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Saunders of South Fork of Meherrin
Lunenburg Co., VA
Jesse Saunders will
Robert Saunders Will (son of Jesse)
Family Records of Robert Saunders
Elmwood
Land survey of Hyde Saunders estate text (images) - files of James Lewter, also current map
Dr. Samuel Saunders, son of Robert.
Abstract of Will of Jesse Saunders Lunenburg Co., VA
Submitted by James Lewter February 2000
Dated: 21 March 1800; Recorded 10 July 1800
Named:
Son Peyton Saunders 400 acres of land in county of Buckingham now in his possession and 1/5 personal estate.
Four sons Stephen Saunders, Robert Saunders, Hyde Saunders and David Saunders all the land I now own in county of Lunenburg to be equally divided between them, respect being had in the division to the quality as well as quantity of land allotted to each and to each 1/5 of personal estate.
Daughter Sally, now wife of Thomas Woodson all property heretofore given to her and a sum of money
Mention is made of "my children, by Mary, my late wife, formally Mary Lavillion."
Also mentioned is a tract of 400 acres he sold in county of Cumberland to William Starky, John Starky and William Guthery and desirous that the purchasers be secured in their wills to said lands.
Executors appointed: Friends David Robertson and Peter Efris of Lunenburg county and Edward Long of Mecklenburg and son Robert Saunders.
(signed) Jesse Saunders
Witnesses: Wm. S. Pattillo
Joseph Green
Hyde Saunders
10 July 1800 Exhibited in court by Robert Saunders and proved by oaths
of the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded
(signed) William Taylor CC
Recorded Lunenburg Co., VA Will Book 5, page 23a.
Will of Robert Saunders (son of Jesse)
Lunenburg Co., VA
I Robert Saunders of the county of Lunenburg and state of Virginia do make and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament:
First: I give to my son, John H. Saunders, one bed and furniture and one cow and calf, now in his possession, to him and his heirs forever.
Secondly: I give to my daughter Mary S. Booth, two beds and furniture and sundry articles of household and kitchen furniture, too tedious to mention, now in her possession. Also one negro boy, Beverly, to be delivered the fall after the death of my wife, to her and her heirs forever.
Thirdly: I give to my son, Robert Saunders, one negro woman, Malinda, and her children, Washington and John, one bed and furniture, one house, and sundry articles too tedious to mention, which were put in his possession previous to the year 1839, to him and his heirs forever. It is my will and desire that no rent shall be charged him for the plantation he now lives on.
Fourthly: I give to my six grandchildren, James R. Gunn, Tabetha S. Gunn, Mariah L. Gunn, William H. Gunn, Virginia A. Gunn and Lycurgus A. Gunn, children of my daughter, Emily C. Gunn, a negro woman, Mary, And her child, Tom, and all the increase since the birth of Tom, together with all their future increase, which said negroes were conveyed to Patrick Booth in a deed of trust for the benefit of Emily C. Gunn and children which deed is now filed in a suit brought by Emily C. Gunn and children against James E. Mason in the Superior Court of Sommerville, Tennessee, to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs forever. I also give to James R. Gunn, Tabetha S. Gunn, William H. Gunn, Virginia A. Gunn and Lycurgus A. Gunn to each. of them the sum of fifty dollars to be paid by my executors out of the residue of my estate, to them and their heirs forever.
Fifthly: I give to my daughter, Martha A. Roberts, the wife of William T. Roberts, one negro woman, Matilda, and her two children Ella and John with their future increase and one bed and furniture now in her possession. Also a negro girl, Henrietta, to be delivered to her the fall after the death of my wife, to her and her heirs forever.
Sixthly: I give to my son Samuel Saunders, two negro boys, Henry and Charles, and one bed and furniture to be delivered to him the next fall after the death of my wife to him and his heirs forever.
Seventhly: I give to my daughter, Susan Oliver, the wife of John G. Oliver, one negro woman, Betsy, now in her possession, a woman Lucy, a woman Margaret and her children, Caroline and Alexander with their future increase. Also, one Bed and furniture now in her possession. The negroes that are last named to be delivered the fall after the death of my wife, to her and her heirs forever.
