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."