A Maine Family's History - Smith / Glidden Surnames

Bonython

Bonython, Bonithon, Bonighton, Bonythan

Ralph BONYTHON of Bonythan

Spouse: (1) Elizabeth DOWNE (2) Elizabeth ERISSEY/Erisey

Children: Richard, son & heir; John; Edmond; Katherine; Margaret (the 2 girls may have been Edmond's)

Richard BONYTHON

Spouse: Jane DURANT daughter of John Durant

Children: John, son & heir; James married Margerie Melhuise; Janet married Tregolies; Christian married Christopher Davy; Bersaba married John Davy; Elizabeth married William Condor & Peter Cooke; Isabelle married James Pawley; Charity

John BONYTHON

Spouse: Eleanor MYLLAYTON/Mylaton daughter of Job of Pengerisk Castle, St Breock, Kirrier, Governor of St. Michael's Mount

Children: Reskymer, son & heir; Richard; Edmond; William; John, Captain of Pendennis Castle; Elizabeth married Henry Pomeroy; Anne married Walter Roscarrock

Captain Richard BONYTHON baptized 4/3/1580 St. Columb Major by 1629 in Maine, in Saco 1631, first court in Maine held at his house 3/25/1636, ancestor of Longfellow

Spouse: Lucretia/Jane? born 1601

Children: John; Susanna; Thomas; Gabriel; Winnefred; and Eleanor married Richard Cumming

Susanna BONYTHON, baptized St. Breage, Cornwall 2/5/1614-6

Spouse: Richard FOXWELL born circa 1604; migrated 1630; in Maine as early as 1632; lived Piscataqua & Scarborough, trader, died by 1677, "a quarrelling discontented person"

Children: Richard born circa 1635; Esther born circh 1637 married Thomas Rogers; John born circa 1639 married Deborah Johnson; Lucretia born circa 1644 married James Robinson; Susannah born circa 1636 2nd wife of John Ashton; Philiip born circa 1651 married Eleanor Brackett; Mary born circa 1656 married George Norton; Sarah born circa 1658 married Joseph Curtis in Kittery

Susannah FOXWELL born 1640 Maine, died at Newcastle

Spouse: John ASHTON / Austin born Scarborough ME 1638, refugee at Newcastle 1678, at Marblehead 1690, living 1714. He married (1) daughter of Andrew Alger (2) Susannah (3) 7/30/1691 Mary (Edgecomb) Page

Children: Susannah married at Marblehead 10/14/1684 Robert Codner. Mary married at Scarborough 2/23/1687 Daniel Libby. Samuel, fisherman, married 7/14/1686 Mary Sandin 6 ch. Elizabeth baptized 12/11/1687 married Nicholas Merritt who died at Marblehead 1736 10 ch. Philip, shoreman, married 11/20/1701 Sarah Hendly 2 ch. Philip Jr. in 1725 printed Ashton's memorial, Strange Adventures of Philip Ashton, Taken by Pirates. This narrative mentions his cousins Joseph Libbee, who saved him from drowning, and Benj. Ashton. Joseph born 1678 died 8/22/1725. (Gravestone at Marblehead.) Married first 8/4/1700 Mary Page, 2nd 1/25/1713-4 Mary (Dutch) Page widow probably of Christopher

The Western Antiquary Vol 1: BONYTHON OF BONYTH0N. Arms Arg a chev betw three fleur de lie Sa. Ralph Bonithan of Bonithan. Paid Subsidy in Cury 15 Hen VIII. He mar Elizabeth dau of Downe. (1) Issue 1 Richard 3 & h. 2 Edmond who mar and had issue two daughters Katherine mar to Tho Godolphin, vide Godolphin ped and Margaret. 3 John ob s.p. Richard the eldest son paid Subsidy in Cury 15 Hen VIII. He mar Jane dau & h of John Durant of Pensinans in Cornwall. Paid Subsidy in Bodmin 16 Hen VIII being then a widow. They had issue two sons and six daughters viz 1 John s & h below. 2 James second son paid Subsidy in Mullion l Eliz. Lay Subsidy 87- 218. He mar Margenie dau of John Melhuise of Truro Merther. 3. Jannet mar __Tregolles. 4. Christian mar. Nicholas Davy. 5. Bersaba mar John Davy. 6 Elizabeth mar first Wm Condon & after to Peter Cooke. 7. Isabel mar James Prawley 8. Charity. John Bonithan the eld s & h paid Subsidy in Cury 1 Eliz Lay Sub 87 218. He mar Eleanor dau & coh of William Myllayton and had issue five sons and daughters viz 1 Reskimer a & h 2 Richard 3 Edmond 4 William 6 John 6 Anne mar Walter Roscarock 7 Elizabeth mar Hen Pomeroy of Tregony. Reskimer Bonythan s & h of Bonythan Sheriff of Cornwall living in 1620 d 6 Ap 1627 PM 17 Chas I pt 1 No 73 He mar Loveday d. of Wm Randall.

