Document J.183 · Newspaper & Miscellaneous · transcription: verbatim
The Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick) — two 1923 items on CORNELIA BONNELL (d. 12 Feb 1923 Metuchen): (1) 14 Feb obituary 'Two Deaths in Family' (Cornelia = maiden sister of George C. Bonnell; her sister Mrs. Sophia A. Driggs d. next day, aged 92); (2) 14 Mar 'Will is Probated' (executor George C. Bonnell; $100 each to Henrietta C. Bonnell + George C. Bonnell). RESOLVES [p.1544]'s parentage = daughter of Alfred [p.1543] × Henrietta Cooper [p.788].
Transcription and notes
Two maintainer-supplied clippings from The Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick NJ) that together resolve the parentage of Cornelia Bonnell [p.1544] — long debated against her New-York birthplace — as a daughter of Alfred Bonnell [p.1543] × Henrietta Cooper [p.788] (the FaG claim, now vindicated).
(1) Verbatim — obituary, 14 Feb 1923, p.4
TWO DEATHS IN FAMILY METUCHEN, Feb. 14.—Two deaths in two days was the misfortune of George C. Bonnell's family of Middlesex avenue. On Monday Cornelia Bonnell, a maiden sister of Mr. Bonnell, died and yesterday Mrs. Sophia A. Driggs passed away. The funerals will be held this afternoon in St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the interment will be made in Evergreen Cemetery, Plainfield. Mrs. Driggs was ninety-two years old. She voted at the last general election, seemingly proud of the privilege.
(2) Verbatim — will-probate notice, 14 Mar 1923, p.1
Cornelia Bonnell's Will is Probated The will of Cornelia Bonnell who died at Metuchen on February 12 is probated this morning by Surrogate Forman. The will was executed on November 4, 1922, and witnessed by Jennie E. Barley and Marie A. Pierson. George C. Bonnell of Metuchen is executor. Henrietta C. Bonnell and George C. Bonnell of Metuchen receive $100 each and the residue of the estate goes to Elsie L. Martin of East Orange, a friend of the testatrix.
Notes (analysis → people files)
- ** Cornelia = daughter of Alfred [p.1543] × Henrietta Cooper [p.788] — CONFIRMED. The obituary calls her the "maiden sister of Mr. [George C.] Bonnell," and her will leaves bequests to George C. Bonnell (= George Cooper Bonnell [p.1019], the "C." = his Cooper middle name) and Henrietta C. Bonnell (= Henrietta Cooper Bonnell [p.1018]) — both established Alfred-&-Henrietta children. Two independent statements (obit + will) make her their sibling. This overturns the earlier "doubtful" reading (which rested on her NY birthplace + a single unreliable 1900 boarder-record giving NY parents): she was simply born in New York (~Feb 1834) during a brief family sojourn** between Sophia (1830 Long Hill) and John (1835 NJ).
- Cornelia: d. 12 Feb 1923, Metuchen (Middlesex Co.); never married ("maiden"); will dated 4 Nov 1922, probated 14 Mar 1923, Middlesex Surrogate (Forman); brother George C. executor; left $100 each to siblings George + Henrietta, residue to friend Elsie L. Martin. Buried Evergreen Plainfield via St. Luke's Episcopal, Metuchen.
- Sophia A. (Bonnell) Driggs [p.1013]: d. ~13 Feb 1923, aged 92 (b. 1830 ), in her brother George's household — confirms her 1923 death + Evergreen burial; a notable detail: she had voted in the last (1922) general election (women's suffrage, 19th Amendment).
- George Cooper Bonnell [p.1019]: alive 1923 in Metuchen (Middlesex Avenue); the household head sheltering his maiden/widowed sisters Cornelia + Sophia; executor of Cornelia's will — major life-data for a previously L.4-only stub.
- The family was Episcopalian (St. Luke's, Metuchen) — explains the "Episcopal Diocese of NJ church record" cited on Cornelia's FaG.