Lot Title

Location in Cemetery

Section: A     Lot: --     Grave: --

Date of death

Sep-25-1819

Date of birth

Oct-6-1793

Age

Verse (Legibility: P - POOR)

Full inscription on this stone is in the Westport Point United Methodist Church.

Veteran Information

No War Periods Served

Veteran: No

Relatives

Unspecified

Stone Shape

Stone Decoration

Stone Condition

Stone Material

State of Stone

Other Information

born in Plymouth. America Bonney was a licensed preacher who formed a church in Westport in 1818 which consisted of 22 members. He died 1 year later. Mortuary Notice Friday, October 1, 1819 Paper: New-Bedford Mercury (New Bedford, MA) Volume: XIII ssue: 11 Page: 3 DIED In Westport, 25th ult. Mr. America Bonney, a native of Plympton, aged 26, He was licensed as a Preacher of the Gospel in June, 1818. Since which time he has laboured in various places, to good acceptance, and with more than usual success. As an instrument he did much in little time. While the church in general sustain a loss in the death of this young man, many will recollect him, as the instrument, by his faithful declaration of truth, of their awakening and salvation. OBITUARY Saturday, October 16, 1819 Paper: Boston Recorder (Boston, MA) Volume: IV Issue: 42 Page: 172 Died, in Westport, at the home of Capt. Abner Gifford, Mr. AMERICA BONNEY, a candidate for ministry, in the 26th year of his age. Having been hopefully called by divine grace, when about 18 years of age, he united himself with the church of Christ in his native town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. E. Dexter. - Here he would willingly have spent his days; but God, who called him by grace, had designed him in the gospel of his Son. Under deep conviction of duty, he was induced to enter upon studies, preparatory to his entering the ministry. - Having pursued literary studies for a considerable period of time, he, in May, 1817, commenced his theological studies at Little Compton, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Shepard. In November, of the same year, he commenced teaching a school at Westport Point, where it pleased God to bless his exertions, by sending down his Spirit upon the youth under his care; a number of whom, hopefully became the subjects of grace. From the school the good work spread into different parts of the village, and continued with the church, which he was instrumental in gathering, until March, 1819. When, by a request from the first Congregational Church and Society of Nantucket, he visited that Island. Here his usual success attended him, multitudes flocked to the house of God, Christians were edified, and a few souls were brought, for the first time, to rejoice in the humbling truths of the gospel. Leaving Nantucket, he returned to Westport. But how mysterious are the ways of Providence; While actively engaged in the cause of his Divine Master, he was attacked with a painful illness, which terminated his earthly existence. - But his friends have the greatest consolation, in believing that, what is their loss is his unspeakable gain. Who will not adopt the language of inspiration; "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

Images Toggle all images

Bonney, America.JPG   

onney, America 2.JPG