Saco and Biddeford, York County, Maine: Capt. Richard Bonython was probably settled on his grant as early as his associate, Mr. Lewis .* 1636 , holden at his house. He was appointed by Sir F. Gorges one of the Counsellors for the government of the Province in 1640 . The last court under that authority sat at Wells 1646 , when Capt. Bonython was present. The latest transaction in which we find him engaged, is the conveyance of a piece of land July 14, 1647 . His death probably occurred not long after, certainly before the year 1653 ; for he is not enumerated among the inhabitants of East Saco , in a list taken at that time, which contains the name of his son.* Capt. Bonython was, doubtless, strongly opposed to the claims of Rigby , but we have met with no evidence that he took an active part in the discussions growing out of them. He seems to have sustained a character for gravity of deportment, and was evidently treated with great respect by his associates in office. He was rarely, if ever, a party in any action of whatever kind, but constant in the performance of his duties as a magistrate; we even find him entering a complaint against his own son, for threatening violence to Mr. Vines . At the same term the court ordered "that Jane Shaw , wife of Edw. Shaw , shall be whipped at the next quarter court holden at Saco , for abusing Capt. Bonython in slanderous and unreverend speeches." Edward recognized in the sum of £50 "to bring his wife to abide the censure of the court." The children of Capt. Bonython were a son and two daughters; born in England . ///John , the son, bore a character the reverse of that of his father. His litigious disposition has already appeared in our extracts from the court records. In 1645 , Capt. Bonython said in open court, "that he knew wherever his son met Mr. Richard Vines he would be revenged on him, for he had not forgotten the old quarrel." He did not appear to answer to the charge, and the court proceeded to pass the following decree; "Whereas J. Bonython of Saco , in the Province of Maine , hath been summoned divers times in his Majesty's name to appear at our courts, and hath refused, threatening to kill and slay any persons that should lay hands on him; whereupon the law hath had its due proceeding to an outlawry, and divers judgments, executions and warrants of good behaviour: We, therefore, at a General Court assembled, adjudge the said John Bonython outlawed and incapable of any of his Majesty's laws, and proclaim him a rebel." It was then ordered "that if Mr. John Bonython be taken, that he be forthwith sent to Boston , to answer such things as shall then be brought against him." His contempt of the authority of the province was referred to the arbitration of that government. His father was a member of the provincial court./// The inhabitants did not all quietly submit to this arbitrary resumption of power. That old offender, and inveterate enemy to their authority, Mr. John Bonython , was again brought before the court for contempt. It was ordered, that if he "would give bonds for his appearance at the next court of assistants, or associates, to answer for his contempt of his Majesty's authority settled in the Colony, and in the meantime keep the peace and submit to his Majesty's government, it would be accepted. At the first Mr. Bonython refused to accept the court's tender, but upon further consideration yielded his subjection to this authority of the Mass. under his Majesty, for further confirmation whereof he and his son, Mr. Thomas Bonython , did both of them take oath in the presence of this court." John accordingly appeared at the next court. The presentment of the grand jury was as follows: "We present John Bonython, Senior , for his contempt of the Mass. government, and for saying that the Bay men are rogues and rebels against his Majesty, and that rogue Maj. Leverett he hoped would be hanged, and if he wanted a hangman, he would be one for them." Fined 22l. Mr. Bonython gave as security for the payment of the fine Mr. Seth Fletcher 5l.; R. Foxwell 6l.; R. Cummins 6l.; J. Gibbins 50s.; J. Presbury 50s. Thomas Taylor was presented at this court "for abusing Capt. F. Raynes being in authority by thee-ing and thou-ing of him, and many other abusive speeches." John Bonython jr. and Thos. Bonython were presented "for living in a disorderly family in the house of their father, a contemner of this authority."

Maine Pioneers: Captain Richard Bonithon; Bonython; Bonighton Comment: Settled at Saco. His name stands at the head of the list of Commissioners who held court at Saco 25 March, 1636, and the session was held at his house. His son John was before the court at the same meeting. He had a tract of land by way of exchange from Robert Child 14 July, 1647, for his son in law Rich: Comeman, betwixt the river of Saco and Tho: Williams his house, etc. Witnesses Eliza and Lucretia Bonighton.

Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire: John Ashton, Scarborough born circa 1638; refugee at Newcastle 1678; at Marblehead in 1690; living 1714. Three wives; first was daughter of Andrew Alger; 2nd Susannah Foxwell daughter of Mr. Richard and Susannah (Bonythorn) Foxwell, mother of all the children and died at Newcastle; 3rd 30 July 1691 Mary (Edgecomb) widow of Geo. Page, daughter of Nicholas and Wilmot (Randall) Edgecomb, who joined the Marblehead Church is 1728 and deposed age +-83 in 1730. Ch. Susannah married at Marblehead 10/14/1684 Robert Codner. Mary married at Scarborough 2/23/1687 Daniel Libby. Samuel, fisherman, married 7/14/1686 Mary Sandin 6 ch. Elizabeth baptized 12/11/1687 married Nicholas Merritt who died at Marblehead 1736 10 ch. Philip, shoreman, married 11/20/1701 Sarah Hendly 2 ch. Philip Jr. in 1725 printed Ashton's memorial, Strange Adventures of Philip Ashton, Taken by Pirates. This narrative mentions his cousins Joseph Libbee, who saved him from drowning, and Benj. Ashton. Joseph born 1678 died 8/22/1725. (Gravestone at Marblehead.) Married first 8/4/1700 Mary Page, 2nd 1/25/1713-4 Mary (Dutch) Page widow probably of Christopher, daughter of Hezekiah Dutch who survived him.

