Bonjour - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

BONJOUR Kevin E - Vietnam Wall section 7W

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2011-05-07 15:09:28Z

BONJOUR Kevin E - Vietnam Wall section 7W

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 220,676 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

Re: Mary Barbara Bonjeur

RCSnyder2 — 2010-07-28 20:19:06Z

Thank you so much for this fascinating piece of the Freeman history. I've been doing this research for a friend, and this will provide a remarkable addition to the database I've created for her. Amy is a descendant of Phillip Freeman through several generations of females:
Amy Kissel(1) Rachel Eisaman(2), Homer Eisaman(3), Savilla Peden(4), Martha Austraw(5), Hannah Freeman(6), George Freeman(7), Phillip Freeman(8)

I have most of the particulars of this descendancy.

You can contact me directly at rcsnyder2@earthlink.net

Re: Mary Barbara Bonjeur

RWeltyKaminsky — 2010-07-28 19:10:43Z

Barbara Bonjour's origins are unknown, even after much searching. In fact, if you are a descendant of Philip Freeman, her origins are irrelevant except as a matter of curiosity. She was not the mother of his children. But she did play a significant role in his life for over 16 years. The story is somewhat interesting.

Her first husband, George Seidenspinner, arrived in Philadelphia aboard the "Patience" in 1748, aged 28. It is not known if Barbara was with him, or if they married later. The name Seidenspinner is very rare and found nowhere until after his death about 1763 in Cumberland County, PA (currently Bedford County). He and Barbara, and at least two children, were settled on land a few miles south of Fort Bedford some time after 1757. He undoubtedly had a military permit for settlement since the area was not open for general settlement at that time. He may well have been one of the many men recruited in and around York County, PA to be pack horsemen and to help build the Forbes Road between Fort Bedford and Fort Ligonier.

It is known that he was deceased and Barbara Seidenspinner was remarried to Andrew Bonjour by the summer of 1765 when they were granted a warrant to the land that Barbara and George had settled on prior to his death. This warrant was extremely unusual in that it specified that the land be held "for the said Barbara (as widow of George Seidenspinner) and her children by the George, who first settled on the same land". I have researched many original land warrants, and this one is unique, showing that Barbara must have been fairly aggressive in her attempt to stake this claim for herself and her children, not just her new husband.

It is possible that George Seidenspinner was one of the victims of Indian attacks during Pontiac's War during the summer of 1763. It is known that "forty families" were either killed or kidnapped during attacks on Fort Bedford and surrounding areas, although no records exist as to who these people were. Records tell of families spending most of the summer inside the fort for safety, but men who were attacked and killed by Indians as they ventured outside of the fort to attempt to tend their crops. We do not know if George Seidenspinner was among those killed that summer, but it is not unlikely.

Andrew Bonjour was also a very early settler in the region, shown as having claim to land and a spring near where Fort Ligonier was built in 1758. He also served as a pack horseman for the military during the French and Indian War, probably delivering equipment and supplies for the British army on the Forbes Road between Fort Bedford,Fort Ligonier and Fort Pitt.

If Barbara had found herself widowed in this rugged, sparsely settled and dangerous frontier with two or more young children, it is likely a matter of survival that she would have married again as soon as possible. She probably married Bonjour some time between fall of 1763 and summer of 1765.

Bonjour had a tavern in the town of Ligonier and was also constable at the time of his death in mid-1772. Barbara was granted Letters of Administration on his estate, with an accounting due in one year; however, records show the estate still open and activities in progress to attempt settlement of the estate ongoing several years later. There are no records that a final accounting was ever made. There is no evidence of any children to Andrew Bonjour during the marriage. Once again, Barbara found herself widowed in a still-remote and dangerous frontier area with more debts than assets from her late husband.

Barbara is known to be married to Philip Freeman after July of 1773 but before March of 1774;probably some time in the second half of 1773. Philip Freeman, about 30 years old at the time, was settled on the Laurel Ridge on land claims known as Deerlick Ridge and Liberty Hall. He had an inn there, along the Forbes Road. He had arrived in the Ligonier Valley at least as early as 1772 or earlier, possibly from Frederick County, Virginia.

