Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Bond, Jesse

[Return to Surname Main Index]

Jesse Bond (p 104)

Jesse Bond and wife Phoebe, the grandparents of Henry T. and Abner D. Bond, of Clay Township, and of Lewis Bond, of Cambridge City, Wayne County, were among the earliest of the pioneers of this county, as they arrived here in 1807. Their ancestors were members of the Society of Friends, and its principles were believed in and practiced by them throughout their lives. The founder of the Bond family in America was one of the colonists who accompanied William Penn; and a son, Joseph Bond, was the father of Stephen Bond, who settled in Virginia, and of Edward and Samuel, who located in North Carolina, while their other sons, Benjamin, Silas and John, remained in Pennsylvania. Edward Bond, who, as mentioned, removed to the south, married a Miss Mills, and to them were born the following named children: Benjamin, Edward, John, Joshua, William, Jesse, Joseph, Anne and Keziah.

Jesse Bond was born in 1799, married Phoebe Commons, a daughter of Robert and Ruth (Hayes) Commons, and in 1807 they emigrated from Virginia to what was then the Territory of Indiana. For a few years they lived upon land which now is the site of Earlham College, near Richmond. Then removing to the homestead, which is in the possession of Abner Bond, his grandson, Jesse Bond spent more than half a century there, passing to his reward upon the 4th of April 1862. His devoted helpmate died many years previously, when in her sixty-third year, June 20, 1845. By the aid of his sons he had succeeded in clearing and greatly improving the old farm, which is situated about a mile south of the present town of Green Fork, in Clay Township. For his day he was considered in quite affluent circumstances in his later years, but the life which he and his household led was simple and devoid of expensive luxuries, as this was a matter of long habit and religious training. He was a man of high standing in the community and influential in the Quaker Church, often preaching and assisting in the services. Needless to say his integrity and uprightness of word and deed won for him the love and high regard of everyone with whom he was associated.

To Jesse Bond and wife were born several children, namely: Nathan, whose birth took place in 1803, and whose wife was formerly Tamar Kentworthy; Robert, born in 1804, and married Rachel Thornburg; John, born in 1806, and married Mary Barnett; William C., born I 1808, and married Hannah Locke; Enos, born in 1810, and wedded Susanna Hoover; Isom, born in 1812, and married Dinah Kentworthy; Ruth, born in 1814, and married William Nicholson; Hannah, born in 1816, wife of John Wilson; Isaac, born in 1818, and married Katherine Eirgood; Jesse, born in 1820 and was three times married, -- first to Jane Cox, then to Harried Hank and finally to Belle King; and Lydia, born in 1822, became the wife of Oliver Mendenhall. With the exception of Jesse and his wives, all were residents of Wayne County at the time of their marriage. In 1899 the only survivors of the family of Jesse Bond, the senior, are William, Jesse, Hannah and Lydia.

Robert Bond, the father of Henry T., Abner D. and Lewis Bond, was born in Virginia in 1804, and consequently was very young when he was brought to this county, with whose welfare his own was thenceforth to be connected. The lady of his choice was Rachel Thornburg, a daughter of Henry Thornburg, and an early settler of Jefferson Township, Wayne County. She was a native of Tennessee, and came to this section with her parents in childhood. After his marriage, Robert Bond located upon land adjoining his father's homestead, and on this property he and his estimable wife passed the rest of their days. Following the worthy example of his father, he adhered to the Society of Friends and illustrated the noble ideals, which he cherished in his daily life. Loved and mourned by a large circle of sincere friends, he entered the silent land on the 28th of March 1864. Of the six sons and two daughters born to himself and wife, and reared to maturity, only three, H. T., A. D. and Lewis, survive. John, Milton, Larkin, Emily and Lydia E. have passed away.

Henry T. Bond was born upon the parental homestead in Clay Township, February 10, 1827, and on the 4th of September 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Boyd. Her father, Robert Boyd, was one of the pioneers of Wayne County and later removed to Henry County, where he spent the rest of his life. Mr. Bond was bereft of his wife, who died in October 1897, leaving three children: Robert B., Emma F. and James Edgar.

Abner Bond, who resides upon the old homestead formerly owned by his grandfather, Jesse Bond, was born April 19, 1836. His marriage to Miss Mary E. Scott, a daughter of John and Jane (Willetts) Scott, was solemnized in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Bond the following children were born: Emma Celeste, September 24, 1861; Maud, March 16, 1865; Virgia Blanche, April 14, 1877; and Edith A., May 20, 1882. The eldest daughter became the wife of A. R. Jones, of Centerville, Wayne County, and died November 4, 1889, leaving two children: Forest B., who was born April 8, 1876 and Mary Lucile, born October 24, 1879. Maud, the second daughter of Mr. Bond, married William Woodruff, and resides near her father's home. Virgia Blanche died February 4, 1878. Edith A. is living with her father on the farm.

The Bond brothers are highly respected by those who have known them from their boyhood, and they are indeed worthy representatives of this honored pioneer family. At all times they have been safely relied upon to use their influence and means if need be, in the advancement of whatever has been the good of the community.