John Bonynge (abt. 1713 - 1773)

Born about 1713 in Ireland

Husband of Alice (Reilly) Bonynge — married 19 Mar 1734 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Descendants

Died 16 Dec 1773 at about age 60 in County Longford, Ireland

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Biography

• The following notes were written by myself (RitaBWagner) and originally shared on Ancestry. These notes briefly outline the parents of Francis Bonynge (abt 1786) who were Francis Bonynge (abt 1750-1824) and "Miss" Wickham (abt 1763-1835). Also outlines the family of his grandfather, John Bonynge (abt 1713-1773):

In the Upton papers #25, item 212-1 is found the following information. John Bonynge of Ballintubber [sic], Co. Longford (this John Bonynge "of Ballintubber" was high sheriff of Co. Longford in 1755) had sons named John and Francis.

Upton states this Francis, son of John of Ballintubber (Upton indicates this Francis died in January of 1824) married in 1779 unknown Wickham of Co. Meath (Upton indicates unknown Wickham Bonynge died 6 Jan 1835). From this union are the following recorded sons. Francis, John, Thomas (married Louisa Taylor in 1834), and William. Upton does not list any other children but given the huge gaps age-wise between the sons it is possible there were other children born to Francis and "Miss" Wickham.

It is known from other sources and Upton papers #25, item 216 that John Bonynge of Ballintober had a son named Paul as well as a daughter of unknown given name married to Hugh Stafford. An obscure reference found in a newspaper account of the capture of Paul Bonynge named another possible son as James Bonynge. No other reference has been found for James yet.

There is another newspaper article giving evidence for an additional son of John Bonynge of Ballintober named Robert.

Sources

• Land memorial involving John Bonynge: Ireland Registry of Deeds, Volume 94, page 221 (FHL film 461344).

• "Ireland, Diocesan and Prerogative Marriage License Bonds Indexes, 1623-1866", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WGW2-2S6Z : 3 December 2019), John Bonynge in entry for Alice Reily, 1735.

• Reference to being the High Sheriff of Longford: The Gentleman's and London Magazine and Monthly Chronologer MDCCLV, Volume XXIV", for February 1755, page 104.

• Dublin Journal 23-24 Dec 1773 Front Page: " We are assured from undoubted Authority that John Bonynge, Esq, of Yorkfield in the County Westmeath, went on Thursday the 16th last to demand his Rents from his Tenants in Ballintobber, in the County Longford, where he was opposed and met by his sons, and on his insisting to distrain for his Rent, was shot dead on the spot by one of his said sons whose name is Paul. We hope the horrid perpetrators of this unnatural and shocking Murder will not escape justice."

• Dublin Journal 13 January 1774

Whereas a most barbarous and inhuman murder was committed on the body of John Bonynge, late of Yorkfield in the county of Westmeath, Esq, on Thursday the 16th day of December instant, on the lands of Ballintobber in the county of Longford, the estate of the said John Bonynge, by Paul Bonynge, one of the sons of the said John Bonynge, who shot his said father dead on the spot, and who, together with Francis Bonynge and several others, abettors of the said Paul Bonynge, went to the said lands armed with an avowed and determined resolution to assassinate the said John Bonynge, having several times before attempted the same. And whereas the said Paul Bonynge, Francis Bonynge, and their associates afterwards (on the night of the said 16th day of December) privately took away the body of the deceased to the county of Westmeath, and have since fled from justice. Now I James Bonynge of the City of Dublin, brother to the said John Bonynge, deceased, do hereby promise a reward of ten pounds sterling to any person or persons who will, within three calender months from the date hereof, lodge in any of his Majesty's goals in this kingdom the said Paul Bonynge, Francis Bonynge, and every or any of the said persons who were aiding or abetting in the said murder, so as he or they may be brought to justice. Said reward to be paid upon the conviction of the person or persons taken. Given under my hand this 31st day of December, 1773, James Bonynge.

• Copies of the pages pertaining to the Bonynge family from the Royal Irish Academy collection of Upton papers in my possession. Copyright regulations from the RIA prevent them from being freely shared. The Royal Irish Academy (https://www.ria.ie/library/catalogues/special-collections/modern-manuscripts/upton-collection-ria-upton-papers-1-29).