00/00/1814 - Born, Charleston Co., CA [Father: Arnoldus Bonneau (1774-1820); Mother: Martha Porcher (1789-1862)

00/00/1820 - Father, Arnoldus, died in South Carolina

10/29/1835 - Graduated from Charleston College, Charleston, SC [Note: At the graduation ceremony, he made a presentation entitled, "On the Progress of Knowledge" (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Oct. 29, 1835, P. 2, c. 1)

1838 - M.D. degree, Medical College of the State of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

08/04/1840 - "Dr. Peter P. Bonneau, has removed to St. James Santee, and will attend to the duties of his Profession from Dr. John S. Palmer's Sea Shore residence, near the thirty two mile house." (The Charleston  Mercury, Charleston, SC, Aug. 5, 1840, p. 3, c. 2)

~1845 - Married, Harriet Hampton Maybank (1825- 1867)

08/21/1850 - Practiced medicine, St. Stephens Parish, Charleston Co., SC (lived with wife, Mrs. Peter P. Bonneau, and a Miss Ann Foldes: indexed in the 1850 U. S. Census as Peter P. Bonneau)

04/16/1852 - Lived in Pineville, Berkely Co, SC (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Apr. 24, 1852,

p. 3, c. 3)

10/30/1856 - Served as Senator, St. Stephen's Parish, in the South Carolina State Senate     

1858 - Appointed as a magistrate, St. Stephen's Parish , SC (The Charleston Daily Courier, Mar. 5, 1859, p. 1, c. 2)

06/03/1859 - Daughter, Ina Porcher Bonneau, born in Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC

06/20/1860 - Farmer, Christ Church Parish, District of Charleston, SC (lived with wife, Harriet and one child; indexed in the 1860 U. S. Census as P. P. Bonneau)

12/17/1860 - Delegate to the South Carolina State Constitutional Convention representing Christ Church Parish and a signer of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession

01/16/1861 - In response to a call by the Governor of South Carolina, volunteered to be Surgeon, 19th Regt., 2nd Battalion, South Carolina (state forces), Capt. Benjamin Jenkins Johnson, Commanding

07/16/1861 - As Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Provisional Army of the Confederate States, Charleston, SC, submitted a requisition to a Confederate quartermaster for cots, mattresses, sheets, wash basins, tin cups, "for 10th Regt."

07/19/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, White's Bridge, SC

07/23/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Camp Marion, near Georgetown, SC(The Charleston Daily Courier, Sep. 6, 1861, p. 1, c. 3) [Note: Col. Arthur Middleton Manigault, was commanding the 10th SC Infantry at this time.]

08/14/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Georgetown, SC

10/31/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry

03/07/1862 - "The following named Medical Officers, having declined examination before the 'Army Medical Board', will have their names dropped from the rolls of the C. S. Army . . .Surgeon P. P. Boneau . . .. " [S. O. 53/18]

03/17/1862 - In a letter written from Headquarters, 10th South Carolina Volunteers, South Island, SC, to the Editors, The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, "Messrs. Editors - Our regiment has been greatly afflicted by the removal from their offices of our faithful, indefatigable and skillful Surgeons, Dr. P. P. Bonneau and J. C. Cain. These gentlemen, with the other officers of the regiment, entered the Confederate service last July, for twelve months. They have discharged the important duties assigned them with distinguished ability and remarkable success during two-thirds of the time of service, i. e. to the present hour, and have gained the confidence and the affection of officers and privates.. Why, then, have they been removed ? you ask. We answer because they believed that the Government had no right to require them, at this late day, to stand an examination. Should the regiment re-volunteer for the war, at the close of the present term of service, our Surgeons will cheerfully comply with a rule which applies to all. We do hope that the Government will not insist upon an examination now, and thus deprive us of the Surgeons we want. We repeat, gentlemen, that the absence of Drs. Bonneau and Cain from the Tenth Regiment will be felt by us all as a grievous affliction. THE CHAPLAIN" (The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, March 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 6)

