Chappell Heath Bonner (1786 - 1873)

Born 23 Jun 1786 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, USA

Husband of Ann Pelham — married 14 Apr 1808 in Xenia, Ohio

Husband of Mary (Davis) Bonner — married 12 Oct 1809 in Xenia, Greene, OH

Husband of Margaret Smith — married 2 Jun 1860 in Van Buren Co, Iowa, USA

Descendants

Died 21 Dec 1873 at age 87 in Van Buren County, Iowa, USA

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Biography

This document, titled The Pendleton Family Papers, has an interesting history. It was written by Chappell Bonner’s granddaughter Emma. Emma came to live with her grandfather after the death of her parents in Ohio. Emma wrote the document in 1869 and took it with her when she left for California sometime between 1869 and 1873. The document was loaned to the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley for filming and the microfiche version is still available for viewing.

Emma passed the document down to her daughter Cora Pendleton Weiss and Cora passed it to her daughter Florence Weiss Harris. Florence passed away in 1982. She left four children.

Chappell Heath Bonner Recorded by his granddaughter Emma Bonner (later the wife of the Reverend John W. Pendleton, Methodist Minister in Nevada and California)

A Tribute to Mrs. Pendleton and Biographical and Genealogical Notes of the family

Loaned for filming by Mrs. Howard Harris July – August 1960

I was born in Dinwiddie Co Virginia June 28, 1786. My father’s name was Frederick. My mother’s name was Elizabeth Smith. My Grandfather Smith died when I was about 4. His name was George Smith.

Grandfather Bonner’s name was Thomas. They all lived in the same county and state and were natives of Virginia. Their ancestors were from England. My father and mother and 8 children were all born in Virginia. The names of my father’s children were first, David L. Bonner, sec. Nancy, third Polly, fourth Chappell H, fifth Patsy, the sixth Stith, seventh Elizabeth, eighth Fredrick. My second sister died in the 16th year of her age happy in the love of God and was buried in Virginia. In March 1808 my father moved to the state of Ohio and settled in Greene County 3 miles south of Xenia where he lived until his death in 1880 after being a member of the M.E. church 55 years. My mother died in 1818.

My oldest brother died in Vincenes, Indiana in 1864 in the 83rd year of his age. My oldest sister died in 1868 age of 85. She was widow of the Reverend J. Sale and had been a member of the M.E. church 71 years of her life. My third sister died in 1854 age 66. There are 4 of us living. Our average now is 77 years.

My father’s house became a regular preaching place in 1805 on Miami Circuit and was traveled by the Rev. John Sale and Joseph Oglesby of the Western Conference in 1805-6 and was continued so until 1815 when a meeting house was built on the site where the present church called Union now stands. All of my father’s family followed their pious parents as supporters of the church and their grandchildren. As to my own personal experience it has been like many others raised as if I was under the influence of the Gospel. From my earliest recollection I was taught to pray and I do not remember a time when I did not believe in a divine revelation and as early as my sixth year felt the necessity of a change of heart to be prepared for Heaven and spent many sorrowful nights on account of my waywardness. I continued in this state of mind until I was about 14 years of age when my sister two years older than myself was taken sick in the morning and died that night. This brought me to consider in[the] uncertainty of life, and I thought of death and Judgment. This was in [1802?]. From this time I resolved to devote myself more diligently to God and His service but these resolutions were kept to myself not mentioning them to any friends not even to my mother. In 1803 Father determined to moved to Ohio and sold out and started on the 19 of March, and by the time we had arrived there I had in a measure lost my convictions. We came through safe and spent the first summer on a farm near where Milford now stands in the settlement of old [Father Gatch?].

There was preaching in the settlement once in two weeks and class meeting every week. In 1805 there was a camp meeting on the east side of what was called Town Prairie 3 miles north of Xenia.

