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CreativeGraces.net |
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INDEX |
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Name |
No. of Individuals |
Ranking |
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SAUNDERS |
51,138 |
111 |
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SANDERS |
22,558 |
313 |
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SANDER |
554 |
10,485= |
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SAUNDER |
77 |
39,021= |
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SANDRES |
5 |
230,412= |
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Total |
74,332 |
A factor of 0.93 is usually applied to estimate the number of living individuals (i.e. over 69,000), and a factor of 3.5 used to estimate how many have lived with that name since UK church records began in the C16th (i.e. nearly 242,000). That's a lot of records!
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Distribution of the family
name in 1881.Part 2: Brief Summary of SANDERS Research - Early 2008
I am interesting in hearing from anyone with SANDERS ancestors (occasionally, but not commonly recorded as SAUNDERS) , especially those connected to the gunmaking trade over the last 250 years based anywhere in the UK, particularly Middlesex (London), Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough (LEI) & Oakham (RUT). I am also seeking modern descendants of the SANDERS family from the Grantham (LIN) & Leicester city areas, based on 1901 census data, and who may have grandfathers or great grandfathers named Harry SANDERS, Walter SANDERS, John William SANDERS or Rowland Ashford SANDERS. This is my paternal SANDERS line.
In addition, I am keen to re-establish contact with relatives of Shirley COPE (my 3rd cousin 1R, married to Horace W. COPE) and last known to be resident at 2 Meadow Road, Mountsorrel, Leicester, LE23 7HN, UK, or her cousin Barbara REEDER (husband David A. REEDER or children Mark & Katherine) of Epsom, or any of the related POTTER family who may now be the keepers of the "POTTER Family Photo Album", which contains C19th photographs of the SANDERS & POTTER family (and my GRACE relatives), so that I may obtain high-resolution copies. A number of poor photocopies of some of these photos are shown on this webpage. Contact was lost during 1995 - Please contact me through CreativeGraces.net
Part 3: Earliest Origins - Late C18th Middlesex (London) & Birmingham
Available genealogical data indicates that my Paternal SANDERS family has possible origins in late C18th/early C19th Middlesex & London and then early C19th Birmingham, before the family moves to Leicester, Loughborough (Leicestershire), & Oakham (Rutlandshire). Parts of the later family can also be found in Doncaster, Yorkshire (1860's), Leicester city and Grantham, Lincolnshire (from 1881 to the 1901 census, plus a few BMD references to the period immediately after the first World War). There are likely C18th connections with the gunmaking trade.
The relatively common first name and surname have made the trail difficult to follow back into the C18th, however two clues persist:
1. The first known family member is Joseph (Alexander) SANDERS, a Gunsmith born in Middlesex c1796, (perhaps baptised in the Greater London area or Birmingham), my 3xGGF. Since his full name only appears on his daughter marriage certificate, it is assumed he could be one of several Joseph SANDERS baptised around this time, either in Birmingham or Middlesex.
2. An article in the Loughborough Monitor and News, dated Thursday 17th April, 1913, entitled "Death and Funeral of Mr. J. A. SANDERS - A Well Known Loughburian", refers to family member Joseph Abbott SANDERS. While most of the obituary referred to incidents in the C19th, there were indications of the families Birmingham roots. I have inserted comments in brackets:
"His family had been noted for generations for their skill in gun-making and on leaving school at the age of fourteen (c1852) he went to Birmingham where he was apprenticed to the family trade. The inherited craftsmanship he exhibited made his work eagerly sought after when later on in life he came to settle once more in his native town. His Grandfather (my 3xGGF) and Great-grandfather were armourer sergeants in the Royal Scots Greys, and the latter served under the Duke of Wellington and was at Waterloo."
The full details of the obituary are discussed later, however the evidence at the Public Records Office (PRO) at Kew indicates that family stories had been embellished with time and perhaps also by the pen of the writer of the obituary. Although it almost certain that the SANDERS were involved in the Birmingham Gun Trade, they were not armourer sergeants in the Royal Scots Greys - they may have supplied guns to the army, as the Regiment was connected for a time with Birmingham as well as Loughborough. No armourer sergeants of that name were at Waterloo, a battle which is well documented.
The head of the family is consequently taken as an unknown gunmaker, possibly of London, Middlesex origins, who is the reported GGF of Joseph Abbott SANDERS' and my 4xGGF. The search continues to identify him.