04/30/1862 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry

06/30/1862 - As Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, on sick furlough

08/01/1862 - In a letter written from Charleston, SC, to Col. A. M. Manigault, 10th SC Infantry, "Colonel: After the expiration of my sick furlough, finding the state of my health such as not to permit me to resume the duties of my office, it is with respect that I tender you my resignation as Surgeon of your Regiment. Very respectfully, Peter P. Bonneau, Surgn, 10th S. C. Regt." [Below this, on the same page, is the following Certification of Disability.] "I certify that I had examined this officer and found that he had been suffering for some months past from a chronic affection of the stomach and bowels rendering him incapable of performing the duties of his office and I further declare my belief that he will not be able to resume the duties of his office as Surgeon of the Regiment. I therefore recommend the acceptance of his resignation. Respectfully, Jos. P. Cain, Asst Surgeon, 10th S. C. V."[Docketing on the back of this letter reads: "S. G. O. Aug 29/62. Resp. Referred to Sec. of War for acceptance. S. P. Moore, Surg. Genl."

08/30/1862 - "The resignations of the following named Officers have been accepted by the President to take effect to-day . . . Surgeon R. P. Bonneau [sic] .."[S. O. 203/1]

11/28/1862 - Senator, South Carolina State Legislature

12/12/1862 - Mother, Martha, died at her residence, Windsor, in St. Stephen's  Parish, Charleston County, SC "in the 74th year of her age." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Dec. 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 2)

04/22/1863 - Applied to be administrator of the estate of his late mother, Martha (The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, April 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 4)

06/19/1863 - Served as administrator of his mother's estate

07/03/1863 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment, S. C. M., Mount Pleasant, June 29th, Under General Orders No. 20, from the Adjutant-General's Office, 'All persons liable to any Military Service' are ordered to assemble at the Regimental Parade Ground, Strawberry, on Tuesday, 7th July next, when a call for Volunteers to meet the requisition of the President of the Confederate States for troops for Local Defence, will be made. Commanding Officers of Companies composing this Regiment will extend this notice promptly, and furnish these Headquarters with an accurate roll of all males residing in their Beat between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Persons having Certificates of Exemptions from any cause, will report the same to their Commanding Officers, and have them ready for examination. P. P. Bonneau, Colonel, 19th Regiment, S. C. M." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, July 3, 1863, p. 3, c. 2)

11/00/1864 - Re-elected as Senator, South Carolina State Legislature

12/14/1864 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment So. Ca. Militia, Mt. Pleasant, Dec. 14, 1864, I. In pursuance to Special Orders no. 40, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, all persons of this command liable to service beyond the limits of the District, are hereby ordered to proceed forthwith to Grahamville, or such point as militia forces of this State may be assembled at, and report to Lieut. Col. De Saussure, A. D. C., to be organized into companies, or assigned to companies already organized. II. Defaulters will be liable to arrest and sent to camp.  By order, P. P. Bonneau, Colonel Commanding. "   

01/24/1865 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment S. C. M., Mt. Pleasant, January 28, 1865. I. In obedience to orders from the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General, every person in the Lower St. John', St. Thomas, and Christ Church Companies liable to militia service, are hereby ordered to report for duty to Captain Morrison, at 12 o'clock, on Saturday, 28th Instant, at the Market Hall, in Mount Pleasant. II. Every person in the St. James Santee, St. Stephen's and Upper St. John's Companies, will forthwith report to Captain Gabriel Manigault, at McClennanville. III. At 1 o'clock p. m., on Saturday, 28th Instant, an election will be ordered for Officers to command the consolidated Company of Lower St. John's, St. Thomas, and Christ Church Companies, and also for Officers to command the consolidated Company of St. James Santee, St. Stephen's and Upper St. John's. IV. All persons who neglect to obey these orders will be arrested and brought to camp under guard. V. These troops may report for duty as Mounted Infantry if they chose. By order   P. P. Bonneau, Colonel, 19th Regiment S. C. M." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Jan. 24, 1865, p. 1, c. 4)

