First Generation - Thomas Bonney (1604-?)

Thomas Bonney (also called Goodman Bonney) was the first of the family in America. He was an emigrant in the ship Hercules of Sandwich, England. This boat was of 200 tons, John Whitberley, Master. "Bound for the plantation called New England in America with certificates from the ministers where they last dwelt, of their conversation and conformity to the orders and discipline of the church and that they had taken the oath of allegiance and supremacy." Among other passengers named appears:

"Tho. Bonney and Hen. Ewell of Sandwich, shoemakers. Certificates from Mr. Tho. Warren, rector of St. Peters in Sandwich, 14 Mar. 1634."

Source: The Bonney Family by Charles L. Bonney, Chicago. Second Edition. Published by Chicago Legal News Co., 87 Clark St., Chicago, 1898.

1643 - Military Service

In August the number of those in each town between the ages of 16 and 60, able to bear arms, was ascertained by the court, and their names recorded. Those of Duxbury were: Thomas Bonney and others.

1643-1644 - Public Service

Thomas Bonney was a constable at Duxbury. "This was an office of high trust and responsibility and none were elected to it but men of good standing." - Winsor

1652 - Community Leadership

Thomas Bonney was a surveyor of highways, continuing his service to the community.

1691 - Family Legacy

The town record says: "Town did agree that Goodman Bonney should have a pair of shoes bought with part of the rent dew for the common meadows."

Family Chronicle

Perez Bonney's chronicle of his predecessors and likewise his own posterity — from his grandfather down to his own grandchildren.

"I, the subscriber, Perez Bonney, the son of John Bonney, of Pembroke, having a mind to write an account of my predecessor, according to the best information that ever I had, I shall begin with my grandfather, Thomas Bonney, who came from Dover, in England, and was born about the year 1604, and married Mary Terry, but she died, and then he married Mary Hunt, being as I have been told about 50 years old by whom he had:"

Thomas Bonney's Children

Thomas Bonney and Mary Hunt had the following children:

• Thomas 2nd, who married Dorcas Sampson
• Mary, who married John Mitchell
• Sarah, who married Nathaniel Cole
• Hannah, unknown
• John, who married Elizabeth Bishop
• William, who married Ann May
• Joseph, who married Margaret Phillips
• James, who married Abigail Bishop

"My grandfather was by trade or occupation a cordwainer and settled in Duxborough."

Pembrook, Jan. 23d, 1758. Perez Bonney.

King Philip's War - Land Grant (1675-1676)

From Bodge's history of King Philip's War, Page 406:

"It will be remembered that when, on December 16th, 1675, the forces of Massachusetts Colony were mustered on Dedham Plain, to march against the Narraganset fort, a proclamation was made to the soldiers, in the name of the governor, that 'if they played the man, took the fort and drove the enemy out of the Narraganset country, which is their great seat, they should have a gratuity of land, besides their wages.'"

"We find that after they had performed the service, and the war was long past, the soldiers were not forgetful of their claim, nor the colony unmindful of its obligation."

Narraganset Land Grant (1733)

Page 438. "The list below is copied directly from the old Proprietors Record Book."

A list of the Narraganset Grantees for the Township No. 7—Boston, June 6, 1733.

DUXBURY:

• Robert Barker - 101
• Robert Sandfort for his father Robert - 95
• Thos. Bonney - 32
• Stephen Sampson - 97
• Thos. Hunt for his uncle Thomas Hunt - 77
• Thos. Standish for his uncle Henry Clark - 105

Land Holdings

In 1640 Thomas had land N.W. of North Hill and thirty acres at Namasakeeset. Name changed to Pembroke and subsequently changed to Hanson.

Thomas was one of the proprietors of Bridgewater in 1645, but lived at Duxbury.

Thomas 2nd inherited his father's land in Duxbury.

Last Will and Testament (1691)

Upon the 2 Day of January in the Year of our Lord 1691

"I. Thomas Boney Senr Shoomaker Living in Duxburongh being of sound mind & in good and perfect remembrance (praissed be the Lord for it) Make & ordaine this my last Will & Testament In manner & form following that is to say first I commend my Soule unto All mighty God, my maker & redeemer, & my bodie to be desently buried Ar funerall charges defraied together with all my just & lawfull debts."

Item I bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Boney all my houses & Landes in Duxburrough as also all my cattell & all my household state for her proper use & behoofe During her naturall Life & if anny thing remaine of the movables My Will is that they be desposed of by her a Mongst my children as she thenkes fit."