Eighthly: I give to my daughter, Lucy A. Saunders, a negro girl, Harriet, a negro woman, Lyddia and her child Mary with their future increase, a negro boy, Richard, and Catherine's child, Ben. Also, one bed and furniture and a half dozen silver table spoons to be delivered to her the next fall after the death of my wife to her and her heirs forever.
Ninthly: I give to my daughter, Anna E. Saunders, a negro boy, Albert, a woman, Sarah, and her child, Miles, with her future increase. Also, one bed and furniture and a half dozen silver table spoons to be delivered to her the fall after the death of my wife, to her and her heirs forever.
Tenthly: I give to my beloved wife, Susan Saunders, all the residue of my estate, both real and personal, during her natural life and after her death to be divided in the following manner, viz:
First: It is my will and desire that all that part of my estate willed to my - wife as a residue, be sold some time in the month of November or December next after the death of my wife, except the land, on a credit of twelve months.
It is my will and desire that my land be reserved as a home for my two single daughters as long as either of them remain single and that my son, Samuel Saunders live with my single daughters and have the exclusive use of the office built in the corner of the yard for him and in other respects have equal privileges with my daughters in the use of the land and houses as a home. But I leave it at the discretion of my single daughters or either one of them if the other should be married to have the land sold whenever it is thought proper by them or either one of them, if one should be married. I desire that neither of my daughters who are now single have any use of the land or houses as a home any longer than they are single, and that the land be sold the next fall after the last one of them is married.
It is my will that the land be sold on a credit of one half be payable in one year, the other half payable in two years.
I desire that all the specific legacies be paid the fall after the death of my wife and all my just debts and the proceeds arising from the sale of that part of my estate willed to my wife as a residue to be applied as follows, viz
Secondly: I give to my son, Samuel Saunders, after the death of my wife, one ninth part of the proceeds of the sale of that part of my estate willed to my wife as the residue, in trust, for the sole purpose that the benefits arising from said property be applied to the use and maintenance of my son, John H. Saunders, during his natural Life and after his death I give the aforesaid ninth part to my son, Saml. Saunders to him and his heirs forever.
Thirdly: I give to my son, Saml. Saunders, after the death of my wife, one full ninth part of the proceeds of the sales of that part of my estate willed to my wife as the residue, for the sole purpose that the benefits arising from said property be applied to the use and maintenance of my son, Robert Saunders, and Mary C. Saunders, his wife, during their natural lives and after their death to be equally divided between them and all of their children to them and their heirs forever. But it is my will and desire that my son, Saml. Saunders, the trustee, may use discretionary power to purchase such property at the sale as may best suit for the maintenance of his wife and himself.
Fourthly: I give to my daughter, Mary S. Booth, one full ninth part of the proceeds of the sales of that part of my estate willed to my wife as the residue, to her and her heirs forever.
Fifthly: I give to my son, John H. Saunders, after the death of my wife, one full part of the net proceeds of the sales of that part of my estate willed to my wife as the residue, after deducting one hundred and seventy dollars in trust, for the sole purpose that the benefits arising from said property be applied to the use and maintenance of Mariah L. Gunn to her and her heirs forever. And if she should die without an heir of her body, I give the aforesaid property to be equally divided between all of her brothers and sisters by the mothers side to them and their heirs forever. It is my will that the one hundred and seventy dollars from this legacy be applied to pay in part the specific legacies willed to her brothers and sisters.
Sixthly: I give to my four daughters, Martha A. Roberts, wife of Wm. T. Roberts, Susan Oliver, wife of John G. Oliver, Lucy A. Saunders, Anna E. Saunders and my son Samuel Saunders, each one full ninth part of the net proceeds of the sales of that part of my estate willed to my wife as the residue, to them and their heirs forever. Moreover it is my will and desire that my son, Robert Saunders, shall live on the place he now lives on and shall not cultivate or cut down any other land except what is inside of the dividing fence between him and myself, free of any charges for rent until all my lands are sold or he provides himself a home.
Lastly: I nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Susan Saunders, executrix and my son, Saml. Saunders, executor, of this, my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills heretofore made by me.