04/22/1867 - "On Monday afternoon, while Dr. P. P. Bonneau, a well-known citizen of Mt. Pleasant, was riding out in a buggy with his little daughter, the horse took fright and ran away. Dr. Bonneau guided him safely through a grove of trees, but just at the end of Bennett street, at the gate of the house where Judge Richardsson holds his court, one of the shafts struck a tree, the horse fell over and the buggy was pretty well smashed up. The child had previously succeed in getting out during a temporary stoppage of the horse by two negro men, but Dr. Bonneau was still in the buggy when it was broken. Fortunately, he escaped with only a bad bruise of his left leg, and had presence of mind as soon as he was thrown out to seize the horse by the bit and hold him until assistance arrived." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Apr. 24, 1867, p. 1, c. 4)

04/24/1867 - Vestryman, St. Andrew's Church, Christ Church Parish, SC   

02/00/1868 - Wife, Harriet, died in South Carolina (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #133307380)

02/25/1868 - Funeral services of Mrs. Harriet Bonneau were held St. Andrews Chapel, Mt. Pleasant, SC (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Feb. 25, 1868, p. 2, c. 2)

08/09/1870 - Planter, Christ Church Parish, Charleston Co., SC (lived with daughter, Ina, and a 40 y.o. lady named Martha Bonneau)

10/01/1871 - Died, New York, New York Co., NY (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #133307358)

05/26/1939 - Daughter, Ina Porcher Bonneau Clement, died on James Island, Charleston Co., SC (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #77841473)

Jim Nelson provided input to this biography.

This biographical sketch is from:

Hambrecht, F. T. & Koste, J. L., Biographical

Register of Physicians Who Served the

Confederacy In a Medical Capacity.

01/14/2025. Unpublished database.

00/00/1814 - Born, Charleston Co., CA [Father: Arnoldus Bonneau (1774-1820); Mother: Martha Porcher (1789-1862)

00/00/1820 - Father, Arnoldus, died in South Carolina

10/29/1835 - Graduated from Charleston College, Charleston, SC [Note: At the graduation ceremony, he made a presentation entitled, "On the Progress of Knowledge" (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Oct. 29, 1835, P. 2, c. 1)

1838 - M.D. degree, Medical College of the State of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

08/04/1840 - "Dr. Peter P. Bonneau, has removed to St. James Santee, and will attend to the duties of his Profession from Dr. John S. Palmer's Sea Shore residence, near the thirty two mile house." (The Charleston  Mercury, Charleston, SC, Aug. 5, 1840, p. 3, c. 2)

~1845 - Married, Harriet Hampton Maybank (1825- 1867)

08/21/1850 - Practiced medicine, St. Stephens Parish, Charleston Co., SC (lived with wife, Mrs. Peter P. Bonneau, and a Miss Ann Foldes: indexed in the 1850 U. S. Census as Peter P. Bonneau)

04/16/1852 - Lived in Pineville, Berkely Co, SC (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Apr. 24, 1852,

p. 3, c. 3)

10/30/1856 - Served as Senator, St. Stephen's Parish, in the South Carolina State Senate     

1858 - Appointed as a magistrate, St. Stephen's Parish , SC (The Charleston Daily Courier, Mar. 5, 1859, p. 1, c. 2)

06/03/1859 - Daughter, Ina Porcher Bonneau, born in Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC

06/20/1860 - Farmer, Christ Church Parish, District of Charleston, SC (lived with wife, Harriet and one child; indexed in the 1860 U. S. Census as P. P. Bonneau)

12/17/1860 - Delegate to the South Carolina State Constitutional Convention representing Christ Church Parish and a signer of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession

01/16/1861 - In response to a call by the Governor of South Carolina, volunteered to be Surgeon, 19th Regt., 2nd Battalion, South Carolina (state forces), Capt. Benjamin Jenkins Johnson, Commanding

07/16/1861 - As Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Provisional Army of the Confederate States, Charleston, SC, submitted a requisition to a Confederate quartermaster for cots, mattresses, sheets, wash basins, tin cups, "for 10th Regt."

