I wrote about Jonathan Bumpus in a 2013 blog post, at which time I had his parents as unknown since the information I previously believed about his parents being Thomas and Mercy (Stewart) Bumpus seemed to be based on incorrect information on his death record. I knew he descended from Edward 1 and Hannah (—?—) Bumpus, but did not know how. I am grateful to Thomas Slocum for his recent tip that Jonathan was born 20 February 1749 at Wareham to Noah Bumpus and Hannah Bumpus, so I have delved into that possibility.
My question: Is Jonathan Bumpus who married Martha Chubbuck the son of Noah and Hannah Bumpus born in 1749?
My answer: I am unsure, but it seems unlikely.
Jonathan Bumpus son of Noah and Hannah Bumpus:
Jonathan Bump was born Wareham, Massachusetts, on 20 February 1749/50 to Noah and Hannah (Bump) Bump. [Wareham Births, Marriages & Deaths, book A, page 9] His parents were first cousins. He is a descendant of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren through daughter Mary Warren and her husband Robert Bartlett. Their surname is spelled in a variety of ways, most commonly Bumpus, Bumpas, and Bump.
Jonathan Bumpas is named in his maternal grandfather John Bumpas’ will dated 24 June 1763 and proved 5 Nov 1764. John names his grandchildren Lucy, Jonathan, and Deliverance, children of deceased daughter Hannah Bump/Bumpas. [Plymouth County Probate Records 19:135, 333]
If this Jonathan is the man who married Martha Chubbuck at Wareham on 7 January 1790, he was 39 years old and 14 years his wife’s senior. Not an everyday occurrence, but not impossible.
What I do know:
Jonathan Bumpus of Wareham is my 5th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. He was born about 1769 based on his age at death of 78.
On 7 January 1790 Jonathan Bump and Martha Chubbuck, both of Wareham, were married by Rev. Noble Everett. [Wareham First Church Records p 51] Intentions published in Wareham 1789. [Coldren-Walker]
Martha was born Wareham 29 February 1764, calculated from her age at death which of course is not also accurate. I have not discovered Martha’s parents with any certainty, although given the uncommon surname I believe she is descended from Nathaniel Chubbuck of Wareham who wrote his will in 1740 and had a daughter Martha. Nathaniel was the son of John and Martha (Beal) Chubbuck. John was one of the 1682 purchasers of Agawam (later Wareham). I recently discovered the identities of two of Martha’s sisters named in a deed as Mercy Maxim and Abigail Kenney (more on this deed below) but so far this new clue has not helped me find her parents.
In online trees she is often conflated with an earlier Martha Chubbuck, born Wareham 1741, daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Besse) Chubbuck, and married Nathan Muxhom/Maxim.
Jonathan and Martha (Chubbuck) Bumpus had eight children, all born Wareham. There births are unrecorded but are all named in their father’s will and some have Jonathan and Martha identified as parents in their death records:
1. Olive P. born 16 July 1790 (calculated from age at death) just seven months after her parents’ marriage; married Shem Bumpus [his death record states he is son of Noah Bumpus Jr, and therefore grandson of Noah and Hannah Bumpus]; died Wareham 28 September 1864, 74/2/12, typhoid fever, parents Jonathan Bumpus and Martha C. [MA VR VR 175:347]
2. Etsel/Hatsil born 12 April 1794 (calculated from age at death); married (int.) Lucy Smith 15 July 1827 [MA VR p 139]; served War of 1812 [Bumpus]; died Wareham 1 December 1851, 57/7/19, palsey, [MA VR 1841-1910 58:194]
3. Jonathan born 2 March 1795 (calculated from age at death); married Ruth Pierce; died Wareham 19 September 1874, 76/6/17, cancer, parents Jonathan Bumpus and Martha Chubbuck [MA VR 266:329]
4. Hosea born May 1797 (calculated from age at death); married Delia Bennett 10 October 1822 [MA VR p 242]; died Wareham 20 January 1863, age 65/8, widower, pneumonia, parents Jonathan and Martha [Wareham VR Book A, p. 319]