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Part 4: The Early C19th Birmingham & Loughborough Family
- The Family of Joseph Alexander SANDERS & Mary Ann ASHFORD -
Census data in 1851 & 1861 suggests that Joseph SANDERS aka Joseph Alexander SANDERS was born in London, Middlesex c1796/1797. The only name sake baptism so far found was 18.9.1763 at Shoreditch St Leonard's. A Richard Alexander SANDERS is also noted in London in 1750 connected with the gun trade, for the purpose of naming patterns. It should be noted that the second name of "Alexander" appears as part of the father's name on his daughter's Charlotte SANDERS Marriage Certificate, and also on his death in Oakham in 1864. He may have been apprenticed anytime in the period leading up to his 1814 marriage in the Birmingham area, but this is not found.
So it appears that Joseph arrived in Birmingham either as an apprentice to the gun trade or with his family. There are several SANDERS families involved in the trade at that time in Birmingham, and Middlesex was also famous, particularly Enfield. Registering as Joseph only he married Mary Ann ASHFORD at St Bartholomew's, the Parish Church of Edgbaston, a district of Birmingham on 5.12.1814. There are no witnesses to suggest SANDERS siblings or parents.
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A younger |
An older |
Mary Ann SANDERS nee
ASHFORD |
- Photos are scanned photocopies of originals
held in the POTTER family album -
*Historical note: The form of photography show here is a technique of stylized
posing first developed in 1854, where multiple copies were generated. In
any event, with invention of photography the images can be no earlier than
the 1840s.
The family appears to have moved to Loughborough c1827 probably as the gunmaking trade was expanding. Historically, many gun families moved out of Birmingham city for reasons not fully understood, but possibly to use derelict water mills for power as Birmingham became overpopulated. The steam engine eventually killed off use of the water mills.
By 1841 Joseph Alexander & Mary SANDERS had moved on to a new establishment in Leicester, leaving the Loughborough premises in the capable hands of their eldest son John and young family. Joseph Alexander SANDERS was trading at 33 Belgrave Gate in 1846 (White's Trade Directory). He then moved to Oakham later in 1846. He was there until his death in 1864.
The family of Joseph Alexander SANDERS were present at High Street, Oakham, Rutland in 1851. Joseph's wife, Mary Ann, was absent and may have been dead by this time. Joseph is still given as married though. Only family members present were William SANDERS (Gunmaker, 19) & Lucretia SANDERS (15). In 1861, Joseph is a widower living with daughter Lucretia at the same address.
No SANDERS gunmakers were listed for Leicester after this time. The Oakham Museum confirms a Joseph SANDERS listed as a cutler, gunmaker and whitesmith who, in 1846, was working in Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland, and by 1855 had moved to the High Street where he remained until 1863. In 1864 it appears that the younger son William SANDERS & his wife Ann were running the business, as gunmaker, cutler and whitesmith, coincident with Joseph Alexander's death. William & Ann had moved back from Doncaster, Yorks., where they had been living. William's name appears until 1870. The SANDERS name had disappeared by 1877 being replaced by WHITEHOUSE, the family of William & Ann having moved to Grantham in Lincolnshire after 1873. An auction to sell the Oakham business was held on the 5th September 1872.
The only SANDERS entries in "Directory of British Gunmakers 1850-Present Day" (Geoffrey & Susan M Boothroyd, Amity, 1994) are for this family; Joseph at High Street, Loughborough (1834-41; 1863) and High Street, Oakham (1856, noting William at same address in 1864).
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The Valuable Gunsmith's and Bellhanger's Stock-in-Trade comprising a capital double-barrel gun, 3 good single-barrel guns, single barrel rifle, gun case, air gun and pump, 2 excellent breech-loading 6-chamber revolvers with cases complete 1 by "Colt", 2 six-barrel revolvers, 3 breech-loading saloon pistols, 3 flint-lock pistols, about 20lbs. of treble C gunpowder, about 20lbs. of FFF ditto, and about 15lbs. of common ditto, about 3.4 bag of shot, about 1200 cartridge cases, 900 pistol cartridges, 4 boxes caps, 18 bags of wadding, 2 sheets of gun wadding, 6 boxes of wadding, 8 shot flasks, 4 powder flasks, 3 washing rods, 5 loading rods, 7 nipple keys, 3 cartridge measures, 2 cartridge rammers, cartridge cleaner, 5 patent cartridge making machines, mahogany cartridge case with lock and strap, cartridge cases, 3 cartridge bags with straps, 2 game bags, 3 charge drawers, breech cleaner, 1 ........ ....... shot and powder flask tops, brass 7-hole bullet mould, 3 smaller bullet moulds, 6 wad punches, patent singeing a....... ....... ....... ....tains, 10 rabbit traps, 12 mole traps, dog whip, dog ......., steel dog collar with plate, 3 leather dog collars ................ ......s 16 with springs, 3 bell carriages, 3 rose purchase ......., ....out 20 mortis locks, 6 doz. driving cranks, 40 ......... ........, 16 zinc levers, 10 check springs, 12 bell springs, 16 white china bell pulls, 4 brass ditto, 32 ivory table knife han......... ....es, 6 ditto blades, about 1 1/2lbs. of hards, 5 mahogany handles, 5 padlocks, piece of iron plate 1ft. by 3ft. 8in., ba...... of spring steel, about 8lbs. of brass, quantity of old iron, iron casement frame 2ft. 8in. by 1ft., 21 old gun barrels, 9 old stocks, 52 gun springs, about 6 doz. gun hammers, 10 doz. brass lock tumblers, 29 steel tumblers, 6 doz. brass beer tap and bottle jack keys, quantity of beer tap springs, pair of handcuffs, about 10 doz. keys, about 4 lbs. rivets, square and round staples, an assortment of screws, nuts and bolts, stove and piping, and other miscellaneous items. Also, a glass case with pair of sliding doors and 2 shelves 4ft. by 4ft. 6in., 2 small glass cases, a painted mahogany counter 7ft. by 2ft. 6in. with desk and divisions at end, 2 gas pendants, 3 gas brackets, the gas piping as fixed, 9 stuffed squirrels, stuffed sea gull, hawk, 6 canaries, partridge, &c. The capital Gunsmith's and Bellhanger's Tools, &c., consisting of pair of single-blast bellows, superior pair of circular bellows with iron frame (nearly new), turning lathe with tools, boring lathe, 2 wood benches, 4 pairs of iron vice, 3 iron anvils, 13 pairs of tongs, 7 fullers, 10 hammers, 10 drift holes, screw and other wrenches, crow bar, pair of large clipping shears, 2 pairs of small f=ditto, 4 sets of stocks, 12 pairs of dies, about 4 dozen taps and tap frames, set of drilling tackle and about 6 dozen drills, pair of bow drills, upward of 100 files of all descriptions, 4 soldering irons, 5 pairs of plyers, par of pincers, 7 wood chisels, 6 gouges, 20 iron chisels, 10 large and small hammers, 28 iron punches, 8 screwdrivers, 4 pairs of hand vice, iron cramp, 2 pairs of wood clamps, 3 braces, 2 tenon saws, smoothing and jack planes, spoke shave, drawing knife, hand saw, glue pot, ladle, 2 grindstones, &c. The neat and useful household furniture and effects, comprising 3 feather beds, bolsters and pillows, wool bed, straw mattress, iron French bedstead, 2 tent bedsteads, child's crib, chamber tables and services, swing glasses and towel horses, bedroom chairs and carpeting, chests of oak and painted drawers, blankets, sheets, and counterpanes, elm linen chest, very handsome 8-day clock in Spanish mahogany case indicating the day of the month and changes of the month, 8-day American clock, chimney glas in gilt frame, ditto in rosewood frame, chimney ornaments, mahogany loo table on pillar and block, mahogany Pembroke table, easy chair, sofa, cocoa matting and mats, 6 and 1 arm Windsor chairs, fenders and fireirons, high fireguard, 2-height meat safe with 2 pairs of doors, iron saucepan, washing pot, iron kettle, bell-metal pan, brass pan, pudding tin, 2 warming pans, washing stool, knife box, knives and forks, 2 tea trays, metal teapot, tea service, 3 decanters, brass tap, pair brass candlesticks, willow-pattern service and earthenware. Also, wicker perambulator, 2 canaries and wire cage, 2 tons of coal, 2 soft water tubs, 2 sets of steps, step ladder, steel breaking bit, duck and 11 young ones, 3 wood buckets, &c. Sale to commence with Furniture at Eleven for Twelve
o'clock. (note: damaged poster, so not all text survived) |
Joseph & Mary SANDERS had at least 11 children. From census information in 1841 it appears that at least 4 identified/surviving children were born outside of Leicestershire (assumed to be in Birmingham) although baptisms, if any, have not been found. The family moved to Loughborough c1827, The children are:
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Mary Ann SANDERS (c1815, outside of Leicestershire) = GRAVES (based on family stories only);
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John SANDERS (c1816 Birmingham, based on future census) = Elizabeth ABBOTT. Descendants:
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Joseph Abbott SANDERS (1838) = (1) Ann MEAD; (2) Elizabeth (1866+):
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John Mead SANDERS (1862);
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John Mead SANDERS (1863);
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Francis Joseph SANDERS (1864);
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Emily SANDERS (1867);
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Elizabeth Ann SANDERS (1869);
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Albert SANDERS (c1840);
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Mary Ann SANDERS (c1843);
