penn.

A land patent is an exclusive land grant made by the government. The certificate that grants the land rights is also called first-title deed and final certificate. In the United States, all land can be traced back to the original land patent.

Mister ( Mr.) was derived from master and Mrs. and Miss were derived from mistress. They indicated people of superior social status in colonial America.

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.