In mid-1775, an unusual suit was filed in Westmoreland County courts. It was filed by Barbara Freeman against Philip Freeman and it was a capias case, where the defendant was ordered to be arrested. Without going into detail, Barbara's standing to file this suit against her husband, according to laws of the day, only makes sense if she were abandonded or if she were filing as Executrix of her husband's estate. While the suit does not designate her so, she may have been filing in her official capacity as Executrix. It is interesting that at the time of her marriage to Philip, she still had not settled Bonjour's estate and Philip, either voluntarily or through some coersion, had agreed to post his property as security that she would settle the estate. She may now have been trying to force him to make good and get her out of hot water for not settling the debts. Or they may have been in a state of marital warfare for some reason, resulting in his abandonment of her. Given later history, one must wonder about this. The details of the case have been lost, with the only other mentions of the case shown to be in april of 1785 when the case is discontinued, and in November of 1790, when the case is settled and closed. What could have dragged on for 15 years?

By June or July of 1776, Philip Freeman joined Col. Watt's Regiment of the Cumberland County Flying Camp; why he went to Cumberland County is not known. These militia units had six month enlistments and were meant to provide support to Washington's army when and where needed and were meant to be mobile. In fact, they were used to plug holes in the line on a helter-skelter basis, with regiments often broken up with companies assigned to different places, and few if any records, muster roles or pay records were kept. We do know that Watt's Regiment were sent to New York during the late summer and fall of 1776 and were active during the New York Campaign. Watt's Regiment - or at least parts of it - were at Fort Washington and became part of the several thousand prisoners taken by the British. Philip's company must have been elsewhere that day because he does not appear to have been among the prisoners, many of whom died, and others were released in mid-February of 1776 in broken health, starved and disabled from harsh treatment.

Philip was undoubtedly among the troops who retreated from New York into New Jersey and Pennsylvania in late November and early December 1776. Was he one of the militia who agreed to stay on after his six month enlistment was up to fight through the New Year? If so, then he was probably among the Cumberland county militia who were blocked by ice dams on the Delaware River from crossing into Trenton on Christmas? There are no records for individual soldiers.

We do know that Philip was in Winchester, Virginia a couple of month's later in March of 1777 to join the 11th Virginia Regiment. Why did he go there? Why not go home to Westmoreland County? Was he avoiding Barbara for some reason? Was it because he previously lived in that area and had ties there? Or was it because he was one of the Pennsylvania militia assigned to escort the Hessian prisoners taken at Trenton through Pennsylvania, Maryland and to the prisoner of war camp in Winchester Virginia? This latter scenerio would have put him there right about the time he joined the 11th Virginia Regiment. There does not seem to be any records of just who these soldiers were, but it certainly fits the timeline perfectly.

Philip served a three year enlistment and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth Courthouse and Stony Point. He spent the winter with Washington at Valley Forge (His records show him there, but until recently his name did not appear on the National Park Service "official" muster role. I recently made sure this was corrected.) His pay records show that he was mustered out in New Jersey in December 1779 with pay through March 1780, apparently released from spending his last few months in winter camp, where they would have had to feed and clothe him.

Philip spent the next several years in Hanover, York Co. Penna. where Barbara and her children had escaped during the times of terrible Indian attacks in Westmoreland County in 1777-78-70. Many settlers moved east during this time to escape the killings and kidnappings. PHilip also joined the York county militia (as was required) and served as a prison guard at Camp Security in York County. He is in the records as being granted a liquor licence for one or two years and later given a licence as a traveling peddlar for several years. Tax records show him, a wife (presumably Barbara) and one other person, probalby one of Barbara's children. A Joseph Seidenspinner is known to have served with a York Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line during the Revolution - the right age to be Barbara's son - and the only Seidenspinner found in any army records.

In 1787 Philip comes back to Westmoreland County, but without Barbara. He does not go back to his land on the Laurel Ridge but instead moves to the new county seat in Hempfield Township, later to become the town of Greensburg. He buys land and builds a tavern right across from the new court house.