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John SANDERS (c1845);
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Elizabeth SANDERS (c1848);
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Emily SANDERS (c1852);
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Joseph SANDERS (c1819, outside of Leicestershire) - nothing known after 1841 census;
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Elizabeth SANDERS (c1826, outside of Leicestershire) = PICK (based on family stories only);
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Henry SANDERS (c1827/8 Loughborough, possibly a twin) - nothing known after 1841 census;
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Thomas SANDERS (c1827/8 Loughborough possibly a twin) - nothing known after 1841 census;;
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Selina SANDERS (c1829 Loughborough) = Thomas Hatton POTTER;
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William SANDERS (c1831 Loughborough) = Ann ELLINGWORTH. Descendants are:
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Joseph SANDERS (c1857 Doncaster, West Yorkshire) - nothing known after 1861;
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Harry SANDERS (c1858/59 Doncaster) = Sarah Ann LAWSON. Children:
- Annie Minnie SANDERS (1881 Leicester), m. 1891 Leicester = Alfred H. WHEATLEY;
- Harry SANDERS (1889 Leicester) - nothing known after 1901;
- Mabel SANDERS (1893 Leicester) - nothing known after 1901;
- Grace SANDERS (1896 Leicester) - nothing known after 1901;
- Ida SANDERS (1898 Leicester) - nothing known after 1901;
- Walter SANDERS
(c1861 Doncaster),
m. 1882 Grantham = Mary WOOD. Children:
- William Henry SANDERS
(1882
Grantham), m. 1910 Grantham = Agnes Jane BOND. Children:
- Eileen M. SANDERS (1913 Grantham);
- Maud Marian SANDERS (1885 Grantham), m. 1915 Grantham = Fred BASS;
- Gertrude Lucy SANDERS (1888 Grantham), m. 1910 Grantham = CROSBY or HOLVY/HOLBY;
- Ida Florence SANDERS (1890 Grantham), m. 1916 = Charles F. SWAIN;
- Gladys Minnie SANDERS (1893 Grantham), m. 1919 = Harold C. CROSS;
- Doris Annie SANDERS (1898 Grantham) - nothing known after 1901;
- William Henry SANDERS
(1882
Grantham), m. 1910 Grantham = Agnes Jane BOND. Children:
- Annie Elizabeth SANDERS (c1862 Doncaster), m. 1890 Grantham = JACKSON or PALMER;
- Alice Clara SANDERS (c1865 Rutland, Oakham), m. 1890 Grantham = John FAIRCHILD. d. 1890;
- John William SANDERS (c1867/68 Rutland), m. 1891 Leicester = Harriett BROOKSBANK. No children by 1901;
- Rowland Ashford SANDERS (1871 Oakham) - nothing known after 1881;
- Emily SANDERS (c1873 Oakham), m. 1893 Grantham = HUMPHRIES or HODSON;
- Minnie SANDERS (c1875 Grantham) - nothing known after 1891;
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Part 5: Family Stories of the Leicestershire Generation:
Mary Ann SANDERS (c1815):
Not much is known of Mary Ann SANDERS, the couples first surviving child. She was born within a year or so of her parents wedding, and probably born in Birmingham. No baptism has yet been found. Sometime between 1833 & GRO (not found) she married into the GRAVES family based on family stories, and helped to run the Co-Op store in Aylestone Road, Loughborough. Her daughter Mary GRAVES (possibly n. Q2 1840 at Loughborough, one of a line of possible GRAVES children in the town to 1850) married into the RICHARDS family (sometime after 1857, but not found) and provided grandchildren Harry RICHARDS, Maud RICHARDS (who married an Edgar, not found) and Frances RICHARDS, known as "Nan". No further details of this branch or the extended family are known as census, LDS & BMD data fail to confirm the above thread, however I am interested in contact if there are any C19th photographs.
John SANDERS (c1816):
John SANDERS, the second child and first son, followed his father's footsteps and the family tradition of gunmaking. He was born in Birmingham (baptism not yet found). His trade, taken over from his father by 1841, also combined a Wine & Spirit Dealership by the 1851 Census, which he was to pass on to his son Joseph Abbott SANDERS. John married Elizabeth ABBOTT on 1.4.1837 in Birmingham. Her younger brother Matthew ABBOTT was apprenticed to John and resident in 1851. John's sister Martha SANDERS was a visitor in 1851, both given as being born in Loughborough. John died in 1880; his wife, Mary in 1871. The family were in High Gate, Loughborough in 1841 (later became the High Street) with children Joseph SANDERS & Albert SANDERS, and 176 High Street in 1851 with Joseph SANDERS & Mary Ann SANDERS. The family were still resident in the High Street in 1861. In 1864 (Loughborough Trade Directory) John was registered as the proprietor of the "Anchor" pub in the High Street and mentioned in all previous trade directories as both a gunmaker and a wine & spirit merchant. In 1871 John was living at 38 Leicester Road, Loughborough.