5. Ruth C. born 2 February 1802; married Jonathan Bumpus 17 May 1821 [death record shows son of Noah Bumpus Jr, and therefore grandson of Noah and Hannah Bumpus]; died Wareham 10 May 1866, 64/3/8, liver inflammation, parents Jonathan Bumpus and Martha Chubbuck [MA VR 193:334]
6. Rowland Sturtevant born 20 January 1804; married Lucy Nye Pierce 5 September 1825 [Wareham VR p 245]; died Wareham 29 April 1853, 49/3/9, parents Jonathan and Martha Bumpus, died of consumption after returning from gold rush in California. [Mass. VR Vol. 76 p. 226]
7. James born 11 March 1810 (calculated from age at death); married Ruth Bumpus 26 May 1831 [Bumpus]; died Wareham 27 July 1866, 56/7/15, dysentery, parents Jonathan Bumpus and Martha Chubbuck [MA VR 193:335]
8. Martha C. born 1811 (calculated from age at death); married Charles Bumpus 19 September 1827; died Wareham 6 March 1865, age 54, parents Jonathan and Martha Bumpus, cannot decipher cause of death but she was sick for 12 months [MA VR p 19]
I descend from Rowland whom I wrote about here.
All of Jonathan and Martha’s daughters married Bumpus men so all the children kept that surname! In that generation there are three Ruths and two Jonathan/Ruth couples. James and Martha’s spouses were siblings, as were Jonathan and Rowland’s. They all stayed in Wareham to raise their own families. Talk about a crowded gene pool!
Bumpus, later Bump, was an early name in Wareham where they lived along Weweantic River on which stood the Bumpus mill. [History of Mattapoisett & Rochester]
Jonathan was a miller. [death record & Bumpus] From his inventory and other records we see he was also a farmer. In a Wareham list of livestock markings, recorded 7 December 1802, Jonathan Bump’s mark is a hollow crop in the right ear & a half penny ye upper side & a half penny ye under side of the right ear & a half penny ye under side of the left ear with a crop cut ye foreside of the left ear. [Wareham Town Records 1719-1892, page 303 on Ancestry]
Lawsuits involving Jonathan Bumpus—the first one is likely him and the second his son or son-in-law [Benjamin Fearing is likely Israel Fearing’s son who were Wareham mill owners]:
- At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 10 April 1820, Israel Fearing Esq. (Wareham) v. Jonathan Bumpus (Wareham Yeoman). Case, on note dated 1 November 1797 for $98.80, payable on demand with interest, "from the first day of December then next." Default by deft; judgment for $211.79 and $8.46 costs. [Plymouth Court Records 1686-1859, 28:28-33]
- At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 6 December 1847, Benjamin Fearing (Wareham Trader) v. Jonathan Bumpus (Wareham Laborer), and his trustees Lewis Kinney, Francis Carr, and Josiah H. Hall (all Wareham Manufacturers and partners under the firm of Lewis, Kinney, and Co.), and Nicholas Shearman and Samuel Shearman, Gentlemen, (both of Wareham). Case: for $100 for goods sold and delivered; for $100 for work done and materials found; for $100 for money lent; for $100 for money received; for $100 "for money due from the Deft. to the Pltf. for interest of money before then due and owing. Default by deft. Judgment for $69.80 and $11.73 costs. Execution granted against the goods of the deft. in the hands of the trustees. [Plymouth Court Records 1686-1859, 36: 167-172]
Plymouth County Deeds pertaining to Jonathan Bump/Bumpus of Wareham; not all this Jonathan if he was born 1769:
- Benjamin King of Plymouth sold for £4 13s 4d paid by Jonathan Bumpus of Wareham, yeoman, his one quarter part of a lot of fresh meadow of about 30 acres lying on the Wareham River. It is land that he and his brother Samuel King bought of Miss Washburn and Edward Washburn of Plympton in 1738. Dated 26 Sept 1761. Witnesses were Betty Lothrop and Thomas Witherell. Rec. 31 March 1772, No. 102, 56:180.