Then, in 1789, several notable events took place. Philip and Barbara had been married at this time for about 16 years, but she does not appear to have returned to Westmoreland County with him. First, in January, Philip purchased a piece of property in Hempfield Township near the town of Greensburg, a portion of which he later donates to the Catholic Church (then a small group of people without a church or clergy). Why? Second, on February 27th, a document in deed form is signed and recorded as a deed, but is in reality a separation agreement between Philip and Barbara. He agrees to give his tavern property as security for a promise to pay Barbara what appears to be support payments. She signs this document, but is clearly still in York County. Third, on June 13, 1789, George Freeman, first child of Philip Freeman is born. Clearly, Barbara is not the mother of this child if for no other reason than age. A woman who was married with two children in 1765 could not have been the mother of the first of nine children to Philip in 1789. Philip was 46 or 47 years old at this time and Barbara is likely to have been several years older.

The fourth event happened several weeks after the birth of George; a young woman by the name of Mary Link is arrested for bastardy, to which she pleads guilty, and the person who posts her bail is Philip Freeman. This could be coincidence except that a Mary Link, a young German girl, lived within a mile or two of Philip and was exactly the right age to be the woman buried next to him in Stahlstown - 25 years younger than he was. Also, a written biography of Philip Freeman, originally prepared by George Barron, a great grandson of Philip, has a single sentence saying that family legend has it that Philip's wife's name was Mary Link. George Barron's grandmother was Philip's daughter Christina Freeman Moody and George would have been old enough to remember family stories she may have told before she died. It is from this narrative by George Barron that we also know Philip and Mary died at the home of daughter Christina (only a mile from the cemetery at Stahlstown), so the information about Mary Link should be taken seriously. However, people later became so fixated on his wife being Barbara, they completely ignored the possibility of a second wife. This second wife, who obviously was not married to Philip until a number of years (and children)after his separation from Barbara was also very inconvenient for the ladies who looked to join the DAR. It is my considered opinion that at least some of the earliest Freeman DAR members knew the truth and tried to cover it up. That's why they tried to create the "Mary Barbara" stories - to cover up the fact that the Mary buried beside Philip was NOT Barbara.

All of this, of course, had to have been a real scandal in town at the time. It may have affected Philip's tavern business; he sold his tavern about a year later and bought another property nearby which he also sold only a few months later. The deed was signed by Barbara (who as his wife legally had to sign) but the deed was not signed until 15 months later and witnessed in York county. This was the last record of Barbara and may have had a final financial settlement attached to it. No further record of Barbara has been found, even though I have searched. Joseph Seidenspinner, probably her son, died young in 1787 in Lancaster Penna. leaving a wife and two young children. The 1790 census shows his widow in a household with a male under age 16 (her son) and two females (two daughters, or was one of them Barbara?)

Mary and Philip were undoubtedly married some time later (and several children later) after the death of Barbara. there is no record of divorce. They moved back to Philip's land back in Fairfield Township along the Laurel Ridge, probably in mid-1791. He appears to resume running his tavern along the Forbes Road. In August of 1798 Philip bought land in what later became Laughlintown along the new state road (about two or three miles south of his old place) and in 1799 built a new inn there. It is now known as the Compass Inn (named by others later) and has been lovingly and historically restored by the Ligonier Valley Historical Society.

Philp and Mary sold the inn in Laughlintown in
september of 1807. She appears on the deed as Mary, his wife, so they were married before then. They lived with one or another of their children for the rest of their lives. They both died at the home of Christina Freeman Moody and are buried about a mile from the Moody Farm at Stahlstown Methodist church cemetery. The headstones are still there, but are very badly worn.

Re: Mary Barbara Bonjeur

barbara15 — 2009-11-07 19:20:38Z

Barbara Bonjour and Philip Freeman did not have any known children together. The children of Philip Freeman came from his marriage to Mary Link. Someone conflated Barbara and Mary into one person, probably because Philip and Mary's first son (at least the first) was born out of wedlock and the DAR did not accept descendants of children born out of wedlock. I believe the biography of Philip Freeman came from descendants who were trying to get in the DAR.