Of their known children it appears that Joseph Abbott SANDERS (1838), their first child, was the only survivor: Albert SANDERS (c1839-<51), John SANDERS (1840-46), Elizabeth Ann SANDERS (1842-43), Mary Ann SANDERS (1844-53), [Joseph Abbott, Mary Ann & John all c. 1845], Elizabeth SANDERS (c1848) & Emily SANDERS (1851-53). Joseph Abbott SANDERS Will is dated 1913.
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John SANDERS |
John's wife Elizabeth ABBOTT |
"The Anchor", High Street, Loughborough |
Joseph SANDERS (c1819):
Like his elder brother, Joseph SANDERS followed the gunmaking tradition. Born c1819 outside of Leics., probably Birmingham, he was working with his elder brother John SANDERS in 1841 Loughborough census. His history after this time is not known, but it is likely that he continued in Loughborough in partnership with his brother John. He probably married in the 1840's in Loughborough (not yet found). "Great Uncle Jo", with his county connections, referred his acquaintances to his sister Selena POTTER's taxidermy business, as the Victorian's loved nothing better than having their game stuffed. Nothing is known of Jo's possible family and descendants. He may have been in Leicester with his family in the 1841 census (if taken on another day) with a wife Mary, but not certain if entry is this family. he may be the death in Q4 1841 Leicester, or one of 9 of the same name in the Birmingham area in the period to 1851.
Elizabeth SANDERS (c1826):
Born c1826 outside of Leics., probably Birmingham (baptism not found). Possibly married into the PICK family. C20th SANDERS relative Shirley COPE relates that an aunt of her grandmother's called Sarah PICK of Stamford, Lincs., was a blood relative. She had a daughter Annie who lived at Peterborough, possibly the sister of Elizabeth and Matthew ABBOTT. If Elizabeth married Q4 1844 at Loughborough (only marriage in period there), then she would have married William BOSTOCK, James HARDY, Mathew HUMPHREYS or Richard NOON. This family relationship is not confirmed by 1851 or 1861 census.
Henry SANDERS & Thomas SANDERS:
Nothing is known about these boys, who appear to be twins from their joint baptism and relative age to nearest siblings. They were baptised in Loughborough in 1828 at HSLRW (High Street, Leicester Road Wesleyan) and possibly died in infancy (records sought): they were not at home in 1841 or a subsequent census. There is also a possibility that both had left home by 1841. There is a period of no children for Joseph Alexander & Mary in the period 1819-26, so these may be later baptisms of two sons born in that 5-6 year period, possibly in Birmingham. Original records may reveal age at baptism.
Selena or Selina SANDERS:
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Born c1829, probably Loughborough. Married Thomas
Hatton POTTER in 1850, the
brother of Richard POTTER who married sister Martha SANDERS. She ran a
taxidermy business. She died in 1915. Her photo album (last known in the
possession of cousin Barbara REEDER) has several
pictures taken at Leicester and elsewhere, and is a
valuable SANDERS family history source. |
Selina on her 78th Birthday,
11th September 1907 |
William SANDERS (c1831):
William SANDERS and his wife Ann ELLINGWORTH were marriage witnesses at his sister Charlotte SANDERS' wedding in 1863. William SANDERS was born c1831 in Loughborough and baptised the same year. He was still unmarried in 1851 and married Ann in 1856 in Oakham. 1864 he took over the business set up in Oakham by his father who died the same year, and was recorded there until 1870. William & Ann SANDERS had previously lived at 72 St Sepulchre Gate in Doncaster, Yorks., in 1861, with children Joseph SANDERS (c1855 Doncaster) and Harry SANDERS (c1858 Doncaster). Also resident were William's sister Charlotte SANDERS and importantly one of two lodgers, her future husband, William GRACE (my 2xGGF). William SAUNDERS (census spelling) was an Engine Fitter.
In 1871 the family were at High Street, Oakham (also as SAUNDERS) with new children Walter SANDERS (c1861 Doncaster), Annie Elizabeth SANDERS (c1862 Doncaster), Alice Clara SANDERS (c1865 Rutland) and John William SANDERS (c1867 Rutland) including a 15 year old apprentice gunmaker Arthur NEEDHAM, also of Rutland.
