Samuel Sanders 1796-1874 (1011100)

Bearcamp Lake, near where the Sanders family lived,
in Wilkinson County GA.

Samuel Sanders was born about 1796, according to the 1850 Federal Census. His birthplace is probably Warren County GA. This is based on the fact that his probable brother, Colson Sanders, who was born just one year after him, was said to have been born in Warren County:

January 7, 1851 Southern Recorder

"Departed this life, 31st Dec., 1850, Mr. COLSON SANDERS, who was born June 14th, 1797, in Warren county, Ga. - From whence he removed to Wilkinson county, where he married and spent the greater portion of his life. He afterwards removed to Milledgeville [Baldwin County GA], where he resided a few years, when he was attacked with Brain fever, and after an illness of only a few days died.

"In the death of Mr. Sanders, the community has lost a useful citizen -  the Baptist church an acceptable member, his widowed wife a kind husband, and his orphan children, a warm and affectionate father. M D. S."

It is likely that Samuel's father was Arden Sanders (b. bef. 1775), who shows up in Wilkinson County, Georgia for the Federal Census in 1820 as a neighbor to Samuel and his probable brother James. Arden is the only male living nearby and old enough to be Samuel's father. More research needs to be done to confirm this connection.

Myrtle Springs Church today

According to the History of Wilkinson by Victor Davidson, Samuel Sanders was listed as an early member of the Myrtle Springs Church, a Primitive Baptist church in Wilkinson County Georgia. Primitive Baptists are Calvinistic in their belief in predestination, and do not believe in proselyting their faith.  Davidson says that the church was founded in 1812. So, Samuel was in Wilkinson County by about 1812.

Also, on this list are Sarah Sanders, Daniel Sanders, Colson Sanders, Rebecca Sanders. There is also an Elizabeth Welborn listed as a member of this congregation. Since Samuel later named a son Welborne Sanders, it is possible that this is a relative as well.

The Frances Sanders listed in the church records is Samuel's wife. Her name is confirmed by later Census data (1850 & 1860). No marriage record has been found for them, or any other record that connects her to possible parents. More research needs to be done. Daniel is a probable brother, given their close affiliation, and Sarah is Daniel's wife. Colson is also probably a brother and his wife was named Rebecca according to his will in Pulaski County GA (22 Mar 1821, WB A).

Due to the corruption in the land grant process in colonial Georgia, the state decided to sell land grants through land lotteries. Winning in the land lottery allowed a person the right to purchase the tract of land that had been "won" from the state, or to sell the land--often for a profit. These lotteries made it possible for widows, orphans, veterans and even children of convicts to purchase land. A male adult had to have lived in Georgia for at least three years to enter the lottery.

Henry County lands were distributed during the 1821 Land Lottery. Samuel is listed among the winners in that lottery:

Sanders Samuel           Wilkinson                Kettles                      259        8 Henry

This shows Samuel Sanders, who lived in Kettles District in Wilkinson County, obtained 259 acres in District 8 of Henry County. Samuel apparently sold this Henry County land in 1822:

17 Oct 1822 - Henry County GA Deed Bk A, p 116. Samuel SANDERS of Wilkinson Co sold to William BARNETT on 17 Oct 1822, Dist 8, Lot #152 for the sum of $410 recorded 19 Oct 1822. Wit: C BROOKS, Thomas LASLEY JP.

Samuel married Frances (Maiden Name Unknown) in Georgia by 1812. The following children have been identified for them:

1) Claiborne B. Sanders b. between 1813-1814 Wilkinson County GA, d. after 1892 Grimes County TX m. Nancy Holder 4 Nov 1832 Wilkinson County GA

2) Mary Sanders b. about 1832 Wilkinson County GA

3) Vasty Sander b. about 1840 Wilkinson County GA

4) John M. Sanders b. about 1841 Wilkinson County GA

5) Thomas H. Sanders b. about 1842 Wilkinson County GA

6) Seaborn J. Sanders b. about 1843 Wilkinson County GA

7) Welborne Sanders b. about 1846 Wilkinson County GA

8) Martha Sanders b. about 1848 Wilkinson County GA

Most of the names come from later Census records. The large gap between Claiborne and the others, as well as between Mary and Vasty, suggests that there are several children missing from our reckoning. Perhaps a search of later marriage records can uncover some of these missing children.

