This Benjamin Bonner, husband of Frances, is NOT the same Benjamin Bonner, son of Thomas Bonner and Sarah Peyton. Their Benjamin Bonner married Mary Jennett. Although they are similar in age, they lived in two different counties in NC, and while their Benjamin could sign his full name, this one could only write his mark: "B". It is possible that Benjamin Bonner who married Frances also had a father named Thomas as well, lending to the confusion between the two men. Source: Robert and Hazel Bonner, bonner@aeitv.net (2006)


Signature Analysis research by Robert and Hazel Bonner:

"CENTRAL NC, (GRANVILLE CO) AND SC (SPARTANBURG DISTRICT)

9/30/1779: Benjamin Bonner and Frances Bonner sell 555 ac of land. Benjamin's signature is noted with his mark, a "B". Frances' signature is noted with "her mark", an "X". Granville Co., NC, Deed Book O, page 13.

12/28/1781 : Benjamin Bonner of Montgomery Co., VA sells 354 acres of land. His signature is noted with "his mark", a "B". Granville, Co., NC, Deed Book O, page 354.

1/11/1794: Benjamin Bonner deeds to son "Demsey", 100 acres of land. His signature is noted with "his mark", a "B". Spartanburg, Dist. SC, Deed Book C, pages 256-257.

3/9/1805 : Benjamin Bonner deeds 100 acres of land. His signature is noted with "Signed Benjamin Bonner's mark". Spartanburg, Dist. SC, Deed Book K, pages 43-44.

Various dates: Four other document executed between 1805 and 1814, essentially the same as above, have the same notations regarding "His Mark". Spartanburg, Dist. SC, Deed Books.

7/29/1814 : Benjamin Bonner executes his will. The signature is noted with "his mark". Spartanburg, Dist. SC, Will Book A, page 55."
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TIMELINE: (Research by Robert and Hazel Bonner, bonner@aeitv.net)

Feb 4, 1750: Born February 4. Date from other researchers used.

1769: Granville Co., NC - Listed in NC Taxpayers 1701-1786 Book.

Feb 25, 1770: Amelia Co., VA or Granville Co., NC - Married Frances (2nd Cousin) February 25th. No marriage record found in Amelia or Montgomery County, VA. Amelia records for this time period are missing.

Nov 24, 1773: Granville Co., NC - Bought 555 ac for 40 pounds from Calvinhouse on Picture Branch. Nov. 24th. Book K, p. 169.

May 22, 1778: Granville Co., NC - May 22, Men who took Oath of Allegiance to the State in Dutch District of Granville Co., : Benjamin Bonner, Thomas Bonner, Jr. and Thomas Bonner, Sr (d.1817). State Records of NC Vol. XXII, p. 171. (Not Thomases of Beaufort, Co., NC.)

Nov 7, 1778: Granville Co., NC - Nov 7, enters 250 ac in Granville on Little Ledge of Rocks Creek. Land Entry #295 from Granville, NC Land Entries 1778-1785 Book.

Sep 30, 1779: Granville Co., NC - Benjamin and Frances of Granville Co. - Sold 555 ac of 800 pounds on Picture Branch to Okey. Sept. 30. Book O, page 13 (Bought Nov 24, 1773, see above).

1780: Montgomery Co., VA - Ordered to appear at the next court to answer a Presentment of the Grand Jury for unlawfully cohabitating with Christina Huffman (from Granville, Co., VA). Notes from Nov. Court.

Nov 7, 1780: Montgomery Co., VA, Nov. 7, 1780 - Presented to the Nov. court for Adultery. Montgomery Co. Court Record.

May 1, 1781: Montgomery Co., VA - May 1, Benjamin Bonner was presented for adultery. Montgomery Co., Court Record.

Dec 28, 1781: Montgomery Co., VA - Dec. 28, Benjamin of Montgomery Co., VA sold 250 ac for 30 pounds on Little Ledge of Rock Creek to Jones. Book O, page 354. (Land was obtained Nov. 7, 1778, see above).

1782: Montgomery Co., VA - listed in Montgomery Co. VA Land Tax List Book, Acreage 100, Value 20, Tax 4/.

Jan 6, 1782: Montgomery Co., VA - Jan. 6, Suit against Benjamin Bonner by Daniel Miles of a plea of trespass, assault, battery and mayhem damage - 500,000 pounds. Montgomery Co., Court Record.

Mar 5, 1782: Montgomery Co., VA - March 5, Alick Neely, assignee of Benjamin Bonner sells 400 acres on the Head of Mill Creek. Entry Book A, Montgomery Co., page 42.

1782: Surry Co., NC - Listed in NC Taxpayers, Surry Co.

Aug 24, 1783: Surry Co., NC - Aug 24, Quillen sold Benjamin Bonner of Granville 200 ac for 65 pounds on Blews Creek. Book C, page 54-55.

Jan 8, 1788: Surry Co., NC - Jan 8, Sold 195 ac. On Blews Creek to Russ for 100 pounds. (Bought Aug. 24, 1783, see above).

Jul 18, 1789: Granville, Co., NC - July 18, Daughter, Delitha, married James Nicholas Merriman. Granville Co., Marriages #287, on microfilm.