Sabbath evening the minister requested all those who were desirous of religion to kneel their seats. I was conscious that I wanted religion and knelt with the rest. The meeting closed the next day and I returned home with the family. That evening my father wanted me to take some papers to a gentleman who was going to Washington City. I started on my errand and commenced praying. I had to ride along 12 miles mostly through the woods. I had nothing to disturb my mind. I became more engaged until unbelief gave way and light from above burst upon my soul and I praised the Lord alone in the woods. When I arrived at the house I attended to the business and it being night I tarried with the family. He was an old Methodist from Virginia but to my surprise they retired to rest without family prayers. This had a bad effect on my mind and caused some fears to see an old man who had raised a family to neglect so important a duty gave the enemy an advantage to tempt me to doubt. I returned home and did not tell what the Lord had done for me nor did not attach myself to the church but concluded to pray in secret. In early in the first of August 1806 there was a camp meeting to be held on the circuit near Milford about 40 miles distant. I attended the meeting. I arrived on Friday under deep concern of mind but said nothing about it until Sabbath evening. Father Gatch one of his best and most encouraging sermons, from these words “All Things Are Yours.” There was a general shout in the Camp. The people were dismissed. The mourners were invited to the tents for Prayer meetings. I remained standing on the Ground until most of the people had gone when I saw a lady approaching me. She asked me if I did not want religion. I answered her I did and started with her to the tent, but before we got there my stubborn heart gave way, yielded and I began to pray and cry to the Lord about as loud as I could. All shame was taken away and I struggled and hoped for several hours. I stopped and began to meditate. I thought of the man with a withered hand. I stretch forth my hand by faith believing that the same mighty [illegible] power could save all that would come unto him. My burden was gone but I did not testify to it and I lost my evidence. I cried aloud to God to renew my evidence in my heart and I would testify to all around “what a dear savior I have found” and it was renewed and I went on my way rejoicing. The next morning I gave my hand to the Rev John Sale and joined the Church 62 years ago last August. On my return home I became a member of the class that met in my Father’s house he being the leader and continued to meet in the same until 1811 when I was appointed class leader in Xenia. There were about 20 members when I first took charge of it. I continued leader 31 years. Shortly after I was appointed leader I was elected one of the Board of Stewards the name of the circuit being changed to Mad River Circuit. In a few years the Circuit was divided and ours was called Lebanon. In a short time it was again divided and ours was called Union Circuit, which name it bears to the present day although it has been reduced to very small territory. In 1814 the class had increased so much that we resolved to build a church and in about 1 year we had what we thought was a very good church 30 X 40 but was never formally dedicated, as in the present time. There was a debt of $500 when it was finished but our preacher in charge Bro [Abbon Goddard?] settled in Xenia and by his assistance we were soon able to discharge the debt. In a few years the house was too small for the congregation and it was enlarged 36 by 50 ft. In 1833 or 4 Xenia became a station and from that time until 1844 we had almost a continual revival of Religion. During the time we were favored with some of the best preachers in the Ohio Conference in the spring of 1844 when I left there was 475 members reported. For a number of years previous to this time there had been a great many removals who had taken letters with them.

Now I must tell about myself. I embraced Religion in 1806. April 1808 I was married to Ann Pelham, daughter of Peter Pelham of Virginia. We went to house keeping immediately and both of us being members of the M.E. church we set up family worship the next morning, which we kept up as long as we lived. In less than a year she died, leaving me a lonely widower with one lonely little girl, which died when she was about 9 months old. I was married Sep 1809 to Mary Davis daughter of Philip Davis of Southampton Co. Vir. We raised 5 children Philip D Bonner Ann P our next daughter Martha died when about 4 years old, Julia, Elizabeth, and Amanda. My son married Mary Heath daughter of Tinsley Heath of Ohio. They had 3 children Salina, John, and William. His wife died [and] he married Maria Sands. They had one daughter Emma Bonner. My son and his wife died in Ohio.

My second daughter married Sydney Squires in Ohio. They both died and all their children. My third daughter married James Hogue in Ohio. My oldest daughter married Geo Allender in Iowa. My youngest daughter married Thomas Rankin in Iowa. For 1843 I thought some thing of moving to Iowa and after much prayer for direction I concluded to visit the Territory of Iowa, which I did in the fall of 43. I was pleased with the country and made a selection of a farm 3 1/2 miles west of Keosauqua in Van Buren Co. to which I moved in the spring of 1844 and by the hand of Providence arrived safely on the first day of April being [120?] days on the road.

We brought my two sons-in-law with their families and two single daughters with us. The first Sabbath after we arrived I went to class and handed in our letters. At the time we were attached to the Illinois Conference. I think in the course of the summer the Iowa Conference was formed and a year later the state Constitution was adopted and it was received as a state in the Union. At that time there was but one conference in Iowa now there are 3 (in 1869). I am as well satisfied that I was guided by Providence in moving west as of any other act of my life. I have lived to see the Gospel spread from the western part of Ohio across the Continent. My second wife died May [19?], 1854 happy in the Lord whom she had trusted for 55 years. I lived for four years with my two Grandsons and kept house. Then I went to Ohio and brought out their sister [Emma] and we kept house until 1860 and then I married again. My wife’s maiden name was Smith. She was a widow when I married her by the name of Caldwell. My three Grand children made our house their home. John left us for California in 1861. He is merchandising in Surprise Valley California. William G Bonner died Oct 13, 1863; age 21 years 8 months. This was a great affliction to us as we had raised him in the family from child and hoped he would be a staff to me in old age, but he was fully prepared to go. He said to me before he died, “Grand Father your life has been the loudest Preaching I ever heard.” My Grand daughter [Salina] died Sep 6, 1865. She had been a member of the church from a child. She was a happy disposition and was a worthy member of the church. Since William and Salina’s death my family has consisted of myself and wife and Grand daughter Emma Bonner my only son’s youngest child and Jeremiah Gipson a young man who carries on my farming business. This has been the warmest winter I have ever known.

Now my children and Grand children, my wife and all my relations I have left you a short sketch of my life. Hoping you will remember your father and Grand Father and be prepared to meet him in Heaven. And now I leave you in the hands of our heavenly Father above me. If I live till the 23 day of June 1869 I will be 83 years old.

Chappell H Bonner Feb. 12, 1869

{He died Nov. 23, 1873}

Burial: Bethel Cemetery , Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, USA

Sources

• Chappell Heath Bonner (1786-1873) on Find A Grave: Memorial #140698000 retrieved 17 January 2019