On 7 Aug 1820 for the Federal Census, Samuel is enumerated in Wilkinson County GA with 3 males under 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 female under 10, 1 female 16-25. This means that there are at least three children missing from our reckoning, two males and one female, who were born before 1820.

Samuel Sanders in 1820 Census, Wilkinson County GA

The 1830 Federal Census shows "Saml Sanders" with 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 10-14, 2 males 15-19, 1 male 20-29, 2 females under 5, 2 females 5-9, 1 female 10-14. The enumerator seems to have failed to enumerate the parents in this household for this census, since Samuel and his wife would have been in their mid-thirties for this census. Perhaps Samuel and Frances were away on this day. The census record shows that the enumerator squeezed Samuel's family in between two households that had been enumerated before him, so that his name appears on the line between the two names, so it is likely that the family was added after the fact.

Samuel Sanders in 1830 Census, Wilkinson County GA

In 1840, "Saml Sanders" was enumerated in District 330, Wilkinson County, Georgia with 1 male under 5, 1 male 10-14, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 40-49, 2 females 10-14, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 40-49. None of these children are reflected in the list of children above, since Claiborne was enumerated in a separate household, and none of the females are old enough to be Mary.

Samuel Sanders in 1840, Wilkinson County, GA

In the 1850 Federal Census, Samuel Sanders is enumerated in Division 93, Wilkinson County Georgia, as 54 years of age, with Fanny Sanders 54, Mary Sanders 28, John M. Sanders 9, Thomas Sanders 9, Seaborn J. Sanders 7, Wilborne Sanders 4, and Martha Sanders 2.

By 1856 the family have moved to Pulaski County GA. In the 1860 Federal Census, Samuel Sanders is living in Pulaski, Georgia. He is 63 years of age, with Frances 63, Thomas 18, Vasty 20, Seaborn J. 17, William 15, Martha J. 12, and John M. 10. Given the advanced age of the mother when some of these children were born, it is worth some study to discover if some of the later children might have been grandchildren from a deceased son, though it is entirely possible for a fifty-one year old woman to bear children.

Samuel Sanders in the 1860 Census, Pulaski County GA

I have yet to locate the family in the 1870 Census, though we know from Samuel's obituary that he had moved to Florida about that time. Perhaps he was in transit at the time of the Census.

An obituary for Samuel gives some useful information about his migrations, and gives us his death date as well:

From The Hawkinsville Dispatch [Pulaski County, Georgia] July 9, 1874

"Former Citizen Dies--Mr. Samuel Sanders, for many years a citizen of Pulaski Co. died on the 29th of May, 1874 at his home on Merritt's Island in Indian River, Fla., he was about 78 years old. He came from Wilkinson Co. in 1856 and removed to Fla. in 1870." 

Rachel Elizabeth Sanders 1835-1870 (10111)

Wilkinson County, Georgia

Rachel Elizabeth Sanders was born about 1835 in Wilkinson County, Georgia, the eldest daughter and second child of Claiborne B. Sanders and Nancy Holder. Rachel's maiden name is confirmed by her marriage license. Her birth year (1835) is taken from Census Records. She appears with her parents in the 1860 Federal Census, which confirms her connection to her parents. Claiborne Sanders (her father) was living in Stewart County, Georgia in 1850, then shows up in Montgomery, Texas for the 1860 Census. We know, from the 1870 Census, that Rachel was born in Georgia and that she was in Montgomery County, Texas for her marriage, which consolidates the fact that Claiborne Sanders must be her father.

Rachel cannot be found with her family in the 1850 Census. She would have been fifteen years of age that year, and old enough to have been useful in helping with child care or housework for an elderly family member. There is a Rachel E. Sanders in the 1850 Federal Census who appears in Georgia Factory District, Clarke County GA with a Smith and Epps family. A few doors down is a Silas Sanders and his family. It has yet to be determined if or how these families are related, but it is believed that this may be our Rachel.

