Francis Alexander Bonnard

M, #10014, b. 12 August 1816, d. 6 March 1879
Father*John Bonnard
Mother*Margaret Murray b. 30 Aug 1796
ChartsPedigree - John's mother Alice Roberta Marie Snook
Reference1G Grf, W14
Birth*12 August 1816 Francis Alexander Bonnard was born on 12 August 1816 at Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland; SLC Scottish Church Records, Extracted birth and/or christening record for Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, Batch C19742 "Additional information FR2350". Batch C119458 "Additional information FR2580" shows date of 29 Sep 1819. Probably one is birth and one christening. 
Immigration*before 1837 He immigrated before 1837 Since his naturalization was 1842 and he was there at least five years before he could naturalize, he arrived prior to 1837. The NY passenger list index was looked at (SLC 350211) but he was not found. 
To-Do* To-Do list for Francis Alexander Bonnard Work on Bonnard in NY - what boat? he was born in Scotland. 
Event-Misc He had the following event: Silver wedding newspaper article mentions that he"was the founder of the New York Sunday Dispatch." 
Marriage*28 August 1842 He married Margaret Williamson on 28 August 1842 at probably, New York; Bible says: Francis Alexander Bonnard of Glasgow Scotland to Margaret Williamson of Bantry Ireland, Augst 28th, 1842.
Not found on SLC 1023301, NY County Marriages.1 
Naturalization*8 November 1842 Francis Alexander Bonnard was naturalized on 8 November 1842 at New York, New York Co., New York; Naturalized in the Court of Common Pleas, per "Foreign Born Voters of California in 1872" (LA Public Library, NH 979.4 F263). That led to actual record in New York County Common Pleas, Bundle 32 #2. William A. Stanley is the witness that said he's aquainted with Francis, and that he's been there at least five years (so 1837 or before). The application is with the naturalization, and is dated 6 Nov 1839. 
Immigration*3 June 1849 He and Margaret Williamson immigrated on 3 June 1849 Family tradition is that he came around "the Horn" with his printing press in 1849, and that she came "across the Isthmus of Panama, and that blacks carried them ashore. This is backed up by the Society of California Pioneers Archives Record v.5 p.38 that gives is date of arrival in California, that it was via Cape Horn, and that he died in San Francisco 6 Mar 1879.
     The note added to the bottom of the Society of CA Pioneers form says the data was obtained partly for records of the Society, and partly from a "biographical sketch of Mr Bonnard's life in the 'Alta' March 8, 79" (presumably 1879). 
Event-Misc*1850 Francis Alexander Bonnard had the following event: in 1850 not found on 1850 census, presumably they are on the trip from NY to CA. There are no passenger lists available for when they might have arrived. 
Census*1852 He appeared on the census of 1852; See if he is on the CA state census this year. SLC 909231-909232. Line by line long process. 
CityDirSeptember 1852 He was citydir Bonnard, F.A., Dispatch office, e Leidesdorff and Commercial
W.W. Morgan & Co's San Francisco City Directory printed by F.A. Bonnard - pg 13 in September 1852 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
Occupation* He was Francis was very involved in the printing business. Besides specifics referred to elsewhere, there is this information from A History of California newspapers, 1846-1858 by Edward Kemble.
Page 113
On the 19th of May 1853 the Daily Sun was issued. It began as a little sheet, about eight by fourteen inches in size, and was circulated gratuitously, to advertize the job office [of] F.A. Bonnard. It contained a few little items and funny paragraphs; and the publisher, seeing that there was a demand for it, enlarged it, and charged twenty five cents per week. Its circulation increased rapidly, and in the Fall had become more extensive than that of any other paper in the State. It changed editors and owners a number of times. R.B. Quayle and J.C. Cremony were its editors during 54. J.E. Lawrence was owner about the end of the year. Subsequently, A.S. Gould and W. Bausman became the proprietors. In the Summer of 55, the paper previously independant, became an organ of the Democratic party. When the Vigilance tocsin(*) struck, the Sun wavered in its choice for a day or two, but at last came out against the Committee with all the venom, malignancy, and abuse,that the wrath of man could devise. During the campaign of 56, it was edited by C.H. Hampstead, since appointed Superintendent of the Mint. During 57 it was edited by J.C. Cramony, and in the Fall of that year it died.
Page 221
Benicia Sentinel - This is the name under which the local paper of Martinez (Contra Costa Gazette), is printed across the Straits from Benecia, is circulated in the latter place. It purports to be published weekly, by Bonnard & Co.
Page 222
The Alameda County Express was the first paper printed in Oakland, and the first on the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay. It commenced March 18th, 1854, and was published weekly by Bonnard & Co. Its editor was J.R. Dunglison. It lasted nine months and two weeks, receiving rather limited support. It was neutral in politics. The San Franciso Alta California of September 12, 1854 reported that the Alameda County Express had changed its name to the Contra Costa.
Page 231
The Contra Costa Gazette was first issued on the 18th of Sept, 1858. It is published weekly, by Bonnard & Co and is neutral in politics.
Page 326
Francis A. Bonnard - Bonnard, Ewer & Co pub SF Sunday Dispatch 7/15/52. Dispatch Job Printing Office and Prices Current & Shipping List, SF 1852.
(*)definition: tocsin - Tahk'sin - A bell rung to give an alarm; the sound made by it; any alarm signal at California. 
CityDir1854 He was citydir Bonnard F.A. proprietor and publisher of the "Sun" and "Price Current"
LeCount & Strong's San Franciso City Directory pg 27 in 1854 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