It's a bit of a complicated story, but I have a book written by a Freeman descendant, Rebecca Welty Kaminsky, that has a lot of good information on this subject.

BTW, Barbara was previously married to Andrew Bonjour. She was too old to have been the mother of Philip's children and they were separated by that time.

Feel free to write back if you want more information.

Barbara McDonald

Re: bonjour pics

krury — 2009-08-27 07:55:02Z

We have common ancestors from Thomas Ami Louis Bonjour. I've tried to track all ancestors, so if you can contact me I can send you an update of your tree and maybe you can update any missing stuff.
krury@hotmail.com
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/u/r/Kenneth-W-R...

Re: Bonjour Genealogy

krury — 2009-08-27 07:48:22Z

My Bonjour tree cna be found via http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/u/r/Kenneth-W-R...

Mary Barbara Bonjeur

RCSnyder2 — 2009-07-01 17:32:54Z

Can anyone provide information on the parentage of Mary Barbara Bonjeur, b. 1768, Stahlstown, Westmoreland Co., PA d. 1834, same place; m. Philip Freeman, Rev. War Veteran.
This couple has descendants still living in Westmoreland. I'd like to push the line further back, if possible.

Re: ANY ONE HELP??

bonjourandrew — 2008-07-18 01:35:02Z

Most of the Bonjours who live in Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois are ancestors of french natives who fled to Switzerland to avoid religious persecution . The canton of Neuchatel is known to have had a large population of families with the surname Bonjour. My family comes from the town of Lignieres in the canton of Neuchatel. My family tree dates back to the early 1600's and begins in Neuchatel with the first member of my family (great-great grandfather) immigrating into the U.S. in 1895 and settling in Apple Valley, IL. Your family may very well be from the same region. You can contact me at bonjour.andrew@yahoo.com. I have a genealogy tree that might just have your grandfather's name in it. I hope to hear from you.

BIO Jonas A. Bonjour, Neuchatel, Onaga Co., Kansas

Marianne_Vol_Researcher — 2008-04-25 04:49:18Z

As written in the book:
The History of Onaga and....
by: The Onaga Historical Society (Kansas)
1982

During the fall of 1857, Jonas Aimie Bonjour and his wife, Sophia, came to Neuchatel and eventually homesteaded the farm now belonging to the heirs of Walter and Anna Myers Bonjour.
They had three sons: Charles J. (moved to Washington), Jonas Aimie (Amos), and Roland J. In 1866, Mr. Bonjour built the first frame house in the township. The lumber was hauled from Leavenworth and Atchison.
Amos Bonjour married Julia Theys and to this union were born: Goodlet (married Anna Fairbanks); Rose (Mrs. Charles Hazlett); Gertrude (Mrs. Roy Keeney), Vira (Mrs. Clarence Mitchell), Aletha (Mrs. Paullesen), and Hazel (Mrs. George Dronberger).
Roland Bonjour married Nan Burdette and to this union were born: Walter (married Anna Myers), and Effie (Mrs. George Talley)

BIO Charles Bonjour Neuchatel, Onaga Co., Kansas

Marianne_Vol_Researcher — 2008-04-25 04:36:19Z

As written in the book:
The History of Onaga and....
by: The Onaga Historical Society (Kansas)
1982

Charles Bonjour came to Neuchatel in the spring of 1858, and homesteaded the quarter of land on which Neuchatel is built. He married Louise Zurcher in 1864. In 1877, he bought an organ and their home became the meeting place for the young people in the community. Their children were: Matilda (Mrs. Leon Besancon), Eugene (who died at one year of age), Charles (who was accidently shot and killed), Pauline (Mrs. Julius Perrussel), and Silas (who died at the age of two months).
Charles Bonjour II married Pauline Theys. They had two children: Sam Bonjour married Ellen Savajot, and Leonard married Alice Hammerly. Sam and Ellen had six children: Marjorie, Bud, Rosella, Betty, Mary Lou and Dale. Leonard and Alice had three children: Lydia Lawrence and Merle.