Rachel E. Sanders in the home of the Smith family for the 1850 Census,
in Georgia Factory District, Clarke County, Georgia

Georgia Factory Dist, Clarke, Georgia

Anna Smith 62 f SC

Martha A. Smith 26 f GA

Mary C. Smith 34 f GA

Elizabeth A. Smith 24 f GA

Winnifred Epps 22 f GA

Francis Eppes 25 m Millwright GA

Rachel E. Sanders 20 f GA

Simeon Smith 10 m GA

By 1854, the Sanders family had relocated to Montgomery County, Texas. Rachel moved with her family, and it was there that she met, fell in love with and married Isaac Cryle Decker from the pioneering Decker family. 

Rachel's marriage record gives the following information:

Cryle Decker to Rachel Sanders, State of Texas, County of Montgomery. Marriage was solemnized the 26th day of December 1855, by Lem G. Clepper, Justice of the Peace.

Isaac Cryle Decker and Lizzie Decker had the following children:

Central Texas in the spring with bluebonnets in bloom,
showing the beauties that Lizzie would have enjoyed.

1) Almira Elizabeth Decker b. 10 Jan 1857 Montgomery County, TX, d. 1 Nov 1913 Brownwood, Brown, TX; m. James Andrew Gilley 2 Feb 1875 Waller County, TX

2) Ophelia Jane Decker b. 20 Sep 1859 Montgomery County, TX, d. 15 May 1939 Hageman, Chaves, NM m. Andrew Austin Andrus

Rachel would have been living with her husband and daughters in the 1860 Federal Census in Montgomery County Texas. However, no census record has been found for the family in that year.  The 1870 Census shows the family is still in Montgomery County Texas.

Rachel E. (Sanders) Decker with her husband and children in the 1870 Census
Tillis Prairie Precinct, Montgomery County, Texas

Rachel disappears after the 1870 Census, in which she is only 35 years of age. It is possible that she died young. We know that her husband, Isaac Cryle Decker, died in 1873. It is believed that she died within days of her husband. A cholera epidemic spread through south western Texas from Louisiana during that year killing many people. Rachel and her husband were likely victims of that plague. Rachel would have been buried in the family cemetery at Decker's Prairie in Montgomery County, Texas.

Claiborne B. Sanders 1813-1892 (101110)

Beautiful Bearcamp Lake in Wilkinson County, Georgia near which Claiborne grew up.

In his military discharge papers, Claiborne B. Sanders is described as being five feet, ten inches tall. He had dark hair, and a dark complexion, with grey eyes. He was born about 1813, according to Census Record ranges. Later Census Records confirm he was born in Georgia. Claiborne's father, Samuel Sanders, was in Wilkinson County by 1812, so Claiborne was probably born in Wilkinson County, Georgia. Claiborne's connection to his father is shown through guardian records in which Samuel Sanders acts as security for Claiborne on several guardianship bonds, as well as acting as his agent after Claiborne moved to Stewart County Georgia.

From Wilkinson County GA:

Wilkinson Co. Minute Book A, -July Term 1835: pg. 13: Martha Sanders, Est. Claborn Sanders has letters of administration, $300 bond. Samuel Sanders, Security. pg. 14: Martha Sanders, Orph. - Claborn Sanders is appointed Gdn. for Elbert A., Cyon (Sion), D.B. and Nancy Sanders, $300 bond. Samuel Sanders, Security.
-November Term 1835, pg. 19: Martha Sanders, Orph. - Sion D. L. Sanders is bound to Joseph M. Lord.
-May Term 1838, pg. 71: Martha Sanders, Orph. - Etheldred Webb, Gdn., makes his return for 1837.
-March Term 1841: pg. 126: Martha Sanders, Est. - Samuel Sanders, agent, makes a return.
-Nov Term 1844, pg. 193: Martha Sanders, Est. - Samuel Sanders as an agent for Claibourn B. Sanders, Admr., makes his return.
-May Term 1845, pg. 205: Martha Sanders, Est. - Samuel Sanders, Agent for Claibourn B. Sanders, Admr., has settled the Estate and has letters of dismissal.