The Bill of Sale shown above (damaged/unreadable sections dotted) was made in 1872, which shows they sold up and moved out, however they must have remained in the area until after 1873. The family were living at 71 Commercial Road, Spittlegate, Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1881 with Walter SANDERS (E&M Fitter, 19), John William SANDERS (13) and new children Royland SANDERS (actually Rowland Ashford SANDERS c1871 Oakham), Emily SANDERS (c1873 Oakham ) & Minnie SANDERS (c1875 Grantham). William SANDERS was a Whitesmith and no doubt continued to own a shop. Descendant families include:
Harry
SANDERS = Sarah Ann LAWSON in Leicester ;
Walter SANDERS = Mary WOOD in
Grantham;
Annie Elizabeth SANDERS = JACKSON or PALMER;
Alice Clara
SANDERS
= John FAIRCHILD in Grantham;
John William SANDERS = Harriett BROOKSBANK in Leicester;
Emily
SANDERS = HUMPHRIES or HODSON;
Martha SANDERS (c1833):
Born c1833 & baptised the same year in Loughborough, she married Frederick Richard POTTER, Saddler, renowned Quaker and Botanist, (brother of Thomas Hatton POTTER who married her elder sister Selena), in Q1 1861 at Leicester. In the 1851 Census she was then staying with her elder brother John's family in Loughborough. They were not found on the 1861 census, but in Loughborough in 1871 with child Joseph S. POTTER, and 1881 at 28 Devonshire Square with Lucretia SANDERS. Husband Richard apparently travelled the world following his botanical interests.
C20th Relative Rosalie CLARKE relates that her father Walter Bertie GRACE had an 'Aunt Martha' who was almost certainly this elder sister of Charlotte (his mother). Martha's son Joseph POTTER kept a Saddler's & Photographic Shop in Market Place, Loughborough, and is confirmed by 1881 census data. Martha & Frederick remained in Loughborough for 1891 & 1901.
"Cousin Sydney" POTTER was Deputy Borough Carillonneur of the Loughborough War Memorial Carillon (a series of bells played from a keyboard below) for 50 years. Dedicated in 1923. Sydney was a bachelor and lived his final days in the Cotswolds. During his working life he assisted in the family retail business in Loughborough.
Lucretia SANDERS (c1835):
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Born c1835 at Loughborough. Lucretia remained a spinster probably as the result of her stunted growth as revealed in a photograph taken at Oakham (right). In 1851 and 1861 she was living with her father in Oakham. Probably on his death in 1864 she moved to Doncaster to live with her sister Charlotte GRACE, where on the 1871 Census at Portland Terrace, Shady Side, Hexthorpe, Doncaster she was with the GRACE family. She was given as having no occupation which indicates that she was probably living on SANDERS family money, not contributing to the household in any way, not even as a domestic servant. Her movements away from the family in Leicestershire were probably linked with the part of the family at the time able to look after her. In 1881, then 38, she was living in with her sister Martha, wife of Frederick Richard POTTER, Saddler, back in Loughborough. She appeared to have moved with William & Charlotte GRACE to the Derby area sometime before 1873. Her death is registered in the March Quarter of 1883 at Derby. She was 46. |
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Charlotte SANDERS (1841):
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Born 7th July 1841 at Belgrave Gate, Leicester. On the 1861 Census she was living with her brother William's family in Doncaster where her future husband William GRACE was one of two lodgers (who had travelled north, from Ramsgate, Kent following his Coachbuilding trade, which more than ever was associated with the railways - Doncaster being a major railway centre at the time). Charlotte was a milliner, as was William's wife Ann. William & Charlotte married 25th May 1863 at Balby & Hexthorpe, near Doncaster. William & Ann SANDERS were witnesses. The
young Charlotte with her new husband |
Rosalie CLARKE relates that "Grandma Charlotte" lived in Holbrook, Derby for a few years (?perhaps around 1914). She apparently married William totally against the wishes of her parents to deep ill feeling. The reason for this is not clear but it is possible to speculate about the feelings of a relatively wealthy and successful artisan family objecting to a daughter marrying the more working class lodger, 'a step down' by settling for a relatively poor Coachbuilder with no significant family financial support. One can only assume it was a love match.
It is interesting to note that consistently throughout her life Charlotte's age was always given three years less than her actual age. She was actually born 1841, as per records at St Catherine's House, and not 1844 as implied (no other records found). Either she did not know her exact age, or deliberately kept it a secret (which was not uncommon practice). There is no other apparent reason for this anomaly.
Joseph Abbott SANDERS:
Joseph Abbott SANDERS' obituary was found in the Loughborough Monitor and News, dated Thursday April 17, 1913: "Death and Funeral of Mr. J. A. SANDERS - A Well Known Loughburian":
"We regret to announce the death, which occurred at midnight on Saturday, of Mr. Joseph Abbot SANDERS, of Forest Rise Loughborough. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, having been born on February 19th, 1838, had been ill and confined to his room for the past two years, but until practically the end he retained a wonderfully keen interest in affairs.