Re: bonjour pics

katybpine — 2006-02-20 22:46:34Z

Becky,

This is very very old post (1999!!!) but I thought I'd reply, on the long shot you are still using this service and receive this.

I am the granddaughter of Glenn Bonjour, Merle's brother (what does that make us? have we met?) and thought you might like to know I have scanned a lot of pictures of Paul and Elsie this summer in Savanna. Contact me and I will send them to you.

I know it's a long shot, but I hope you get this! :) Katy

Re: ANY ONE HELP??

2004-10-09 12:17:36Z

Are you still looking for info? Earl is my cousin and Ethel is my aunt.

Lynn

Re: Bonjour- Switz!

2004-09-13 15:39:26Z

No, Yvette is my first cousin. Charles Thomas Bonjour's brothers and sister were:Isabel Irene, James Archiebald (Archie) and Jesse Oliver (Jess). I hope this clears up a geneology question. http://www.rootsweb.com/~bonjourf/ged2html/dat113.htm#16

Re: FAMILY

2004-09-13 15:33:26Z

Yvette; As for the family tree, look up Bonjour on the internet and you will find the Bonjour family tree. Your Dad - His Dad (Charles Thomas Bonjour), His Mother (Ella Florence Engebretson) and for the rest, I have a copy. Let me know if you really want it. You are Norweigen - Not German or Swiss. Both Grandma and Grandpa were Norweigen.

Re: Bonjour

paperman35 — 2004-06-05 22:00:20Z

my computer crashed and i lost your new email address please contact me martin

Re: Elsie M. Bonjour Froning

paperman35 — 2004-06-05 22:00:20Z

my computer crashed lost your new email address.

martin

Ethel Bonjour

dchappell5353 — 2002-01-17 02:16:45Z

Ethel Melvin Bonjour do live in Dumont, Iowa. E-Mail me for more info, Especially Becky Bonjour.

Ethel Bonjour Ayers

dchappell5353 — 2002-01-17 02:16:45Z

I married Orville's oldest daughter. Orville is Ethel's older brother.
E-mail me at dvdchpl@n-connect.net please.
Thank you

Rene Bonjour

nhdevries — 2001-11-28 21:21:01Z

I am looking for any information regarding Rene Bonjour. I recently bought some original ink drawings that were done by him in Chicago in 1957. Any background information would be greatly appreciated!

Elsie M. Bonjour Froning

2001-04-01 23:52:35Z

Looking for information on Elsie M. Bonjour, 3.12.1907-2.11.1958. She was married to Alfred Froning, 1.5.1927,in Albert Lea, Minn. Alfred and Elsie lived in the Sheffield, IA. area. The couple are buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Sheffield, IA.

Ethel Bonjour...

2000-10-25 16:23:43Z

Hello, Ethel Bonjour is my great-great Grandma.

Cyle Bonjour

Ok...

2000-10-25 16:20:35Z

Ok, I'll e-mail you.
Cyle

Bonjour- Switz!

2000-10-25 11:12:56Z

Yvette, You must be from the Illinois line of Bonjour's. Our line goes with Alfred Frederick and your Charles T. they were brothers. I would love to here from you!
email me at wdbonjour@fiai.net

RE: Earl Bonjour

2000-10-25 11:00:01Z

Cyle, Would email me at wdbonjour@fiai.net!
Came across some info on Earl and his family! Diann

FAMILY

2000-10-22 00:35:15Z

I THOUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE OF US FROM FRANCE THAN SWITZERLAND AS THATS WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER WAS FROM ELLA INGELBRETSIN BONJOUR AND MY GRANDFATHER WAS CHARLES T. BONJOUR. SOME OF THE NAMES I HAVE SEEN IN HERE LOOK VERY FAMILIAR TO ME. I HAD AN UNCLE JESSE AND SOME OTHERS THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW. LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS OF THESE PEOPLE. AS I WOULD LIKE TO DO A FAMILY TREE FOR MY FATHER AS OURS HAS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR IN OUR FAMILY. THANKS YVETTE BONJOUR TALARICO

Ethel Bonjour

2000-05-31 05:27:36Z

How are you related to Ethel. Are you related to Mary Moser. Your name sounds familiar.

