SAUNDERS | Jewelian Family

SAUNDERS FAMILY

James Saunders

James Saunders arrived in New Zealand somewhere about 1856, but the name of the ship on which he arrived is uncertain. Gordon Saunders, my mother’s cousin, states in his booklet, “Family and Personal and Memoirs” the following: “According to my father’s account, it was the ‘Oliver Lang’, a fine ship of 1,236 tons register, sailing from Liverpool and carrying both freight and passengers: but according to the obituary notice, he came in the ‘Mariner’, of 683 tons, sailing from London. Both ships arrived in Wellington within a month of each other, towards the end of 1856.” After working as a butler for one Dr Cuming of London, described as a ‘great divine’ he went to sea, first as a steward and then before the mast. It appears that he and several shipmates deserted from their ship.

James was born on 5 November, 1826 at Old Pound Farm, Llangarren, Herefordshire, son of John Saunders and Elizabeth Dance, who married at St. Deinst’s church, Llangarren on 11 May, 1820. Witnesses were Daniel Vaughan and Catherine Dance, the latter signing the register with her mark, as did the bride and groom. Other children of the marriage, all born in Llangarren, were:

William 3 June 1821

Elizabeth 2 February, 1823 (died 15/5/1824)

John 25 November, 1824

Jane 1829

George 1831

Thomas 14 July, 1833

Joseph 24 July 1836

John was baptised in Llangarren on 14 January 1793, son of Joseph Saunders and Martha Adams, who married at Llangarren on 14 October, 1766. Other children of the marriage were: (baptism dates)

Mary 1 July 1767

Jane 17 February 1773

John 10 December 1776

Joseph 10 December 1776

Martha 31 May 1779

William 7 December 1782

Thomas 12 October 1783

Sara 5 February 1786

There is some confusion as to the date of John’s baptism. The baptism in 1793 is shown as Thomas in both parish records and bishop’s transcripts. However, there is was already a Thomas in the family, born 10 years ago. When Joseph married in 1807 for the second time, one of the witnesses was Thomas Saunders, and in the 1841 census of Llangarren, both John and Thomas appear. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the Thomas supposedly baptised in 1793 is actually John.

There was a Joseph Saunders baptised at Kinnersley in Herefordshire on 30 October 1743 who could be “our” Joseph. Parents were Thomas Saunders and Ann.

In the 1841 census of Welsh Newton, we find at Newton Common:

John Saunders, 45 Agricultural Labourer

Elizabeth Saunders 46

William Saunders 20 “ “

James Saunders 14

Jane Saunders 12

George Saunders 10

Thomas Saunders 8

Joseph Saunders 5

By 1851 at the same address, there is only John, aged 54 and his son Joseph aged 15, both described as gardeners, born in Llangarren. John and Elizabeth had separated, and she was living with a daughter in Newport. The next entry is for Newton Cottage, occupied by Charles Dycer, aged 59, a landholder, born Marylebone, London, his wife Amelia aged 47 and a 23 year old servant. Presumably John was gardener for this couple.

1851 Census, Parish of Wonastow, Monmouth

Robert Fisher hd m 55 Land proprietor b Leicestershire

Frances Fisher wf m 50 b London

Jane Ann Fisher dau u 22 b Madley Hef

Ann Jenkins serv u 45 House Keeper b Llansoy Mon

Hannah Coleman serv u 28 Housemaid b Llanrothal Hef

Evan Davis serv u 56 Coachman b Discord Rad

James Saunders serv u 24 Footman b Llangarren Hef

John died in 1864 in Welsh Newton, and his death certificate gives his occupation as ‘sauce gardener.’ His wife Elizabeth was buried in Welsh Newton churchyard on 16 May 1867, but was recorded as living in Newport, Monmouthshire. On her death certificate John’s occupation is listed as “A Gentleman’s Gardener”