The old gentleman was never so happy as in recounting his knowledge of the town; he had a marvellous memory for dates and appeared able not only to fix the precise time of national but of local happenings. He was a perfect storehouse of local gossip and could retail many an old custom since fallen into desuetude. He was a native of Loughborough, having been born in the Leicester Road. His family had been noted for generations for their skill in gun-making and on leaving school at the age of fourteen he went to Birmingham where he was apprenticed to the family trade. The inherited craftsmanship he exhibited made his work eagerly sought after when later on in life he came to settle once more in his native town. His Grandfather and Great-grandfather were armourer sergeants in the Royal Scots Greys, and the latter served under the Duke of Wellington and was at Waterloo.
Mr. SANDERS was engaged during the Crimean War (1853-56) in making arms at the Tower of London. He then came back to Loughborough and followed up his trade. A wine and spirit business was purchased for him by his father and the vaults in the High Street with the gunsmith's shop adjoining became a well-known rendezvous for many county men. Mr. SANDERS, it may be noted, was fond of many kinds of sport. He was a splendid shot, one of the best in the whole district, an adept at fishing, fond of punting, coursing and swimming, and these tastes, with his skill in guns brought him into contact with the county gentry and there are those living now who owe to Mr. SANDERS their first tuition in shooting, swimming and fishing.
This business was continued until his father's death in 1880 and shortly after he gave up the gunsmith's business and retired altogether in 1886. Like many an old master craftsman to whom every detail of his work was known, he professed a very poor opinion of the workman who is forced by modern industrial conditions, to become a specialist in one particular branch of his trade. Mr. SANDERS could make - and he took great pride in it - everything in a gun, lock, stock and barrel.
Mention should be made of his connection with the old Volunteer movement. He was able to claim to be the only man in Loughborough who joined the first Volunteer Company in the town and who lived to see the old force merged into the present Territorial organisation. Some time before joining the 6th Company of the Leicestershire Rifle Volunteers in 1860, Mr. SANDERS and others used to drill in the Town Hall under Mr. HAGUE, the Superintendent of the police, who was the first drill-master of the Loughborough Company. As soon as the corps was established in the town Mr. SANDERS joined - he was number 7 and was appointed armourer sergeant, a position he held till his retirement after many years service. He possessed the long service medal and wore it proudly till the day of his death. Keen in all things which he thought to be his duty, he is said to have attended every parade and drill but three and he never missed attending the annual camp. On one occasion, he, with three of his colleagues, after travelling from Oxford and missing their train connection at Leicester, set out to walk to Loughborough, carrying the whole of their equipment. It was in the early hours of the morning but the quartet were still game after two hours and fifty minutes walk. He was a member of the Loughborough contingent which formed a guard of honour at Nottingham when the Robin Hoods were presented with their first colours and 46 years ago he attended the first Volunteer funeral at Loughborough and fired over the grave of the late W. KING. When he first joined the Volunteers he had to pay £4-10s for his own clothes and he contrasted the older conditions with the easier ones now prevailing.
As previously mentioned, Mr. SANDERS had a rare taste for retailing his reminiscences. One incident he always recalled happened on his seventeenth birthday. Captain HUNTER of the Royal Scots Greys made him a present of a whole sheep and to the delight of the youth the carcass was roasted whole on the ice at Thackholm Deeps on the Soar. He could recall many old customs such as Plough Monday, and bell-ringing on Shrove Tuesday, on which day the old fire brigade would turn out in the Market Place and the people would scramble for oranges. Gone too, is the "White Apron Fair" held on Holy Thursday with many other Loughborough custom which the march of modernisation has killed. He, with others turned out to see the first excursion train ever to run in this country reach Loughborough.
He survived all his family and had no brothers, nephews or nieces living. He leaves a widow and one daughter, Miss SANDERS, to mourn his loss."
Much of the detail is quite interesting and has some basis in truth, although it seems to be embellished by the writer. The family had long traditions in the Gunmaking trade, and may have supplied arms to the Royal Scots Greys [1786-1877, known as the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys)]. There is no historical evidence of an armourer or soldier of any other rank at the Battle of Waterloo, and no SANDERS on the Medal Roll.