History of Paris, Maine to 1880: 1630. A deed to Thomas Lewis and Richard Bonython of a tract of land on the north side of Saco river, four miles along the coast and eight miles into the mainland. Also a deed of the same description to John Oldham and Richard Vines, on the south side of the river, the whole tract being eight miles square.

The Great Migration Begins: RICHARD FOXWELL ORIGIN: Unknown MIGRATION: 1630 FIRST RESIDENCE: Boston REMOVES: Piscataqua, Scarborough RETURN TRIPS: To England in 1632 and return to New England in 1633 OCCUPATION: Trader. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Richard Foxwell paid £1 in the minister's rate, 7 September 1636 [MPCR 1:lxii]. FREEMAN: Requested 19 October 1630 (as "_____ Foxwell") and admitted 18 May 1631 (as "Rich: Foxewell") [MBCR1:80, 366]. He signed the oath to Massachusetts Bay, 13 July1658 [MPCR 2:71]. EDUCATION: At the very least a good scribe, he was several times clerk of the writs for Scarborough. OFFICES: Grand jury, 25 June 1640, 21 October 1645, 1 July 1662 [MPCR 1:43, 87, 2:118]. Jury, 8 September 1640, 21 October 1645 [MPCR 1:61, 64, 67, 70-71, 73, 85-86]. Clerk of the writs for Scarborough, 12 July 1658, 18 July 1665, 29 May 1668 [MPCR 1:225, 2:69, 165]. Commissioner for Falmouth and Scarborough, 5 July 1664, 29 May 1668, 5 July 1670 [MPCR 2:156, 163, 194]. ESTATE: On 5 February 1663[/4] Richard Foxwell sold to Christopher Pickett one hundred acres in Scarborough [YLR 2:53]. On 2 July 1664 Richard Foxwell of Black Point alias Scarborough, and John Foxwell "his son," carpenter, mortgaged to George Foxwell of "Exon [Exeter]," Devon, England, merchant, "one moiety or half of the plantation and land which the said Richard Foxwell is & hath been a long time possessed of on the western side of Black Point River, containing five hundred acres of upland & meadow ... with the one half of the woods, rivers, etc., they to bear equal charges in the improvemenet thereof until a division" be made, also three hundred acres of upland meadow in land made by deed of gift by Capt. Richard Bonighton to his daughters Elizabeth & Susanna, also one moiety of his cattle [YLR 1:152-53]. On 14 November 1668 Richard Foxwell mortgaged a meadow in Scarborough to Isaac Walker [YLR 2:52]. Administration of the estate of Mr. Richard Foxwell, deceased, was originally granted to his son Philip Foxwell, but he failing to give bond, George Norton "son-in-law to Mr. Foxwell" was appointed joint administrator with Philip, 6 November 1677 [MPCR 2:341]. The revised inventory of the "estate of Mr. Richard Foxwell of Blew Poynt lately deceased" was sworn 6 November 1677 and totalled £158 14s. 6d., of which £125 was real estate: "two hundred acres of upland," £50; and "fifty acres of meadow," £75 [MPCR2:336-37]. This limited inventory was supplemented on 1 January 1729 at a valuation of £1519 consisting exclusively of real estate: "farm at Blue Point," five hundred acres, £515; "the lower Checker on Lewis & Benighton's Patent," one thousand one hundred acres of land and one hundred seventy eight of marsh, £788; and "upper Check of land," one thousand two hundred eighty acres, £216 [Maine PR 4/68]. In answer at court 30 June 1680 to John Harmon's petition referring to the "settling of Mr. Richard Foxwell's estate, deceased, to the children of his eldest son, John Foxwell, & others, to whom it of right belongs, this court doth order that at the next court of Sessions, Phillip Foxwell, one of the administrators ... should be called to account for his administration, and that Deborah Foxwell the woman, alias Deborah Harmon, have her thirds set out, and a double portion for his eldest son, that guardians being chosen for the children, and a bond taken of them for their faithful discharge of their trust" [MPCR 3:55]. The estate defied settlement, and three reliable men were asked to issue a decision at court 25 May 1686, and on 25 March 1714 George Norton and Sarah Curtis asked that Mr. Richard Rodgers and Joseph Curtis administer [MPCR 3:133; Maine PR 2/142]. A division was finally made two generations later, 29 March 1732, as follows: to the "heirs of Susanna Austin one of the daughters of said Richard Foxwell," land at Blue point, part of the homestead and salt marsh; to "the heirs of Easter Rogers, one of the daughters of said Richard Foxwell," land which is her part of the homestead and twenty-three acres of marsh; to the "heirs of Sarah Curtice, deceased, one of the daughters of said Richard Foxwell, land being her part of the homestead and marsh"; to "Joseph Curtice, as representative of Mary Norton deceased, one of the daughters of said Richard Foxwell," land, being her part of the homestead, and marsh; to the "heirs of Lucretia Robinson, wife of James Robinson, one of the daughters of said Richard Foxwell," land being her part of the homestead and marsh; to "William Pepperrell, Jr., Esqr., representative of Deborah Corbain, only daughter of Nathaniel Foxwell, deceased, son of the eldest son of Richard Foxwell, deceased, in behalf of her father," his part of the homestead and seventeen acres of salt marsh; to Paul Thompson three hundred eighty acres of upland and twenty acres of marsh "for those which were sold by Joseph Curtice and Richard Rogers to defray costs of administration ... Additional grants were made to each of the heirs in dividing the patent Marsh at Little River and the Upper and Lower Checkers of the commons" [Maine PR 4/214]. BIRTH: About 1604 (deposed 5 July 1676 aged seventy-two years [MPCR 2:310]). DEATH: By 6 November 1677 (when administration was taken on his estate [MPCR2:234]). MARRIAGE: Before 12 February 1635/6 Susanna Bonython, daughter of Richard Bonython (when Francis Johnson added "pray remember my love to your wife" to the end of a letter [EQC 2:24]); she was baptized St. Breage, Cornwall, 5 February 1614/5. CHILDREN: i RICHARD, b. say 1635; d. by 4 June 1664 (inventory of the goods of "Richard Foxwell Junior deceased" taken that date [ MPCR 1:331]; no evidence of marriage. ii ESTHER, b. say 1637; m. July 1657 Thomas Rogers (heirs of "Easter Rogers" named in her father's division) [ GDMNH 594]. iii JOHN, b. about 1639 (deposed aged thirty in 1669 [ MA Arch 10:93]) (eldest son after brother Richard's death) m. Deborah Johnson. She m. (2) before 21 June 1680 John Harmon [ MPCR 3:55]. iv LUCRETIA, b. about 1644 (aged about 24 in 1668 [ GDMNH 591, citing an unidentified source]); m. by 1668 James Robinson (heirs of "Lucretia Robinson, wife of James Robinson," named in her father's division). v SUSANNA, b. say 1646; m. say 1666 as his second wife John Ashton (heirs of "Susanna Austin" in the division of her father's estate) [ GDMNH 67]. vi PHILIP, b. about 1651 (age 17 in 1668, aged 32 in 1684 [ GDMNH 243, citing an unidentified source]; m. by 1694 Eleanor Brackett [ GDMNH 103]. vii MARY, b. say 1656; m. by 1677 George Norton, son of Henry Norton (called "son-in-law" when appointed co-administrator of Richard Foxwell's estate). viii SARAH, b. say 1658; 1673 witness [ YLR 4:41]; m. Kittery September 1678 Joseph Curtis, son of Thomas Curtis [ KitVR 28]. ASSOCI ATIONS: Richard Foxwell's nephew, George Foxwell, died in Virginia, and came from Exeter in Devonshire [YLR 1:152-55; NEHGR 39:343]. COMMEN TS: There were two men by the name of Richard Foxwell in early New England, and they are often confused. In addition to the man who settled in Maine, discussed in this sketch, there was another who lived in Scituate and