Sometimes, things do not work out. Every generation of mankind has experienced pitfalls and consequences. The story listed below is one such instance.
Anthony Bonnell, Sr.
Between 1765 and 1770, some North and South Carolina people settled and received land grants near Rocky Ford, Georgia. Among the first settlers was Anthony Bonnell, Sr., who served as one of the commissioners appointed when Screven County was created. The first County Seat of Screven was established at Rocky Ford. Upon the establishment of Jacksonboro as the county seat of Screven County, it was authorized by an Act of the General Assembly on February 1, 1797. James H. Rutherford, Francis Jones, Martin Martin, Anthony Bonnell, Sr., and Stephen Pearce were appointed Commissioners to “purchase or otherwise procure not less than five acres nor more than fifty acres for the building of a courthouse and jail.”
It is said that Anthony Bonnell, Sr. never served as a Revolutionary War Soldier. The records reflect that he was commissioned 1775 as a 2nd Lieutenant (later promoted to Captain) to serve in the Burke County Militia (became Screven County) under Captain Joseph Atkinson.
The unspoken truth during this war is that many Tories sided with the British Army. Too, if one’s relatives were Tories, they were also considered enemies. Thus, Daniel and John Bonnell and their father, Anthony Bonnell Sr., were considered traitors during the war. As early as 1782, Daniel Bonnell Sr. was listed as one of the “distressed persons” who petitioned the Executive Council to reinstate his citizenship.
Stained with a bad reputation, one can only imagine the consequences of Daniel’s choices.
Anthony and his two sons were charged with crimes of British collaborators during the war.
His son, Daniel, was hanged on 18 October 1784.
His son, John, fled to St. Augustine, Florida, and Nova Scotia.
Daniel Bonnell was listed as a son of Anthony Bonnell, Sr. in McCall’s Roster of the Revolution, page 732.
“ The State vs. Daniel Bonnell, the younger. Oct. 12, 1784. A Report of the Summary of the Trial, Verdict, and Sentence, in this case, being made and the same duly considered by Council, unanimously advise that the executive authority due interpose, but on the contrary leave the law to its course, which is accordingly resolved and determined upon by the board.”
Source: Revolutionary War Records of Georgia by Candler, Vol. III; The Georgia Gazette dated 10/21/1784.
Source: The Georgia Gazette reported that Daniel Bonnell was executed for robbery on Oct. 18, 1784. However, Daniel Bonnell previously held public office, having been appointed Magistrate for St. Matthews Parish in 1776, Effingham County, Georgia, where he was also J. P. in Liberty County, Georgia. John Mikel and Daniel Bonnell, deceased executors of the LWT of James Thomson of South Carolina, gave notice to debtors and creditors.