- Jonathan Bump of Wareham “cordwinder” to Benjamin Fearing, gentleman, for £4 1s 4p, land at Wareham nigh my dwelling house on the west side of the Country Road that I bought of Joseph Doty, about 14 acres, 28 March 1772. Rec. 14 April 1772, No 134, 56:190.
- Jonathan Bumpus: Israel Fearing Esq of Wareham recovered the court’s April judgment against Jonathan Bumpus of Wareham for the sum of $211.79 damages and $8.45 costs plus 25 cents more for the writ. We command you take Bumpus and commit unto Gaol in Plymouth and he pay the full sums. Witnessed by Nahum Mitchell Esqr at Plymouth 17 April 1820. Rec. 18 July 1820, No. 820, 140:255.
- Jonathan Bumpus and wife Martha Bumpus of Wareham, yeoman, in consideration of our support, love and affection and one dollar paid by our grandchild James Francis Bumpus, all real and personal estate in Wareham, consisting of a lot of land near Muddy Cove which Mercy Maxim & Abigail Kenney formerly owned, and at their deceased it descended to aforesaid Martha Bumpus, she being the only surviving sister. Includes all beds, bedding, chairs, tables, clothing and other furniture. Dated 28 March 1845, both Jonathan and Martha signed by mark. Rec. 14 April 1845, no. 446, 215:235. This deed was an incredible find as it names Martha’s sisters, but so far I have not found them with certainty in records.
The mention of Israel and Benjamin Fearing in the court records and deeds is interesting. Isaac Bump born Scituate in 1681, the son of John and Sarah Bump and grandson of Edward 1, was Wareham’s miller. He built a gristmill adjacent to his homestead near the Agawam River. In 1747, Isaac and Elizabeth Bump sold their home and mill to Israel Fearing and moved to Connecticut. Israel’s son Benjamin Fearing expanded the structure in 1765 and the historic building remained in the family for over two centuries when it was acquired and restored by the Wareham Historical Society as the Fearing Tavern Museum.
Perhaps Jonathan did not own a mill but rather worked for Israel and Benjamin Fearing. This would help explain why he died in debt as mill owners were typically well-off financially.
Martha Bumpus died 5 April 1845 at Wareham, from influenza, age 81 years 1 month 6 days, married, husband Jonathan Bumpus, informant John Bourne. [Deaths in the Town of Wareham, p 13, at Family Search “Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records 1626-2001”]
There is also a death record for “Mrs [unreadable] wife of Jonathan Bumpus” died 29 March 1845. [Records First Church Wareham, p 13]
Jonathan died in Wareham on 5 February 1847. He was 78, a miller, died of old age. [MA VR 27:136]
If there were gravestones for Martha and Jonathan, they do not survive. Many family members are buried at Agawam Cemetery in Wareham.
Jonathan’s probate is Plymouth County Probate Record No. 3277. There is no mention of a mill. In his 22 March 1845 will, Jonathan Bumpus of Wareham, yeoman, being in ill health, left bequests:
- His dear wife (but no name given) use and improvement of dwelling house, the lots on which it stands and all other buildings, household furniture, all other person property during her natural life [Martha died a few weeks after the will was drawn]
- Grandson James Francis Bumpus to receive all, after legacies paid, that he left to his wife after her decease “in consideration of his faithful service to me”
- Each of his children to receive $1. Olive wife of Shem Bumpus, Hatsil Bumpus, Hosea Bumpus, Jonathan Bumpus Jr., Ruth wife of Jonathan Bumpus Jr., Rowland Bumpus, Martha the wife of of Charles Bumpus, and James Bumpus.
He named William Bates Esquire of Wareham executor. He signed by his mark. Witnessed by Albert S. Hathaway, Albert Herriman, and Israel F. Nickerson. Will proven 8 June 1847 when William Bates appointed executor, and Herriman and Nickerson made oath to the will. One person appeared to object thereto, but no details given. On the same day William Bates as principal, Silvanus Bourne, and Benjamin Churchill, were bound for $1,000 on the estate of Jonathan Bumpus.
