CreativeGraces.net
Genealogical
Research
Index

INDEX

GenHome

Welcome & Overview

Conditions & Abbreviations

Research Tips

DNA & Genealogy

Quick Name Index

Family Name Summaries

Contact Info

- The SANDERS Family, Gunmakers -

Possibly Late C18th London, Middlesex origins, then
Early C19th Birmingham, Loughborough (LEI) & Leicester, then
Mid C19th Oakham (RUT), Doncaster (YKS) & Leicester, and then
Late C19th-C20th Grantham (LIN) & C21st Leicester

The East Midlands domain of the SANDERS family from the early 19th

Part 1: General Introduction to the SANDERS Name

The origin of the family name of SANDERS is a classical one from the Greek Alexander 'helper of men'. In the Middle Ages, probably due to the French romance of Alexander, the name appeared in its French form Alisandre. As early as 1248 in England from this was formed the pet name Sandre, from which the modern surnames of SANDARS, SANDERS, and SAUNDERS arise. As a consequence of dialect and spelling, all references for all variant spellings need to be checked when conducting research. Spelling was not standardised until the mid C19th, but remains one of the more common English surnames. The name Al Iksander is still used in the Middle East.

For 2002 the UK's National Statistics for some variants of the surname are as follows:

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 to investigate!

Part 2: Brief Summary of SANDERS Research - August 2009

I am interesting in hearing from anyone with a common SANDERS ancestry connected to the gunmaking trade over the last 250 years, particularly Middlesex (London), Birmingham, Leicester & Loughborough and Oakham (Rutland). I am also seeking C21st descendants of the SANDERS family from the Grantham (Lincolnshire) & Leicester city areas, based on 1901 census data, who may have grandfathers or great grandfathers named Harry SANDERS, Walter SANDERS or Rowland Ashford SANDERS. This is my paternal SANDERS line. Evidence suggests that not many males of this line survived to produce male progeny, except for Leicester, so that cousins will be most likely through other family names; descendants of the many surviving SANDERS daughters, such as my own or sons who "disappeared" from records and who may have emigrated.

I am particularly keen to re-establish contact (lost in 1995) with relatives of Shirley COPE (my 3C1R, married to Horace W. COPE) last known to be resident at 2 Meadow Road, Mountsorrel, Leicester, LE23 7HN, UK, or her cousin Barbara REEDER formerly HUNT (husband David A. REEDER or children Mark & Katherine) of Epsom, or any of the related POTTER family (descendants of Selina  SANDERS) who may now be the keepers of the "POTTER Family Photo Album" or have C19th photographs of the SANDERS, POTTERs and  my GRACE ancestors. I would like to obtain scanned high-resolution images. A number of poor photocopies of some of these photos made in 1995 are shown on this webpage.

Known descendant families include BRYANS, GREEN, HUNT, POTTER, REEDER, SPENCER & WALKER. Please contact me through CreativeGraces.net.

Home Page & Contact Info

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 BMD references to the period immediately after World War I). There are possible earlier 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, (based on 1851 & 1861 census returns), my 3xGGF. Since his full name only appears on his daughter marriage certificate & death, it is assumed he is one of the Joseph SANDERS baptised around this time in Middlesex. It is possible he is the s/o Joseph SANDERS & Sarah TYLOR/TYLER of Enfield, baptised on 24.7.1796 at Saint Andrews, however there is no proof, nor proof that this Joseph was in anyway involved in the trade. Three other children of the couple (daughters Susan SANDERS (1790), Sarah SANDERS (1791) & Mary SANDERS (1794) are recorded there after a 1788 marriage. Further children may have been born to Joseph SANDERS & Sarah in London, for example in Holborn (perhaps another couple), or the couple moved to Birmingham after 1796. For example, there is a sole baptism in Warwickshire for a Mary Ann SANDERS in Sep 1799 at Birmingham St Martin. Most likely through apprenticeship, young Joseph would have moved to Birmingham for the noted gun trade there with or without his family.

The earliest clues for Joseph in London are also enhanced by a Joseph Alexander SANDERS (n. 2.9.1763 & c. 18.9.1763 Shoreditch St Leonards, London) s/o Joseph & Hannah SANDERS. As this is the only occurrence of this full name in records, perhaps he is the father of my Joseph Alexander, and perhaps the one who married Sarah TYLOR in Enfield. There is no recorded marriage for a Joseph Alexander. A Joseph married a Hannah DOWNES on 14.7.1751 at St Anne & St Agnes, Aldersgate, London. Also christened at St Leonards to the couple are a Thomas SANDERS (1760) & Tryphosa SANDERS (1765).