Claiborne is undoubtedly living with his father in Wilkinson County for the 1830 Federal Census, since Samuel has sons listed at home of the correct age.

The marriage record for Claiborne Sanders and Nancy Holder show that they were married on 4 Nov 1832 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.

Name:	Claiborne Sanders
Spouse:	Nancy Holder
Marriage Date:	4 Nov 1832
Marriage County:	Wilkinson
Marriage State:	Georgia

[Dodd, Jordan. Georgia Marriages to 1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.]

Claiborne and Nancy had the following children:

1) Thomas Sanders b. abt 1834 Wilkinson County, GA

2) Rachel Elizabeth Sanders b. abt 1835 Wilkinson County, GA

3) John Sanders b. about 1737 GA

4) Rebecca Sanders b. about 1839 GA

5) R. J. Sanders (female) b. about 1841 Stewart County, GA

6) J. M. Sanders (male) b. about 1843 Stewart County, GA

7) Sarah Sanders b. about 1845 Stewart County, GA

8) M. L. Sanders (female) b. about 1846 Stewart County, GA

9) Benjamin F. Sanders b. about 1848 Stewart County, GA

10) E. Myra Sanders b. Dec 1849 Stewart County, GA

In the 1840 Federal Census C. B. Sanders appears in Stewart County GA, where he had relocated about 1836. Stewart is west of Wilkinson County, and was the beginning of C. B. Sander's western movement.

C. B. Sanders in 1840 Census in Stewart County, Georgia.

Claiborne, age 36, is also in Stewart County GA for the 1850 Federal Census. He is listed as C.B. Sanders with wife Nancy, age 42, sons Thomas Sanders 16, John Sanders 13, J. M. Sanders 7 and Benj. F Sanders, and daughters Rebecca Sanders 1, Sarah Sanders 5, M. L. Sanders 4 and E. M. [Myra] Sanders 9/12. His occupation is listed as Farmer, and he has $300 worth of real estate.

C. B. Sanders in the 1850 Census, with his family, in Stewart County, Georgia.

In a testimony included with his land records, Claiborne claims to have moved his family to Texas before March of 1852. He is listed as an original grantee of land in Montgomery County TX: League 8, Section 480, Abstract 522. This makes him another Texas pioneer.

Claiborne found land in Montgomery County, Texas, that had been vacated by its previous owner. Under the pre-emptive act of 1854, settlers were allowed to reside on vacated land. After three years of farming and paying taxes, they could then purchase the property. Claiborne settled his family onto acreage adjacent to Lake Creek, and began to farm. In 1857, he had the land surveyed, and by 1859 he proceeded to purchase the land legally. In 1860, the title cleared and he became the legal owner of 160 acres of land in Montgomery County, Texas:

Texas Land Title Abstracts

Grantee:	Claiborne B. Sanders
Patentee:	Claiborne B. Sanders
Patent Date:	16 Jul 1860
Acres:	160
District:	Montgomery
County:	Montgomery
File:	317
Patent #:	11
Patent Volume:	31
Class:	Mont. 3rd.

[Ancestry.com. Texas, Land Title Abstracts,1700-2008 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Texas General Land Office. Abstracts of all original Texas Land Titles comprising Grants and Locations. Austin, TX, USA.]

Claiborne's survey and all papers dealing with this land purchase are available on-line and the Texas General Land Office site. The images can be seen here:

http://www.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/3/1/0/310688.pdf

or go to the search site and enter Abstract Number 522 in the search form:
http://www.glo.texas.gov/cf/land-grant-search/index.cfm

Claiborne B. Sanders and family in Montgomery County, Texas, for the 1860 Census.

Claiborne is listed as C. B. Sanders, 47 years old, in the 1860 Federal Census in Montgomery County Texas, with N. Sanders 52 [Nancy], J. Sanders 23 M [John], R. Sanders 21 F [Rebecca], J. Sanders 18 F, S. Sanders 16 F [Sarah], B. J. Sanders 12 M [Benjamin J], E.M. Sanders 10 F [E. Myra]. Claiborne's occupation is listed as Farmer, with real estate valued at $800.