07/19/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, White's Bridge, SC

07/23/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Camp Marion, near Georgetown, SC(The Charleston Daily Courier, Sep. 6, 1861, p. 1, c. 3) [Note: Col. Arthur Middleton Manigault, was commanding the 10th SC Infantry at this time.]

08/14/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, Georgetown, SC

10/31/1861 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry

03/07/1862 - "The following named Medical Officers, having declined examination before the 'Army Medical Board', will have their names dropped from the rolls of the C. S. Army . . .Surgeon P. P. Boneau . . .. " [S. O. 53/18]

03/17/1862 - In a letter written from Headquarters, 10th South Carolina Volunteers, South Island, SC, to the Editors, The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, "Messrs. Editors - Our regiment has been greatly afflicted by the removal from their offices of our faithful, indefatigable and skillful Surgeons, Dr. P. P. Bonneau and J. C. Cain. These gentlemen, with the other officers of the regiment, entered the Confederate service last July, for twelve months. They have discharged the important duties assigned them with distinguished ability and remarkable success during two-thirds of the time of service, i. e. to the present hour, and have gained the confidence and the affection of officers and privates.. Why, then, have they been removed ? you ask. We answer because they believed that the Government had no right to require them, at this late day, to stand an examination. Should the regiment re-volunteer for the war, at the close of the present term of service, our Surgeons will cheerfully comply with a rule which applies to all. We do hope that the Government will not insist upon an examination now, and thus deprive us of the Surgeons we want. We repeat, gentlemen, that the absence of Drs. Bonneau and Cain from the Tenth Regiment will be felt by us all as a grievous affliction. THE CHAPLAIN" (The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, March 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 6)

04/30/1862 - Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry

06/30/1862 - As Surgeon, 10th SC Infantry, on sick furlough

08/01/1862 - In a letter written from Charleston, SC, to Col. A. M. Manigault, 10th SC Infantry, "Colonel: After the expiration of my sick furlough, finding the state of my health such as not to permit me to resume the duties of my office, it is with respect that I tender you my resignation as Surgeon of your Regiment. Very respectfully, Peter P. Bonneau, Surgn, 10th S. C. Regt." [Below this, on the same page, is the following Certification of Disability.] "I certify that I had examined this officer and found that he had been suffering for some months past from a chronic affection of the stomach and bowels rendering him incapable of performing the duties of his office and I further declare my belief that he will not be able to resume the duties of his office as Surgeon of the Regiment. I therefore recommend the acceptance of his resignation. Respectfully, Jos. P. Cain, Asst Surgeon, 10th S. C. V."[Docketing on the back of this letter reads: "S. G. O. Aug 29/62. Resp. Referred to Sec. of War for acceptance. S. P. Moore, Surg. Genl."

08/30/1862 - "The resignations of the following named Officers have been accepted by the President to take effect to-day . . . Surgeon R. P. Bonneau [sic] .."[S. O. 203/1]

11/28/1862 - Senator, South Carolina State Legislature

12/12/1862 - Mother, Martha, died at her residence, Windsor, in St. Stephen's  Parish, Charleston County, SC "in the 74th year of her age." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Dec. 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 2)

04/22/1863 - Applied to be administrator of the estate of his late mother, Martha (The Charleston Daily Courier, Charleston, SC, April 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 4)