July 1789: York Co., SC - Fined for Adultery, York Minute Book A, July Court 1789

Aug 24, 1789: (York/Spartanburg District), SC - Aug 24, Bought 300 ac for 25 pounds on Broad R of Sarratt's Creek. Spartanburg Deed Book B, pps 283-285.

Sep 7, 1789: (York/Spartanburg District), SC - Sep 7, Bought 122 ac for 20 pounds on Broad R of Sarratt's Creek. Spartanburg Deed Book B, pps 285-287.
1790: Spartanburg Co., SC - Listed in SC census, page 88.

Jan 11, 1794: Spartanburg Co., SC - Jan 11, Sold son, Dempsey, 100 ac. Deed Book C, pgs. 256-257.

1800: Spartanburg Co., SC - Listed in SC census, page 168.

1810: Spartanburg Co., SC - Listed in SC census, page 202.

1804-1814: Spartanburg Co., SC - Various Deeds

1814: Spartanburg Co., SC - Died on the Bonner Plantation near Gaffney, SC. "

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TAX AND CENSUS RECORDS
1766 Granville County, NC Tax List of Robert Harris:
Bonner, Moses, Ben Bonner and Abrm Horton 3 Whites

1769 Granville County, NC Tax List:
Boner, Benjamin 1

1782 Montgomery County, VA:
Bonner, Benjamin 0 Tithes, 0 Slaves, 0 Horses, O Cattle, Yes-Land 100 Acres, 20 Value, 4/ Tax

1782 Surry County, NC Taxpayers: Bonner, Benj

1790 Census - Ninety-Six District, Spartanburg County, SC:
2 Free white males over 16
1 Free white female
1 slave

1800 Census - Spartanburg County, SC, page 168, Benjamin Bonner, 00002-00001-01

1810 Census - Spartanburg County, SC, page 202, Ben Boner, 00001-00001-01

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WILL OF BENJAMIN BONNER
Book A, Pages 55 & 56
Spartanburg Distirct, South Carolina

I Benjamin Bonner of the State and District aforesaid planter being in a low and weak state of health though sound in mind, memory, and understanding do make this my last will and Testament (revoking all other wills and instruments by me made) in manner and form following -- First, I will and desire that I may be decently buried in a suitable place. Secondly, I will to my beloved wife Frances Bonner my negro man Dick, a mare, saddle and bridle, one cow and calf, first choice, feather bed and furniture, six hogs, one ewe and lamb and her dwelling with her son Briant her life time if she so chooses to live with him and to have such a part of this crop this winter as well as her stock. Thirdly, to my son Dempsey Bonner, I will my wagon and hindgeers, one brown horse and one cow and calf -- Forthly to my daughter Delitha Merriman I will a piece of land lying on the right hand of the path leading from Nathan Byars to the furnace, one young horse matchless and one cow and calf, one feather bed, the land bounded by Nathan Byars, Silas Yarboro and Wilson Nesbitt supposed to be one hundred acres more or less. Fifthly, to my son Briant Bonner I will my lands and plantation where I now live, he is to take care of his Mother as long as she pleases to live with him and at her death or departure he is clear, one sorrell mare white main and tail, one cow and calf, and at the death of his Mother, if she continues until then with him he must keep what property she may have -- all the balance of the cattle, sheep, hogs and other property remaining to be equally divided amongst my three children except so much household and Kitchen furniture as will be necessary for my wife and this I do declare to be my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of July one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
Signed in the presence of Thomas Witaker, Silas Yarbrough, James Matthews. His mark and seal Benjamin (X) Bonner


Cemetery is located on the property of Mr. Smith Wood, 1414 Twin Bridge Rd., North of Gaffney, SC (9-19-2000) This is NOT the Grassy Pond Cemetery. The surroundings to the cemetery were grown over, and the cemetery is difficult to reach. Source: Robert and Hazel Bonner bonner@aeitv.net (2006)

• Married: 25 FEB 1770 in Amelia County, VA

1. Dempsey Sr. BONNER b: 4 FEB 1771 in Granville District, NC or Ninety Six Dist., SC
2. Delitha BONNER b: 16 JUN 1773 in Granville District, NC
3. Bryant Sr. BONNER b: 14 OCT 1774 in Rutherford County, NC or Ninety-Six Dist., SC (Tombstone - Aged 60 years 8 months 16 days=Feb. 4, 1774 birth date)

1. Title: Maternal and Paternal Ancestors of Dempsey De Kalb Bonner and Emma Virginia Johnson Bonner
   Author: Anne B. Marley
   Note: Marley was one of the earlier researchers and did excellent work. However, we feel she was incorrect in citing "our" Benjamin Bonner" as the son of Thomas Bonner of Beaufort.
   Note: Excellent
   Repository:
   Note: Copies of pertinent pages in R&H Bonner reference documents.
   Media: Book
   Page: 1
   Text: These dates were copied from the tombstones in the Old Bonner Cemetery near Gafney, SC. (Note - this is not the Grassy Pond Cemetery as some mistakenly believe. Old Bonner Cemetery is a few miles north and west of Grassy Pond). We think Anne visited there about 1942. In two separate visits there around 2000, R&H Bonner were unable to locate the stones because of the condition of the cemetery.