Sadly Jonathan left over $212 in debt that included probate expenses. One of the debts owed was $20 to James F. Bumpus, presumably his grandson, and $32 to daughter Martha Bumpus.
His estate was valued at $259.75 and included his dwelling house at $183, cart, cow, fowl, clock, looking glass, light stand, various furniture, household and farming items. The inventory was appraised by William Benson, Consider Benson, and Francis Carr. William Bates made oath to the inventory 7 August 1847 and it was recorded book 89, page 324.
To pay off the debts of his estate, the personal property of Jonathan Bumpus was sold on 18 August 1847:
Looking glass and light stand .08 by Cyrus Stewart
Milch cow 20.60 Cyrus Stewart
3 axes and 1 lot of iron hollow ware 3.00 Lewis Kinney
Dwelling house, out buildings and fencing 100.00 Lewis Kinney
Feather bed, bedding and bedstead 7.00 Lewis Kinney
2 tables, 1 chest of draws, 1 hand cart, iron, ___ 2.13 Lewis Kinney
Lot crockery, tin and glassware .90 Jonathan Bumpus [likely his son]
Lot wearing apparel .60 Jonathan Bumpus [likely his son]
Baskets and measures .50 Otis Pierce
Stove and apparatus 12.00 Perez Johnson
Chest .25 Isaiah Russell
Clock 1.25 Amos Covill Jr.
Lot domestic —?— .50 Frederick Stewart
Pan .06 Ruth Bumpus [likely his daughter]
Basket, hats etc. .98 Etsil Bumpus [son]
Total 149.82 [was appraised for $259.75]
Signed Wm Bates
How heart breaking that the children had to purchase some of their parents’ belongings at an auction.
William Bates accounting of the estate is recorded book 90, page 423:
Coffin and other funeral expenses 8.42
Horse and carriage to notify witnesses to attend probate court .62
Ditto to probate court in Plymouth 4.00
Horsekeeping .50
3 witnesses/1 day 1.30[?] and their transportation 40 miles 1.60 and 4.80 total 7.80
Horse & carriage to notify witnesses to attend Probate Court at Rochester .75
Recording deed from Jonathan Bumpus and wife to James F. Bumpus .50
Horse and carriage for witnesses & myself to Probate Court Plymouth 7.00
Expenses at Plymouth for board and housekeeping 1.85
2 witnesses 1 day 2.00; 2 travel 40 miles 1.60 3.20 Total 5.20
Horse and carriage to notify and qualify appraisers .50
Appraisers services 1.50
Premium of insurance on dwelling house 1.50
Policy of ditto 1.00
Expenses to probate courts Plymouth 2.00
Total 43.14
Amount of sale of property 149.82
Ditto of expenses paid 43.14
Looking after property 1.85
Auctioneer 1.00
Tax on property .44
Payment Silvanus Bourne, Moses Tobey as commissioners 2.00
Expenses to Plymouth .13
James Thurber for advertising appointments of commissioners etc. 2.00
Balance 50.66
Personal services viz:
Notifying witnesses to attend court .75
Attending probate court 3.00
Notifying witnesses to attend court .75
Attending probate court Plymouth 3.00
Writing and posting notices .75
Notifying and qualifying appraisers 1.00
Probate court at Plymouth 3.00
Writing and posting notices of sale of property 1.00
Taking care and preparing property for sale 2.50
Writing bill of sale for house 1.00
Attending probate court Middleboro 3.00
Attending ditto with commissioners 2.19
Subtotal 21.94
Total 72.60
Signed by Wm Bates, 4 Dec 1848
Foregoing account examined and allowed. Aaron Hobart, judge of probate, same date.
I am surprised given the precarious financial state of Jonathan’s estate that one of his children didn’t act as executor to save money.
Arguments for Jonathan being the son of Noah and Hannah Bumpus:
His parents are given as Noah and Hannah Bumpas in a Mayflower Descendant article by Julia Coldren-Walker and Christopher Challender Child [see Sources]. So who am I do disagree with the well-regarded Mayflower Descendant?!
