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I recently reviewed a copy of "A memoir of the Bonham Family" written about 1905 by Milledge Lipscomb (a descendant of Milledge Luke Bonham, who was a general in the CSA army and Governor of South Carolina). This document throws out an interesting bit of possible information on the question as to the relationship between George and Nicholas Bonham, and how they got to the Plymouth Bay colony in the first place.
By way of background, it is well established that George and Nicholas Bonham were both living in Plymouth colony in 1635. George was listed as among the passengers on the ship Phillip bound for "Virginia" from London in 1635, although some authorities believe that the "Virginia" destination might have been a generic designation for any of the American colonies. Nicholas was not listed on the passenger list (though it would not have been uncommon for children not to be so listed), but both George and Nicholas are shown in Plymouth Colony records as taking the oath of allegience in 1635.
Some authorities have stated flatly that George and Nicholas were brothers; others, that they were probably father and son.
On the subject of early Bonhams, Lipscomb writes:
"According to the tradition handed down in the family, sometime between 1625 and 1640 three brothers named Bonham settled on the eastern shore at or near Jamestown. One of them, Hezekiah, was a ship builder and sailing master, and traded in his own vessels along the coast as far north as Massachusetts Bay. He sailed on one of these expeditions and was never heard from again . . . . His son was accustomed to accompanying him on some of these voyages, and is believed to have settled in Massachusetts."
Ergo, a new possible wrinkle . . . perhaps the Bonham family first settled in the America in Jamestown colony, and then moved to Plymouth Colony. Perhaps George, Nicholas, and Hezekiah were the "three brothers." Anyone with access to Jamestown colonial records want to check this lead?
Louis K. Bonham
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