In the period Joseph & Sarah were in Enfield, four other SANDERS couples were married and had children there, and may be related: Richard Francis SANDERS & Anne (possibly Susanna NENNY m. 11.2.1794), William SANDERS & Mary CRACKNELL (m. 16.10.1781), William SANDERS & Mary ACRUS (m. 24.4.1794) and Richard SANDERS & Martha. Both Williams & Richards may be the same. Mary SANDERS (1794) may be the one who married in Enfield either to George Henry WARD on 12.9.1817 or John BROWN on 6.12.1818.

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 my own date and relationship 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 Joseph Alexander SANDERS) and Great-grandfather (unknown) 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 have been embellished with time and perhaps also by the writer of the obituary. Although it is 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 the SANDERS 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 if he is not the Joseph SANDERS married at Enfield.

Part 4: The Early C19th Birmingham & Loughborough Family

- The Family of Joseph Alexander SANDERS & Mary Ann ASHFORD -

Census data in 1851 & 1861 confirms that Joseph Alexander SANDERS was born in London, Middlesex c1796/1797. For naming patterns, a Richard Alexander SANDERS is also noted in London in 1750 connected with the gun trade. 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.

It appears that Joseph arrived in Birmingham either as an apprentice to the gun trade or with his family by the early 1800's. There are several SANDERS trade families at that time in Birmingham and  Middlesex was also famous. 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. Mary Ann was the d/o a Gun Lock filer, so the marriage occurred within the trade.

- Photos are scanned photocopies of originals held in the POTTER family album -
*Historical note: The form of photography shown 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 c1824 (between birth of daughter Elizabeth (c1823) & son Henry (1825) 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 water mills).

By 1841 Joseph Alexander & Mary SANDERS had moved on to a new establishment in Leicester, leaving the Loughborough premises in the 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, probably to support the gun business opened by his son William SANDERS in Mill Street, Oakham. 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. Mary Ann was visiting the HARRISON family in Leicester (no known relationship), according to the census and died in 1853 at Oakham. The only children present in 1851 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, suggesting that the family business was concentrated on Oakham. 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 since about 1857. William's name appears until 1870. The SANDERS name had disappeared by 1877 and 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) with no evidence of earlier trade involvement.

Joseph Alexander SANDERS (1796-1864) & Mary Ann ASHFORD (1797-1853) had at least 11 children. Three of the children may have been baptised in London, as potential entries exist, but cannot be confirmed as being the couple. The family moved from Birmingham to Loughborough c1824. The children are recorded as:

• Mary Ann SANDERS (c1815 Birmingham) = GRAVES (not found in any records, but exists based on family stories only);

• John SANDERS (c1816 Birmingham-1880 Loughborough) = Elizabeth ABBOTT. Descendants:

  • Joseph Abbott SANDERS (1838-1913) = Elizabeth PALFREYMAN in 1866 Loughborough. Their Loughborough family: 

    • Emily SANDERS (1867) - see note below; 

    • Elizabeth Ann SANDERS (1869-69);

  • Albert or Abbott SANDERS (c1839). Unknown after 1841;

  • John SANDERS (1840-46);

  • Elizabeth Ann SANDERS (c1842-43);

  • Mary Ann SANDERS (c1844-53);

  • Elizabeth SANDERS (c1848). Presumably died young - not on 1851 census;

  • Emily SANDERS (c1851-53);

• Joseph SANDERS (c1819 Birmingham) - nothing known after 1841 census, and appears to have died Q4 1841 in Leicester;

• Elizabeth SANDERS (c1823 Birmingham - Note: age rounded down in 1841 census) = PICK (based on family stories only - not proven by BMD or by census);

• Henry SANDERS (n. 11.12.1825 & baptised 1828 in Loughborough) - Either died or left home by 1841. Could be on 1841 census in Park Road, Duddeston & Nechells, Birmingham as a male servant (born outside WAR). Not confirmed on 1851 records;

• Thomas SANDERS (n. 5.12.1827 & baptised 1828 Loughborough) - Either died or left home by 1841. Not confirmed on 1851 records;

• Selina SANDERS (c1829 Loughborough-1915 Billesdon, LEI) = Thomas Hatton POTTER in 1850;

• William SANDERS (c1831 Loughborough-1881 Grantham, LIN) = Ann ELLINGWORTH in 1856 Oakham. Descendants are:

  • Joseph Thomas SANDERS (c1857 Doncaster, West Yorkshire, d. 1938 Chantilly, France), m. 1882 Stockport = Jessie MAITLAND (1860-1927) - jockey in Chantilly, France. In 1871 he was a stable boy in Newmarket, Suffolk. Children:

    • Renee SANDERS (birth record not found);

    • Isabella SANDERS (1885-1964), m. John CHAMBERS (1880-1958), both interred Chantilly;

  • Harry SANDERS (c1858/59 Doncaster) = Sarah Ann LAWSON in 1880 Leicester. Children were all unmarried and living at 24 Percival Street, Leicester in 1911. Harry was a Shoe Maker by Hand:

    • Annie Minnie SANDERS (1881 Leicester, Passer in Shoe Shop), unmarried on 1911 census, but appears to have married Alfred Hackett WHEATLEY a few months later;

    • Harry SANDERS (1889 Leicester, Tool Maker) - Appears to have married Alice GOODWIN in 1930 Leicester. Alice may be the sister of Arthur, below. A marriage also exists in 1932 Leicester to Ellen L BROWN. No apparent children on BMD;

    • Mabel SANDERS (1893 Leicester, Hand Hosiery Machinist) - Appears to have married John R WRIGHT in 1918 Leicester;

    • Grace SANDERS (1896 Leicester, Counter Girl) - Appears to have married Tom GRANT in 1920 Leicester;

    • Ida SANDERS (1898 Leicester, at School) - Appears to have married Arthur GOODWIN in 1929 Leicester. Arthur may be the brother of Alice, above;

  • Walter SANDERS (1861 Doncaster-1935 Grantham), m. 1882 Grantham = Mary WOOD (1864-1923). Children:

    • William Henry SANDERS (1882-1942 Grantham), m. 1910 Grantham = Agnes Jane BOND. Children:

      • Eileen Mary SANDERS (1913 Grantham-2008) = Henry H HARDY;

    • Maud Marian SANDERS (1885-1976 Grantham), m. 1915 Grantham = Frederick BASS;

    • Gertrude Lucy SANDERS (1888-1970 Grantham), m. 1910 Grantham = George Victor CROSBY;

    • Ida Florence SANDERS (1890-1976 Grantham), m. 1916 = Charles F SWAIN;

    • Gladys Minnie SANDERS (1893-1972 Grantham), m. 1919 = Harold C CROSS;

    • Doris Annie SANDERS (1897-c1938 Grantham), m.  1928 = Percy HARDY;

  • Clara Alice SANDERS / Alice Clara SANDERS (1862 Doncaster-1891 Grantham), m. 1890 Grantham = John FAIRCHILD;

  • Annie Elizabeth SANDERS (1863 Doncaster), m. 1890 Grantham = JACKSON or PALMER;

  • John William SANDERS (c1867/68 Rutland), m. 1891 Leicester = Harriett BROOKSBANK. Children:

    • Adeline SANDERS (1902-82);

    • Mabel SANDERS (1904);

    • Kathleen Nellie SANDERS (1907), m. 1936 Leicester to Lancelot C THRELKELD;

    • John William SANDERS (1909-94 Leicester), m. Alice M SENSICALL in 1938 Leicester. Children:

      • George William SANDERS (1939);

      • Anthony SANDERS (1942), m. 1965 Leicester to Carol M EDWARDS. Children:

        • Karen SANDERS (1966);

        • Andrew William SANDERS (1968);

        • Nicola SANDERS (1975);

      • Gillian Ann SANDERS (adopted);

  • Rowland Ashford SANDERS (1871 Oakham) - nothing known after 1881 census. Death or marriage not found. Possibly emigrated by 1891;

  • Emily SANDERS (c1873 Oakham), m. 1893 Grantham =  Thomas HODSON;

  • Minnie SANDERS (c1875 Grantham) - nothing known after 1891;

• Martha SANDERS (c1833 Loughborough), m. Frederick Richard POTTER;

• Lucretia SANDERS (c1835 Loughborough-1883 Derby);

• Charlotte SANDERS (1841 Leicester-Smethwick 1924), m. William GRACE (my 2xGGPs). 

Part 5: Family Stories from C19th Leicestershire:

Mary Ann SANDERS (c1815 Birmingham):

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 (possibly London). 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, Leicester. 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 research of census & BMD data fail to confirm any of the above thread. As there are some burials for infant Mary Ann SANDERS, it is possible the story as passed on has become severely corrupted or belongs elsewhere in this family.

John SANDERS (1816 Birmingham):

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 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/Abbott 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. No SANDERS male progeny survives along this SANDERS branch.

