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James Bonner

Col. James Bonner was born in 1719 in either Beaufort Precinct of Hyde Precinct of Bath County. His father, Thomas Bonner was a land owner in Hyde Precinct in 1715. He died in Beaufort County, North Carolina in 1782. He was buried in the town of Washington which was founded on his land. His grave was just across the present "Main Street" from the present St. Peter's Episcopal Church, which was built at an earlier date, on land which he donated for "the building of a church". His remains were removed to that churchyard (southwest corner) between 1888 and 1893.Col. James Bonner will probably be remembered longest for his efforts in helping to found the town of Washington, North Carolina, for which he donated land for the public buildings and streets and for a church. He and his brother Major Henry Bonner and their brother-in-law Col. Edward Salter were three of rge Commissioners appointed by the Colonial Assembly for founding the town. They laid off 60 lots, which were disposed of by lottery. Col. James held various offices of distinction in Beaufort County. He was appointed on December 5, 1760, by the Governor and Council at Wilmington as Justice of the Peace in Beaufort County. He was appointed Colonel of the Beaufort County Militia on September 9, 1775, and April 20, 1776. He (or his son James) was a member of the Constitutional Convention. He represented Beaufort County at the General Assembly in New Bern, North Carolina on December 5, 1769, and November 12, 1771.James was twice married; first to Anne (or Mary) Snoad who died before 1782. She was the daughter of Col. John Snoad and his wife Elizabeth who came to North Carolina and settled in the Pamlico Section about 1720 and died there in 1743. James married secondly to Mary Maule the daughter of Dr. Patrick Maule and his wife Elizavbeth of Bath, North Carolina who died before June 1736.