Barnstable [Otis 1:365-67]. We know that the Richard Foxwell of Maine was in New England at least as early as 1632 (see extract from William Hilton letter below) and this is very likely the same man who had ordered trading goods in London in 1629 [GDMNH 243]. If on this basis we assign the request for freemanship of 1630 and the admission to freemanship of 1631 to this Richard Foxwell (and this is the position taken in GDMNH), then there is no record of the Scituate man until 1634 [NEHGR 9:279]. This conclusion remains debatable, and both Richard Foxwells may have been in New England by 1630, but we can be sure of only one, and only he will be treated in this volume. In a letter dated "Pacaqua April 18th 1633" William Hilton told John Winthrop Jr. There arrived a fishing ship at Pascataque about the 15th of this present month wherein is one Richard Foxwell who hath formerly lived in the country. He bringeth news that there were two ships making ready at Barstaple who are to bring passengers and cattle for to plant in the Bay. He hath letters for Mr. Wearom and diver others at Dorchester which he intends to bring in to the Bay so soon as possible he can. Likewise he heard from Mr. Alerton who was making ready at Bristol for to come for this country. Other news he bringeth not that I can hear of only Mr. Borowes purposeth to come for this country from London [WP 3:119]. In a suit against Capt. Thomas Cammock at York Court 25 June 1640, "Richard Foxill" declared that "he hath for these four years or thereabouts lived at Black Point in the right of Capt. Richard Bonython his father-in-law, who settled him there and gave him as much freedom and privilege as by virtue of his patent he could, either for planting, fishing, fowling, or the like, which was the main cause of his settling there" but that Cammock forbade fishing for bass and lobsters in the river at Black Point; the jury found for Foxwell [MPCR 1:44]. Cammock tried to bring him back to court several times, but the case does not seem to have been heard [MPCR 1:48, 58]. George Lewis deposed that "Capt. Cammock had three parts of a hundred of corn spoiled by the crows ... by reason of fish scattered by Mr. Richard Foxill and others" [MPCR 1:80]. Nothing seems to have come of this either. Cammock soon died. At court 29 June 1654, Mr. Richard Foxwell and Mr. Comings sued Mr. John Bonighton for "pulling down their house and laying claim to their lands" [MPCR 2:24]. Richard Foxwell and John Bonighton Senior, gentlemen, stood a bond of £10 that they would prosecute their appeal as the law required, in the case against John Jackson for building on and using their land, 5 July 1670 [MPCR 2:191]. When John Bonighton Senior had many contemptuous things to say about Massachusetts Bay, Richard Foxwell was among the men who stood bond for him, 5 July 1670 [MPCR 2:196]. In May of 1672 the two sons-in-law of Richard Bonython took their complaint to the General Court at Boston: The petition of Richard Foxwell & Richard Comings in the behalf of themselves & their posterity. Humbly sheweth that whereas your petitioners' father-in-law Capt. Richard Robinson [recte Bonython] came over to New England about forty-one years since unto Saco, who had an interest with Mr. Thomas Lewes in a certain tract of land in those parts granted unto them by patent from the Council in Plimoth in the County of Devon in the Kingdom of England, and your petitioners' father-in-law was at great cost as is sufficiently known in the transportation of himself and his family into those parts being possessed of a part of said land ... at Black Point River ... which lands your petitioners' father-in-law sold and made over unto his two daughters Elisabeth and Susanna, wives unto your said petitioners and to their heirs forever, for and in consideration of two hundred marks ... left as a legacy to the said Elisabeth and Susanna by their grandmother ... and your petitoners have enjoyed their said proper rights under the two former governments vizt Gorges & Rigbyes ... for the space of thirty-seven years ... but of late ... have been much disturbed ... by one John Jackson and Andrew Augur ... and ... particularly by Henry Williams one of the selectmen for the Town of Scarborough, who came upon the said land ... [of] Richard Foxwell where his son Phillip Foxwell (and another) was at work did strike twice at him with an axe saying he would cleave his brains, and further said that if the said land was not laid out in lots blood would be spilt [NEHGR 39:341-42]. Mr. Richard Foxwell and Henry Watts had a difference of opinion over marshlands at court 21 October 1645 [MPCR 1:90]. Foxwell witnessed and proved the will of Gyles Roberts of Black Point at court 13 November 1666 [MPCR 1:323]. He was appointed one of the administrators of the estate of Phillip Griffin 1 October 1667 [MPCR 1:337]. Mr. Richard Foxwell and Joseph Phippeny had to make £100 bonds "for preventing any further trouble between" them, 5 July 1658 [MPCR 2:64]. Phippeny had twice attacked Foxwell "drawing blood" claiming that Mr. Bellingham had said that he should "beat the said Foxwell & manacle him, & carry him down to his door in a rope" [MPCR 2:63]. At court 4 July 1659 the commissioners claimed for "want of evidence" they were incapable of making a decision in the case and referred the mattere to three reliable men [MPCR2:77]. Richard Foxwell was in court over debt and land boundaries more than the ordinary man and his business did not flourish [MPCR 2:251, 298, 376, 496, 501, etc.]. He encountered the usual "contemptuous speeches" from his neighbors when he filled the position of Commissioner, but generally few were willing to impugn his character [MPCR2:407]. He was part of the cause of the drawn-out Essex County suit described by FRANCIS JOHNSON about 1657: About twenty-four or twenty-five hears ago there was a co-partnership between Mr. Roger Conant, Peter Palfrey, Anthony Dike, and himself for a trade to the eastward, to be managed by him, both buying and selling. At end of three years he sold to Mr. Richard Foxwell all the interest in the house with debts due from the Indians, and with swine, boat, skiff, canoe, household stuff and trading goods, for which he took two bills of debt. He later sold Foxwell a small parcel of goods, making three bills due. Sometime after this, Foxwell making no payment, the partners had an accounting and found that twenty-three pounds were due to each partner. For twenty years said Johnson had endeavored to collect the money, but Foxwell either remained silent or affirmed that he was poor and that they could have his two or three children, as he had nothing else. Foxwell came into these parts a year ago, and the partners attached him [EQC 2:23]. Further in this case, Richard Collicutt deposed on 21 March 1655/6 that about January last he heard Mr. Richard Foxwell say that many years since he bought a plantation and trading house at the eastward of Mr. Francis Johnson of Marblehead ... and having no confirmation from the government which Johnson had promised him, the French had dispossessed him of said house and lands [EQC 2:25]. In the manuscript journal of Capt. John Scottow regarding events at Black Point during King Philip's War we are told that on October 26 and 27th [1676] there was "no disturbance. I went and viewed the fortifications at the several garrisons, and discharged Mr. Foxwell from his charge at Bluepoint, being a quarrelling, discontented person" [Bodge 329]