In searching Wareham records, he is the only Jonathan Bumpus in records of the small-town at the time to be close to the right age to marry Martha Chubbuck.
If Jonathan son of Noah and Hannah is not the husband of Martha, then he likely died young or left the area as there is no sign of him in records.
Arguments against Jonathan being the son of Noah and Hannah Bumpus:
Jonathan Bumpas who died in 1847 was 78 years old, so a circa 1769 birth year, which does not match age of Noah and Hannah’s son. This death record does fit to be Jonathan who married Martha as he wrote his will in 1845 and is was proven in 1847.
I have not found even circumstantial proof of his being Noah and Hannah’s son such as family naming patterns or being named in his father’s probate record which contains no names of children.
Birth year of 1750 doesn’t match with age on most Federal census records, however year of 1769 does frequently work:
In the 1790 Federal Census there is just one Jonathan Bumpuss in Wareham: 1 male 16 and over, 2 females. My analysis: This would be Jonathan, wife Martha, and their daughter Olive. Other Bumpuss heads of family on the same page: Samuel, Noah [his possible father], Benjamin, Asa [likely son of Noah], Lot, Joseph x 2, Silvester, Barnabas, James, Jeremiah x 2, and Mary.
Jonathan Bumpus in 1810 Federal Census for Wareham: 2 white males under 10; 1 white male 10-15; 1 white male 16-25; 1 white male 26-44; 2 white females under 10; 2 white females 16-25; 1 white female 45 and over; 5 household members under 16; 2 members over 25. 10 total family members. My analysis: Total household members nearly fits (they’re 8th child wasn’t born until 1811), but other particulars are off, especially that if Jonathan was born 1750 he would have been 60 years old. Jonathan born 1769 would be 41 which fits; and Martha born 1764 would be 46 which fits as well.
In the 1820 Federal Census, Wareham, the Jonathan Bumpus household has 1 male under 10, 1 male 45 and over, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 16-25, 1 female 45 and over, for 5 total. My analysis: age 45 and over fits to be Jonathan and Martha, daughter Martha is about 9 so close to the 10-15 range, James is about 10 so close to under 10 range, Ruth is 18 so in the 16-25 range. The rest of the children were grown and off on their own—Rowland was only about 16 but may have been off working already. On the same page is Shem Bumpus (their daughter Olive’s household), Jonathan Bumpus Jr (son), Noah (Jr), Asa Bumpus (son of Noah).
In the 1830 Federal Census, Wareham, in the only Jonathan Bumpus household in town is a fit to be Jonathan Jr. I don’t find Martha and Jonathan living with one of their children or their grandson James either.
There are three Jonathan Bumpus’ in the 1840 Federal Census living in Wareham. This is most likely: one male 60-69, 1 female 70-79, one person is employed in manufacture and trade. My analysis: age range is correct for Martha, close for Jonathan born 1769. Next door is James Bumpus, likely their son or grandson. Two doors away is his son Jonathan Bumpus 3rd with a large family of twelve. Three doors away is son Edsel Bumpus, also a son.
Sources:
Leonard H. Smith Jr & Norma H. Smith, Records of the First Church of Wareham, Massachusetts,1739-1891, 1993 (reprinted from 1974)
Daisy Washburn Lovell, Glimpses of Early Wareham, 1970
Lynn Albert Bumpus, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Edouad Bompasse of the Ship Fortune, 1986
Mrs John Barclay, The American Genealogist,”The Bumpus Family of New England,” vol. 43 (1967)
Julia Coldren-Walker & Christopher Challender Child, The Mayflower Descendant, “The Hicks Family of Mashpee, Massachusetts: Wampanoag Descendants of Pilgrim Richard Warren,” 68:5 21 (2020)
Robert S. Wakefield, Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Richard Warren, Volume 18, Part 1, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1999
Prepared by Committee, Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts, Being a History of These Towns and Also part of Marion and a Portion of Wareham, 1907