And further it is my will and desire that no security be required of my executors for the true performance of their offices. Moreover, it is my will and desire that if any of my children or any person for them shall make any attempt to upset or set aside my will, they shall forfeit all the provisions made for them in said will and all their portions divided according to the residuary clauses of the will. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th day of October, eighteen hundred and fifty four.
(signed) Robert Saunders
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
Clement J. Thompson (signed)
David Thompson (signed)
I Robert Saunders of the county of Lunenburg do make this instrument a codicil to my will:
Viz: Since the death of my wife, Susan Saunders, I have concluded to make a codicil to my will with regard to the delivery of the specific legacies left to my children and also with regard to my children and also with regard to the time of the sale and distribution of my estate. It is my will and desire that my estate be kept together until the next November or December after my death and my two single daughters, Lucy A. Saunders and Anna E. Saunders or either one that remains single, together with my son Saml. Saunders shall live at my house on the estate, free of charge of any description until that time. At that time that is in November or December next after my death, I wish my executor to deliver to each legatee, his or her specific legacy and sell. the residue of my estate and distribute it according to my will and or Mary C. Saunders, wife of Robert Saunders, which(?) has provided means to purchase them a home.. It is my will and desire that my son, Robert, and family, remove off the land they now live on at the fall or by the first day of December next after my death, or pay full rent for the same as long as he keeps 'possession and the possession shall be at the option of my son Samuel and my two daughters Lucy A. Saunders and Anna E. Saunders.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this thirty first day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty seven.
(signed) Robert Saunders
Lunenburg County Court 14th December, 1857
A paper writing bearing date the 18th day of October, 1854 purporting to be the last will of Robert Saunders, dec. attested by C. J. Thompson and David Thompson, also a writing bearing date the 1st day of July, 1857 purporting to be a codicil to the said will, to which there is no subscribing witness were this day produced in court by Saml. Saunders, the executor therein named, and the said will was proved by the oaths of the witnesses therein and the same witnesses solemnly deposed that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of the deceased, and verily believe that the said codicil and the signature thereto subscribed are wholly in. the handwriting of the said Robert Saunders, dec. Whereupon the same are ordered to be recorded as the true last will and the codicil thereto of the said Robert Saunders, dec. And on the action of the said executor who made oath as the law directs and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $60,000 conditioned according to law. (Rent without security, the will directing that none should be required of him) Certificate is granted the said Saml. Saunders a probate of the said will and codicil in due form.
Teste:
(signed) F. N. Nina cc
Recorded in Lunenburg Co., VA Will Book 14, page 73
Family Records of Robert Saunders
From the files of James Lewter February 2000
Marriages
Robert Saunders son of Jesse Saunders was married to Susana Hord daughter of Thomas Hord on Thursday the 7th day of April 1802.
Polly Smith Saunders was married to Patrick Booth son of John Booth of Charlotte Va on Friday evening the 12th of November 1824.
Samuel Saunders son of Robert was married to Martha A. Swepson Dec. 19th 1861.
Births
Robert Saunders son of Jesse Saunders was born 22nd day of April 1778.
Susanna Saunders wife of Robert Saunders was born the 8th day of January 1785.
1st John Hyde Saunders was born on Tuesday the 17th day January 1804. -- 2nd Polley Smith Saunders was born on Monday morning the 20th day of January 1806.
3rd Salley Woodson Saunders was born on Thursday morning the 22nd of October 1807.
4th Robert Saunders was born on Saturday evening the 5th day of August 1809.
5th Emily Caroline Saunders was born on Wednesday the 1st day of April 1812.
6th David Saunders was born on Thursday morning the 20th day of April 1815.
7th Samuel Saunders was born Saturday morning the 5th day of April 1817.
8th Martha Allan Saunders was born on Tuesday evening the 12th day of October 1819.
9th Susanna Saunders was born on Thursday morning the 27th day of September 1821.
10th Lucy Anne Saunders was born on Friday evening 28th day of May 1824.
11th Anne Elizabeth Saunders was born on Tuesday morning the 21st day of February 1827.