Saco Valley settlements and families: historical, biographical ..., Volume 1: Capt Richard Bonython the other proprietor of the Saco patent probably settled on his land as early as Mr Lewis although his name appears on the records first in 1636. He must have been a man of great enterprise and liberal education. He was a councilor in 1640 and present at the last court held under the authority of Georges in 1646. His house was noted as the place where the first court in Maine was held March 25 1636. He was a faithful and impartial official who spared not his own son but entered complaint against him for using insulting language against Mr Richard Vines. Captain Bonython was held in high respect by the community and his associates in the council, His name does not appear in the list of inhabitants in 1653n and he had probably died before that year, His descendants are now numerous and respectable, Children John, Thomas, Gabrieln, Thomas, Winnefred and Eleanor. John Bonython son of the preceding was a somewhat eccentric and conspicuous character in the settlement at Winter Harbor ,a man of violent temper inclined to insubordination. Being defiant of law and heedless of the consequences of its violation he was twice outlawed and at one time a price was set on his head. He was fined £4 for refusing to serve as constable in 1665. We believe if the truth concerning this man was known today we might justify what as matter of principle historians have condemned in his conduct. He was evidently a warm friend to Ferdinando Georges and in resisting the administration of Massachusetts may have acted conscientiously. He certainly held the confidence of some of his contemporaries or he would not have been selected to fill important positions of trust. His grant of land to the town for the minister in 1683 shows him to be capable of generosity. At the division of the patent he was invested with a large estate. The following tradition says was inscribed upon his tombstone: Here lies Bonython, Sagamore of Saco. He lived a rogue and died a knave and went to Hobomoko. /P/ SWACKADOCK The Plymouth Council granted Feb 12 1629 a tract of land on the east side of Swackadock river which extended four miles on the sea shore and eight miles back into the country the patentees being Thomas Lewis and Richard Bonython who took formal possession of this territory in the presence of five witnesses June 28 1631 but for unexplained causes no entry of the grant was made on the province records until April 5 1731 a hundred years after taking seizin of the patent. Saco was organized by Massachusetts commissioners about the time of submission to the jurisdiction of that province in 1653 and the boundaries remained as designated in the original patent until commissioners appointed by the General Court reported Oct 18 1659 that the dividing line between Cape Porpoise and Saco shall be that stream called Little river next unto William Scadlock's new dwelling house unto the first fall of said river thence upon a northwest line into the country until eight miles be expired. The dividing line between Saco and Scarborough shall be that river commonly called Little river next unto Scarborough and from the mouth of said river shall run upon a due northwest line into the country unto the extent of eight miles. These boundaries have not been legally changed but in consequence of variations in the course of Little river near its mouth by lapse of time it is now uncertain where the original line touched the sea. Unfortunately the commissioners who were authorized to establish the boundary of the town did not follow the patent line on that side and consequently more than three thousand acres that were included within the original grant are now in Scarborough and many estates that had been bounded by the patent line as designated by the Plymouth grant have been cut in two resulting in much inconvenience to the owners.