The Story of John NEWBOROUGH: [For more information contact Gillian HASSELL]

John NEWBOROUGH (1832) was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth NEWBOROUGH of Orton on the Hill, Leicestershire (now Warwickshire). At the time of John's marriage in 1855 his father is given as John SANDERS, occupation liquor merchant. In the 1901 census John is recorded as John Sanders NEWBOROUGH. The only John SANDERS with this trade in the 1851 census in the area is the John of this SANDERS family. There are no other candidates in the 1841 census. There is a family fable of some 'wrong side of the blanket' link to the gentry, or at least of a different social class, so it is possible a young man's fling may have occurred before John SANDERS was respectably married to Elizabeth ABBOTT. Unfortunately, since no male NEWBOROUGH heirs have survived to the present day, this can never be proven using Y-DNA.

Joseph SANDERS (1819 Birmingham):

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 may be the death in Q4 1841 Leicester.

Elizabeth SANDERS (c1823 Birmingham):

Born by 1826 (based on rounded-down age in 1841 census) outside of Leics., probably Birmingham (baptism not found, although possibly London). Possibly married into the PICK family. C20th SANDERS relative Shirley COPE related 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. The Elizabeth who married Q4 1844 at Loughborough is not her, as the father is Thomas. The PICK family relationship is not confirmed by 1851 or 1861 census either.

Henry SANDERS (1825 Loughborough):

Nothing is known apart from being born in 1825 and baptised in Loughborough in 1828 at HSLRW (High Street, Leicester Road Wesleyan) with his younger brother Thomas and possibly died in infancy (records sought). He was not at home in 1841 or a subsequent census in the area, but could be a servant in Aston on the 1841 census.

Thomas SANDERS (1826 Loughborough):

Nothing is known apart from being born in 1827 and baptised in Loughborough in 1828 at HSLRW (High Street, Leicester Road Wesleyan) with his older brother Henry. Possibly died in infancy (records sought), he was not at home in 1841 or a subsequent census in the area

Selina SANDERS (1829 Loughborough):

William SANDERS (c1831 Loughborough):

William SANDERS and his wife Ann ELLINGWORTH were marriage witnesses at his sister Charlotte SANDERS' wedding in 1863 to William GRACE. William SANDERS was born c1831 in Loughborough and baptised the same year. He married Ann in 1856 in Oakham after setting up his business in Mill Street, Oakham, before moving to the High Street. 1864 he took over the business set up in Oakham by his father who died the same year, and was recorded there until 1870. Oakham Museum has a Gentlemen’s belt pistol made by Sanders of Oakham dated c1850. This is most likely to have been made by William or his father.

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, named after his grandmother), 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 = NEAL, JACKSON or PALMER;
Alice Clara SANDERS = John FAIRCHILD in Grantham;
John William SANDERS = Harriett BROOKSBANK in Leicester;
Emily SANDERS = Thomas HODSON;

Martha SANDERS (c1833 Loughborough):

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 visiting 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 Loughborough-1883):

Charlotte SANDERS (1841):

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 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 may have 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.

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", below.

Emily SANDERS (1867):

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 reportedly dated May 1936 from a firm of Loughborough solicitors asking for information on relatives, suggesting a date for death before this time. Perhaps this initiated the GRACE family tales of the "Sanders Fortune" (see below). Shirley COPE related that Cousin Pem SANDERS owned a row of cottages in Loughborough which were condemned after 1945 due to lack of sanitation, supporting this story. 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. Census data up to 1901 suggest Pem only made it as far as Sussex, as she was boarding and "living on own means" throughout that period. What happened to her after 1901 is unclear. The 1936 episode appears to relate to the death of her mother Elizabeth (PALFREYMAN) in 1935, aged 96. No date of death for Emily has yet been found.

Part 6: The Story of SANDERS GRACE:

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. 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". It is not clear who this person would be as few of the SANDERS name were alive at this time.

It is likely connected to the death of Emily and the letters around 1936. The story has been subject to embellishment and misinformation over the years. A further possibility is that 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 families. 

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!

My SANDERS Data / SANDERS (Leics)

Home Page & Contact Info

The outline above is indicative only and not necessarily fully correct or complete.
The CreativeGraces family tree can be found here on Ancestry:
http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/pt/pedigree.aspx?tid=9072976
This is where you can find the most up-to-date information.
You will need approval for Guest access.

Unable to find what you're looking for on CreativeGraces.net?

Still stuck? Try the FAQ !