CityDir1856 He was citydir Under heading "Printing and Job Offices"
Sun Job Office, 130 Washington Street. Francis A. Bonnard
San Francisco Business Directory for the Year Commencing January , 1856 pg 190 in 1856 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
Event-Misc30 September 1856 He had the following event: on 30 September 1856 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California, "Sun" editor Francis A. Bonnard was indicted by the Grand Jury for libelling Augustus H. Heslep.
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist/chron4.html. 
CityDir*1858 He was citydir Bonnard Francis A. printer, Herald
TheSan Francisco Directory for the year 1858 compiled by Henry G Langley pg 69 in 1858 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
CityDir1860 He was citydir Bonnard Francis A. compositor, Morning Call dwl 230 Clay
TheSan Francisco Directory for the year Commencing July, 1860 compiled by Henry G Langley pg 71 in 1860 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
Residence1862 He lived in 1862 at 132 Geary, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California; Bonnard, Francis A printer, Morning Call, dwl 132 Geargy.2 
Residence*1863 He lived in 1863 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California; Bonnard, Francis A, compositor, Morning Call - 1862/63 The San Francisco directory... by Henry G. Langley; published by Commercial Steam Presses and Valentine Co. SLC 1377422.3 
Event-Misc28 August 1867 He had the following event: on 28 August 1867 The following was taken from newspaper clippings pasted in the cover of (daughter) Marie's Bible:
A Silver Wedding - Mr Frank A. Bonnard and his estimable consort celebrate their silver wedding today at their residence in this city. Mr Bonnard is a well known publisher, both here and in New York. He was the founder of the New York Sunday Dispatch, and the first publisher of a cheap daily paper in this city - the San Francisco Sun. Notwithstanding he today celebrates his silver wedding, surrounded by a large family of children, dating from the young wife down to the child yet in its apron strings, he as well as his spouse are physically only in the vigorous prime of life, and bid fair to enjoy their golden honeymoon a quarter of a century hence.
     Then a long poem, followed by another article.
Silver Wedding - Mr Francis A Bonnard and lady celebrated their silver wedding last evening; at their residence on Jackson street between Hyde and Larkin. All the members of the family were present, and a large number of friends, who extended warm congratulations to Mr and Mrs Bonnard, that the torch of Hymen, which lighted their youthful steps to the alter, still burns with a bright flame, now they are in the prime of life. Mr Bonnard originated the Sunday Times of New York, published the Weekly Dispatch in this city in early days, and was the pioneer of the cheap newspaper press of California, of which the San Francisco Sun was, at one time, a thriving evidence. the festivities were kept up til a late hour. We hope the happy couple may live to celebrate their golden wedding and may loving hearts surround them. 
Census1870*1870 He appeared on the 1870 census as the head of household, pg 87 #634-1018 , San Francisco Ward 4, San Francisco Co., California, Bonnard, Francis 53 b.Scotland printer $7000 $200. 
Marriage*1876 He married Elizabeth Somerville in 1876 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
Death*6 March 1879 Francis Alexander Bonnard died on 6 March 1879 at , San Francisco Co., California, at age 62; Date and age 63 from Bible. The land records still exist. A quick look at the index for the year after he died did not show a "deceased" Bonnard (SLC 965909 & 965910). It should be worth while looking at all the grantor indexes from 1870 when he is known to have land, on through 1880+ to see when the land was sold. This may be the only probate substitute.1 
Obituary8 March 1879 His obituary was on 8 March 1879 at The Alta Newspaper pg 4, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California, "Bonnard - In this city, March 6, Francis A Bonnard, a native of Scotland, aged 62 years 5 months and 6 days." (copy sent from San Francisco Public Library, Herb Caen Magazine and Newspaper Center 100 Larkin St zip 94102.) 
Probate* His estate was probated at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California; The 1906 earthquake/fire burned all the probate records. The Index of all Estates in Probate in the City and County of San Francisco, Calif. from 1850 (SLC 100133 #3) shows that his estate was #9065 in register 12 pg 575, but that is no use since the records themselves were destroyed. 
Negative*1880 Negative Research: There is a mortality record for 1880, but the period is the year ending May 31. So, Mar 6th of 1879 would have been too early for him to be included. There is no index, and it is faint and somewhat blurry to read (SLC 1549971.) 

Family 1

Margaret Williamson b. 25 Sep 1825, d. 31 Oct 1875
Marriage*28 August 1842 He married Margaret Williamson on 28 August 1842 at probably, New York; Bible says: Francis Alexander Bonnard of Glasgow Scotland to Margaret Williamson of Bantry Ireland, Augst 28th, 1842.
Not found on SLC 1023301, NY County Marriages.1 
Children

Family 2

Elizabeth Somerville
Marriage*1876 Francis Alexander Bonnard married Elizabeth Somerville in 1876 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California. 
Last Edited9 Sep 2009

Citations

  1. [S165] Bonnard Family Bible - "The Illuminated Bible" with cover picture of Trinity Church New York City - also some loose pages found therein Harper & Brothers: 82 Cliff St, New York, 1846, My Evd # 165.
  2. [S158] The San Francisco directory... by Henry G. Langley; published by Commercial Steam Presses and Valentine Co., SLC 1377422, 1861-62 pg 72, My Evd # 158.
  3. [S158] The San Francisco directory... by Henry G. Langley; published by Commercial Steam Presses and Valentine Co., SLC 1377422, 1862-63, My Evd # 158.