James Butler Bonham (1807 - 1836)

Born 20 Feb 1807 in Flat Grove Plantation, Saluda, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Died 6 Mar 1836 at age 29 in Alamo Mission, Bexar, Texas, USA

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Biography

James Bonham is Notable.

James Bonham was born in February 20,1807, born near Red Banks, now Saluda, South Carolina. This would have been Edgefield County, SC.^{[1][2] [3]}He is the son of James Bonham and Sophia Smith.^[4][5] In 1824, James started his college life at South Carolina College.^[1] In his senior year, the whole senior class was expelled due a protest that Bonham instigated, in regard to attendance regulations and poor food for students in the boarding house. ^[2] By 1830, he was practicing law at Pendleton. While there, he struck an attorney with a cane who had insulted Bonham's female client. He would not apologize, then offended the judge, which resulted in a 90 days sentence for contempt of court. ^[6]

In 1834, Bonham moved near relatives in Montgomery, Alabama and opened a law practice there. William Travis wrote to Bonham of the activities in Texas. Bonham recruited some men, named them Mobile Greys to serve in Texas. His brothers had died, so Bonham decided to join Travis in Texas with his Mobile Greys.^[7]

Bonham offered his services to Sam Houston's Army without pay. He gained a commission of Cavalry Lieutenant in the Texas Army. By December, he was running messages for Gen. Houston. ^[3][8][9] January of 1836, he marched to the Alamo with Jim Bowie. He joined his friend, Col. William B. Travis in San Felipe.^[1][2] Scouts were bringing information that the Mexican Army and General Santa Anna were coming into Texas. The Defenders were fortifying the Alamo, but needed more supplies and men, so Col. Travis sent Lt. Bonham to Bexar for assistance, then onto Goliad February 16 for help, men, and supplies from James Fannin who commanded Goliad. ^[3]Although he pleaded for the aid, Col. Fannin turned down the request for extra troops for the Alamo.^[10]

Lt. Bonham then left February 1836 to seek other troops in Victoria. While he was gone, the Mexican siege began. Fannin still did not release any extra troops for the Alamo. The only support was from Gonzales. Bonham had to sneak around Santa Anna's army to regain entrance into the Alamo and make his report. ^[3]Lt. Bonham went out again to appeal for aid. This time he reached Major Robert McAlpin Williamson either in Mina or Austin colonies. Williamson sent 2 letters back.^[11] One was to to Capt JJ Tumlinson to reinforce the Alamo. Copies were sent via messenger to San Felipe and Mina, Bastrop Colony. The second positive letter to Col. Travis that Bonham carried back was an assurance from friend, Robert McAlpin Williamson that help was coming. They asked Col. Travis to hold out. The men did their best, food was low, supplies for the cannons and guns low and men were dying.^[3] The detail which Major Robert McAlpin Williamson had ordered Tumlinson to lead to the Alamo, was cancelled by a Col Burleson from San Felipe. ^[3]

Lt. Bonham was killed on 6 March 1836, along with the rest of the Defenders, when Santa Anna's army struck the Alamo compound with its own cannon. ^[2] They swarmed over the lowest wall. Defenders of the Alamo were outnumbered at least 10:1. A memorial is in San Fernando Cathedral Sanctuary. ^[3]

Note : In 1918 the Courts awarded 4/5 of 639½ Acres, net 512 acres in Comanche County, Texas to the heirs of James Butler Bonham. ^{[12] [13]}

IN HONOR of Bonham, The town, Bonham, Texas is named in Bonham's honor. During World War II, SS James B Bonham liberty ship was named for Bonham. During Texas Centennial of 1936, a marker and statue of Bonham was erected in Bonham, TX. There is a monument of Travis and Bonham near the Saluda County Courthouse, South Carolina, USA. A museum was made of the house where he was born.

Heirs of Bonham were awarded:

• 1920 Acres Milam
• 1/3 League
• 1920 Acres
• for having fallen with Travis
• 453 Acres Robertson Donation
• 320 Acres Robertson 3rd

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "The Alamo Heroes and their Revolutionary Ancestors", Bicentennial Project Alamo DAR Chapter OShavano DAR Chapter, San Antonio de Bexar DAR Chapter, 1976 https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/106412-the-alamo-heroes-and-their-revolutionary-ancestors-bicentennial-project-alamo-dar-chapter-o-shavano-dar-chapter-san-antonio-de-bexar-dar-chapter?offset=4
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} http://www.thealamo.org/remember/history/defenders/index.html
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/bonham-james-butler
4. ↑ Bill Groneman, "BONHAM, JAMES BUTLER," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbo14), accessed March 07, 2015. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Modified on May 16, 2012. Published by the Texas State Historical Association
5. ↑ http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/bexar/military/alamo/alamo.txt
6. ↑ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txjbbdrt/bonham.html
7. ↑ http://www.sciway.net/south-carolina/alamo-william-travis-james-bonham.html
8. ↑ https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/alamo/bonham-01.html
9. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alamo_defenders
10. ↑ http://www.fold3.com/page/1164_the_fall_of_the_alamo
11. ↑ http://www.texasranger.org/dispatch/Backissues/Dispatch_Issue_02.pdf
12. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #8729679 (accessed 17 August 2022)
    Memorial page for James Butler Bonham (20 Feb 1807-6 Mar 1836), citing The Alamo, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA; Maintained by Daniel Gabehart (contributor 48115366).
13. ↑ http://web.pdx.edu/~davide/gene/Bonham_Malachiah.htm

• http://www.fold3.com/page/1164_the_fall_of_the_alamo/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alamo_defenders

See Also:

• Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans by T.R. Fehrenbach
• James P. Snell and Franklin Ellis, History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, Everts & Peck, Pub., Philadelphia, PA, 1881: pg. 397.
• Howard Eugene Bonham and Jean Allin, Bonham and Related Family Lines, Bonham Book(s), 5104 Bridlington Ln., Raleigh, NC, 27612, printed by Genie Plus, Bradenton, FL, 1996: pgs. 172-87

Acknowledgements

• Robert Teeter, firsthand knowledge. Biography added Mary Richardson

Thanks to Robert Teeter, firsthand knowledge. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Robert and others.