Old times in Saco: a brief monograph on local events: DIVISIONS OF THE PATENT THE PEPPEREELL PROPERTY 1 Capt Richard Bonython the patentee had two daughters who were married in due season to Richard Foxwell and Richard Cumming. Judith Lewis daughter of Thomas Lewis the other patentee was the wife of James Gibbins. These men became in time together with John Bonython the proprietors of most of the territory covered by the original grant. Cumming died about 1675 and his share fell into the hands of John Harmon who was the husband of Cumming's only child and daughter, Elizabeth. Foxwell died in 1676 and his son Philip succeeded him in the ownership of a valuable plantation. Among James Gibbins, John Bonython, Philip Foxwell and John Harmon the property was divided. The actual survey and allotment of the land was made in 1681.

The Harmon genealogy, comprising all branches in New England: Saco York County was granted by the Plymouth Company to Thomas Lewis and Capt Richard Bonython by patent bearing date of Feb 12 1629 and on June 28 1631 they took possession of their grant. Blue Point now a part of Saco was settled soon after 1631 by Richard Foxwell and others. The town of Saco was inc July 5 1653 and Biddeford formerly Winter Harbor formerly a part of Saco was inc Nov 14 1718. On account of the Indian wars Saco was deserted in 1688 and not until 1718 did the people return when it was called Biddeford. In 1762 Pepperellborough was inc, it comprising that part of Biddeford lying east of the Saco river. On Feb 23 1805 Pepperellborough was changed to Saco. In the records of the town from 1653 to 1688 appears James and John Harmon who were probably of the inhabitants. The Lewis and Bonython patent of Saco dated Feb 12 1629 occupied land on the north side of the Saco river extending four miles on the sea and eight miles up in the main land containing 32 square miles.