06/19/1863 - Served as administrator of his mother's estate

07/03/1863 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment, S. C. M., Mount Pleasant, June 29th, Under General Orders No. 20, from the Adjutant-General's Office, 'All persons liable to any Military Service' are ordered to assemble at the Regimental Parade Ground, Strawberry, on Tuesday, 7th July next, when a call for Volunteers to meet the requisition of the President of the Confederate States for troops for Local Defence, will be made. Commanding Officers of Companies composing this Regiment will extend this notice promptly, and furnish these Headquarters with an accurate roll of all males residing in their Beat between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Persons having Certificates of Exemptions from any cause, will report the same to their Commanding Officers, and have them ready for examination. P. P. Bonneau, Colonel, 19th Regiment, S. C. M." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, July 3, 1863, p. 3, c. 2)

11/00/1864 - Re-elected as Senator, South Carolina State Legislature

12/14/1864 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment So. Ca. Militia, Mt. Pleasant, Dec. 14, 1864, I. In pursuance to Special Orders no. 40, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, all persons of this command liable to service beyond the limits of the District, are hereby ordered to proceed forthwith to Grahamville, or such point as militia forces of this State may be assembled at, and report to Lieut. Col. De Saussure, A. D. C., to be organized into companies, or assigned to companies already organized. II. Defaulters will be liable to arrest and sent to camp.  By order, P. P. Bonneau, Colonel Commanding. "   

01/24/1865 - "Headquarters, 19th Regiment S. C. M., Mt. Pleasant, January 28, 1865. I. In obedience to orders from the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General, every person in the Lower St. John', St. Thomas, and Christ Church Companies liable to militia service, are hereby ordered to report for duty to Captain Morrison, at 12 o'clock, on Saturday, 28th Instant, at the Market Hall, in Mount Pleasant. II. Every person in the St. James Santee, St. Stephen's and Upper St. John's Companies, will forthwith report to Captain Gabriel Manigault, at McClennanville. III. At 1 o'clock p. m., on Saturday, 28th Instant, an election will be ordered for Officers to command the consolidated Company of Lower St. John's, St. Thomas, and Christ Church Companies, and also for Officers to command the consolidated Company of St. James Santee, St. Stephen's and Upper St. John's. IV. All persons who neglect to obey these orders will be arrested and brought to camp under guard. V. These troops may report for duty as Mounted Infantry if they chose. By order   P. P. Bonneau, Colonel, 19th Regiment S. C. M." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Jan. 24, 1865, p. 1, c. 4)

04/22/1867 - "On Monday afternoon, while Dr. P. P. Bonneau, a well-known citizen of Mt. Pleasant, was riding out in a buggy with his little daughter, the horse took fright and ran away. Dr. Bonneau guided him safely through a grove of trees, but just at the end of Bennett street, at the gate of the house where Judge Richardsson holds his court, one of the shafts struck a tree, the horse fell over and the buggy was pretty well smashed up. The child had previously succeed in getting out during a temporary stoppage of the horse by two negro men, but Dr. Bonneau was still in the buggy when it was broken. Fortunately, he escaped with only a bad bruise of his left leg, and had presence of mind as soon as he was thrown out to seize the horse by the bit and hold him until assistance arrived." (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Apr. 24, 1867, p. 1, c. 4)

04/24/1867 - Vestryman, St. Andrew's Church, Christ Church Parish, SC   

02/00/1868 - Wife, Harriet, died in South Carolina (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #133307380)

02/25/1868 - Funeral services of Mrs. Harriet Bonneau were held St. Andrews Chapel, Mt. Pleasant, SC (The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, SC, Feb. 25, 1868, p. 2, c. 2)

08/09/1870 - Planter, Christ Church Parish, Charleston Co., SC (lived with daughter, Ina, and a 40 y.o. lady named Martha Bonneau)

10/01/1871 - Died, New York, New York Co., NY (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #133307358)

05/26/1939 - Daughter, Ina Porcher Bonneau Clement, died on James Island, Charleston Co., SC (buried: Christ Church Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Charleston Co., SC; FindaGrave #77841473)

Jim Nelson provided input to this biography.

This biographical sketch is from:

Hambrecht, F. T. & Koste, J. L., Biographical

Register of Physicians Who Served the

Confederacy In a Medical Capacity.

01/14/2025. Unpublished database.