Research at the PRO, Kew shows Loughborough as a station for the regiment in the 1797 Muster Rolls. During the time of Waterloo James BRAY was Armourer-Sergeant, with the regiment based in Canterbury. The Regiment was in Birmingham for the muster 1.4.1853-30.6.1853, and also at Loughborough from 30.3.1854, before embarking to the Crimea. John FLANAGAN was Armourer-Sergeant. This probably means that the SANDERS served the regiment while it was stationed locally.
| Captain Robert Scott HUNTER was a native of Brechin, Angus, Scotland, born 1831 and served with the Royal Scots Greys, 2nd (Royal North British) Regiment of Dragoons. He purchased his Cornet in 1851 (an old commissioned rank as a military cornet player), became Lieutenant in 1854 and then Captain in September 1855 . After serving in the Eastern Campaign at the Battles of Balaklava, Inkerman & the Siege of Sebastopol he retired in 1862. He married a Loughborough girl, Clara Maria MIDDLETON in 1861 and was living with his in-laws in Ashley Road, Loughborough in 1871. By 1881 he was living in Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland. He does appear to have been a real person regarding the seventeenth birthday party on the River Soar in February 1855, just before becoming Captain. [The River Soar flows north through Leicester and Loughborough to join the River Trent south of Nottingham]. |
Records are unable to confirm that during the Crimean War [1853-5: aged only 15-17 years] Joseph made arms at the Tower of London. His apprenticeship record for c1852 has not been located. Joseph Abbott was with his family in the 1851 census index.
There is a photograph of 30 & 31 High Street, Loughborough the old gunsmith and wine shop sold in 1886 to Anchor Ales. They ran both shops as beer/spirit shops until 1928/29 when they were demolished for road widening. Joseph & Elizabeth's family were resident at 30-31 High Street in 1871 with daughter Emily only. There were three general domestic servants resident, one as a lodger. Joseph was a Licensed Victualler. In 1901 Joseph, aged 63, is still living in Loughborough "on his own means" at 26 Leicester Road, with Elizabeth (62). They had two servants. The one daughter that survived him is assumed to be Emily a.k.a. "Cousin Pem".
Emily SANDERS:
Emily SANDERS or 'Auntie Pem' had property in Loughborough. A row of houses were left to the family in the 1930's. They had to be updated to new council standards. Ernest POTTER, son of Selena SANDERS, had no money for this so presumably they were demolished. There are 2 letters dated May 1936 from a firm of Loughborough solicitors asking for information on relatives. Perhaps this initiated the GRACE family tales of the "Sanders Fortune" (see below). Shirley COPE relates that Cousin Pem SANDERS owned a row of cottages in Loughborough which were condemned after 1945 due to lack of sanitation. After her mother's death Pem allegedly travelled the world on her inheritance, but had nothing remaining for all those in the family who expect to inherit her wealth.
Part 6: The Story of "Fanny & Ginny" SANDERS:
The "Sanders Fortune" is mentioned in the GRACE family through childhood stories of Fanny & Ginny SANDERS. The description of the two ladies in question does not match any known members of the SANDERS family. The detail comes through conversation with Evelyn & Billy GRACE (William Sanders GRACE s/o Ernest Sanders GRACE). These two "mythical elderly ladies" are allegedly responsible for the first origins of the SANDERS name tradition in five generations of the GRACE family, and although the tradition has been maintained it is for entirely different reasons; the latest being Paul Sanders GRACE (1991), son of the webauthor.
Ernest Sanders GRACE (s/o William GRACE & Charlotte SANDERS) was reportedly promised an inheritance from a SANDERS Will, which was apparently seen by Ev & Billy (early C20th), however his share for some reason was reportedly never forthcoming. The maker of the Will has not been recognised. The story of ill feeling after William & Charlotte's marriage may have some basis in truth, perhaps resulting in these events. Ev & Billy had once contacted a SANDERS relative in Loughborough (mid C20th) but was reported to be "most unwelcoming".
Both Fanny & Ginny were referred to as elderly spinsters, and no description from the GRACE side matches anyone known. It is possible that they would be Emily & Elizabeth, daughters of Joseph Abbott SANDERS and the connection to the property in Loughborough (property that was destroyed, having no value) or the inheritance being already spent. The story has been subject to embellishment and misinformation over the years, and so the truth is not known.
It is also possible they are the two younger daughters of William & Ann SANDERS (resident in Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1881) named Emily & Minnie. This pair, born in the 1870's certainly have a close naming pattern to "Fanny & Ginny" (possibly "Emmy & Minnie") and would have been of an age to have interacted with Ev & Billy GRACE in the early to mid C20th. Either way, there is a familiar thread of "SANDERS wealth" not being inherited by either side running through both sides of the family.
Family stories are notoriously difficult to validate, and the Sanders name in the GRACE family remains an established tradition; If nothing else, to celebrate the fact that Charlotte SANDERS appears to have married William GRACE for love, and for no other reason!
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