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George Bunker

George Bunker

Male 1621 - 1658  (37 years)


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  • Name George Bunker  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17] 
    Birth 25 Apr 1621  Tingrith, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 4] 
    Baptism 25 Apr 1621  Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Christening 25 Apr 1621  Tingrith, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    FSID M8FY-TT3  [1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26] 
    Immigration Aft 1644  Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Death 26 May 1658  Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 27] 
    Person ID I45644  footsteps
    Last Modified 1 Jul 2025 

    Father Timothey Bunker,   b. Abt 1600   bur. 11 Apr 1657, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 57 years) 
    Relationship unknown 
    Mother Elizabeth Hawkins,   b. Abt 1599, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this locationbur. 29 Sep 1652, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 53 years) 
    Relationship unknown 
    Marriage 3 May 1620  Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F25141  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Elizabeth Godfrey,   b. Bef 5 Aug 1627, Toddington, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Abt 1649, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 21 years) 
    Marriage 5 May 1644  Maulden, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. Elizabeth Bunker,   b. 6 Jun 1646, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Dec 1725, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
    +2. William Bunker,   b. 17 Jun 1648, Tingrith, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Jun 1712, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
    Family ID F25115  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 1 Jul 2025 

    Family 2 Jane Godfrey,   b. Abt 1625   d. 31 Oct 1662, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 37 years) 
    Marriage Sep 1658 
    Children 
    +1. Mary Bunker,   b. 5 May 1652, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Between 29 May and 10 Jul 1724, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
    +2. Martha Bunker,   b. 28 Nov 1656, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Sep 1744, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 87 years)  [Father: unknown]  [Mother: unknown]
    Family ID F25117  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 1 Jul 2025 

  • Notes 


    • George's spouses were sisters - Elizabeth and then Jane Godfrey.
      George married sisters, the daughters of John Godfrey, married first ELIZABETH Godfrey in 1644, and his first two children were by her. Married second her sister JANE Godfrey about 1650, and had 3 children by her. PLEASE DO NOT MERGE THEM!!

      He was the original owner of Bunker Hill. He also contributed $10,000 to found Harvard University.
      Note:
      The land where Bunker Hill is located was originally owned by George Bunker and his descendants. While the hill is named after him, it was not the only hill fortified during the Battle of Bunker Hill; Breed's Hill was also fortified and is where the main battle took place.

      Here's a more detailed explanation:
      • Early Ownership:
      George Bunker was an early resident of colonial Charlestown, and his family owned the land that included the hill that now bears his name.
      While the battle is called the Battle of Bunker Hill, it was primarily fought on Breed's Hill. The colonists fortified both hills, but the main battle occurred on Breed's Hill.

      Further information can be found at
      https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bunker-44

      Slaves/ Ship John Adam’s
      Historical records indicate that members of the Bunker family in Nantucket were involved in slave ownership during the 17th and 18th centuries. For instance, Captain George Bunker, who commanded the ship John Adams in 1821, was part of the Bunker lineage. While specific records of his personal involvement in slave ownership are not detailed, the era and his position suggest potential connections to practices of the time.

      Additionally, the Bunker family intermarried with other Nantucket families known to have owned slaves. For example, William Swain, who married Peter Coffin’s daughter, owned African slaves and their children. This indicates that through marital and familial ties, the Bunker family was connected to slaveholding practices on the island.

      George married sisters, the daughters of John Godfrey, married first ELIZABETH Godfrey in 1644, and his first two children were by her. Married second her sister JANE Godfrey about 1650, and had 3 children by her. PLEASE DO NOT MERGE THEM!!

      No mar rec found. A widow Jane is identified in George's estate recs, below. She is called Jane Godfrey in James Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, 4 vols. (Boston, 1860-61; reprint Baltimore, 1969), 1:299 (FHL #974 D2s). No proof has been found. Some researchers identify her with an Elizabeth Godfrey who married a George Bunker at Maulden, Beds, 5 May 1644. See Henry L. Bunker, Bunker Family History (Bunker Family Association, 1984), 80 (FHL #929.273 B884b). The leap from Elizabeth to Jane is not explained, however.

      He died from drowning while crossing a stream with his team at Topsfield. Widow Jane was appointed administrator.

  • Sources 
    1. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 07 March 2025, 19:56), entry for John Smith V (PID https://ark.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:G72P-5H4 ); contributed by various users.
      https://ark.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:G72P-5H4

    2. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=61401&h=135492196&indiv=try

    3. [S284] FamilySearch.org, England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3ZH-G5Y : 5 February 2023), Geo. Bunker in entry for Wm. Bunker, 1648.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3ZH-G5Y

    4. [S288] FamilySearch.org, Find a Grave Index, "Find a Grave Index", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2Y-N6TB : Thu Apr 03 13:39:10 UTC 2025), Entry for George Bunker.
      https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86386943/george-bunker
      George Bunker
      BIRTH 1621 Tingrith, Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority, Bedfordshire, England
      DEATH 26 May 1658 (aged 36–37) Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA
      BURIAL Burial Details Unknown. Specifically: Unknown
      MEMORIAL ID 86386943
      George was the son of Timothy Bunker and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Bunker. He married Jane (Elizabeth) Godfrey d.10-31-1662(earliest death recorded in the town records). Marriage at Marlden, Bedfordshire, England on 5-05-1644. George drowned on 5-26-1658 at Topsfield.