The New England historical and genealogical register, Volume 38: The Bonythons of Bonython were seated in the Lizard district of Cornwall in the parish of Cury, a bleak wild track on the serpentine formation, and notwithstanding their remote situation they became conspicuous figures in the political agitations of that period which culminated in the stormy days of the Stuart dynasty. Several branches issued from the parent stock the most opulent of which through a fortunate marriage became possessed of Carelew, in Mylor. and is designated as the Bonythons of Carelew to distinguish them from the elder house which held the ancient manor. We shall not have occasion to follow out this junior line us the Maine family were descended from the elder branch, and it will only be necessary to state that in 1749 the Carelew estate passed out of the family by sale as in 1702 the Bonython manor had been alienated by the elder brunch. Bonython manor is a plain substantial building with a granite front facing the sea which it overlooks at a distance of about two miles by the valleys of Poljew and Gunwalloe. The view from the front of the house is a most extensive one unusually so us most of the ancient Cornish houses are built quite on the side of the hill or in the valley. On the lower part of the estate in a small plantation is a group of magnificent rocks the grandeur of which strikes the beholder at the first glance. One of these, the topmost, is named the Fire or Bonfire Rock and is probably a relic of the Druidic religion. [Western Antiquary Supplement pt iv 204] Pedigree 1 Ralph BONYTHON of Bonython Cornwall paid a subsidy in the parish of Cury 15 Henry VIII. He married twice probably 1 Elizabeth Downe and 2 Elizabeth daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Erissey [Inq Post Mort James Erissey 35 Henry VIII 62 comp Coles Esch Harl Mss No 757 p 38] and had issue. 2 i Richard son and heir ii Edmond had issue two daughters 1 Katharine who m Thomas Godolpbin and 2 Margaret 3 iii John dsp 2 Richard Bonython Ralph1 also paid subsidy as above at the same time but died the next year (1535) as his wife Jane daughter and heir of John Durant of Pensiuans Cornwall was a widow 1 6 Henry VIII at Bodmin where she was taxed. He had issue i John son and heir, ii James paid subsidy in Mullion [1 Elizabeth Lay Subsidy 87 218] m Margerie daughter of John Melhuise ot Truro Mcrthcr by whom he had I John of St Columb, Major who m Margerie daughter of John Kerne alias Tresilian 2 Robert 3 Nicholas a burgess who m Anne daughter of Hugh Monday of Tregony 4 Thumas a goldsmith of Cheapside London who m Alice daughter of Humphrey Purforoy of Leicestershire, iii Janet m Tregollos, iv Christian m Nicholas Davy, v Bersaba m John Davy, vi Elizabeth m I William Condon 2 Peter Cooke, vii Isabelle m James Pawley, viii Charity. 3 John Bonython paid a subsidy in the parish of Curry 1559 he married Eleanor daughter and co heir of Job Myllayton of Pengerswick Castle, St Breock, Kirrier; Governor of St Michael's Mount. [Lake Parochial History of Cornwall 134 137] The Myllaytons became possessed of Pengerswick Castle temp Henry VIII, and Job Myllayton was made governor of St Michaels in 1547 in place of Humphrey Arundell of Helland who was executed for treason. Issue: 4 i Reskymer son and heir 5 ii Richard the emigrant to Maine, iii Edmond, iv William, v John Captain of Pendennis Castle, vi Elizabeth m Henry Pomeroy Mayor of Tregony 15 April 1600, vii Anne m Walter Koscarrock 15 Oct 1606. /P/ Richard Bonython was baptized at St Colunib Major 3 April 1580 the second son of John Bonython of Bonython. It is possible that he is the Richard Bonython who was Comptroller of the Stannaries of Cornwall and Devonshire 1603 and 1604 and keeper of the Gaol at Lostwithiel in 1603. [Calender of State Papers Domestic] He came to Saco in 163. 1 bringing with him as a copartner of Thomas Lewis a patent dated 12 February 1629 30 for a large tract of land four miles by eight upon the East side of the Saco River of which livery of seizen was given 28 June 1631 following. His associate had already been at the charge to transport himself and others to take a view of New England for the bettering his experience in the advancing a plantation as is recited in the grant. I suppose that his emigration to this almost unknown land may be explained by recalling that he was not in the line of succession to the family seat and honors his brother Reskymar having in 1620 a son and grandson to inherit the property. I judge also that he had been a soldier in some of the French wars perhaps serving with Sir Ferdinando Gorges from whom he imbibed some of the enthusiasm of that grave knight respecting the New England. This seems to be confirmed by his universal title of Captain Bonython as well as by a letter from Richard Vines to John Winthrop 25 January 1640 in which he says "It seems the governor Dudley makes a question that Sir Ferdinando Gorges was not in the French wars in his tyme. Capt Bonython intreats me to write a word or two thereof" and then he proceeds to detail the facts as stated by him. This martial career secured to him an authoritative position among the early settlers and he was undoubtedly a local magistrate under the combination government of Richard Vines before the arrival in 1635 of Deputy Governor William Gorges. When this new executive officer arrived he organized his first court 25 March 1635 6 at the house of Captain Richard Bonython who was then appointed one of the Provincial Commissioners and in 1640 under the first charter he was appointed one of the Councillors to Deputy Governor Thomas Gorges. We have no means of estimating his character except through negative testimony and it is a legitimate inference that he must have been a man of ability and honor to have retained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens for so many years. The court records are free from any charges impugning his moral social or political character and to this is added the positive evidence that as a judge he spared not his own son from the utmost rigors of the law. One scrap of exemporaneons history affords us a sidelight into his character. Rev Thomas Jenner the Puritan minister at Saco 1640 writing to Governor Winthrop says Mr Vines & the captaine Richard Bonython both haue timely expressed themselves to be utterly against church way saying their patent doth prohibit the same. Parson Tenner's church way did not suit loyal Captain Richard or Deputy Governor Vines for the latter says I like Mr Tenner his life and conversacion and also his preaching if he would lett the Church of England alone that doth much trouble me to hear our mother church questioned for her impurity upou every occasion. Richard Bonython served as Councillor through 1645 and died about 1650 [Folsom Saco and Biddeford]13 By wife whose name I judge to be Lucretia he had issue 9 i John son and heir ii m Richard Foxwell iii m Richard Cummings

The Visitation of Cornwall 1620: Ralph Bonyth'n of Bonytham. Rich. Bonyth'n married Jane Da. & Hey. of Jo. Durant of Penisnans in Cornwall. John Bonytham son & heire married Ellinor da. & coheyre of Wm. Mylyton. Richard; Edmond;Anne ux' Walter Rosscarock; Elizb. ux' Hen. Pomeroy of Tregeny; Reskimer Bonytha' of Bonytha' High Shreife of the Countie of Cornwall living 1620 married Lowday dau. of Wm Kendall of Lostwithan in Cornwall.

