Richard is a bit of a mystery man. We think that he claimed to be a son of James and Frances Bonner, however none of the Philadelphia census returns or church records show that he was living with the family in Philadelphia. Further, Frances claimed to have given birth to nine children, all of which have been accounted. If we include Richard, he make it ten children. There is no question that Richard is a blood relative as the 2001 DNA test between Neil Bonner and Al Bonner, confirmed the connection between the families. However, Neil Bonner believes that Richard was most likely the nephew of James and Frances Bonner. It may also be that he was informally adopted by James and Frances.

Richard and John F., were close in the early days when both men moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Again, there is no question that John F. and Richard were close relatives.

This from Connie Culp (rrculp1@juno.com) of Egg Harbor Township, NJ. "Richards birth date is either May 1859 or 1858. His tombstone, Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Newark, NJ, says 1859. On his death certificate, the date of birth is blank but the age is given as 61. He died February 14, 1919 of influenza complications, bronchial pneumonia. If he were to have turned 62 in May, then his birth date would have been 1857."

The 1900 census shows Richard Bonner as born in May 1858. Three children: Alphonsus, born May 1893; Mary, born April 1895, and Leo, born May 1897. Richard's exact date of birth is not certain but given Frances' documented date of birth and the date given on Richard headstone, May 1859 seems reasonably accurate.

From Al Bonner: Obit listed a brother John in Elizabeth, NJ; 2 brothers, Edward and James, and 2 sisters, Sarah and Frances, in Philadelphia, PA.

His name did not appear on the church records of St. Anne's (would be the parish covering 1126 Monmouth St., Philadelphia, PA). Richard did not appear in the 1870 or 1880 census. But there is strong circumstantial evidence (see above obit) that point to him being a child (or nephew) of James and Frances. Richard was listed as the sponsor for his brother John's first child, James J. in 1887 in Elizabeth, NJ. He also lived with John in 1886 and 1887.

In 2001, both Neil Bonner and Al Bonner, confirmed descendents of John F. Bonner and Richard Bonner, respectively, had a Y-chromosome DNA test performed to see if they shared a common ancestor. The results came back positive that proved that a common ancestor existed. What it does not tell us is if James Bonner was the common ancestor or if it was the father or grandfather of James Bonner. However, given the other supporting evidence, it seems highly probable that Richard was the nephew (or son) of James and Frances Bonner, despite the lack of birth records.

[From Al Bonner]
Obit have Interment in St. James, Woodbridge. Actual Mt. Olivet, Newark.
Headstone DOB 1859, 1900 census says May, 1858
1900 Census- owns house "in back of Nash's"
1910 Census- owns house on C Street.
1919 Obit has address as 21 Atlantic Street

• Married: 7 SEP 1887 in St. Patrick's Church, Elizabeth, NJ ⁶

1. Alphonsus Joseph Bonner , Sr. b: 21 MAY 1893 in Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey
2. Mary Frances Bonner b: 16 JUN 1895 in Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey
3. Leo P. Bonner b: 23 JUL 1897 in Carteret, Middlesex, New Jersey

1. Title: 1900 Federal Census, New Jersey, Union County, Elizabeth, E.D. 97, Sheet 27
   Repository:
   Note: NARA, Washington, DC
   Media: Microfilm
2. Title: Marriage Certificate
   Repository:
   Media: Official Document
3. Title: Al Bonner GEDCOM of Richard J. Bonner
   Author: Al Bonner Jr.
   Repository:
   Media: Electronic
   Text: Date of Import: Jan 26, 2000
4. Title: Al Bonner, email to Neil Bonner, 27 August 2000
   Text: Al Bonner received a copy of his father's Social Security application from 11-30-1936. In it he gives his fathers full name as Richard Joseph Bonner.
5. Title: Certificate and Record of Death
   Repository:
   Media: Book
6. Title: St. Patrick's Church, Elizabeth, NJ, Marriage Journal 1861-1930
   Repository:
   Media: Microfilm
   Page: page 91
   Text: Richard Bonner age 27, son of James Bonner & Mary McDevitt. Catherine Sullivan age 27, daughter of John Sullivan & Cath. Murphy(?). Witness John Whealan & Mary Sullivan (Rev. Martin Gessner)