    5. [S299] FamilySearch.org, England Marriages, 1538–1973, "England Marriages, 1538–1973", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N23C-H5X : Wed Apr 16 18:06:20 UTC 2025), Entry for Geo Bunker and Eliz Godfree, 5 May 1644.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N23C-H5X

    6. [S315] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-J87 : 15 January 2020), George Bunker in entry for Martha Bunker, 1656.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-J87

    7. [S315] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-6WT : 15 January 2020), George Bunker in entry for Mary Bunker, 1652.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-6WT

    8. [S315] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-NPY : 15 January 2020), George Bunker in entry for Elizabeth Bunker, 1646.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-NPY

    9. [S315] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-NPY : 15 January 2020), George Bunker in entry for Elizabeth Bunker, 1646.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-NPY

    10. [S315] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-6WT : 15 January 2020), George Bunker in entry for Mary Bunker, 1652.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-6WT

    11. [S363] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, "Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH11-SM7 : 17 January 2020), George Bunker, 1658.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH11-SM7

    12. [S363] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, "Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCM5-TJ6 : 17 January 2020), George Buncker, 1658.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCM5-TJ6

    13. [S363] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, "Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCMR-C62 : 17 January 2020), George Buncker, 1658.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCMR-C62

    14. [S363] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, "Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCM5-TJ6 : 17 January 2020), George Buncker, 1658.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCM5-TJ6

    15. [S363] FamilySearch.org, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, "Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH11-SM7 : 17 January 2020), George Bunker, 1658.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH11-SM7

    16. [S299] FamilySearch.org, England Marriages, 1538–1973, "England Marriages, 1538–1973", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N23C-H5X : Wed Apr 16 18:06:20 UTC 2025), Entry for Geo Bunker and Eliz Godfree, 5 May 1644.
      https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N23C-H56

    17. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=61401&h=20483981&indiv=try

    18. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, Place: Massachusetts; Year: 1652; Page Number: 51.
      https://search.ancestry.com/collections/7486/records/1450759

    19. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, Place: Ipswich, Massachusetts; Year: 1634; Page Number: 17.
      Name: George Bunker
      Arrival Year: 1634
      Arrival Place: Ipswich, Massachusetts
      Primary Immigrant: Bunker, George
      Source Publication Code: 9448

    20. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, page 25 etc...
      Gives history of George Bunker and family etc...

    21. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, The history of Nantucket : county, island and town, including genealogies of the first settlersStatement of Responsibility: by Alexander StarbuckAuthors: Starbuck, Alexander, 1841-1925 (Main Author)Format: Books/Monographs/Book with FicheLanguage: EnglishPublication: Boston, Massachusetts : C.E. Goodspeed, 1924Physical: 871 p. : ill., maps.Subject Class: 974.497 H2.
      https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE93328

    22. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, The Bunker family : branches early identified with Charlestown, Massachusetts, Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Delaware and Maryland ; as well as a presentation of ealry Bunkers and those in EuropeStatement of Responsibility: Charles W.O. BunkerAuthors: Bunker, Charles W. O. (Charles Waite Orvill), 1882-1958 (Main Author) Bunker Family Association of America (Turnersville, New Jersey) (Added Author)Format: Books/MonographsLanguage: EnglishPublication: Salem, Massachusetts : Higginson Book Co., [199-?]Physical: 797 p.Subject Class: 929.273 B884.

    23. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, Bunker family historyStatement of Responsibility: by Henry L. Bunker, genealogist, Bunker Family AssociationAuthors: Bunker, Henry L., 1909- (Main Author) Bunker Family Association of America (Turnersville, New Jersey) (Added Author)Format: Books/MonographsLanguage: EnglishPublication: Sanibel, Florida : Bunker Family Association, 1984Physical: 147 p. : ill., coats of arms, facsim., geneal. tables, maps.Subject Class: 929.273 B884.
      https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE188889

    24. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, The New England historical and genealogical registerAuthors: New England Historic Genealogical Society (Added Author)Format: Serial /Serial with FilmLanguage: EnglishPublication: Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1846-Physical: v.ISSN: 00284785Subject Class: 974 B2ne.

    25. [S342] FamilySearch.org, Family Group Records Collection, Archives Section, 1942-1969, "Family Group Records Collection, Archives Section, 1942-1969," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9QY-SWM2?cc=2060211&wc=WWJR-V41%3A352088201%2C354234001 : 20 May 2014), B > Bunch, Dempsey (1746) - Bunnell, Nathaniel (1787) > image 651 of 1296; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, compiler, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
      George Bunker (1620-1658) married Jane Godfrey (1624-31 Oct 1662) in 1645 and had children according to research before 1959
      5 Children:
      Elizabeth Bunker
      Female
      Born: 1646
      William Bunker
      Male
      Birth: 4 Dec 1648
      Death: 6 June or 26 July 1712
      Spouse: Mary Macy married 11 April 1669
      Mary Bunker
      Female
      Birth: 1652
      Spouse: Stephen Coffin
      Ann Bunker
      Female
      Birth: 1654
      Married: Joseph Coleman
      Martha Bunker
      Female
      Birth: 1 Nov 1656
      Spouse: Stephen Hussey married 8 Oct 1676

    26. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, Place: Massachusetts; Year: 1652; Page Number: 51.
      Name George Bunker
      Arrival Year 1652
      Arrival Place Massachusetts
      Primary Immigrant Bunker, George
      Source Publication Code 1262
      Annotation Date and place of settlement or date and place of arrival. Names not restricted to the Order of Founders and Patriots of America.
      Source Bibliography COLKET, MEREDITH B., JR. Founders of Early American Families: Emigrants from Europe, 1607-1657. Cleveland: General Court of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, 1975. 366p.
      Household Members (Name)
      George Bunker

    27. [S273] FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch FamilyTree, p. 178. item 850, George Bunker.
      Names parents, spouse, children, date of death.


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