Early Life and Family

Benjamin Bonney was born in 1738 in Pembroke, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the son of Job Bonney (c. 1712-) and Ruth Bisbee (1715-), making him a grandson of James Bonney and a great-grandson of Thomas "Goodman" Bonney, the first of the Bonney family in America. Benjamin was one of twelve children born to Job and Ruth, including his brothers Jethro (1735-1824), Jonathan (1737-1756), Levi Bonney Jr. (1743-1824), Job Bonney Jr. (1750-1801), and Luke Bonney (1752-1807).

Benjamin grew up during a period of increasing tension between the American colonies and Great Britain. The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was ongoing during his childhood and early adulthood, and by the time he reached maturity, the colonies were experiencing growing resistance to British policies that would eventually lead to the American Revolution.

Military Service

Benjamin Bonney held the rank of Captain, indicating significant military service during his lifetime. The title "Captain" suggests he served as an officer in the colonial militia, likely during the American Revolutionary War period. Military service was a common responsibility for men of standing in colonial Massachusetts, and leadership positions in the militia reflected the trust and respect of the community.

During the Revolutionary era, militia captains were responsible for organizing and leading local military units, training soldiers, and coordinating defense efforts. The role required leadership skills, organizational ability, and a commitment to the defense of the community and the cause of American independence.

Service in the Third Provincial Congress

Benjamin Bonney's most significant contribution to American history came through his service as Chesterfield's delegate to the Third Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. The Provincial Congresses were the de facto governing bodies of Massachusetts during the American Revolution, operating from 1774 to 1780. They effectively replaced the royal government and managed the colony's affairs during the transition from British rule to independent statehood.

The Third Provincial Congress met during a critical period in 1775, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April of that year, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The Provincial Congresses were responsible for organizing the colony's defense, managing military affairs, coordinating with other colonies, and establishing the framework for independent government.

As Chesterfield's delegate, Benjamin Bonney represented the interests of his community in the Provincial Congress, helping to shape the policies and decisions that would guide Massachusetts through the Revolutionary period. The delegates to the Provincial Congresses were chosen by their towns and represented the will of the people, making them important figures in the establishment of American self-governance.

The Provincial Congresses played a crucial role in the American Revolution, organizing the colonial response to British authority, coordinating military efforts, and establishing the foundations for the new state governments. Delegates like Benjamin Bonney were instrumental in transforming Massachusetts from a British colony into an independent state.

Family Connections and Legacy

Benjamin Bonney's service in the Third Provincial Congress represents an important continuation of the Bonney family's commitment to civic engagement and public service. His grandfather James Bonney had been part of the second generation of the Bonney family in America, and his great-grandfather Thomas Bonney had served as constable and participated in King Philip's War. Benjamin's brother Luke Bonney would serve as a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention (1779-1780), demonstrating the family's continued involvement in the political and governmental development of Massachusetts and America.

The Bonney family's participation in the governance of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period reflects their standing in the community and their commitment to the principles of self-governance and representation. From Thomas Bonney's emigration in 1634 seeking religious freedom and self-determination, through James and Job Bonney's establishment in colonial Massachusetts, to Benjamin and Luke Bonney's service during the Revolution, the family demonstrated a consistent commitment to civic engagement and the development of American institutions.

Historical Context

Benjamin Bonney's life and service spanned the critical transition from British colonial rule to American independence. Born in 1738, he came of age during the French and Indian War and witnessed the growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. His service in the Third Provincial Congress placed him at the center of the Revolutionary movement in Massachusetts, helping to guide the colony through one of the most transformative periods in American history.

The Third Provincial Congress met during a period when the colonies were actively resisting British authority and establishing their own independent governments. Delegates like Benjamin Bonney were responsible for making decisions that would shape the future of Massachusetts and contribute to the broader struggle for American independence. His service demonstrates the role that local leaders played in the Revolution, as communities throughout the colonies sent delegates to represent their interests and guide the movement toward independence.

Benjamin Bonney's legacy is part of the larger story of the Bonney family's contribution to American history. From the founding of the family in America by Thomas Bonney through the Revolutionary era, the Bonney family demonstrated a consistent commitment to civic service, community leadership, and the development of American institutions. Captain Benjamin Bonney's service in the Third Provincial Congress represents an important chapter in this ongoing story.

Sources: Massachusetts Provincial Congress records; Chesterfield, Massachusetts town records; The New England Historical and Genealogical Register; Missouri Bonney Family Genealogy by Gregory N. Bonney.