James Harvey Bonham, Sr. was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, by one account. He was the son of Hezekiah Bonham and his wife, Sarah "Sally" Kinser. Hezekiah was the son of the Methodist minister, Nehemiah Bonham, and his wife, Rachel Kerr. Sally was the daughter of George Kinser and his wife, Katherine Wampler.

James Harvey Bonham, Sr. and Martha Louisa Peters

By 1850, Hezekiah Bonham was living in Giles County, Virginia. According to census records, Hezekiah and Sally had the following children:

1. Ann Eliza Bonham, born about 1828, married John S. Ashworth on 23 June 1851 in Smyth County, Virginia.
2. James Harvey Bonham, born 2 August 1829, married Martha Louisa Peters on 2 January 1856 in Giles County, Virginia. He died 22 December 1904. For children, see below.
3. Regina Bonham, born about 1832, married Martin Neff on 18 October 1859 in Smyth County, Virginia.
4. Augustus A. Bonham, born about 1833, married Mollie J. Sprinkle on 25 January 1871 in Smyth County, Virginia.
5. William Pierson Bonham, born 18 September 1836, married Missouri Elizabeth Cormany on 13 November 1860 in Smyth County, Virginia. He died 23 June 1900.
6. Sarah J. Bonham, born about 1839, married George F. Patterson on 21 April 1869 in Smyth County, Virginia.
7. Elvina Bonham, born about 1843, married Warren P. Reese on 6 July 1864 in Smyth County, Virginia.
8. John Albert Bonham, born about 1844, married Mary Lucretia McClary.

It was in Giles County, on 2 January 1856, that James Harvey Bonham married Martha Louisa Peters, the daughter of Thompson H. Peters and Nancy Bolton. The couple had the following children: (For photos of some children, click here.)

1. William Alexander Bonham (twin), born 3 November 1856, married Lelia Williamson Grigg on 27 April 1910. He died 17 February 1917.

2. Nancy E. Bonham (twin), born 3 November 1856, married James V. Richardson on 26 March 1876. She died in 1934.

3. Ballard Newton Bonham, born 1859, married Emma J. Crotty on 26 August 1888. He died in 1931.

4. James Harvey Bonham, Jr., born 15 February 1861, married Malvina Elizabeth Clark on 28 April 1886. He died 10 September 1933.

5. Victoria Elvina A. Bonham, born 17 April 1863, married Michael Albert Allen on 25 December 1884. She died 13 December 1917.

6. Luther Ambrose Bonham, born 3 June 1866, married Minnie Jane Johnston on 6 April 1898. He died in 1939.

7. Mary R. Bonham, born 18 May 1868, died 28 March 1869.

8. Martha V. Bonham, born 7 June 1872, died 18 January 1873.

9. Charles S. Bonham, born 4 November 1873, died 18 August 1894 in a railroad accident at Keystone, West Virginia.

10. Liela Maude Bonham, born 28 January 1875, married James M. Pruner on 17 September 1907.

11. Emma Belle Bonham, born 22 February 1880, died on 17 January 1891. 

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