Rachel Bonnifield

From the Record

Married Matthew Maddox, Sr. in 1773.

The source names a father, Gregory Bonnifield, and a mother, Sarah Henley — not yet part of the connected tree.

From the Family Manuscript

• Matthew Maddox, Sr 4. was born in St. Marys County, Maryland to John 3 and Mary (Dyson) Maddox. In Frederick County, Maryland in 1773, he married Rachel Bonnifield. The only child to be born in St. Marys County, Maryland was their first child, Mary Molly Maddox 5 (1776/1777).

  Maddox Family History, transcript line 562.

• Matthew and Rachel moved from St. Marys County, Maryland, to the old Dunmore County, Virginia (now Shenandoah County, Virginia) and in 1779 they bought 401 acres of land from Jeremy Odell on a place called Jeremy’s Run, this later was called Matthews Arm. Matthews Arm is now a location named as such in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

  Maddox Family History, transcript line 564.

• In October of 1780, Matthew enlisted in Shenandoah County, Virginia into the Colonial Army. At this time, the American Revolutionary War was in full swing. Matthew’s Virginia service number was 17802 and his Colonial Army service number was 38181. Matthew was assigned to the command of the Virginia 3rd Line Company under the command of Captain Oldham; his enlistment was for a period of 24 months. The Virginia 3rd Line Company was under the command of General Muhlenberg and General Green. The Virginia 3rd Line Company marched to North Carolina where they engaged the British Forces under the command of Lord Cornwallis at Guilford Courthouse. The battle last a full day, the British forces lost 98 killed and 428 wounded. The Colonial Army lost 76 dead and around 500 wounded in the battle. General Green pulled out of Guilford Courthouse and led the British forces all over North Carolina and then into South Carolina. On the 25th day of April 1781, the two forces met at Camden, South Carolina, and this battle was the Second Battle of Camden, Hobkirks Hill. It was in this battle that Matthew was shot in the leg with a one-ounce lead ball. Matthew was dragged off the battlefield into the woods and left to die, this act carried out by a fellow by the name of Bisen.

  Maddox Family History, transcript line 566.

• Matthew was found by those who came to bury the dead, but it was five days after the battle. Matthew had no food or water, except for the dew he licked from the grass. Matthew was taken to a field hospital where the small bone in his leg was removed from joint to joint. Matthew was judged unfit for service, was given a full discharge and taken home.

  Maddox Family History, transcript line 568.

• Matthew didn’t go back to his land in Shenandoah County, Virginia, but went to his parents home located in Culpeper County, Virginia. Because of his wounds, Matthew would never be the same; it would appear that he would not be able to do much. As to the location of his wife, Rachael and child Mary Molly during the period that Matthew was away in the army, it is unknown where they stayed.

  Maddox Family History, transcript line 570.