During the Civil War, Claiborne served in the 4th Texas Regiment of Infantry as a private in Company H, known as Porter’s Guards. The Texas 4th was organized on 7 May 1861 in Grimes County, Texas. He was living in neighboring Montgomery County Texas at the time that recruiters came through his township. He volunteered to serve, and followed the regiment to Richmond, Virginia, where they were officially enlisted on the 24th day of March, 1862. This regiment saw a lot of service during the war, but Claiborne was only part of it for a short time. 

In May of 1862, he participated in the Battle of Eltham's Landing. Here is a brief explanation of the battle:

“Johnston ordered Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith to protect the road to Barhamsville and Smith assigned the division of Brig. Gen. William H. C. Whiting and Hampton's Legion, under Colonel Wade Hampton, to the task. On May 7, Franklin posted Brig. Gen. John Newton's brigade in the woods on either side of the landing road, supported in the rear by portions of two more brigades (Brig. Gens. Henry W. Slocum and Philip Kearny).[6] Newton's skirmish line was pushed back as Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood's Texas Brigade advanced, with Hampton to his right. Hood was concerned about casualties from friendly fire in the thick woods, so he ordered his men to advance with unloaded rifles. Encountering a Union picket line 15 paces away, Hood wrote, "A corporal of the enemy drew down his musket upon me as I stood in front of my line." Fortunately for Hood, Private John Deal of the 4th Texas Infantry had disobeyed his orders and carried a loaded rifle; he managed to shoot the Union corporal before the latter could fire.[7]

As a second brigade followed Hood on his left, the Union troops retreated from the woods to the plain before the landing, seeking cover from the fire of Federal gunboats. Whiting employed artillery fire against the gunboats, but his guns had insufficient range, so he disengaged around 2 p.m. Union troops moved back into the woods after the Confederates left, but made no further attempt to advance.[2]

[From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

On the map below, toward the center, you can see where G. W. Smith was advancing on Franklin’s landing point near West Point. The location is marked with “May 7.” This was where Franklin and his Union forces were landing. The Confederates met them on that day, and delayed their advance long enough to allow the Confederate troops to continue toward Richmond unhampered. Claiborne would have advanced with Brig. Gen. Hood’s brigade as they moved against Franklin’s men at Eltham’s Landing.

On the 20th of May 1862, Claiborne was left at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia to recover from illness. Two months later, he was released from service as being too disabled to serve any further. His discharge papers explain that he had been suffering from rheumatism, and could no longer perform the duties of a soldier. Soldiers were required to sleep out of doors in all weather, and march for miles at a time. It was a miserable existence in the best of health, but particularly miserable for a rheumatic man of nearly fifty years of age. He returned home to his family, and spent the rest of the war convalescing. His one taste of war was more of a skirmish than a battle, but it had been a successful one.

Discharge Papers for Claiborne B. Sanders, dated 27th July 1862.

Tax lists show that Claiborne moved from Montgomery County to Grimes County in 1867. In the 1870 Federal Census, C. B. is listed in Grimes County TX as "Claborne Sanders" 56 years old, born in GA. Nancy 61 born in GA and daughters Rebecca 30 and Myra 20. His occupation is listed as "Saddler." His real estate is valued at $1500, and his personal estate at another $500. This is a considerable amount of property for those days.

In the 1880 Federal Census, he is listed again as C. B. Sanders in Grimes County TX. C. B. Sanders 67 born GA as, he claims, were both of his parents, Nancy 71 born in GA as were both of her parents. Claiborne's occupation is again listed as Farmer. There is also a Boarder living with them named Daniel Gill age 22, single, a laborer who came from AL.

Claiborne appears in tax lists in Grimes County TX from 1867 through 1892, by which time he has accumulated 240 acres of land. He disappears after the 1892 tax lists. No death record, cemetery record, or obituary has been found for him. So, we can only register that he died after 1892.