The churches and antiquities of Cury & Gunwalloe in the Lizard District ... : THERE is one other old seat that of Bonython which claims a mention in any record of the parish of Cury inasmuch as it was in the possession of an ancient family of the same name for so many centuries with a history as full of vicissitudes as its near neighbour Bochym but the materials for its story are far too scant and meagre to render a continuous narrative possible. The scraps and jottings when one has searched all that lay within reach amounts to very little of what the whole history would be if it were possible to present it to the reader in all its romantic truth. As was remarked with regard to Bochym it very frequently occurred in olden time that families took their name from the place where they dwelt and not vice versa as is the prevalent but mistaken notion. The Cornish says Carew entitle one another with his owne and his father's Christian name and conclude with the place of his dwelling and we may take it the custom of adding de was common at a very early period. Thus the de Bochyms and Thomas de Bonython. Many gentlemen changed their names on the removal to a new home an instance occurring in this very family the Bonithons taking to Carclew name and place. Tonkin says that the custom of assuming the names of their habitation and changing it on the next removal was quite left off 1736 though he could instance some who had done so within one hundred years. In the MSS of Hals is this brief sentence. Bonython is in this parish from whence was denominated an ancient family of gentlemen sur named deBonithon who for many descents flourished here in good reputation till the reign of Queen Anne at which time Charles Bonython Esq serjeant at law sold this barton to one Carpenter now in possession thereof. It was not Charles but his son Richard who sold Bonython to the Carpenters. [See p 84] CS Gilbert who is a pretty reliable authority narrates that the family became extinct in the elder line on the death of Richard Bonithon in the early part of the last century. One of the younger branches of the family and the most wealthy settled at Carclew in the reign of Henry IV having made a marriage with one of the co heiresses of Daungers and there Richard Bonithon died July 31 1697 leaving the estates to an only daughter through whom in marriage they passed away for ever from the family. It is said a younger branch of the Bonithons of Carclew were till lately residing at S Austell In the 16th and 17th centuries they were a powerful family. Tonkin mentions one as a man of great repute in the reign of Henry V and a search among county and other records establishes the fact that the Bonithons figured conspicuously in the political events which occurred in the troublesome days of the Stuart dynasty. Among the State papers of James I it is recorded that a grant was made to Nicholas Fortesque and Michael Vivian of 60 out of the goods of John Bonithon deceased which were forfeited by outlawry his death having occurred just prior to the grant viz June 1605. In 1603 and again in 1604 the Comptrollership of the Stannaries in Cornwall and Devon was granted to Richard Bonithon and again in 1605. Richard Bonithon was appointed keeper of the gaol at Lostwithiel. A little later in the 17th year of James I AD 1619 Reskymer Bonython was Sheriff of Cornwall Polwhele mentions a Thomas Bonython who was a captain in the Low Country wars. And in 1625 a John Bonithon was captain and serjeant major of a regiment levied for the King in Devonshire. A Richard Bonython doubtless one of this Cornish family was one of the first emigrants to America and settled at Saco where he died in 1650. His son John died about 1684. Thomes Bonython of Bonython married Frances the daughter of Sir John Parker of London and by this marriage there was a son John Bonython who married Ann daughter of Hugh Trevanion Esq of Trelogan

A complete parochial history of the county of Cornwall: Pengarwick in this parish also Pengarswick ie the head word or command fenced or fortified place so called from the command or authority of the lord thereof heretofore in these parts and the strength of the house and the tower thereof, otherwise Pengwerasike ie the creek cove or bosom of waters head help as situate upon the sea or waters of the British channel. This barton and manor in the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII was purchased by one Mr Milliton a gentleman of the county of Devon where having wilfully or accidently committed murder or slain a man in order to shun or avoid justice he privately made the purchase aforesaid in the name of his son and so immured himself in a private chamber of the tower of Pengarwick that he was not seen of any person but his trusty friends so that he finished the natural course of his life without detection of his person or punishment for the crime aforesaid but alas notwithstanding his concealment and design of perpetuating his name and tribe in this place his son Job Milliton Esq 1st Edward VI made governor of S Michael's Mount in the room of Renphry Arundell Esq executed for rebellion who married Godolphin and had issue William Milliton Esq sheriff of Cornwall 7th Elizabeth 1565 that died without issue and six daughters that became his heirs married 1 to Erisy afterwards to Sir Nicholas Parker; 2 to Lanyon; 3 to Trefusis and Tregothick; 4 to Trenwith Arundell and Herle; 5 to Bonython; 6 to Abbott from some of which heiresses Sir Nicholas Hals Knight at his first coming from Efford in Devon into Cornwall purchased their parts of this lordship with leases from the rest of the coparceners and for some time made it and Trewinard the places of his dwelling till he removed to Fentongollan. This place afterwards by his unthrifty son and heir John Hals had all its timber cut down that was growing upon it and sold which tradition saith was great store the lands also were sold to Godolphin and some others. The arms of Milliton were out of a supposed allusion to their name a chevron between three millet fishes hauriant or erected whereas Milliton is a mill town.