Bonjour

2000-05-12 00:28:15Z

Hi Cyle,
I don't know that I can help, but, will try! I believe your ancestors are from Switzerland, or European. I have two Earl Bonjours,a son of Herman W. and A. Grace Christoper, and the other a son of Chester Lee and Harriet Grubb. You can e me at
wdbonjour@fiai.com Diann

ANY ONE HELP??

2000-05-09 12:26:12Z

I am looking from what country I am from, my grandpa's name is Earl Bonjour, his mom's name is Ethel Bonjour. I live in Perry,Iowa He lives in Grimes,Iowa.She lives in Minnesota somewhere.Please Help. A.S.A.P.

family

2000-03-31 05:06:10Z

We live in Dows,Iowa. That's in Northcentral Iowa. My husband's grandfather was LeRoy Harold Bonjour(9/12/1898-8/28/1976), and his father was LaVerne Richard Bonjour(6/6/1924-11/1/1989). I have just started on my husband's side so I haven't got much.My husband is a truck driver. He has been running a route from Iowa to Texas most of the time. I am a homemaker.

Bonjour family

2000-03-30 17:52:10Z

Karen,we are talking about 2 different Ethels.The Ethel Im refering to would b past 100 she is my mothers grandmother,and my mom is 58 years old.But theres got to be some family tie there somewhere because the Bonjour name is very rare.
Where do you live? We are in Arizona as i mentioned before.
Always Becky

family

2000-03-30 12:41:52Z

Ok, I will look forward to writing to your mother.

Bonjour

2000-03-30 12:38:19Z

Ok,my husband's Aunt Ethel who nows lives in Dumont,Iowa use to live in Florida. My mother in law said she had thought she had two boys and a girl. Most important how old would would Ethel be by now? Maybe we are talking about two different people. My mother in law doesn't correspond with my husband's Ethel. Our Ethel would be in her late 60' or early 70's.

Family

2000-03-29 19:58:30Z

Karen,
Ive forwarded this to my mom you and her might be able to swap stories she is the granddaughter of Ethel and Paul Bonjour they come from Savana,Ill. Its also a small town on the Mississippi.Merle is Ethels son,he moved out to Arizona because of my mothers (Merles daughter) health when she was a young girl. So if you get any messages from Barbara you will know she is Merles daughter and I am his granddaughter.
Always
Becky

Bonjour

2000-03-29 19:48:14Z

Ethel is my great grandmother.She is the mother of Merle,who is my grandfather,Barbara Ragels is his daughter and my mother.Do you know these people? Merle has 2 brothers Glenn and Bub he also has a sister Bernita.The only living is Glenn, my grandfather passed away 5years ago.
Always
Becky

Bonjour

2000-03-27 14:15:49Z

So how are you related to Ethel?

family

2000-03-26 04:57:56Z

Hi
I am Lawrence Bonjour's wife. Larry is Ethal's nephew. He is the son of LaVerne Bonjour who was Ethal's brother. I suppose that Mary Moser (Ethal's sister) might have some pictures. She lives in Palo,IOwa. I'm not sure what the address is, but it is a small town. We in Dows,Iowa. LaVerne has passed away,but his wife is still living. I'm sorry that's all I can help you with right now. If you need any of our dates let me know.
Bye,
Karen Bonjour

bonjour pics

1999-09-29 22:27:16Z

would you know where we can find pictures of paul or ethel bonjour? Im the granddaughter of merle and evelyn bonjour.please reply soon.thanks
sincerly
becky

Bonjour Genealogy

1999-07-28 13:39:48Z

I have a large portion of Bonjour genealogy posted at http:/wwww.oz.net/~krury focusing more on the Illinois Bonjour's. A Fred Bonjour also has an excellent site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~bonjourf/